As Chillingworth observes, "Protestants are unanimous and peremptory in their denial that they are truly schismatic, who leave the communion of the visible church, if corrupted; especially if the case be so that they must either leave her communion, or of necessity communicate with her in her corruptions." The apostle's language in the text was a sufficient justification for the Church of England, when she shook off the idolatrous and superstitious customs which Rome had gradually imposed upon her "we have no such custom, neither the churches of God."-The schism was, in this case, created by those who enjoined doctrines, and ceremonies "against God's word."

We may, on the other hand, shew those to be guilty of schism who reject an universally-prevalent and lawfully-constituted rite or custom, and separate themselves from the Church on such grounds, just as those have been already proved to be, who add to such as the Catholic Church hath alone sanctioned: for the apostle's argument from the practice of the Church applies equally on both sides; and "we have such a custom," would have been just as binding, as "we have no such custom," was conclusive as to rejection. Hence, therefore, we see the reasonableness of the decision of our Church on the question of schism: "Whosoever, through his private

15 P. 192.

:

judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, (that others may fear to do the like) as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren."16 This article is clearly directed against those who, though schismatical, were still disposed to submit, generally, to the authority of the Church and though in these days, authority so exercised may be set at naught, and actual schism be the consequence of putting it forth, yet still the conscience of the Church is pure in this matter-she hath laboured to preserve unity, by the promulgation of judicious laws, and by openly protesting against the breach of them: and the sin thenceforth lies with those who cause so wide a breach for what is confessedly so small a difference. How many are there, voluntarily separated from our communion, who yet openly boast of their accordance with us in all great points of doctrine; as if that very circumstance, of so far agreeing with us, did not magnify the inexcusableness of their own peace-destroying separation! It is an acute but most important observation of Jeremy Taylor,

16 Art. 34.

that "there are some sins whose malignity is accidentally increased by the lightness of the subject matter. To despise authority, when the obedience is so easy as the wearing of a garment, or doing of a posture, is a greater and more impudent contempt, than to despise authority imposing a great burden of a more considerable pressure, when human infirmity may tempt to disobedience, and lessen the crime." Those who dissent from the Church for trivial reasons, have no slight sin to answer for: it is no light matter, nor will a sincere and conscientious Christian ever consider it such, to set at naught the earnest and affectionate address of the Apostle"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.""17

171 Cor. i. 10.

END OF LECTURE VII.

LECTURE VIII.

(CHURCH AUTHORITY FOR PROPAGATING THE TRUTH). SECULAR AID, EDUCATION, PREACHING.

THE ARGUMENT.

THE COMMISSION TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL ISSUED TO MEN NOT TO BOOKS-REASONS FOR THIS-SYSTEM AND SUBORDINATION NECESSARY AMONG THE PROPAGATORS OF THE GOSPEL-THE GOSPEL KINGDOM FOLLOWS THE ANALOGY OF AN EARTHLY KINGDOM AS TO LAWS AND OFFICERS-SYSTEM OBSERVED BY THE APOSTLES AND FIRST PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL-HUMAN MEANS MAY BE JOINED WITH SPIRITUAL IN SPREADING THE TRUTH-THE LAWS OF HUMAN NATURE AND OF THE GOSPEL HAVE BOTH THE SAME DIVINE ORIGIN-THEY MAY WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD-HUMAN AUTHORITY AT FIRST OPPOSED TO THE DIVINE LAW -WHEN WHOLE NATIONS BECAME CHRISTIAN THE TWO AUTHORITIES ENTERED INTO ALLIANCE-CHURCH AND STATE ORIGINALLY INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER-THEY CAN AND MAY MUTUALLY PROMOTE EACH OTHER'S ENDS.-THESE SEPARATE ENDS STATED-WHAT PRIVILEGES THE CHURCH CLAIMS TO HERSELF-RELIGIOUS TEACHING AND EDUCATION AMONG THEM-WOULD RESIST THE STATE IN ESTABLISHING A RIVAL SYSTEM TO HER'S, IN EITHER OF THESE POINTS-HER DUTY IN SUCH A CASE-SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT OF THIS LECTUREGENERAL CONCLUSION.