A53732:216
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.
1. CHRIST himself in his own Person, and by his own Authority, was the Author of this Office. He gave it, appointed it, erected it in the Church, by virtue of his Sovereign Power and Authority, Ephes. 4.11, 12. 1 Cor. 12.28. As he gave, appointed, ordained an extraordinary Office of Apostleship; so he ordained, appointed and gave the ordinary Office of Pastorship or Teaching. They have both the same Divine Original.
2. HE appointed this Office for continuance, or to abide in the Church unto the consummation of all things, Ephes. 4.13. Matth. 28.19. And therefore he took order by his Apostles, that for the continuation of this Office, Pastors, Elders or Bishops, should be called and ordained unto the care and discharge of it in all Churches; which was done by them accordingly, Act. 14.22, 23. Chap. 20.28. 1 Tim. 3.1, 2. Tit. 1.5. ⟨p. 56⟩Wherein he gave Rule unto all Churches unto the end of the World, and prescribed them their Duty.