A53704:600
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.
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.
(3.) Disorder in the Attendance unto the Duties of Church Assemblies, and the Worship of God performed in them. This is the only Notion of Schism, that is exemplified in the Scripture, the only evil that is condemned under that name; This will appear unto any who shall with heedfulness read the Epistles of Paul the Apostle unto the Corinthians, wherein alone the nature of this Evil is stated and exemplified. But this Consideration of Schism hath been almost utterly lost for many Ages; whatever men do in Churches, so that they depart not from the outward Communion of them, it would be accounted ridiculous to esteem them Schismatics. ⟨p. 233⟩Yet this is that which if not only, yet principally the Consciences of Men are to regard, if they will avoid the Guilt of Schism. But this Notion of it, as was said, being not suited unto the Interest or Advantages of any sort of men, in the charge of it on others; nor any way subservient to secure the Inventions and Impositions of the most, is on the matter lost in the World.
(3.) Disorder in the Attendance unto the Duties of Church Assemblies, and the Worship of God performed in them. This is the only Notion of Schisme, that is exemplified in the Scripture, the only evil that is condemned under that name; This will appear unto any who shall with heedfulness read the Epistles of Paul the Apostle unto the Corinthians, wherein alone the nature of this Evil is stated and exemplified. But this Consideration of Schism hath been almost utterly lost for many Ages; whatever men do in Churches, so that they depart not from the outward Communion of them, it would be accounted ridiculous to esteem them Schismaticks. ⟨p. 233⟩Yet this is that which if not only, yet principally the Consciences of Men are to regard, if they will avoid the Guilt of Schisme. But this Notion of it, as was said, being not suited unto the Interest or Advantages of any sort of men, in the charge of it on others; nor any way subservient to secure the Inventions and Impositions of the most, is on the matter lost in the World.