A90276:398
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.
4. By what way and means God begat anew and kept alive his Elect,1 in their several Generations, when Antichristian darkness covered the Earth; and thick darkness the Nations, supposing an intercision of instituted Ordinances, so far as to make a nullity in them, as to what was of simple and pure Institution; what way might be used for the fixing the Tabernacle of God again with men, and the setting up of Church worship according to his mind, and will. And here the famous case of the united Brethren of Bohemia would come under consideration; who concluding the whole Papacy to be purely Antichristian, ⟨p. 272⟩could not allow of the Ordination of their Ministers by any in communion with it; and yet being persuaded of a necessity of continuing of that Ordinance in a way of succession, sent some to the Greek and Armenian Churches, who observing their ways returned with little satisfaction; so that at the last committing themselves, and their cause to God, they chose them Elders from among themselves, and set them apart by fasting and prayer; which was the foundation of all those Churches, which for piety, zeal, and suffering for Christ, have given place to none in Europe.
4. By what way and meanes God begat anew and kept alive his Elect,1 in their severall Generations, when Antichristian darknesse covered the Earth; and thick darknesse the Nations, supposing an intercision of instituted Ordinances, so farre as to make a nullity in them, as to what was of simple and pure Institution; what way might be used for the fixing the Tabernacle of God againe with men, and the setting up of Church worship according to his minde, and will. And here the famous case of the united Brethren of Bohemia would come under consideration; who concluding the whole Papacy to be purely Antichristian, ⟨p. 272⟩could not allow of the Ordination of their Ministers by any in communion with it; and yet being perswaded of a necessity of continuing of that Ordinance in a way of succession, sent some to the Greek and Armenian Churches, who observing their wayes returned with little satisfaction; so that at the last committing themselves, and their cause to God, they chose them Elders from among themselves, and set them apart by fasting and prayer; which was the foundation of all those Churches, which for piety, zeale, and suffering for Christ, have given place to none in Europe.