A53704:83
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. There doth not remain any Record, of a due Attempt and Endeavour for the composing these Differences before one certain way was established by those in Power. And whereas the State and condition wherein they were at that time, from the confusions about Religion that were then abroad, and the pertinaciousness of the Generality of the People in an Adherence unto their old ways and Observances in Religion, with a great Scarcity in able Ministers, the greatest part of the Bishops and Clergy disliking the whole Reformation, they found themselves as they judged necessitated to make as little Alteration in the present state of things as was possible, so as to keep up an Appearance of the same things in the Church, which had been in former use. On these Grounds the State and Rule of the Church was continued in the same form and posture that it was before under the Papacy, the Authority of the Pope only being excluded, and the Power of disposal of Ecclesiastical Affairs usurped by him, declared to be in the King. So also in imitation of that Book of Worship and Service which the People had been accustomed unto, another was established, with the Ceremonies most obvious unto popular Observation.
3. This Order was unsatisfactory unto great Numbers of Ministers and others, who yet considering what the necessity of the Times did call for, did outwardly acquiesce in it, in several Degrees, in hopes of a farther Reformation in a more convenient season. Nor did they cease to plead and press for it by all quiet and peaceable means; abstaining in the mean time, from the ⟨p. 41⟩use of the Ceremonies, and full compliance with Episcopal Jurisdiction.
3. This Order was unsatisfactory unto great Numbers of Ministers and others, who yet considering what the necessity of the Times did call for, did outwardly acquiesce in it, in several Degrees, in hopes of a farther Reformation in a more convenient season. Nor did they cease to plead and press for it by all quiet and peaceable meanes; abstaining in the mean time, from the ⟨p. 41⟩