Independency Further Proved to be a Schism, Chapter 4

Independency Further Proved to be a Schism · Chapter 4

p. 68CHAP. IIII. Of the nature of Schiſm.

FOr the better finding out of the fu… nature of Schiſm in the Eccleſiaſtic… ſenſe and uſe thereof, I condeſcende… to follow the Reverend Doctor to tak… the notion or notation of it, firſt in the n… turall and proper ſenſe. There it is take for a diviſion or ſeparation of a body int… parts which all men know, may admit… degrees; and be either partiall when th… ſeparation or rent is partiall, the part yet cleaving together for all that rent p. 69or totall, when wholly and quite divi…ed aſunder. e. g. In a cloath or gar…ent cut or torne; it may be ſo cut or …orne, that it may hang together by …ome threeds, or elſe be divided into two …iſtinct parts. Now it were ridiculous …o ſay, if the cloath be rent, and hold by …ome threeds, it is a Schiſm; but if it be …uite torne aſunder, it is no rent, but …ome other thing. The ſcripture, as well …s ſenſe, intimates theſe degrees of …chiſm, when it ſayes, the rent is made …orſe Matth. 9.16. 2. There is a body …olitick, a City, or kingdome; and a …chiſm may ariſe in them, either in part, …s when their Judgments are divided, at …ome publick aſſembly as Joh. 7.43. &c. Or elſe when they are divided into …arties, and fall into a civill warre; both …heſe met in the caſe of Jeroboam; firſt …here was a diviſion in judgment, and …reſently after a ſeceſſion of parties; which divided the kingdome into two parties, and made two kingdomes of one; …nd the latter was far the worſer ſchiſm. And it were ridiculous in politicks to ſay, the firſt was a ſchiſm or Sedition, Lud. Moulin. Corollar. pag. 102.the other none; yet this is aſſerted by one, in defence of the Reverend Doctors notion of Schiſm; as well as by himſelfe, p. 703. There is a body Eccleſiaſticall, whethe… the catholick viſible Church; called th… body of Chriſt: or a particular congregation, which is a leſſer body. The ſam… degrees of Schiſm may fall here, eithe… differences in judgment, at or withou… a publick Aſſembly; or ſeparation into ſeverall Churches: and it were equally ridiculous (as afore) to ſay, diviſion in the aſſembly is a Schiſm; but ſeparation into ſeverall churches, upon thoſe diviſions, is no Schiſm. Yet this our Reverend Author, does aſſert; it may be ſome other crime, but Schiſm it is not, p. 51. Other crimes a man may be guilty of, of Schiſm onelyonly in a Church. Whence its evident, the Reverend Doctor begged the queſtion from the beginning when he took it, To denote (onelyonly) differences of mind and judgment, &c. amongſt men met in ſome one aſſembly, about the compaſſing of a common deſigne, p. 25. The ground whereof was; becauſe the word is ſometimes, (not alwayes) ſo uſed in thoſe places of Scripture by him cited. Whereas in the very originall nature of the word, it may and does import, a further degree of ſeparation, into parties or Churches. And the inconſequence of the Reverend Doctor's Enthymeme p. 71hath already been diſcovered; Schiſm in the places cited by the Apoſtle, was a diviſion onelyonly in a particular aſſembly; Ergo Schiſm in the nature of it, does not ſingular ſeparation from a Church.

To proſecute this a little further, …rue it is that Schiſm in the Eccleſiaſticall …ſe; ſignifies a ſeparation good or bad, …lameable or unblameable, according to the Circumſtances (as is confeſſed by himſelfe, p. 218.) which may be thus conſidered. Schiſm in the Eccleſiaſticall uſe, is either voluntary, or violent and forced.

1. Voluntary, which may be double, 1. from a falſe and corrupted Church, with which a man cannot hold communion, without communion in their ſins and this is commendable, and commanded, "Come out from among them, &c. 2. from a true Church; which may yet be twofold; as firſt, a ſimple ſucceſſion of one or more, upon juſt occaſions, to joyne with another, of the ſame conſtitution: or a ſeparation into a new ſociety, diſowning the former, and renouncing communion with it. And this is called a blameable Schiſm, generally by all, even ſeparatiſts themſelves, who p. 72plead, they ſeperate only from a falſe or corrupt Church, not from a true one. If it ſhall be ſaid (as it is by the reverend Doctor) we ſeparate not from a true Church, but only from ſome corruptions, in it, which we cannot in conſcience joyn with, in the celebration of publick Ordinances as they are performed among us, as he ſaid, p. 44. The anſwer is, that that is a miſinformed conſcience, which will rend the Church, the body of Chriſt, by a cauſeleſſe ſeparation, as to themſelves, eſpecially having done their dutie to reforme that corruption, as far as lyes in them, according to Math. 18.15. &c. Nothing but fear of ſinning, juſtifies ſuch a ſeparation, as is elſewhere proved.

