PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 16
John Owen · 342,880 words · 351 reading sections
Section 61
4. The work of rule, as distinct from teaching, is in general to watch over the walking or conversation of the members of the church with authority, exhorting, comforting, admonishing, reproving, en- couraging, directing of them, as occasion shall require. The gifts necessary hereunto are diligence, wisdom, courage, an…
927 wordsSECTION 62Section 62
8. As we observed at the entrance of this chapter, the whole work of the church, as unto authoritative teaching and rule, is com- mitted unto the elders; for authoritative teaching and ruling is teaching and ruling by virtue of office, and this office whereunto they do belong is that of elders, as it is undeniably atte…
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12. Others place the rule of particular churches, especially in cases of greatest moment, in an association, conjunction, or combination of all the elders of them in one society; which is commonly called a classis. So in all acts of rule there will be a conjunct acting of many elders. And no doubt it is the best provis…
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These considerations, as also those that follow, may seem jejune and contemptible unto such as have another frame of church rule and order drawn in their minds and interests. A government vested OF THE RULE OF THE CHURCH, OR OF RULING ELDERS. 115 in some few persons, with titles of pre-eminence, and legal power, exer…
1,056 wordsSECTION 65Section 65
3. This is the substance of the truth in the text: — There are OF THE KULE OF THE CHURCH, OR OF RULING ELDERS. 117 elders in the church; there are or ought to be so in every church. With these elders the whole rule of the church is intrusted ; all these, and only they, do rule in it. Of these elders there are ttvo so…
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Grotius, as was before intimated, disputes against the divine insti- tution of such temporary, lay-elders as are made use of in sundry of the reformed churches: but when he hath done, he affirms that it is highly necessary that such conjunct associates in rule from among the people should be in every church; which he p…
1,042 wordsSECTION 67Section 67
Whereas this is the constant use of the word in the Scripture (being principally used by this apostle in his writings), wherein it is distinctive and comparative of the things and persons that respect is had unto, it is to no purpose to pretend that it is here used in an- other sense or is otherwise applied, unless the…
1,006 wordsSECTION 68Section 68
3. If the labour of evangelists, or of them- who travelled up and down to preach the word, be intended, then it is so either because this is the proper signification of the word, or because it is constantly used elsewhere to express that kind of labour; but the contrary unto both of these is evident from all places whe…
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from them unto luhom the pastoral and other offices in the church are committed. ' For the first, it is evident that rule is an act of office or of office- power: for it requires, — [1.] An especial ?'eZtth"o?i; there is so between him that ruleth and them that are ruled ; and this is the relation of office, or all co…
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3 26 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH. another. (2.) Each of the duties mentioned and given in charge is sufficient for a distinct officer, as is declared Acts vi. 1-4. 7. In particular, " He that ruleth" is a distinct officer, — an officer, because rule is an act of office or office-power; and he is expressly dis- tin…
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9. The exceptions which are usually put in unto this testimony have not the least countenance from the text or context, or the matter treated of, nor confirmation from any other divine testimony. It is therefore in vain to contend about them, being such as any man may multiply at his pleasure on the like occasion ; and…
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These elders are first mentioned Acts xi. 30, where tliey are spoken of as those which were well known, and had now been of some time in the church. Afterward they are still mentioned in conjunc- tion with the apostles, and in distinction from the church itself, Acts XV. 2, 4, 6, 22, xvi. 4, xxi. 18. Now, the apostles …
1,166 wordsSECTION 73Section 73
3. This authority in the rulers of the church is neither autocra- tical or sovereign, nor nomothetical or legislative, nor despotical or absolute, but organical and ministerial only. The endless contro- versies which have sprung out of the mystery of iniquity, about an autocratical and monarchical government in the chu…
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The skill, then, of the officers of the church for the government of it is a spiritual wisdom and understanding in the law of Christ for that end, with an ability to make application of it in all requisite instances, unto the edification of the whole church and all its mem- bers, through a ministerial exercise of the a…
1,157 wordsSECTION 75Section 75
2. The rule and law of the exercise of power in the elders of the church is the holy Scripture only. The Lord Christ is the only lawgiver of the church ; all his laws unto this end are recorded in the Scripture; no other law is effectual,. can oblige or operate upon the objects or unto the ends of church-rule. If the c…
