The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

4. THEY are to watch against the beginnings of any Church-Disorders, such as those that infested the Church of Corinth, or any of the like sort; with remissness as unto the Assemblies of the Church and the Duties of them, which some are subject unto, as the Apostle intimates, Heb. 10.25. On the Constancy and Diligence of the Elders in this part of their Work and Duty, the very Being and Order of the Church do greatly depend. The want hereof hath opened a door unto all the Troubles, Divisions and Schisms, that in all Ages have invaded and perplexed the Churches of Christ from within themselves. And from thence also have Decays in Faith, Love and Order insensibly prevailed in many, to the dishonour of Christ, and the danger of their own Souls. First one grows remiss in attending unto the Assemblies of the Church, and then another; first to one degree, then to another, until the whole Lump be infected. A diligent watch over these things as to the beginnings of them in all the members of the Church will either heal and recover them that offend, or it will warn others, and keep the Church from being either corrupted or defiled, Heb. 3. Chap. 12.

5. IT belongs unto them also to visit the Sick, especially such as whose inward or outward conditions do expose them unto more than ordinary trials in their Sickness; that is the Poor, the Afflicted, the Tempted in any kind. This in general is a moral Duty, a Work of Mercy; but it is moreover a peculiar Church-Duty by virtue of Institution. And one end of the Institution of Churches, is, that the Disciples of Christ may have all that Spiritual and Temporal Relief which is needful for them, and useful to them in their Troubles and Distresses. And if this Duty were diligently attended unto by the Officers of the Church, it would add much unto the Glory and Beauty of our Order, and be an abiding reserve with Relief in the Minds of them whose outward condition exposeth them to straits and sorrows in such a season.