A53704:193
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.
Of the same nature is the other part of their Plea, against this Denial of a Legislative Power in men, with respect unto the Constitution of the Evangelical Church-State, or the ordaining of any thing to be observed in it, that Christ hath not appointed. For it is said, that if this be allowed, as all the Dignity, Power, and Honour of the Governors of the Church, will be rejected or despised; so all manner of Confusion, and Disorder, will be brought into the Church ⟨p. 27⟩itself. For how can it otherwise be, when all Power of Law-making, in the preservation of the Dignity of the Rulers, and Order of the Church is taken away. And therefore we see, it was the Wisdom of the Church in former Ages, that all the principal Laws and Canons, that they made in their Councils, or otherwise, were designed unto the Exaltation and Preservation of the Dignity of Church Rulers; Wherefore take this Power away, and you will bring in all Confusion into the Church.
Of the same nature is the other part of their Plea, against this Denial of a Legislative Power in men, with respect unto the Constitution of the Evangelical Church-State, or the ordaining of any thing to be observed in it, that Christ hath not appointed. For it is said, that if this be allowed, as all the Dignity, Power, and Honour of the Governours of the Church, will be rejected or despised; so all manner of Confusion, and Disorder, will be brought into the Church ⟨p. 27⟩itself. For how can it otherwise be, when all Power of Law-making, in the preservation of the Dignity of the Rulers, and Order of the Church is taken away. And therefore we see, it was the Wisdom of the Church in former Ages, tha all the principal Laws and Canons, that they made in their Councils, or otherwise, were designed unto the Exaltation and Preservation of the Dignity of Church Rulers; Wherefore take this Power away, and you will bring in all Confusion into the Church.
Ans. 1. They do not in my Judgment, sufficiently think of whom, and of what they speak, who plead after this manner. For the substance of the Plea is; That if the Church have its whole Frame, Constitution, Order, Rule, and Government from Christ alone, though men should faithfully discharge their Duty, in Doing and Observing all what he hath commanded, there would be nothing in it but Disorder and Confusion: Whether this becomes that Reverence which we ought to have of him, or be suited unto that Faithfulness and Wisdom, which is particularly ascribed unto him, in the Constitution and Ordering of his Church, is not hard to determine, and the Untruth of it shall be afterwards demonstrated.