The Duty of Pastors and People Distinguished

Owen's earliest published work distinguishes the duties of ordained ministers from those of ordinary Christians in performing spiritual duties. Tracing the history of worship from the patriarchs through the Jewish law and into the New Testament church, he argues that while public preaching belongs to those with divine calling and church authority, all believers retain a wide liberty — and obligation — to search Scripture, examine doctrine, pray together, and edify one another. A foundational statement on Christian liberty and church order.