A53704:334
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.
Sundry things we may observe in this Discourse. (1.) The Apostles foresaw there would be strife and contention about the name of Episcopacy; that is, the Office itself, and those who should possess it. This Episcopacy was that Office which the deposed Elders had well discharged in the Church of Corinth. This they might foresee from the nature of the thing itself, the inclination of men unto preeminence, and the instance they had seen in their own days, in such as Diotrephes, with the former Divisions that had been in this very Church about their Teachers, 1 Cor. 1.12. But moreover, they were instructed in the knowledge of it by our Lord Jesus Christ, through his Divine Spirit abiding with them, and teaching them all things. This therefore they sought by all means to prevent; and that two ways: (1.) In that for the first time themselves appointed approved persons unto the Office of the Ministry; not that they did it of themselves without the consent and choice of the Church whereunto any of them were appointed, for this was directly contrary unto their practice, Act. 1.15, 22, 23, 26. Chap. 6.3. Chap. 14.23. But that the peace and edification of the Churches might be provided for, they themselves spiritually tried and approved of fit persons so to lead the Church in their choice. Wherefore that which is added afterwards of the consent of the whole Church, is to be referred ⟨p. 99⟩unto those who were ordained by the Apostles themselves. (2.) They gave Rules and Orders, namely, in their Writings, concerning the Offices and Officers that were to be in the Church, with the way whereby they should be substituted into the place and room of them that were deceased; as we know they have done in their Writings. (3.) After this was done by the Apostles, other excellent persons, as the Evangelists, did the same. These assisted the Churches in the Ordination and Choice of their Officers according unto the Rules prescribed by the Apostles. And I know not but that the eminent Pastors of other Churches who usually gave their assistance in the setting apart and Ordination of others unto the Ministry, be intended.
Sundry things we may observe in this Discourse. (1.) The Apostles foresaw there would be strife and contention about the name of Episcopacy; that is, the Office itself, and those who should possess it. This Episcopacy was that Office which the deposed Elders had well discharged in the Church of Corinth. This they might foresee from the nature of the thing itself, the inclination of men unto preheminence, and the instance they had seen in their own days, in such as Diotrephes, with the former Divisions that had been in this very Church about their Teachers,