The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

I SAY the Holy Spirit of Grace and Love, being given from Christ, the Fountain and Centre of all Church-Union, to dwell in, and abide with his Church, thereby uniting it unto himself, doth work in it, and all the Members of it, that mutual Love, which may, and doth animate them unto all those mutual Acts which are proper unto the Relation wherein they stand, by virtue of their Union unto Christ their Head, as Members of the same Body one with another.

I SAY the Holy Spirit of Grace and Love, being given from Christ, the Fountain and Center of all Church-Union, to dwell in, and abide with his Church, thereby uniting it unto himself, doth work in it, and all the Members of it, that mutual Love, which may, and doth animate them unto all those mutual Acts which are proper unto the Relation wherein they stand, by virtue of their Union unto Christ their Head, as Members of the same Body one with another.

HEREIN consists the Union of every Church in it self, of all Churches among themselves, and so of the whole Catholic Church; their Communion consisting in regular Acts and Duties, proceeding from this Love, and required by virtue of it.

HEREIN consists the Union of every Church in it self, of all Churches among themselves, and so of the whole Catholick Church; their Communion consisting in regular Acts and Duties, proceeding from this Love, and required by virtue of it.

THIS account of the Union and Communion of Churches may seem strange unto some, who are enamoured on that Image which is set up of them in the World, in Canons, Constitutions of Rites, and outward Order in various Subordinations and Ceremonies, which are most remote from making any due Representation of them.