A53704:154
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.
4. The secular worldly interest of multitudes lying in this presumptive Church and the state of it, they preferred and exalted it above all that is called God, and made the greatest Idol of it, that ever was in the world: For it was the faith and profession of it, that its authority over the Souls and Consciences of men, is above the Authority of the Scripture so that they have no Authority towards us, unless it be given unto them by this Church, and that we neither can nor need believe them to be the Word of God, unless they inform us and command us so to do. This usurpation of Divine Honour in putting itself and its Authority above that of the Scripture or Word of God, discovers full well whence it was. In like manner those who assumed it unto themselves to be the Church, without any other Right, Title or Pretence unto it, have exalted one amongst them and with him themselves in their several capacities, above all Emperors, Kings and Princes, Nations and People, trampling on them at their pleasure. Is this Church-State from Heaven? ⟨p. 5⟩Is it of Divine Institution? Is it the heart and centre of Christian Religion? Is it that which all men must be subject to on pain of eternal damnation? who that knows any thing of Christ or the Gospel, can entertain such a thought without detestation and abhorrency.
4. The secular worldly interest of multitudes lying in this presumptive Church and the state of it, they preferred and exalted it above all that is called God, and made the greatest Idol of it, that ever was in the world: For it was the faith and profession of it, that its authority over the Souls and Consciences of men, is above the Authority of the Scripture so that they have no Authority towards us, unless it be given unto them by this Church, and that we neither can nor need believe them to be the Word of God, unless they inform us and command us so to do. This usurpation of Divine Honour in putting itself and its Authority above that of the Scripture or Word of God, discovers full well whence it was. In like manner those who assumed it unto themselves to be the Church, without any other Right, Title or Pretence unto it, have exalted one amongst them and with him themselves in their several capacities, above all Emperors, Kings and Princes, Nations and People, trampling on them at their pleasure. Is this Church-State from Heaven? ⟨p. 5⟩