A53704:823
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.
Upon these suppositions and in the Confirmation of them, the Dr. produceth a passage out of Irenaeus, whose impartial Consideration he chargeth on us with great Solemnity, ⟨p. 329⟩as we Love our own Souls. Now although that passage in that great and Holy Person, be not new unto me, having not only read it many a time in his book, but frequently met with it urged by Papists against all Protestants. Yet upon the Drs. intimation, I have given it again the Consideration required; The Words as they Lye in the Author are to this purpose.
We shall also judge them, who make Schisms being vain (qui sunt immanes, or inanes) not having the Love of God, rather considering their own Profit, than the Unity of the Church; who for small or any causes, rend and divide the Glorious body of Christ, and as much as in them lies destroy it; speaking Peace but designing War, straining at a Gnat, and swallowing a Camel. For there can be no rebuke of things by them, to equal the mischief of Schism. Lib. 4. cap. 62.
We shall also judge them, who make Schismes being vain (qui sunt immanes, or inanes) not having the Love of God, rather considering their own Profit, than the Ʋnity of the Church; who for small or any causes, rend and divide the Glorious body of Christ, and as much as in them lyes destroy it; speaking Peace but designing War, straining at a Gnat, and swallowing a Camel. For there can be no rebuke of things by them, to equal the mischief of Schisme. Lib. 4. cap. 62.
I know not why he should give us such a severe Charge for the impartial Consideration of these words; that as we love our souls; we should impartially and without prejudice consider them? We hope that out of Love to the Truth, the Glory of Christ, and Care of our own Souls, we do so Consider, and have long since so considered, whatever belongs unto the Cause wherein we engaged, and the Oppositions that are made unto it. Nor will we be offended with any, that shall yet Call on us to persist and proceed in the same way. But why such a Charge should be laid on us with respect unto these words of Irenaeus, I know not. For although we greatly value the Words and Judgment of that Holy Person, that great Defender of the Mystery and Truth of the Gospel, and of the Liberty of the Churches from unwarrantable impositions, yet it is the Word of Christ and