A53732:797
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.
FOR unto the completing of this Union on the part of the Church, these things are required. (1.) Faith in him, or holding him as the Head, in the sincere belief of all things concerning his Person, Office and Doctrine in the Gospel, with whatever belongs thereunto. (2.) Love unto him and all that is his. (3.) That especial Holiness, whose foundation is Repentance and Effectual Vocation. (4.) The Observance of his Commands, as unto all Duties of Divine Worship. These things are essentially requisite unto this Union on the part of the Church. The Reality and Power of them, is the internal form of the Church; and the profession of them is its external form.
FOR unto the compleating of this Vnion on the part of the Church, these things are required. (1.) Faith in him, or holding him as the Head, in the sincere belief of all things concerning his Person, Office and Doctrine in the Gospel, with whatever belongs thereunto. (2.) Love unto him and all that is his. (3.) That especial Holiness, whose foundation is Repentance and Effectual Vocation. (4.) The Observance of his Commands, as unto all Duties of Divine Worship. These things are essentially requisite unto this Union on the part of the Church. The Reality and Power of them, is the internal form of the Church; and the profession of them is its external form.
2. THERE concurreth hereunto an Union among themselves, I mean all particular Churches throughout the World, in whom the Church Catholic doth Act its Power and Duty, And the Relation that is between these Churches, is that which is termed Relatio aequiparentiae, wherein neither of the Relata is the first foundation of it; but they are equal. It doth not arise from the Subordination of one unto another, they being all equal as unto what concerns their Essence and Power. And the bond hereof is that especial Love which Christ requireth among all his Disciples, acting it self unto all the ends of the Edification of the whole Body.
2. THERE concurreth hereunto an Vnion among themselves, I mean all particular Churches throughout the World, in whom the Church Catholick doth Act its Power and Duty, And the Relation that is between these Churches, is that which is termed Relatio aequiparentiae, wherein neither of the Relata is the first foundation of it; but they are equal. It doth not arise from the Subordination of one unto another, they being all equal as unto what concerns their Essence and Power. And the bond hereof is that especial Love which Christ requireth among all his Disciples, acting it self unto all the ends of the Edification of the whole Body.