A53704:548
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.
2. In this state the Church of England doth not, and it is to be feared, will not, nor can reform itself. But although the weight of the whole Argument in hand depends very much on this Assertion, yet I shall not insist on its particular confirmation, for sundry Reasons not now to be mentioned. It is enough that no such work hath been as yet attempted, nor is at this day publicly proposed, notwithstanding all the Mercies that some have received, the losses which the Church for want of it hath sustained, the Judgments for Sins that are feared, which ought to be Motives thereunto. Yea the Generality of Ecclesiastical Persons, seem to judge, that all things among them are as they ought to be, that there is no Crime or Disorder, but only in complaining of their Good Estate, and calling upon them for Reformation.
2. In this state the Church of England doth not, and it is to be feared, will not, nor can reform itself. But although the weight of the whole Argument in hand depends very much on this Assertion, yet I shall not insist on its particular confirmation, for sundry Reasons not now to be mentioned. It is enough that no such work hath been as yet attempted, nor is at this day publickly proposed, notwithstanding all the Mercies that some have received, the losses which the Church for want of it hath sustained, the Judgments for Sins that are feared, which ought to be Motives thereunto. Yea the Generality of Ecclesiastical Persons, seem to judge, that all things among them are as they ought to be, that there is no Crime or Disorder, but only in complaining of their Good Estate, and calling upon them for Reformation.
3. This being the state of the Parochial Churches in England, the Enquiry is, Whether every Believer in England be indispensably obliged by Virtue of any Law, Rule or ⟨p. 210⟩Direction of a divine Original, to continue in constant complete Communion with them, so as not to make use of any other ways and means of Christ Appointment for their own Edification, on the Penalty of the Guilt of Schism. Now although we do not (as we shall see immediately) lay the weight of refraining from their Communion on this consideration, yet is there enough in it to warrant any Man in his so doing. For a Man in his conforming thereunto, makes it a Part of his Religious Profession, not only that the Church wherein he is joined, is a true Church, but that there is in its state and actings, a due Representation of the Mind of Christ, as unto what he requireth of his Churches, and what he would have them to be. The Lord Christ is the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession; and in all things that belong thereunto, we declare that we do it in compliance with his Will, and we do so, or we are Hypocrites. This no man can do in such a Church state, who is convinced of its defects, without reflecting the greatest dishonour on Christ and the Gospel.