A53704:498
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. It must be such a Church as wherein the Divine Worship Instituted or approved by Christ himself, is diligently observed, without any Addition made thereunto. In the Observance of this Worship as unto all external, occasional Incidencies and Circumstances of the Acts wherein it doth consist, it is left unto the Prudence of the Church itself, according to the Light of Nature, and general Rules of Scripture; and it must be so unless we shall suppose that the Lord Jesus Christ, by making men his Disciples, doth unmake them from being rational Creatures, or refuseth the Exercise of the rational Faculties of our Souls in his service. But this is so remote from Truth, that on the contrary, he gives them an improvement for this very end, that we may know how to deport ⟨p. 188⟩our selves aright in the Observance of his Commands, as unto the outward discharge of them in his Worship and the Circumstances of it. And this he doth by that Gift of Spiritual Wisdom, whereof we shall Treat afterwards.
2. It must be such a Church as wherein the Divine Worship Instituted or approved by Christ himself, is diligently observed, without any Addition made thereunto. In the Observance of this Worship as unto all external, occasional Incidencies and Circumstances of the Acts wherein it doth consist, it is left unto the Prudence of the Church itself, according to the Light of Nature, and general Rules of Scripture; and it must be so unless we shall suppose that the Lord Jesus Christ, by making men his Disciples, doth unmake them from being rational Creatures, or refuseth the Exercise of the rational Faculties of our Soules in his service. But this is so remote from Truth, that on the contrary, he gives them an improvement for this very end, that we may know how to deport ⟨p. 188⟩our selves aright in the Observance of his Commands, as unto the outward discharge of them in his Worship and the Circumstances of it. And this he doth by that Gift of Spiritual Wisdom, whereof we shall Treat afterwards.