A53732:202
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 name of a Pastor or Shepherd is Metaphorical. It is a Denomination suited unto his Work, denoting the same Office and Person with a Bishop or Elder, spoken of absolutely without limitation unto either Teaching or Ruling. 1And it seems to be used or applied unto this Office, because it is more comprehensive of, and instructive in all the Duties that belong unto it, than any other Name whatever; nay, than all of them put together. The Grounds and Reasons of this Metaphor, or whence the Church is called a Flock, and whence God termeth himself the Shepherd of the Flock; whence the Sheep of this Flock are committed unto Christ, whereon he becomes the good Shepherd that lays down his Life for the Sheep, and the Prince of Shepherds; what is the interest of Men in a participation of this Office, and what their Duty thereon, are things well worth the consideration of them who are called unto it. Hirelings, yea, Wolves and dumb Dogs, do in many places take on themselves to be Shepherds of the Flock, by whom it is devoured and destroyed.
- 1Act. 20.18, 29. 1 Pet. 5.2, 3. Cant. 1.7. Jerem. 13.17. Chap. 23.2. Ezek. 34.3. Gen. 49.24. Psal. 23.1. Psal. 80.1. Joh. 10.11, 14, 16. Heb. 13.20. 1 Pet. 2.25. Chap. 5.4.