A53704:258
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 4: The Especial Nature of the Gospel Church-State appointed by Christ.
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.
5. The visible Church-State which Christ hath instituted under the New Testament, consists in an especial Society or Congregation of professed Believers, joined together according unto his Mind, with their Officers, Guides, or Rulers whom he hath appointed, which do, or may meet together for the celebration of all the Ordinances of Divine Worship, the professing and authoritatively proposing the Doctrine of the Gospel, with the Exercise of the Discipline prescribed by himself, unto their own mutual Edification, with the Glory of Christ, in the Preservation and Propagation of his Kingdom in the World.
5. The visible Church-State which Christ hath instituted under the New Testament, consists in an especial Society or Congregation of professed Believers, joyned together according unto his Mind, with their Officers, Guides, or Rulers whom he hath appointed, which do, or may meet together for the celebration of all the Ordinances of Divine Worship, the professing and authoritatively proposing the Doctrine of the Gospel, with the Exercise of the Discipline prescribed by himself, unto their own mutual Edification, with the Glory of Christ, in the Preservation and Propagation of his Kingdom in the World.
The things observable in this Description, and for the farther Declaration of it, are; (1) The Material cause of this Church, or the Matter whereof it is composed; which are visible Believers. (2) The formal Cause of it, which is their voluntary Coalescency into such a Society or Congregation, according to the mind of Christ. (3) The End of it, is presential, local Communion, in all the Ordinances and Institutions of Christ, in Obedience unto him, and their own Edification. (4) In particular these ends are, (1) The Preaching of the Word, unto the Edification of the Church it self, and the Conversion of others. (2) Administration of the Sacraments, or all the Mystical Appointments of Christ in the Church. (3) The Preservation and Exercise of Evangelical Discipline. (4) Visibly to profess their Subjection unto Christ in the World, by the observation of his commands. (5) The Bounds and Limits of this Church, are taken from the number of the Members, which ought not to be so Small, as ⟨p. 61⟩