A53704:91
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.
Neither to my Knowledge did I ever read a Book, wherein there was a greater Appearance of Diligence in the Collection of Things, Words, Sayings, Expressions, Discourses unto other Ends, which might only cast Odium on the Cause opposed, or give advantage for Arguings unto a seeming Success, very little or no way at all belonging unto the Cause in hand, than there is in this of our Reverend Author, though much in the same way and kind hath been before attempted.
But Separation it is and Schism which we are all charged withal, and the Evil thereof is aggravated in the Words of the Author himself, and in large Transcriptions out of the Writings of others. Schism indeed we acknowledge to be an Evil, a great Evil; but are sorry that with some, a pretended, unproved Schism is become almost all that is Evil in the Churches or their Members; so that let men be what they will, drenched, yea, overwhelmed in Ignorance, Vice and Sin, so they do not separate (which to be sure, in that state they will not do, for why should he who hath Plague Sores upon him, depart from the Society of them that are infected) they seem to be esteemed as unto all the concerns of the Church, very unblameable.
But Separation it is and Schisme which we are all charged withal, and the Evil thereof is aggravated in the Words of the Author himself, and in large Transcriptions out of the Writings of others. Schisme indeed we acknowledge to be an Evil, a great Evil; but are sorry that with some, a pretended, unproved Schisme is become almost all that is Evil in the Churches or their Members; so that let men be what they will, drenched, yea, overwhelmed in Ignorance, Vice and Sin, so they do not separate (which to be sure, in that state they will not do, for why should he who hath Plague Sores upon him, depart from the Society of them that are infected) they seem to be esteemed as unto all the concerns of the Church, very unblameable.