A53704:370
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.
The first of these is Mutual Love among all Christians, all the Disciples of Christ, By the Disciples of Christ I intend them, and them only, who profess Faith in his Person and Doctrine, and to hear him, or to be guided by him alone, in all things that appertain unto the Worship of God, and their living unto him. If there are any called Christians who in these things choose other guides, call other Ministers, hear them in their appointments, we must sever them from our present consideration, though there are important Duties required of us towards them also. But what is alleged is necessary unto the constitution of a true Disciple of Christ. Unto all those, his great command is Mutual Love among themselves. This he calls in an especial manner his Commandment, and a new Commandment, as for other Reasons, so because he had given the first absolute great Example of it in himself, as also discovered Motives unto it, and Reasons for it, which Mankind before was in the dark unto. And such weight doth he lay on this command, that he declares, the manifestation of the glory of God, his own Honour, and the Evidence to be given unto the world that we are his Disciples, do depend on our Obedience thereunto.
The first of these is Mutual Love among all Christians, all the Disciples of Christ, By the Disciples of Christ I intend them, and them only, who profess Faith in his Person and Doctrine, and to hear him, or to be guided by him alone, in all things that appertain unto the Worship of God, and their living unto him. If there are any called Christians who in these things choose other guides, call other Ministers, hear them in their appointments, we must sever them from our present consideration, though there are important Duties required of us towards them also. But what is alledged is necessary unto the constitution of a true Disciple of Christ. Unto all those, his great command is Mutual Love among themselves. This he calls in an especial manner his Commandment, and a new Commandment, as for other Reasons, so because he had given the first absolute great Example of it in himself, as also discovered Motives unto it, and Reasons for it, which Mankind before was in the dark unto. And such weight doth he lay on this command, that he declares, the manifestation of the glory of God, his own Honour, and the Evidence to be given unto the world that we are his Disciples, do depend on our Obedience thereunto.