A53732:526
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.
OUR next Testimony is from the same Apostle, Rom. 12.6, 7.
8. HAVING then Gifts differing according unto the Grace given unto us, whether Prophecy, let us Prophesy according to the proportion of Faith; or Ministry, let us wait on our Ministry; or he that Teacheth on Teaching; or he that Exhorts on Exhortation, he that giveth let him do it with simplicity, he that Ruleth with diligence, he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness.
8. HAVING then Gifts differing according unto the Grace given unto us, whether Prophecy, let us Prophesy according to the proportion of Faith; or Ministry, let us wait on our Ministry; or he that Teacheth on Teaching; or he that Exhorts on Exhortation, he that giveth let him do it with simplicity, he that Ruleth with diligence, he that sheweth mercy with cheerfulness.
OUR Argument from hence is this; There is in the Church [Greek or Hebrew] one that Ruleth; [Greek or Hebrew] is to Rule with Authority by virtue of Office, whence is [Greek or Hebrew], and [Greek or Hebrew], one that Presides over others with Authority. For the discharge of their Office, there is [Greek or Hebrew], a differing peculiar Gift bestowed on some; [Greek or Hebrew], ver. 7. and there is the especial manner prescribed for the discharge of this especial Office, by virtue of that especial Gift; [Greek or Hebrew], it is to be done with peculiar diligence. And this Ruler is distinguished from him that Exhorteth, and him that Teacheth, with whose especial Work, as such, he hath nothing to do; even as they are distinguished from those who give and show mercy. That is, there is an Elder by Office in the Church, whose Work and Duty it is to Rule, not to Exhort or Teach Ministerially, which is our Ruling Elder.