A53704:449
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.
5. The Lord Christ hath disposed all the ways and means of edification, unto these Churches; so that ordinarily, and under an expectation of his presence in them, and concurrence unto their efficacy, they are not otherwise to be enjoyed. Such are the ordinary dispensation of the Word, and Administration of the Sacraments. For any Disciple of Christ to live in a neglect of these things, and the enjoyment of them according to his mind, is to despise his care and wisdom, in providing for his eternal welfare.
6. He hath prescribed sundry duties unto us, both as necessary, and as evidences of our being his Disciples, such as cannot be orderly performed, but as we are Members of some particular Congregation: this also hath been before declared.
7. The Institution of these Churches, is the way which Christ hath ordained to render his Kingdom visible or conspicuous, in distinction from, and opposition unto, the ⟨p. 158⟩Kingdom of Satan and the world. And he doth not in a due manner, declare himself a subject in or unto the Kingdom of Christ, who doth not solemnly engage in this way. It is not enough to constitute a legal Subject of the Kingdom of England, that he is born in the Nation, and lives in some outward observance of the Laws of it, if he refuse solemnly to express his Allegiance in the way appointed by the Law for that end. Nor will it constitute a regular subject of the Kingdom of Christ, that he is born in a place where the Gospel is professed, and so professeth a general compliance therewith; if he refuse to testify his subjection, by the way that Christ hath appointed for that end. It is true, the whole Nation in their civil relation and subordination according to Law, is the Kingdom of England. But the representation of the Kingly power and rule in it, is in the Courts of all sorts, wherein the Kingly power is acted, openly and visibly. And he that lives in the Nation, yet denies his homage unto these Courts, is not to be esteemed a Subject. So doth the whole visible professing Church, in one or more Nations, or lesser precincts of people and places constitute the visible Kingdom of Christ; yet is no particular person to be esteemed a legal true Subject of Christ, that doth not appear in these his Courts with a Solemn expression of his Homage unto him.