A53704:931
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.
I shall not farther concern my self to consider things Charged but not proved, repeated but not Confirmed, depending on a misunderstanding, or misapprehension of Words, wherein the merit of the Cause is not concerned.
That which I first undertook was a Vindication of the Non-conformists from the Charge of the Guilt of Schism. And this I engaged in for no other Reason, but to remove as far as in me lay, the Obstruction that seemed to be cast by the Drs. Sermon unto the uniting of all Protestants in the same Common Interest against Popery. For although the Design might be Good, as I hope it was, and he might judge well of the Seasonableness of what he proposed unto its End; yet we found it, (it may be from the Circumstances of it, as unto time and place) to be of a contrary tendency, to the raising of new disputes, creating of new Jealousies, and weakening the hands of Multitudes, who were ready and willing to join entirely in opposition unto Popery, and the defence of the Protestant Religion. For if a Party of Soldiers (as the Dr. more then once alludes unto that sort of men) should be drawing up in a field, with others, to oppose a Common Enemy, some Persons of great Authority and Command in the Army, should go unto them, and declare, that they were not to be trusted, that they themselves were Traitors and Enemies, fit to be destroyed when the Common Enemy was dispatched or reconciled, it would certainly abate of their Courage and Resolution in what they were undertaking, with no less hazard, then any others in the Army.
That which I first undertook was a Vindication of the Non-conformists from the Charge of the Guilt of Schisme. And this I ingaged in for no other Reason, but to remove as far as in me lay, the Obstruction that seemed to be cast by the Drs. Sermon unto the uniting of all Protestants in the same Common Interest against Popery. For although the Design might be Good, as I hope it was, and he might judge well of the Seasonableness of what he proposed unto its End; yet we found it, (it may be from the Circumstances of it, as unto time and place) to be of a contrary tendency, to the raising of new disputes, creating of new Jealousies, and weakning the hands of Multitudes, who were ready and willing to joyn entirely in opposition unto Popery, and the defence of the Protestant Religion. For if a Party of Souldiers (as the Dr. more then once alludes unto that sort of men) should be drawing up in a field, with others, to oppose a Common Enemy, some Persons of great Authority and Command in the Army, should go unto them, and declare, that they were not to be trusted, that they themselves were Traytors and Enemies, fit to be destroyed when the Common Enemy was dispatched or reconciled, it would certainly abate of their Courage and Resolution in what they were undertaking, with no less hazard, then any others in the Army.