The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

3. ON this Office, and the discharge of it, he hath laid the whole weight of the Order, Rule and Edification of his Church, in his Name and by virtue of his Authority, Act. 20.28. Col. 4.17. 1 Tim. 3.15. 1 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Rev. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. Hereon a double necessity of the continuation of this Office doth depend; First, that which ariseth from the precept or command of it, which made it necessary to the Church, on the account of the obedience which it owes to Christ; and Secondly of its being the principal ordinary means of all the ends of Christ in and towards his Church. Wherefore, although he can himself feed his Church in the Wilderness, where it is deprived of all outward instituted means of Edification; yet where this Office fails through its neglect, there is nothing but disorder, confusion and destruction, that will ensue thereon; no promise of Feeding or Edification.

4. THE Lord Christ hath given Commands unto the Church, for Obedience unto those who enjoy and exercise this Office among them. Now all these Commands are needless and superfluous, nor can any obedience be yielded unto the Lord Christ in their observance, unless there be a continuation of this Office. And the Church loseth as much in Grace and privilege, as it loseth in Commands. For in obedience unto the Commands of Christ, doth Grace in its exercise consist, 1 Tim. 5.17. Heb. 13.7, 17.