A53704:840
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.
But may there not be other Causes of peaceable withdrawing from the Communion of a Church, besides these here enumerated?
(1.) Suppose a Church should impose the Observation of Judaical Ceremonies and make their observation necessary, though not to Salvation, Yet unto the Order and Decency of Divine Worship. It may declare them to be in themselves indifferent; but yet make them necessary to be observed. Or
(2.) Suppose a Church should be so degenerated in the Life and Conversation of all its Members, that being immersed in various sins, they should have only a form of Godliness, but deny the power of it? the Rule of the Apostle being to avoid and turn away from them.
(3.) Suppose a Church be fallen into such decays, in Faith, Love, and fruits of Charity, as that the Lord Jesus Christ by his word, declares his Disapprobation of it, and in that State refuses to reform itself, and persecutes them who would reform themselves; Or