A53704:477
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.
4. In this state of things until it may be cured, which it will never be, by any of the ways yet proposed and insisted on; the Enquiry is concerning the Duty of any one who takes care of his own Soul, as unto a Conjunction with some Church or other. And on the Negative Part I say,
4. In this state of things until it may be cured, which it will never be, by any of the wayes yet proposed and insisted on; the Enquiry is concerning the Duty of any one who takes care of his own Soul, as unto a Conjunction with some Church or other. And on the Negative Part I say,
1. Such an one is bound not to join with any Church or Society where any fundamental Article of Faith is rejected or corrupted. There may be a fundamental Error in a true Church for a season, when the Church erreth not Fundamentally; 1 Cor. 15. 2 Tim. 2.18. But I suppose the Error in or against the Foundation, is part of the Profession of the Church or Society to be joined unto. For thereby the Nature of the Church is destroyed; it doth not hold the Head, nor abide on the Foundation, nor is the Ground and Pillar of Truth. Wherefore although the Socinians under a Pretence of Love, Forbearance, and Mutual Toleration, do offer us the Communion of their Churches, wherein there is somewhat of Order and Discipline commendable; yet it is unlawful to join in Church Fellowship or Communion with them. For their Errors about the Trinity, the Incarnation of Christ, and his Satisfaction, are destructive of the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles; and Idolatry, in the divine Worship of a mere Creature, is introduced by them.
1. Such an one is bound not to joyn with any Church or Society where any fundamental Article of Faith is rejected or corrupted. There may be a fundamental Error in a true Church for a season, when the Church erreth not Fundamentally;