A53704:224
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.
1. The Essence and Nature of the Church instituted by the Authority of Jesus Christ, was always the same from the Beginning, that it continues still to be. But as unto its outward Form and Order it had a double State; and it was necessary that so it should have, from the Nature of the thing it self. For (1) The Church may be considered in its Relation unto those extraordinary Officers or Rulers, whose Office and Power was antecedent unto the Church, as that by virtue whereof, it was to be called and erected. (2) With respect unto ordinary Officers, unto whose Office and Power the Church essentially considered was antecedent; for their whole Work and Duty as such, is conversant about the Church; and the Object is antecedent unto all Acts about it.
1. The Essence and Nature of the Church instituted by the Authority of Jesus Christ, was always the same from the Beginning, that it continues still to be. But as unto its outward Form and Order it had a double State; and it was necessary that so it should have, from the Nature of the thing it self. For (1) The Church may be considered in its Relation unto those extraordinary Officers or Rulers, whose Office and Power was antecedent unto the Church, as that by vertue whereof, it was to be called and erected. (2) With respect unto ordinary Officers, unto whose Office and Power the Church essentially considered was antecedent; for their whole Work and Duty as such, is conversant about the Church; and the Object is antecedent unto all Acts about it.
The first State is ceased; nor can it be continued. For these Officers were constituted: (1) By an immediate call from Christ, as was Paul; Gal. 1.1, 2. which none now are, nor have been since the decease of them who were so called at first. (2) By extraordinary Gifts and Power, which Christ doth not continue to communicate. (3) By Divine Inspiration, and infallible Guidance, both in preaching the Word, and appointing things necessary in the Churches,; which none now pretend unto. (4) By Extensive Commission giving them Power towards all the World for their Conversion, and over all Churches for their Edification. Of these Officers, in their distinction into Apostles and Evangelists, with their Call, Gifts, Power, and Work, I have treated at large in my Discourse of Spiritual Gifts. The State and Condition of the Church, with respect unto them, is utterly ceased; and nothing can be more vain, than to pretend, any Succession unto them, in the whole or any part of their Office, unless men can justify their claim unto it, by any, or all of these things, which concurred unto it in the Apostles, which they cannot do.