A53704:108
An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…
An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches. The first part with an answer to the discourse of the unreasonableness of separation written by Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of Pauls, and in defence of the vindication of non-conformists from the guilt of schism / by John Owen.An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches. The first part with an answer to the discourse of the unreasonableness of separation written by Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of Pauls, and in defence of the vindication of non-conformists from the guilt of schisme / by John Owen.
London: printed by J. Richardson for Nath. Ponder, 1681
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.
Thirdly; Those who recede from this Rule, in any material Branch of it, are guilty of the Breach of Church Unity, ⟨p. 51⟩according to the Measure of their Exorbitancy. As suppose that any Preach, Teach, or Profess Doctrines, that are contrary to the form of wholesome Words, especially with reference unto the Person, Offices, and Grace of Christ, which are the Subject of Doctrines purely Evangelical, they break the Peace of the Church, and we are bound to separate or withdraw Communion from them, which is a Means of preserving the true Peace and Unity of the Church. Speciosum quidem est Nomen Pacis, & pulchra Opinio Unitatis, sed quis ambigat eam solam, unicam, Ecclesiae Pacem esse, quae Christi est; saith Hilary. Suppose that men retain a Form of Godliness in the Profession of the Truth; but deny the Power of it, acting their habitual Lusts and Corruptions, in a vicious Conversation; they overthrow the Foundation of the Churches Unity, and we are obliged from such to turn away. The like may be said of those who live in a constant neglect of any of the Commands of Christ, with respect unto the Order, Rule and Worship of the Church, with a contempt of the Means appointed by him for their Edification. All these according unto the Measures of their Deviations from the Rule of Christ, do disturb the Foundation of all Church Peace and Unity. And therefore we say;
Thirdly; Those who recede from this Rule, in any material Branch of it, are guilty of the Breach of Church Ʋnity, ⟨p. 51⟩according to the Measure of their Exorbitancy. As suppose that any Preach, Teach, or Profess Doctrines, that are contrary to the form of wholesome Words, especially with reference unto the Person, Offices, and Grace of Christ, which are the Subject of Doctrines purely Evangelical, they break the Peace of the Church, and we are bound to separate or withdraw Communion from them, which is a Means of preserving the true Peace and Unity of the Church. Speciosum quidem est Nomen Pacis, & pulchra Opinio Ʋnitatis, sed quis ambigat eam solam, unicam, Ecclesiae Pacem esse, quae Christi est; saith Hilary. Suppose that men retain a Form of Godliness in the Profession of the Truth; but deny the Power of it, acting their habitual Lusts and Corruptions, in a vitious Conversation; they overthrow the Foundation of the Churches Unity, and we are obliged from such to turn away. The like may be said of those who live in a constant neglect of any of the Commands of Christ, with respect unto the Order, Rule and Worship of the Church, with a contempt of the Means appointed by him for their Edification. All these according unto the Measures of their Deviations from the Rule of Christ, do disturb the Foundation of all Church Peace and Unity. And therefore we say;