The first end of preaching the gospel is, the conversion of the souls of men unto God, Acts xxvi. 17, 18.
This, we suppose, will not be questioned or denied. That the work hereof, in
all churches, ought to be attended and pursued with zeal, diligence, labour,
and care, all accompanied with constant and fervent prayers for success, in
and by the ministers and rulers of them, is a truth also that will not admit
of any controversy among them that believe the gospel, 1 Tim. v. 17, 2 Tim.
iv. 1, 2. Herein principally do men in office in the church exercise and
manifest their zeal for the glory of God, their compassion towards the souls
of men, and acquit themselves faithfully in the trust committed unto them by
the “great Shepherd of the sheep,” Christ Jesus. If, now, in any
assembly or other societies professing themselves to be churches of Christ,
and claiming the right and power of churches towards all persons living
within the bounds or limits which they have prescribed unto themselves, this
work be either totally neglected, or carelessly and perfunctorily
attended unto; if those on whom it is immediately incumbent do either
suppose themselves free from any obligation thereunto, upon the pretence of
other engagements, or do so dispose of themselves, in their relation unto
many charges or employments, as that it is impossible they should duly
attend unto it, or are unable and insufficient for it; so that, indeed,
there is not in such churches a due representation of the love, care, and
kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ towards the souls of men, which he hath
ordained the administration of his gospel to testify,– it cannot be but
that great thoughts of heart, and no small disorder of mind, will be
occasioned in them who understand aright how much the principal end of
constituting churches in this world is neglected among them. And although it
is their duty for a season patiently to bear with, and quietly seek the
reformation of, this evil in the churches whereunto they do belong, yet when
they find themselves excluded,– it may be the very constitution of the
church itself, it may be by the iniquity of them that prevail therein,–
from the performance of any thing that tends thereunto, it will increase
their disquietment. And whereas men do not join themselves, nor are by any
other ways joined, unto churches, for any civil or secular ends or purposes,
but merely for the promotion of God’s glory, and the edification of their
own souls in faith and gospel obedience, it is altogether vain for any to
endeavour a satisfaction of their consciences that it is sin to withdraw
from such churches, wherein these ends are not pursued nor attainable; and
yet a confidence hereof is that which hath countenanced sundry church-guides
into that neglect of duty which many complain of and groan under at this
day.
The second end of the dispensation of the gospel, in the assemblies of the
churches of Christ, by the ministers of them, is the
edification of them that are converted unto God and do believe. Herein
consists that feeding of his sheep and lambs that the Lord Christ hath
committed unto them; and it is mentioned as the principal end for which the
ministry was ordained, or for which pastors and teachers are granted unto
the church, Eph. iv. 8-13. And the Scripture abounds in the declaration of
what skill and knowledge in the mystery of the gospel, what attendance unto
the word and prayer, what care, watchfulness, and diligent labour in the
word and doctrine, are required unto a due discharge of the ministerial
duty. Where it is omitted or neglected; where it is carelessly attended
unto; where those on whom it is incumbent do act more like hirelings than
true shepherds; where they want skill to divide the word aright, or wisdom
and knowledge to declare from it “the whole of God,” or diligence to be
urgent continually in the application of it,– there the principal end of
all church-communion is ruined and utterly lost. And where it so falls out,
let any man judge what thoughts they are like to be exercised withal who
make conscience of the performance of their own duty, and understand the
necessity of enjoying the means that Christ hath appointed for their
edification. And it is certain that such churches will in vain, or at least
unjustly, expect that professors of the gospel should abide in their
particular communion, when they cannot or do not provide food for their
souls, whereby they may live to God. Unless all the members of such churches
are equally asleep in security, divisions among them will in this case
ensue. Will any disciple of Christ esteem obliged to starve his own soul for
the sake of communion with them who have sinfully destroyed the principal
end of all church-communion? Is there any law of Christ, or any rule of the
gospel, or any duty of love, that requires them so to do? The sole immediate
end of men’s joining in churches being their own edification and
usefulness unto others, can they be bound in conscience always to abide
there, or in the communion of those churches where it is not to be attained,
where the means of it are utterly cast aside? This may become such as know
not their duty, nor care to be instructed in it, and are willing to perish
in and for the company of others; but for them which in some cases shall
provide, according to the rules of the gospel, for themselves and for their
own safety, they may be censured, judged, and severely treated, by them
whose interest and advantage it is so to do,– they may be despised by
riotous persons, who sport themselves with their own deceivings,– but with
the Lord Christ, the judge of all, they will be accepted. And they do but
increase the dread of their own account, who, under pretence of church power
and order, would forcibly shut up Christians in such a condition as wherein
they are kept short of all the true ends of the institution of churches. To
suppose, therefore, that every voluntary departure from the constant
communion of such churches, is a schism from the
church
of
Christ, is
to suppose that which neither the Scripture nor reason will give the least
countenance unto. And it would better become such churches to return
industriously unto a faithful discharge of their duty, whereby this occasion
of division may be removed out of the way, than to attempt their own
justification by the severe prosecution of such as depart from them.
Reference
The
Works
of John Owen, Vol. 15, Banner
of Truth 1991. p 115-118.
