Observations Divine and Moral, Chapter 12
CAP. XII. Of Heresie, and Schism,
IT is an ancient, and receaved saying, that Heresie ariseth from want of Faith, and Schism from want of Love: which also hath its truth, being rightly understood. Yet if we mark, we shall find the Scriptures to speak something otherwise of both the one, and other, then men commonly understand. We usually call obstinate Errour in the foundation Heresie: but the Scriptures1 Cor. 11 Gal. 5. Titus 3. many times seem rather to place it in the peruersnesse of the will, and affections, whether the matter be great, or small; then in the errour of the judgment: the word also foreign signifying any election, or choise of will which a man makes; or Sect which he followeth, whether good, or bad; whether in matters of greater, or smaller moment. Besides, men are oftens accounted Heretiques, with greater sin, through want of charitie, in the Iudges; then in the judged, through defect of Faith. Of old, some have been branded for Heretiques, for holding Antipodes; others for holding the originall of the Soul by traduction; others for thinking that Marie the Mother of Christ had other Children by her Husband Ioseph: the first being a certain truth; and the second a Philosophicall doubt; and the third, though an errour, yet neither against foundation, nor post of the Scriptures building. As there are certain Elements Hebr. 6.and foundations of the Oracles of God, and of Christian Faith, which must first be layed, and upon which other truths are to be built: so must not the foundation be confounded, with the wals, or roof; nor errours lightly be made fundamentall, or unavoidably damnable. Yea who can say with how little, and unperfit Faith in Christ both for degree, and parts, God both can, and doth save the sincere in heart? Whose Salvation depends not upon the perfection of the Instrument, Faith; but of the Object, Christ. As, on the contrarie, there are some vulgar, and common errours (though lesse severely censured) which are apparently damnable; as by name, for a man to beleev, and expect merciemercy from God, and salvation by Christ, though going on in affected ignorance of, or prophane disobedience to Gods Commandments.
And for Schism; The Scriptures note it as sometimes made from the Church; but most commonly in it. From it by the ten Trybes sequestring themselvs from Iudah, and… King. 12 Ierusalem, the onelyonly place where the Lord had promised to dwell by his solemn Church presence: and after Christ, by certain of the Hebrews forsaking the assemblies of the Christians.Hebr. 10. The former was from the onelyonly true instituted, and ministeriall Church in the World; which was then one individuall, and not many, as now; and that by Idolatry. The latter, from all Christian Churches, and persons by totall defection from Christ himself. The other Schisms mentioned were made in the Church, either through the carnall lusts (bearing two great sway) of envie, strife, and1 Cor. 3. and 12. uncharitablenesse; whilst the stronger despised the weaker, and the weaker judged the stronger; or by Heresie, and prophanenesseIude 19 2 Pet. 2. 1 Iohn 2. of manners: of which the Apostles Peter, Iude, and Iohn speak.
That which is commonly called Schism, ariseth (if it be affected) from the conceipt of Faith, and want of Love: but may fall out, upon simple errour of judgment, or scrupulositie of conscience: By occasion whereof a person may seqester himself, eyther in (or from) some particular Church in some inferior courses of religion, from them, towards whom he yet bears much more true, and hearty Christian affection, then the most of them do, who unite with them therein.
And if onelyonly an uncharitable heart make an uncharitable person before God, and a proud heart a proud person, then he, who upon due examination, and certain knowledg of his heart, findes, and feels the same truly disposed to union with all Christians, so far as possibly he can see it lawfull; though through errour, or frailtie, he may step aside into some by-path, that way: yet hath that person a Supersedeas from the Lord in his bosom, securing him from being attached for a schismaticall person, and so found in the Court of Heaven; what blame soever he may bear from men upon Earth, or correction from God, for his failing, upon infirmitie, therein.
No man can endure to be withdrawn from, nor easily dissented from, by another, in his way of Religion; in which, above all other things, he makes account, that he himself draws nearest unto God. Therefore to do this causlesly (for not the seperation but the cause makes the Tertullian.Schismatick) though out of errour, or scrupulositie, is evill; more, to do it out of wantonnesse of mind, or lust to contend, or affectation of singularitie; most of all, to do it out of proud contempt, or cruell revenge against others.