_Prot._ It seems something that you say: But yet, though upon such consideration, a free use of your own _judgment_, as to providing for your own Salvation is granted you; yet, methinks in this matter you have some greater cause to suspect it, since several Churches, having of late taken liberty to examine by Gods Word more strictly the corrupt doctrins of former ages, yet these _reformed_, as well as the other _unreformed_, stand opposite to you; and neither those professing to follow the Scriptures, nor those professing to follow Tradition, and Church-Authority; neither those requiring strict obedience and submission of judgment, nor those indulging Christian liberty, countenance your doctrin. But you stand also _Reformers_ of the _Reformation_, and separated from all. _Soc._ Soft a little. Though I stand separated indeed from the present unreformed Churches; or also (if you will) from the whole Church that was before _Luther_; yet I both enjoy the external Communion, and think I have reason to account my self a true member of the Churches Reformed; and, as I never condemned them, or thought Salvation not attainable in them; so neither am I (that I know of) excluded by, or from them; so long as I retain my opinion in silence, and do not disturb their peace; and I take my self also on these terms to be a member, in particular, of the Church of _England_, wherein I have been educated. For, all these Churches (as confessing themselves _fallible_ in their decree) do not require of their Subjects to yield any _internal assent_ to their Doctrins; or to profess any thing against their Conscience, and in Hypocrisie; and do forbear to use that Tyranny upon any for enjoying their Communion, which they so much condemn in that Church, from which, for this very thing, they were forced to part Communion, and to reform. Of this matter, thus, Mr. _Whitby_[95]--_Whom did our Convocation ever damn for not internally receiving their decrees? Do they not leave every man to the liberty of his judgment?--They do not require, that we should in all things believe, as they believe; but that we should submit to their determination, and not contradict them; their decisions are not obtruded as infallible Oracles, but only submitted to in order to peace and unity----So that their work is rather to silence, than to determine disputes,_ &c.----_and_ p. 438. _We grant a necessity, or at least a convenience of a Tribunal to decide controversies, but how? Not by causing any person to believe what he did not antecedently to these decrees, upon the sole authority of the Council; but by silencing our disputes, and making us acquiesce in what is propounded without any publick opposition to it, keeping our opinions to our selves----A liberty of using private discretion in approving or rejecting any thing as delivered, or not, in Scripture, we think ought to be allowed; for faith cannot be compelled; and by taking away this