A53704:419
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.
Whatever therefore the Supreme Power in any place may do, or will be pleased to do, for the accommodation of the outward state of the Church, and the exercise of its Rule, unto the Political Government of a People or Nation, yet these two things are certain.
(1.) That he can form, erect, or institute no new Church-state, which is not ordained and appointed by Christ and his Apostles, by virtue of his Authority; and what he doth of that nature appoint, is called a Church only equivocally, or by reason of some resemblance unto that which is properly so called.
(1.) That he can form, erect, or institute no new Church-state, which is not ordained and appointed by Christ and his Apostles, by vertue of his Authority; and what he doth of that nature appoint, is called a Church only equivocally, or by reason of some resemblance unto that which is properly so called.
(2.) To dissent from what is so appointed by the Supreme Power, in and about the State, Form, Rule, and Worship of Churches, whatever other evil it may be charged with, or supposed liable unto, can have nothing in it of that which the Scripture condemns under the name of Schism, which hath respect only unto what is stated by Christ himself.