The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. TAKE Teachers in the Third Sense, for those who are only so, and have no farther interest in Office-Power, and there is no doubt, but that there may be as many of them in any Church as are necessary unto its Edification; and ought so to be. And a due observation of this institution, would prevent the inconvenience of Mens Preaching constantly, who are in no Office in the Church. For although I do grant, that those who have once been regularly or solemnly set A part or Ordained unto the Ministry, have the Right of constant Preaching inherent in them, and the Duty of it incumbent on them, though they may be separated from those Churches, wherein and unto whom they were peculiarly Ordained; yet for Men to give themselves up constantly unto the Work of Teaching by Preaching the Gospel, who never were set apart by the Church thereunto, I know not that it can be justified.

1. TAKE Teachers in the Third Sence, for those who are only so, and have no farther interest in Office-Power, and there is no doubt, but that there may be as many of them in any Church as are necessary unto its Edification; and ought so to be. And a due observation of this institution, would prevent the inconvenience of Mens Preaching constantly, who are in no Office in the Church. For although I do grant, that those who have once been regularly or solemnly set A part or Ordained unto the Ministry, have the Right of constant Preaching inherent in them, and the Duty of it incumbent on them, though they may be separated from those Churches, wherein and unto whom they were peculiarly Ordained; yet for Men to give themselves up constantly unto the Work of Teaching by Preaching the Gospel, who never were set apart by the Church thereunto, I know not that it can be justified.

2. If there be but one sort of Elders mentioned in the Scripture, it is out of all question, that there may be many Pastors in the same Church. For there were many Elders in every Church; Act. 14.22. Act. 20.28