A53732:532
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. GIVE such a probable enumeration of the distinct Offices in the Church, which they assert, namely, of Arch-Bishops, Bishops, Presbyters, and Chancellors, &c. and we shall yield the cause.
3. GIFTS alone do no more, give no other Warranty nor Authority, but only render Men meet for their exercise, as they are called, and as occasion doth require. If a Man hath received a Gift of Teaching, but is not called to Office, he is not obliged nor warranted thereby, to attend on public Teaching, nor is it required of him in a way of Duty, nor given in charge unto him, as here it is.
3. GIFTS alone do no more, give no other Warranty nor Authority, but only render Men meet for their exercise, as they are called, and as occasion doth require. If a Man hath received a Gift of Teaching, but is not called to Office, he is not obliged nor warranted thereby, to attend on publick Teaching, nor is it required of him in a way of Duty, nor given in charge unto him, as here it is.
4. THERE is in One, Rule required with diligence. He is [Greek or Hebrew], a Ruler; and it is required of him that he attend unto his Work with diligence. And there are but two things required unto the confirmation of our Thesis. (1.) That this Rule is an Act of Office-Power. (2.) That he unto whom it is ascribed, is distinguished from them unto whom the Pastoral and other Offices in the Church are committed.
4. THERE is in One, Rule required with diligence. He is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a Ruler; and it is required of him that he attend unto his Work with diligence. And there are but two things required unto the confirmation of our Thesis. (1.) That this Rule is an Act of Office-Power. (2.) That he unto whom it is ascribed, is distinguished from them unto whom the Pastoral and other Offices in the Church are committed.