A53704:801
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.
Our Author adds, Sect. 26. p. 197. Another Argument against this course of separation is, that these Grounds will make separation endless; which is to suppose all the Exhortations of the Scripture to Peace and Unity among Christians, useless. But why so? Is there nothing in the Authority of Christ, and the sense of the Account which is to be given unto him, nothing in the Rule of the Word, nothing in the works of the Ministry, and exercise of Gospel Discipline, to keep professed Disciples of Christ unto their Duty, and within the bounds of order Divinely prescribed unto them, unless they are fettered and staked down with humane Laws and Constitutions? Herein I confess I differ, and shall do so whilst I am in this World from our Reverend Author and others. To say as he doth, (upon a supposition of the taking away of humane Impositions, Laws and ⟨p. 322⟩Canons) that there are no bounds set unto separation but what the fancies of men will dictate unto them, is dishonourable unto the Gospel and somewhat more. To suppose that the Authority of Christ, the Rule of the Word, and the Work of the Ministry, are not sufficient to prescribe bounds unto separation efficaciously affecting the Consciences of Believers; or that any other bounds can be assigned as obligatory unto their Consciences, is what cannot be admitted. The Lord Christ hath commanded Love and Union among his Disciples; he hath ordained order and Communion in his Churches, he hath given unto them and limited their Power, he hath prescribed▪ Rules whereby they and all their Members ought to walk; he hath forbidden all Schisms and Divisions, he hath appointed and limited all necessary separations, and hath truly given all the bounds unto it, that the Consciences of men are or can be affected withal. But then it is said, if this be all, separation will be endless, if such a separation be intended as is an unlawful Schism, I say, it may be it will, even as Persecution and other evils, sins and wickednesses will be, notwithstanding his severe Prohibition of them. What he hath done is the only means to preserve his own Disciples from all sinful separation, and is sufficient thereunto. Herein lieth the Original mistake in this matter;
Our Author adds, Sect. 26. p. 197. Another Argument against this course of separation is, that these Grounds will make separation endless; which is to suppose all the Exhortations of the Scripture to Peace and Ʋnity among Christians, useless. But why so? Is there nothing in the Authority of Christ, and the sence of the Account which is to be given unto him, nothing in the Rule of the Word, nothing in the works of the Ministry, and exercise of Gospel Discipline, to keep professed Disciples of Christ unto their Duty, and within the bounds of order Divinely prescribed unto them, unless they are fettered and staked down with humane Laws and Constitutions? Herein I confess I differ, and shall do so whilst I am in this World from our Reverend Author and others. To say as he doth, (upon a supposition of the taking away of humane Impositions, Laws and