Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

i 8S What fort of Churches port our (elves aright in the Obfervance of his Com- mands, as unto the outward difcharge of them in his Worihip and the Circumftances of it. And this he Both by that Gift ofSpiritual l rfclor, whereof we (hall Treat afterwards. But ifMen, ifChurches will make ,Additions in or unto the Rites ofReligious Worship, unto what is ap- pointed by Chrift himfelf, and require their Obfervance in their Communion, on the force and efficacy of their being fo by them appointed, no Difciple of Chrift is or can he obliged, by venue of any Divine Inftitution or Command, to joyn in total, abßlllte Communion, with any fuch Church. He may be induced on various con- fiderations to judge, that fomething of that Nature at force feafon, may not be evil and finful unto him, which therefore he will bear with, or comply withal ; Yet he is not, he cannot be obliged by vertue ofany Divine Rule or Command, to joyn himfelf with, or continue in the Communion of fuch a Church. If any (hall fup- pofe that hereby too witch liberty is granted untoBelievers in the choice of their Communion, and (hail thereon make fevere Declamations , about the Inconveniences and Evils, which will enfue ; I defire they would re- member the Principle I proceed upon, which is that Churches are not fuch facred Machines as force fuppofe, ereEted and aEted for the outward Intereft and Advan- tages ofany fort ofMen; but onlymeans of the Edifica- tionofBelievers, which they are bound to make ufe of, in Obedience unto the Commands of Chrift, and no o- therwife. Whereas therefore the Difciples of Chrift, have not only a Divine Warranty juftifying them in the doing of it, but an exprefs Command making it their indifpenfible.

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