A53704:213
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 3: The Continuation of a Church-State and of Churches unto the end of the world; what are…
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.
CHAP. III. The Continuation of a Church-State and of Churches unto the end of the world; what are the Causes of it, and whereon it depends.
THAT there was a peculiar Church-State Instituted and appointed by Christ, and his Apostles, acting in his Name and Authority, with the infallible guidance of his Spirit, hath been declared. But it may be yet farther enquired, whether this Church-State be still continued by Divine Authority, or whether it ceased not together with the Apostles by whom it was erected.
There was a Church-State under the Old Testament solemnly erected by God himself. And although it was not to be absolutely perpetual or everlasting, but was to continue only unto the time of Reformation, yet unto that time its continuation was secured, in the Causes and means of it.
There was a Church-State under the Old Testament solemnly erected by God himself. And although it was not to be absolutely perpetual or everlasting, but was to continue onely unto the time of Reformation, yet unto that time its continuation was secured, in the Causes and means of it.
The Causes of the continuation of this Church-State unto its appointed period were two.