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(3.) Hereunto also belongs the disposal of the outward concern- tnents of the church in its assemblies, and in the management of all that is performed in them, that " all things may be done decently and in order.'" The disposal of times, seasons, places, the way and manner of managing all things in church-assemblies, t…
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(3.) Their duty is to warn all the members of the church of their especial church-duties, that they be not found negligent or wanting in them. There are especial duties required respectively of all church-members, according unto the distinct talents, whether in things spiritual or temporal, which they have received. So…
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CHURCH POLITY OR RULE, WITH THE DUTY OF ELDERS. 1 41 disposed according to their advice, with that of the teachers of the church, Acts xi. 80. (8.) It is also their duty, according to the advantage which they have, by their pecuhar inspection of all the members of the church, their ways and their walking, to acquaint…
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3. Whereas sundry of the duties before mentioned are, as unto the substance of them, required of the members of the church in their OF DEACONS. 143 several stations, without any especial obligation to attend unto them with diligence, to look after them, or power to exercise any authority in the discharge of them, to …
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The care of making provision for the poor being made in the ' It is difficult to explain this estimate by our author of the value of three hundred denarii. Accoi'ding to the received valuation of Roman money, the sum could not have exceeded £9, 7s. Cd, of our money. — Ed, OF DEACONS. 145 church an iustitution of Chr…
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Nor was this a temporary institution, for that season, and so the officers appointed extraordinary, but it was to abide in the church throughout all generations; for, — 1. The work itself, as a distinct work of ministry in the church, was never to cease; it was to abide for ever : " The poor ye shall have always with y…
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The consideration of the state of the poor, unto whom the contri- butions of the church are to be administered, belongs unto the dis- charge of this office; as, — 1. That they are poor indeed, and do not pretend themselves so to be for advantage; 2. What are the degrees of their poverty, with respect unto their relatio…
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150 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH. unto such deacons, where with boldness and confidence they may as- sist in the management of the affairs of the church, which belongs unto the profession of the faith which is in Christ Jesus. If any shall rather think that both of the expressions do signify an increase in gifts an…
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The second of these hath been treated of in the discourse concern- 152 TKUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH. ing church offices and rule ; and all that belongs nnto the first of them is fully declared in the chapters of the essential constituent parts of gospel churches, namely, their matter and form. The third must be now…
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From an observation hereof, and a desire to vindicate as well Christian religion from such a scandalous abuse as mankind from bondage to such a monstrous fiction as is the present power and ex- ercise of it, some have fallen into another extreme, denying that there is any such thing as excommunication appointed or appr…
948 wordsSECTION 86Section 86
(2.) It is required that a society by voluntary consent vested with the right and power mentioned do neither give nor take away any right, privilege, or advantage, to or from any members of the society which belongs unto them naturally or politically; but their power is confined unto those things alone wherein men may …
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Yea, we live and subsist in order upon the good nature and wis- dom of men who judge it best neither to exert their power nor act their principles in this matter: for whereas they esteem all the in- habitants of the land to belong unto their church, if they should in the first place excommunicate all that ought to be e…
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(3.) The privileges from which men are excluded by excommuni- cation are not such as they have any natural or civil right unto (as hath been proved), but merely such as are granted unto the church by Jesus Christ ; and men cannot, by virtue of any agreement among themselves, without a warranty from him by his instituti…
1,027 wordsSECTION 89Section 89
OF EXCOMMUNICATION. 161 judgment in the case, — that he ought to be so taken away or re- moved ; which yet was not actually effected by that judgment and sentence of his, verse 8. Hhly. He declares the causes of this ex- cision:— (\st) The supreme efficient cause of it is the power or authority of the Lord Jesus Chris…
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OF EXCOMMUNICATION. 163 The gathering of men into the church by conversion is the " turning of them from the power of Satan unto God," Acts xxvi. 18; a " de- livery from the power of darkness," — that is, the kingdom of Satan, — and a translation into the kingdom of Christ, Col. i. 13. Where- fore, after a man hath, b…
1,073 wordsSECTION 91Section 91
