A53732:503
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.
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.
THE Proposition is evident in its own light from the very Terms of it. For to Preach, is to labour in the Word and Doctrine: Preaching or Teaching Elders, that do not labour in the Word and Doctrine, are Preaching or Teaching Elders that do not Preach or Teach. And to say that Preachers, whose Office and Duty is to Preach, are worthy of that double honour which is due on the account of Preaching, though they do not Preach, is uncouth and irrational. It is contrary to the Scripture, and the Light of Nature, as implying a contradiction, that a Man whose Office it is to Teach and Preach, should be esteemed worthy of double honour on the account of his Office, who doth not as an Officer Teach or Preach.