A53734:259
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…
Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit as a comforter, the other, As He is the author of spiritual gifts ... / by ... John Owen.
London: printed for William Marshall, 1693
OF Spiritual Gifts. PART II. › Chapter 3: Of Gifts and Offices Extraordinary: And first of Offices.
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.
(§ 20.) FOR, (3) There are not any now, who do pretend unto their Principal Employment by Virtue of Office, nor can so do. For it is certain, that the Principal Work of the Evangelists was to go up and down from one Place and Nation unto ⟨p. 157⟩another, to preach the Gospel unto Jews and Gentiles as yet unconverted, and their Commission unto this purpose was as large and extensive as that of the Apostles. But who shall now empower any one hereunto? What Church, what Persons have received Authority to Ordain any one to be such an Evangelist? Or what Rules or Directions are given as to their Qualifications, Power or Duty; or how they should be so ordained? It is true, those who are ordained Ministers of the Gospel, and others also that are the Disciples of Christ, may and ought to preach the Gospel to unconverted Persons and Nations as they have opportunity, and are particularly guided by the Providence of God: But that any Church or Person have Power or Authority to ordain a Person unto this Office and Work, cannot be proved.
(§ 20.) FOR, (3) There are not any now, who do pretend unto their Principal Employment by Vertue of Office, nor can so do. For it is certain, that the Principal Work of the Evangelists was to go up and down from one Place and Nation unto ⟨p. 157⟩another, to preach the Gospel unto Jews and Gentiles as yet unconverted, and their Commission unto this purpose was as large and extensive as that of the Apostles. But who shall now empower any one hereunto? What Church, what Persons have received Authority to Ordain any one to be such an Evangelist? Or what Rules or Directions are given as to their Qualifications, Power or Duty; or how they should be so ordained? It is true, those who are ordained Ministers of the Gospel, and others also that are the Disciples of Christ, may and ought to preach the Gospel to unconverted Persons and Nations as they have opportunity, and are particularly guided by the Providence of God: But that any Church or Person have Power or Authority to ordain a Person unto this Office and Work, cannot be proved.