2. Violent or forced, and that either by the ſinfull corruptions of a Church, (with which a man cannot communicate without partaking in their ſinns) being impoſed on them by a prevailing party,Church reformation promoted on Math. 13.15. &c.Matt 13:15 to enjoy communion with them; or by oppoſition and perſecution, when pious people, are either driven out, or kept out of communion with them, unleſſe they will ſubmit to thoſe ſinfull Impoſitions: And this Schiſm is the ſin of thoſe, that any way force it, and they p. 73are the Schiſmaticks, who cauſed that …paration. This hath often been ex…emplyfied in the Church of Rome … our Divines; **We ſay, this Schiſm lyes at their door, who not onelyonly have deviated from the comon faith, themſelves; but doe alſo actually cauſe, and attempt to deſtroy temporally and eternally, al that will not joyn with them therein: Of Schiſm. pag. 144.and the Schiſm juſtly …d at their door. Now our Reverend …octor: 1. Denies any thing to be …hiſm but a Diviſion made by a mem…r in a particular Church: 2. Confi…ntly affirmes, that Separation from Church, true or falſe is no Schiſm: …y which means he juſtifies, not only …s own, and partie's Separation, but even … the Sectaries, and the Romaniſts alſo, their ſeparation from the Primitive …poſtolicall Church, in Doctrine, worſhip …nd diſcipline. They may be Schiſma…cks for their inteſtine diviſions, if …ey will acknowledge themſelves a …rticular Church, not otherwiſe; for …chiſm is only in a particular Church: …d thus he, who undertook to Vindi…te the Church of England, and his …wn party eſpecially, from the charge …nd crime of Schiſm, by the Romaniſts, …ath juſtified them from being Schiſ…aticall, becauſe they are no Church. …ut now upon the former grounds, we …ay prove themſelves to Schiſmaticall; …. By a voluntary ſeparation from true Churches, (with whom, we dare ſay, p. 74they may communicate without ſin and ſo conſequently, cauſeleſſely re… ding the body of Chriſt: 2. By the renounceing communion with us, to ſe… up a Church of another conſtitution, an… ſo condemning our Churches, ipſo fact… as no truely conſtituted Churches 3. By keeping out fit members fro… their communion, unleſſe they wi… renounce communion with us, and joy in a Church Covenant with them: The do not indeed drive us out by perſecution, (bleſſed be God it is not i… their power; I ſpeak of Browniſts and Anabaptiſts and the Quakers & ſuch like I mean of the hand, but by tongue the do abundantly; by their cruell mockings, and ungodly railings and reviling… and by their hereticall Doctrines, an… blaſphemous errors, they keep us ou… of their communion; and by perſwaſion ſollicite ſtrongly, to make proſelytes and draw them into ſeparation from tru… Churches, which ſure in Scripturall an… right reaſon, amount to an heinou… Schiſm in the Church. And how fa… our beſt Independents are proceeded, i… ſome of theſe, let them conſider. I ſha… give an inſtance or two, to make thi… diſtinction evident. The firſt ſhall b… p. 75that of Diotrephes, in Scripture, which …he Reverend D…ctor ſayes, p. 79. of …chiſm, makes the neereſt approach to … ſuch a diviſion, (from a Church) yet at … ſuch a diſtance, that it is not at all to our … purpoſe in hand. Let us try that a …ttle. I ſuppoſe the Reverend Doctor …ill not deny, but he made a Schiſm …n that Church; but that was not all; …or note the particulars; how he made …ot only diviſions in the Church, but a …eparation from it: 1. He withſtood the Apoſtle, and received him not: 2. He reviled him, prating againſt him with malicious words: 3. refuſed to admit thoſe brethren (whom he knew to be fit members) which he ſent unto that Church to be adm…tted: 4. forbad and hindred thoſe that would receive them: 5. and caſt them out of the Church. As proper … Schiſmatick as the Pope himſelf. For (as we proved) they are Schiſmaticks, who cauſe others to ſeparate, either by their …nful Impoſitions upon the conſcience; or keep them out being fit; or drive them …ut by perſecution, or caſt them out by excommunication unjuſtly, as wel as thoſ who voluntary ſeparate themſelves from a true Church. Next I ſhall ſuppoſe a caſt (which lately fell out in NEW p. 76ENGLAND, and may do in OLD ENGLAND) If the Officers of … Church, or the people (if the power b… in them) ſhall raiſe cauſeleſſe difference with ſome one or more members of Church, and unjuſtly excommunicat… them and caſt them out of the Church would not this Church be twice Schiſmaticall? once in raiſing cauſeleſſe differences in that Church, and then b… unjuſt caſting out and ſeparating ſuch from the Church, by excommunication, and is not here a Schiſm in ſeparating people from a Church? therefore ſchiſm is more then a diviſion in a Church. The like may be ſaid, of keeping fit members out of a Church, denying them communion with that Church, in the publick Ordinances of God, unleſſe they will ſubmit to Impoſitions of men, as I ſaid afore. And let the reverend Doctor conſider, whether this be not ordinarily done, by ſome Independent Churches; and, if he can, deny it to be a ſchiſm, &c.

