1. THERE may be Teachers in a Church called only unto the Work of Teaching, without any farther interest in Rule or Right unto the Administration of the Sacraments. Such they seem to be who are mentioned, Gal. 6.6. They are there called peculiarly [Greek or Hebrew], Catechists; and [Greek or Hebrew], 1 Cor. 4.15. Instructors of those that are young in the Rudiments of Religion. And such there were in the Primitive Churches; some whereof were eminent, famous and useful. And this was very necessary in those days when the Churches were great and numerous. For, whereas the whole Rule of the Church, and the Administration of all Ordinances in it, is originally committed unto the Pastor, as belonging entirely unto his Office; the discharge of it in all its parts, unto the Edification of the Church, especially when it is numerous, being impossible for any one Man, or it may be more, in the same Office ⟨p. 126⟩where all are obliged unto an especial attendance on one part of it, namely, the Word and Prayer, it pleased the Lord Christ to appoint such as in distinct Offices should be associated with them, for the discharge of sundry parts of their Duty. So were Deacons Ordained to take care of the poor, and the outward concerns of the Church, without any interest in Rule or Right to Teach. So were, as we shall prove, Elders Ordained to assist and help in Rule, without any call to Preach or Administer the Sacraments. And so were Teachers appointed to instruct the Church and others in the Truth, who have no Right to Rule, or the Administration of other Ordinances. And thus, although the whole Duty of the Edification of the Church be still incumbent on the Pastors, yet being supplied with assistance to all the parts of it, it may be comfortably discharged by them. And if this Order were observed in all Churches, not only many inconveniences would be prevented, but the Order and Edification of the Church greatly promoted.
1. THERE may be Teachers in a Church called only unto the Work of Teaching, without any farther interest in Rule or Right unto the Administration of the Sacraments. Such they seem to be who are mentioned, Gal. 6.6. They are there called peculiarly 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Catechists; and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, 1 Cor. 4.15. Instructors of those that are young in the Rudiments of Religion. And such there were in the Primitive Churches; some whereof were eminent, famous and useful. And this was very necessary in those days when the Churches were great and numerous. For, whereas the whole Rule of the Church, and the Administration of all Ordinances in it, is originally committed unto the Pastor, as belonging entirely unto his Office; the discharge of it in all its parts, unto the Edification of the Church, especially when it is numerous, being impossible for any one Man, or it may be more, in the same Office ⟨p. 126⟩where all are obliged unto an especial attendance on one part of it, namely, the Word and Prayer, it pleased the Lord Christ to appoint such as in distinct Offices should be associated with them, for the discharge of sundry parts of their Duty. So were Deacons Ordained to take care of the poor, and the outward concerns of the Church, without any interest in Rule or Right to Teach. So were, as we shall prove, Elders Ordained to assist and help in Rule, without any call to Preach or Administer the Sacraments. And so were Teachers appointed to instruct the Church and others in the Truth, who have no Right to Rule, or the Administration of other Ordinances. And thus, although the whole Duty of the Edification of the Church be still incumbent on the Pastors, yet being supplied with assistance to all the parts of it, it may be comfortably discharged by them. And if this Order were observed in all Churches, not only many inconveniences would be prevented, but the Order and Edification of the Church greatly promoted.
