The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

5. IT is inconsistent with the whole nature and end of the Pastoral Office. Whoever is duly Called, set Apart or Ordained unto that Office, he doth therein and thereby take on himself the Discharge of all the Duties belonging thereunto, and is obliged to attend diligently unto them. If then we will take a view of what hath been proved before to belong unto this Office, we shall find, that not the least part, scarce any thing of it, can be undertaken and discharged by such as are Ordained absolutely without Relation unto particular Churches. For any to take upon them to commit an Office unto others, and not at the same time charge them with all the Duties of that Office and their immediate attendance on them; or for any to accept of an Office and Office-Power, not knowing when or where to exert the Power or perform the Duties of it, is irregular. In particular, Ruling is an essential part of the Pastoral Office, which they cannot attend unto who have none to be ruled by them.

2. MAY a Pastor remove from one Congregation unto another?

THIS is a thing also which the Ancient Church made great Provision against. For when some Churches were increased in Members, Reputation, Privileges and Wealth above others, it grew an ordinary practice for the Bishops to design and endeavour their own removal from a less unto a greater Benefice. This is so severely interdicted in the Councils of Nice and Chalcedon, as that they would not allow that a Man might be a Bishop or Presbyter in any other place, but only in the Church wherein he was Originally Ordained: And therefore, if any did so remove themselves, Decreed, that they should be sent home again, and there abide, or cease to be Church-Officers, Council. Nicaea, Can. 15, 16. Chalced. Can. 5, 20. Pluralities, as they are called, and open contending for Ecclesiastical Promotions, Benefices and Dignities, were then either unknown, or openly condemned.