A53704:141
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.
It is therefore no small mistake, that we dissuaded any from reading his Sermon, which hath been commonly objected by some other Writers of the same way. But if we were Enemies unto these Worthy Persons, we could not desire they should have more false Intelligence from our Tents, then they seem to have. This is not our way. Those who are joined with us, are so upon their own free Choice and Judgment; nor do we dissuade them from reading the Discourses of any on the Subject of our Differences. The Rule holds herein, to try all things and hold fast that which is Good.
It is therefore no small mistake, that we disswaded any from reading his Sermon, which hath been commonly objected by some other Writers of the same way. But if we were Enemies unto these Worthy Persons, we could not desire they should have more false Intelligence from our Tents, then they seem to have. This is not our way. Those who are joyned with us, are so upon their own free Choice and Judgment; nor do we disswade them from reading the Discourses of any on the Subject of our Differences. The Rule holds herein, to try all things and hold fast that which is Good.
Nor do I know any thing in the least of Advices or Agreements to cry down and oppose, Confute or Answer the Drs. Sermon. Nor do I believe that there were ever any such among those who are Charged with them. And what shall be said unto those Military Expressions, of ⟨p. 69⟩summoning in the Power of the Party, resolved to fall on, think fit to draw their strength into the Field, &c. I say, what shall we say to these things? I am not a little troubled that I am forced to have any concernment in the Debate of these Differences, wherein mens sense of their Interest, or of Provocations they have received, cast them on such irregular ways of Defence and Retaliation. For all these things are but fruits of Imagination, that have nothing of Truth or Substance to give countenance unto them.
Nor do I know any thing in the least of Advices or Agreements to cry down and oppose, Confute or Answer the Drs. Sermon. Nor do I believe that there were ever any such among those who are Charged with them. And what shall be said unto those Military Expressions, of