Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

( z i a } Direllion of a divine Original, to continue in confiant compleat Communion with them, fo as not to make rife ofany other ways andmeans of Chriil appointment for their own edification, on the `Penaltyofthe Guilt ofSchifme. Now although we do not (as we (hall fee immediately) lay the weight ofrefraining from their Communion on this confideration, yet is there enough in it towarrant any Man in his Co doing. For a Man in his conforming thereunto, makes it a Part of his Religious Profefïion, not only that the Church whereinhe is joyned, is atrue Church, but that there is in its hate and adings, a due Reprefentation of the Mind of Chrift, as unto what he requireth of his Churches, and what he would have them to be. The Lord Chrift is the .fpofle and High Prief ofour `Profeon ; and in all things that belong thereunto, we declare that we do it in compliance with his Will, and we do fo, or we are Hypocrites. This no man can do in fuch a Churchhate, who is convinced of its defe&s, without reflecting the greateft dishonour on Chrift and the Gofpel. More weight will be added unto this Confideration, when we íhall treat of the Matter ofGofpel Churches, or of what fort of Perfòns they ought to confiít. In the mean time thofe who pretend a Reverence unto Anti- quity in thofe things wherein they fuppofe Countenance to begiven unto their Intereh, may do well fometimes o confider, what was the D f ipline of the Primitive Churches, and what were the Manners, the Lives, the Heavenly Converfations of their Members. Becaufe in the 3d. and 4th. Centuries there is mention made of Bifhops diftinét from Presbyters, with force Ecclejlaftical practices and Ceremonies in Woríhip, not mentioned in the

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=