edited by Travis Fentiman & Brought to you by Reformed Books Online. Posted with permission
由特拉维斯·芬蒂曼编辑并由改革宗书籍在线提供。经许可发布
On Worship & Catholicity Against Separatism & John Owen by Richard Baxter is a detailed refutation of separatistic views in Christian worship, particularly in response to twelve arguments attributed to John Owen.
理查德·巴克斯特的《论敬拜与大公性反对分离主义和约翰·欧文》是对基督教敬拜中分离主义观点的详细驳斥,特别是回应归属于约翰·欧文的十二个论证。
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Baxter contends that the tendency to separate from established churches due to impurities in worship—especially the use of liturgies not explicitly commanded in Scripture—is both misguided and harmful to the unity of Christ’s body.
巴克斯特争辩说,由于敬拜中的不纯洁而从已建立教会分离的倾向——特别是使用圣经中没有明确命令的礼仪——既是误导的,也是对基督身体合一有害的。
He argues against the idea that one must entirely avoid the Church of England’s liturgical services, emphasizing that mere human imperfections in worship are not sufficient grounds for division.
他反对必须完全避免英格兰教会礼仪服务的观念,强调敬拜中仅仅的人为不完善不是分裂的充分根据。
Baxter is especially concerned with how separatism often masquerades as piety but is, in reality, a form of schism that undermines Christian love and public edification.
巴克斯特特别关注分离主义如何经常伪装成虔诚,但实际上是一种破坏基督徒之爱和公共造就的分裂形式。
Baxter engages Owen’s presumed arguments, many of which claim that any worship not instituted directly by Christ is false and thus must be avoided.
巴克斯特回应欧文的推定论证,其中许多声称任何不是直接由基督设立的敬拜都是虚假的,因此必须避免。
He counters that the essential elements of worship—prayer, Scripture reading, preaching, sacraments—are divinely instituted, and that modes or forms surrounding these elements can vary.
他反驳说敬拜的基本要素——祷告、读经、讲道、圣礼——是神圣设立的,围绕这些要素的方式或形式可以变化。
He warns that insisting on separation over these secondary matters leads to unnecessary divisions and spiritual pride.
他警告说,坚持在这些次要事情上分离会导致不必要的分裂和属灵骄傲。
Baxter carefully distinguishes between essential and circumstantial aspects of worship, arguing for flexibility and charity where Scripture does not bind the conscience.
巴克斯特仔细区分敬拜的基本和环境方面,在圣经不约束良心的地方主张灵活性和爱心。
The book also explores the historical context of the “occasional conformity controversy” following the 1662 Act of Uniformity in England.
这本书也探讨了英格兰1662年统一法案之后”偶然从众争议”的历史背景。
Baxter critiques Owen for inconsistently applying his own standards and highlights how such principles, if universally adopted, would condemn even Christ and the Old Testament saints who remained within corrupt ecclesiastical structures.
巴克斯特批评欧文不一致地应用他自己的标准,并强调这样的原则如果被普遍采用,甚至会谴责留在腐败教会结构中的基督和旧约圣徒。
Ultimately, Baxter urges believers to remain in communion with broader expressions of the visible church, calling for humility, forbearance, and a spirit of peace in matters where Scripture allows liberty.
最终,巴克斯特敦促信徒与有形教会更广泛的表达保持交通,在圣经允许自由的事情上呼吁谦卑、宽容和和平的精神。
His pastoral aim is clear: to protect the church from needless fragmentation and to uphold the centrality of Christ’s love and truth in worship.
他的牧养目标是清楚的:保护教会免受不必要的分裂,并在敬拜中维护基督之爱和真理的中心地位。
TABLE OF CONTENTS
目录
Editor’s Introduction.
编者介绍。
Preface: An Account of the Reasons why the Twelve Arguments said to be Dr. John Owen’s change not my Judgment about Communion with Parish-Churches.
序言:关于据说是约翰·欧文博士的十二个论证为什么不改变我对与教区教会交通判断的理由说明。
Positions: The Twelve Arguments said to be Dr. Owen’s, Impartially Considered.
立场:据说是欧文博士的十二个论证,公正考虑。
Argument 1. Worship not divinely instituted is false and not accepted.
论证1. 非神圣设立的敬拜是虚假的,不被接受。
Argument 2. Inventions rendering the Spirit useless for worship are not to be complied with.
论证2. 使圣灵在敬拜中无用的发明不应被遵从。
Argument 3. Christ is the sole lawgiver for worship.
论证3. 基督是敬拜的唯一立法者。
Argument 4. What arises from a supposed defect in Christ’s faithfulness is not to be yielded.
论证4. 源于基督忠诚中假设缺陷的东西不应屈服。
Argument 5. A humanly invented means exclusive of Christ’s is not to be complied with.
论证5. 排除基督方式的人为发明手段不应被遵从。
Argument 6. It is unlawful to participate in obstructions to edification in worship.
论证6. 参与敬拜中造就的阻碍是不合法的。
Argument 7. Practices whereby we condemn suffering saints unnecessarily are unlawful.
论证7. 我们不必要地谴责受苦圣徒的做法是不合法的。
Argument 8. That which, apart from necessity, entails unavoidable scandal is unlawful.
论证8. 除必要性外,带来不可避免绊倒的事是不合法的。
Argument 9. That which is inconsistent with the Spirit in prayer is unlawful.
论证9. 与祷告中的圣灵不一致的事是不合法的。
Argument 10. That which overthrows the principal ends of a church-covenant is unlawful.
论证10. 推翻教会盟约主要目的的事是不合法的。
Argument 11. That which contains a virtual renunciation of our church-state is not allowed.
论证11. 包含实际上放弃我们教会状态的事是不被允许的。
Argument 12. What deprives of the principal plea for separation from the Church of England in its present state ought not to be admitted.
论证12. 剥夺从英格兰教会在其现状中分离的主要理由的事不应被承认。
Conclusion.
结论。