A53732:224
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.
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.
10. WHOEVER therefore takes upon him the Pastoral Office without a lawful outward Call, doth take unto himself Power and Authority without any divine Warranty, which is a foundation of all disorder and confusion; interests himself in an accountable Trust, no way committed unto him; hath no promise of Assistance in, or Reward for his Work, but engageth in that which is destructive of all Church-Order, and consequently of the very Being of the Church it self.
10. WHOEVER therefore takes upon him the Pastoral Office without a lawful outward Call, doth take unto himself Power and Authority without any divine Warranty, which is a foundation of all disorder and confusion; interests himself in an accountable Trust, no way committed unto him; hath no promise of Assistance in, or Reward for his Work, but ingageth in that which is destructive of all Church-Order, and consequently of the very Being of the Church it self.