A53701:48
A guide to church-fellowship and order according to the gospel-institution
A guide to church-fellowship and order according to the gospel-institution wherein these following particulars are distinctly handled, I. The necessity of believers to join themselves in church-order, II. The subject matter of the church, III. The continuation of a church-state, and of the administration of evangelical ordinances of worship, briefly vindicated, IV. What sort of churches the disciples of Christ may and ought to join themselves unto as unto entire communion / by ... John Owen ...A guide to church-fellowship and order according to the gospel-institution wherein these following particulars are distinctly handled, I. The necessity of believers to joyn themselves in church-order, II. The subject matter of the church, III. The continuation of a church-state, and of the administration of evangelical ordinances of worship, briefly vindicated, IV. What sort of churches the disciples of Christ may and ought to joyn themselves unto as unto entire communion / by ... John Owen ...
London: printed for William Marshall, 1692
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.
4. GOD alone is judge concerning this Regeneration, 1as unto its internal, real principle and state in the Souls of men whereon the participation of all the spiritual advantages of the Covenant of Grace doth depend: The Church is judge of its evidences and fruits in their external Demonstration, as unto a participation of the outward Privileges of a Regenerate state, 2and no farther. And we shall hereon briefly declare what belongs unto the forming of a right judgment herein, and who are to be esteemed fit Members of any Gospel Church State, or have a right so to be.
1. SUCH as from whom we are obliged to with-draw or with-hold Communion, 1can be no part of the matter constituent of a Church, or are not mere Members for the first constitution of it. But such are all Habitual Sinners; ⟨p. 27⟩those who having prevalent habits and Inclinations unto Sins of any kind unmortified, do walk according unto them. Such are profane Swearers, Drunkards, Fornicators, Covetous, Oppressors, and the like, who shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.11