A53704:330
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.
4. It is certain, that the Church of Corinth was fallen into a sinful excess, in the Deposition and Rejection of their Elders, 1whom the Church at Rome judged to have presided among them laudably and unblameably, as unto their whole walk and work amongst them. And this they did by the suggestion of two or three envious discontented persons; and as it is probable from some digressions in the Epistle, tainted with those Errors, which had formerly infested that Church, as the denial of the Resurrection of the flesh, which is therefore here reflected on. But in the whole Epistle, the Church is nowhere reproved for assuming an Authority unto themselves which did not belong unto them. It seems what Cyprian afterwards affirmed, was then acknowledged; namely, that the right of choosing the worthy, and of rejecting the unworthy, was in the Body of the People. But they are severely reproved for the abuse of their Liberty and Power. For they had exercised them on ill grounds, by ill means, for ill ends, and in a most unjust cause. He therefore exhorts the Body of the Church to return unto ⟨p. 95⟩their duty, in the Restoration of their Elders; and then prescribes unto them who were the first occasion of Schism, that every one would subject themselves unto the restored Presbyter; and say,2 [Greek or Hebrew], I will do the things appointed or commanded by the Multitude, the Church in the generality of its Members. The Plebs, the Multitude, the Body of the fraternity in the Church, [Greek or Hebrew], as they were often called in the Scripture▪ Act. 4.32. Chap. 6.2, 5. Chap. 15.12, 30. had then Right and Power to appoint things that were to be done in the Church, for Order and Peace. I do not say they had it without, or in distinction from their Officers, Rulers, and Guides, but in a concurrence with them, and subordination to them; whence the Acts concluded on, may be esteemed, and are the Acts of the whole Church. This order can be observed, or this can fall out only in a Congregational Church, all whose Members do meet together for the discharge of their Duties, and Exercise of their Discipline. And if no more may be considered in it but the miscarriage of the people, without any respect to their Right and Power, yet such Churches as wherein 'tis impossible that that should fall out in them, as did so fall out in that Church, are not of the same kind or order with it.