A53704:276
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.
but this of joint Worship and Discipline in Assemblies, is not the Act of such a Church, according unto what it is; for so it is impossible for it to do any thing of that Nature. But thus it is fallen out. Some men under the Power of a Tradition that particular Congregations were originally of a Divine Institution, and finding the absolute necessity of them, unto the joint Celebration of Divine Worship, yet finding what an Inconsistency with their Interest, and some other Opinions which they have imbibed, should they still be acknowledged to be of the Institution of Christ, seeing thereon the whole ordinary Power given by Christ unto his Church must reside in them, they would now have them to be only conveniences for some Ends of Worship of their own finding out. Some thing they would have like Christs Institution, but his it shall not be, which is an Image.
but this of joynt Worship and Discipline in Assemblies, is not the Act of such a Church, according unto what it is; for so it is impossible for it to do any thing of that Nature. But thus it is fallen out. Some men under the Power of a Tradition that particular Congregations were originally of a Divine Institution, and finding the absolute necessity of them, unto the joynt Celebration of Divine Worship, yet finding what an Inconsistency with their Interest, and some other Opinions which they have imbibed, should they still be acknowledged to be of the Institution of Christ, seeing thereon the whole ordinary Power given by Christ unto his Church must reside in them, they would now have them to be only conveniences for some Ends of Worship of their own finding out. Some thing they would have like Christs Institution, but his it shall not be, which is an Image.
2. The very Notation of the Word doth determine the sense of it unto a particular Congregation. Other things may in Churches, as we shall see afterwards, both in the Rule and Administration of the Duties of Holy Worship, be ordered and disposed in great variety. But whilst a Church is such as that ordinarily, the whole Body in its Rulers and those that are Ruled, do assemble together in one place, for the Administration of Gospel Ordinances, and the Exercise of Discipline, it is still one single Congregation, and can be neither Diocesan, Provincial, nor National. So that although the Essence of the Church doth not consist in actual Assemblies; yet are they absolutely necessary unto its constitution in exercise.