It is therefore evident that this censure, judgment, spiritual punish- ment, is an institution of Christ, for whose administration he hath OF EXCOAIMUNICATIOl^. 165 given authority unto his church, as that which is necessary unto its edification, with its preservation in honour, purity, and order. There have been ma…
1,125 wordsSECTION 92Section 92
OF EXCOMMUNICATION. 1 67 punishment must be inflicted by the " many;" who also are to restore him who is so rebuked. Wherefore, excommunication without the consent of the church is a mere nullit}^ But if any one shall say that excommunication is not an act of authority or of office, but of power residing in the commu…
966 wordsSECTION 93Section 93
[3.] It is also required that the previous process, in and by private and public admonition, and that repeated, with patient waiting for the success of each of them, be duly premised. Whether this extend itself unto all causes of excommunication shall be afterward inquired into. Ordinarily it is so necessary unto the c…
1,015 wordsSECTION 94Section 94
3. It is to be accompanied with a due sense of the future judg- nnent of Christ ; for we herein judge for Christ in the matters of his house and kingdom. And woe to them who dare pronounce this sen- tence without a persuasion, on good grounds, that it is the sentence of Christ himself! And there is a representation als…
924 wordsSECTION 95Section 95
4. Where a church is complete and organized with its stated rulers, as the church of Corinth was, yet rules, instructions, and commands, are given expressly unto the fraternity or community of the church, for their duty and acting in the administration of this sentence, and the cutting off of an offender, 1 Cor. v. 1-7…
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1. The first pretence of danger is vain. There is not the least shadow of jurisdiction in this act of the church. There is nothing in it that toucheth any thing which is under the protection and con- servation of human laws. It reacheth not the persons of men in their lives, or liberties, or estates, or the least secul…
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2. There is no individual actual sin but is capable of great ag- gravation or alleviation from its circumstances. These the church is to inquire into, and to obtain a full knowledge of them, that all things being duly weighed, they may be affected with the sin in a due manner, or after a godly sort; which is essential …
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3. But whereas the principal end of all particular churches is edi- fication, there maybe many just and sufficient reasons why a person may remove himself from the constant communion of one church unto that of another; and of these reasons he himself is judge, on whom it is incumbent to take care of his own edification…
1,028 wordsSECTION 99Section 99
3. False opinions in lesser things, when the foundation of faith and Christian practice is not immediately concerned, may be tole- rated in a church ; and sundry rules are given unto this end in the Scripture, as Rom. xiv. 1-3, etc., Phil. iii. 15, 16. Howbeit, in that low ebb of grace, love, and prudence, which we are…
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Eleventhly. Our last inquiry shall be. Whether excommunication may he regular and valid when the matter of right is dubious and disputahle, — as many such cases may fall out, especially with respect unto the occasions of life and mutual converse, — or when the matter of fact is not duly proved hy positive witnesses on …
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Churches so appointed and established in order as hath been declared ought to hold communion among themselves, or with each other, as unto all the ends of their institution and order, for these are the same in all; yea, the general end of them is in order of nature considered antecedently unto their institution in part…
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But it must be moreover premised, that whereas this communion of churches is radically and essentially the same among all churches in the world, yet, as unto the ordinary actual exercise of the duties of it, it is confined and limited by divine providence unto such churches as the natural means of the discharge of such…
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When men shall cease to be wilfully blind, or when the powers of the " strong delusion," that begin to abate, shall expire, they will easily see the direct opposition that is between these two heads and two churches, namely, Christ and the pope, the catholic church and that of Rome. I know well enough all the evasions…
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Having removed these pretences out of our way, we may easily discern wherein the union, and consequently the communion, of all particular churches doth consist; and in the due observation whereof all that church-order which the Lord Christ hath appointed and doth accept is preserved. I say, then, that the true and onl…
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This union of the catholic church in all particular churches is always the same, inviolable, unchangeable, comprehending all the churches in the world at all times, not confinable unto any state or party, not interruptible by any external form, nor to be prevailed against by the gates of hell; and all such disputes abo…
