A53732:772
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.
BUT it must be moreover premised, that whereas this Communion of Churches is Radically and Essentially the same among all Churches in the World, yet, as unto the ordinary actual exercise of the Duties of it, it is confined and limited by Divine Providence, unto such Churches, as the natural means of the discharge of such Duties may extend unto. That is unto those which are planted within such Lines of Communication, such precincts or boundaries of Places and Countries, as may not render the mutual performance of such Duties insuperably ⟨p. 237⟩difficult. Yet is not the World it self so wide, but that all places being made pervious by Navigation, this Communion of Churches may be visibly professed, and in some instances practised among all Churches, from the rising of the Sun even unto the going-down of the same, where the Name of Christ is known among the Gentiles; wherein the true nature of the Catholic Church and its Union doth consist, which is utterly overthrown by the most vehement pretences that are made unto it, as those in the Church of Rome.
BUT it must be moreover premised, that whereas this Communion of Churches is Radically and Essentially the same among all Churches in the World, yet, as unto the ordinary actual exercise of the Duties of it, it is confined and limited by Divine Providence, unto such Churches, as the natural means of the discharge of such Duties may extend unto. That is unto those which are planted within such Lines of Communication, such precincts or boundaries of Places and Countries, as may not render the mutual performance of such Duties insuperably ⟨p. 237⟩difficult. Yet is not the World it self so wide, but that all places being made pervious by Navigation, this Communion of Churches may be visibly professed, and in some instances practised among all Churches, from the rising of the Sun even unto the going-down of the same, where the Name of Christ is known among the Gentiles; wherein the true nature of the Catholick Church and its Union doth consist, which is utterly overthrown by the most vehement pretences that are made unto it, as those in the Church of Rome.