A53704:512
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.
(1.) That those who refrain from that Communion with the Church of England which we insist upon, do yet agree therewith in all important Doctrines of Faith, which is the Foundation, the Life and Soul of Church Union and Communion. This I freely grant, but with this Limitation; that this Agreement respects the Doctrine as declared at the first Reformation, and explained in the Age next ensuing thereon. If there be a change made in or of these Doctrines, or any of them, by any in or of the Church of England, we profess our ⟨p. 196⟩Disagreement from them; and do declare that thereby the Foundation of our Communion with them is weakened, and the principal bond of it loosened.
(2.) That not only as Christians, but as Reformed Protestants, we do agree in the Renunciation of the Doctrines and Worship of the Church of Rome, which are opposed by the common consent of all those who are usually so called. Yet this must be added thereunto; that if any in or of the Church of England, should make an Accession unto any Parts of the Doctrine and Worship of the Roman Church, not avowed or warranted by the consent of the Church in its first Reformation, we are not, we cannot be obliged unto Communion with them therein; and by their so doing, the Original Bond of our Communion is weakened, if not dissolved.
2. These things being premised, we shall enquire in the first place, what is the Rule of that Communion with the Church of England in its Parochial Assemblies, which is required of us. If this be pleaded to be a Rule of divine Prescription, we acknowledge that great diligence and humility are required unto the consideration of it, that we be not mistaken. And if it prove to be according to the Mind of Christ, that is, of his Institution, if we fail of a compliance with it, we are guilty of Schism. But if the Rule, prescribing, limiting, and exacting this Communion, be not so much as pleaded to be of divine Institution, whatever fault there may be in our dissent from it, Schism it is not; For Ecclesiastical Schism neither hath nor can have respect unto any thing but divine Institutions. For if it hath, it is in the Power of any sort of men, to make Schismatics of whom they please, as practically and in pretence, it is