A53704:203
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.
1. Every Church-State that hath an especial Institution of its own, giving its especial kind, supposeth and hath respect unto the Law and Light of Nature, requiring and directing in general, those things which belong unto the Being, Order, and Preservation of such Societies as that is. That there ought to be Societies, wherein men voluntarily join together, for the solemn Performance of Divine Worship, and joint walking in obedience before God; that these Societies ought to use such means, for their own Peace, and Order, as the light of Nature directs unto, that where many have a common Interest, they ought to consult in common for the due management of it, with other things of the like Importance, are evident Dictates of this Light and Law. Now whatever Church-State may be superinduced by Divine Institution, yet this Light and Law in all their evident Dictates, continue their obliging Power in, and over the minds of men, and must do so eternally. Wherefore things that belong hereunto need no new Institution in any Church-State whatever; But yet,
1. Every Church-State that hath an especial Institution of its own, giving its especial kind, supposeth and hath respect unto the Law and Light of Nature, requiring and directing in general, those things which belong unto the Being, Order, and Preservation of such Societies as that is. That there ought to be Societies, wherein men voluntarily joyn together, for the solemn Performance of Divine Worship, and joynt walking in obedience before God; that these Societies ought to use such means, for their own Peace, and Order, as the light of Nature directs unto, that where many have a common Interest, they ought to consult in common for the due management of it, with other things of the like Importance, are evident Dictates of this Light and Law. Now whatever Church-State may be superinduced by Divine Institution, yet this Light and Law in all their evident Dictates, continue their obliging Power in, and over the minds of men, and must do so eternally. Wherefore things that belong hereunto need no new Institution in any Church-State whatever; But yet,
2. Whatever is required by the Light of Nature in such Societies as Churches, as useful unto their Order, and conducing unto their end, is a Divine Institution. The Lord Christ in the Institution of Gospel Churches, their State, Order, Rule, and Worship, doth not require of his Disciples, that in their Observance of his Appointments, they should cease to be men, or forego the Use and Exercise of their rational Abilities, according to the Rule of that Exercise, which is the Light of Nature. Yea because the Rules and Directions are in this case to be applied unto things Spiritual, and of mere Revelation, he giveth Wisdom, Prudence, and Understanding to make that Application in a due manner, unto those to whom the Guidance and Rule of the Church is committed. Wherefore as unto all the things which the Light of Nature directs us unto, with respect unto the