A53704:294
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.
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.
1. There were many Churches planted by the Apostles in very small Provinces. Not to insist on the Churches of Galatia; Gal. 1.1. concerning which it is no where intimated, that they had any one Head or Mother Church, Metropolitical, or Diocesan. Nor of those of Macedonia, distinct from that of Philippi, whereof we have spoken before; upon the first coming of Paul after ⟨p. 79⟩his Conversion, unto Jerusalem; which was three years; Gal. 1.18. in the Fourth year after the Ascension of Christ, there were Churches planted in all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria; Act. 9.31. Neither of the two latter Provinces was equal unto one Ordinary Diocese. Yet were there Churches in both of them, and that in so short a time after the first Preaching of the Gospel, as that it is impossible they should be conceived to be any other but single Congregations. What is excepted or opposed hereunto by the Reverend Dr. St. shall be examined and disproved afterwards by itself, that the Progress of our Discourse be not here interrupted.
1. There were many Churches planted by the Apostles in very small Provinces. Not to insist on the Churches of Galatia;