A53704:530
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.
That the Church of England in the Generality of its Parochial Assemblies, and in itself, stands in need of Reformation, by reason of the woeful degeneracy of the Generality of its Members, that is, the Inhabitants of the Land, from the Rule of the Gospel and Commands of Christ, as unto Spiritual Light, Faith, Love, Holiness, Charity, and abounding in the fruits of Righteousness unto the Praise of God, by Jesus Christ. These things are the immediate ends of Church Societies, the principal means whereby God is glorified in the World. Where they are neglected, where they are not attained, where they are not duly improved by the Generality of the Members of any Church, that Church I think, stands in need of Reformation.
That the Church of England in the Generality of its Parochial Assemblies, and in itself, stands in need of Reformation, by reason of the woful degeneracy of the Generality of its Members, that is, the Inhabitants of the Land, from the Rule of the Gospel and Commands of Christ, as unto Spiritual Light, Faith, Love, Holiness, Charity, and abounding in the fruits of Righteousness unto the Praise of God, by Jesus Christ. These things are the immediate ends of Church Societies, the principal means whereby God is glorified in the World. Where they are neglected, where they are not attained, where they are not duely improved by the Generality of the Members of any Church, that Church I think, stands in need of Reformation.
This Assertion may seem somewhat importune and severe. But when the sins of a Church or Nation are come to that height in all Ranks, Sorts, and Degrees of Men, that all Persons of Sobriety do fear daily that desolating Judgements from God will break in upon us, it cannot be unseasonable to make mention of them, when it is done with no other design but only to show the Necessity of Reformation, or how necessary it is for some, if all will not comply therewith. For if a City be on fire, it is surely lawful for any of the Citizens, to save and preserve, if they can, their own houses, though the Mayor and Aldermen should neglect the Preservation of the whole City in General.
This Assertion may seem somewhat importune and severe. But when the sins of a Church or Nation are come to that height in all Ranks, Sorts, and Degrees of Men, that all Persons of Sobriety do fear daily that desolating Judgements from God will break in upon us, it cannot be unseasonable to make mention of them, when it is done with no other design but only to shew the Necessity of Reformation, or how necessary it is for some, if all will not comply therewith. For if a City be on fire, it is surely lawful for any of the Citizens, to save and preserve, if they can, their own houses, though the Mayor and Aldermen should neglect the Preservation of the whole City in General.