The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

10. THERE is a Communion to be observed among all the Churches of the same Faith and Profession in any Nation. Wherein it doth consist, and what is required thereunto, shall be afterwards declared. The principal care hereof, unto the Edification of the Churches, is incumbent on the Pastors of them. Whether it be exercised by Letters of mutual advice, of congratulation or consolation, or in testimony of Communion with those who ⟨p. 105⟩are called to Office in them, or whether it be by convening in Synods for consultation of their joint concernments, (which things made up a great part of the Primitive Ecclesiastical Polity;) their Duty it is to attend unto it, and to take care of it.

11. THAT wherewith I shall close these few instances of the Pastoral Charge and Duty, is, that without which all the rest will neither be useful unto Men, nor be accepted with the great Shepherd Christ Jesus. And that is an humble, holy, exemplary conversation in all Godliness and Honesty. The Rules and Precepts of the Scripture, the Examples of Christ and his Apostles, with that of the Bishops or Pastors of the Primitive Churches, and the nature of the thing it self, with the Religion which we do profess, do undeniably prove this Duty to be necessary and indispensable in a Gospel Ministry. It were an easy thing to fill up a Volume with ancient Examples unto this purpose; with Testimonies of the Scripture and first Writers among Christians, with Examples of public and private miscarriages herein, with evident demonstration, that the ruin of Christian Religion in most Nations where it hath been professed, and so of the Nations themselves, hath proceeded from the Ambition, Pride, Luxury, Uncleanness, Profaneness, and otherways vicious Conversations of those who have been called the Clergy. And in daily observation, it is a thing written with the Beams of the Sun, that whatever else be done in Churches, if the Pastors of them or those who are so esteemed, are not Exemplary in Gospel Obedience and Holiness, Religion will not be carried on and improved among the people, If Persons, light or profane in their Habits, Garbs and Converse, corrupt in their Communication, Unsavoury and Barren as unto Spiritual Discourse; if such as are Covetous, Oppressive and Contentious; such as are negligent in holy Duties in their own Families, and so cannot stir up others unto diligence therein; much more, if such as are openly sensual, vicious and debauched; are admitted into this Office, we may take our leave of all the Glory and Power of Religion, among the people committed unto their charge.