A53732:784
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.
I SAY again, This assigning of the original of all Church Order, Union and Communion unto the Pope of Rome, investing him therewith as an Article of Faith, constituting him thereby the Head of the Church; and the Church thereon his Body, as it must be if he be its Head; so as that from him all power of Order, and for all Acts of Communion, should be derived, returning all in Obedience and Subjection unto him, doth set up a visible, conspicuous Anti-christian Church State, in opposition unto Christ and the Catholic Church. But with this sort of Men we deal not at present.
I SAY again, This assigning of the original of all Church Order, Union and Communion unto the Pope of Rome, investing him therewith as an Article of Faith, constituting him thereby the Head of the Church; and the Church thereon his Body, as it must be if he be its Head; so as that from him all power of Order, and for all Acts of Communion, should be derived, returning all in Obedience and Subjection unto him, doth set up a visible, conspicuous Anti-christian Church State, in opposition unto Christ and the Catholick Church. But with this sort of Men we deal not at present.
THERE is a pretence unto an •nion of Churches not derived from the Papal Headship. And this consists in the Canonical subjection of particular Churches unto a Diocesan Bishop; and of such Bishops to Metropolitans; which though de facto it be at present terminated and stated within the bounds of a Nation; yet de jure it ought to be extended unto the whole Catholic Church.
THERE is a pretence unto an •nion of Churches not derived from the Papal Headship. And this consists in the Canonical subjection of particular Churches unto a Diocesan Bishop; and of such Bishops to Metropolitans; which though de facto it be at present terminated and stated within the bounds of a Nation; yet de jure it ought to be extended unto the whole Catholick Church.