A53704:759
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.
This Principle of the Reformation, in Vindication of the Rights, Liberties, and Privileges of the Christian People, to judge and choose for themselves in Matters of Religion, to join freely in those Church Duties which are required of them, without which the work of it had never been carried on, we do abide by and maintain. Yea we meet with no Opposition more fierce, than upon the Account of our Asserting the Liberties and Right of the People in reference unto Church Order and Worship. But I shall not be afraid to say, that as the Reformation was begun and carried on, on this Principle, so when this People shall through an Apprehension of their Ignorance, Weakness, and Unmeetness, to discern and judge in Matters of Religion for themselves and their own Duty, be kept and debarred from it; or when through their own Sloth, Negligence and Viciousness, they shall be really uncapable to manage their own Interest in Church Affairs, as being fit only to be governed, if not as brute Creatures, yet as Mute ⟨p. 297⟩Persons, and that these things are improved by the Ambition of the Clergy, engrossing all things in the Church unto themselves, as they did in former Ages, if the Old Popedom do not return, a new one will be erected, as bad as the other.
This Principle of the Reformation, in Vindication of the Rights, Liberties, and Priviledges of the Christian People, to judge and choose for themselves in Matters of Religion, to joyn freely in those Church Duties which are required of them, without which the work of it had never been carried on, we do abide by and maintain. Yea we meet with no Opposition more fierce, than upon the Account of our Asserting the Liberties and Right of the People in reference unto Church Order and Worship. But I shall not be afraid to say, that as the Reformation was begun and carried on, on this Principle, so when this People shall through an Apprehension of their Ignorance, Weakness, and Unmeetness, to discern and judge in Matters of Religion for themselves and their own Duty, be kept and debarred from it; or when through their own Sloth, Negligence and Vitiousness, they shall be really uncapable to mannage their own Interest in Church Affairs, as being fit only to be governed, if not as brute Creatures, yet as Mute ⟨p. 297⟩Persons, and that these things are improved by the Ambition of the Clergy, engrossing all things in the Church unto themselves, as they did in former Ages, if the Old Popedome do not return, a new one will be erected, as bad as the other.