A90265:52
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.
Thirdly, that the name of Priests is no where in the Scripture attributed peculiarly, and distinctly to the Ministers of Gospel as such; let any produce an instance to the contrary, and this controversy is at an end: yea that which puts a difference between them, and the rest of the people of Gods Holiness, seems to be a more immediate participation of Christs Prophetical Office, to teach, instruct, and declare the Will of God unto men, and not of his sacerdotal, to offer sacrifices for men unto God. Now I could never observe that any of those, who were so forward of late to stile themselves Priests, were at all greedy of the appellation of Prophets; no, this they were content to let go, name and thing; and yet when Christ ascended on high, he gave some to be Prophets, for the edification of his body, Ephes. 4. 11. none as we find to be Priests: Priests then (like Prelates) are a sort of Church Officers, whom Christ never appointed; whence I conclude;
Thirdly, that the name of Priests is no where in the Scripture attributed peculiarly, and distinctly to the Ministers of Gospel as such; let any produce an instance to the contrary, and this controversie is at an end: yea that which puts a difference betweene them, and the rest of the people of Gods Holinesse, seemes to be a more immediate participation of Christs Propheticall Office, to teach, instruct, and declare the Will of God unto men, and not of his sacerdotall, to offer sacrifices for men unto God. Now I could never observe that any of those, who wereso forward of late to stile themselves Priests, were at all greedy of the apellation of Prophets; no, this they were content to let goe, name and thing; and yet when Christ ascended on high, he gave some to be Prophets, for the edification of his body, Ephes. 4. 11. none as wee finde to be Priests: Priests then (like Prelats) are a sort of Church Officers, whom Christ never appointed; whence I conclude;
Fourthly, that whosoever maintaineth any Priests of the New ⟨p. 26⟩