A53704:76
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.
6. We may add hereunto the Consideration of the horrid Darkness which they newly were delivered from, the close Adherence of some Traditional Prejudices unto the best of Men in such a Condition, the Difficulties and Oppositions they met withal as unto their whole Work; their Prudence, as they judged it, in an endeavour to accommodate all things unto the Inclinations, and desires of the Body of the People, (extremely immersed in their Old Traditions,) which might not be destructive unto their Salvation, in Heresy or Idolatry; all which could not but leave some Marks of Imperfection on their whole Work of Reformation.
6. We may add hereunto the Consideration of the horrid Darkness which they newly were delivered from, the close Adherence of some Traditional Prejudices unto the best of Men in such a Condition, the Difficulties and Oppositions they met withal as unto their whole Work; their Prudence, as they judged it, in an endeavour to accommodate all things unto the Inclinations, and desires of the Body of the People, (extreamly immersed in their Old Traditions,) which might not be destructive unto their Salvation, in Heresie or Idolatry; all which could not but leave some Marks of Imperfection on their whole Work of Reformation.
Upon these and the like Considerations it is, that we are enforced to assert the use of our own Liberty, Light and Understanding, in the Enquiring after and Compliance with the true Original State and Order of Evangelical Churches, with our Duty in reference thereunto, and not to be absolutely confined unto what was judged meet and practised in these things by the first Reformers. And ⟨p. 37⟩the Truth is, if present Interest and Advantage, did not prevail with men to fix the bounds of all Church Reformation in what was by them attained and established, they would think it themselves a Papal Bondage to be bound up absolutely unto their Apprehensions, from a confinement whereunto in sundry other things, they declare themselves to be at an absolute Liberty. Wherefore neither we nor our Cause are at all concerned in the Rhetorical Discourse of Dr. Still. concerning the first Reformers and their Reformation; neither do we at all delight in reflecting on any of the Defects of it, desiring only the Liberty avowed on Protestant Principles, in the Discharge of our own Duty.