A53704:561
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.
It will be said that this cannot be justly charged on the Church of England, yea not without open Wrong and Injustice. For she hath a fixed invariable Standard of Truth in the 39 Articles which contain its public Profession of Faith, and the Rule of its Communion. Wherefore I say, that it is not the primitive Constitution of the Church, nor its legal Establishment that are reflected on; but only the present practise of so many as makes it necessary for men to take the Care of their own Edification on themselves. But here also some things are to be observed.
It will be said that this cannot be justly charged on the Church of England, yea not without open Wrong and Injustice. For she hath a fixed invariable Standard of Truth in the 39 Articles which contain its publick Profession of Faith, and the Rule of its Communion. Wherefore I say, that it is not the primitive Constitution of the Church, nor its legal Establishment that are reflected on; but only the present practise of so many as makes it necessary for men to take the Care of their own Edification on themselves. But here also some things are to be observed.
1. These Articles at present are exceeding defective, in their being a fixed Standard of the Profession of Truth, with respect unto those Errors and Heresies which have invaded and pestered the Churches, since their framing and establishment. We know it was the constant invariable Custom of the Primitive Churches, upon the Emergency of any new Errors or Heresies, to add unto ⟨p. 216⟩the Rule and Symbol of their Confession, a Testimony against them, so to preserve themselves from all Communion in them, or participation of them. And an usage it was both necessary and laudable, as countenanced by Scripture Example, however afterwards it was abused. For no Writing, such as all Church Confessions are, can obviate unforeseen Heresies, or Errors not broached at the time of its Writing, but only that which is of Divine Institution, wherein infinite Wisdom hath stored up Provision of Truth, for the Destruction of all Errors, that the Subtlety or Folly of men can invent. When these Articles of the Church of England were composed, neither Socinianism, nor Arminianism, which have now made such an inroad on some Protestant Churches, were in the World, either Name or Things. Wherefore in their Confession no Testimony could be expressly given against them; though I acknowledge it is evident, from what is contained in the Articles of it, and the approved Exposition they received for a long time, in the Writings of the most eminent Persons of the Church, that there is a virtual Condemnation of all those Errors, included therein. But in that state whereunto things are come amongst us, some more express Testimony against them is necessary, to render any Church the Ground and Pillar of Truth.