A53704:676
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 did not before precisely determine, what was the Rule which the Apostle doth intend; only proved sufficiently, that it was not such a Rule as is pleaded for by the Doctor. But the meaning of the Phrase and Expression is plain enough; [Greek or Hebrew]; it is directly used once more by the Apostle; Gal. 6.16 [Greek or Hebrew]; as many as walk according to this Rule; and what Rule is that? namely, what as unto the substance of it he lays down in the Words foregoing, ver. 14, 15. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross ⟨p. 265⟩of our Lord Jesus Christ; For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing, nor Uncircumcision, but a new Creature ; and as many as walk according unto this Rule, that is, the Rule of Faith in Christ alone for Justification and Sanctification, without trusting unto or resting on any of those things which were in difference among them. The Places, in Scope, Design, and manner of Expression, are Parallel. For this is plainly, that which he pleads for in this Context; namely, that Justification and Sanctification are to be obtained alone through Christ and Faith in him by the Gospel, without the least Aid and Assistance from the things that were in Difference among them. Wherefore not farther to contend in so plain a Matter, the Rule here intended by the Apostle, is no Book of Canons, but the Analogy of Faith, or the Rule of Faith in Christ as declared in the Gospel, in opposition unto all other ways and means of Justification, Sanctification and Salvation, which we ought to walk in a Compliance withal, and that with Love and Forbearance towards them that in things not Corruptive or Destructive of this Rule, do differ from us.
I did not before precisely determine, what was the Rule which the Apostle doth intend; only proved sufficiently, that it was not such a Rule as is pleaded for by the Doctor. But the meaning of the Phrase and Expression is plain enough; 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; it is directly used once more by the Apostle; Gal. 6.16 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; as many as walk according to this Rule; and what Rule is that? namely, what as unto the substance of it he lays down in the Words foregoing, ver. 14, 15. God forbid that I should glory save in the Cross