A53704:882
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.
1. We know it is otherwise, and that we plead the true Reason and that which our Consciences are regulated by, in refraining from their Communion, and it is in vain for him or any Man else to endeavour so to Birdlime our understandings by a multiplicity of Questions as to make us think we do not judge, what we do judge, or do not do what we know our selves well enough to do. If we cannot Answer Sophisms against Motion, we can yet rise up and walk.
1. We know it is otherwise, and that we plead the true Reason and that which our Consciences are regulated by, in refraining from their Communion, and it is in vain for him or any Man else to endeavour so to Birdlime our understandings by a multiplicity of Questions as to make us think we do not judge, what we do judge, or do not do what we know our selves well enough to do. If we cannot Answer Sophismes against Motion, we can yet rise up and walk.
2. These things are consistent, and are not capable of being opposed one to the other; Namely, that we refrain Communion on the Reasons alleged, and thereon judge it necessary to erect Congregational Churches; which we should have no occasion to do, were not we excluded from Communion in Parochial Assemblies, as we are.
2. These things are consistent, and are not capable of being opposed one to the other; Namely, that we refrain Communion on the Reasons alledged, and thereon judge it necessary to erect Congregational Churches; which we should have no occasion to do, were not we excluded from Communion in Parochial Assemblies, as we are.
3. The Case being put unto me, I answer plainly unto the Doctors last supposition whereon the whole depends, that if those things which we except against, as being unduly practised and imposed in Parochial Assemblies, were removed and taken away, I would hold Communion with them, all the Communion that any one is obliged to hold with any Church, and would in nothing