Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

(8i) Thefe things being fo plainly, pofitively, and frequently asíerted in the Scripture, it cannot-be questionable unto any impartial mind, but that particular Churches or Congrega- tions, are ofDivine Institution ; and confequentlythat unto them the whole Power and Priviledge of the Church doth belong ; for if they do not fo, whatever they are, Churches they are not. If therefore any other Church- State be Suppofed, we may well require that, its Name, Nature, Ufe, Power, and Bounds, be fome or all of them declared in the Scripture. Reafonings drawn from the Su- periority of the Apoftles above theEvangelifts, of Bishops above Presbyters, or from Church Rule, in the hands of the Officers of the Church only; from the power of the Chriftian Magistrate in things EcclejIaJiical from the Meet nefs of Union among all Churches, are of no ufe in this cafe; For they are all confiftent with the Sole Inflitution of particular Congregations, nor do in the leaft intimate that there is, or needs to be, any other Church State of Divine Appointment. SVl CAPe

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