A53704:342
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.
For they were not introduced, until through a defect in the multiplication of Churches in an equality of Power and Order, which ought to have been done, they were increased into that multitude for number of Members, and were so diffused as unto their habitations, as made an appearance of a Necessity of another Constitution of Churches, and another kind of Rule, than what was of original appointment.
For they were not introduced, until through a defect in the multiplication of Churches in an equality of Power and Order, which ought to have been done, they were encreased into that multitude for number of Members, and were so diffused as unto their habitations, as made an appearance of a Necessity of another Constitution of Churches, and anoth•r kind of Rule, than what was of original appointment.
Justin Martyr wrote his second Apology for the Christians unto the Roman Emperors, about the year 150. It is marvellous to consider how ignorant not only the common sort of the Pagans, but the Philosophers also, and Governors of the Nations, were of the nature of Christian Churches, and of the worship celebrated in them. But who are so blind as those who will not see? Even unto this day, not a few are willingly, or rather wilfully ignorant of the nature of such Assemblies, or what is performed in them, as were among the Primitive Christians, that they may be at liberty to speak all manner of evil of them falsely. Hence were all the Reports and stories among ⟨p. 106⟩the Heathen, concerning what was done in the Christian Conventicles, which they would have to be the most abominable villainies, that were ever acted by Mankind. Even th•se who made the most candid Enquiry into what they were and did, attained unto very little knowledge or certainty concerning them and their Mysteries, as is evident in the Epistles of Trajan and Pliny, with the Rescript of Adrian unto Minucius Fundanus about them.
Justin Martyr wrote his second Apology for the Christians unto the Roman Emperours, about the year 150. It is marvellous to consider how ignorant not only the common sort of the Pagans, but the Philosophers also, and Governours of the Nations, were of the nature of Christian Churches, and of the worship celebrated in them. But who are so blind as those who will not see? Even unto this day, not a few are willingly, or rather wilfully ignorant of the nature of such Assemblies, or what is performed in them, as were among the Primitive Christians, that they may be at liberty to speak all manner of evil of them falsely. Hence were all the Reports and stories among