A53704:65
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.
I shall leave him without disturbance unto the satisfaction he hath in his own Love, Moderation, and Condescension, expressed in his Preface. Others may possibly call some things in it unto a farther Account. But the first Part of his Book is cast under two Heads;
1. A Commendation of the first Reformers and their Reformation, with some Reflections upon all that acquiesce not therein, as though they esteemed themselves wiser and better than they. From this Topic proceed many severe Reflections and some Reproaches. The other consists in a story of the Rise and Progress of Separation from the Church of England, with great Miscarriages among them who first attempted it, and the Opposition made unto them by those who were themselves Non-conformists. The whole is closed with the Difference and Debate, between the Divines of the Assembly of the Presbyterian way, and the dissenting Brethren, as they were then called. Concerning these things the Discourse is so prolix, and so swelled with long Quotations, that I scarce believe any man would have the Patience to read over a particular Examination of it; especially considering how little the Cause in hand is concerned in the whole Story, whether it be told right or wrong, candidly or with a Design to make an Advantage unto the Prejudice of others. I shall therefore only mark something with respect unto both these heads of the first Part of the Book, which if I mistake not will lay it aside from being of any Use in our present Cause.
1. A Commendation of the first Reformers and their Reformation, with some Reflections upon all that acquiesce not therein, as though they esteemed themselves wiser and better than they. From this Topick proceed many severe Reflections and some Reproaches. The other consists in a story of the Rise and Progress of Separation from the Church of England, with great Miscarriages among them who first attempted it, and the Opposition made unto them by those who were themselves Non-conformists. The whole is closed with the Difference and Debate, between the Divines of the Assembly of the Presbyterian way, and the dissenting Brethren, as they were then called. Concerning these things the Discourse is so prolix, and so swelled with long Quotations, that I scarce believe any man would have the Patience to read over a particular Examination of it; especially considering how little the Cause in hand is concerned in the whole Story, whether it be told right or wrong, candidly or with a Design to make an Advantage unto the Prejudice of others. I shall therefore only mark something with respect unto both these heads of the first Part of the Book, which if I mistake not will lay it aside from being of any Use in our present Cause.