A53704:497
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.
1. It must be such a Church as wherein all the Fundamental Truths of the Gospel are believed, owned, and professed, without Controversy, and those not borne withal by whom they are denied or opposed. Without this a Church is not the Ground and Pillar of Truth, it doth not hold the Head, it is not built on the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles. Neither is it sufficient, that those things are generally professed or not denied. A Church that is filled with wranglings and contentions about fundamental or important Truths of the Gospel, is not of choice to be joined unto. For these things subvert the Souls of Men, and greatly impede their Edification. And although both among distinct Churches, and among the Members of the same Church, mutual ⟨p. 187⟩Forbearance be to be exercised, with respect unto a variety in Apprehensions in some Doctrines of lesser Moment; Yet the Incursion that hath been made into sundry Protestant Churches in the last and present Age, of Novel Doctrines and Opinions, with Differences, Divisions, and endless Disputes which have ensued thereon, have rendered it very difficult to determine, how to engage in complete Communion with them. For I do not judge, that any Man is, or can be obliged unto constant total Communion with any Church, or to give up himself absolutely unto the conduct thereof, wherein there are incurable dissensions about important Doctrines of the Gospel. And if any Church, shall publicly avow, countenance, or approve of Doctrines contrary unto those which were the Foundation of its first Communion, the Members of it are at Liberty, to refrain the Communion of it, and to provide otherwise for their own Edification.
1. It must be such a Church as wherein all the Fundamental Truths of the Gospel are believed, owned, and professed, without Controversie, and those not borne withal by whom they are denied or opposed. Without this a Church is not the Ground and Pillar of Truth, it doth not hold the Head, it is not built on the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles. Neither is it sufficient, that those things are generally professed or not denied. A Church that is filled with wranglings and contions about fundamental or important Truths of the Gospel, is not of choice to be joyned unto. For these things subvert the Souls of Men, and greatly impede their Edification. And although both among distinct Churches, and among the Members of the same Church, mutual ⟨p. 187⟩