A53704:308
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 5: The Sate of the First Churches after the Apostles to the end of the Second Century.
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.
1. Some were more eminent in spiritual Gifts than others. As this was a Privilege that might have been greatly improved unto the Honour of Christ and the Gospel, yet we know how it was abused in the Church of Corinth, and what Disorders followed thereon: so weak and frail are the best of men, so liable unto Temptation, that all Preeminence is dangerous for them▪ and often abused by them; which I confess makes me not a little admire to see men so earnestly pleading for it, so fearlessly assuming it unto themselves, so ⟨p. 84⟩fiercely contending that all Power and Rule in the Church belongs unto them alone. But
1. Some were more eminent in spiritual Gifts than others. As this was a Priviledge that might have been greatly improved unto the Honour of Christ and the Gospel, yet we know how it was abused in the Church of Corinth, and what Disorders followed thereon: so weak and frail are the best of men, so liable unto Temptation, that all Preheminence is dangerous for them▪ and often abused by them; which I confess makes me not a little admire to see men so earnestly pleading for it, so fearlesly assuming it unto themselves, so ⟨p. 84⟩fiercely contending that all Power and Rule in the Church belongs unto them alone. But
2. Reputation was given unto some, by the long abode of some of the Apostles in them; Of this Advantage we find nothing in the Scripture: But certain it is it was much pleaded and contended about, among the Primitive Churches, yea so far until by Degrees Disputes arose about the Places where this or that Apostle fixed his Seat; which was looked on as a Preeminence for the present, and a security for the future. But yet we know how soon some of them degenerated from the Church Order and Discipline, wherein they were instructed by the Apostles; see