A53704:775
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.
5. Where Men are invincibly hindered from total communion with any Church, by Impositions which they cannot comply withal without Sin, or by continuing in it, are deprived of the due means of their Edification, the Churches whereunto they did belong refusing all ⟨p. 305⟩Reformation; it is lawful for them in Obedience unto the Law of Christ, to reform themselves, and to make use of the means appointed by him for their Edification, abiding constantly in the Communion of all true Churches before described. I confess this is that which we cannot digest; namely, an Imagination that the Lord Jesus Christ hath obliged his Disciples, those that believe in him, to abide always in such Societies, as wherein, not only things are imposed on their Obedience and Observance which he hath not commanded, but they are also forced to live in the Neglect of expressed Duties which he requireth of them, and the want of that means of their own Edification, which without the restraint at present upon them, they might enjoy according unto his Mind and Will. Believers were not made for Churches▪ nor for the advantage of them that Rule in them; but Churches were made for Believers and their Edification, nor are of any use farther then they tend thereunto.
5. Where Men are invincibly hindered from total communion with any Church, by Impositions which they cannot comply withal without Sin, or by continuing in it, are deprived of the due means of their Edification, the Churches whereunto they did belong refusing all ⟨p. 305⟩Reformation; it is lawful for them in Obedience unto the Law of Christ, to reform themselves, and to make use of the means appointed by him for their Edification, abiding constantly in the Communion of all true Churches before described. I confess this is that which we cannot digest; namely, an Imagination that the Lord Jesus Christ hath obliged his Disciples, those that believe in him, to abide alwayes in such Societies, as wherein, not only things are imposed on their Obedience and Observance which he hath not commanded, but they are also forced to live in the Neglect of expressed Duties which he requireth of them, and the want of that means of their own Edification, which without the restraint at present upon them, they might enjoy according unto his Mind and Will. Believers were not made for Churches nor for the advantage of them that Rule in them; but Churches were made for Believers and their Edification, nor are of any use farther then they tend thereunto.