A53732:328
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.
BUT here it is enquired by some, Whether in case a Church have no Pastor at present, or a Teaching Elder with Pastoral Power, whether it may not delegate and appoint the Administration of these especial Ordinances, unto some Member of the Church at this or that season, who is meetly qualified for the outward Administration of them; which for the sake of some I shall examine.
1. NO Church is complete in Order without Teaching Officers; Ephes. 4.11, 12. 1 Cor. 12.27, 28.
1. NO Church is compleat in Order without Teaching Officers; Ephes. 4.11, 12. 1 Cor. 12.27, 28.
A CHURCH not complete in Order cannot be complete in Administrations; because the Power of Administrations depends upon the Power of Order proportionably. That is, the Power of the Church depends upon the Being of the Church. Hence the first Duty of a Church without Officers, is to obtain them according to Rule. And to endeavour to complete Administrations, without an antecedent completing of Order, is contrary unto the Mind of Christ, Act. 14.23. Tit. 1.5. That thou shouldst set in Order the things that are wanting, and Ordain Elders in every Church. The practice therefore proposed is irregular and contrary to the Mind of Christ.