Thirdly, As the Ministers have peculiar relation to their particular flocks, so the people unto their particular Ministers, unto whom they are tied in special manner, as to their Overseers, who must give account for their souls. And if this peculiar relation betwixt the people & the Minister doth not hinder the people from receiving the Lords Supper at the hands of another Minister; nor the minister from performing the Ministerial act to the members of another congregation. Neither doth his peculiar Relation to his own flock hinder him, from administering unto ⟨p. 32⟩others upon just occasion being entreated thereunto. As the combining of the people to their peculiar Minister, doth not quite cut off their communion with other Ministers: so neither doth the restraining of a Minister to a peculiar flock quite cut him off from administering upon occasion: unto another people. Paul appointeth the Ephesian Elders unto the care & charge only of their own particular flock,1 but so to attend them ordinarily according to the rules of the Scripture; that as occasion was offered, might perform some Ministerial acts in another congregation. The taking heed unto their flocks which Paul requires in this place doth comprehend under it the administration of the Word,2 Prayer, and Sacrament, and if it must be restrained to their own particular Churches only, it is unlawful for a Pastor to preach or call upon the name of God in any public Assembly save his own, upon any occasion, as these be duties pertaining to common confession or profession of faith. Ordinary Pastors and Teachers it is true, are not Apostles, who are to go from place to place, from Country to Country, to plant and erect Churches, but they are tied ordinarily to one flock, as the Text proveth, and to which purpose it is commonly cited. But that a Pastor is so tied to his flock, that he can perform no ministerial act to any other upon any occasion that it proveth not, nor can we find that it was ever so understood by Divines ancient or modern.3 W. B. telleth us, the learned bring these allegations to this purpose.4 But the author in alleging the consent of the learned was very careless or much abused, for there is not one that speaketh to the purpose.5 I. D. disclaimeth that position; and for the rest it is a matter notorious,6 they were never thought to be of that opinion;7
Thirdly, As the Ministers have peculiar relation to their particular flocks, so the people unto their particular Ministers, unto whom they are tied in speciall manner, as to their Overseers, who must give account for theirsouls. And if this peculiar relation betwixt the people & the Minister doth not hinder the people from receiving the Lords Supper at the hands of another Minister; nor the minister from performing the Ministeriall act to the members of another congregation. Neither doth his peculiar Relation to his own flock hinder him, from administring unto ⟨p. 32⟩others upon just occasion being intreated thereunto. As the combining of the people to their peculiar Minister, doth not quite cut off their communion with other Ministers: so neither doth the restraining of a Minister to a peculiar flock quite cut him off from administring upon occasion: unto another people. Paul appointeth the Ephesian Elders unto the care & charg onely of their own particular flock,1 but so to attend them ordinarily according to the rules of the Scripture; that as occasion was offered, might performe some Ministeriall acts in another congregation. The taking heed unto their flocks which Paul requires in this place doth cōprehend under it the administration of the Word,2 Prayer, and Sacrament, and if it must be restrained to their owne particular Churches onely, it is unlawfull for a Pastor to preach or call upon the name of God in any publike Assembly save his own, upon any occasion, as these be duties prtaining to common confession or profession of faith. Ordinary Pastors and Teachers it is true, are not Apostles, who are to go from place to place, from Country to Country, to plant and erect Churches, but they are tied ordinarily to one flock, as the Text proveth, and to which purpose it is commonly cited. But that a Pastor is so tied to his flock, that he can perform no ministeriall act to any other upon any occasion that it proveth not, nor can we find that it was ever so understood by Divines ancient or modern.3 W. B. telleth us, the learned bring these allegations to this purpose.4 But the authour in alledging the consent of the learned was very carelesse or much abused, for there is not one that speaketh to the purpose.5 I. D. disclaimeth that position; and for the rest it is a matter notorious,
- 1Acts. 20 28 The Word of God and Cano is of Councels will have Pastors so to care for their own flock, that they forbid them not to care for the whole Church, especially in a time of common combustion. The answer of some Brethren. pag. 1•.
- 2Publica Dei invocatio non minima pars communis in unâ fide consensionis. Beza contra Erastum, de Presbyt pap. 13.
- 3Euseb Hist. 5. c. 26. Graec.
- 4Chami••. Panst. •om 2. l. 10. c. 8.
- 5Sect. 16.
- 6The Churches Plea, pag 44.
- 7Apol. pag. 117 & •98.
