A53704:405
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.
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.
It is such a Church-state alone, that we are now concerned to enquire after. Whatever of that kind either is or may be imagined that entrenches not on the State, Liberty and Power of particular Congregations, is not of our present Consideration. Men may frame and order what they please, and what advantage they make thereby, shall not be envied unto them, whilst they injure not any of the Institutions of Christ. But,
It is such a Church-state alone, that we are now concerned to enquire after. Whatever of that kinde either is or may be imagined that entrenches not on the State, Liberty and Power of particular Congregations, is not of our present Consideration. Men may frame and order what they please, and what advantage they make thereby, shall not be envied unto them, whilst they injure not any of the Institutions of Christ. But,
1. These Churches, as they are Churches, are meet and able to attain the Ends of Churches. To say they are Churches, and yet have not in themselves Power to attain the ends of Churches, is to speak contradictions, or to grant and deny the same thing in the same breath. For a Church is nothing but such a Society as hath Power, Ability and Fitness to attain those ends for which Christ hath ordained Churches: That which hath so, is a Church; and that which hath not so, is none. Men may if they please deny them to be Churches, but then I know not where they will find any that are so. For instance, suppose men should deny all the Parochial Churches in England to be such Churches as are entrusted with Church-Power and Administrations, what Church in the first Instance could they require our Communion withal? Will they say, it is with the National, or Diocesan Churches? neither of these do, or can, as such, administer Sacred Ordinances. A man cannot Preach nor hear the Word, but in a particular Assembly. The Lord's Supper cannot be Administered but in a particular Congregation; nor any presential local Communion of Believers among themselves, like that described by the Apostle, 1 Cor. chap. 12. and chap. 14. be otherwise attained. No Communion is firstly and immediately required, or can be required with Diocesan Churches as such. Wherefore it is Parochial particular Churches that