A discourse of schism

I Now go on to consider the Separation of the Nonconformists, Ministers and People, whether that be Schism or not; in the doing of which I shall review the former Characters with respect to them.

1st. Schismatical Separation is intentional and perfectly voluntary; but quo animo, do the Dissenters separate? In our Law an entry shall not be called a disseisin, partibus invitis, against the will of the Agents. Neither should a Separation in such a Case be in Theology called a Schism. Is it imaginable that the intention or option of the Nonconformists should be to be out of the Church, rather than in it? It is easy to judge who they be that most intend and love Church-unity; those who would have the terms of it easy, plain and unquestionable, or those who would have them clogged with Scruples. The Nonconformists separate; but their parting from the Church, like the Merchant's parting with his Goods in a Storm, is not purely voluntary, but a mixed Action, done with an unwilling will, not out of love to Separation, but to salve Conscience. When the Papists charge Schism upon our Church, what saith Bishop Bramhall? ¹Schism is a voluntary Separation; To be separated might be our Consequent will, because we could not help ⟨p. 50⟩it: but it was far enough from our Antecedent will, or that we did desire it. And a little after. If they did impose upon us a necessity of doing sinful things, and offending God, and wounding our Consciences, then we did not leave them, but they did drive us from them. And what saith Dr. Prideaux, Fugati potius quam fugientes, non tam à Roma ut est secessimus, quàm ad Roman ut erat, regressi sumus, We were rather driven away, than voluntarily flying; we are not so much departed from Rome as it is, as we are returned to Rome as it was. In like manner, the Nonconformists being charged with Schism, may say, To separate is not their Antecedent will, but Consequent; they depart from the Church, but it is by a kind of constraint; they had much rather be in the Church; they wish for it, pray for it, and salvâ conscientiâ, would do any thing for it, but there are some things which they cannot join in: Such a departure should not be called Schism.