A53704:488
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.
Where these things are not, there is such a defect in the Fundamentals of Church Practise as unto the Ministry of it, that no man who takes care of his own Edification, can join himself unto a Church, labouring under it. For Ministers and Churches are nothing but instituted means of the Conversion of Sinners, and the Edification of Believers. And when any of them through their own default cease so to be, there is no Obligation unto any man to join or continue in their Communion; nor do they contract any Guilt in a peaceable departure from them, but discharge their Duty. That this be ⟨p. 184⟩done peaceably without strife or contention, without judging of others, as unto their Interest in Christ, and Eternal Salvation, the Law of Moral Obedience doth require. That it be done with Love and Compassion and Prayer towards and for them who are Left, is the peculiar Direction of that Moral Duty by the Gospel. Such a Practise at present would fall under severe Charges and Accusations, as also brutish Penalties in some places. But when all Church Craft shall be defeated, and the uses that are made of its imaginary Authority be discarded, there will be little occasion of this Practise, and none at all of Offence.
Where these things are not, there is such a defect in the Fundamentals of Church Practise as unto the Ministry of it, that no man who takes care of his own Edification, can joyn himself unto a Church, labouring under it. For Ministers and Churches are nothing but instituted means of the Conversion of Sinners, and the Edification of Believers. And when any of them through their own default cease so to be, there is no Obligation unto any man to joyn or continue in their Communion; nor do they contract any Guilt in a peaceable departure from them, but discharge their Duty. That this be ⟨p. 184⟩done peaceably without strife or contention, without judging of others, as unto their Interest in Christ, and Eternal Salvation, the Law of Moral Obedience doth require. That it be done with Love and Compassion and Prayer towards and for them who are Left, is the peculiar Direction of that Moral Duty by the Gospel. Such a Practise at present would fall under severe Charges and Accusations, as also brutish Penalties in some places. But when all Church Craft shall be defeated, and the uses that are made of its imaginary Authority be discarded, there will be little occasion of this Practise, and none at all of Offence.