A53704:505
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.
(3.) All Christians actually do so; they do judge for themselves, unless they are brutish; they do Act according unto that Judgment, unless they are hardened in Sin; and therefore who do not so, are not to be esteemed Disciples of Christ. To suppose that in all things of Spiritual and Eternal Concernment, that men are not determined and acted, every one by his own Judgment, is an Imagination of men who think but little of what they are, or do, or say, or Write. Even those who shut their Eyes against the Light, and follow in the Herd, resolving not to enquire into any of these things, do it, because they judge it is best for them so to do.
(4.) It is commonly acknowledged by Protestants, that private Christians have a Judgement of Discretion in things of Religion. The Term was invented to grant them some Liberty of Judgement in Opposition unto the blind Obedience required by the Church of Rome; but withal to put a restraint upon it, and a distinction of some superior Judgement, it may be in the Church or others. But if by Discretion, they mean the best of mens Understanding, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Prudence, in and about the things wherein it is exercised, I should be glad to be informed, what other Judgment, than this ⟨p. 192⟩of Discretion in and about the things of Religion, this or that or any Church in the World, can have or exercise. But to allow men a Judgement of Discretion, and not to grant it their Duty to act according unto that Judgement, is to oblige them to be Fools, and to act, not discreetly, at least not according unto their own Discretion.
(4.) It is commonly acknowledged by Protestants, that private Christians have a Judgement of Discretion in things of Religion. The Term was invented to grant them some Liberty of Judgement in Opposition unto the blind Obedience required by the Church of Rome; but withal to put a restraint upon it, and a distinction of some superiour Judgement, it may be in the Church or others. But if by Discretion, they mean the best of mens Vnderstanding, Knowledge, Wisdom, and Prudence, in and about the things wherein it is exercised, I should be glad to be informed, what other Judgment, than this