A53704:417
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.
may impart of his favour to them, or any of them, as he sees cause; may take care that nothing falls out among them that may occasion any public disturbance, in and by itself; may prohibit the public exercise of Worship Idolatrous or Superstitious; may remove and take away all Instruments and Monuments of Idolatry; may coerce, restrain, and punish, as there is occasion, persons who under pretence of Religion, do advance Principles of Sedition, or promote any Foreign Interest, opposite and destructive to his Government, the welfare of the Nation, and the Truth of Religion; with sundry things of the like nature. And herein lies an ample field, wherein the Magistrate may exercise his power, and discharge his duty.
may impart of his favour to them, or any of them, as he sees cause; may take care that nothing falls out among them that may occasion any publick disturbance, in and by itself; may prohibit the publick exercise of Worship Idolatrous or Superstitious; may remove and take away all Instruments and Monuments of Idolatry; may coerce, restrain, and punish, as there is occasion, persons who under pretence of Religion, do advance Principles of Sedition, or promote any Forreign Interest, opposite and destructive to his Government, the welfare of the Nation, and the Truth of Religion; with sundry things of the like nature. And herein lies an ample field, wherein the Magistrate may exercise his power, and discharge his duty.
It cannot well be denied, but that the present pretences and pleas of some to reduce all things in the practice of Religion into the power and disposal of the Civil Magistrate, are full of offence and scandal. It seems to be only a design and contrivance, to secure Mens secular Interests under every way of the profession of Christian Religion, true or false, which may have the advantage of the Magistrates Approbation. By this device, Conscience is set at liberty from concerning itself in an humble diligent enquiry into the mind of God, as unto what is its duty in his Worship. And when it is so with the Conscience of any, it will not be much concerned in what it doth attend unto or observe. What is in Divine things done or practised solely on the Authority of the Magistrate, is immediately and directly Obedience unto him, and not unto God.