A53704:879
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 because the Dr. proposeth a Case on those suppositions, whereon he seems to lay great weight, though indeed however it be determined it conduceth nothing unto his End, but argues only some keenness of Spirit against them whom he opposeth, I shall at large Transcribe the whole of it.
Let us then, (saith he) (1.) suppose that Christ hath by unalterable Rule appointed that a Church shall Consist only, of such a number of men, as may meet in one Congregation so qualified; and that those by entering into Covenant with each other, (whereof we shall treat hereafter) become a Church and choose their Officers, who are to Teach and Admonish and administer Sacraments, and to exercise discipline by the Consent of the Congregation. And let us (2) suppose such a Church not yet gathered, but there lies fit matter for it dispersed up and down in several parishes. (3) Let us suppose D. O. about to gather such a Church; (4) Let us suppose not one thing peculiar to our Church, required of these Members, neither the Aerial sign of the Cross, nor kneeling at the Communion, &c. I desire to know whether D. O. be not bound by this unalterable rule, to draw these Members from Communion with Parochial Churches on purpose that they might form a Congregational Church according to Christs Institution? either then he must quit these unalterable Rules and Institutions of Christ, (which he will never do whilst he lives) or he must acknowledge, that setting up a Congregational Church, is the primary Ground of this Separation from our Parochial Churches. &c.
Let us then, (saith he) (1.) suppose that Christ hath by unalterable Rule appointed that a Church shall Consist only, of such a number of men, as may meet in one Congregation so qualified; and that those by entring into Covenant with each other, (whereof we shall treat hereafter) become a Church and choose their Officers, who are to Teach and Admonish and administer Sacraments, and to exercise discipline by the Consent of the Congregation. And let us (2) suppose such a Church not yet gathered, but there lies fit matter for it dispersed up and down in several parishes. (3) Let us suppose D. O. about to gather such a Church; (4) Let us suppose not one thing peculiar to our Church, required of these Members, neither the Aerial sign of the Cross, nor kneeling at the Communion, &c. I desire to know whether D. O. be not bound by this unalterable rule, to draw these Members from Communion with Parochial Churches on purpose that they might form a Congregational Church according to Christs Institution? either then he must quit these unalterable Rules and Institutions of Christ, (which he will never do whilst he lives) or he must acknowledge, that setting up a Congregational Church, is the primary Ground of this Separation from our Parochial Churches. &c.