A53732:445
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.
3. ON the foregoing supposition there yet remains a distinction between the Office of a Pastor and Teacher; which, as far as light may be taken from their Names and distinct Ascriptions unto them, consists materially in the different Gifts which those to be called unto Office have received, which the Church in their call ought to have respect unto; and formally in the peculiar exercise of those Gifts in the discharge of their Office, according unto the Assignation of their especial Work unto them, which themselves are to attend unto.
3. ON the foregoing supposition there yet remains a distinction between the Office of a Pastor and Teacher; which, as far as light may be taken from their Names and distinct Asscriptions unto them, consists materially in the different Gifts which those to be called unto Office have received, which the Church in their call ought to have respect unto; and formally in the peculiar exercise of those Gifts in the discharge of their Office, according unto the Assignation of their especial Work unto them, which themselves are to attend unto.
UPON what hath been before discoursed concerning the Office of Pastors and Teachers, it may be enquired, Whether there may be many of them in a particular Church, or whether there ought only to be one of each sort: And I say,
1. TAKE Teachers in the Third Sense, for those who are only so, and have no farther interest in Office-Power, and there is no doubt, but that there may be as many of them in any Church as are necessary unto its Edification; and ought so to be. And a due observation of this institution, would prevent the inconvenience of Mens Preaching constantly, who are in no Office in the Church. For although I do grant, that those who have once been regularly or solemnly set A part or Ordained unto the Ministry, have the Right of constant Preaching inherent in them, and the Duty of it incumbent on them, though they may be separated from those Churches, wherein and unto whom they were peculiarly Ordained; yet for Men to give themselves up constantly unto the Work of Teaching by Preaching the Gospel, who never were set apart by the Church thereunto, I know not that it can be justified.