A53732:389
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.
4. A BISHOP, an Elder, a Pastor, being terms of Relation, to make any one so without Relation unto a Church, a People, a Flock, is to make him a Father who hath no Child, or an Husband who hath no Wife, a Relate ⟨p. 113⟩without a Correlate, which is impossible, and implies a contradiction.
5. IT is inconsistent with the whole nature and end of the Pastoral Office. Whoever is duly Called, set Apart or Ordained unto that Office, he doth therein and thereby take on himself the Discharge of all the Duties belonging thereunto, and is obliged to attend diligently unto them. If then we will take a view of what hath been proved before to belong unto this Office, we shall find, that not the least part, scarce any thing of it, can be undertaken and discharged by such as are Ordained absolutely without Relation unto particular Churches. For any to take upon them to commit an Office unto others, and not at the same time charge them with all the Duties of that Office and their immediate attendance on them; or for any to accept of an Office and Office-Power, not knowing when or where to exert the Power or perform the Duties of it, is irregular. In particular, Ruling is an essential part of the Pastoral Office, which they cannot attend unto who have none to be ruled by them.
2. MAY a Pastor remove from one Congregation unto another?