A53732:552
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.
Chapter 8: The Nature of Church-Polity or Rule; with the Duty of 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.
CHAP. VIII. The Nature of Church-Polity or Rule; with the Duty of Elders.
HAVING declared who are the Rulers of the Church, something must be added concerning the Rule it self, which is to be exercised therein. Hereof I have Treated before in general: That which I now design, is, what in particular respects them who are called unto Rule ⟨p. 162⟩only; whereunto some Considerations must be premised.
1. THERE is Power, Authority, and Rule granted unto and residing in some Persons of the Church, and not in the Body of the Fraternity or Community of the People. How far the Government of the Church may be denominated Democratical from the necessary consent of the people unto the principal Acts of it in its exercise, I shall not determine. But whereas this consent, and the liberty of it is absolutely necessary according to the Law of Obedience unto Christ, which is prescribed unto the Church, requiring that all they do in compliance therewith be voluntary; as unto the manner of its exercise, being in dutiful compliance with the guidance of the Rule, it changeth not the State of the Government. And therefore, where any thing is Acted and Disposed in the Church, by Suffrage, or the plurality of Voices, the Vote of the Fraternity is not Determining and Authoritative, but only declarative of consent and obedience. It is so, in all Acts of Rule where the Church is Organical, or in complete Order.
1. THERE is Power, Authority, and Rule granted unto and residing in some Persons of the Church, and not in the Body of the Fraternity or Community of the People. How far the Government of the Church may be denominated Democratical from the necessary consent of the people unto the principal Acts of it in its exercise, I shall not determine. But whereas this consent, and the liberty of it is absolutely necessary according to the Law of Obedience unto Christ, which is prescribed unto the Church, requiring that all they do in compliance therewith be voluntary; as unto the manner of its exercise, being in dutiful compliance with the guidance of the Rule, it changeth not the State of the Government. And therefore, where any thing is Acted and Disposed in the Church, by Suffrage, or the plurality of Voices, the Vote of the Fraternity is not Determining and Authoritative, but only declarative of consent and obedience. It is so, in all Acts of Rule where the Church is Organical, or in compleat Order.