A53732:856
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.
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.
OF these Delegates and Messengers of the Church, the Elders or Officers of them, or some of them at least, ought to be the principal. For there is a peculiar care of public Edification incumbent on them, which they are to exercise on all just occasions: They are presumed justly to know best the state of their own Churches, and to be best able to judge of matters under consideration. And they do better represent the Churches from whom they are sent, than any private Brethren can do; and so receive that Respect and Reverence which is due to the Churches themselves. As also they are ⟨p. 263⟩most meet to report and recommend the Synodal Determinations unto their Churches; and a contrary practice would quickly introduce confusion.
OF these Delegates and Messengers of the Church, the Elders or Officers of them, or some of them at least, ought to be the principal. For there is a peculiar care of publick Edification incumbent on them, which they are to exercise on all just occasions: They are presumed justly to know best the state of their own Churches, and to be best able to judge of matters under consideration. And they do better represent the Churches from whom they are sent, than any private Brethren can do; and so receive that Respect and Reverence which is due to the Churches themselves. As also they are ⟨p. 263⟩most meet to report and recommend the Synodal Determinations unto their Churches; and a contrary practice would quickly introduce confusion.
BUT yet it is not necessary that they alone should be so sent or Delegated by the Churches; but many have others joined with them, and had so until Prelatical Usurpation overturned their Liberties. So there were others beside Paul and Barnabas sent from Antioch to Jerusalem; and the Brethren of that Church, whatever is impudently pretended to the contrary, concurred in the Decree and Determination there made.
BUT yet it is not necessary that they alone should be so sent or Delegated by the Churches; but many have others joined with them, and had so until Prelatical Vsurpation overturned their Liberties. So there were others beside Paul and Barnabas sent from Antioch to Jerusalem; and the Brethren of that Church, whatever is impudently pretended to the contrary, concurred in the Decree and Determination there made.