A53732:818
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.
THE Church, in its dependence on Christ its Head, being by his Institution disposed unto its proper Order for its own Edification, or fitly joined together and compacted, this Love working effectually in every Office, Officer and Member, according as unto its disposal in the Body, for the receiving and communicating Supplies for Edification, gives the whole both its Union and Communion, all the actings of it being regulated by Divine Rule and Prescription.
THE Church, in its dependance on Christ its Head, being by his Institution disposed unto its proper Order for its own Edification, or fitly joined together and compacted, this Love working effectually in every Office, Officer and Member, according as unto its disposal in the Body, for the receiving and communicating Supplies for Edification, gives the whole both its Vnion and Communion, all the actings of it being regulated by Divine Rule and Prescription.
INSTEAD hereof to erect a Machine, the Spring and Centre of whose motions are unknown, any other, I mean, but external force compacted by the Iron joints and bands of humane Laws, edifying it self by the power of Offices and Officers, foreign unto the Scripture, acting with Weapons that are not Spiritual, but Carnal, and mighty through him whose Work it is to cast the Members of the Church of Christ into Prison, as unto an outward Conformity, is to forsake the Scripture and follow our own Imagination.
INSTEAD hereof to erect a Machine, the Spring and Center of whose motions are unknown, any other, I mean, but external force compacted by the Iron joints and bands of humane Laws, edifying it self by the power of Offices and Officers, foreign unto the Scripture, acting with Weapons that are not Spiritual, but Carnal, and mighty through him whose Work it is to cast the Members of the Church of Christ into Prison, as unto an outward Conformity, is to forsake the Scripture and follow our own Imagination.