The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

WHEN Men undertake the Pastoral Office, and either judge it not their Duty to Preach, or are not able so to do, or attempt it only at some solemn Seasons, or attend unto it as a task required of them without that Wisdom, Skill, Diligence, Care, Prudence, Zeal and Compassion, which are required thereunto, the Glory and Use of the Ministry will be utterly destroyed.

2. THE Second Duty of a Pastor towards his Flock, is, continual fervent Prayer for them. ¹Give our selves unto the Word and Prayer. Without this, no Man can, or doth Preach to them as he ought, nor perform any other Duty of his Pastoral Office. From hence may any Man take the best measure of the discharge of his Duty towards his Flock. He that doth constantly, diligently, fervently Pray for them, will have a Testimony in himself of his own sincerity in the discharge of all other Pastoral Duties; nor can he voluntarily omit or neglect any of them. And as for those who are negligent herein, be their Pains, Labour and Travel in other Duties, never so great, they may be influenced from other Reasons, and so give no evidence of sincerity in the discharge of their Office. In this constant Prayer for the Church, which is so incumbent on all Pastors, as that whatever is done without it, is of no esteem in the sight of Jesus Christ: Respect is to be had, (1.) Unto the Success of the Word, unto all the blessed ends of it among them. These are no less than the improvement and strengthening of all their Graces, the Direction of all their Duties, their Edification in Faith and Love, with the entire conduct of their Souls in the life of God, unto the enjoyment of him. To ⟨p. 91⟩Preach the Word therefore, and not to follow it with constant and fervent Prayer for its success, is to dis-believe its use, neglect its end, and to cast away the Seed of the Gospel at random. (2.) Unto the Temptations that the Church is generally exposed unto. These greatly vary, according unto the outward circumstances of things. The Temptations in general that accompany a State of outward Peace and Tranquility, are of another nature, than those that attend a time of Trouble, Persecution, Distress and Poverty. And so it is as unto other Occasions and Circumstances. These the Pastors of Churches ought diligently to consider, looking on them as the means and ways whereby Churches have been ruined, and the Souls of many lost for ever. With respect unto them therefore, ought their Prayers for the Church to be fervent. (3.) Unto the especial State and condition of all the Members, so far as it is known unto them.