The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

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.

5. ALL Churches may do well to consider the weight and burden that lies upon their Pastors and Teachers, in the discharge of their Office, that they may be constant in fervent Prayers and Supplications for them; as also to provide, what lies in them, that they may be without trouble and cares about the things of this Life.

6. THERE being so many Duties necessary unto the discharge of their Office, and those of such various sorts and kinds, as to require various Gifts and Abilities unto their due performance, it seems very difficult to find a concurrence of them in any own person, in any considerable degree, so as that it is hard to conceive how the Office it self should be duly discharged. I answer, (1.) The end both of the Office, and of the discharge of it, is the due Edification of the Church: This therefore gives them their measure. Where that is attained, the Office is duly discharged, though the Gifts whereby Men are enabled thereunto, be not eminent. (2.) Where a Man is called unto this Office, and applieth himself sincerely unto the due discharge of it, if he be evidently defective with respect to any especial Duty or Duties of it, that defect is to be supplied by calling any other unto his Assistance in Office, who is qualified to make that supply unto the Edification of the Church. And the like must be said concerning such Pastors, as through Age or Bodily weakness are disabled from attendance unto any part of their Duty; for still the Edification of the Church is that, which in all these things, is in the first place to be provided for.