Having thus far diſcovered the nature and extent of ſchiſm, I ſhall now conſider, what exceptions the reverend Doctor hath made to my ſecond Chapter: And firſt, I am charged with ignorance; p. 77The reverend Author underſtood me not at all, in what I affirmed. Truly I thought I had underſtood him, and …thers ſo underſtood him as I did; and we miſtook, it was long of himſelf. …e ſaid, The thing whereof we treat, is a diſorder, in the inſtituted Worſhip of God; that is, as I underſtood it, and …thers with me, either in the matter of …ſtituted worſhip onelyonly, (and in no…hing elſe) or onelyonly in the time of cele…rating inſtituted worſhip. Both theſe …enſes of his words were given me by …imſelf; the firſt, in Sect. 23. The differences muſt be occaſioned by, and do belong to ſome things, appertaining to the worſhip of God. Who would not take it thus, Schiſm is a difference made …n the worſhip of God? The other, Sect. 9. It lies wholly within the verge of one Church, that met together for the worſhip of God, &c. And page 25. in generall, It denotes differences of mind and judgment amongſt men, met in ſome one Aſſembly, &c. Which he repeats again in his Review, pag. 56. Differences amongſt men, met in ſome one Aſſembly, &c. and gives it for the importance of the word. Let's now hear his own ſenſe; I ſay not, that ſchiſm p. 78in the Church, is either about inſtitute Worſhip,See pag. 91. By the Worſhip of God I intend, the whole compaſſe of Inſtitutions, and their tendency thereto, &c. If he ſpeak properly now, I am ſure he ſpake obſcurely before. or onelyonly in the time of Worſhip but the thing I treat of, is a d…ſorde… in the inſtitutes Worſhip of God and ſo it is, … the beeing an… conſtitution o… any Church, be a part of Gods Worſhip Had he thus expreſt it at firſt, I profeſſe (and ſo do others) I ſhould leſſe hav… underſtood him; for what means he That ſchiſm is onelyonly a diſorder in th… diviſions of mind and judgment, abou… the beeing and conſtitution of a Church▪ and that as it is a part of Worſhip? I appeal all Readers. Who, but himſelf would have found out this myſtery, in thoſe words? Said he not, pag. 27▪ They had differences amongſt themſelves, about unneceſſary things? Is the inſtitution of a Church, as a part of Worſhip, an unneceſſary thing? The queſtion was, whether ſchiſm import onelyonly a difference in one Aſſembly, and do not imply alſo, a ſeparation into parties, upon thoſe diviſions.pag. 54. Hear what he ſaies; I do here inform him, that if he ſuppoſe, that I deny that to be a ſchiſm, where there is a ſeparation, and that becauſe p. 79there is a ſeparation; as if ſchiſm were in its whole nature excluſive of all ſeparation, and loſt its being, when ſeparation enſued; he hath taken my mind as rightly, as he hath done the whole deſigne of my book: That is, I underſtood him …ot at all. I muſt confeſſe, I did ſo ſup…oſe, that he did deny ſeparation to be ſchiſm, reſtraining it (as he did oft) to …iviſions in a Church, not allowing ſe…aration from a Church, true, or falſe, …o be a ſchiſm. Well then, he grants …ome ſeparation, and becauſe there is a …eparation, is a ſchiſm; and ſo we are …greed. No, becauſe I have not proved …, (from the places cited) I am deſired not to make uſe of it. pag 35.Let us re…iew the places cited by me and him; … ſhall inſtance onelyonly in two, the firſt, Act. 14.4. The multitude was divided, and ſome were with the Apoſtles, and ſome with the Jewes: That is, ſaid I, They divided into parties. The reverend Doctor approves not this criticiſm; The utmoſt intended, ſeems to be, the ſideing of the multitude, ſome with one, ſome with another, whilſt they were in a publick commotion. Let the Context be conſulted. I ſaid ſomething to it, in page 40. and now I add; It ſeems p. 80to me to be meant of ſchiſm, in an Eccleſiaſticall ſenſe, (though by him brought as a politicall ſchiſm, page 24. for thus it ſtands: The Apoſtles entre… into the Synagogue of the Jewes, verſ. 1… (which was a Church-Aſſembly) the… a commotion or diſſention was made, b… the unbelieving Jewes, againſt the brethren, verſ. 2. whereupon the multitud… was divided; firſt, in minds and judgments, foreign; then into part or companies, and ſome were with th… Apoſtles, ſome with the Jewes; whic… cannot wel be meant of, being or ſidein… with the Apoſtles, in judgment onelyonly but in ſociety alſo; as the like phraſe i… uſed in a like caſe, in a difference between the Philoſophers at Athens, and Paul, Act. 17.33, 34. Paul departe… from them. Howbeit certain men cleaving unto him, believed, &c. Clav… unto him, not onelyonly in their judgments, but in their company, following him upon his departure. This will be more evident in the next Text. Act. 19.8, 9. Paul entring into the Synagogue, ſpake boldly for three months, &c. But ſome being hardned, and unbelieving, ſpeaking evill of that way before the people; Paul departing from them, ſeparated p. 81the d…ſciples, teaching daily in the ſchool of one Tyrannus. Which ſchiſm …r ſeparation was violently forced by the …urbulent Jewes, as I ſaid of the other …oſtance pag. 41. And ſo the ſin of that …hiſm, was juſtly imputable to thoſe …ewes, driving out the Apoſtle, and …orcing that ſeparation. All that the re…erend Doctor ſaies to this inſtance, is, …hat I confeſſe in the margine, that the word there uſed, is foreign,Both the words ſignifie to ſeparate, or part into pieces, as Synonyma's. which hath no relation to foreign. But that's …othing to the purpoſe; for Paul was …ot guilty of that ſchiſm, but the Jewes, who enforced him to make that ſepara…ion, as I ſaid above. The Romaniſts are …udged ſchiſmaticks by ours, becauſe …hey drove and caſt us out of communion, by ſuch like dealing with us.

