A53732:481
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.
2. WHERE there is but one Elder in a Church, there cannot be an Eldership or Presbytery; as there cannot be a Senate ⟨p. 139⟩where there is but one Senator; which is contrary unto 1 Tim. 4.14.
3. THE continuation of every Church in its original State and Constitution, is, since the ceasing of extraordinary Offices and Powers, committed to the Care and Power of the Church it self. Hereunto the Calling and Ordaining of ordinary Officers, Pastors, Rulers, Elders, Teachers, do belong. And therein, as we have proved, both the Election of the People, submitting themselves unto them in the Lord, and the solemn setting of them apart by Imposition of Hands, do concur. But if there be but One Elder only in a Church, upon his Death or Removal, this Imposition of Hands must either be left unto the People, or be supplied by Elders of other Churches; or be wholly omitted, all which are irregular. And that Church-Order is defective, which wants the Symbol of Authoritative Ordination.
3. THE continuation of every Church in its original State and Constitution, is, since the ceasing of extraordinary Offices and Powers, committed to the Care and Power of the Church it self. Hereunto the Calling and Ordaining of ordinary Officers, Pastors, Rulers, Elders, Teachers, do belong. And therein, as we have proved, both the Election of the People, submitting themselves unto them in the Lord, and the solemn setting of them apart by Imposition of Hands, do concurr. But if there be but One Elder only in a Church, upon his Death or Removal, this Imposition of Hands must either be left unto the People, or be supplied by Elders of other Churches; or be wholly omitted, all which are irregular. And that Church-Order is defective, which wants the Symbol of Authoritative Ordination.