A53704:112
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.
1. Discharge themselves of the Charge of it, in a consistence with their charge on them. For we find as yet no Arrows shot against us, but such as are gathered up in the Fields, shot at them that use them, out of the Roman Quiver. Neither will it avail them to say, that they have other manner of Reason for their Separation from the Church of Rome, than any we have for our withdrawing Communion from them. For the Question is not what Reasons they have for what they do; but what Right and Power they have to do it, namely, to separate from the Church whereof they were, constituting a new Church state of their own, without the consent of that Church, and against the Order and Authority of the same.
1. Discharge themselves of the Charge of it, in a consistence with their charge on them. For we find as yet no Arrows shot against us, but such as are gathered up in the Feilds, shot at them that use them, out of the Roman Quiver. Neither will it avail them to say, that they have other manner of Reason for their Separation from the Church of Rome, than any we have for our withdrawing Communion from them. For the Question is not what Reasons they have for what they do; but what Right and Power they have to do it, namely, to separate from the Church whereof they were, constituting a new Church state of their own, without the consent of that Church, and against the Order and Authority of the same.
2. Require no Communion but by virtue of the Rule before declared. In no other are we concerned, with respect unto the Peace and Unity of the Church.
2. Require no Communion but by vertue of the Rule before declared. In no other are we concerned, with respect unto the Peace and Unity of the Church.