A90287:78
A review of the true nature of schism, with a vindication of the Congregational…A review of the true nature of schisme, with a vindication of the Congregationall…
A review of the true nature of schism, with a vindication of the Congregational churches in England, from the imputation thereof unjustly charged on them by Mr D. Cawdrey, preacher of the Word at Billing in Northampton-shire. / By John Owen D.D.A review of the true nature of schisme, with a vindication of the Congregationall churches in England, from the imputation thereof unjustly charged on them by Mr D. Cawdrey, preacher of the Word at Billing in Northampton-shire. / By John Owen D.D.
Oxford: printed by Henry Hall printer to the University for Thomas 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.
CHAP. 5.
The third Chapter of my Treatise consisting in the preventing and removing such objections as the precedent discourse might seem liable and obnoxious unto, is proposed to examination, by our Reverend Author, in the third Chap. of his Book: and the objections mentioned undertaken to be managed by him, with what success, some few considerations will evince.
THe third Chapter of my Treatise consisting in the preventing and removing such objections as the precedent discourse might seem lyable and obnoxious unto, is proposed to examination, by our Reverend Author, in the third Chap. of his Booke: and the objections mentioned undertaken to be managed by him, with what successe, some few considerations will evince.
The first Objection by me proposed was taken from the Common Apprehension of the nature of Schism, and the issue of stating it as by me laid down; namely hence it would follow that the separation of any man or men from a true Church, or of one Church from others is not Schism. But now waving for the present the more large consideration of the name & thing, which yet in the process of my discourse I do condescend upon, according to the principle laid down; I say that in the precise signification of the ⟨p. 80⟩word, and description of the thing as given by the holy Ghost this is true; no such separation is in the scripture so called, or so accounted, whither it may not in a large sense be esteemed as such, I do not dispute, yea I afterwards grant it so far, as to make that concession the bottom and foundation of my whole plea, for the vindication of the reformed churches from that crime. Our Reverend Author reinforces the objection by sundry instances; As, 1. that he hath disproved that sense or precise signification of the word in Scripture, how well let the Reader judge. 2. That supposing that to be the only sense mentioned in that case of the Corinthians, yet may another sense be intimated in Scripture and deduced by regular and rational consequence: Perhaps this will not be so easy an undertaking, this being the only place where the name is mentioned, or thing spoken of in an Ecclesiastical sense: but when any proof is tendered of what is here affirmed, we shall attend unto it. It is said indeed that if separation in Judgment in