A53704:616
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.
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; Deut. 1.13, 14, 15 .
For there is no mention in the New Testament of any one single Bishop or Elder, in any Church of any sort whatever, either Absolutely or by way of Preeminence. But as the Elders of each Church were many, at least more than one, so there was a parity among them, and an Equality in Order, Power, and Rule. Nor can any Instance be given unto the Contrary.
For there is no mention in the New Testament of any one single Bishop or Elder, in any Church of any sort whatever, either Absolutely or by way of Preheminence. But as the Elders of each Church were many, at least more thenone, so there was a parity among them, and an Equality in Order, Power, and Rule. Nor can any Instance be given unto the Contrary.