A53732:398
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.
2. IT is not lawful, merely on a weariness of, and despondency under opposition and reproaches; which a Pastor is called and obliged to undergo for the Good and Edification of the Flock, and not to faint in the warfare whereto he is called.
2. IT is not lawful, meerly on a weariness of, and despondency under opposition and reproaches; which a Pastor is called and obliged to undergo for the Good and Edification of the Flock, and not to faint in the warfare wereto he is called.
THESE two were the Reasons of Eustathius at Perga, which were disallowed in the Council at Ephesus: But,
3. IT is lawful in such an incurable decay of Intellectual Abilities, as whereon a Man can discharge no Duty of the Pastoral Office unto the Edification of the Church.
4. IT is lawful, in case of incurable divisions in the Church constantly obstructing its Edification, and which cannot be removed whilst such a one continues in his Office, though he be no way the cause of them. This is the case wherein Clemens gives advice, and whereof Gregory gave an Example in his own practice.