A53704:910
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.
4. That the people were ruled by their own consent, and that in things of greatest importance, as the choice of their Officers, the casting out and the receiving in of lapsed members, had their suffrage in the determination of them.
5. That there was no Imposition of Liturgies, or Ceremonies, or any humane invention in the Worship of God, on the Church or any members of it, the Scripture being the sole acknowledged Rule in Discipline and Worship.
This was the state and order of the Church of Carthage in those days, and although there were some alterations in it, from the first divine Institution of Churches, yet I heartily wish, that there were no more difference amongst us, then what would remain upon a supposition of this state.
For what remains of the Opposition made unto what I had asserted concerning Congregational or particular Churches, I may refer the Doctor and the Reader, unto what hath been farther pleaded concerning them, in the preceding discourse, nor am I satisfied that he hath given any sufficient answer unto what was before alleged in the vindication, but hath passed by what was most pregnant with Evidence unto the Truth, and by a mistake of my mind or Words diverts very much from the state of the Question, which is no other but what I laid down before, yet I will consider what is material in the whole of his Discourse on this subject.