A53704:395
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. In particular also, There neither is nor can be in this Church-state the least pretence of Power or Authority to be acted towards, or over the Persons of Kings or Rulers, which should either impeach their Right, or impede the exercise of their just Authority. For as Christ hath granted no such Power unto the Church, so it is impossible that any pretence of it should be seated in a ⟨p. 134⟩particular Congregation, especially being gathered on this Principle, that there is no Church Power properly so called, but what is so seated; and that no Concurrence, Agreement or Association of many Churches, can add a new, greater, or other Power or Authority unto them, than what they had singly before. And what Power can such Churches act towards Kings, Potentates, or Rulers of Nations? Have they not the highest Security, that it is utterly impossible that ever their Authority, or their persons in the exercise of it, should be impeached, hindered, or receive any detriment from any thing that belongs to this Church-state?
3. In particular also, There neither is nor can be in this Church-state the least pretence of Power or Authority to be acted towards, or over the Persons of Kings or Rulers, which should either impeach their Right, or impede the exercise of their just Authority. For as Christ hath granted no such Power unto the Church, so it is impossible that any pretence of it should be seated in a ⟨p. 134⟩particular Congregation, especially being gathered on this Principle, that there is no Church Power properly so called, but what is so seated; and that no Concurrence, Agreement or Association of many Churches, can adde a new, greater, or other Power or Authority unto them, than what they had singly before. And what Power can such Churches act towards Kings, Potentates, or Rulers of Nations? Have they not the highest Security, that it is uttterly impossible that ever their Authority, or their persons in the exercise of it, should be impeached, hindered, or receive any detriment from any thing that belongs to this Church-state?