A53704:262
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.
1. Christ appointed that Church-State which is meet and accommodated unto all the ends which he designed in his Institution of a Church. But such alone is that Church Form and Order that we have proposed. In Christs Institution of the Church, it was none of his ends, that some men might be thereby advanced to Rule, Honour, Riches, or secular Grandeur; but the direct contrary, Matth. 20.25, 26, 27, 28. Nor did he do it, that his Disciples might be ruled and governed by force or the Laws of men; or that they should be obstructed in the exercise of any Graces, Gifts, or Privileges that he had purchased for them, or would bestow on them. And to speak plainly, (let it be despised by them that please) this cannot greatly value that Church-State which is not suited, to guide, excite and direct the exercise of all Evangelical Graces unto the Glory of Christ in a due manner. For, to propose peculiar and proper objects for them, to give peculiar motives unto them, to limit the seasons and circumstances of their exercise, and regulate the manner of the ⟨p. 62⟩Performance of the Duties that arise from them, is one principal End of their Institution.
1. Christ appointed that Church-State which is meet and accommodated unto all the ends which he designed in his Institution of a Church. But such alone is that Church Form and Order that we have proposed. In Christs Institution of the Church, it was none of his ends, that some men might be thereby advanced to Rule, Honour, Riches, or secular Grandeur; but the direct contrary, Matth. 20.25, 26, 27, 28. Nor did he do it, that his Disciples might be ruled and governed by force or the Laws of men; or that they should be obstructed in the exercise of any Graces, Gifts, or Priviledges that he had purchased for them, or would bestow on them. And to speak plainly, (let it be despised by them that please) this cannot greatly value that Church-State which is not suited, to guide, excite and direct the exercise of all Evangelical Graces unto the Glory of Christ in a due manner. For, to propose peculiar and proper objects for them, to give peculiar motives unto them, to limit the seasons and circumstances of their exercise, and regulate the manner of the ⟨p. 62⟩