The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

3. WHEREAS the account which is to be given of this Office, and the discharge of it at the last day unto Jesus Christ, the consideration whereof had a mighty influence upon the Apostles themselves, and all the Primitive Pastors of the Churches, is frequently proposed unto us, and many warnings given us thereon in the Scripture; yet it is apparent they are but few who take it into due consideration. In the great day of Christs Visitation, he will proceed on such Articles as those here laid down, and others expressed in the Scripture, and not at all on those which are now enquired upon in our Episcopal Visitations. And if they may be minded of their true interest and concern, whilst they possess the places they hold in the Church, without offence, I would advise them to conform their Enquiries in their Visitations, unto those, which they cannot but know the Lord Christ will make in the great day of his Visitation, which doth approach: This I think but reasonable. In the mean time, for those who desire to give up their account with joy and confidence, and not with grief and confusion; it is their Wisdom and Duty continually to bear in Mind what it is that the Lord Christ requires of them in the discharge of their Office. To take Benefices, to perform legal▪Duties by themselves or others, is not fully compliant with what Pastors of Churches are called unto.

4. IT is manifest also from hence, how inconsistent it is with this Office, and the due discharge of it, for any one Man to undertake the relation of a Pastor unto more Churches than one, especially if far distant from one another. An evil this is, like that of Mathematical Prognostications at Rome, always condemned and always retained. But one view of the Duties incumbent on each Pastor, and of whose diligent performance he is to give an account at the last day, will discard this practice from all approbation in the Minds of them that are sober. However, it is as good to have Ten Churches at once, as having but one, never to discharge the Duty of a Pastor towards it.