A53704:683
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.
What this Rule is, concerning which this Enquiry is made, he doth not declare. Either the precise Signification of the Rule in this Place, or the Direction given with respect unto that Rule, may be intended; that is, the general Rule of our Walking in our Profession of the Gospel, or the especial Rule given by the Apostle with respect thereunto, in the case under consideration, may be so intended. If by the Rule in the first sense, he understands a Rule, Canon, or Command, Establishing a Church state, with Rites and Modes of Worship, with Ceremonies, Orders, and Government, no where appointed in the Scripture or of divine Revelation, it is openly evident that there was no such Rule then, that no such is here intended; but that only whereunto the Grace of the Gospel in Mercy and Peace is annexed, as Gal. 6.16. which is not such a Rule. If he intend by it, a Direction, that where there are different Apprehensions in Matters of less importance, not breaking in on the Analogy of Faith, accompanied with different Practises, so far as they are necessary from those different Apprehensions, the Major Part of those among whom the Differences are, should compel the Minor, to forbear their Practise according unto their Apprehensions, and comply with them in all things, on all sorts of Penalties, if they refuse so to do, it will be hard to find such a Direction in these Words. Yet this must be the Rule, and this the Direction •hat can give any countenance unto the Doctor's Cause. But if by this Rule, the Analogy of Faith, as before described, ⟨p. 268⟩be intended, and the Direction be to walk according to it, with mutual Forbearance and Love, as unto things of lesser Moment, then this Rule hath little advantageous Influence into it.
What this Rule is, concerning which this Enquiry is made, he doth not declare. Either the precise Signification of the Rule in this Place, or the Direction given with respect unto that Rule, may be intended; that is, the general Rule of our Walking in our Profession of the Gospel, or the especial Rule given by the Apostle with respect thereunto, in the case under consideration, may be so intended. If by the Rule in the first sense, he understands a Rule, Canon, or Command, Establishing a Church state, with Rites and Modes of Worship, with Ceremonies, Orders, and Government, no where appointed in the Scripture or of divine Revelation, it is openly evident that there was no such Rule then, that no such is here intended; but that only whereunto the Grace of the Gospel in Mercy and Peace is annexed, as