The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

4. IT is incumbent on them to preserve the Truth or Doctrine of the Gospel, received and professed in the Church; and to defend it against all opposition. This is one principal end of the Ministry, one principal means of the preservation of the Faith once delivered unto the Saints. This is committed in an especial manner unto the Pastors of the Churches, as the Apostle frequently and emphatically repeats the charge of it unto Timothy, and in him unto all, to whom the Dispensation of the Word is committed, 1 Epist. 1.1, 3, 4. Chap. 4.6, 7, 16. ⟨p. 96⟩Chap. 6.20. 2 Epist. 1.14, 22. Chap. 3.14, 15, 16. The same he giveth in charge unto the Elders of the Church of Ephesus, Act. 20.28, 29, 30. What he says of himself, that the Glorious Gospel of the blessed God was committed unto his Trust, 1 Tim. 1.11. is true of all Pastors of Churches according to their measure and call; and they should all aim at the Account, which he gives of his Ministry herein; I have fought a good Fight, I have finished my Course, I have kept the Faith, 2 Tim. 3.7. The Church is the Ground and Pillar of Truth; and it is so principally in its Ministry: And the sinful neglect of this Duty, is that which was the cause of most of the pernicious Heresies and Errors that have infested and ruined the Church. Those whose Duty it was to preserve the Doctrine of the Gospel entire in the public profession of it, have many of them spoken perverse things to draw away Disciples after them. Bishops, Presbyters, public Teachers, have been the ring-leaders in Heresies. Wherefore this Duty, especially at this time, when the fundamental Truths of the Gospel are on all sides impugned from all sorts of Adversaries, is in an especial manner to be attended unto.

4. IT is incumbent on them to preserve the Truth or Doctrine of the Gospel, received and professed in the Church; and to defend it against all opposition. This is one principal end of the Ministry, one principal means of the preservation of the Faith once delivered unto the Saints. This is committed in an especial manner unto the Pastors of the Churches, as the Apostle frequently and emphatically repeats the charge of it unto Timothy, and in him unto all, to whom the Dispensation of the Word is committed, 1 Epist. 1.1, 3, 4. Chap. 4.6, 7, 16.