A53704:754
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.
The Words of Mr. Chillingsworth unto this purpose are Emphatical, which I shall therefore transcribe, though that be a thing which I am very averse from.
Require (saith he) of Christians only to believe Christ, and to call no man Master but him only; let those leave claiming of Infallibility who have no Right unto it, and let them that in their Words disclaim it, disclaim it likewise in their Actions; In a word, take away Tyranny which is the Devils Instrument to support Errors and Superstitions and Impieties in the several Parts of the World, which could not otherwise long withstand the Power of Truth, I say, take away Tyranny, and restore Christians to their just and full Liberty of captivating their understandings to the Scripture only; that universal Liberty thus moderated may quickly reduce Christendom to Truth and Unity; Part 1. chap. 4. Sect. 16.
Require (saith he) of Christians only to believe Christ, and to call no man Master but him only; let those leave claiming of Infallibity who have no Right unto it, and let them that in their Words disclaim it, disclaim it likewise in their Actions; In a word, take away Tyranny which is the Devils Instrument to support Errors and Superstitions and Impieties in the several Parts of the World, which could not otherwise long withstand the Power of Truth, I say, take away Tyranny, and restore Christians to their just and full Liberty of captivating their understandings to the Scripture only; that universal Liberty thus moderated may quickly reduce Christendom to Truth and Ʋnity; Part 1. chap. 4. Sect. 16.
This fundamental Principle of the first Reformation we do not only firmly adhere unto, rejecting all those Opinions and Practises whereby its force is weakened and impaired, but also do willingly suffer the things that do befall us, in giving our Testimony thereunto. Neither will there ever be Peace among the Churches of Christ in this World, until it be admitted in its whole Latitude; especially in that Part thereof wherein it excludes all Impositions of things not prescribed in the Scripture. For there are but few Persons who are capable of the subtlety of those Reasonings, which are applied to weaken this Principle in its whole extent. All men can easily see this, that the sufficiency of the Scripture in general as unto all the ends of Religion, is the only Foundation they have to rest and build upon. They do see actually,