The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

Name: The true nature of a Gospel church and its government
Author: John Owen

The true nature of a Gospel church and its government ... by the late pious and learned minister of the Gospel, John Owen ...

John Owen 1616–1683London: printed for William Marshall, 1689

[20], 268 p. · 105k words · Wing O815 · ESTC R13410

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Chapter 7: Of the Rule of the Church; or, of Ruling Elders.

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.

[ Earlier:537–552 of 882

:537p. 154¶2

2. THE Gifts spoken of, are in general, referred unto all them who are intended. Now these are either the whole Church, and all the Members of it, or all the Officers of the Church only. Hence it is expressed in the Plural number, [Greek or Hebrew], we having; that is, all we that are concerned herein. This cannot be all of the Church; for all the Church have not received the Gifts of Prophecy and Ministry. Nor can any distinction be made of who doth receive them, and who doth not, but with respect unto Office. And therefore,

2. THE Gifts spoken of, are in general, referred unto all them who are intended. Now these are either the whole Church, and all the Members of it, or all the Officers of the Church only. Hence it is expressed in the Plural number, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, we having; that is, all we that are concerned herein. This cannot be all of the Church; for all the Church have not received the Gifts of Prophecy and Ministry. Nor can any distinction be made of who doth receive them, and who doth not, but with respect unto Office. And therefore,

:538p. 154–155¶3

3. IN the Distribution which ensues of Prophecy, into Exhorting and Teaching; and of Ministry into Showing, Mercy, Rule, and Giving; having stated these Gifts in general, in the Officers in general, making distinct Application of them unto distinct Officers, he speaks in the Singular number, ⟨p. 155⟩[Greek or Hebrew]. He that Teacheth, he that Exhorteth, he that Ruleth.

3. IN the Distribution which ensues of Prophecy, into Exhorting and Teaching; and of Ministry into Shewing, Mercy, Rule, and Giving; having stated these Gifts in general, in the Officers in general, making distinct Application of them unto distinct Officers, he speaks in the Singular number, ⟨p. 155⟩

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Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

CHAP. VIII. The Nature of Church-Polity or Rule; with the Duty of Elders.