The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

IT is gross ignorance or negligence that occasioneth any to be otherwise minded. As the Work of the Ministry is generally discharged, as consisting only in a Weekly provision of Sermons, and the performance of some stated Offices by Reading, Men may have time and liberty enough to attend unto other occasions. But in such Persons we are not at present concerned. Our Rule is plain, 1 Tim. 4.12, 13, 14, 15, 16.

7. IT doth not hence follow, that those who are called unto the Ministry of the Word, as Pastors and Teachers, who are Elders also, are devested of the Right of Rule in the Church, or discharged from the exercise of it, because others not called unto their Office, are appointed to be assistant unto them; that is, Helps in the Government. For the Right and Duty of Rule is inseparable from the Office of Elders which all Bishops or Pastors are. The Right is still in them, and the exercise of it consistent with their more excellent Work, is required of them. So was it in the First Institution of the Sanhedrin in the Church of Israel; Exod. 18.17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Moses had before the sole Rule and Government of the People. In the addition that was made of an Eldership for his assistance, there was no diminution of his Right, or the exercise of it according to his precedent power. And the Apostles, in the constitution of Elders in every Church, derogated nothing from their own Authority, nor discharged themselves of their care. So when they appointed Deacons to take care of Supplies for the Poor, they did not forgo their own Right, nor the exercise of their Duty as their other Work would permit them, Gal. 2.9, 10. And in particular, the Apostle Paul manifested his concernment herein, in the care he took about Collection for the Poor in all Churches.

7. IT doth not hence follow, that those who are called unto the Ministry of the Word, as Pastors and Teachers, who are Elders also, are devested of the Right of Rule in the Church, or discharged from the exercise of it, because others not called unto their Office, are appointed to be assistant unto them; that is, Helps in the Government. For the Right and Duty of Rule is inseparable from the Office of Elders which all Bishops or Pastors are. The Right is still in them, and the exercise of it consistent with their more excellent Work, is required of them. So was it in the First Institution of the Sanhedrim in the Church of Israel;