A53704:654
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.
It is manifest that no Advantage unto the Cause of Imposition and Uniformity as it is stated at present can be taken from these Words of the Apostle, unless these two things be contained in them. But that either of them are so, our Author doth not say, nor go about to prove, in his large Discourse on this Place. I might therefore forbear any farther Examination of it, without the least disadvantage unto our Cause. But that I may not seem to wave the consideration of any thing that is pretended Material, I shall enquire into the Particulars of it.
He proceeds therefore to answer his own Quarries, which he judged conducing unto his Purpose. The first of them is, whether the Apostle speaks of different Principles or of different Practises. And I find nothing in the Discourse ensuing, that hath the least respect unto this Enquiry, until towards, the close of it, where he grants that different Apprehensions are intended, such as were accompanied with different Practices; But in Order hereunto he gives us a ⟨p. 258⟩large Account of the scope of the Place, and Design of the Apostle in it. The Substance of it is; That the Apostle treats concerning Judaical seducers; that the things in difference, were the different Apprehensions of men about the Law, its Ceremonies and Worship, with the continuation of them, and the different Practises that ensued thereon.
He proceeds therefore to answer his own Quaries, which he judged conducing unto his Purpose. The first of them is, whether the Apostle speakes of different Principles or of different Practises. And I find nothing in the Discourse ensuing, that hath the least respect unto this Enquiry, until towards, the close of it, where he grants that different Apprehensions are intended, such as were accompanied with different Practices; But in Order hereunto he gives us a ⟨p. 258⟩large Account of the scope of the Place, and Design of the Apostle in it. The Substance of it is; That the Apostle treates concerning Judaical seducers; that the things in difference, were the different Apprehensions of men about the Law, its Ceremonies and Worship, with the continuation of them, and the different Practises that ensued thereon.