A90276:53
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.
The plea about Metropolitical Churches, 1I suppose will be thought very impertinent to what I have now in hand, so it shall not at present be insisted on. That the state of Churches in after Ages was moulded and framed after the pattern of the civill Government of the Roman Empire is granted; And that conformity (without offence to any be it spoken) we take to be a fruit of the working of the mystery of Iniquity. But that there was any such order instituted in the Churches of Christ, by the Apostles, or any ⟨p. 42⟩instituted by the Authority from the Lord and Ruler, is utterly denied; nor is any thing, but very uncertain conjectures from the sayings of men of after Ages, produced to attest any such order, or constitution. When the order, spirituality, beauty, and glory of the Church of Christ shall return, and men obtain a light, whereby they are able to discern a beauty and excellency in the inward, more noble spiritual part, indeed life and soul of the worship of God, these disputes will have an issue. Chrysostom says indeed, that Corinth was the Metropolis of Achaia, but in what sense he says not; the Political is granted, the Ecclesiastical not proved; nor are we enquiring what was the state of the Churches of Christ in the days of Chrysostom, but of Paul. But to return.
The plea about Metropoliticall Churches, 1I suppose will be thought very impertinent to what I have now in hand, so it shall not at present be insisted on. That the state of Churches in after Ages was moulded and framed after the patterne of the civill Goverment of the Roman Empire is granted; And that conformity (without offence to any be it spoken) we take to be a fruit of the working of the mystery of Iniquity. But that there was any such order instituted in the Churches of Christ, by the Apostles, or any ⟨p. 42⟩instituted by the Authority from the Lord and Ruler, is utterly denyed; nor is any thing, but very uncertaine conjectures from the sayings of men of after Ages, produced to attest any such order, or constitution. When the order, spirituality, beauty, and glory of the Church of Christ shall returne, and men obteine a light, whereby they are able to discerne a beauty and excellency in the inward, more noble spirituall part, indeed life and soul of the worship of God, these disputes will have an issue. Chrysostome sayes indeed, that Corinth was the Metropolis of Achaia, but in what sence he sayes not; the Politicall is granted, the Ecclesiasticall not proved; nor are we enquiring what was the state of the Churches of Christ in the dayes of Chrysostome, but of Paul. But to returne.