A53704:464
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.
4. Do they cease, because they have been all of them corrupted, abused, and defiled in the Apostasy which fell out among all the Churches in the latter Ages, as it was fully foretold in the Scripture. For (1.) This supposition would make the whole Kingdom of Christ in the world to depend on the corrupt Lusts and wills of men, which have got by any means, the outward possession of the Administration of his Laws and Ordinances. This is all one as if we should say, that if a pack of wicked Judges, should for a season pervert Justice, Righteousness and Judgment, that the being of the Kingdom is so overthrown thereby, as that it can never be restored. (2.) It would make all the duties and all the privileges of all true Believers to depend on the wills of wicked Apostates. For if they may not make use of what they have abused, they can never yield Obedience to the commands of Christ, nor enjoy the privileges which he hath annexed unto his Church and Worship. (3.) On this supposition, all Reformation of an Apostatized Church, is utterly impossible. But it is our duty to heal even Babylon itself, by a reduction of all things unto their first Institution, if it would be healed, Jerem. 51.9. and if not, we are to forsake her, and reform ourselves, Rev. 18.4.
4. Do they cease, because they have been all of them corrupted, abused, and defiled in the Apostacy which fell out among all the Churches in the latter Ages, as it was fully foretold in the Scripture. For (1.) This supposition would make the whole Kingdom of Christ in the world to depend on the corrupt Lusts and wills of men, which have got by any means, the outward possession of the Administration of his Laws and Ordinances. This is all one as if we should say, that if a pack of wicked Judges, should for a season pervert Justice, Righteousness and Judgment, that the being of the Kingdom is so overthrown thereby, as that it can never be restored. (2.) It would make all the duties and all the priviledges of all true Believers to depend on the wills of wicked Apostates. For if they may not make use of what they have abused, they can never yield Obedience to the commands of Christ, nor enjoy the priviledges which he hath annexed unto his Church and Worship. (3.) On this supposition, all Reformation of an Apostatized Church, is utterly impossible. But it is our duty to heal even Babylon itself, by a reduction of all things unto their first Institution, if it would be healed,