A53704:855
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.
I shall therefore plainly and directly propose the things which I assert and maintain in this part of the Controversy; and then Consider what occurs in opposition unto them, or otherwise seems to be of any force towards the End in general of charging us with, Schism, and they are these that follow.
I shall therefore plainly and directly propose the things which I assert and maintain in this part of the Controversie; and then Consider what occurrs in opposition unto them, or otherwise seems to be of any force towards the End in general of charging us with, Schisme, and they are these that follow.
1. Particular Churches or Congregations, with their Order and Rule are of Divine institution, and are sufficient unto all the ends of Evangelical Churches. I take Churches and Congregations in the same sense and notion as the Church of England doth, defining the Church by, a Congregation of Believers, otherwise there may be occasional Congregations, that are not stated Churches.
1. Particular Churches or Congregations, with their Order and Rule are of Divine institution, and are sufficient unto all the ends of Evangelical Churches. I take Churches and Congregations in the same sence and notion as the Church of England doth, defining the Church by, a Congregation of Beleivers, otherwise there may be occasional Congregations, that are not stated Churches.
2. Unto these Churches, there is committed by Christ himself, all the ordinary power, and privileges that belong unto any Church under the Gospel, and of them is required the observance of all Church Duties; which it is their sin to omit.