A53704:923
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.
All the difficulty wherewith our assertion is accompanied, ariseth from the multiplication of Believers, and the increase of Churches, in the Apostles time or presently after. For this seems to be so great, as that those in one City could not continue in one Church, notwithstanding the advantages of occasional Assemblies. ⟨p. 360⟩The Church of Jerusalem had 5000 in it at the same time; the word grew and prevailed at Ephesus and other places; whereto I shall briefly answer as hastening unto a close of this unpleasing labour. I say therefore.
All the difficulty wherewith our assertion is accompanyed, ariseth from the multiplication of Believers, and the encrease of Churches, in the Apostles time or presently after. For this seems to be so great, as that those in one City could not continue in one Church, notwithstanding the advantages of occasional Assemblies. ⟨p. 360⟩The Church of Jerusalem had 5000 in it at the same time; the word grew and prevailed at Ephesus and other places; whereto I shall briefly answer as hastning unto a close of this unpleasing labour. I say therefore.
1. Whatever difficulty may seem to be in this matter, yet in point of Fact, so it was; there was no Church before the end of the second Century of any other species, nature or kind, but a particular Congregational Church only, as hath been proved before; let any one instance be produced of a Church of one denomination, National, Provincial, or Diocesan, or of any other kind then that which is Congregational, and I will give over this contest. But when a matter of Fact is certain, it is too late to enquire how it might be. And on this occasion I shall add that if in that space of time, namely, before the end of the second Century, any proof or undoubted Testimony can be produced, of the Imposition of the necessary use of Liturgies, or of stated Ceremonies of the practise of Church discipline consistent with that now in use in the Church of England, it will go a great way in the determination of the whole Controversy between us.