I confeſſed indeed, that in the Eccleſiaſticall ſenſe, the word is onelyonly uſed in …he, 1 Cor. 1.9. &c. (I except now the places newly mannaged, where the one hath the word and the other the matter of Schiſm) but I do not confeſſe that therefore from thence the proper uſe and importance of it, is to be learned, pag. 56.This is put upon me; for I rather ſay, the full importance of the word, is not here to be learned: the word in its proper notion, p. 82ſignifies a breach of union, or a ſeparation into parts; in what degree ſo ever. And that the Reverend Docto… beggs the queſtion is evident, becauſe he inferrs, That Schiſm being ſo taken in thoſe places, Ergo it ſignifies n… more in the nature of the word, or thing▪ He knowes, I denyed both the Antecedent and the conſequence; the Antecedent by manifeſting that there was more in their Schiſm, than onelyonly a D…viſion o… minds: there was diviſion into parties a ſeparation with reſpect to ſeverall Miniſters, I am of Paul &c. and to one Ordinance at leaſt, the Lords ſupper: the Conſequence, becauſe the word ſignifies beſides, any ſinfull breach of union, by ſeparation from a true church. For the Antecedent, he anſwers; firſt to that of betaking themſelves to divers Miniſters, 3. things,pag. 67. 1. It is not ſeparation in the Church, by mens diviſions, continuing members of that Church, that he denyes to be charged with Schiſm. But if there was any ſepara…ion in the church, thats more than he did grant at firſt; and made Schiſm onelyonly a diviſion of mind in that Church; and if he grant any ſeparation in that Church, its as much as I deſire; for I undertook to prove, there was more p. 83among them, than a bare diviſion of …inds, a degree of ſeparation, which the …poſtle there charges, as part of their …chiſm; and this the Reverend Doctor … a manner yeelds, p. 58. For when I …id, granting him his ſpeciall notion, this … the way on one hand to free all …hurch-ſeparation from Schiſm &c. He …nſweres "This is denyed: which to me …ports, that ſome ſeparation from a …hurch is Schiſm; which is contrary to …s notion, that Schiſm is nothing but a …viſion in a church, 2. The diſputes amongſt them (ſayes he) about Paul and Apollo's, cannot poſſibly be underſtood to relate unto Miniſters of diſtinct congregation among them; Paul and Apollo's were not ſo, and could not be figures of them that were. But theres litle weight …n this, when as the Apoſtle firſt ſayes …xpreſly; He had in a figure transferred theſe things to himſelfe and to Apollos for their ſakes &c. 1 Cor. 4.61 Cor 4:6And then the …ifference of gifts, that was in Paul and Apollos might ſuffice to make up that …gure, as the Apoſtle addes; That yee might learne in us, not to think of men (your Miniſters) above that which is written; that no one of you, be puffed up for one againſt another: ſee, Chap. 3.5. p. 843. He addes Men may cry up ſom… one Miniſter of one congregation, ſom… of another, and yet neither of them ſeparate from the one, or other, or the congregations fall into any ſeparation. I… may be ſo; but its very rare to find it ſo and in this caſe of that Church, wher… there were envying, and ſtrife and diviſions, Chap. 3.3. about their Miniſters, its moſt probable it was not ſo but people might and did chuſe thei… owne Teachers, with neglect, and ſleighting of others: ſure we are, we find it … now; many by having mens perſons in admiration, have ſeparated from on… Churches, by crying up ſome one Miniſter, ſome another, and renounce communion with us. Its very probabl… it was ſo then; men that had itching eares, heaped to themſelves Teachers after their owne luſts, 2 Tim. 4.3, 4 This breeds envyings and ſtrife amongſ… Miniſters, when others ſteale away thei… Members, and bring ſleightings and contempt upon their perſons and Miniſtry … and at laſt, a lamentable ſeparation, as w… ſee at this day. What ever he ſayes againſt that probability of ſeparation, i… little worth; for I did not unde…take (as I ſaid) to prove a ſeparation from p. 85that Church, but a ſeparation in that Church, as to ſome Ordinances, viz. the Miniſtry, and Sacrament of the ſupper; of which in the text.

