A53704:501
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.
If therefore it be granted, as I think it is, that Edification is the principal End of all Church Communion, it is not intelligible how a man should be obliged unto that Communion, and that alone, wherein due Edification cannot be obtained. Wherefore, a Ministry enabled by Spiritual Gifts, and engaged by sense of Duty to labour constantly in the use of all means appointed by Christ for the Edification of the Church, or increase of his Mystical Body, is required in such a Church, as a Believer may conscientiously join himself unto. And where it is otherwise, let Men cry out Schism and Faction whilst they please, Jesus Christ will acquit his Disciples, in the Exercise of their Liberty, and accept them in the Discharge of their Duty.
If therefore it be granted, as I think it is, that Edification is the principal End of all Church Communion, it is not intelligible how a man should be obliged unto that Communion, and that alone, wherein due Edification cannot be obtained. Wherefore, a Ministry enabled by Spiritual Gifts, and ingaged by sense of Duty to labour constantly in the use of all meanes appointed by Christ for the Edification of the Church, or encrease of his Mystical Body, is required in such a Church, as a Believer may conscientiously joyn himself unto. And where it is otherwise, let Men cry out Schisme and Faction whilst they please, Jesus Christ will acquit his Disciples, in the Exercise of their Liberty, and accept them in the Discharge of their Duty.
If it be said, that if all men be thus allowed to judge of what is best for their own Edification, and to act according unto the Judgement which they make, they will be continually parting from one Church unto another, until all things are filled with disturbance and Confusion; I say▪
(1.) That the contrary Assertion, namely, that Men are not allowed to judge what is meet and best for their own Edification, or not to act according to the Judgement they make herein, may possibly keep up some Churches, but is the ready way to destroy all Religion.