A53704:327
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.
3. The description given of the state, ways and walking of the Church of Corinth, 1that is, that whole Fraternity of the Church, which fell afterwards into that disorder which is reproved, before their fall, is such, as that it bespeaks their walking together in one and the same society, and is sufficient to make any ⟨p. 93⟩good man desire, that he might see Churches yet in the world, unto whom, or the generality of whose Members, that Description might be honestly and justly accommodated. One Character which is given of them I shall mention only. [Greek or Hebrew]. There was a full (or plentiful) effusion of the Holy Ghost upon you all; so that being full (or filled) with an holy will, (holiness of will) and a good readiness of mind, with a pious devout confidence, you stretched out your hands in Prayers to Almighty God, supplicating his clemency (or Mercy) for the pardon of your involuntary sins; (sins fallen into by infirmity, or the surprisals of Temptations not consented to, not delighted or continued in) your labour or contention of spirit, ([Greek or Hebrew], as the Apostle speaks, [Greek or Hebrew], Col. 2.1.) was night and day (in your Prayers) for the whole Brotherhood, (that is, especially of their own Church itself) that the number of Gods Elect might be saved in mercy, through a good Conscience towards him.
3. The description given of the state, ways and walking of the Church of Corinth, 1that is, that whole Fraternity of the Church, which fell afterwards into that disorder which is reproved, before their fall, is such, as that it bespeaks their walking together in one and the same society, and is sufficient to make any ⟨p. 93⟩good man desire, that he might see Churches yet in the world, unto whom, or the generality of whose Members, that Description might be honestly and justly accommodated. One Character which is given of them I shall mention only. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. There was a full (or plentiful) effusion of the Holy Ghost upon you all; so that being full (or filled) with an holy will, (holiness of will) and a good readiness of mind, with a pious devout confidence, you stretched out your hands in Prayers to Almighty God, supplicating his clemency (or Mercy) for the pardon of your involuntary sins; (sins fallen into by infirmity, or the surprizals of Temptations not consented to, not delighted or continued in) your labour or contention of spirit, (, as the Apostle speaks, ,