Question 21 — Seeing the church is a society or spiritual incorporation of persons under rule, government, or discipline, declare who or what are the rulers, governors, or officers therein under Jesus Christ?

Answer — They have been of two sorts:

1. Extraordinary, appointed for a season only; and,

2. Ordinary, to continue unto the end of the world.

Owen, John. The Life and Works of John Owen (55-in-1) . Classic Christian eBooks. Kindle Edition.