A53704:271
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.
2. The second End of it was to preserve Love entire among his Disciples. This was that which he gave in especial charge unto all that should believe in his Name, taking the Command of it to be his own in a peculiar manner, and declaring our Observance of it, to be the principal Pledge and Evidence of our being his Disciples. For although mutual Love be an old Commandment, belonging both unto the Moral Law, and sundry Injunction under the Old Testament; yet the Degrees and Measure of it, the Ways and Duties of its exercise, the Motives unto it, and Reasons for it, were wholly his own, whereby it becomes a new Commandment, also. For the preservation and continuance of this Love, which he lays so great weight upon, was this Discipline appointed, which it is several ways effectual towards. As (1) In the Prevention or Removal of Offences that might arise among Believers, to the impeachment of it; Matth. 18.15, 16, 17, (2) In that Watch over each other with mutual Exhortations and Admonitions, without which this Love let men pretend what they please, will not be preserved. That which keepeth either Life or Soul in Christian Love, consists in the exercise of those Graces mutually and the Discharge of those Duties, whereby they may be Partakers of the fruits of Love in one another. And for the most part, those who pretend highly unto the Preservation of Love, by their coming to the same Church who dwell in the same Parish, have not so much as the carcass, nay not a shadow of it. In the Discipline of the Lord Christ it is appointed that this Love, so strictly by him enjoined unto us, so expressive of his own Wisdom and Love, should be preserved, continued and increased, by the due and constant Discharge of the Duties of mutual Exhortation, Admonition, Prayer, and watchful care over one another. Rom. 15.14. 1 Thes. 5 11, 12. 2 Thes. 3.15. Heb. 3.12, 13. Ch. 12.15, 16.
2. The second End of it was to preserve Love entire among his Disciples. This was that which he gave in especial charge unto all that should believe in his Name, taking the Command of it to be his own in a peculiar manner, and declaring our Observance of it, to be the principal Pledge and Evidence of our being his Disciples. For although mutual Love be an old Commandment, belonging both unto the Moral Law, and sundry Injunction under the Old Testament; yet the Degrees and Measure of it, the Ways and Duties of its exercise, the Motives unto it, and Reasons for it, were wholly his own, whereby it becomes a new Commandment, also. For the preservation and continuance of this Love, which he lays so great weight upon, was this Discipline appointed, which it is several ways effectual towards. As (1) In the Prevention or Removal of Offences that might arise among Believers, to the impeachment of it;