A53732:583
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.
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.
10. TO take care of the due Liberties of the Church, that they be not imposed on by any Diotrephes in Office, or without it.
11. IT is incumbent on them in times of Difficulties and Persecution, to consult together with the other Elders concerning all those things which concern the present Duty of the Church, from time to time, and their preservation from violence, according unto the will of Christ.