A53704:667
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.) There were others, who acquiescing in the Liberty of the Gentiles, declared by the Apostles, Act. 15. yet judged themselves and all other Circumcised Jews, obliged unto the Observation of the Law and its Institutions. These legal Observances were of two sorts;
(1.) Such as were confined and limited unto the Temple, and unto the Land of Canaan; And
(2.) Such as might be observed any where among the Nations; they acted accordingly. Those who lived at Jerusalem adhered unto the Temple Worship, the whole Church these did so. Their Judgement in these things is declared, Acts 21.20.21. Thou seest Brother, how many thousands of the Jews there are which believe, and they are all Zealous of the Law; and they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles, to forsake Moses, saying, that they ought not to circumcise their Children, neither to walk after the Customs. They were not at all offended with Paul, that he did not impose the Law on the Gentiles (ver. 25.) but only that (as they had been informed) he taught the Jews to forsake the Law, and to reject all the Institutions of it. This they thought unlawful for them. And this they spake principally with respect unto the Temple Service, as appears by the ⟨p. 262⟩Advice given unto Paul on this Occasion, ver. 23, 24. Those who lived amongst the Gentiles, knew that there was no Obligation on them, unto the Sacrifices and especial Duties of the Temple; but continued only in the observance of such Rites and Institutions, about Meats, Washings, Days, New Moons, Sabbaths, and the like, which the Gentiles were freed from.