A53704:208
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.
7. There is no Legislative Power in, and over the Church, as unto its Form, Order and Worship, left unto any of the Sons of men, under any qualification whatever; For,
1. There are none of them, who have an Interest in those Rights, Qualifications, and Endowments, which are necessary unto an Investiture into such a Legislative Power. For what was given and granted unto Christ himself unto this end , that he might be the Law giver of the Church, must be found also in them, who pretend unto any Interest therein. Have they any of them a Right and Title ⟨p. 35⟩unto a disposal of the Persons of Believers in what way they please, as unto their Spiritual and Eternal concernments? Have they Sovereign Authority over all things to change their Moral Nature; to give them new uses and significations, to make things necessary that in themselves are indifferent, and to order all those things by Sovereign Authority in Laws obliging the consciences of men? And the like may be said of his Personal Qualifications, of Faithfulness, Wisdom, Love and Care, which are ascribed unto him in this work of giving Laws unto his Churches, as he was the Lord over his own House.
1. There are none of them, who have an Interest in those Rights, Qualifications, and Endowments, which are necessary unto an Investiture into such a Legislative Power. For what was given and granted unto Christ himself unto this end , that he might be the Law giver of the Church, must be found also in them, who pretend unto any Interest therein. Have they any of them a Right and Title ⟨p. 35⟩unto a disposal of the Persons of Believers in what way they please, as unto their Spiritual and Eternal concernments? Have they Soveraign Authority over all things to change their Moral Nature; to give them new uses and significations, to make things necessary that in themselves are indifferent, and to order all those things by Soveraign Authority in Laws obliging the consciences of men? And the like may be said of his Personal Qualifications, of Faithfulness, Wisdom, Love and Care, which are ascribed unto him in this work of giving Laws unto his Churches, as he was the Lord over his own House.