The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

THESE considerations, as also those that follow, may seem jejune and contemptible unto such as have another frame of Church-Rule and Order drawn in their Minds and Interests. A Government vested in some few Persons, with Titles of Preeminence and Legal Power, exercised in Courts with Coercive Jurisdiction, by the Methods and Processes of Canons of their own framing, is that which they suppose doth better become the Grandeur of Church-Rulers, and the State of the Church, than these Creeping Elders with their Congregations. But, whereas our present enquiry after these things, is only in and out of the Scripture, wherein there is neither shadow nor appearance of any of these practices, I beg their pardon, if at present I consider them not.

THESE considerations, as also those that follow, may seem jejune and contemptible unto such as have another frame of Church-Rule and Order drawn in their Minds and Interests. A Government vested in some few Persons, with Titles of Preheminence and Legal Power, exercised in Courts with Coercive Jurisdiction, by the Methods and Processes of Canons of their own framing, is that which they suppose doth better become the Grandeur of Church-Rulers, and the State of the Church, than these Creeping Elders with their Congregations. But, whereas our present enquiry after these things, is only in and out of the Scripture, wherein there is neither shadow nor appearance of any of these practices, I beg their pardon, if at present I consider them not.

10. WE shall now make Application of these things unto our present purpose. I say then, (1.) Whereas there is a Work of Rule in the Church, distinct from that of Pastoral Feeding. (2.) Whereas this Work is to be attended unto with diligence, which includes the whole Duty of him that attends unto it. And, (3.) That the Ministry of the Word and Prayer, with all those Duties that accompany it, is a full Employment for any Man, and so consequently his principal and proper Work, which it is unlawful for him to be remiss in by attending on another with Diligence. And, (4.) Whereas there ought to be many Elders in every Church, that both the Works of Teaching and Ruling may be constantly attended unto. (5.) That in the Wisdom of the Holy Ghost, distinct Works did require distinct Offices for their discharge; all which we have proved already; our enquiry hereon is, Whether the same Holy Spirit, hath not distinguished this Office of Elders into those two sorts, namely, those who are called unto Teaching and Rule also; and those who are called unto Rule only, which we Affirm.