A53704:297
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.
3. It is said of most of these Churches expressly that they respectively met together in one place, or had their Assemblies of the whole Church, for the discharge of the Duties required of them, which is peculiar unto Congregational Churches only; so did the Church at Jerusalem on all occasions; Act. 15.12, 22. ch. •1.22. see ch. 5.11. ch. 6.1. It is of no force which is objecte• from the ⟨p. 80⟩Multitude of them that are said to believe, and so consequently were of that Church; so as that they could not assemble together: For whereas the Scripture says expressly, that the multitude of the Church did come together; it is scarce fair for us to to say they were such a multitude as that they could not come together. And it is evident that the great numbers of Believers that are said to be at Jerusalem, were there only occasionally, and were not fixed in that Church. For many years after, a small Village beyond Jordan could receive all that were so fixed in it. The Church at Antioch, gathered together in one Assembly; Act. 14.27. to hear Paul and Silas. This Church thus called together is called the Multitude; chap. 15.30. that is the whole Brotherhood at least of that Church. The whole Church of Corinth did assemble together in one place, both for solemn Worship, and the exercise of Discipline, 1 Cor. 8.8. chap. 14.25, 26. chap. 11.17, 20.
3. It is said of most of these Churches expresly that they respectively met together in one place, or had their Assemblies of the whole Church, for the discharge of the Duties required of them, which is peculiar unto Congregational Churches only; so did the Church at Jerusalem on all occasions; Act. 15.12, 22. ch. •1.22. see ch. 5.11. ch. 6.1. It is of no force which is objecte• from the ⟨p. 80⟩