A53704:521
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.
But let these Parochial Assemblies be esteemed Churches, without a supposition whereof, I know not what Ecclesiastical concernment we can have in them; three things will be said thereon;
(1.) That the Church of England (as in other things) so in these Parochial Assemblies stands in need of Reformation.
(2.) That they neither do, nor will, nor can Reform themselves.
(3.) On this supposition, it is lawful for any of the Disciples of Christ, to yield Obedience unto him by joining in such Societies for their Edification as he hath appointed; which is the whole of the Cause in hand. Nor doth any necessity from hence ensue of a departure from Communion with the Church of England in Faith and Love, or the Profession of the same Faith, and the due Exercise of all the Acts and Duties of Christian Love.
(3.) On this supposition, it is lawful for any of the Disciples of Christ, to yeild Obedience unto him by joyning in such Societies for their Edification as he hath appointed; which is the whole of the Cause in hand. Nor doth any necessity from hence ensue of a departure from Communion with the Church of England in Faith and Love, or the Profession of the same Faith, and the due Exercise of all the Acts and Duties of Christian Love.