A53704:283
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. It is evident in the context. Our Saviour is treating directly about all sorts of scandals and offences, or sins, as occasions of falling, stumbling and sinning, and so of perishing unto others, giving Rules and Directions about them, from 8th verse, unto these words wherein Direction is given about their Cure and Removal. And two things he ascribes unto these scandals; (1.) That weak Christians are despised in them, ver. 10. (2.) That they are in danger to be destroyed or lost for ever by them, ver. 14. which gives us a true account of the nature of scandalous Offences. Wherefore [Greek or Hebrew], to sin is used here in the same sense with [Greek or Hebrew] before, to give offence by a scandalous miscarriage.
2. It is evident in the context. Our Saviour is treating directly about all sorts of scandals and offences, or sins, as occasions of falling, stumbling and sinning, and so of perishing unto others, giving Rules and Directions about them, from 8th verse, unto these words wherein Direction is given about their Cure and Removal. And two things he ascribes unto these scandals; (1.) That weak Christians are despised in them, ver. 10. (2.) That they are in danger to be destroyed or lost for ever by them, ver. 14. which gives us a true account of the nature of scandalous Offences. Wherefore 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, to sin is used here in the same sense with 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 before, to give offence by a scandalous miscarriage.
3. Where the same Rule is again recorded, the words used enforce this application of them, Luk. 17.1, 2, 3. The Lord Christ foretells his Disciples that scandals and offences would arise, with the nature and danger of them, v. 1. And because that they obtain their pernicious effects mostly on them that are weak, he gives caution against them, with especial respect unto such among his Disciples; better any one were cast into the Sea, [Greek or Hebrew] then that he should give scandal or offence unto one of these little ones, ver. 2. And what he expresseth by [Greek or Hebrew], ver. 2. he expresseth by [Greek or Hebrew], ver. 3. sin against thee; and this is plain from th direction which he gives hereon, [Greek or Hebrew]; rebuke him. The word is never used with respect unto private Injuries; but as they are sins or faults; so is it joined with [Greek or Hebrew],