A90276:182
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…
Of schism the true nature of it discovered and considered, with reference to the present differences in religion. / By John Owen D.D.Of schisme the true nature of it discovered and considered, with reference to the present differences in religion. / By John Owen D.D.
Oxford: printed by L.L. for T. Robinson, 1657
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.
We are at length then arrived to this issue; 1the belief & profession of all the necessary saving truths of the Gospel, without the manifestation of an internal principle of the mind, inconsistent with the belief of them, or adding of other things in profession, that are destructive to the truths so professed, is the bond of the unity of the visible professing Church of Christ. Where this is found in any man or number of men, though otherwise accompanied with many failings sins and errors, the unity of the faith is by him or them so far preserved, as that they are thereby rendered members of the visible Church of Christ, and are by him so esteemed.
We are at length then arrived to this issue; 1the belief & profession of all the necessary saving truths of the Gospell, without the manifestation of an internall principle of the mind, inconsistent with the beliefe of them, or adding of other things in profession, that are destructive to the truths so professed, is the bond of the unity of the visible professing Church of Christ. Where this is found in any man or number of men, though otherwise accompanied with many failings sinns and errors, the unity of the faith is by him or them so farre preserved, as that they are thereby rendred members of the visible Church of Christ, and are by him so esteemed.
- 1§. 30.
Let us suppose a man by bare Reading of the Scriptures,1 brought to him by some providence of God (as finding the Bible in the high way) and evidencing their Authority by their own light, instructed in the knowledge of the Truths of the Gospel, who shall thereupon make profession of them amongst them, with whom he lives, although he be thousands of miles distant from any particular Church, wherein the