A discourse concerning evangelical love, church-peace and unity with the occasions and reasons of…

(1) Every Minister of the Gospel hath by the Appointment of Jesus Christ, the whole immediate Care of the Flock, whereof he is Overseer, committed unto him. That no part hereof which belongs unto their Edification is exempted from him,¹ the Charge that is given unto him, and the Account which will be expected from him,² do sufficiently evidence. For as Ministers are called Overseers, Rulers, ³Guides, Pastors, and the like; so are they commanded to feed the Flock, to take the Oversight of it, and to Rule the House of God, ⁴a discharge of all which must come into their ⟨p. 219⟩Account. Nor is there any word spoken in the whole Scripture, relating to the Rule and Government of the Church, which is not spoken principally with respect unto them. Nor is there the least Intimation of an Exemption of any Part of the Discipline of the Gospel, from their Office or Care. If it be pretended that there is, let the Places be produced wherein such an Exemption is made, or any Instances of it among the first Churches, and they shall be considered; for hitherto no such thing hath been attempted, that we know of. Nor is it at all concluded, from the Plea, that some are appointed unto a Superior Degree above others in the Rule of the Church. For a man may have the whole Rule of his Flock committed unto him, although he should be obliged to give an Account unto others of his Discharge thereof. It is therefore the Duty of all Ministers of the Gospel, not only to to Teach, Instruct and Preach to their Flocks, but to go before them also in Rule and Government, and in the Exercise of the Spiritual Discipline appointed in the Gospel, in the Order wherein it is appointed for their Edification. The keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are committed unto them, or they are not: If they are not, by what Authority do they take upon them to open and shut in the House of God, in Ministerial teaching, and authoritative Administration of sacred Ordinances? For these things belong unto the Authority which is given by Christ under the Metaphorical ⟨p. 224⟩