A53732:119
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.
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.
11. BESIDES, as we have proved before, there are many mutual Duties required of all which join in Church Societies, and Powers to be exercised and submitted unto, whereunto none ⟨p. 24⟩can be obliged without their own consent. They must give up themselves unto one another by the will of God. That is, they must agree, consent and engage among themselves to observe all those mutual Duties, to use all those Privileges, and to exercise all those Powers, which the Lord Christ hath prescribed and granted unto his Church. See Jerem. 50.4, 5.
12. THIS completes the confederation intended, which is the Formal Cause of the Church; and without which, either expressly or virtually performed, there can be no Church State.
12. THIS compleats the confederation intended, which is the Formal Cause of the Church; and without which, either expresly or virtually performed, there can be no Church State.