A53704:814
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.
(3.) As unto particular Churches, there is an especial Obligation upon us, to preserve their Peace and Unity from our own voluntary consent, to walk in them in Obedience unto the Commands of Christ. Where this is not, we are left unto the general Obligation of seeking the Peace of all men, and of the whole professing Church in an especial manner, but have no other peculiar obligation thereunto. For being cast into Churches of this or that form, merely by humane Constitutions and Laws, or by inveterate Traditions, lays no new obligation upon any to seek their Peace and Unity; but whilst they abide in them, they are left unto the influence of other general Commands which are to be applied unto their present circumstances. For into what state or condition soever Christians are cast, they are obliged to live peaceably whilst they abide in it.
(3.) As unto particular Churches, there is an especial Obligation upon us, to preserve their Peace and Unity from our own voluntary consent, to walk in them in Obedience unto the Commands of Christ. Where this is not, we are left unto the general Obligation of seeking the Peace of all men, and of the whole professing Church in an especial manner, but have no other peculiar obligation thereunto. For being cast into Churches of this or that form, meerly by humane Constitutions and Laws, or by inveterate Traditions, lays no new obligation upon any to seek their Peace and Unity; but whilst they abide in them, they are left unto the influence of other general Commands which are to be applied unto their present circumstances. For into what state or condition soever Christians are cast, they are obliged to live peaceably whilst they abide in it.
2. It may be enquired what is that Peace and Unity of the Church, that we are bound to preserve. There may be an Agreement, with some kind of Peace and Unity in Evil. They are highly pretended unto in the Church of Rome, but they are so in Idolatry, Superstition and Heresy. There may be Peace and Unity, in any false ⟨p. 326⟩and heretical Church; the Unity of Simeon and Levi, Brethren in Evil. But the Peace and Unity which we are obliged to observe in particular Churches, is the Consent and Agreement of the Church in general and all the Members of it, walking under the conduct of this Guide in a due observation of all the Institutions and Commands of Christ, performing towards the whole and each other, the mutual Duties required by him, from a Principle of Faith and Love. This, and this alone, is that Unity and Peace, which we are peculiarly obliged to preserve in particular Churches, what is more then this, relates unto the general Commands of Love, Unity and Peace before mentioned.