A53704:593
An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…
An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches. The first part with an answer to the discourse of the unreasonableness of separation written by Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of Pauls, and in defence of the vindication of non-conformists from the guilt of schism / by John Owen.An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches. The first part with an answer to the discourse of the unreasonableness of separation written by Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of Pauls, and in defence of the vindication of non-conformists from the guilt of schisme / by John Owen.
London: printed by J. Richardson for Nath. Ponder, 1681
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.
CHAP. XI. Of Schism
CHAP. XI. Of Schisme
Although it be no part of my present Design to treat of the Nature of Schism, yet with respect unto what hath already been discoursed, and to manifest our inconcernment in the Guilt of it, I shall, as was said, divert to give a plain and brief Account of it. And in our Enquiry, I must declare my self wholly unconcerned, in all the Discords, Divisions, and Seditions, that have fallen out among Christians in the latter Ages, about things that were of their own Invention. Schism is a Sin against Christian Love, with reference unto the deportment of men in and about the Institutions of Christ and their Communion in them. As for Contentions, Divisions, or Separations amongst men, about that Order, Agreement, Unity or Uniformity which are of their own Appointment, whatever Moral Evil they have had in them, they do not belong unto that Church Schism, which we enquire after. Such have been the horrid Divisions▪ and Fightings▪ that have prevailed at Seasons in the Church of Rome, a departure from whose self-constituted ⟨p. 232⟩State, Order, and Rule, hath not the least Affinity unto Schism. It will not therefore be admitted, that any thing can fall under the note and Guilt of Schism, which hath not respect unto some Church state, Order, Rule, Unity or Uniformity, that is of Christs Institution.
ALthough it be no part of my present Design to treat of the Nature of Schisme, yet with respect unto what hath already been discoursed, and to manifest our inconcernment in the Guilt of it, I shall, as was said, divert to give a plain and brief Account of it. And in our Enquiry, I must declare my self wholly unconcerned, in all the Discords, Divisions, and Seditions, that have fallen out among Christians in the latter Ages, about things that were of their own Invention. Schisme is a Sin against Christian Love, with reference unto the deportment of men in and about the Institutions of Christ and their Communion in them. As for Contentions, Divisions, or Separations amongst men, about that Order, Agreement, Unity or Uniformity which are of their own Appointment, whatever Moral Evil they have had in them, they do not belong unto that Church Schisme, which we enquire after. Such have been the horrid Divisions and Fightings that have prevailed at Seasons in the Church of Rome, a departure from whose self-constituted