The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

THESE are some Instances of the things wherein the Office-Duty of Pastors of the Church doth consist. They are but some of them, and those only proposed, not pursued and pressed with the consideration of all those particular Duties, with the manner of their performance, way of management, motives and enforcements, defects and causes of them, which would require a large Discourse. These may suffice unto our present purpose; and we may derive from them the ensuing brief considerations.

1. A DUE meditation and view of these things, as proposed in the Scripture, is enough to make the wisest, the best of Men, and the most diligent in the discharge of the Pastoral Office, to cry out with the Apostle, and who is sufficient for these things? This will make them look well to their Call and Entrance into this Office, as that alone which will bear them out and justify them in the susception of it. For no sense of insufficiency can utterly discourage any in the undertaking of a Work, which he is assured that the Lord Christ calls him unto. For where he calls to a Duty, he gives competent strength for the performance of it. And when we say, Under a deep sense of our own weakness, who is sufficient for these things; he doth say, My Grace is sufficient for you.

2. ALTHOUGH all the things mentioned, do plainly, evidently and undeniably belong unto the discharge of the Pastoral Office, yet in point of Fact we find by the Success, that they are very little considered by the most that seek after it. And the present Ruin of Religion, as unto its Power, Beauty and Glory in all places, ariseth principally from this cause, that Multitudes of those who undertake this Office, are neither in any measure fit for it, nor do either conscientiously ⟨p. 107⟩