A53704:462
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.
The Office of the Ministry for the continuation of the Church-state, ⟨p. 165⟩and Administration of all Ordinances of Worship unto the end of the world, is sufficiently secured, (1) By the Law, constitution, and appointment of our Lord Jesus Christ, erecting that Office, and giving warranty for its continuance to the consummation of all things, Matth. 28.20 Ephes. 4.13. (2.) By his continuance according unto his promise to communicate Spiritual gifts unto men, for the Ministerial Edification of the Church. That this he doth so continue to do, that it is the principal external Evidence of his abiding in the discharge of his Mediatory Office, and of what nature these gifts are, I have declared at large in a peculiar Discourse on that subject. (3.) On the duty of Believers or of the Church, which is, to choose, call, and solemnly set apart unto the Office of the Ministry, such as the Lord Christ by his Spirit, hath made meet for it, according unto the rule of his Word.
If all these, or any of them do fail, I acknowledge that all Ministerial Authority and Ability for the dispensation of Gospel-Ordinances must fail also, and consequently the state of the Church. And those who plead for the continuation of a successive Ministry, without respect unto these things, without resolving both the Authority and Office of it unto them, do but erect a dead Image, or embrace a dead carcass, instead of the living and life-giving Institutions of Christ. They take away the living Creature, and set up a skin stuffed with straw. But if these things do unalterably continue; if the Law of Christ can neither be changed, abrogated, or disannulled; if his dispensation of Spiritual gifts according unto his promise cannot be impeded; if Believers through his grace will continue in obedience unto his commands, it is not possible there should be▪ an utter failure in this Office, and Office-Power of this Ministry. It may fail in this or that place, in this or that Church, when the Lord