A53704:380
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.
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,
5. The Variance that is pretended to be caused by the setting up of these particular Congregations, is a part of that variance which Christ came to send into the world, Matth. 10.34, 35, 36. Think not that I am come to send Peace on Earth: I came not to send Peace, but a Sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his Father, and the Daughter against her Mother, and the Daughter-in-law against her Mother-in-Law. And a mans Foes shall be they of his own Household. He was the Prince of Peace; he came to make peace between God and men; between men themselves, Jews and Gentiles; he taught nothing, enjoined nothing, that in its own nature should have the least inconsistency with Peace, or give countenance unto variance. But he declares what would ensue and fall out, through the sin, the darkness, unbelief and enmity unto the Truth, that would continue on some under the Preaching of the Gospel, whilst others of their nearest Relations should embrace the Truth and profession of it. What occasion for this variance is taken from the gathering of these Congregations, which the way itself doth neither cause, nor give the least countenance unto, we are not accountable for. Whereas therefore there is with those among whom these variances and loss of Love thereby are pretended, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one Hope of their Calling, the same Truth of the Gospel Preached, the same Sacraments administered; and whereas both the Principles of the way, and the persons of those who assemble in ⟨p. 126⟩