A53732:436
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.
2. THE name of a Teacher, neither in its native signification, nor in its ordinary application, as expressive of the Work of this Office, doth extend it self beyond, or signify any thing but the mere Power and Duty of Teaching. It is otherwise as unto the names of Pastors, Bishops or Overseers, Elders, which as unto the two former, their constant use in Scripture suited unto their signification, includes the whole Work of the Ministry; and the latter is a name of Dignity and Rule. Upon the proposal of Church-Officers under these names, the whole of Office-Power and Duty is apprehended as included in them. But the name of a Teacher, especially, as significant of that of Rabbi among the Jews, carries along with it a confinement unto an especial Work or Duty.
2. THE name of a Teacher, neither in its native signification, nor in its ordinary application, as expressive of the Work of this Office, doth extend it self beyond, or signifie any thing but the meer Power and Duty of Teaching. It is otherwise as unto the names of Pastors, Bishops or Overseers, Elders, which as unto the two former, their constant use in Scripture suited unto their signification, includes the whole Work of the Ministry; and the latter is a name of Dignity and Rule. Upon the proposal of Church-Officers under these names, the whole of Office-Power and Duty is apprehended as included in them. But the name of a Teacher, especially, as significant of that of Rabbi among the Jews, carries along with it a confinement unto an especial Work or Duty.
3. I DO judge it lawful for any Church, from the nature of the thing it self, Scripture, general Rules and Directions, to choose, call and set apart meet Persons unto the Office, Work and Duty of Teachers, without an interest in the Rule of the Church, or the Administration of the Holy Ordinances of Worship. The same thing is practised by many for the substance of it, though not in due order. And, it may be, the practice hereof duly observed, would lead us unto the Original Institution of this Office. But,