A53704:475
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.
2. All Christians were Originally of one Mind in all things needful unto Joint-Communion, so as that there might be among them all, Love without Dissimulation. Howbeit there was great variety not only in the Measure of their apprehensions of the Doctrines of Truth, but in some Doctrines themselves, as about the continuance of the Observations of the Law, or at least of some of them; as also Oppositions from without unto the Truth, by Heretics and Apostates; neither of which hindered the Church Communion of true Believers. But the Diversity, Difference, and Divisions that are now among Churches in the World, is the effect of the great Apostasy which befell them all in the latter Ages, as unto the Spirit, Rule, and Practice of those which were planted by the Apostles, and will not be healed, until that Apostasy be Abolished.
2. All Christians were Originally of one Mind in all things needful unto Joint-Communion, so as that there might be among them all, Love without Dissimulation. Howbeit there was great variety not only in the Measure of their apprehensions of the Doctrines of Truth, but in some Doctrines themselves, as about the continuance of the Observations of the Law, or at least of some of them; as also Oppositions from without unto the Truth, by Hereticks and Apostates; neither of which hindred the Church Communion of true Believers. But the Diversity, Difference, and Divisions that are now among Churches in the World, is the effect of the great Apostasie which befel them all in the latter Ages, as unto the Spirit, Rule, and Practice of those which were planted by the Apostles, and will not be healed, until that Apostasie be Abolished.
3. Satan having possessed himself of the Advantage of these Divisions, whereof he was the Author, he makes use of them to act his Malice and Rage, in stirring up and instigating one Party to Persecute, Oppress and Devour another, until the Life, Power and Glory of Christian ⟨p. 179⟩Religion is almost lost in the World. It requires therefore great Wisdom to deport our selves aright among these Divisions, so as to contribute nothing unto the Ends of Malice designed by Satan in them.