A53704:167
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.
2. That before the coming of Christ, who was to perfect and complete all Divine Revelations, and state all things belonging unto the House and Worship of God, so as never to admit of the least change or alteration; This Church-State, as unto outward Order, Rites of Worship, ways and manner of the Administration of things sacred, with its bounds and limits, was changeable, and variously changed. The most eminent Change it received, was in the giving of the Law, which fixed its State unalterably unto the Coming of Christ. Mal. 4.4, 5, 6.
2. That before the coming of Christ, who was to perfect and compleat all Divine Revelations, and state all things belonging unto the House and Worship of God, so as never to admit of the least change or alteration; This Church-State, as unto outward Order, Rites of Worship, ways and manner of the Administration of things sacred, with its bounds and limits, was changeable, and variously changed. The most eminent Change it received, was in the giving of the Law, which fixed its State unalterably unto the Coming of Christ. Mal. 4.4, 5, 6.
3. That it was God himself alone, who made all these Alterations and Changes; nor would he, nor did he ever allow, that the Wills, Wisdom, or Authority of men, should prescribe Rules or Measures unto his Worship in any thing. Heb. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
4. That the Foundation of every Church-State, that is accepted with God, is in an express Covenant with him, that they receive and enter into, who are to be admitted into that State. A Church not founded in a Covenant with God, is not from Heaven, but of Men. Hereof we shall treat more at large, as I suppose, afterwards; See it exemplified,