A53704:458
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.
Chapter 9: The Continuation of a Church-state, and of the Administration of Evangelical Ordinances…
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.
2. It is so, as unto their Decay, or the loss of their primitive Force and Efficacy. For their Efficacy unto their proper Ends, depends on, (1.) The Institution of Christ: This is the Foundation of all Spiritual Efficacy unto edification in the Church, or whatever belongs thereunto. And therefore whatever Church-state may ⟨p. 162⟩be framed, or Duties, ways or means of Worship appointed by Men, that have not his Institution, how specious soever they may appear to be, have no Spiritual Force or Efficacy, as unto the Edification of the Church. But whilst this Institution of Christ continues irrevocable, and is not Abrogated by a greater Power than what it was enacted by, whatever defect there may be as unto Faith and Obedience in men, rendering them useless and ineffectual unto themselves; however they may be corrupted by additions unto them, or detractions from them, changing their nature and use; in themselves they continue to be of the same use and efficacy as they were at the beginning. (2.) On the Promise of Christ, that he will be present with his Disciples in the observation of his Commands unto the consummation of all things, Matth. 28.20. To deny the continued accomplishment of this Promise, and that on any pretence whatever, is the Venom of Infidelity. If therefore they have an irrevocable Divine Institution, if Christ be present in their Administrations, as he was of old, Revel. 2.1. there can be no abatement of their Efficacy unto their proper ends, in the nature of Instrumental Causes. (3.) On the Covenant of God, which gives an infallible inseparable Conjunction between the Word, or the Church and its Institution by the Word, and the Spirit, Isai. 59.21. God's Covenant with his People is the Foundation of every Church-state, of all Offices, Powers, Privileges, and Duties thereunto belonging. They have no other end, they are of no other use, but to communicate, express, declare, and exemplify on the one hand, the Grace of God in his Covenant unto his People; and on the other, the Duties of his People according unto the Tenor of the same Covenant unto him. They are the Way, Means, and Instruments appointed ⟨p. 163⟩