A53704:96
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.
(2.) That we are Members of this Church by our own Consent. How we should come to be so otherways, I know not; If we are so by being born and baptized in England, then those who are born beyond Sea and baptized there, are made Members of this Church by an Act of Parliament for their Naturalization and no otherwise.
(3.) That we separate from this Church, in things wherein we are obliged by the Authority of Christ to hold communion with it; which neither is nor will ever be proved, nor is it endeavoured so to be, by any Instances in this Treatise.
(4.) That to with-hold Communion from Parochial Assemblies in the Worship of God, as unto things confessedly not of Divine Institution, is Schism, that kind of Schism which is condemned by the Ancient Writers of the Church. Upon these and the like suppositions, it is no uneasy thing to make vehement Declamations against us, and severe Reflections on us; all is Schism and Schismatics, and all of the same kind, with what was written against by Cyprian and Austin, and others a great many.
(4.) That to with-hold Communion from Parochial Assemblies in the Worship of God, as unto things confessedly not of Divine Institution, is Schisme, that kind of Schisme which is condemned by the Antient Writers of the Church. Upon these and the like suppositions, it is no uneasie thing to make vehement Declamations against us, and severe Reflections on us; all is Schisme and Schismaticks, and all of the same kind, with what was written against by Cyprian and Austin, and others a great many.