A30587:684
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…
Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughs.Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and evils of them : with cautions that we may not be hurt by them, and endeavours to heal them / by Jeremiah Burroughes.
London: printed for Robert Dawlman, 1653
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now this implies an union by a Church agreement; where there never was such an agreement, there cannot be the guilt of this Schism. Although they who dwell within such a perambulation, such a compass of ground, should not join in some ordinances with some within that compass, whatsoever offence there may be against some civill constitution, yet the guilt of Schism they do not contract upon themselves, for that union they never had cannot be broke.
Now this implyes an union by a Church agreement; where there never was such an agreement, there cannot be the guilt of this Schisme. Although they who dwell within such a perambulation, such a compasse of ground, should not joyne in some ordinances with some within that compasse, whatsoever offence there may be against some civill constitution, yet the guilt of Schisme they doe not contract upon themselves, for that union they never had cannot be broke.
But you will say, Yes, they are Schismatics, though they were never so united, because they were bound to unite thus, and they have not.
But you will say, Yes, they are Schismaticks, though they were never so united, because they were bound to unite thus, and they have not.
It must be granted that CHRIST by what he ordered the Apostles to do,1 would have all Christians dwelling together, so far as they can, to unite into a body, but there is no such order of Christ, that all that dwell on the one side of the street should be of one body, and all on the other of another body: if they be more then can join into one spiritual corporation, they are bound to join into several, so as they may best, to their own and other Churches edification, and if they should fail in this, not joining in the best way that possible might be, their sin is against that edification that Christ requires, but not therefore the sin of Schism. Who ever they were that bounded Parishes, surely they did not so bound them to the greatest edification of the Church that possible might be, and yet who will say they were therefore Schismatics? But suppose you have joined with any company of Saints in a spiritual corporation, if you now shall uncharitably, unjustly, rashly, and violently break from communion with them, then you contract the guilt of Schism upon you.