A53732:776
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.
IN the Church of Rome, the Person of the Pope, as he is Pope, is the Head and Centre of all Church Union. Nor is there allowed any Union of particular Churches with Christ or among themselves, but in and through him. An Universal subjection unto him and his Authority, is the original spring of all Church Union among them. And if any one Soul fail herein, if as unto things of Faith and Divine Worship, he do not depend on the Pope, and live in subjection unto him, he is reputed a Stranger and For•••ner unto the Catholic Church. Yea, they affirm, that be a Man never so willing for, and desirous of an Interest in Christ, he cannot have it but by the Pope.
IN the Church of Rome, the Person of the Pope, as he is Pope, is the Head and Center of all Church Union. Nor is there allowed any Vnion of particular Churches with Christ or among themselves, but in and through him. An Universal subjection unto him and his Authority, is the original spring of all Church Vnion among them. And if any one Soul fail herein, if as unto things of Faith and Divine Worship, he do not depend on the Pope, and live in subjection unto him, he is reputed a Stranger and For•••ner unto the Catholick Church. Yea, they affirm, that be a Man never so willing for, and desirous of an Interest in Christ, he cannot have it but by the Pope.
THE Communion of Churches congenial and suited unto this Union, proceeding from it, and exercised by virtue of it, ariseth from a various contignation of Order, or the erection of one story of Church Interest upon another, until we come to the Idol placed on the top of this Babel. So is this Communion carried on from the obedience and subjection of the lowest rubbish of Ecclesiastical Order, unto Diocesans, of them to Metropolitans, of them to Patriarchs or Cardinals, of them to the Pope; or an ascent is made from Diocesan Synods, by Provincial and National, to those that are called Ecumenical, whose Head is the Pope.
THE Communion of Churches congenial and suited unto this Union, proceeding from it, and exercised by virtue of it, ariseth from a various contignation of Order, or the erection of one story of Church Interest upon another, until we come to the Idol placed on the top of this Babel. So is this Communion carried on from the obedience and subjection of the lowest rubbish of Ecclesiastical Order, unto Diocesans, of them to Metropolitans, of them to Patriarchs or Cardinals, of them to the Pope; or an ascent is made from Diocesan Synods, by Provincial and National, to those that are called Oecumenical, whose Head is the Pope.