A53732:564
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.
3. THE Power that is exercised herein, is the Power and Authority of Christ committed unto the Elders. Our Authority, which the Lord Christ hath given us for Edification, and not for Destruction, 2 Cor. 10.8. It is granted unto the Rulers of the Church, not formally to reside in them, as the Power of a King is in his own person; but ministerially and instrumentally only. For it must be the Authority of Christ himself, whereby the Consciences of Men are spiritually affected, with reference unto spiritual Ends; whereby they are bound or loosed in Heaven and Earth, have their Sins remitted or retained. And the consideration hereof is that alone which gives a due regard unto the Ministry of the Church, in the discharge of their Office among them that desire to commend their Consciences unto the Lord Christ in what they do.
3. THE Power that is exercised herein, is the Power and Authority of Christ committed unto the Elders. Our Authority, which the Lord Christ hath given us for Edification, and not for Destruction, 2 Cor. 10.8. It is granted unto the Rulers of the Church, not formally to reside in them, as the Power of a King is in his own person; but ministerially and instrumentally only. For it must be the Authority of Christ himself, whereby the Consciences of Men are spiritually affected, with reference unto spiritual Ends; whereby they are bound or losed in Heaven and Earth, have their Sins remitted or retained. And the consideration hereof is that alone which gives a due regard unto the Ministry of the Church, in the discharge of their Office among them that desire to commend their Consciences unto the Lord Christ in what they do.
4. THE especial Design of the Rule of the Church in its Government is to represent the Holiness, Love, Compassion, Care and Authority of Christ towards his Church. This is the great end of Rule in the Church, and of all the Discipline which is to be exercised by virtue thereof. Whilst this is not attended unto, when the Officers and Rulers of the Church do not endeavour in all the actings of their Power and Office, to set forth these Virtues of Christ; to exemplify that impression of them which he hath left in his Laws and Rule, with the Divine Testimonies which he gives of them in his own person,