A53732:213
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. ZEAL for the Glory of God in his whole Ministry, and in all the ends of it, had its continual residence in the holy Soul of the great Shepherd. Hence it is declared in an expression intimating that it was inexpressible. The zeal of thy House hath eaten me up. This also must accompany the discharge of the Pastoral Office, or it will find no acceptance with him. And the want of it, is one of those things which hath filled the World with a dead, faithless, fruitless Ministry.
5. AS he was absolutely in himself Holy, Harmless, Undefiled, separate from Sinners; so a conformity unto him in these things, and that in some degree of eminency above others, is required in them who are called unto this Office.
5. AS he was absolutely in himself Holy, Harmless, Vndefiled, separate from Sinners; so a conformity unto him in these things, and that in some degree of eminency above others, is required in them who are called unto this Office.
AGAIN, none can or may take this Office upon him, or discharge the Duties of it, which are peculiarly its own, with Authority, but he who is called and set apart thereunto according to the mind of Jesus Christ. The continuation of all Church-Order and Power, of the regular Administration of all sacred Ordinances, yea, of the very Being of the Church as it is Organical, depends on this Assertion. Some deny the continuation of the Office it self, and of those Duties which are peculiar unto it, as the Administration of the Sacraments. Some judge, that Persons neither called nor set apart unto this Office, may discharge all the Duties and the whole Work of it; some, that a temporary delegation of Power unto any by the Church, is all the warranty is necessary for the undertaking and discharge of this Office. Many have been the contests about these things, occasioned by the ignorance and disorderly affections of some Persons. I shall briefly represent the Truth herein with the Grounds of it; and proceed to the consideration of the call it self, which is so necessary.