A53704:427
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.
This it is supposed is the Liberty and Duty of every ⟨p. 148⟩Man; for if it be not so, it is the foolishest thing in the world, for any to attempt to get others from one Church unto another; which is almost the whole business of Religion, that some think themselves concerned to attend unto.
But yet notwithstanding these Concessions, when things come to the trial in particular, there is very little granted in compliance with the Assertion laid down. For besides that it is not a Church of Divine Institution, that is intended in these Concessions, when it comes unto the issue, where a Man is born, and in what Church he is Baptized in his Infancy, there all choice is prevented, and in the Communion of that Church he is to abide, on the penalties of being esteemed and dealt withal as a Schismatic. In what National Church any person is Baptized, in that National Church he is to continue, or answer the contrary at his peril. And in the Precincts of what Parish his Habitation falls to be, in that particular Parish Church is he bound to Communicate in all Ordinances of Worship. I say, in the judgment of many, whatever is pretended of mens joining themselves unto the truest and purest Churches, there is no Liberty of Judgment or Practice in either of these things left unto any of the Disciples of Christ.
But yet notwithstanding these Concessions, when things come to the trial in particular, there is very little granted in complyance with the Assertion laid down. For besides that it is not a Church of Divine Institution, that is intended in these Concessions, when it comes unto the issue, where a Man is born, and in what Church he is Baptized in his Infancy, there all choice is prevented, and in the Communion of that Church he is to abide, on the penalties of being esteemed and dealt withal as a Schismatick. In what National Church any person is Baptized, in that National Church he is to continue, or answer the contrary at his peril. And in the Precincts of what Parish his Habitation falls to be, in that particular Parish Church is he bound to Communicate in all Ordinances of Worship. I say, in the judgment of many, whatever is pretended of mens joyning themselves unto the truest and purest Churches, there is no Liberty of Judgment or Practice in either of these things left unto any of the Disciples of Christ.