A53704:344
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.
In this state of things, this our great and learned Philosopher, who afterwards suffered Martyrdom about the year 160, undertook to give an account unto Antoninus Pius and Lucius, who then ruled the Roman Empire, of the Nature, Order, and Worship of the Christian Churches; and that in such an excellent manner, as that I know nothing material that can be added unto it, were an account of the same thing to be given unto alike persons at this day. We may touch a little upon some Heads of it.
In this state of things, this our great and learned Phil•sopher, who afterwards suffered Martyrdom about the year 160, undertook to give an account unto Antoninus Pius and Lucius, who then ruled the Roman Empire, of the Nature, Order, and Worship of the Christian Churches; and that in such an excellent manner, as that I know nothing material that can be added unto it, were an account of the same thing to be given unto alike persons at this day. We may touch a little upon some Heads of it.
1. He declares the conversion of men unto the Faith, as the foundation of all their Church-order and Worship. [Greek or Hebrew]. As many as are persuaded and do believe the things to be true, which are taught and spoken by us, and take upon themselves that they are able to live according to that Doctrine, they are taught to seek of God by fasting and prayer, the pardon of their fore-going sins; and we also do join together with them, in fasting and prayer for that end. And herein (1.) The only means of Conversion which he insists upon, is the Preaching of the Word, or Truth of the Gospel; wherein they especially insisted on the Doctrine ⟨p. 107⟩of the Person and Office• of Christ, as appears throughout his whole Apology. (2.) This preaching of the Word, or Declaration of the Truth of the Gospel unto the Conversion of the Hearers be doth not confine unto any especial sort of persons, as •e doth afterwards that Administration of the holy things in the Church; but speaks of it in general, as the work of all Christians that were able for it, as doth the Apostle,