A53732:496
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. THEY do not in the least agree among themselves, scarce any Two of them, on what is the most probable sense of the Words, nor are any of them singly, well resolved what Application to make of them, nor unto what persons; but only propose things as their conjecture. But of very many opinions or conjectures that are advanced in this case, all of them but of one, are accompanied with the modesty of granting that divers sorts of Elders are here intended, which, without more than ordinary confidence, cannot be denied: But,
2. THEY do not in the least agree among themselves, scarce any Two of them, on what is the most probable sence of the Words, nor are any of them singly, well resolved what Application to make of them, nor unto what persons; but only propose things as their conjecture. But of very many opinions or conjectures that are advanced in this case, all of them but of one, are accompanied with the modesty of granting that divers sorts of Elders are here intended, which, without more than ordinary confidence, cannot be denied: But,
SOME by Elders that Rule well, do understand Bishops that are Diocesans; and by those that labour in the Word and Doctrine, ordinary Preaching Presbyters; which plainly gives them the advantage of Preeminence, Reverence and Maintenance above the other.
SOME by Elders that Rule well, do understand Bishops that are Diocesans; and by those that labour in the Word and Doctrine, ordinary Preaching Presbyters; which plainly gives them the advantage of Preheminence, Reverence and Maintenance above the other.
SOME by Elders that Rule well, understand ordinary Bishops and Presbyters; and by those that labour in the Word and Doctrine, Evangelists; so carrying the Text out of the present concernment of the Church, Deacons are esteemed by some to have an Interest in the Rule of the Church, and so to be intended in the first place; and Preaching Ministers in the latter.