A53704:707
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.
(1.) Notwithstanding this Rule of Forbearance given by the Apostle expressly, Rom. 14. Yet as unto the Right and Truth in the things wherein men are at difference, every private Believer, is to determine of them so far as he is able in his own Mind, Every one is to be fully persuaded in his own Mind in such things, so far as his own Practise is concerned.
(1.) Notwithstanding this Rule of Forbearance given by the Apostle expresly, Rom. 14. Yet as unto the Right and Truth in the things wherein men are at difference, every private Believer, is to determine of them so far as he is able in his own Mind, Every one is to be fully perswaded in his own Mind in such things, so far as his own Practise is concerned.
(2.) The Church wherein such Differences do fall out, may doctrinally determine of the Truth in them, as it is the Ground and Pillar of Truth; supposing them to be of such weight, as that the Edification of the Church is concerned in them. For otherwise there is no need of any such Determination, but every one may be left unto his own Liberty. There are Differences at this day in the Church of England, in Doctrine, and Practice, some of them, in my Judgement of more importance, then those between the same Church and us; yet it doth not think it necessary to make any Determination of them, no not Doctrinally.
(3.) If the Church wherein such Differences fall out be not able in and of it self to make a Doctrinal Determination of such Differences, they may and ought to crave the Counsel and Advice of other Churches, with whom they walk in Communion in Faith and Love. And so it was in the Case whereof an Account is given us;