A53704:384
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.
Hence it was that the Doctrine of the Church, as unto the substance of it, was preserved entire during the two first Centuries, and somewhat after. Indeed as when the Israelites came out of Egypt, there came along with them a mixed multitude of other People, Exod. 12.38. which fell to lusting for Meat when they came into the Wilderness, Numb. 11.4. to the danger of the whole Congregation: So when Christianity was first Preached and received in the world, besides those who embraced it sincerely, and were added unto the Church, there was a great mixture of stubborn Jews, as the Ebionites; of Philosophical Greeks, as the Valentinians and the Marcionites; of plain Impostors, such as Simon Magus and Menander, who all of them pretended to be Christians; but they fell a lusting, and exceedingly troubled and perplexed the Churches, with an endeavour to seduce them unto their Imaginations. Yet none of their Abominations could force an entrance into the Churches themselves, which by the means insisted on, were preserved. But when this Church-state and Order was ⟨p. 129⟩changed, and another gradually introduced in the room of it, Errors and Heresies got new advantages, and entered into the Churches themselves, which before did only assault and perplex them. For,
Hence it was that the Doctrine of the Church, as unto the substance of it, was preserved entire during the two first Centuries, and somewhat after. Indeed as when the Israelites came out of Egypt, there came along with them a mixed multitude of other People, Exod. 12.38. which fell to lusting for Meat when they came into the Wilderness, Numb. 11.4. to the danger of the whole Congregation: So when Christianity was first Preached and received in the world, besides those who embraced it sincerely, and were added unto the Church, there was a great mixture of stubborn Jews, as the Ebionites; of Philosophical Greeks, as the Valentinians and the Marcionites; of plain Impostors, such as Simon Magus and Menander, who all of them pretended to be Christians; but they fell a lusting, and exceedingly troubled and perplexed the Churches, with an endeavour to sedue them unto their Imaginations. Yet none of their Abominations could force an entrance into the Churches themselves, which by the means insisted on, were preserved. But when this Church-state and Order was