A53732:561
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.
8. THE skill then of the Officers of the Church for the Government of it, is a spiritual Wisdom and Understanding in the Law of Christ, for that end, with an Ability to make application of it in all requisite Instances, unto the Edification of the whole Church, and all its Members, through a ministerial Exercise ⟨p. 166⟩of the Authority of Christ himself, and a due Representation of his Holiness, Love, Care, Compassion and Tenderness toward his Church.
8. THE skill then of the Officers of the Church for the Government of it, is a spiritual Wisdom and Vnderstanding in the Law of Christ, for that end, with an Ability to make application of it in all requisite Instances, unto the Edification of the whole Church, and all its Members, through a ministerial Exercise ⟨p. 166⟩of the Authority of Christ himself, and a due Representation of his Holiness, Love, Care, Compassion and Tenderness toward his Church.
1. THE sole Rule and Measure of the Government of the Church being the Law of Christ; that is, the Intimation and Declaration of his Mind and Will, in his Institutions, Commands, Prohibitions and Promises; an Understanding herein, with Wisdom, from that Understanding, is and must be the whole of the Skill enquired after. How this Wisdom is bestowed as a spiritual Gift, how it is to be acquired in a way of Duty, by Prayer, Meditation and study of the Word, hath been intimated before, and shall fully be declared, in our Discourse of spiritual Gifts. All Decrees and Decretals, Canons and Glosses come properly in this matter under one Title of them, namely Extravagant. The utmost Knowledge of them, and Skill in them will contribute nothing unto this Wisdom. Neither are any sort of Men more strangers unto it, or unacquainted with it, than they are, for the most part, who are eminently cunning in such Laws, and the Jurisdiction of Ecclesiastical Courts. But Wisdom in the knowledge of the Will of Christ as revealed in the Scripture, is that alone which is of use in the Government of the Church.