A53704:309
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.
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 Rev. chap. 2. and 3.
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 Preheminence 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 Rev. chap. 2. and 3.
3. The Greatness, Power, Fame, or Civil Authority of the Place or City where any Church was planted, gave it an Advantage and Privilege in Reputation above others. And the Churches planted in such Cities were quickly more numerous in their Members, than others were, unless men strictly kept themselves unto the force of Primitive Institutions, it was very hard for them to think and Judge, that a a Church, it may be in a small Village or Town in Galilee, should be Equal with that at Jerusalem or at Antioch, or afterwards at Rome itself. The Generality of men easily suffered themselves to be persuaded that those Churches were advanced in State and Order, far above the other obscure, poor Congregations. That there should be a Church at Rome, the Head City of the world, was a Matter of great Joy and Triumph unto many, and the Advancement of it in Reputation, they thought belonged unto the Honour of our Religion, Howbeit there is not in the Scripture, the least regard expressed unto any of these things, of place, number, or possibility of outward splendour, either in the Promises of the Presence of Christ in, and with his Churches, or in the Communication of Power & Privileges unto them. Yet such an improvement did this foolish Imagination find, that after those who presided in the Churches called in the principal