A90276:354
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.
Briefly,1 when they have proved Metropolitan, Diocesan Bishops in a firstnesse of power, by the Institution of Christ, a national Church by the same institution in the sense pleaded for; a firstnesse of power in the National Officers of that National Church to impose a form of worship upon all being within that Nation by the same institution, which should contain the bond of the Union of that Church; also that every man, who is borne, and in his infancy baptized in that Nation, is a member of that National Church by the same institution, and shall have distinguished clearly in and about their Administrations, and have told us that they counted to be of Ecclesiastical power, and what they grant to be a mere emanation of the civill Government of the Nation, we will then treat with them about the business of Schism. Until then, if they tell us, that we have forsaken the Church of England in the sense pleaded for by them; I must answer, that which is wanting cannot be numbered. It is no crime to depart from nothing; we have not left to be that, which we never were; ⟨p. 243⟩which may suffice both us and them, as to our several respective concernments of conscience and Power. It hath been from the darkness of men, and ignorance of the Scriptures, that some have taken advantage to set up a product of the prudence of Nations, in the name of Jesus Christ, and on that account to require the Acceptance of it. When the Tabernacle of God is again well fixed amongst men, these shadows will fly away: in the mean time we owe all these disputes, with innumerable other evils, to the Apostasy of the Roman Combination, from which we are far as yet from being clearly delivered.
Briefely,1 when they have proved Metropolitan, Diocesan Bishops in a firstnesse of power, by the Institution of Christ, a nationall Church by the same institution in the sence pleaded for; a firstnesse of power in the Nationall Officers of that Nationall Church to impose a forme of worship upon all being within that Nation by the same institution, which should containe the bond of the Ʋnion of that Church; also that every man, who is borne, and in his infancy babtized in that Nation, is a member of that Nationall Church by the same institution, and shall have distinguished clearly in and about their Administrations, and have told us that they counted to be of Ecclesiasticall power, and what they grant to be a meere emanation of the civill Government of the Nation, we will then treat with them about the businesse of Schisme. Untill then, if they tell us, that we have forsaken the Church of England in the sence pleaded for by them; I must answer, that which is wanting cannot be numbred. It is no crime to depart from nothing; we have not left to be that, which we never were;