A53704:771
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 all these differing Churches, and whilst these Differences do continue, be taught to prefer their general Interest in opposition unto the Kingdom of Satan and Antichrist in the World, before the lesser things wherein they differ, and those occasional Animosities that will ensue upon them. It hath been observed in many places that the nearer some Men or Churches come together in their Profession, the more distant they are in their Affections; as the Lutherans in many places do more hate the Calvinists then the Papists, I hope it is not so among us. This makes it evident that the Want of necessary Peace and Union among Churches, doth not proceed from the things themselves wherein they differ, but from the corrupt Lusts, and Interests of the Persons that differ. This Evil can no otherwise be cured, but by such a Reformation as shall in some measure reduce Primitive Simplicity, Integrity and Love, such as ⟨p. 303⟩were among the Churches of the Converted Jews and Gentiles, when they walked according unto the same Rule, in what they had attained, forbearing one another in Love, as unto the things wherein they differed, Until this also be effected, all endeavours for farther Union, whilst these Differences continue, (as they are like to do, unless the whole frame of things in Europe should be changed by some great Revolution) will be fruitless and Useless.
2. That all these differing Churches, and whilst these Differences do continue, be taught to prefer their general Interest in opposition unto the Kingdom of Satan and Antichrist in the World, before the lesser things wherein they differ, and those occasional Animosities that will ensue upon them. It hath been observed in many places that the nearer some Men or Churches come together in their Profession, the more distant they are in their Affections; as the Lutherans in many places do more hate the Calvinists then the Papists, I hope it is not so among us. This makes it evident that the Want of necessary Peace and Ʋnion among Churches, doth not proceed from the things themselves wherein they differ, but from the corrupt Lusts, and Interests of the Persons that differ. This Evil can no otherwise be cured, but by such a Reformation as shall in some measure reduce Primitive Simplicity, Integrity and Love, such as ⟨p. 303⟩were among the Churches of the Converted Jews and Gentiles, when they walked according unto the same Rule, in what they had attained, forbearing one another in Love, as unto the things wherein they differed, Until this also be effected, all endeavours for farther Union, whilst these Differences continue, (as they are like to do, unless the whole frame of things in Europe should be changed by some great Revolution) will be fruitless and Useless.