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…

2▪ I wholly deny the Minor Proposition also,¹ if spoken in reference to the Church of Rome; Though I willingly acknowledge our separation to be voluntary from them; no more being done, then I would do over again this day (God assisting me) were I called unto it. But separation in the sense contended about, must be from some ⟨p. 195⟩s•ate and condition of Christs Institution, from communion with a Church, which we held by his appointment; otherwise it will not be pleaded, that it is a Schism, at least not in a Gospel sense. Now though our Forefathers, in the faith we profess, lived in sub ection to the Pope of Rome (or his subordinate engines) yet they were not so subject to them, in any way, or state instituted by Christ; so that the relinquishment of that State can possibly be no such separation, as to be termed Schism. For I wholly deny; that the Papacy exercising its power in its supreme and subordinate Officers, which with them is their Church, is a Church at all of Christs appointment, or any such thing. And when they prove it is so, I will be of it. So that when our Forefathers withdrew their neck from his Tyrannical yoke, and forsook the practice of his abominations in the worship of God, they forsook no Church of Christs institution, they relinquished no communion of Christs appointment. A man may possibly forsake Babylon, and yet not forsake Zion.

2▪ I wholy deny the Minor Proposition also,¹ if spoken in reference to the Church of Rome; Though I willingly acknowledge our separation to be voluntary from them; no more being done, then I would doe over againe this day (God assisting me) were I called unto it. But separation in the sense contended about, must be from some ⟨p. 195⟩s•ate and condition of Christs Institution, from communion with a Church, which we held by his appointment; otherwise it will not be pleaded, that it is a Schisme, at least not in a Gospell sense. Now though our Forefathers, in the faith we professe, lived in sub ection to the Pope of Rome (or his subordinate engines) yet they were not so subject to them, in any way, or state instituted by Christ; so that the relinquishment of that State can possibly be no such separation, as to be termed Schisme. For I wholy deny; that the Papacy exercising its power in its supreame and subordinate Officers, which with them is their Church, is a Church at all of Christs appointment, or any such thing. And when they prove it is so, I will be of it. So that when our Forefathers withdrew their neck from his Tyrannicall yoke, and forsook the practice of his abominations in the worship of God, they forsook no Church of Christs institution, they relinquished no communion of Christs appointment. A man may possibly forsake Babylon, and yet not forsake Sion.