A53704:182
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.
Chapter 2: The Especial Original of the Evangelical Church-State.
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) The Authority whereby they acted in the Institution of the Church in its Order, whereon, the Consciences ⟨p. 19⟩of all Believers were obliged to submit thereunto, and to comply with it in a way of Obedience, was the Authority of Christ himself, acted in them and by them.1 They every where disclaim any such Power and Authority in themselves. They pleaded that they were only Stewards and Ministers, not Lords of the Faith or Obedience of the Church, but helpers of its Joy; yea the Servants of all the Churches for Christ's sake. And hereon it follows, that what is recorded of their Practice, in their Institution, ordering or disposing of any thing in the Church, that was to be of an abiding continuance, hath in it, the obliging Power of the Authority of Christ himself. Wherefore if the distinction that some make concerning the Apostles, namely, that they are to be considered as Apostles, or as Church-Governors, should be allowed, as it is liable to just exceptions; yet would no Advantage accrue thereby unto what is pretended from it: For as what they did, appointed, and ordered in the Church for its constant observation, as Apostles, they did it by immediate Revelation from Christ, and in his Name and Authority; so what in distinction from hence, as Church Governors, they did or ordered, they did it only by a due Application unto present occasions, of what they had received by Revelation. But as they were Apostles, Christ sent them, as his Father sent him, and he was so sent of the Father, as that he did stand and feed in the Strength of the Lord, in the Majesty of the Name of the Lord his God; Micah 5.4. So did they feed the Sheep of Christ in his Strength and in the Authority or Majesty of his Name.
(2) The Authority whereby they acted in the Institution of the Church in its Order, whereon, the Consciences ⟨p. 19⟩of all Believers were obliged to submit thereunto, and to comply with it in a way of Obedience, was the Authority of Christ himself, acted in them and by them.1