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…

But now this foundation being laid, ¹that Schism is a causeless difference or division ⟨p. 52⟩amongst the members of any particular Church, that meet together, or ought so to do, for the worship of God, and celebration of the same numerical Ordinances to the disturbance of the order appointed by Jesus Christ, & contrary to that exercise of love in wisdom and mutual forbearance, which is required of them, it will be easy to see, wherein the iniquity of it doth consist, and upon what considerations its Aggravations do arise.

But now this foundation being laid, ¹that Schisme is a causelesse difference or division ⟨p. 52⟩amongst the members of any particular Church, that meet together, or ought so to do, for the worship of God, and celebration of the same numericall Ordinances to the disturbance of the order appointed by Jesus Christ, & contrary to that exercise of love in wisedome and mutuall forbearance, which is required of them, it will be easy to see, wherein the iniquity of it doth consist, and upon what consederations its Aggravations doe arise.

1. 1§. 34.

It is evidently a despising of the Authority of Jesus Christ, ¹the great sovereign Lord, and head of the Church. How often hath he commanded us to forbear one another, to forgive one another, to have peace among our selves, that we may be known to be his Disciples, to bear with them that are in any thing contrary minded to our selves. To give light to this consideration, let that which at any time is the cause of such hateful divisions, rendered as considerable as the prejudices, and most importune Affections of men can represent it to be, be brought to the Rule of Love, and forbearance, in the latitude of it, as prescribed to us by Christ, and it will evidently bear no proportion thereunto. So that such differences though arising on real miscarriages and faults of some, because they