A53704:226
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.
But it doth not hence follow, that the Church State instituted by Christ, did fail thereon, or doth now so fail; because it is impossible, that these Apostles should have any Successors in their Office, or the Discharge of it. For by the Authority of the Lord Christ, the Church was to be continued under Ordinary Officers, without the Call, Gifts, or Power of the others that were to cease. Under these, the Church State was no less Divine, than under the former. For there were two things in it; (1) That the Offices themselves were of the Appointment of Christ And if they were not so, we confess the Divine Right of the Church-State would have ceased. The Office of the Apostles and Evangelists was to cease, as hath been declared; and it did cease actually, in that Christ after them did call no more unto ⟨p. 42⟩that Office, nor provided any Way or Means, whereby any one should be made Partaker of it. And for any to pretend a Succession in Office, or any part of their Office, without any of those things which did constitute it, is extreme Presumption. It is therefore granted, that if there were not other Offices appointed by the Authority of Christ▪ it had not been in the Power of man, to make or appoint any unto that Purpose, and the Church-State itself must have ceased. But this he hath done, Eph. 4.11, 12. 1 Cor. 12.28. (2) That Persons were to be interested in these Offices, according unto the Way and Means by him prescribed; which were not such as depended on his own immediate, extraordinary actings, as it was with the former sort, but such as consisted in the Churches acting according to his Law, and in Obedience unto his commands.
But it doth not hence follow, that the Church State instituted by Christ, did fail thereon, or doth now so fail; because it is impossible, that these Apostles should have any Successors in their Office, or the Discharge of it. For by the Authority of the Lord Christ, the Church was to be continued under O•dinary Officers, without the Call, Gifts, or Power of the others that were to cease. Under these, the Church State was no less Divine, than under the former. For there were two things in it; (1) That the Offices themselves were of the Appointment of Christ And if they were not so, we confess the Divine Right of the Church-State would have ceased. The Office of the Apostles and Evangelists was to cease, as hath been declared; and it did cease actually, in that Christ after them did call no more unto