The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

For their first ordinary Work is to conduct and teach all the Disciples of Christ to do ⟨p. 99⟩and observe all things appointed by him; that is to Preach unto and Watch over their particular Flocks, unto whom they do relate. But they are not hereby discharged from an interest in the other part of the Work in Preaching the Word unto the Conversion of Souls. They are not indeed bound unto the Method of the Apostles and Evangelists; yea, they are by virtue of their Office, ordinarily excluded from it. After a Man is called to be a Pastor of a particular Church, it is not his Duty to leave that Church, and go up and down to Preach for the Conversion of Strangers. It is not, I say, ordinarily so, for many cases may fall out wherein the Edification of any particular Church is to give way unto the glory of Christ, with respect unto the calling of all the Members of the Church Catholic. But in the discharge of the Pastoral Office, there are many occasions of Preaching the Word unto the Conversion of Souls. As, (1.) When any that are Unconverted do come into the Assemblies of the Church, and are there wrought upon by the Power of the Word, whereof we have experience every day. To suppose that a Man at the same time, and in the same place Preaching unto one Congregation, should Preach to some of them, namely those that are of the Church whereunto he relates, as a Minister with Ministerial Authority; and to others only by virtue of a Spiritual Gift, which he hath received, is that which no Man can distinguish in his own Conscience, nor is there any colour of Rule or Reason for it. For though Pastors, with respect unto their whole Office, and all the Duties of it, whereof many can have the Church only for their Object, are Ministers in Office unto the Church, and so Ministers of the Church; yet are they Ministers of Christ also; and by him it is, and not by the Church, that the Preaching of the Gospel is committed unto them. And it is so committed, as that by virtue of their Office they are to use it unto all its ends, in his way and method, whereof the Conversion of Sinners is one. And for a Man to conceive of himself in a double capacity whilst he is Preaching to the same Congregation, is that which no Mans experience can reach unto. (2.) In occasional Preaching in ⟨p. 100⟩other places, whereunto a Pastor of a Church may be called and directed by Divine Providence.