A53704:471
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.
WE have proved before that it is the Duty of all individual Christians, to give themselves up unto the Conduct, Fellowship and Communion of some particular Church or Congregation. Our present Enquiry hereon is, that whereas there is a great Diversity among professing Societies in the World, concerning each whereof it is said, Lo here is Christ and lo there is Christ, what Church, of what Constitution and Order, any one that takes care of his own Edification and Salvation, ought to join himself unto. This I shall speak unto first in General, and then in the Examination of one particular Case or Instance, wherein many at this day are concerned. And some things must be premised unto the right stating of the Subject of our Enquiry.
WE have proved before that it is the Duty of all individual Christians, to give themselves up unto the Conduct, Fellowship and Communion of some particular Church or Congregation. Our present Enquiry hereon is, that whereas there is a great Diversity among professing Societies in the World, concerning each whereof it is said, Lo here is Christ and loe there is Christ, what Church, of what Constitution and Order, any one that takes care of his own Edification and Salvation, ought to joyn himself unto. This I shall speak unto first in General, and then in the Examination of one particular Case or Instance, wherein many at this day are concerned. And some things must be premised unto the right stating of the Subject of our Enquiry.
1. The Diversities and Divisions among Churches which respect is to be had unto, in the choice of any ⟨p. 178⟩which we will or ought to join unto; are of two sorts.
1. The Diversities and Divisions among Churches which respect is to be had unto, in the choice of any ⟨p. 178⟩which we will or ought to joyn unto; are of two sorts.