A53732:802
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.
THIS Union of the Catholic Church in all particular Churches, is always the same, inviolable, unchangeable, comprehending all the Churches in the World at all times; not confinable unto any State or Party, not interruptible by any external form, nor to be prevailed against by the Gates of Hell; and all such Disputes about a Catholic Church, and its Union, as can be so much as questionable among them that profess to believe the Gospel, are in direct opposition unto the Prayers and Promises of Jesus Christ. Whilst Evangelical Faith, Holiness, Obedience unto the Commands of Christ, and Mutual Love abide in any on the Earth, there is the Catholic Church; and whilst they are professed, that Catholic Church is visible; other Catholic Church upon the Earth I believe none; nor any that needs other things unto its Constitution.
THIS Union of the Catholick Church in all particular Churches, is always the same, inviolable, unchangeable, comprehending all the Churches in the World at all times; not confinable unto any State or Party, not interruptible by any external form, nor to be prevailed against by the Gates of Hell; and all such Disputes about a Catholick Church, and its Vnion, as can be so much as questionable among them that profess to believe the Gospel, are in direct opposition unto the Prayers and Promises of Jesus Christ. Whilst Evangelical Faith, Holiness, Obedience unto the Commands of Christ, and Mutual Love abide in any on the Earth, there is the Catholick Church; and whilst they are professed, that Catholick Church is visible; other Catholick Church upon the Earth I believe none; nor any that needs other things unto its Constitution.
THESE things being premised, I proceed unto that which is our present Enquiry, namely, Wherein the Communion of particular Churches among themselves doth consist.
THE Communion of Churches, is their joint actings in the same Gospel Duties towards God in Christ, with their mutual actings towards each other, with respect unto the end of their Institution and Being, which is the Glory of Christ in the Edification of the whole Catholic Church.