A53732:810
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.
4. THE Unity of Faith in all Churches, affecteth Communion among them, in the Administration of the same Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. These are the same in, unto, and amongst them all. Neither do some, variations in the outward manner of their Administration, interrupt that Communion. But, where-ever the continuation of these Ordinances is denied, or their nature or use is perverted, or Idolatrous Worship is annexed unto their Administration, there Communion with the Catholic Church is renounced.
4. THE Vnity of Faith in all Churches, affecteth Communion among them, in the Administration of the same Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. These are the same in, unto, and amongst them all. Neither do some, variations in the outward manner of their Administration, interrupt that Communion. But, where-ever the continuation of these Ordinances is denied, or their nature or use is perverted, or Idolatrous Worship is annexed unto their Administration, there Communion with the Catholick Church is renounced.
5. THEY have also by Faith Communion herein, in that all Churches do profess a subjection unto the Authority of Christ in all things, and an obligation upon them to do and observe all whatsoever he hath Commanded.
OTHER instances of the like nature might be given; but these are sufficient to manifest how unscriptural the Notion is, That there is no proper Communion with or among Churches but what consists in a compliance with certain Powers, Orders ⟨p. 248⟩and Rites, the pressing whereof under the Name of Uniformity, hath cast all thoughts of real, Evangelical Church Communion into Oblivion.