A53704:354
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.
Tertullian, who lived about the end of the second Century, gives us the same account of the State, Order, and Worship of the Churches, as was given be•ore by Justin Martyr, Apol. ad Gen. cap. 39. The Description of a Church he first lays down in these words; Corp•s sumus de conscientia Religionis, & Disciplinae unitate, & spei foedere. We are a Body (united) in the Conscience of Religion, (or a conscientious Observation of the Duties of Religion) by an Agreement in Discipline, (whereby it was usual with the Ancients to express Universal Obedience unto the Doctrine and commands of Christ) and in a Covenant of Hope. For whereas such a Body or Religious Society could not be united but by a Covenant, he calls it a Covenant of Hope; because the principal respect was had therein unto the things hoped fo•. They covenanted together so to live and walk in the Discipline of Christ, or Obedience unto his commands, as that they might come together unto the enjoyment of Eternal Blessedness.
Tertull•an, who lived about the end of the second Century, gives us the same account of the State, Order, and Worship of the Churches, as was given be•ore by Justin Martyr, Apol. ad Gen. cap. 39. The Description of a Church he first lays down in these words; Corp•s sumus de conscientia Religionis, & Disciplinae unitate, & spei foedere. We are a Body (united) in the Conscience of Religion, (or a conscientious Observation of the Duties of Religion) by an Agreement in Discipline, (whereby it was usual with the Antients to express Universal Obedience unto the Doctrine and commands of Christ) and in a Covenant of Hope. For whereas such a Body or Religious Society could not be united but by a Covenant, he calls it a Covenant of Hope; because the principal respect was had therein unto the things hoped fo•. They covenanted together so to live and walk in the Discipline of Christ, or Obedience unto his commands, as that they might come together unto the enjoyment of Eternal Blessedness.