A53732:572
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.
1. THEY are joined unto the Teaching Elders in all Acts and Duties of Church-Power, for the Rule and Government of the Church. Such are those before declared. This is plain in the Text, 1 Tim. 5.17. Both sorts of Elders are joined and do concur in the same Rule and all the Acts of it; one sort of ⟨p. 172⟩them labouring also in the Word and Doctrine. Of both sorts is the Presbytery or Eldership composed, wherein resides all Church-Authority. And in this conjunction, those of both sorts are every way equal, determining all Acts of Rule by their common suffrage. This gives Order, with a necessary representation of Authority, unto the Church in its Government.
1. THEY are joined unto the Teaching Elders in all Acts and Duties of Church-Power, for the Rule and Government of the Church. Such are those before declared. This is plain in the Text, 1 Tim. 5.17. Both sorts of Elders are joined and do concurr in the same Rule and all the Acts of it; one sort of ⟨p. 172⟩them labouring also in the Word and Doctrine. Of both sorts is the Presbytery or Eldership composed, wherein resides all Church-Authority. And in this conjunction, those of both sorts are every way equal, determining all Acts of Rule by their common suffrage. This gives Order, with a necessary representation of Authority, unto the Church in its Government.
2. THEY are in particular to attend unto all things wherein the Rule or Discipline of the Church is concerned, with a due care that the Commands of Christ be duly observed by and among all the Members of the Church. This is the substance of the Rule which Christ hath appointed, whatever be pretended unto the contrary. Whatever is set up in the World, in opposition unto it or inconsistent with it, under the Name of the Government of the Church, is foreign unto the Gospel. Church-Rule is a due care and provision, that the Institutions, Laws, Commands and Appointments of Jesus Christ be duly observed, and nothing else. And hereof, as unto the Duty of the Elders, we may give some instances: As,