A53704:415
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 hath not yet been disputed, whether the Supreme Magistrate hath power to ordain, institute, and appoint, any ⟨p. 144⟩new Form or State of Churches, supposedly suited unto the Civil Interest, which were never ordained or appointed by Christ. It hath not I say been disputed under these terms expressly, though really the substance of the Controversy lies therein. To assert this expressly, would be to exalt him above Jesus Christ; at least to give him power equal unto his; though really unto the Institution of the Gospel Church state, and the Communication of Graces, Offices, and Gifts to make it useful unto its end, no less than all power in Heaven and Earth be required.
It hath not yet been disputed, whether the Supreme Magistrate hath power to ordain, institute, and appoint, any ⟨p. 144⟩new Form or State of Churches, supposedly suited unto the Civil Interest, which were never ordained or appointed by Christ. It hath not I say been disputed under these terms expresly, though really the substance of the Controversie lies therein. To assert this expresly, would be to exalt him above Jesus Christ; at least to give him power equal unto his; though really unto the Institution of the Gospel Church state, and the Communication of Graces, Offices, and Gifts to make it useful unto its end, no less than all power in Heaven and Earth be required.
Some plead that there is no certain Form of Church-Government appointed in the Scripture; that there was none ordained by Christ, nor exemplified by the Apostles, and therefore it is in the power of the Magistrate to appoint any such form thereof, as is suited unto the public Interest. It would seem to follow more evidently, that no Form at all should by any be appointed; for what shall he do that cometh after the King? what shall any one ordain in the Church, which the Lord Christ thought not meet to ordain? And this is the proper inference from this consideration: Such a Church-Government as men imagine, Christ hath not appointed; therefore neither may men do so. But suppose that the Lord Christ hath appointed a Church-state, or that there should be Churches of his Disciples on the Earth; let them therein but yield Obedience unto all that he hath commanded; and in their so doing, make use of the light of nature, and rules of common prudence, so as to do it unto their own edification, (which to deny to be their duty, is to destroy their nature as created of God) trusting in all things unto the conduct of the promised Divine Assistance of the Holy Spirit: if any instance can be given of what is wanting unto the complete state and Rule of