A53704:293
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.
Nor can the Discipline of any Diocesan Churches, administered in, and by Courts and Officers, foreign to the Scripture, both name and thing▪ be brought within the view of this Rule; nor can all the Art of the World, make any application of it thereunto: For what some plead concerning Magistrates or Arbitrators, they are things which men would never betake themselves unto, but only to evade the force of that Truth which they love not. All this is fallen out by mens departing from the Simplicity of the Gospel▪ and a contempt of that sense of the words of the Lord Jesus, which is plain and obvious unto all who desire not only to hear his words, but also to observe his Commands.
Nor can the Discipline of any Diocesan Churches, administred in, and by Courts and Officers, foreign to the Scripture, both name and thing▪ be brought within the view of this Rule; nor can all the Art of the World, make any application of it thereunto: For what some plead concerning Magistrates or Arbitrators, they are things which men would never betake themselves unto, but only to evade the force of that Truth which they love not. All this is fallen out by mens departing from the Simplicity of the Gospel▪ and a contempt of that sense of the words of the Lord Jesus, which is plain and obvious unto all who desire not only to hear his words, but also to observe his Commands.
3dly. Our third Argument is taken from the Nature of the Churches instituted by the Apostles and their Order, as it is expressed in the Scripture. For they were all of them Congregational, and of no other sort. This the ensuing Considerations will make evident.
3dly. Our third Argument is taken from the Nature of the Churches •nstituted by the Apostles and their Order, as it is expressed in the Scripture. For they were all of them Congregational, and of no other sort. This the ensuing Considerations will make evident.