A53704:563
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. Besides a distinction is found out and passeth currant among us, that the Articles of this Confession, are not Articles of Faith, but of outward Agreement for Peace's sake among our selves; which is an Invention to help on the ruin of Religion. For Articles of Peace in Religion concerning Matters of Faith, which he that subscribes, doth it not because they are true or Articles ⟨p. 217⟩of Faith, are an Engine to accommodate Hypocrisy and nothing else. But according unto this Supposition they are used at mens pleasure, and turned which way they have a Mind to. Wherefore,
2. Besides a distinction is found out and passeth currant among us, that the Articles of this Confession, are not Articles of Faith, but of outward Agreement for Peace's sake among our selves; which is an Invention to help on the ruin of Religion. For Articles of Peace in Religion concerning Matters of Faith, which he that subscribes, doth it not because they are true or Articles ⟨p. 217⟩of Faith, are an Engine to accommodate Hypocrisie and nothing else. But according unto this Supposition they are used at mens pleasure, and turned which way they have a Mind to. Wherefore,
3. Notwithstanding this Standard of Truth, Differences in important Doctrines, wherein the Edification of the Souls of Men are highly concerned, do abound among them, who manage the public Profession of the Church; I shall not urge this any farther by Instances, in general it cannot modestly be denied. Neither is this spoken to abridge Ministers of Churches of their due Liberty, in their Management of the Truths of the Gospel. For such a Liberty is to be granted, as
3. Notwithstanding this Standard of Truth, Differences in important Doctrines, wherein the Edification of the Souls of Men are highly concerned, do abound among them, who mannage the publick Profession of the Church; I shall not urge this any farther by Instances, in general it cannot modestly be denied. Neither is this spoken to abridge Ministers of Churches of their due Liberty, in their Mannagement of the Truths of the Gospel. For such a Liberty is to be granted, as