Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

(313): which we cannot avoid ; Nor can any man elfe, let him pretend what he will to the contrary, avoid the makingofa Judgment for himfelfin thefe things, unlefs hebebruti[h. Thefe things are fufficient to evidencethat there is not the leafl countenance given unto the antient Schifines by any Principles of ours ; yet I [hall add Tome farther Confiderations on the Infiances he gives unto the fame Purpofe. The firft is, that the Novatians whole Pretences were the D f ipline and 'Purity of the Churches, wherein he Pays, there was a Concurrence of Dr. O's Pleas ; Zeal for Reformation ofDf ipline, the greater Edificationofthe `People, and the affirting of their Right in ch.oojtngfuch a Pallor as was likely to promote their Edification. I am lorry that Intere[t and Party [hould fway with learned Men, to leek Advantages unto their Caule fo unduly: The llory in fhort is this ; `(ovatus or Vovatianus ra- ther, being difappointed in his ambitious Defign to have been chofen Bifhop of the Church of Rome, Cornelius being chofen by much the Major Part of the Church, betook himfelf to indireét means to weaken and invali- date theEleecion ofCornelius. And this he did by rai- fing a new Principle offalle DoElrine, whereunto he as falfly accommodated the Matter ofFad. The Error he broached and promoted was that there was ne place for Repentance (fuch as whereon they [hould be admitted into the Church) unto them who had fallen into fin after Baptifine, nor as Tome add any Salvation to be obtain- ed by them who had fallen in the time ofPerfecution. This the antient Church looked on as a peflilent Hereffe and as fuch was it condmened in a confiderable Cott- fel at Rome withCornelius. Eufeeb. lib. 6. cap. 43 5 where Itr alío

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