A90276:198
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.
3. That we add unto them, in opinion or worship, that, or those things, which are in very deed destructive of them; or do any way render them insufficient to be saving unto us. If neither of these three can be proved against a man, he may justly claim the privilege of being a member of the visible Church of Christ in the World, though he never in all his life be a member of a particular Church: which yet if he have fitting opportunity and Advantage for it, is his duty to be.
3. That we adde unto them, in opinion or worship, that, or those things, which are in very deed destructive of them; or doe any way render them insufficient to be saving unto us. If neither of these three can be proved against a man, he may justly claime the priviledge of being a member of the visible Church of Christ in the World, though he never in all his life be a member of a particular Church: which yet if he have fitting opportunity and Advantage for it, is his duty to be.
And thus much be spoken as to the state and condition of the visible Catholic Church! 1and in this sense we grant it to be, and the unity thereof. In the late practice of men, that expression of the Catholic Church hath been an Individuum Vagum, few knowing what to make of it: A Cothurnus that every one accommodated at pleasure to his own principles and pretensions. I have no otherwise described it, then did Irenaeus of old; said he, judicabit omnes eos, qui sunt extra veritatem, id est, extra Ecclesiam. Lib 4. cap. 62. and on the same account, is a particular Church sometimes ⟨p. 145⟩called by some, the Catholic. Quandoque ego Remigius Episcopus de hâc luce transiero, tu mihi Haeres esto, Sancta & venerabilis Ecclesia Catholica urbis Remorum. Flodoardus lib. 1.
And thus much be spoken as to the state and condition of the visible Catholick Church! 1