The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

HEREUNTO Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge, Sound Judgment, Experience and Utterance are required, all to be improved by continual study of the Word and Prayer. But this difference of Gifts, unto these distinct Works, doth not of it self constitute distinct Offices, because the same Persons may be meetly furnished with those of both sorts.

HEREUNTO Spiritual Wisdom, Knowledge, Sound Judgment, Experience and Vtterance are required, all to be improved by continual study of the Word and Prayer. But this difference of Gifts, unto these distinct Works, doth not of it self constitute distinct Offices, because the same Persons may be meetly furnished with those of both sorts.

5. YET distinct Works and Duties, though some were furnished with Gifts for both, was a ground in the Wisdom of the Holy Ghost, for distinct Offices in the Church, where one sort of them were as much as those of one Office could ordinarily attend unto, Act. 6.2, 3, 4. Ministration unto the poor of the Church, for the supply of their Temporal Necessities, is an Ordinance of Christ. The Administration hereof, the Apostles were furnished for with Gifts and Wisdom above all others: But yet, because there was another part of their Work and Duty superior hereunto, and of greater necessity unto the Propagation of the Gospel and Edification of the Church, namely, a diligent attendance unto the Word and Prayer, the Wisdom of the Holy Ghost in them thought meet to erect a New Office in the Church, for the discharge of that part of the Ministerial Duty which was to be attended unto; yet, not so as to be any obstruction unto the other. I do not observe this, as if it were lawful for any others after them to do the same; namely, upon a supposition of an especial Work, to erect an especial Office. Only I would demonstrate from hence, the equity and reasonable ground of that Institution, which we shall afterwards evince.