A90276:307
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.
Whereas there are in these Churches, some Rulers, 1some Ruled; some eyes, some hands in this Body, some parts visibly comely, some uncomely; upon the account of that variety of gifts and graces which is distributed to them; in the performance of duties, regard is to be had to all the particular Rules, that are given with respect to men in their several places and distributions. Herein doth the Union of a particular Church consist; herein have the members of it communion ⟨p. 216⟩among themselves, and with the whole.
Whereas there are in these Churches, some Rulers, 1some Ruled; some eyes, some hands in this Body, some parts visibly comely, some uncomely; upon the account of that variety of gifts and graces which is distributed to them; in the performance of duties, regard is to be had to all the particular Rules, that are given with respect to men in their severall places and distributions. Herein doth the Ʋnion of a particular Church consist; herein have the members of it communion ⟨p. 216⟩among themselves, and with the whole.
- 1§. 21.
4. I shall farther grant,1 and add hereunto: Over and above the Union that is between th• members of several particular Churches, by virtue of their interest in the Church Catholic, which draws after it a necessity of the occasional exercise of duties of Love one towards another, and that Communion they have, as members of the general Church visible, in the profession of the Faith once delivered unto the Saints; There is a Communion also to be observed between these Churches, as such, which is sometimes, or may be exerted in their Assemblies by their Delegates, for declaring the sense, and determining things of joint concernment unto them. Whether there ought to be an ordinary combination of the Officers of these Churches, invested with the Power for the disposal of things & Persons, that concern one or more of them, in several subordinations, by the institution of Christ; as it is not my judgement that so there is, so it belongs not unto my present undertaking at all to debate.