A53732:411
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.
Chapter 6: Of the Office of Teachers in the Church, or an Enquiry into the State, Condition, and W…
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.
THERE are Four Opinions concerning those who are called by this Name in the New Testament.
1. SOME say, that no Office at all is denoted by it; it being only a general Appellation of those that taught others, whether constantly or occasionally. Such were the Prophets in the Church of Corinth, that spake occasionally and in their turns, 1 Cor. 14. Which is that which all might do who had ability for it, v. 5.24, 25.
2. SOME say, it is only another name for the same Office with that of a Pastor, and so not to denote any distinct Office; of which mind Hierom seems to be, Ephes. 4.
3. OTHERS allow, that it was a distinct Office, whereunto some were called and set apart in the Church, but it was only to Teach (and that in a peculiar manner) the Principles of Religion, but had no Interest in the Rule of the Church, or the Administration of the Sacred Mysteries; so the Pastor in the Church was to Rule and Teach, and Administer the Sacred Mysteries: The Teacher to Teach or Instruct only, but not to Rule, nor Dispense the Sacraments; and the Ruling Elder to Rule only, and neither to Preach nor Administer Sacraments; which hath the appearance of Order, both useful and beautiful.