A53704:368
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 6: Congregational Churches alone suited unto the ends of Christ in the Institution of his…
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.
CHAP. VI. Congregational Churches alone suited unto the ends of Christ in the Institution of his Church.
Having given an account of that State and Order of the Gospel-Churches which are of Divine Institution, it is necessary that we declare also their suitableness and sufficiency unto all the ends for which the Lord Christ appointed such Churches. For if there be any true proper end of that nature, which cannot be attained in or by any Church-state in this or that form, it must be granted that no such form is of Divine Appointment. Yea, it is necessary not only that such a state as pretends unto a Divine Original, be not only not contradictory unto, or inconsistent with such an end, but that it is effectually conducing thereunto, and in its place necessary unto that purpose. This therefore is that which we shall now inquire into; namely, whether this State and Form of Gospel-Churches in single Congregations be suited unto all those ends for which any such Churches were appointed; which they must be on the account of the wisdom of Jesus Christ, the Author and Founder of them, or be utterly discarded ⟨p. 120⟩from their pretence. Nor is there any more forcible Argument against any pretended Church-state, Rule, or Order, than that it is obstructive unto the Souls of men in attaining the proper ends of their whole Institution. What these ends are, was in general before declared; I shall not here repeat them, or go over them again, but only single out the consideration of those which are usually pleaded, as not attainable by this way of Churches in single Congregations only; or that at least they are not suited unto their Attainment.
HAving given an account of that State and Order of the Gospel-Churches which are of Divine Institution, it is necessary that we declare also their suitableness and sufficiency unto all the ends for which the Lord Christ appointed such Churches. For if there be any true proper end of that nature, which cannot be attained in or by any Church-state in this or that form, it must be granted that no such form is of Divine Appointment. Yea, it is necessary not only that such a state as pretends unto a Divine Original, be not only not contradictory unto, or inconsistent with such an end, but that it is effectually conducing thereunto, and in its place necessary unto that purpose. This therefore is that which we shall now inquire into; namely, whether this State and Form of Gospel-Churches in single Congregations be suited unto all those ends for which any such Churches were appointed; which they must be on the account of the wisdom of Jesus Christ, the Author and Founder of them, or be utterly discarded