The necessity of keeping our parish-churches argued from the sin and danger of the schisms in the Church of Corinth and of the present separations : in a sermon before the honourable judges, at the last assizes, held at Exeter / by Francis Fullwood.

Of the Schism charged upon the Co∣rinthians; particularly, in their preferring some Pastors to the sleighting of others.

YOu have heard what Schism, in general, is; and how notoriously the present Separation is guilty of it. Let us now consider the parti∣cular Schisms in the Church of Corinth, and the agreeableness of ours with these.

The Corinthians seem to be charged with a threefold Schism. 1. In preferring some Teachers to the sleighting of others. 2. Refusing to ob∣serve the lawful Customs of their own Church. 3. Dividing in the Communion of it.

The first we find, 1 Cor. 1. 10. Now I beseech you brethren, let there be no Divisions (or Schisms Gr.) among you; it hath been declared to me that there are contentions among you, vers. 11.

Now, what were these Schisms and Contenti∣ons? Why, every one saith, I am of Paul, I of A∣pollo, I of Cephas, and I of Christ; one not liking to hear any but solid Paul; another, any, but zealous Peter; a third, any, but eloquent Apol∣los; and a fourth would hear none, but wait for the Inspirations of Christ himself.

Thus, we see we may be guilty of Schism, not

only by refusing all Ministeries; but by having Itching ears, and heaping up Teachers to our selves; and by a partial preferring some kind of Teachers to the sleighting of others with pretenses of Edi∣fying better by them.

This too palpably argues a renouncing and disobedience of our own Pastors, that notorious Schism branded by the most eminent Fathers in the Primitive Ages of the Church, as before was noted; and Mr. Hales tells us, that the peo∣ples partial preference of some Bishops before o∣thers, hath been the general cause of Schism in most Ages; yea, he adds, that he that reads St. Cyprian, would imagine that that Father thought, there was no other Schism but this.

Hear him in one place for the rest; unde enim Schismata, &c. whence do Schisms and Heresies arise? but when the Bishop who is one, and go∣verns the Church, is contemn'd by the proud presumption of certain persons; and the Man that is honoured, Dignatione Dei, Indignis homi∣nibus Judicatur, is judged by unworthy men.

Now, are not our New Churches Schismatical enough for this Cause also? Is it not respect of Per∣sons that draws our people from us, to hear their New or Old Teachers?

The Preachers say, indeed, they must take care of their own old Flocks; and the people say, they must hear their old Ministers.

But, besides what we have said to this already, we must say, the cheat is too manifest: For, how few of their old Ministers are left, that will preach unto them? Many are dead; many con∣form; and some are honest and modest, and like

not to be Independents and gather Churches: And very few of these few, that are left, and do take this liberty, are to be found near their old places; except they are such, as were ejected out of the best of our Towns.

But the Non-Conformists are godly, zealous and painful Preachers: And what is this but to inti∣mate that we are not so, though, thanks be to God, you cannot say it; especially in the Pari∣shes, where your Godly Preachers would gather their Churches.

But, my brethren, is not this to say, I am of Paul, &c. Deceive not your selves, this is not your vertue, or your strength, or spiritualness above others; but indeed your Sin and Schism, your weakness, and your flesh.

The Apostle saw (though you cannot,) envy∣ing, strife and faction in these, and such like pre∣tences. I write unto you, saith he, not as unto spiritual, but as carnal and Babes; for ye are yet carnal: For whereas there is envying and strife and Divisions or Factions among you, are ye not carnal and walk as men? And all this he proves, after this manner; for while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollo; are ye not carnal? 1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Yet you may not escape thus: Your practice hath a double Aggravation, beyond theirs.

1. The Preachers in Corinth were all of one kind of Ordination, and Pastors of the same Church; and did not at all countenance this par∣tial respect of their own gifts, but rather reprove it; as you have heard the Apostle, who was one of them: So that there was no Schism or diffe∣rence

among the Pastors; and St. Hierom's great Cause of Schism was wanting; who tells us, that it Separates from the Church propter Episcopalem dissensionem.

But you Separate from us, and adhere to such as are no allowed Pastors of our Church, either by Presentation, Institution, Induction, or, for the most part of them, Ordination it self; and we have cause to fear, that our Differences are made not only by the people, but chiefly by the Teachers.

Secondly, Paul, Apollo and Cephas, as they were Ministers of the same Church, and at unity among themselves, so they had all the same Mode of Worship, the same Government and Discipline, as well as Doctrine.

But now, as you forsake your true Pastors, so you make new Churches of another Ministry, Worship and Government, and quite of another Constitution; and where is your Sobriety to run thus upon a Total Separation from us? What think ye, are ye not carnal and walk as men in the Apostles Logick? Yea, I say, ye are children, and driven of the wind and tossed.

Notes

• Donatist. In Causa Cecilia∣ni Episcopi, cui crimina ob∣jecerunt,—s•• ab Ecclesiâ Catho∣licâ diviserunt. Aug. To. 2. Ept. 50. Ecclesia propter quemlibet ho∣minem relin∣quere non deb••∣mus, ibid. Epis. ad Pup•••• anum: vid. et∣jam Epi. 1. ad Cornelium.
• In. cap. 3. ad Titum.