Duties of Christian Fellowship

By John Owen

Originally published in 1648 under the elaborate title "Eshcol: A Cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the Borders, for the encouragement of the Saints, travelling thitherward, with their faces towards Zion. OR. Rules of direction, for the walking of the Saints in Fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel," this work remains a semin

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monergism Books LLC
• Release date: Mar 23, 2024
• ISBN: 9781961807839

John Owen

John Owen (1616–1683) was vice-chancellor of Oxford University and served as advisor and chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. Among the most learned and active of the Puritans in seventeenth-century England, he was accomplished both in doctrine and practical theology.

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Duties of Christian Fellowship

According to the Order of the Gospel

John Owen

Monergism Books

Copyright © 2024

Duties of Christian Fellowship: According to the Order of the Gospel

by John Owen

Published by by Monergism Books

P.O. Box 491

West Linn Oregon 97068

www.monergism.com

Original Title: Eshcol: A Cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the Borders, for the encouragement of the Saints, travelling thitherward, with their faces towards Zion. OR. Rules of direction, for the walking of the Saints in Fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel.

Collected and explained for the use of the Church at Coggeshall,

Original Printing LONDON, for Philemon Stephens, and are to be sold at his shop, at the sign of the gilded Lyon in S. Paul's Church-yard, 1648.

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Print: ISBN: 978-1-961807-43-3

ePub: ISBN: 978-1-961807-83-9

Contents

PREFATORY NOTE

TO THE READER

1.PART 1

1. Rules of walking in fellowship, with reference to the pastor or minister that watcheth for our souls.

2.RULE I.

2. THE word and all ordinances dispensed in the administration to him committed, by virtue of ministerial authority, are to be diligently attended and submitted unto, with ready obedience in the Lord.

3.RULE II.

3. His conversation is to be observed and diligently followed, so far as he walks in the steps of Jesus Christ.

4.RULE III

4. Prayer and supplications are continually to be made on his behalf for assistance and success in the work committed to him.

5.RULE IV.

5. Reverential estimation of him, with submission unto him for his work's sake.

6.RULE V.

6. Maintenance for them and their families, by the administration of earthly things suitable to the state and condition of the churches, is required from their flocks.

7.RULE VI.

7. Adhering to him and abiding by him in all trials and persecutions for the word.

8.RULE VII.

8. Gathering together in the assembly upon his appointment, with theirs joined with him.

9.PART 2

9. Rules to be Observed by those who Walk in Fellowship, and considered, to stir up their remembrance in things of mutual duty one towards another, which consisteth in,—

10.RULE I.

10. Affectionate, sincere love in all things, without dissimulation towards one another, like that which Christ bare to his church.

11.RULE II.

11. Continual prayer for the prosperous state of the church, in God's protection towards it.

12.RULE III.

12. Earnest striving and contending, in all lawful ways, by doing and suffering, for the purity of the ordinances, honour, liberty, and privileges of the congregation, being jointly assistant against opposers and common adversaries.

13.RULE IV.

13. Sedulous care and endeavouring for the preservation of unity, both in particular and in general.

14.RULE V.

14. Separation and sequestration from the world and men of the world, with all ways of false worship, until we be apparently a people dwelling alone, not reckoned among the nations.

15.RULE VI.

15. Frequent spiritual communication for edification, according to gifts received.

16.RULE VII.

16. Mutually to bear with each other's infirmities, weakness, tenderness, failings, in meekness, patience, pity, and with assistance.

17.RULE VIII.

17. Tender and affectionate participation with one another in their several states and conditions,—bearing each other's burdens.

18.RULE IX.

18. Free contribution and communication of temporal things to them that are poor indeed, suitable to their necessities, wants, and afflictions.

19.RULE X.

19. To mark diligently and avoid carefully all causes and causers of divisions; especially to shun seducers, false teachers, and broachers of heresies and errors, contrary to the form of wholesome words.

20.RULE XI.

20. Cheerfully to undergo the lot and portion of the whole church, in prosperity and affliction, and not to draw back upon any occasion whatever.

21.RULE XII.

21. In church affairs to make no difference of persons, but to condescend to the meanest persons and services for the use of the brethren.

22.RULE XIII.

22. If any be in distress, persecution, or affliction, the whole church is to be humbled, and to be earnest in prayer in their behalf.

23.RULE XIV.

23. Vigilant watchfulness over each other's conversation, attended with mutual admonition in case of disorderly walking, with rendering an account to the church if the party offending be not prevailed with.

24.RULE XV.

24. Exemplary walking in all holiness and godliness of conversation, to the glory of the gospel, edification of the church, and conviction of them which are without.

PREFATORY NOTE

As we navigate the complexities of modern church life, the timeless insights of John Owen in Duties of Christian Fellowship prove to be a beacon of enduring wisdom. Originally published in 1648 under the elaborate title Eshcol: A Cluster of the fruit of Canaan; brought to the Borders, for the encouragement of the Saints, travelling thitherward, with their faces towards Zion. OR. Rules of direction, for the walking of the Saints in Fellowship, according to the order of the Gospel, this work remains a seminal text in