A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many useful questions and cases of conscience are…A treatise of miscellany questions wherein many usefull questions and cases of conscience are…

As the Scripture reckons not all who sin, to be workers of iniquity, so it reckons not all who err to be Heretics. Although there is not any, either sin or error, in the own nature of it venial, yet every sin is not a gross and heinous sin, and every error is not Heresy. Heresies are mentioned as greater evils then Schisms. 1 Cor: 11. 18. 19. which could not be so, if every error were an Heresy. 6. 'Tis an error factiously maintained, with a renting of the Church, and drawing away of Disciples after it. In which respect Augustine said, Errare potero, Haereti us non ero, I may e•re, but I shall not be an Heretic. Heretics are deceivers and seducers who endeavour to pervert others, and to overthrow their faith, 2 Tim: 3, 13. Act. 20: 30. 2 Tim. 2. 17. 18. Rom: 16. 17, 18, 19. 2 Pet: 2. 2. All known and noted Heretics are also Schismatics who make a rupture, and strengthen their own party by drawing after them, or confirming unto them Disciples and followers (in so much that [Greek or Hebrew], is often used for a Sect, as Act. 5, 17. and 15. 5. and 24. 5. and 26. 5.) For this cause, the Donatists were condemned, as Heretics, without imputation of Heresy to Cyprian. And O strange turning about of things! (saith vincentius Lirinensis advers: haeret: cap: 11.) the Authors of the same opinion are judged Catholics, but the followers Heretics. The Masters are absolved, the Disciples are condemned. The writers of these books are the Children of the Kingdom, but Hell shall receive the assertors or maintainers. This last ingredient which is found in Heresy, is hinted by the Arabic interpreter, 1 Cor: 11. 19. where he joineth Schisms and Heresies as was noted before. And indeed in the Original, the particle [Greek or Hebrew], and the rising of the speech, sets forth Heresy as carrying schism with it in its bosom: ⟨p. 116⟩I believe saith the Apostle in part, what I hear of your schisms, for there must be also Heresies, i.e. both Schisms and somewhat more. Calvin Institut. lib: 4. cap: 2. §. 5. makes the breaking of Church communion & the making of a rent, a thing common both to Heretics, and Schismatics: for Heretics break one band of Church communion which is consent in doctrine: Schismatics break another, which is love, though sometimes they agree in the like faith.