An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

But this Notion of Schism is in the Judgment of Dr. Still. Pref. p. 46. so mean, so jejune, so narrow a Notion ⟨p. 59⟩of it, that I cannot, saith he, but wonder that men of Understanding should be satisfied with it. But in my Judgement, the Author of it, was a Man of Good Understanding; indeed I have heard him spoken of, as one of abstruse Speculations, that did not advantage Christian Religion. And one hath published in Print, that he is one of the Obscurest Writers that ever he read, but never heard him before charged with mean and jejune Notions. Now this was St Paul, who expressly chargeth Schism on the Church of Corinth, because of the Divisions that were among them, namely, the Members of the same particular Church; so as they could not come together in one place, in a due manner. Nor in all his Writings, doth he any where give us any other Notion of Schism. But, saith he, this is short of that care of the Churches Peace, which Christ hath made so great a Duty of his followers. But if th•re be no other Rule, no other Duty for the Preservation of the Churches Peace, but only, that no separation be made from it, which is called Schism, we might have been all quiet in the Church of Rome. Let no Man think to persuade us, but that for the Preservation of the Churches Peace, it is required of us, that we do and observe all things that Christ requireth of us, and that we enjoin not the Observation of what he hath not Commanded, on Victors Penalty of being excluded from Communion; that Faith and Love and Holiness, be Kept and promoted in the Church, by all the ways of his Appointment; And when these things are attended unto, St. Paul's mean and jejune Notion of Schism, will be of good use also.

But this Notion of Schism is in the Judgment of Dr. Still. Pref. p. 46. so mean, so jejune, so narrow a Notion ⟨p. 59⟩of it, that I cannot, saith he, but wonder that men of Ʋnderstanding should be satisfied with it. But in my Judgement, the Author of it, was a Man of Good Ʋnderstanding; indeed I have heard him spoken of, as one of abstruse Speculations, that did not advantage Christian Religion. And one hath published in Print, that he is one of the Obscurest Writers that ever he read, but never heard him before charged with mean and jejune Notions. Now this was St Paul, who expresly chargeth Schisme on the Church of Corinth, because of the Divisions that were among them, namely, the Members of the same particular Church; so as they could not come together in one place, in a due manner. Nor in all his Writings, doth he any where give us any other Notion of Schisme. But, saith he, this is short of that care of the Churches Peace, which Christ hath made so great a Duty of his followers. But if thre be no other Rule, no other Duty for the Preservation of the Churches Peace, but only, that no separation be made from it, which is called Schisme, we might have been all quiet in the Church of Rome. Let no Man think to perswade us, but that for the Preservation of the Churches Peace, it is required of us, that we do and observe all things that Christ requireth of us, and that we enjoyn not the Observation of what he hath not Commanded, on Victors Penalty of being excluded from Communion; that Faith and Love and Holiness, be Kept and promoted in the Church, by all the ways of his Appointment; And when these things are attended unto, St. Paul's mean and jejune Notion of Schisme, will be of good use also.