A53704:735
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.) That where Men are no otherwise Members of any Church, but by an inevitable Necessity, and outward Penal Laws, preventing their own choice, and any act of Obedience unto Christ in their joining with such Churches, the Case is different from theirs, whose Relation unto any Church, is founded in their own voluntary choice, as submitting themselves unto the Laws, Institution, and Rule of Christ in that Church; which we shall make use of afterwards.
(2.) That where Men are no otherwise Members of any Church, but by an inevitable Necessity, and outward Penal Laws, preventing their own choice, and any act of Obedience unto Christ in their joyning with such Churches, the Case is different from theirs, whose Relation unto any Church, is founded in their own voluntary choice, as submitting themselves unto the Laws, Institution, and Rule of Christ in that Church; which we shall make use of afterwards.
(3.) The Doctor might have done well to have stated the true nature of Schism, and the formal Reason of it, before he had charged a formal Schism, on a Supposition of some outward Acts only.
(3.) The Doctor might have done well to have stated the true nature of Schisme, and the formal Reason of it, before he had charged a formal Schisme, on a Supposition of some outward Acts only.
(4.) What is our Judgment concerning Parochial Assemblies; how far we separate from them, or refrain Communion with them, what are the Reasons whereon we do so, hath been now fully declared, and thereunto we must appeal on all occasions; for we cannot acquiesce in what is unduly imposed on us, either as unto Principles or Practise.