A53704:392
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.
2. In particular, the Lord Christ hath ordained no Power nor Order in his Church, no Office or Duty that should stand in need of the Civil Authority, Sanction or force to preserve it, or make it effectual unto its proper ends. It is sufficient to discharge any thing of a pretence to be an appointment of Christ in his Church, if it be not sufficient unto its own proper End, without the help of the Civil Magistrate. That Church-state which is either constituted by humane Authority, or cannot consist without it, is not from him. That Ordinance which is in its own Nature divine, or is pretended so to be, so far as it is not effectual unto its end without the aid of Humane Authority, is not of him, he needs it not; he will not borrow the assistance of Civil Authority, to rule in and over the Consciences of men, with respect unto their living to God, and coming unto the enjoyment of himself.
The way of requiring the Sanction of Civil Authority unto Ecclesiastical Orders and Determinations, began with the use of General Councils in the days of Constantine: And when once it was engaged in and approved, ⟨p. 133⟩so far as that what was determined in the Synods, either as to Doctrine, or as unto the Rule of the Church, should be confirmed by the Imperial Authority, with penalties on all that should gainsay such Determinations; It is deplorable to consider, what mutual havoc was made among Christians upon the various Sentiments of Synods and Emperors. Yet this way pleased the Rulers of the Church so well, and as they thought eased them of so much trouble, that it was so far improved amongst them, that at last they left no Power in or about Religion or Religious Persons unto the Civil Magistrate, but what was to be exercised in the execution of the Decrees and Determinations of the Church.
The way of requiring the Sanction of Civil Authority unto Ecclesiastical Orders and Determinations, began with the use of General Councils in the days of Constantine: And when once it was engaged in and approved, ⟨p. 133⟩