A53704:506
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.
Chapter 11: Of Conformity and Communion in Parochial Assemblies.
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.
CHAP. XI. Of Conformity and Communion in Parochial Assemblies.
FROM what we have insisted on, we may borrow some Light into the Determination of that Case, wherein Multitudes are at this day concerned. And the Case it self may be briefly stated in this Enquiry; namely, Whether all Protestants, Ministers and People, are bound to join themselves unto the Church of England, as now by Law established in its Parochial Assemblies, as unto complete constant Communion, without the use of any other Church means for their own Edification; So as if they do not so do, they are Guilty of Schism. This is that which is called Conformity unto the Church of England, which as unto private Persons, can be expressed only in constant complete Communion in Parochial Assemblies, according to their Present Constitution, without the Use or Exercise of any other Church Worship or Discipline, but what is by Law established in them. Refraining from an absolute compliance herein, is called Schism. But whereas Ecclesiastical Schism, whatever it be in particular, in its ⟨p. 195⟩general nature hath respect only unto divine Institutions; this which respecteth only the Laws, Rules, and Determinations of men, can have no alliance thereunto. Yet is it not only charged as such, without the least countenance from Scripture or Antiquity so far as it may be allowed of Authority with us, but the supposition of it, is accumulated with another Evil, namely, that those who are so guilty (of it) in the Judgment of them who are interested with secular Power, though Peaceable and Orthodox, ought to be punished with various Penalties, gradually coming unto the loss of Goods, Liberty, and in some Cases of Life it self. An Opinion Ignominious unto Christian Religion, however vapoured withal by young Men, whose Wit flies above all serious Consideration of things and their Circumstances; and countenanced by others, from an influence of Interest, who otherwise would not be imposed on, by such an Anti-Evangelical Presumption. I shall therefore at the utmost distance from Interest or Passion, briefly consider the Case proposed, and give an account of my Thoughts concerning it