A53732:223
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.
8. THERE are unto the discharge of this Office especial promises granted and annexed of present Assistances, and future eternal Rewards, Matth. 28.19. 1 Pet. 5.4. Either these promises belong unto them who take this Office on themselves without any Call, or they do not. If they do not, then have they neither any especial assistance in their Work, nor can expect any Reward of their Labours. If it be said they have an interest in them, then the worst of Men may obtain the ⟨p. 58⟩benefit of divine promises, without any divine designation.
9. THE general force of the Rule, Heb. 5.4. includes a prohibition of undertaking any sacred Office without a divine Call; and so the instances of such prohibitions under the Old Testament, as unto the Duties annexed unto an Office, as in the case of Uzziah invading the Priesthood, or of taking a Ministerial Office without Call or Mission, as Jerem. 27.9, 14, 15. having respect unto the order of Gods Institutions, may be pleaded in this case.
9. THE general force of the Rule, Heb. 5.4. includes a prohibition of undertaking any sacred Office without a divine Call; and so the instances of such prohibitions under the Old Testament, as unto the Duties annexed unto an Office, as in the case of Vzziah invading the Priesthood, or of taking a Ministerial Office without Call or Mission, as Jerem. 27.9, 14, 15. having respect unto the order of Gods Institutions, may be pleaded in this case.