A53704:379
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.
3. We do not find that a joint participation of the same Ordinances at the same time, within the same walls, is in itself either an Effect, or Evidence, or Duty of Gospel-Love, or any means for the preservation or promotion of it. For it was diligently observed in the Papacy, when all true Evangelical Love, Faith and Worship were lost. Yea, this kind of Communion and Conjunction, added unto an implicit dependence on the Authority of the Church, was substituted in their room, and multitudes were contented with them, as those which did bestead them in their neglect of all other Graces and their exercise. And I wish it were not so among others, who suppose they have all the Love that is required of them, if they are freed from such scandalous variances with their Neighbours, as should make them unfit for the Communion.
3. We do not finde that a joynt participation of the same Ordinances at the same time, within the same walls, is in itself either an Effect, or Evidence, or Duty of Gospel-Love, or any means for the preservation or promotion of it. For it was diligently observed in the Papacy, when all true Evangelical Love, Faith and Worship were lost. Yea, this kinde of Communion and Conjunction, added unto an implicite dependance on the Authority of the Church, was substituted in their room, and multitudes were contented with them, as those which did bestead them in their neglect of all other Graces and their exercise. And I wish it were not so among others, who suppose they have all the Love that is required of them, if they are freed from such scandalous variances with their Neighbours, as should make them unfit for the Communion.
4. If this be the only means of Love, how do men maintain it towards any not of their own Parish, seeing ⟨p. 125⟩they never meet with them at the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper? And if they can live in love with those of other Parishes, why can they not do so with those who having the same Faith and Sacraments with them, do meet apart for the exercise of Divine Worship, in such Congregations as we have described? Wherefore,