A53732:117
The true nature of a Gospel church and its government
The true nature of a Gospel church and its government ... by the late pious and learned minister of the Gospel, John Owen ...
London: printed for William Marshall, 1689
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
8. FOR, whereas there are three things required unto a Covenant between God and Man. (1.) That it be of Gods appointment and institution. (2.) That upon a prescription of Duties there be a solemn engagement unto their performance on the part of Men. (3.) That there be especial promises of God annexed thereunto, in which consists the matter of Confederation, whereof mutual express Restipulation is the form; they all concur herein.
8. FOR, whereas there are three things required unto a Covenant between God and Man. (1.) That it be of Gods appointment and institution. (2.) That upon a prescription of Duties there be a solemn engagement unto their performance on the part of Men. (3.) That there be especial promises of God annexed thereunto, in which consists the matter of Confederation, whereof mutual express Restipulation is the form; they all concurr herein.
9. THIS Covenant which we intend, is not the Covenant of Grace absolutely considered; nor are all the Duties belonging unto that Covenant prescribed in it; but the principal of them, as Faith, Repentance, and the like, are presupposed unto it; nor hath annexed unto it all the promises and privileges of the New Covenant absolutely considered; but it is that which is prescribed as a Gospel Duty in the Covenant of Grace, whereunto do belong all the Duties of Evangelical Worship, all the powers and privileges of the Church, by virtue of the especial promise of the peculiar presence of Christ in such a Church.
10. WHEREAS therefore in the constitution of a Church, Believers do give up themselves unto the Lord, and are bound solemnly to engage themselves to do and observe all the things which Christ hath commanded to be done and observed in that state, whereon he hath promised to be present with them and among them in an especial manner, which presence of his, doth interest them in all the Rights, Powers and Privileges of the Church; their so doing, hath the nature of a Divine Covenant included in it, which is the Formal Cause of their Church Sate and Being.