A53704:125
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.
(3.) He gives hereon that excellent Rule, [Greek or Hebrew]; the Difference of Fastings, (and consequently things of an alike Nature) commends the Concord or Agreement of Faith.
(3.) He gives hereon that excellent Rule, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; the Difference of Fastings, (and consequently things of an alike Nature) commends the Concord or Agreement of Faith.
This was the first Effect of a Departure from the only Rule of Unity and Communion among the Churches, which was given by Christ himself and his Apostles. As hereby great Confusion and Disorder was brought upon the Churches, so it was the first public inroad that was made on the Doctrine of the Scripture, concerning Christian Liberty. And as it was also the first Instance ⟨p. 58⟩of rejecting Men otherwise found in the Faith from Communion, for Non-Conformity, or the Non-Observance of Humane Institutions or Traditions, which had therein an unhappy Consecration unto the use of future Ages; so it was the first notorious Entrance into that Usurpation of Power, in the Roman Bishops, which they carried on by degrees unto an absolute Tyranny. Neither was there ever a more pernicious Maxim broached in the Primitive Times, nor which had a more effectual Influence into the Ruin of the first Institution and Liberty of the Churches of Christ. For although the Fact of Victor, was condemned by many, yet the Principle he proceeded on, was afterwards espoused and put in Practice.
This was the first Effect of a Departure from the only Rule of Unity and Communion among the Churches, which was given by Christ himself and his Apostles. As hereby great Confusion and Disorder was brought upon the Churches, so it was the first publick inroad that was made on the Doctrine of the Scripture, concerning Christian Liberty. And as it was also the first Instance ⟨p. 58⟩