A90265:112
The duty of pastors and people distinguished [sic]. Or A brief discourse, touching the…The duty of pastors and people distingushed [sic]. Or A briefe discourse, touching the…
The duty of pastors and people distinguished [sic]. Or A brief discourse, touching the administration of things commanded in religion. Especially concerning the means to be used by the people of God (distinct from church-officers) for the increasing of divine knowledge in themselves and others. Wherein bounds are prescribed to their performances, their liberty is enlarged to the utmost extent of the dictates of nature and rules of charity: their duty laid down in directions, drawn from Scripture-precepts, and the practise of Gods people in all ages. Together with the several ways of extraordinary calling to the office of public teaching, with what assurance such teachers may have of their calling, and what evidence they can give of it, unto others. / By John Owen, M.A. of Q. Col. O.The duty of pastors and people distingushed [sic]. Or A briefe discourse, touching the administration of things commanded in religion. Especially concerning the means to be used by the people of God (distinct from church-officers) for the increasing of divine knowledge in themselves and others. Wherein bounds are prescribed to their peformances, their liberty is enlarged to the utmost extent of the dictates of nature and rules of charity: their duty laid downe in directions, drawn from Scripture-precepts, and the practise of Gods people in all ages. Together with the severall wayes of extraordinary calling to the office of publike teaching, with what assurance such teachers may have of their calling, and what evidence they can give of it, unto others. / By John Ovven, M.A. of Q. Col. O.
London: printed by L. N. for Philemon Stephens, 1644
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.
Men ought not under a pretence, of congregating themselves to serve their God, separate from their brethren, neglecting the ⟨p. 49⟩public Assemblies, as was the manner of some, rebuked by the Apostle, Heb. 10. 25. there be peculiar blessings, and transcendent privileges annexed to public Assemblies, which accompany not private men to their recesses; the sharp-edged sword becomes more keen, when set on by a skilful master of the Assemblies; and when the water of the word flows there, the spirit of God moves upon the face thereof, to make it effectual in our hearts: What, despise you the Church of God? 1 Cor. 11. 22.
Men ought not under a pretence, of congregating themselves to serve their God, separate from their brethren, neglecting the ⟨p. 49⟩pnblick Assemblies, as was the manner of some, rebuked by the Apostle, Heb. 10. 25. there be peculiar blessings, and transcendent priviledges annexed to publick Assemblies, which accompany not private men to their recesses; the sharp-edged sword becomes more keene, when set on by a skilfull master of the Assemblies; and when the water of the word flowes there, the spirit of God moves upon the face thereof, to make it effectuall in our hearts: What, despise you the Church of God? 1 Cor. 11. 22.
Secondly, As the Ministry, so also ought the Ministers, to have that regard, respect and obedience, which is due to their labours in that sacred Calling: Would we could not too frequently see more puffed up with the conceit of their own gifts, into a contempt of the most learned and pious Pastors; these are spots in your Feasts of charity, clouds without water, carried about of winds: It must doubtless be an evil root, that bringeth forth such bitter fruit. Wherefore let not our brethren fall into this condemnation, lest there be an evil report, raised by them that are without: But remember them who have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God,