A53704:24
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.
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.
Having affirmed something of this nature in my brief Vindication of the Nonconformists from the Guilt of Schism, the Reverend Dr. Stillingfleet in his late Treatise entitled, The Unreasonableness of Separation, doth not only deny it, but reflects with some severity upon the Mention of it; Part 2. Sect. 3. pag. 225, 226, &c. I shall therefore on this Occasion reassume the consideration of it, although it will be spoken unto also, afterwards.
Having affirmed something of this nature in my brief Vindication of the Nonconformists from the Guilt of Schisme, the Reverend Dr. Stillingfleet in his late Treatise entitled, The Ʋnreasonableness of Separation, doth not only deny it, but reflects with some severity upon the Mention of it; Part 2. Sect. 3. pag. 225, 226, &c. I shall therefore on this Occasion reassume the consideration of it, although it will be spoken unto also, afterwards.
The Words he opposeth are these; It is possible that an impartial Account may ere long be given of the state and ways of the first Churches, after the decease of the Apostles, wherein it will be made to appear how they did insensibly deviate in many things from the Rule of their first institution; so as that though their Mistakes were of small moment, and not prejudicial unto their Faith and Order, yet occasion was administered unto succeeding Ages to increase those Deviations, until they issued in a fatal Apostasy; I yet suppose these words inoffensive, and agreeable unto the Sentiments of the Generality of Protestants. For,
The Words he opposeth are these; It is possible that an impartial Account may ere long be given of the state and ways of the first Churches, after the decease of the Apostles, wherein it will be made to appear how they did insensibly deviate in many things from the Rule of their first institution; so as that though their Mistakes were of small moment, and not prejudicial unto their Faith and Order, yet occasion was administred unto succeeding Ages to encrease those Deviations, until they issued in a fatal Apostacy; I yet suppose these words inoffensive, and agreeable unto the Sentiments of the Generality of Protestants. For,