A53732:431
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.
4thly. THESE Teachers are set in the Church as in a distinct Office from that of Prophets; Secondarily, Prophets, Thirdly, Teachers, 1 Cor. 12.28. And so they are mentioned distinctly in the Church of Antioch, Act. 13.1. There were in the Church at Antioch Prophets and Teachers. But in both places Pastors are comprised under the name of Prophets; Exhortation being an especial branch of Prophecy, Rom. 12.6, 7, 8.
4thly. THESE Teachers are set in the Church as in a distinct Office from that of Prophets; Secondarily, Prophets, Thirdly, Teachers, 1 Cor. 12.28. And so they are mentioned distinctly in the Church of Antioch, Act. 13.1. There were in the Church at Antioch Prophets and Teachers. But in both places Pastors are comprized under the name of Prophets; Exhortation being an especial branch of Prophecy, Rom. 12.6, 7, 8.
5. THERE is a peculiar institution of Maintenance for these Teachers, which argues a distinct Office, Gal. 6.6.
FROM all these considerations, it appears, that the Teachers mentioned in the Scripture, were Officers in the Church distinct from Pastors. For they are distinguished from them, (1.) By their Name, declarative of the especial nature of their Office. (2.) By their peculiar Work, which they are to attend unto, in Teaching by virtue of Office. (3.) By the distinct placing in the Church as peculiar Officers in it, distinct from Prophets or Pastors. (4.) By the especial constitution of their necessary Maintenance. (5.) By the necessity of their Work to be distinctly carried on in the Church. Which may suffice for the removal of the Second Opinion.