A53704:186
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.
Whereas therefore there is a Disposal of the Persons, that are to belong unto this Church-State, as unto their Souls, Consciences, and all the eternal Concernments of them, by an indispensable Moral Obligation to a compliance therewithal; until men can manifest that they have such a Right and Title over others, and that either by the especial Grant and Donation of God the Father, or a Purchase that they have made of them unto themselves, or Conquest; they are not to be esteemed to have either Right or Title to institute any thing that belongs unto this Church-State. And it is in vain pretended (as we shall see more afterwards) that Christ indeed hath appointed this Church-State in general; but that he hath appointed no particular Form of Churches, or their Rule, but left that unto the Discretion and Authority of men, as they think meet, when they have outward Power for their Warranty. But if by these particular Appointments and Framings of Churches with their Order, men are disposed of, as unto their spiritual concernments, beyond the Obligation of the Light of Nature, or the moral •aw. We must yet enquire, who gave them this Right and Title to make this disposal of them.
Whereas therefore there is a Disposal of the Persons, that are to belong unto this Church-State, as unto their Souls, Consciences, and all the eternal Concernments of them, by an indispensible Moral Obligation to a compliance therewithal; until men can manifest that they have such a Right and Title over others, and that either by the especial Grant and Donation of God the Father, or a Purchase that they have made of them unto themselves, or Conquest; they are not to be esteemed to have either Right or Title to institute any thing that belongs unto this Church-State. And it is in vain pretended (as we shall see more afterwards) that Christ indeed hath appointed this Church-State in general; but that he hath appointed no particular Form of Churches, or their Rule, but left that unto the Discretion and Authority of men, as they think meet, when they have outward Power for their Warranty. But if by these particular Appointments and Framings of Churches with their Order, men are disposed of, as unto their spiritual concernments, beyond the Obligation of the Light of Nature, or the moral •aw. We must yet enquire, who gave them this Right and Title to make this disposal of them.