A53704:241
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.
This therefore I say, is a Means and Cause on the part of Believers themselves of the continuation of this Church-State. For this Instinct of Believers, leading them unto Communion, which is an Article of our Faith, in conjunction with the Law and Commands of Christ, giving direction how, and in what ways it is to be attained, and exercised, binds and obliges them unto the continuation of this State; and the decay of this inward Principle in them that profess Christian Religion, hath been the great and almost only ground of its neglect.
3. The open Evidence there is, that sundry Duties required of us in the Gospel, can never be performed in a due manner, but where Believers are brought into this State, which that they should enter into, is therefore in the first place required of them; what these Duties are will afterwards appear.
On these sure Grounds is founded the Continuation of the Gospel Church-State, under ordinary Officers after the Decease of the Apostles; and so far secured, as that nothing needs be added unto them for that end. Do but suppose that the Lord Christ yet liveth in Heaven in the Discharge of his Mediatory Office; that he hath given his Word for a perpetual Law unto all his Disciples, and a Charter to convey Spiritual Privileges unto them; that he abides to Communicate Gifts for the Ministry unto men, and that there are any Believers in the World, who know it to be their Duty to yield Obedience unto all the Commands of Christ. ⟨p. 53⟩and have any internal Principle inclining them to that which they profess to believe as a fundamental Article of their Faith, namely, the Communion of Saints, and no man is desired to prove the certainty and necessity of the continuance of this State.