A53704:518
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.
4. This Communion contains a virtual Approbation of all that is contained in the Rule of it, as Good for the Edification of the Church. It is certain that nothing is to be appointed in the Church but what is so: even Order itself, which these things it is said are framed for, is Good only with respect thereunto. Now it is to be judged that whatever a Man practiseth in Religion, that he approveth of; for if he do not▪ he is a vile Hypocrite. Nor is he worthy the Name of a Christian, who will practise any thing in Religion, but what he approveth. The Disputes that have been amongst us about ⟨p. 201⟩doing things with a doubting Conscience, upon the Command of Superiors, and consenting unto the Use of things which we approve not of in themselves, tend all to Atheism, and the eternal Dishonour of Christian Religion, begetting a frame of Mind which an honest Heathen would scorn. Wherefore unless men be allowed to declare what it is they approve, and what they do not, their Practise is their Profession of what they approve, which is the whole Rule of Communion prescribed unto them.
4. This Communion contains a virtual Approbation of all that is contained in the Rule of it, as Good for the Edification of the Church. It is certain that nothing is to be appointed in the Church but what is so: even Order itself, which these things it is said are framed for, is Good only with respect thereunto. Now it is to be judged that whatever a Man practiseth in Religion, that he approveth of; for if he do not▪ he is a vile Hypocrite. Nor is he worthy the Name of a Christian, who will practise any thing in Religion, but what he approveth. The Disputes that have been amongst us about ⟨p. 201⟩doing things with a doubting Conscience, upon the Command of Superiours, and consenting unto the Use of things which we approve not of in themselves, tend all to Atheisme, and the eternal Dishonour of Christian Religon, begetting a frame of Mind which an honest Heathen would scorn. Wherefore unless men be allowed to declare what it is they approve, and what they do not, their Practise is their Profession of what they approve, which is the whole Rule of Communion prescribed unto them.