A53704:389
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. Our Lord Jesus Christ hath given that state unto his Churches, hath instated them in that Order, as that his Interest, Kingdom and Religion might be carried on in the world, without prejudice or disadvantage unto any of the lawful Interests of men, especially without any opposition unto, or interfering with the Civil Authority or Magistracy, which is the Ordinance of God; and no Church-way that doth so, is of his Institution. Wherefore I shall briefly declare, what are the Principles of those of this Way in these things, which are the Principles of the Way itself which they do profess.
3. Our Lord Jesus Christ hath given that state unto his Churches, hath instated them in that Order, as that his Interest, Kingdome and Religion might be carried on in the world, without prejudice or disadvantage unto any of the lawful Interests of men, especially without any opposition unto, or enterfering with the Civil Authority or Magistracy, which is the Ordinance of God; and no Church-way that doth so, is of his Institution. Wherefore I shall briefly declare, what are the Principles of those of this Way in these things, which are the Principles of the Way itself which they do profess.
1. Our first general Assertion unto this purpose is this; The Lord Jesus Christ taught no Doctrine, appointed no Order in his Church, gave it no Power that is opposite unto, or inconsistent with any righteous Government in this world, of what sort soever it be, of those whereunto ⟨p. 131⟩Government is distributed in Reason and Practice. His Doctrine indeed is opposed unto all Unrighteousness in and of all men, Magistrates and others; but not to the legal Rule of Magistrates that are unrighteous men. And this Opposition is Doctrinal only, confirmed with Promises and Threatenings of eternal things, refusing and despising all outward aids of force and restraint. This Rule we allow for the trial of all Churches, and their state, whether they be according unto the mind of Christ.