The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. IN the Primitive Church, about the end of the Second Century, before there was the least attempt to introduce new Officers into the Church, there were Persons called unto the Office and Work of public Teaching, who were not Pastors, nor called unto the Administration of other Ordinances. Those of this sort, in the Church of Alexandria, were, by reason of their extraordinary Abilities, quickly of great fame and renown. Their constant Work was publicly unto all comers, Believers and Unbelievers, to explain and teach the Principles of Christian Religion, defending and vindicating it from the opposition of its Heathen Adversaries, whether Atheists or Philosophers. This had never been so exactly practised in the Church, if it had not derived from Divine Institution. And of this sort is the [Greek or Hebrew] the Catechist, intended by the Apostle, Gal. 6.6. For it is such an one as constantly labours in the Work of Preaching, and hath those who depend upon his Ministry therein; [Greek or Hebrew], those that are Taught or Catechised by him. For, hence alone it is that Maintenance is due unto him for his Work. Let the Catechised communicate unto the Catechist, the taught unto the Teacher in all good things. And it is not the Pastor of the Church that he intends, for he speaks of him in the same case in another manner, and no where only with respect unto teaching alone.

1. IN the Primitive Church, about the end of the Second Century, before there was the least attempt to introduce new Officers into the Church, there were Persons called unto the Office and Work of publick Teaching, who were not Pastors, nor called unto the Administration of other Ordinances. Those of this sort, in the Church of Alexandria, were, by reason of their extraordinary Abilities, quickly of great fame and renown. Their constant Work was publickly unto all comers, Believers and Unbelievers, to explain and teach the Principles of Christian Religion, defending and vindicating it from the opposition of its Heathen Adversaries, whether Atheists or Philosophers. This had never been so exactly practised in the Church, if it had not derived from Divine Institution. And of this sort is the 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 the Catechist, intended by the Apostle, Gal. 6.6. For it is such an one as constantly labours in the Work of Preaching, and hath those who depend upon his Ministry therein; , those that are Taught or Catechised by him. For, hence alone it is that Maintenance is due unto him for his Work. Let the Catechised communicate unto the Cathechist, the taught unto the Teacher in all good things. And it is not the Pastor of the Church that he intends, for he speaks of him in the same case in another manner, and no where only with respect unto teaching alone.