A53704:376
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.
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.
2. This Objection lies not at all against the thing itself; namely, that all Churches of Divine Institution are Congregational, which alone at present is pleaded ⟨p. 124⟩for; but against the gathering of such Societies, or Congregations, in that state of things which now prevails amongst us. But whereas this depends on Principles not yet declared and confirmed, the consideration of this part of the Objection must be referred unto another place. I shall only say at present, that it is the greatest and most powerful engine in the hand of Satan, and men of corrupt Secular Interests, to keep all Church-Reformation out of the world.