A53704:393
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.
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⟩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 havock was made among Christians upon the various Sentiments of Synods and Emperours. 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.
It is necessary from this Institution of particular Churches, that they have their Subsistence, Continuation, Order, and the efficacy of all that they act and do as Churches, from Christ himself: For whereas all that they are and do, is Heavenly, Spiritual, and not of this world, that it reacheth nothing of all those things which are under the Power of the Magistrate, that is, the Lives and Bodies of Men, and all Civil Interests appertaining to them; and affect nothing but what no Power of all the Magistrates under Heaven can reach unto, that is, the Souls and Consciences of men; no trouble can hence arise unto any Rulers of the world, no Contests about what they ought, and what they ought not to confirm, which have caused great Disorders among many.