I ſaid, there was a ſeparation as to parties, in that Church, at leaſt as to one Ordinance of the Lords ſupper: The anſwer is,pag. 69. It is acknowledged there were diſorders among them in the adminiſtration of the Lords ſupper; that therein they uſed reſpects of perſons: they tarried not one for another: That they ſeparated into ſeveral congregations, is not in the leaſt intimation ſignified. This is as much as I undertake; that which he calls, uſing reſpect of perſons in that Ordinance, excluding the poor, that I call a ſeparation, (not from) in that Church, as to a party: This was certainly part of their ſchiſm, rebuked by the Apoſtle. We ſee this done at this day, not onelyonly by ſome of his party, who will ſometimes hear with us, but not receive the Sacrament with us; but alſo by ſome of our own, (if we may call them ſo) who admit all their Congregation to prayer and preaching, but for the Lords Supper, ſeparate themſelves into another Congregation: Is not this a ſchiſm? He knowes whom I mean.

p. 86That in the Church of Corinth, … thereabouts, there was more then on ſingle Congregation; I proved, firſt, fro… himſelfe, who ſaid, They had ſiding in their ſolemn Aſſemblies; not one, bu… many.pag 61. He evades this, by ſaying, … ſuppoſe, one particular Congregation may have as many ſolemn Aſſemblies as there are times wherein they aſſemble▪ And may it not be true alſo, of the ſeveral places of their meetings? For that the numerous company of Believers a… Corinth, could all meet in one place, is moſt improbable, if not impoſſible. Beſides, the reverend Doctor will not deny, that the Epiſtle was written to the Church of Cenchrea, a diſtinct Church from that at Corinth; then were there at leaſt two diſtinct Aſſemblies. To which he ſaies onelyonly this; Is there any mention, that that Church made any ſeparation from that of Corinth? &c. That was not to the purpoſe; I brought it to prove, there were more particular Churches in Corinth, or thereabouts; and that, it does perform. Now is it probable, that there ſhould be a Church in that little Village, and but one in that great City of Corinth, where were innumerable believers? I inſtanced therefore p. 87in that 1 Cor. 14.34. Let your women keep ſilence in the Churches. Not …ne, but many Churches at Corinth. It may be, he will anſwer as afore, with re…pect to the ſeveral times, not the ſeveral …laces of their meetings: But that is pre…ented, by that which I newly ſaid. For ſure, it might be applyed to the Church of Cenchrea, as well as to that …t Corinth, ſuppoſing it to be but one Congregation: Let your women keep ſilence in both your Congregations, when ever they meet. But enough of that.

