A53704:325
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. This Address being from the body of the Church at Rome unto that at Corinth, without the least mention of the Officers of them in particular; it is evident that the Churches themselves, that is, the whole entire Community of them, had Communion with one another, as they were sister-Churches; and that they had themselves the transaction of all Affairs wherein they were concerned; as they had in the days of the Apostles, Acts 15.1, 2, 3. It was the Brethren of the Church at Antioch who determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others should go up to Jerusalem to consult the Apostles and Elders. See also Chap. 21.22. This they did not, nor ought to do, without the Presence, Guidance, Conduct and consent of their Elders or Rulers where they had any. But this they were not excluded from. And that Church, the whole Body or fraternity whereof doth advise and consult in those things wherein they are concerned, on the account of their Communion with other Churches, is a Congregational Church, and no other. It was the Church who sent this Epistle unto the Corinthians; Claudius Ephebus, 1Valerius, Bibo, Fortunatus, are named as their ⟨p. 92⟩Messengers; [Greek or Hebrew]: that are sent by us, our Messengers, our Apostles in these matters. Such as the Churches made use of on all such occasions in the Apostles days, 2 Cor. 8.23. And the persons whom they sent were only Members of the Church, and not Officers; nor do we any where hear of them under that Character. Now they could not be sent in the name of the Church, but by its consent; nor could the Church consent, without its Assembling together.
2. This Address being from the body of the Church at Rome unto that at Corinth, without the least mention of the Officers of them in particular; it is evident that the Churches themselves, that is, the whole entire Community of them, had Communion with one another, as they were sister-Churches; and that they had themselves the transaction of all Affairs wherein they were concerned; as they had in the days of the Apostles,