A53704:889
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 he presseth the due Consideration of this Art, (that, as I suppose, they may avoid the snare of it) on the Presbyterians, by minding them what was done in former times, in the debate of the dissenting Brethren, and the setting up of Congregational Churches in those days. For saith he, Have those of the Congregational way since altered their Judgment? Hath D. O. yielded that in case some terms of Communion in our Church, were not insisted on, they would give over Separation? were not their Churches first gathered out of Presbyterian Congregations; and if Presbytery had been settled upon the Kings Restoration, would they not have continued in their Separation?
But he presseth the due Consideration of this Art, (that, as I suppose, they may avoid the snare of it) on the Presbyterians, by minding them what was done in former times, in the debate of the dissenting Brethren, and the setting up of Congregational Churches in those dayes. For saith he, Have those of the Congregational way since altered their Judgment? Hath D. O. yielded that in case some termes of Communion in our Church, were not insisted on, they would give over Separation? were not their Churches first gathered out of Presbyterian Congregations; and if Presbytery had been setled upon the Kings Restauration, would they not have continued in their Separation?
Answ. 1, There is no Difference that I know of, between Presbyterians and those whom he calls Independents, about particular Churches. For the Presbyterians allow them to be of Divine Institution; grant them the exercise of Discipline, by their own Eldership in all ordinary cases, and none to be exercised in them, without them or their own consent, as also their Right unto the choice of their own Officers; so that there could be no separation between them on that Account.
2. When they begin in good earnest to reform themselves and to take away the unsufferable Conditions of Communion excepted against, they may know more of my Judgment if I am alive, (which I do not believe I shall be) as unto Separation; though I have spoken unto it plainly enough already.