He pretends indeed to have proved, and to be confidently reſolved, it was but one ſingle Congregation; for proof, I find none, but what I alſo ſuppoſe I had diſproved, page 30. To ſome things whereof, he ſaies nothing: But he is ſo liberall, as to forego that proof.pag. 63. Is it any thing to my preſent deſigne, though there were twenty particular Congregations in Corinth, ſuppoſing that on any conſideration, … Church? And here he aſſ…t… me …he is more troubled with my not …ſ…anding the buſineſſe, and deſigne he manages, then with all my reviling … The like he redoubles, page 7…. And will ſuppoſe the Church to be of what p. 88kind I pleaſe, if I will acknowledge it … be the particular Church of Corinth▪ As for my revilings, the charge is unjuſt, and I have ſaid enough to it. But▪ Did he conſider the prejudices, that wil… fall upon his cauſe, He defined Schiſm, to be a cauſleſſe difference, 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, &c. Of Schiſm, pag. 52. Can a particular Church, of many Churches, ſo meet together, to the ſame numericall Ordinances?when he granted theſe things? For 1. Suppoſing there were many Churches in Corinth, and that but one Church, it would plead ſtrongly for a Preſbyterian, nothing for an Independent Church: That one Church was governed in common, by the ſeverall Elders, the Apoſtle writing to them all. 2. Then it were eaſie to infer, what I have aſſerted, that the differences were not in one particular Congregation, but between Churches and Churches, about their Miniſters. 3. That if a Church of many Congregations, may be collectively called one Church, then there may be ſeparations of one Church from another, as well as diviſions in a particular Congregation; and ſo ſchiſm will extend further, then he would have it. e. g. Suppoſing the Church of England to p. 89be Nationall in a right ſenſe, and ſo …lled a particular Church, with re…pect either to other Nationall, or the …niverſall Church; can there be no …hiſmaticall ſeparation made, from the Nationall Church of England, in the fal…ng off of one or more Churches, to A…abaptiſm, or the like? but they muſt ſe…arate from the Church of England, and …yne themſelves to ſome Church in Holland, or elſewhere? If there may; …hen, ſeparation in a Church, as well as …eparation from a Church, may be called ſchiſm: For I have proved, there was a … ſeparation in the Church of Corinth, as to ſome Ordinances, and that is charged by the name of ſchiſm.

But to prevent my future miſtakes of his principle, he tells me, what I muſt demonſtrate, if I will evert it;pag. 65. That the ſchiſm charged on the Corinthians by Paul, conſiſted in the ſeparation from that Church, whereof they were members, and congregating into another, &c. No, that which I was to manifeſt, was, 1. That ſchiſm is more then a diviſion in a Church; Even ſeparation from a Church, is ſchiſm. 2. That there was more in that ſchiſm at Corinth, then a bare diviſion of minds; there was, if not p. 90a ſeparation from it, into anothe… Church, yet a ſeparation in it, as t… ſome Ordinances. Or rather, I was, 1. T… diſprove his new notion; that ſchiſm is nothing, but a diviſion of minds in a Church 2. To prove, that ſuppoſing that ſchiſ… charged on the Corinthians, was n… more, but a diviſion in a Church, ye… it followes not, that nothing elſe wa… ſchiſm; which how I have performed let others judge.

