A53732:256
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.
NOTHING can be weaker than this pretence or evasion. For, (1.) The Question is concerning the Calling of Persons unto Office in the Church in general, whereof we have here a Rule, whereunto no exception is any way entered. (2.) This cannot be fairly pleaded by them who appoint Deacons to Preach, Baptize and Officiate publicly in all holy things, excepting only the Administration of the Eucharist. (3.) If the people are meet and able to judge of them who are of honest report, and full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom, which is here required of them, they are able to judge who are meet to be their Pastors. (4.) The Argument holds strongly on the other side; namely, that if it be right and equal, if it be of divine appointment and Apostolical practice, that the people should choose those who were to Collect and Distribute their Charitable Benevolence because of their concernment therein, much more are they to enjoy the same Liberty, Right and Privilege in the choice of their Pastors, unto whom they commit the care of their Souls, and submit themselves unto their Authority in the Lord.
NOTHING can be weaker than this pretence or evasion. For, (1.) The Question is concerning the Calling of Persons unto Office in the Church in general, whereof we have here a Rule, whereunto no exception is any way entred. (2.) This cannot be fairly pleaded by them who appoint Deacons to Preach, Baptize and Officiate publickly in all holy things, excepting only the Administration of the Eucharist. (3.) If the people are meet and able to judge of them who are of honest report, and full of the Holy Ghost and Wisdom, which is here required of them, they are able to judge who are meet to be their Pastors. (4.) The Argument holds strongly on the other side; namely, that if it be right and equal, if it be of divine appointment and Apostolical practice, that the people should choose those who were to Collect and Distribute their Charitable Benevolence because of their concernment therein, much more are they to enjoy the same Liberty, Right and Privilege in the choice of their Pastors, unto whom they commit the care of their Souls, and submit themselves unto their Authority in the Lord.
3. ACCORDINGLY they did use the same liberty in the choice of their Elders,