THE

WORKS

OF

JOHN OWEN, D.D.

EDITED BY

THE REV. WILLIAM H. GOOLD, D.D.,

EDINBURGH.

VOL. XV.

EDINBURGH:

T. & T. CLARK, 38, GEORGE STREET.

LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO. DUBLIN: JOHN ROBERTSON

MDCCCLXII.

231

BX 9315

1822

The state of the Judaical church-The liberty given by Christ; 1. From the ar-

bitrary impositions of men; 2. From the observances and rites instituted by

Moses-The continuance of their observation, in the patience and forbearance

of God-Difference about them stated-Legal righteousness and legal ceremo-

nies contended for together; the reason of it

CHAPTER II.

The disciples of Christ taken into his own disposal-General things to be observed

about gospel institutions-Their number small-Excess of men's inventions-

Things instituted brought into a religious relation by the authority of Christ-

That authority is none other-Suitableness in the matter of institutions, to be

designed to their proper significancy-That discoverable only by infinite wis-

dom-Abilities given by Christ for the administration of all his institutions-

The way whereby it was done, Eph. iv. 7, 8—Several postulata laid down-The

sum of the whole-State of our question in general

CHAPTER III.

Of the Lord's prayer, and what may be concluded from thence as to the invention

and imposition of liturgies in the public worship of God-The liberty whereunto

Christ vindicated and wherein he left his disciples

CHAPTER IV.

Of the worship of God by the apostles-No liturgies used by them, nor in the

churches of their plantation-Argument from their practice-Reasons pleaded

for the use of liturgies: disabilities of church-officers for gospel administration

to the edification of the church; uniformity in the worship of God-The prac-

tice of the apostles as to these pretences considered-Of other impositions-

The rule given by the apostles-Of the liturgies falsely ascribed unto some of

them

CHAPTER V.

The practice of the churches in the first three centuries as to forms of public wor-

ship-No set forms of liturgies used by them-The silence of the first writers

concerning them-Some testimonies against them

VOL. XV,

13

16

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CHAPTER VI.

The pretended antiquity of liturgies disproved-The most ancient-Their variety-

Canons of councils about forms of church administrations-The reasons pleaded

in the justification of the first invention of liturgies answered-Their progress

and end

Page

25

CHAPTER VII.

The question stated-First argument against the composing and imposing of liturgies

-Arbitrary additions to the worship of God rejected-Liturgies not appointed

by God-Made necessary in their imposition, and a part of the worship of God

-Of circumstances of worship-Instituted adjuncts of worship not circum-

stances-Circumstances of actions, as such, not circumstances of worship-Cir-

cumstances commanded made parts of worship-Prohibitions of additions pro-

duced, considered, applied

33

CHAPTER VIII.

Of the authority needful for the constituting and ordering of any thing that is

to have relation to God and his worship-Of the power and authority of civil

magistrates-The power imposing the liturgy-The formal reason of religious

obedience-Use of the liturgy an act of civil, not religious obedience, Matt.

xxviii. 20-No rule to judge of what is meet in the worship of God, but his

word

CHAPTER IX.

Argument second-Necessary use of the liturgy exclusive of the use of the means

appointed by Christ for the edification of his church.

CHAPTER X.

Other considerations about the imposition of liturgies

A DISCOURSE CONCERNING EVANGELICAL LOVE,

CHURCH PEACE, AND UNITY.

PREFATORY NOTE BY THE EDITOR

CHAPTER I.

Complaints of want of love and unity among Christians, how to be managed, and

whence fruitless-Charge of guilt on some, why now removed, and for whose

sakes-Personal miscarriages of any not excused-Those who manage the charge

mentioned not agreed

CHAPTER II.

Commendations of love and unity-Their proper objects, with their general rules

and measures-Of love toward all mankind in general-Allows not salvation

unto any without faith in Christ Jesus-Of the differences in religion as to

outward worship

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46

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58

59

68

CHAPTER III.

Nature of the catholic church-The first and principal object of Christian love-

Differences among the members of this church, of what nature, and how to be

managed-Of the church catholic as visibly professing-The extent of it, or

who belong unto it-Of union and love in this church-state-Of the church of

England with respect hereunto-Of particular churches; their institution; cor-

ruption of that institution-Of churches diocesan, etc.-Of separation from

corrupt particular churches-The just causes thereof, etc.

CHAPTER IV.

Want of love and unity among Christians justly complained of-Causes of divisions

and schisms-1. Misapprehensions of evangelical unity-Wherein it doth truly

consist-The ways and means whereby it may be obtained and preserved-

Mistakes about both-2. Neglect in churches to attend unto known gospel duty

-Of preaching unto conversion and edification-Care of those that are really godly

-Of discipline: how neglected, how corrupted-Principles seducing churches

and their rulers into miscarriages: 1. Confidence of their place; 2. Contempt

of the people; 3. Trust unto worldly grandeur-Other causes of divisions-Re-

mainders of corruption from the general apostasy-Weakness and ignorance-

Of readiness to take offence-Remedies hereof-Pride-False teachers.

Pago

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104

CHAPTER V.

Grounds and reasons of nonconformity

AN INQUIRY INTO THE ORIGINAL, NATURE, INSTITUTION, POWER,

ORDER, AND COMMUNION OF EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.

PREFATORY NOTE BY THE EDITOR

To the Reader

THE PREFACE.

An Examination of the general principles of Dr Stillingfleet's Book of the Unrea-

sonableness of Separation

The continuation of a church-state and of churches unto the end of the world-

What are the causes of it, and whereon it depends

CHAPTER IV.

141

193

.

217

The especial nature of the gospel church-state appointed by Christ

261