A53704:279
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.
In this sense is the Word used, when the first intimation is is given of an Evangelical Church State, with Order and Discipline. Matth. 18.17. if he shall neglect to hear them, tell the Church, &c. There have been so many contests about the sense of these Words and the Interpretation of them, so many various and opposite Opinions about them, and those debated in such long and Operous Discourses, that some would take an Argument from thence, that nothing can be directly proved from them, nor any certain account of the State and Duty of the Church be thence collected. But nothing can be insinuated more false and absurd, nor which more directly tendeth to the overthrow of the whole Authority of the Scripture. For if when men are seduced by their Interests or ⟨p. 72⟩otherwise, to multiply false Expositions of any place of Scripture, and to contend earnestly about them, that thereon as unto us, they lose their instructive Power, and certain Determination of the Truth, we should quickly have no Bottom or Foundation for our Faith, in the most important Articles of Religion; nor could have so at this day. But all the various Pretences of men, some whereof would have the Pope, others a General Council, some the Civil Magistrate, some the Jewish Synagogue, some a Company of Arbitrators, are nothing but so many Instances of what Interest, Prejudice, corrupt Lusts, ambitious Designs with a dislike of the Truth, will bring forth. To me it seems strange that any impartial man reading this Context, can take the Church in this place in any other sense, but for such a Society, as whereunto an offending and offended Brother or Disciple of Christ, might and ought to belong, to the Body whereof they might address themselves for Relief and Remedy, or the Removal of Offences, by virtue of the Authority and Appointment of Jesus Christ.
In this sense is the Word used, when the first intimation is is given of an Evangelical Church State, with Order and Discipline. Matth. 18.17. if he shall neglect to hear them, tell the Church, &c. There have been so many contests about the sense of these Words and the Interpretation of them, so many various and opposite Opinions about them, and those debated in such long and Operous Discourses, that some would take an Argument from thence, that nothing can be directly proved from them, nor any certain account of the State and Duty of the Church be thence collected. But nothing can be insinuated more false and absurd, nor which more directly tendeth to the overthrow of the whole Authority of the Scripture. For if when men are seduced by their Interests or