A53704:375
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.
But pretences unto the contrary are vehemently urged, and the clamours unto that end are loud and many. For this way, it is said, of setting up particular Congregations, is that which hath caused endless Divisions, lost all Love and Christian Affection among us, being attended with other mischievous consequents, such as the most Rhetorical Adversaries of it are scarce able to declare; nor could Tertullus himself do it, if he were yet alive. For by this means men not meeting as they used to do, at the Administration of the Sacrament, and Common-Prayer, all Love is lo•• among them. I answer,
1. This Objection, so far as I am able to observe, is mostly managed▪ by them who seem to know very little of the Nature and Duties of that Love which our Lord Jesus Christ enjoins in the Gospel, nor do give any considerable evidence of their Living, Walking and Acting in the Power of it. And as unto what they fancy unto themselves under that name, whereas it is evident from common Practice, that it extends no farther but to peaceableness in things civil and indifferent, with some expressions of kindness in their Mirth and Feastings, and other jovial Societies, we are not concerned in it.
1. This Objection, so far as I am able to observe, is mostly managed▪ by them who seem to know very little of the Nature and Duties of that Love which our Lord Jesus Christ enjoyns in the Gospel, nor do give any considerable evidence of their Living, Walking and Acting in the Power of it. And as unto what they fancy unto themselves under that name, whereas it is evident from common Practice, that it extends no farther but to peaceableness in things civil and indifferent, with some expressions of kindness in their Mirth and Feastings, and other jovial Societies, we are not concerned in it.