A53732:502
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.
GROTIUS, as was before intimated, Disputes against the Divine Institution of such Temporary Lay-Elders as are made use of in sundry of the Reformed Churches. But when he hath done, he affirms, That it is highly necessary that such conjunct Associates in Rule from among the people, should be in every Church; which he proves by sundry Arguments. And these he would have either nominated by the Magistrate, or chosen by the People.
GROTIVS, as was before intimated, Disputes against the Divine Institution of such Temporary Lay-Elders as are made use of in sundry of the Reformed Churches. But when he hath done, he affirms, That it is highly necessary that such conjunct Associates in Rule from among the people, should be in every Church; which he proves by sundry Arguments. And these he would have either nominated by the Magistrate, or chosen by the People.
WHEREFORE, omitting all contests about the forementioned conceits, or any other of the like nature, I shall propose ⟨p. 146⟩One Argument from these Words, and vindicate it from the exceptions of those of the latter sort.
PREACHING Elders, although they Rule well, are not worthy of double Honour, unless they labour in the Word and Doctrine. BUT there are Elders who Rule well that are worthy of double Honour, though they do not labour in the Word and Doctrine. THEREFORE, there are Elders that Rule well, who are not Teaching or Preaching Elders, that is who are Ruling Elders only.
PREACHING Elders, although they Rule well, are not worthy of double Honour, unless they labour in the Word and Doctrine. BVT there are Elders who Rule well that are worthy of double Honour, though they do not labour in the Word and Doctrine. THEREFORE, there are Elders that Rule well, who are not Teaching or Preaching Elders, that is who are Ruling Elders only.