A53704:732
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.
He gathers up in the next place, the Titles of the Causes alleged, for our refraining Communion with those Parochial Assemblies, which he calls our Separation ⟨p. 284⟩from them. And hereon he enquires whether these Reasons be a ground for a Separation from a Church, wherein it is confessed there are no Heinous Errors in Doctrine, or Idolatrous Practise in Worship, that is, as he before cited my words, as should utterly deprive them of the Being and Nature of Churches. And it they be not, then, saith he, such a Separation may be a formal Schism, because they set up other Churches of their own.
He gathers up in the next place, the Titles of the Causes alledged, for our refraining Communion with those Parochial Assemblies, which he calls our Separation ⟨p. 284⟩from them. And hereon he enquires whether these Reasons be a ground for a Separation from a Church, wherein it is confessed there are no Heynous Errors in Doctrine, or Idolatrous Practise in Worship, that is, as he before cited my words, as should utterly deprive them of the Being and Nature of Churches. And it they be not, then, saith he, such a Separation may be a formal Schisme, because they set up other Churches of their own.
The Rule before laid down that all things lawful are to be done for the Churches Peace, taking in the supposition on which it proceeds, is as sufficient to establish Church Tyranny, as any Principle made use of by the Church of Rome, notwithstanding its plausible Appearance. And that here insinuated of the Unlawfulness of Separation from any Church in the World, (for that which hath pernicious Errors in Doctrine, and Idolatry in Worship, destroying its Being, is no Church at all) is as good Security unto Churches, in an Obstinate Refusal of Reformation, when the Souls of the People are ruined amongst them for the want of it, as they need desire. And I confess I suspect such Principles as are evidently suited unto the security of the Corrupt Interests of any sort of Men.