A53704:615
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.
This was the way and method of the Call and setting apart of all Ordinary Officers in the Church, both under the Old Testament and in the New. It is founded in the Light of Nature. In the first Institution of ordinary Church Rulers under the Law, the People looked out and chose fit Persons, whom Moses set apart to the Office, Deut. 1.13, 14, 15. And in the Call of Deacons, Acts 6. The Apostle uses the same Words, or words of the same importance unto the Church, as Moses did to the People; Acts 6.31. asserting the Continuation of the same way and order in their Call. And whereas he ⟨p. 241⟩who was first to be called to Office under the New Testament after the Ascension of Christ, fell under a double Consideration, namely of an Officer in general, and of an Apostle, which office was extraordinary; there was a threefold Act in his Call; the People chose two; one of which was to be an Officer, Acts 1.23; Gods immediate Determination of one, as he was to be an Apostle, ver. 24. and the obedient Consent of the People in compliance with that Determination, ver. 26.
The Foundation of these Churches was generally in a small number of Believers. But their Church state was not complete until they were supplied with all ordinary Officers, as Bishops and Deacons. The former were of of several sorts, as shall be proved hereafter. And of them there were many in every Church, whose number was increased as the Members of the Church were multiplied. So God appointed in the Church of the Jews, that every ten Families should have a peculiar Ruler of their own Choice; Deut. 1.13, 14, 15 .
The Foundation of these Churches was generally in a small number of Believers. But their Church state was not compleat until they were supplyed with all ordinary Officers, as Bishops and Deacons. The former were of of several sorts, as shall be proved hereafter. And of them there were many in every Church, whose number was encreased as the Members of the Church were multiplied. So God appointed in the Church of the Jews, that every ten Families should have a peculiar Ruler of their own Choice;