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OF THE co:m]viunion of churches. 193 the same Spirit, given unto tliem as a Spirit of grace and supplica- tions to make intercession for them; and all of them continually offered unto God by the same High Priest, who adds unto it the in- cense of his own intercession, and by Avhom they have all an access unto the same…
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This account of the union and communion of churches may seem strange unto some, who are enamoured of that image which is set up of them in the world, in canons, constitutions of rites, and outward order, in various subordinations and ceremonies, which are most re- mote from making any due representation of them. The c…
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(4.) The e7id of all particular churches is the edification of the church catholic, unto the glory of God in Christ; and it is evident that in many instances this cannot be attained, yea, that it must be sinfully neglected, unless this way for the preservation and carrying of it on be attended unto. Truth, peace, and l…
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(3.) Where there hath been any maladministration of discipline, whereby any members of a church have been injured, — as suppose they are unduly cast out of the church by the power and interest of some Diotrephes, or that any members of the church make a party and faction to depose their elders, as it was in the church …
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Their due measure and bounds, as was said before, are given them by concernment and convenience; wherein respect also may be had unto the ability of some churches to promote edification above others. Such churches as are, in the same instances, concerned in the causes of them before declared, and may be helpful unto th…
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202 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH. of France, and the like; whose original and being depend on the first event of war in that [their ?] dissolution. Unto these new church-states, whose being, bounds, and limits, are given unto them absolutely by those of the civil government which they belong unto, it is thought meet…
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Concerning the composition that is made herein, that some should convene in ecclesiastical synods by their own personal right and in virtue of their office, and others by a kind of delegation from some of their own order, it being a mere political constitution, which I shall immediately speak unto, it is not here to be…
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But whereas the synods whereof we treat, and which are all that belong unto the church, can take no cognizance of any civil affairs wherein the persons of men are outwardly concerned, have no juris- diction in any kind, can make no determination but only doctrinal declarations of divine truth, of the same nature with t…
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The proof of both these assertions depends on what was before de- clared of the nature and use of these synods; for if they are such as we have evinced, no other power or authority can be ascribed unto them but that here allowed. Yet the whole may be further illus- trated by some brief considerations of the assembly at…
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A LETTER CONCEMING THE MATTER OF THE PRESENT EXCOMMUNICATIONS. Sir, You judge aright, that at my last being in London I did consider the unusual hurry of excommunications against those called Dissen- ters; and, because of the novelty of the proceedings therein, I did, moreover, endeavour my own satisfaction as unto t…
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A LETTER CONCERNING EXCOMMUNICATION. 213 he may, by force, be debarred from some advantages that belong thereunto. Neither is the communion of any church to be valued from which a man may be really and effectually expelled by such means; for this excommunication is not only null as to the efficacy of its sentence, on …
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A LETTER CONCERNING EXCOMMUNICATION. 215 and authority, an authority for them must be pleaded by them. But then it may be justly demanded of them what it is, of what nature and kind, how it is communicated unto them, or derived by them from others. This is that which those who are excommuui- cated by them are principa…
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Again : the especial nature of this institution doth require an espe- cial frame of mind in its administration, for it is the cutting off of a member of the same body with them, which cannot be without sense and sorrow (to cut off any one from a church who was never a member of it by his own consent, nor doth judge him…
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It is therefore utterly impossible to separate them from the com- munion of the catholic church in faith, or to cast them from that Rock whereon they are built thereby. They do also attend unto divine worship in their own assemblies: and herein they do practise all that is agreed on by all Christians in the world, and…
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And further to manifest the iniquity of these proceedings, whilst these dissenters are thus dealt withal, all sorts of persons, — ignorant, profane, haters of godliness, and openly wicked in their lives, — are allowed in the full communion of the church, without any dis- ciplinary admonition or control! But as this ser…
931 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1850–1870); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.