A53677:65
The church of Rome, no safe guide, or, Reasons to prove that no rational…
The church of Rome, no safe guide, or, Reasons to prove that no rational man, who takes due care of his own eternal salvation, can give himself up unto the conduct of that church in matters of religion by John Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1679
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. In no one place, either in express words, or by direct consequence, are Believers or the Disciples of Christ, directed in this case to betake themselves unto such a Guidance of the Church of Rome. They are not so in any one place where these Divisions are foretold, where properly such directions should be expected or no where; nor yet in any other place whatever. Any one Divine Testimony unto this purpose, giving this Direction on that supposition, shall for ever determine this Controversy.
2. In no one place, either in express words, or by direct consequence, are Believers or the Disciples of Christ, directed in this case to betake themselves unto such a Guidance of the Church of Rome. They are not so in any one place where these Divisions are foretold, where properly such directions should be expected or no where; nor yet in any other place whatever. Any one Divine Testimony unto this purpose, giving this Direction on that supposition, shall for ever determine this Controversie.
Shall we think that the Lord Jesus Christ, foreknowing, foretelling, and warning all his Disciples of such a dangerous state and condition, as from which they cannot escape or be delivered, without a Guide that will safely lead and conduct them, if there were but one such Guide prepared and appointed by him, should no where in any Divine Revelation direct them thereunto? Doth a supposition hereof truly represent unto us his love, care and compassion towards the Church? Can any thing more injurious unto his Wisdom, Faithfulness and Honour, be once imagined? It is impossible therefore that any man in the case supposed, should betake himself unto the sole conduct of the Pope or Church of Rome, without casting contempt on him and his Authority. But,
3. Yet there is farther Evidence of his Mind herein, in that we are expressly in this case directed unto another Guide, without any mention of the Church of Rome, which is utterly exclusive of this pretence. For (1.) All Believers are commanded themselves to examine and try all false Teachers, Prophets and Spirits that are not of God, Doctrines subverting the Faith, and endangering the souls of men; which is utterly inconsistent with that absolute universal Resignation of themselves unto the Guidance of the Church of Rome, which is claimed by it.