Schism detected in both extremes, or, Two sorts of sinful separation the first part…Schism detected in both extreams, or, Two sorts of sinful separation the first part…

LXXXIV. And now Reader if thou art one that thinkest of these things with Christian Sobriety and impartiality, I appeal to thee whether if I should be of the mind of Mr. Dodwell, and such self-conceited Resolvers, I should not write my own Condemnation, and be one of the grossest Schismatics that any History hath mentioned, unless ever there were any man so mad as to hold himself to be all the Church: Yea, when he no more distinguisheth of Separation and Schism, but involves almost all Christians in his Condemnation, and tells us that Schism will damn us as soon as Adultery and Murder, is it not obvious for all men to infer that we are as odious as Adulterers and Murderers? and doth he not Preach Christians into the hatred of each other? and can any wonder if Rulers should think the Punishment of Murderers is not worse than we deserve? It is not New-gate only, but Tyburn that these healing men do seem to assign us; it would be too tedious to look over all these again, and show you how great the number is that these men damn, and how few on Earth in any Age they excuse from being so far like Murderers.

LXXXIV. And now Reader if thou art one that thinkest of these things with Christian Sobriety and impartiality, I appeal to thee whether if I should be of the mind of Mr. Dodwell, and such self-conceited Resolvers, I should not write my own Condemnation, and be one of the grossest Schismaticks that any History hath mentioned, unless ever there were any man so mad as to hold himself to be all the Church: Yea, when he no more distinguisheth of Separation and Schism, but involves almost all Christians in his Condemnation, and tells us that Schism will damn us as soon as Adultery and Murder, is it not obvious for all men to infer that we are as odious as Adulterers and Murderers? and doth he not Preach Christians into the hatred of each other? and can any wonder if Rulers should think the Punishment of Murderers is not worse than we deserve? It is not New-gate only, but Tyburn that these healing men do seem to assign us; it would be too tedious to look over all these again, and shew you how great the number is that these men damn, and how few on Earth in any Age they excuse from being so far like Murderers.

LXXXV. 1. It seems to me that he virtually damneth all Christians on Earth as such Schismatics; for it is most certain that all men have sin, and culpable imperfection in Knowledge, Will and Practice; and if any say, That he hath no sin, he is a Liar, saith St. John; and it is certain that all two persons on Earth have many errors, and many differences from one another; it is certain that the Love and Duty of Christians towards each other is culpably defective in all men: It is certain that no man living is so perfect in knowledge as to know all the indifferent things in the world, which may be imposed, to be Indifferent! And long and sad experience hath told the Church, that both gross errors and sins, and things called Truths or indifferent, which few can be sure of, may be imposed. What follows from all this, but that all men on Earth may easily fall under the imputation of disobedience to Prelates, and so be Excommunicate, and then they have their choice (when no man is perfect, and they cannot change their minds) 1. Whether they will be damned as Excommunicate