It is to be adverted, that as there is an unjust schism, that is, a separation without any cause at all; so there is a rash and scandalous schism, that is, when it is beyond the ground given; or, when the ground given, is not such as will warrant such a separation: Which may be, 1. when the separation or schism is upon some occasion which is indeed a defect in the Church, but not such as doth make communion therein sinful, as that in Corinth. Or, 2. when, it may be, the schism is extended beyond the ground, that is, when suppose one could not communicate in the Lords Supper in such a Church, because of some sinful corruption ⟨p. 277⟩in that Ordinance, if, upon that occasion, one should separate from communion in all Ordinances, that were to exceed the ground given. Or, 3. when no professed schism is owned; yet when really and indeed it is practised, so as men can neither justify a schism, or separation upon such a ground, nor yet altogether vindicate their practice from inferring the same, in which respect, the schism and rent floweth from affection, or inclination, and not from well grounded light, or reason, and so cannot be but rash and unwarrantable. 4. It may be, in the manner, precipitant, when either means have not been used to remove that ground if it be just; or, when men so heighten some lesser defect in a Church by aggreging it with such circumstances, as may make it appear to themselves or others, a ground sufficient to bear and warrant separation; or, in such a way, to vent their dissatisfaction with things, or persons, as thereby to hurt the unity of the Church, or to occasion a rent, or division, or schism in the same, when▪ it may be, others beside their intention may thus conclude, A Church so corrupted, &c. is not to be kept communion with, (and, it may be, the proposition is sound and so qualified, as it is acknowledged by all Divines) But this or that particular Church is such. This again, is offered to be made out by the too vehement aggravation of some lesser defect, which may seem to confirm that assumption: and in practice, it may be observed, that as some will lay down premisses concerning a schism, who yet dare not act according to the conclusion, and actually separate, So others will keep the conclusion, and actually separate in practice, who yet durst not in Thesi absolutely maintain schism to be lawful upon such a ground.
It is to be adverted, that as there is an unjust schism, that is, a separation without any cause at all; so there is a rash and scandalous schism, that is, when it is beyond the ground given; or, when the ground given, is not such as will warrant such a separation: Which may be, 1. when the separation or schism is upon some occasion which is indeed a defect in the Church, but not such as doth make communion therein sinfull, as that in Corinth. Or, 2. when, it may be, the schism is extended beyond the ground, that is, when suppose one could not communicate in the Lords Supper in such a Church, because of some sinfull corruption ⟨p. 277⟩in that Ordinance, if, upon that occasion, one should separate from communion in all Ordinances, that were to exceed the ground given. Or, 3. when no professed schism is owned; yet when really and indeed it is practised, so as men can neither justifie a schism, or separation upon such a ground, nor yet altogether vindicate their practice from inferring the same, in which respect, the schism and rent floweth from affection, or inclination, and not from well grounded light, or reason, and so cannot be but rash and unwarrantable. 4. It may be, in the manner, precipitant, when either means have not been used to remove that ground if it be just; or, when men so heighten some lesser defect in a Church by aggreging it with such circumstances, as may make it appear to themselves or others, a ground sufficient to bear and warrant separation; or, in such a way, to vent their dissatisfaction with things, or persons, as thereby to hurt the unity of the Church, or to occasion a rent, or division, or schism in the same, when▪ it may be, others beside their intention may thus conclude, A Church so corrupted, &c. is not to be keeped communion with, (and, it may be, the proposition is sound and so qualified, as it is acknowledged by all Divines) But this or that particular Church is such. This again, is offered to be made out by the too vehement aggravation of some lesser defect, which may seem to confirm that assumption: and in practice, it may be observed, that as some will lay down premisses concerning a schism, who yet dare not act according to the conclusion, and actually separate, So others will keep the conclusion, and actually separate in practice, who yet durst not in Thesi absolutely maintain schism to be lawfull upon such a ground.
