A53704:574
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.) That which is public, in the Rulers of the Church, with and by its own consent. The Nature and Acts of it will be afterwards considered.
(2.) That which is publick, in the Rulers of the Church, with and by its own consent. The Nature and Acts of it will be afterwards considered.
4, There are three things considerable in this Discipline. (1.) The Power and Authority whereby it is exercised. (2.) The Manner of its Administration. (3.) The especial Object of it, both as it is Susceptive of Members, and Corrective; Whereunto we may add its general End.
1. The Authority of it, is only a Power and Liberty to act, and ministerially exercise the Authority of Christ himself. As unto those by whom it is exercised, it is in them an Act of Obedience unto the Command of Christ; but with respect unto its Object the Authority of Christ is exerted in it. That which is exercised on any other Warranty or Authority, (as none can exert the Authority of Christ, but by virtue of his own Institutions) whose Acts are not Acts of Obedience unto Christ, whatever else it be, it belongs not unto the Discipline of Evangelical Churches.
1. The Authority of it, is only a Power and Liberty to act, and ministerially exercise the Authority of Christ himself. As unto those by whom it is exercised, it is in them an Act of Obedience unto the Command of Christ; but with respect unto its Object the Authority of Christ is exerted in it. That which is exercised on any other Warranty or Authority, (as none can exert the Authority of Christ, but by vertue of his own Institutions) whose Acts are not Acts of Obedience unto Christ, whatever else it be, it belongs not unto the Discipline of Evangelical Churches.