A53732:376
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.
3. WHERE such Persons are by any means placed as Pastors in or over any Churches, and there is no way for the Removal or Reformation, it is Lawful unto, it is the Duty of every one who takes care of his own Edification and Salvation, to withdraw from the Communion of such Churches, and to join with such as wherein Edification is better provided for. For, whereas this is the sole end of Churches, of all their Offices, Officers and Administrations; it is the highest folly to imagine that any Disciple of Christ, can be, or is obliged by his Authority to abide in the Communion of such Churches, without seeking Relief in the ways of his Appointment, wherein that end is utterly overthrown.
4. WHERE the generality of Churches in any kind of Association are headed by Pastors defective in these things, in the matter declared, there all public Church-Reformation is morally impossible; and it is the Duty of private Men to take care of their own Souls, let Churches and Church-men say what they please.
4. WHERE the generality of Churches in any kind of Association are headed by Pastors defective in these things, in the matter declared, there all publick Church-Reformation is morally impossible; and it is the Duty of private Men to take care of their own Souls, let Churches and Church-men say what they please.
SOME few things may yet be enquired into, with reference unto the Office of a Pastor in the Church: As,