A53704:156
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.
6. Unto this very day the woeful Divisions, Distractions and end less Controversies that are among Christians, with the dangerous Consequences and effects of them, do all spring and arise from the Churches that are in the World. Some are for the Church of Rome, some for the Church of England, some for the Greek Church, and so of the rest; which upon an acknowledgement of such a state of them, as is usually allowed, cannot but produce Wars and Tumults among Nations, with the oppression of particular persons in all sorts of calamities. In one place men are killed for not owning of one Church, and in another for approving of it. Amongst our selves prisons are filled, and mens goods spoiled, divisions multiplied, and the whole Nation endangered, in a severe attempt to cause all Christians to acknowledge that Church-State which is set up among us. In brief, these Churches, in the great Instance of that of Rome, have been and are the Scandal of Christian Religion, and the greatest cause of most of the evils and villainies which the world hath been replenished ⟨p. 6⟩withal. And is it any wonder if men question whether they are from Heaven or of Men?
6. Unto this very day the woful Divisions, Distractions and end less Controversies that are among Christians, with the dangerous Consequences and effects of them, do all spring and arise from the Churches that are in the World. Some are for the Church of Rome, some for the Church of England, some for the Greek Church, and so of the rest; which upon an acknowledgment of such a state of them, as is usually allowed, cannot but produce Wars and Tumults among Nations, with the oppression of particular persons in all sorts of calamities. In one place men are killed for not owning of one Church, and in another for approving of it. Amongst our selves prisons are filled, and mens goods spoiled, divisions multiplied, and the whole Nation endangered, in a severe attempt to cause all Christians to acknowledge that Church-State which is set up among us. In brief, these Churches, in the great Instance of that of Rome, have been and are the Scandal of Christian Religion, and the greatest cause of most of the evils and villanies which the world hath been replenished ⟨p. 6⟩withal. And is it any wonder if men question whether they are from Heaven or of Men?