A53704:527
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.
so they are apt to think that whilst they adhere unto that Rule, they can stand in no need of Reformation, which is but a new name for trouble and Sedition; though it be the Foundation on which they stand. But generally Churches think that others stand in need of Reformation, but they need none themselves. If they would but give them leave to Reform themselves, who judge that it is needful for them, without the least Prejudice unto their Church Profession, or secular Interest, it is all that is desired of them.
2. Where Churches do so stand in need of Reformation, and will not Reform themselves, being warned of their Duty, the Lord Christ threatens to leave them, and assuredly will do so, in the time that he hath limited unto his Patience. This is the Subject of five of his Epistles or Messages unto the Churches of Asia, Rev. chap. 2, 3. And where the Lord Christ doth on any Cause or Provocation, withdraw his Presence, in any kind or degree, from any Church; it is the Duty of any of the Members of that Church, to remove from themselves the Guilt of that Provocation, though it cannot be done without a Separation from that Church. It it safer leaving of any Church whatever, then of Jesus Christ. I ⟨p. 205⟩suppose most men think, that if they had a Warning from Christ charging their defection, and calling for Reformation, as those Churches of Asia had, they would Repent and Reform themselves. But whereas it doth not appear that some of them did so, whereon they were not long after deserted and destroyed; it is like that there are others who would follow their steps, though one should rise from the dead to warn them of their danger. But this Instruction that Churches who lose their first Faith, Love, and Works, who are negligent in Discipline, and tolerate offensive Evils in Doctrines and Manners among them, who are Lukewarm as unto Zeal, and dead for the greatest Part of their Members, as unto the Life of Holiness, are disapproved by Christ, and in danger of being utterly deserted by him, is given unto all Churches, no less divinely, then if they had an immediate Message from Heaven about these things. Those therefore who being under the Guilt of them, and do not reform themselves, cannot claim the Necessity of a continuance in their Communion, from any Disciples of Christ, as we shall see afterwards.