A53732:582
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. IT is also their Duty, according to the advantage which they have by their peculiar inspection of all the Members of the Church, their ways and their walking, to acquaint the Pastors or Teaching-Elders of the Church, with the State of the Flock, which may be of singular use unto them for their Direction in the present Work of the Ministry. He who makes it not his business to know the State of the Church which he ministers unto in the Word and Doctrine, as to their Knowledge, their Judgment ⟨p. 176⟩and Understanding, their Temptations and Occasions, and applies not himself in his Ministry to search out what is necessary and useful unto their Edification; he fights uncertainly in his whole Work, as a Man beating the Air. But, whereas their obligation to attend unto the Word and Prayer, confines them much unto a retirement for the greatest part of their time, they cannot by themselves obtain that Acquaintance with the whole Flock, but that others may greatly assist therein from their daily Inspection, Converse and Observation.
9. AND it is their Duty to meet and consult with the Teaching-Elders, about such things of importance, as are to be proposed in and unto the Church, for its consent and compliance. Hence, nothing crude or indigested, nothing unsuited to the sense and Duty of the Church, will at any time be proposed therein, so to give occasion unto contests or janglings, disputes contrary unto Order or Decency; but all things may be preserved in a due regard unto the Gravity and Authority of the Rulers.
9. AND it is their Duty to meet and consult with the Teaching-Elders, about such things of importance, as are to be proposed in and unto the Church, for its consent and compliance. Hence, nothing crude or indigested, nothing unsuited to the sence and Duty of the Church, will at any time be proposed therein, so to give occasion unto contests or janglings, disputes contrary unto Order or Decency; but all things may be preserved in a due regard unto the Gravity and Authority of the Rulers.