The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…

But I answer; he not only may be, but is a pastor to these that are but potentially members to the invisible Church, though unconverted, except you say, a man hath no relation as a pastor to the flock, to all and every one of a thousand souls, which ⟨p. 178⟩are his flock, except they be all truly converted, and members of the invisible Church, which if you say, I can refute it easily as an Anabaptisticall falsehood; for if they all profess the truth, and choose him for their pastor, he is their pastor, but they are a saved flock potentially, though actually a visible flock having actual relation to him, as to their pastor.

But I answer; he not onely may be, but is a pastor to these that are but potentially members to the invisible Church, though unconverted, except you say, a man hath no relation as a pastor to the flock, to all and every one of a thousand soules, which ⟨p. 178⟩are his flock, except they bee all truly converted, and members of the invisible Church, which if you say, I can refute it easily as an Anabaptisticall falsehood; for if they all professe the truth, and chuse him for their pastor, hee is their pastor, but they are a saved flock potentially, though actually a visible flock having actuall relation to him, as to their pastor.

But. 2. That a good minister know all his flock by name, be requisite, and is spoken of Christ▪ Joh. 10. in relation to the whole Catholic Church, as is expounded v. 14. yet will it not follow, he is not a pastor nor not a good pastor, who knoweth not all his flock at all times. 3. A man is indeed not properly a pastor, and a Church officer to Indians, who neither are called nor profess the truth, if he preach to them, though he have not relation to such, as to a Christian flock, yet he hath a relation of a pastor to them in that case.