And now we are come to Clement Epiſtle, written to the Church of Corinth forty years after, when they were again fallen into the like ſchiſm. That ſchiſm, the reverend Doctor ſaid, was onelyonly, the difference in the Church. This difference in it, Clement calls every where, their ſchiſm, Of ſchiſm, pag. 33. Nor are they accuſed of ſchiſm, for the depoſition of their Elders, but for their differences amongſt themſelves: Which may prove a great miſtake of his, which thus I demonſtrate from Clement's Epiſtle: Firſt, in generall, he calls it, "That abhominable and ungodly ſedition, at the beginning: Afterwards, brands the Authors of it, The heads and leaders of a deteſtable ſtrife and faction, is the pride and diſorderlineſſe of their p. 91ſpirit; whom thoſe Corinthians fol…owed. And afterwards more particular…y ſhewes, wherein that ſchiſm conſi…ed; viz. in caſting out of their honeſt Preſbyters: Who have of a long time had a good teſtimony from all men: Such, we think, cannot with any juſtice be caſt out of their Miniſtry. And repeats …t again, and again; Foul, beloved, and very foul, are the reports, and unbeſeeming, &c. that the moſt ſtayed and antient Church of the Corinthians, by the means of one or two perſons, ſhould riſe up in ſedition againſt their Elders. Indeed it will be no ſmall ſin unto us, if we caſt off thoſe, who have unblameably and holily, undergone the duties of their Epiſcopacy. Then (a few lines between) follow thoſe words, cited by the reverend Doctor, foreign, &c. For we perceive, foreign, ye have removed ſome, who performed their Office well, &c. How removed them? by caſting them out, (as he ſaid afore) or by depoſing of them, as the reverend Doctor expreſſed it in both his Books. Now I demand, whether this depoſition, or caſting out of their Elders, be not the chief part of the ſchiſm, which Clement charges upon them? and whether it be p. 92not as great a ſchiſm in a Church, f… the people, to caſt out, or depoſe the godly Elders, as voluntarily themſelv… to forſake a true Church, and to ſet … another Church, by ſubſtituting oth… Officers in their places? which is mo… probable they did, though the reveren… Doctor would not take upon him t… know it, pag. 32. Of ſchiſm. This ſuppoſed, to be intended in the wor… foreign, which ſometimes ſignifies t… lead away, ſometimes to drive away, o… remove, or depoſe; as himſelf expound… it, by caſting out, a little before. Th… reverend Doctor underſtood it other wiſe; What he meant by his foreign &c. he declares in the words foregoing where he calls the Elders that were departed this life, happy and bleſſed, as no… being ſubject to expulſion out of their Offices. But I doubt, the reverend Doctor miſtakes the coherence, which ſeems to me rather to look at thoſe former words, (thoſe by him cited being rather a parentheſis) It will be no ſmall ſin unto us, if we caſt out thoſe, who have unblamably and holily undergone their duties of Epiſcopacy; foreign or foreign; for, or but, we perceive, that ye have caſt out, driven out, expelled, or p. 93depoſed ſuch from their Miniſtry, &c. This was their charge, this was part at …eaſt of their ſchiſm, and the chiefeſt part thereof. There was not indeed (for ought I perceive) any ſeparation voluntarily made from it, by any of the members thereof; but there was plainly a ſeparation made by men, acted by pride and madneſſe, in caſting out, and depoſing of their Elders; and they were the ſchiſmaticks, (as I ſaid) that forced that ſeparation. Let the learned judge.

The reſt of this my ſecond Chapter, for thirteen leaves together, the reverend Doctor thinks good to paſſe untouched, by ſome of his ordinary language; of my prejudices, miſtakes, extravagances, reflections, mean affections to Independents; that I have not made the leaſt attempt, towards the everſion of what he had aſſerted, &c. That I have not made good the title of my book, though I ſcarce forget it, or any thing concerning it, but its proof, in any whole leafe of my Treatiſe. Which imputations, how falſe and ſleighting they are, above all in my whole book, others muſt judge. Could I avoid reflections upon Independents, when I had to dea… with him, who is an Independent, and p. 94pleads their cauſe? Did I onelyonly intend to deal with him, and not rather with the whole party, whoſe perſons he ſuſtains, and intereſts himſelf in thei… judgment, when he commonly ſpeak… in the plurall number, We have ſeparated from none of their Churches? and many the like. And could I prove their way to be ſchiſmaticall, till I had vindicated the notion and nature of ſchiſm? Is not this whole Chapter ſpent in tendency thereunto? But he again complains; That I ſhould ſo ſleightly paſſe over that, whereon I knew, that he laid the great weight of the whole? What was that whereon he laid the whole weight? Was it, That that place to the Corinthians, is the onelyonly place, where there is any mention of ſchiſm in the eccleſiaſticall ſenſe? Did I not (upon ſecond thoughts) inſtance a place or two, (which I have now more enlarged and confirmed) where the word was uſed in the one, Act. 14.4. and the nature of ſchiſm implyed in the other, Act. 19.8, 9. in an eccleſiaſticall ſenſe? Have I not clearly proved, that there were more Churches then one, in and about Corinth, to which that Epiſtle was written? And conſidering the multitude p. 95of Believers in Corinth, is it not …probable, if not impoſſible, that they …ould all meet in one place, to make …e Church? Hath the reverend Doctor …ſwered any thing to this? Was I to …ove, That the evill reproved, was ſeparation from it? No, but that there as more then a diviſion of minds in that …hiſm, even a ſeparation in it, as to ſome …rdinances; which if it be proved, as I …elieve it is, confutes his new notion, That ſchiſm in its nature, and in that Church, was nothing but a diviſion of minds, upon which the whole weight …f his ſtructure is laid. But enough of his before, let others judge.

