A90287:91
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. 6.
Having declared and vindicated the Scripture proper notion of Schism, and thence discovered the nature of it with all its aggravations, with the mistakes that men have run into, who have suited their apprehensions concer•ing it, unto what was their interests to have it thought to be, and opened a way thereby for the furtherance of peace among professors of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the further security of the consciences of men unjustly accused and charged with the guilt of this evil, I proceeded to the consideration of it in the usual common acceptation of the word, and things, that so I might obviate what ever with any tolerable pretence is insisted on, as deduced by a parity of reason from what is delivered in the Scripture, in reference to the charge managed by some or other against all sorts of Protestants. Hereupon I grant, that it may be looked on in general as [Greek or Hebrew], a branch ⟨p. 95⟩of union, so that it be granted also, that that union be an union of the institution of Jesus Christ. To find out then the nature of Schism under the consideration of the condescension made: and to discover wherein the guilt of it doth consist: it is necessary that we find out what that union is, and wherein it doth consist, whereof it is the breadth and interruption, or is supposed so to be over and above the breach above mentioned and described. Now this union being the union of the Church, the several acceptations of the Church in scripture are to be investigated, that the union inquired after, may be made known. The church in scripture being taken either for the Church Catholic or the whole number of elect believers in the world (for we lay aside the consideration of that part of this great family of God, which is already in heaven, from this distinction) or else for the general visible body of those who profess the gospel of Christ, or for a particular society joining together in the celebration of the ordinances of ⟨p. 96⟩the new testament, instituted by Christ to be so celebrated by them; The union of it, with the breach of that union, in these several respects with the application of the whole, to the business under consideration, was to be enquired after: which also was performed.