A53704:346
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.
2. In the next place he declares how those who were so converted, were conducted unto Baptism, and how they were initiated into the Mysteries of the Gospel thereby.
3. When any was so Baptized, they brought him unto the Church which he was to be joined unto. [Greek or Hebrew]. Him who is thus Bapti•ed, who believeth, and is received (by consent) among […], or to be of our number, ⟨p. 108⟩we bring him unto those called the Brethren, when they are met, or gathered together, for joint prayers and supplications for themselves, and for him who is now illuminated, and all others, with intention of mind, &c. We have here another illustrious instance of the care and diligence of the Primitive Church, about the instating professed Believers in the Communion of the Church. That hereon those who were to be admitted made their public confession, we shall afterwards declare. And the Brethren here mentioned, are the whole fraternity of the Church, who were concerned in these things. And Justin is not ashamed to declare by what name they called one another among themselves, even to the Heathen, though it be now a scorn and reproach among them that are called Christians.
3. When any was so Baptized, they brought him unto the Church which he was to be joyned unto. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Him who is thus Bapti•ed, who believeth, and is received (by consent) among 〈…〉, or to be of our number, ⟨p. 108⟩we bring him unto those called the Brethren, when they are met, or gathered together, for joynt prayers and supplications for themselves, and for him who is now illuminated, and all others, with intention of mind, &c. We have here another illustrious instance of the care and diligence of the Primitive Church, about the enstating professed Believers in the Communion of the Church. That hereon those who were to be admitted made their publick confession, we shall afterwards declare. And the Brethren here mentioned, are the whole fraternity of the Church, who were concerned in these things. And Justin is not ashamed to declare by what name they called one another among themselves, even to the Heathen, though it be now a scorn and reproach among them that are called Christians.