Of schism the true nature of it discovered and considered, with reference to the…Of schisme the true nature of it discovered and considered, with reference to the…

But a General Council is pleaded with the best colour and pretence for a bond of union to this General & visible Church.¹ In Consideration hereof, I shall not divert to the handling of the rise, right use, Authority, necessity of such Councils; about all which, somewhat in due time towards satisfaction may be offered to those, who are not in bondage to Names and Traditions. Nor shall I remark what hath been the management of the things of God in all Ages in those Assemblies, many of which have been the stains and ulcers of Christian Religion: Nor yet shall I say, with what little disadvantage to the Religion of Jesus ⟨p. 128⟩Christ, I suppose a loss of all the Canons of all Councils that ever were in the world, since the Apostles days, with their acts and contests (considering what use is made of them) might be undergone. Nor yet shall I digress to the usefulness of the Assemblies of several Churches in their representatives, to consider and determine about things of common concernment to them, with their tendency to the preservation of that communion, which ought to be amongst them; but as to the present instance only offer

But a Generall Councell is pleaded with the best colour and pretence for a bond of union to this Generall & visible Church.¹ In Consideration hereof, I shall not divert to the handling of the rise, right use, Authority, necessity of such Councells; about all which, somewhat in due time towards satisfaction may be offered to those, who are not in bondage to Names and Traditions. Nor shall I remark what hath been the mannagement of the things of God in all Ages in those Assemblies, many of which have been the staines and ulcers of Christian Religion: Nor yet shall I say, with what little disadvantage to the Religion of Jesus ⟨p. 128⟩Christ, I suppose a losse of all the Canons of all Councells that ever were in the world, since the Apostles daies, with their acts and contests (considering what use is made of them) might be undergone. Nor yet shall I digresse to the usefulnesse of the Assemblies of severall Churches in their representatives, to consider and determine about things of common concernment to them, with their tendencie to the preservation of that communion, which ought to be amongst them; but as to the present instance only offer