Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

(35) unto a difpofal of the Perfons of Believers in what way they pleafe, as unto their Spiritual and Eternal concern- nients ? Have they Soveraign Authority over all things to change their Moral Nature ; to give them new ufes and fignifications , to make things neceffary that in themfelves are indifferent, and to order all thofe things by Soveraign Authority in Laws obliging the confciences of men ? And the like may be faid of his yerfonal Qualification<, of Faith fulnefs, Wifdom, Love and Care, which are afcribed unto him in this work of giving Laws unto his Churches, as he was the Lord over his own Houle. z, The Event ofthe Affumption of this Legillative Pow- er under the beft pretence that can begiven unto it, namely, in Councils or great Afíemblies of Bijhops and `Prelates, fuf- ficiently demonfirates how dangerous a thing it is for any man to be ingaged in. For it itl'ued at length in fuch a con- flitution of Churches, and fuch Laws for the Government of them , as exalted the Cannon Law into the room of the Scripture , and utterly deftroyed the true Nature of the Church of Chrift, and all the Difcipline required therein. 3, Such an A /umption is derogatory unto the Glory of Chrift, efpecially as unto his Faithfulnefs in and over the Houleof God , wherein he is compared unto and prefer red above Mofes. Heb, 3. 3, 4, 5, 6. Now the Faithfúlnefsof Mofes confifted in this, that hedid, and appointed all things according to the Pattern fhawed him in the Mount; That is all whatever it was the Will of God to be revealed and ap- pointed for the Conftitútion, Order, Rule, and Woríhip of his Church, and nothing elfe. But it was the Will of God, that there fhould be all thofe things in the Gofpel Church State all() , or elfe why do men contend about them ? And if this were the Will of God , if they were not all reveal- ed, appointed, prefcribed, legalized by Chrifl, where is his Faithfulnefs in Anfwer to that Mofes ? But no Tnilance can be given of any Vefe l in his Inftitutions, that needs any F z fup-

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