A53704:784
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.
Wherefore unless the Church from which they separated, which was the whole Catholic Church in the World, not agreeing and acting with them, and those Parochial Assemblies from whose Communion we refrain, are the same and of the same consideration, nothing can be argued from those ancient Schisms against us, nor is any countenance given by us unto them, For if it be asked of us, whether it be free or lawful, for Believers to join in Society and full Communion with other Churches, besides those that are of our way, and especial Communion, we freely answer, that we no way doubt of it, nor do judge them for their so doing.
Wherefore unless the Church from which they separated, which was the whole Catholick Church in the World, not agreeing and acting with them, and those Parochial Assemblies from whose Communion we refrain, are the same and of the same consideration, nothing can be argued from those ancient Schismes against us, nor is any countenance given by us unto them, For if it be asked of us, whether it be free or lawful, for Believers to joyn in Society and full Communion with other Churches, besides those that are of our way, and especial Communion, we freely answer, that we no way doubt of it, nor do judge them for their so doing.
2. It must be proved unto the End proposed, that the Occasions and Reasons of their Separation of old, were the same, or of the same nature only, with those which we plead, for our refraining Communion from Parochial Assemblies. Now though the Dr. here makes a flourish with some Expressions about Zeal, Discipline, Purity of the Church, Edification (which he will not find in any of their Pretences) yet in truth there is not one thing alleged, wherein there is a Coincidence between the Occasions and Reasons pleaded by them, and ours.
2. It must be proved unto the End proposed, that the Occasions and Reasons of their Separation of old, were the same, or of the same nature only, with those which we plead, for our refraining Communion from Parochial Assemblies. Now though the Dr. here makes a flourish with some Expressions about Zeal, Discipline, Purity of the Church, Edification (which he will not find in any of their Pretences) yet in truth there is not one thing alledged, wherein there is a Coincidence between the Occasions and Reasons pleaded by them, and ours.