A53704:206
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.
These things being premised, our principal Assertion is; That Christ alone is the Author, Institutor, and Appointer, in a way of Authority and Legislation, of the Gospel Church-State, its Order, Rule and Worship, with all things constantly and perpetually belonging thereunto; or necessary to be observed therein. What is not so, is of men, and not from Heaven; this is that which we have proved in general, and shall farther particularly confirm in our Progress. Hence
6. There is no spiritual use nor benefit of any Church-State, nor of any thing therein performed, but what on the part of men, consists in Acts of Obedience unto the Authority of Christ. If in any thing we do of this nature, we cannot answer that enquiry, which God directs in this case to be made, namely, why we do this or that thing; Exod. 12.25, 26, 27. with this, that it is because Christ hath required it of us, we do not acknowledge him the Lord over his own House, nor hear him as the Son. Nor is there any Act of Power to be put forth in the Rule of the Church, but in ⟨p. 34⟩them , by whom it is exerted, it is an Act of Obedience unto Christ, or it is a mere Usurpation. All Church Power is nothing but a Faculty or Ability, to obey the Commands of Christ in such a way and manner as he hath appointed. For it is his Constitution, that the Administration of his solemn Worship in the Church, and the Rule of it, as unto the observance of his commands, should be committed unto some Persons set apart unto that end, according unto his appointment. This is all their Authority, all that they have of Order or Jurisdiction, or by any other ways whereby they are pleased to express it. And where there is any Gospel Administration, any Act of Rule or Government in the Church, which those that perform it, do not give an evidence that they do it in Obedience unto Christ, it is null as unto any Obligation on the Consciences of his Disciples. The neglect hereof in the World, wherein many in the Exercise of Church Discipline, or any Acts that belong unto the Rule of it, think of nothing but their own Offices, whereunto such Powers are annexed, by humane Laws and Canons, as enable them to Act in their own names, without designing Obedience unto Christ in all that they do, or to make a just representation of his Authority, Wisdom, and love thereby, is ruinous unto Church Order and Rule.