Separation examined: : or, A treatise vvherein the grounds for separation from the ministry and churches of England are weighed, and found too light. The practise proved to be not onely unwarrantable, but likewise so hurtful to the churches, that church-reformation cannot with any comfort go forward so long as such separation is tolerated. Also an humble request presented to the Congregational Divines, that [since the differences between them and the classical-divines are very small] they would please to strike in with the classical-divines in carrying on the worke of Reformation, before the inundation of these corrupt opinions, have destroyed both ordinances and religion.
A 1652 London controversial treatise by the Puritan divine Giles Firmin, printed for Stephen Bowtell, arguing against Congregationalist separation from the English church and urging reform. The four pictures are small woodcut and engraved printers' ornaments: a border of crowned fleur-de-lis and rose motifs, a historiated initial T held between two mermaid-like figures beside an open book, and an engraved heraldic achievement with a crest, shield and motto scroll reading Gaudeo. Designers can draw on their dense, symmetrical strapwork and heraldic framing for period borders, monogram frames and crest layouts.
![Picture 1 of 4 from Separation examined: : or, A treatise vvherein the grounds for separation from the ministry and churches of England are weighed, and found too light. The practise proved to be not onely unwarrantable, but likewise so hurtful to the churches, that church-reformation cannot with any comfort go forward so long as such separation is tolerated. Also an humble request presented to the Congregational Divines, that [since the differences between them and the classical-divines are very small] they would please to strike in with the classical-divines in carrying on the worke of Reformation, before the inundation of these corrupt opinions, have destroyed both ordinances and religion. (1652), leaf 2](https://img.insideoutlibrary.com/img/200/ia-separationexamin00firm-2-0.webp)
![Picture 2 of 4 from Separation examined: : or, A treatise vvherein the grounds for separation from the ministry and churches of England are weighed, and found too light. The practise proved to be not onely unwarrantable, but likewise so hurtful to the churches, that church-reformation cannot with any comfort go forward so long as such separation is tolerated. Also an humble request presented to the Congregational Divines, that [since the differences between them and the classical-divines are very small] they would please to strike in with the classical-divines in carrying on the worke of Reformation, before the inundation of these corrupt opinions, have destroyed both ordinances and religion. (1652), leaf 7](https://img.insideoutlibrary.com/img/200/ia-separationexamin00firm-7-0.webp)
![Picture 3 of 4 from Separation examined: : or, A treatise vvherein the grounds for separation from the ministry and churches of England are weighed, and found too light. The practise proved to be not onely unwarrantable, but likewise so hurtful to the churches, that church-reformation cannot with any comfort go forward so long as such separation is tolerated. Also an humble request presented to the Congregational Divines, that [since the differences between them and the classical-divines are very small] they would please to strike in with the classical-divines in carrying on the worke of Reformation, before the inundation of these corrupt opinions, have destroyed both ordinances and religion. (1652), leaf 9](https://img.insideoutlibrary.com/img/200/ia-separationexamin00firm-9-0.webp)
![Picture 4 of 4 from Separation examined: : or, A treatise vvherein the grounds for separation from the ministry and churches of England are weighed, and found too light. The practise proved to be not onely unwarrantable, but likewise so hurtful to the churches, that church-reformation cannot with any comfort go forward so long as such separation is tolerated. Also an humble request presented to the Congregational Divines, that [since the differences between them and the classical-divines are very small] they would please to strike in with the classical-divines in carrying on the worke of Reformation, before the inundation of these corrupt opinions, have destroyed both ordinances and religion. (1652), leaf 9](https://img.insideoutlibrary.com/img/200/ia-separationexamin00firm-9-1.webp)