A53704:685
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.
(2) Saith he, That the best Christians are bound to unite with others though of lower Attainments, and to keep within the same Rule; No doubt; Howbeit the Apostle speaks of no such things in this place but only that we should all walk, according unto the same Rule, in what we have all attained. Yea but
(3) This Rule takes in all such Orders, which are lawful and judged necessary to hold the Members of a Christian Society together; What Rule doth this? Who shall appoint the Orders intended? Who shall judge of their Necessity? Are they of the Institution of Christ or his Apostles? Are they determined to be necessary in the Scripture, the Rule of Faith? if so, we are agreed; But if by these Orders he intends such as men do or may at any time, under pretence of Church Authority invent and impose as necessary, making Alterations in the Original State and Rule of the Church, as also in its Worship and Discipline, it will be strange to me, if he can find them out, either in the Rule here mentioned, or the Direction given with reference unto it; seeing such a Practice seems to be plainly condemned in the Words themselves. And it is known that this pretended Power ⟨p. 269⟩of Rule or Canon making for the Unity of the Church was that which at length ruined all Churches in their State, Order, and Worship; if such a Ruin be acknowledged to have befallen them in the Roman Apostasy.
(3) This Rule takes in all such Orders, which are lawful and judged necessary to hold the Members of a Christian Society together; What Rule doth this? Who shall appoint the Orders intended? Who shall judge of their Necessity? Are they of the Institution of Christ or his Apostles? Are they determined to be necessary in the Scripture, the Rule of Faith? if so, we are agreed; But if by these Orders he intends such as men do or may at any time, under pretence of Church Authority invent and impose as necessary, making Alterations in the Original State and Rule of the Ch•rch, as also in its Worship and Discipline, it will be strange to me, if he can find them out, either in the Rule here mentioned, or the Dirtion given with reference unto it; seeing such a Practice seems to be plainly condemned in the Words thselves. And it is known that this pretended Power