One thing I cannot but take notice …f, That I would have it granted,pag. 78. that becauſe ſchiſm conſiſts in a difference amongſt Church-members, therefore he that raiſes ſuch a difference, whether he be a member of that Church, or any other, or no,pag. 43. (ſuppoſe he be a Mahumetan, or a Jew) is a ſchiſmatick. 1. Did not prove he might be ſo, both from his own deſcription of ſchiſm, and alſo by an inſtance of thoſe, that came from Jeruſalem, and ſtirred up diviſions in …he Church of Antioch? 2. For his pa…entheſis, is it not otherwiſe profeſſed p. 96by me, pag. 55. An Heathen cannot b… a ſchiſmatick? Did not the reveren… Doctor wink hard, when he would no… ſee this? After all this, he charges it … a crime upon me, That I plead for t… old defin…tion of ſchiſm, as ſuitable to t… Scripture, after the whole foundation … it is taken away. How is the foundat… on of it taken away? not by his noti… of ſchiſm; for though that ſchiſm ha… been onelyonly a diviſion in a particul… Church, with reſpect to their mind and judgments; yet it followes not, tha… ſchiſm, in the full nature of it, is nothing elſe. Let him prove the conſequenc… if he can, and not make himſelf ridiculous to all Divines.

But did not I inſtance in other words which may and do ſignifie ſeparation into parties, as well as difference o… minds? and thoſe uſed in the ſame plac… of Scripture. What thinks he of foreign, 1 Cor, 3.3. may not that ſignifi… a diviſion into parties?pag. 39. What of foreign made a ſynonymon by the Apoſtle himſelf, 1 Cor. 11.18, 19. with foreign I hear that there are ſchiſms, for ther… muſt be hereſies alſo amongſt you. Now I made it evident, that that word ſignifies ſeparation into ſeverall ſects; p. 97not divided onelyonly in opinions, but in Schools alſo, amongſt the Philoſophers; and why may not ſchiſm include as much? Beſides, I gave other words, that …mply a ſinfull ſchiſmaticall ſeparation; that, Act. 20.30. Seducers, that ſpeak perverſe things, foreign, to draw away diſciples after them, from the Church. That of Heb. 10.25. foreign, Not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together. And …hat, Jud. v. 19. foreign, ſeparating …hemſelves. All which imply a ſinful …reach of union, and a cauſeleſſe ſeparation from a true Church; which is the old definition of ſchiſm.

There are many things more of great …mportance in this Chapter, which I …annot but think it hard meaſure, to be …o ſleighted and deſpiſed, as to an an…wer. But the reverend Doctor is ſo …namoured with his new notion, and ſo over-joyed with his foreign of invention, that if you will not grant him that, …e profeſſes, to look for no ſucceſſe in …is work, as I ſaid above. But I ſhall …uſtly require and expect, in his next …ndertaking, a better account of them. There is but one thing more I ſhall take p. 98notice of, in the concluſion of this Chapter, that is, about the aggravations of ſchiſm: Firſt, thoſe that are given by others, which I re-enforced; not becauſe I hoped, that he would diſpute with me about them, (for I ſee, he can avoid diſputing about things, of greater concernment to him) but becauſe I found him diſputing againſt th…m, as I thought, cauſleſſely. Then for his own, he may, without any leave from me, lay what weight he will upon them; encouraged (he ſaies) by my approbation of them. Truly, all the approbation I gave, was, that I could agree with him therein. But, to tell him the truth, it was rather, becauſe they were true, than that they were ſo pertinent and proper, as thoſe vindicated by me: For as for the three firſt, that it is a deſpiſing, 1. Of the authority of Chriſt. 2. His wiſdom. 3. His grace: What hath he ſaid, that is not competible to the aggravation of any other ſin almoſt, as well as ſchiſm? The ſame aggravations may be applyed to our civill diſſentions: The laſt indeed is the moſt proper, viz. Its conſtant growing to farther evill, in ſome, to Apoſtacy it ſelf; its uſuall and certain p. 99ending in ſtrife, variance, debate, evill ſurmiſings, wrath, confuſion, diſturbances, publick and private, are alſo to be laid all at its door. And that's my …dgment, of their preſent Schiſm.