A Discourse of Schism (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 edition. Excerpt: ... 1st. Schismatical separation is intentional and perfectly voluntary; but quo animo do the dissenters separate? In our law, an entry shall not be called a disseisin, partibusinvitis, "against the will of the agents." Neither should a separation in such a case be in theology called a schism. Is it imaginable, that the intention or option of the nonconformist should be to be out of the Church, rather than in it? It is easy to judge who they be that most intend and love Church-unity; those who would have the terms of it easy, plain, and unquestionable, or those who would have them clogg'd with scruples. The nonconformists separate; but their parting from the Church, like the merchant's parting with his goods in a storm, is not purely voluntary, but a mixt action, done with an unwilling will, not out of love to separation, but to salve conscience. When the Papists charge schism upon our Church, what Reply to saith Bishop Bramhall?" Schism is a the Bishop, . of chaieed. voluntary separation; to be separated, might be our consequent will, because we could not help it: but it was far enough from our antecedent will, or that we did desire it." And a little after: "If they did impose upon us a necessity of doing sinful things, and offending God, and wounding our consciences, then we did not leave them but they did drive us from them." And what saith Dr. Prideaux? Fugati potius quam fugientes, non tarn h Roma ut est secessimus, quam ad Romam ut erat, regressi sumus, " We were rather driven away, than voluntarily flying; we are not so much departed from Rome as it is, as we are returned to Rome as it was." In like manner, the Nonconformists, being charged with schism, may say, to separate is not their antecedent will, but consequent; they...