A53732:764
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.
CHAP. XI. Of the Communion of Churches.
CHURCHES so appointed, and established in Order as hath been declared, ought to hold Communion among themselves, or with each other, as unto all the ends of their Institution and Order: For these are the same in all. Yea, the general end of them, is in Order of Nature considered antecedently unto their Institution in particular. This end is the Edification of the Body of Christ in general, or the Church Catholic. The promotion hereof is committed jointly and severally unto all particular Churches. Wherefore, with respect hereunto, they are obliged unto mutual Communion among themselves, which is their consent, endeavour and conjunction in and for the promotion of the Edification of the Catholic Church, and therein their own, as they are Parts and Members of it.
CHURCHES so appointed, and established in Order as hath been declared, ought to hold Communion among themselves, or with each other, as unto all the ends of their Institution and Order: For these are the same in all. Yea, the general end of them, is in Order of Nature considered antecedently unto their Institution in particular. This end is the Edification of the Body of Christ in general, or the Church Catholick. The promotion hereof is committed jointly and severally unto all particular Churches. Wherefore, with respect hereunto, they are obliged unto mutual Communion among themselves, which is their consent, endeavour and conjunction in and for the promotion of the Edification of the Catholick Church, and therin their own, as they are Parts and Members of it.