A53704:802
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.
we have lost the Apprehension that the Authority of Christ in the Rule of his Word, and Works of his Spirit, is every way sufficient for the Guiding, Governing, and Preserving of his Disciples, in the Church Order by him prescribed, and the observance of the Duties by him commanded. It hath been greatly lost in the World for many Ages, and therefore instead of Faithful Ministerial Endeavours to enforce a sense of it on the Consciences of all Christians, ⟨p. 323⟩they have been let loose from it, through a confidence in other devises, to keep them unto their Duty and Order. And if these devises, be they Ecclesiastical Canons or Civil Penalties, be not enforced on them all, the World is made to believe, that they are left unto the dictates of their own fancies and Imaginations, as if they had no concern in Christ or his Authority, in this matter But for my part I shall never desire, nor endeavour to keep any from Schism or separation, but by the ways and means of Christs appointment, and by a sense of his. Authority on their own Consciences.
we have lost the Apprehension that the Authority of Christ in the Rule of his Word, and Works of his Spirit, is every way sufficient for the Guiding, Governing, and Preserving of his Disciples, in the Church Order by him prescribed, and the observance of the Duties by him commanded. It hath been greatly lost in the World for many Ages, and therefore instead of Faithful Ministerial Endeavours to enforce a sence of it on the Consciences of all Christians, ⟨p. 323⟩they have been let loose from it, through a confidence in other devises, to keep them unto their Duty and Order. And if these devises, be they Ecclesiastical Canons or Civil Penalties, be not enforced on them all, the World is made to beleive, that they are left unto the dictates of their own fancies and Imaginations, as if they had no concern in Christ or his Authority, in this matter But for my part I shall never desire, nor endeavour to keep any from Schisme or separation, but by the ways and means of Christs appointment, and by a sense of his. Authority on their own Consciences.