A53701:59
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.
6. A careful Abstinence from all known Sins, giving scandal or offence, either unto the World, or unto the Church of God. And the Gospel requires,1 that this Confession be made (with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation) against (1.) Fear, (2.) Shame, (3.) The Course of the World, (4.) The Opposition of all Enemies whatever.
Hence it appears, that there are none excluded from an Entrance into the Church State, but such as are either, ⟨p. 36⟩(1.) grossly Ignorant, or, (2.) Persecutors, or reproachers of those that are good, or of the ways of God wherein they walk; or, (3.) Idolaters; or, (4.) Men scandalous in their Lives in the Commission of Sins, or Omission of Duties, thro' vicious Habits or Inclinations; or, (5.) such as would partake of Gospel Privileges and Ordinances, yet openly avow that they will not submit unto the Law and Commands of Christ in the Gospel, concerning whom, and the like, the Scripture Rule is peremptory; From such turn away.
Hence it appears, that there are none excluded from an Entrance into the Church State, but such as are either, ⟨p. 36⟩(1.) grosly Ignorant, or, (2.) Persecutors, or reproachers of those that are good, or of the ways of God wherein they walk; or, (3.) Idolaters; or, (4.) Men scandalous in their Lives in the Commission of Sins, or Omission of Duties, thro' vitious Habits or Inclinations; or, (5.) such as would partake of Gospel Privileges and Ordinances, yet openly avow that they will not submit unto the Law and Commands of Christ in the Gospel, concerning whom, and the like, the Scripture Rule is peremptory; From such turn away.