A53732:400
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. 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.
BUT this Case and its Determination, will hold only where the Divisions are incurable by any other ways and means. For if those who cause such Divisions may be cast out of the Church, or the Church may withdraw Communion from them; or if there be Divisions in fixed Parties and Principles, Opinions or Practices, they may separate into distinct Communion; in such cases this Remedy, by the Pastors laying down his Office, is not to be made use of; otherwise all things are to be done for Edification.
5. IT may be lawful, where the Church is wholly negligent in its Duty, and persists in that negligence after admonition, in