A53704:815
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.
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.
2. It may be enquired what is that Peace and Ʋnity 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 Heresie. 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 Ʋnity 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.