A53704:164
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.
Further we need not seek for the Divine Original of Churches, or Societies of men fearing God, for the discharge of his public Worship unto his Glory, and their own eternal Benefit, according unto the Light and Knowledge of his Mind and Will, which he is pleased to communicate unto them.
Further we need not seek for the Divine Original of Churches, or Societies of men fearing God, for the discharge of his publick Worship unto his Glory, and their own eternal Benefit, according unto the Light and Knowledge of his Mind and Will, which he is pleased to communicate unto them.
What concerns the framing and fashioning of Churches by Arbitrary and Artificial Combinations, in Provinces, Nations, and the like, we shall afterwards enquire into. This is the assured foundation and general warranty of particular Societies and Churches, whilst men are continued on the earth; the especial regulation of them by Divine Revelation, will in the next place be considered. And he who is not united with others in some such Society, lives in open contradiction unto the Law of Nature and its Light, in the principal instances of it.
1. Whereas the directions given by the light of Nature in and unto things concerning the outward worship of God, are general only, so as that by them alone, it would be very difficult to erect a Church-State in good and holy Order; God did always from the beginning, by especial Revelations and Institution, ordain such things as might perfect the Conduct of that Light unto such a complete Order, as was accepted with himself. So (1) He appointed a Church-State for man in Innocency, and completed its Order by the Sacramental Addition of the two Trees, the one of Life, the other of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
1. Whereas the directions given by the light of Nature in and unto things concerning the outward worship of God, are general only, so as that by them alone, it would be very difficult to erect a Church-State in good and holy Order; God did always from the beginning, by especial Revelations and Institution, ordain such things as might perfect the Conduct of that Light unto such a compleat Order, as was accepted with himself. So (1) He appointed a Church-State for man in Innocency, and compleated its Order by the Sacramental Addition of the two Trees, the one of Life, the other of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.