A53732:132
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.
Chapter 3: Of the Polity, Rule, or Discipline of the Church in General.
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.
1. THE things last treated of concern the Essence of the Church, or the Essential Constituent Parts of it, according unto the appointment of Christ. It remains in the next place, that we should treat of it as it is Organical, or a Body Corporate; a spiritually Political Society, for the exercise of the Powers wherewith it is entrusted by Christ, and the due performance of the Duties which he requires. Now, whereas it is brought into this estate, by the setting, fixing or placing Officers in it, Method would require that we should first treat of them, their Nature, Names, Power, and the ways of coming unto their Offices. But, whereas all things concerning them are founded in the grant ⟨p. 28⟩of Power unto the Church it self, and the Institution of Polity and Rule therein by Jesus Christ, I shall first treat somewhat thereof in general.
1. THE things last treated of concern the Essence of the Church, or the Essential Constituent Parts of it, according unto the appointment of Christ. It remains in the next place, that we should treat of it as it is Organical, or a Body Corporate; a spiritually Political Society, for the exercise of the Powers wherewith it is intrusted by Christ, and the due performance of the Duties which he requires. Now, whereas it is brought into this estate, by the setting, fixing or placing Officers in it, Method would require that we should first treat of them, their Nature, Names, Power, and the ways of coming unto their Offices. But, whereas all things concerning them are founded in the grant ⟨p. 28⟩of Power unto the Church it self, and the Institution of Polity and Rule therein by Jesus Christ, I shall first treat somewhat thereof in general.
THAT which we intend on various considerations and in divers respects, is called the Power or Authority, the Polity, the Rule, the Government and the Discipline of the Church. The Formal Nature of it, is its Authority or Power. Its Polity, is skill and wisdom to act that Power unto its proper ends. Its Rule, is the actual exercise of that Power, according unto that skill and wisdom. Its Government is the Exercise and Application of that Authority according unto that skill, towards those that are its proper Objects. And it is called its Discipline, principally with respect unto its end. Yet is it not material whether these things are thus accurately distinguished; the same thing is intended in them all, which I shall call the Rule of the Church.