A53704:661
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.) Let it be supposed that the Apostle in particular intends Dissentions about the Law, and the Observance of its Institutions, yet he doth not determine the case from the especial circumstances of that Difference, so adjudging the Truth unto one of the Parties at variance; but from a general Rule how the Disciples of Christ ought to deport themselves towards one another, during the continuation of such Differences. But,
(4.) The Truth is, the Apostle hath dismissed the case proposed in the Beginning of the Chapter; ver. 1.2, 3, &c. and upon the occasion of his Expression of his own voluntary Relinquishment and Renunciation of all the Privileges which the Jews boasted in, and of his Attainments thereon in the Mysteries of the Gospel; ver. 12, 13, 14. he gives a general Direction for the walking of all Christians, in the several Degrees and Measures of their Attainments in the same kind. And herein he supposeth two things. (1.) That there were things, all the fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel concerning the Person, Offices and Grace of Christ, which they had all in common attained unto. Whereunto we have already attained; We, all of us in general. (2.) That in some things there were different Apprehensions and Practises amongst them, which hindered not their Agreement in what they had attained; if any one be otherwise minded; one than another. We that are perfect ⟨p. 260⟩and those which are weak, let us walk by the same Rule.
(4.) The Truth is, the Apostle hath dismissed the case proposed in the Beginning of the Chapter; ver. 1.2, 3, &c. and upon the occasion of his Expression of his own voluntary Relinquishment and Renunciation of all the Priviledges which the Jews boasted in, and of his Attainments thereon in the Misteries of the Gospel; ver. 12, 13, 14. he gives a general Direction for the walking of all Christians, in the several Degrees and Measures of their Attainments in the same kind. And herein he supposeth two things. (1.) That there were things, all the fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel concerning the Person, Offices and Grace of Christ, which they had all in common attained unto. Whereunto we have already attained; Wee, all of us in general. (2.) That in some things there were different Apprehensions and Practises amongst them, which hindered not their Agreement in what they had attained; if any one be otherwise minded; one than another. We that are perfect