If all these can be proved, there is no reason to complain of our separation.
First, That this separation was neither unjust nor unnecessary. It is unjust if it be made without a cause : it is unnecessary if it be made without a sufficient cause, or such a cause as may warrant so great a breach in the Christian world. Certain it is that the schism lieth not in the separation, but the cause ; and so is not chargeable on those that make the separation, but on those that give the cause. So that if we would examine whether the separation be good, I think we must examine the causes of it; therefore let us a little consider this very- thing. Certainly the cause was not unjust; there was a cause (I shall show that by and by) ; and that it was not unnecessary, without a sufficient cause, and so no way culpable.
The business is, whether the controversies be of such moment as that there should be such a breach among Christians that we and they should keep such a distance (I speak only to the sufficiency of the cause, the justness we shall see by and by). Of what moment soever the controversies were, if the things that are taken to be errors be imposed as a condition of communion, a Christian cannot join himself with them. Certainly it is no sin to abstain from the communion of any church on earth, where the conditions of its com- munion are apparently unlawful and against conscience, though it may be the matters in debate be not of great moment. I only speak pro-
VeR. 30.] SERMONS UPON^ PSALIM CXIX. 3U3
visionall}', Le they or be they not of moment, yet if these be propounded as conditions of its communion ; for no man is necessitated to sin. In some cases it is lawful to withdraw out of a place for fear of danger and infection ; as if a house or town be infected with the pestilence, it is but a necessary caution to look to ourselves betimes, and withdraw out of that house or town.
But now when no men are permitted to tarry but those that are infected with the disease, the case is out of dispute ; the sound must be gone, and withdraw from them by all the means they can. Now, such are the corruptions of Popery, and the danger of seducement so manifest, that ' little children are by all means to keep themselves from idols,' 1 John v. 21. We should be viery cautious and wary of that communion wherein there is so much hazard of salvation, if pos- sible ; we should keep ourselves untainted. But when we are bound to the belief, practice, i^rofession of those errors, there needs no more debate ; a Christian must be gone, else he will sin against conscience. Now this is the case clearly between them and us. Suppose the cor- ruptions were not great, nor the errors damnable, yet when the profes- sion of them is required, and the belief of them as certain truths is imposed, we are to endure all manner of extremity rather than yield to them. Therefore much more when it is easy to be proved that they are manifest and momentous corruptions. Therefore certainly to leave the communion of the popish faction is but to return to our union and communion with Christ ; it can be no fault to leave them that left Christ, and the ancient flxith and church. The innocent hus- band that leaves the adulterous Avife is not to be blamed, for she had first broken the bonds, and violated the rights of the conjugal relation. Or, a good citizen and soldier are not to be blamed in forsaking their governor and captain, who first revolted from his allegiance to his prince, ay, and when he would engage them in the same rebellion too.
Secondly, As to the management of it, or the manner how it was carried on. It was not made rashly and lightly, without trying all good means, and offering to have their complaints debated in a free council ; in the meantime continuing in their station, and managing the cause of Christ with meek but yet zealous defences, until they were driven thence by antichristian fury for blowing the trumpet, and warning the church of her danger from that corrupt party ; until per- secuted by censures not only ecclesiastical but civil ; cast out of the church, put to death, some for witnessing against, others merely for not owning and practising, these corrupt ions; and hunted out from their corners, where they Avere willing to hide, and worship God in secret, Avitli all rigour and tyranny ; driven first out of the church, then out of the world by fire and sword, unless they would com- municate with them in their sin : thus Avere they used. So that the Eomanists cannot charge the Protestants Avitli schism for leaving their communion, any more than a man that thrusteth another out of doors can be offended at his departure. Yea, Avhen the reformed did set up other churches, it Avas after all hopes of reformation Avere lost and defeated ; and the princes, magistrates, pastors, and people were grown into a multitude, and did in great numbers run to the banner