A53732:467
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.
4. THE Work of Rule, as distinct from Teaching, is in general to watch over the walking or conversation of the Members of the Church with Authority, Exhorting, Comforting, Admonishing, Reproving, Encouraging, Directing of them, as occasion shall require. The Gifts necessary hereunto, are Diligence, Wisdom, Courage and Gravity, as we shall see afterwards. The Pastoral Work, is principally to reveal the whole Counsel of God, to divide the Word aright, or to labour in the Word and Doctrine, both as unto the general Dispensation, and particular Application of it, in all seasons, and on all occasions.
4. THE Work of Rule, as distinct from Teaching, is in general to watch over the walking or conversation of the Members of the Church with Authority, Exhorting, Comforting, Admonishing, Reproving, Incouraging, Directing of them, as occasion shall require. The Gifts necessary hereunto, are Diligence, Wisdom, Courage and Gravity, as we shall see afterwards. The Pastoral Work, is principally to reveal the whole Counsel of God, to divide the Word aright, or to labour in the Word and Doctrine, both as unto the general Dispensation, and particular Application of it, in all seasons, and on all occasions.
HEREUNTO Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge, Sound Judgment, Experience and Utterance are required, all to be improved by continual study of the Word and Prayer. But this difference of Gifts, unto these distinct Works, doth not of it self constitute distinct Offices, because the same Persons may be meetly furnished with those of both sorts.
HEREUNTO Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge, Sound Judgment, Experience and Vtterance are required, all to be improved by continual study of the Word and Prayer. But this difference of Gifts, unto these distinct Works, doth not of it self constitute distinct Offices, because the same Persons may be meetly furnished with those of both sorts.