A53704:917
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 the Dr. I presume makes this observation rather artificially to prevent an Objection against his main Hypothesis, then with any design to strengthen it thereby. For he cannot but know how frequently it is pleaded in opposition unto any National Church State, as unto its mention in the Scripture. For he that shall speak of the Churches, in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, and so of other Counties, without the least intimation of any general Church unto which they should belong, would be judged to speak rather the Independent then the Episcopal Dialect.
But the Dr. I presume makes this observation rather artificially to prevent an Objection against his main Hypothesis, then with any design to strengthen it thereby. For he cannot but know how frequently it is pleaded in opposition unto any National Church State, as unto its mention in the Scripture. For he that shall speak of the Churches, in Essex, Suffolk, Hartfordshire, and so of other Counties, without the least intimation of any general Church unto which they should belong, would be judged to speak rather the Independent then the Episcopal Dialect.
But saith he. p. 236. I cannot but wonder what Dr. O. means, when after he hath produced the Evidence of distinct Churches in the same Province, he calls this plain Scripture Evidence and practise for the erecting particular distinct Congregations; who denies that? (I say then, it is incumbent on him to prove, if he do any thing in this cause, that they erected Churches of another sort, kind and order also.) But saith he, I see nothing like a proof, of distinct Churches in the same City, which was the thing to be proved, but because it could not be proved, was prudently let alone.
But this was not the thing to be proved, nor did I propose it to confirmation, nor assert it, but have proved the contrary unto the end of the second Century. This only I assert that every Church in one City, was only one Church; and nothing is offered by the Doctor to the contrary, yea he affirms the same.