A53689:178
Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan
Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the borders, for the encouragement of the saints, travelling thither-ward, with their faces towards Zion. Or, Rules of direction, for the walking of the saints in fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel. Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall, by John Owen their pastor.Eshcol: a cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the borders, for the encouragement of the saints, travelling thither-ward, with their faces towards Syon. Or, Rules of direction, for the walking of the saints in fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel. Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall, by John Owen their pastor.
London: printed for Philemon Stephens, 1648
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now the separation here commanded from any persons, is not in respect of natural affections, nor spiritual care of the good of their souls, Rom, 9. 3. nor yet in respect of duties of Relation, 1 Cor. 7. 13. nor yet in offices of love and civill converse, 1 Cor. 5. 10. 1 Thess. 4. 12. much less in not seeking their good and prosperity, 1 Tim. 2. 1. or not communicating good things unto them, Gal. 6. 10. or living profitably and peaceably with them, Rom. 12. 18. but in 1. Manner of walking and conversation, Rom. 12. 2. Ephes. 4. 17, 18, 19. 2. Delightful ⟨p. 53⟩converse and familiarity where enmity and opposition appears, Ephes. 5. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10▪ 11. 3. In way of worship, and ordinances of fellowship, Rev. 18. 4. not running out into the same compass of excess and riot, with them, in anything; for these 3. and the like commands and discoveries of the will of God, are most express: as in the places annexed to the Rule; necessity abundantly urgent; spiritual profit and edification, no less requiring it: causeless separation from established Churches, walking according to the order of the Gospel, (though perhaps, failing in the practise of some things of small concernment) is no small sin: but separation from the sinful practises, ⟨p. 54⟩and disorderly walkings, and false unwarranted ways of worship in any, is to fulfil the precept of not partaking in other mens sins; to delight in the company, fellowship, society, and converse of unsavoury disorderly persons, proclaims a spirit not endeared to Christ.