Blessed unions. An union with the son of God by faith. And, an union…

Again, Our Churches are some of them furnished, with Elders, whose whole Office tis [God help 'em to Do it Well] To Watch •ver the Conversation of the Church-Members with Authority. It is pleaded, That nothing is Plainer in Scripture, Than Elders, who Rule well, and are Worthy of Double Honour, though ⟨p. 62⟩they do not Labour in Word and Doctrine whereas if there were any Teaching Elders, who do not Labour in Word an Doctrine, they would be so far from being Worthy of Double Honour, th• they would not be Worthy of any Honour, at all. On the other side, some cannot see any such thing as what w• call a Ruling Elder directed and appointed in the Word of God; ye• some do still mention the Thing wi•• such Exorbitant and Vilifying Term• as are far from decent in any thing which themselves own to be so Disputable. And what shall now […] done in this case? I would modestly offer thus much. Let it be first Recognized, That all the other Church-officers are the Assistants of the Past•r• who was himself (as you find, even about what the Deacon has now to do) Entrusted with the Whole Care of all, until the further pity and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, joined other Officers unto him, for his Assistance in it. I suppose, None will be so Absurd as to Deny This at least; That ⟨p. 63⟩all the Church-Officers are to take the Advice of their Pastor with them. Upon which, I su• join, That a man may be a Distinct Officer from his Pastor, and yet' not have a Distinct Office from him; the Pastor may be the Ruling Elder, and yet he may have Elders to assist him in Ruling and in the actual Discharge of some Things, which They are Able and Proper to be serviceable unto him in. This Consideration being laid in, I will persuade my self, every Pastor among us, will allow me, That there is much Work to be done for God, in preparing what belongs to the Admission and Exclusion of Church-Members; in carefully inspecting the Way and Walk, of them all, and the first Appearance of Evil with them; in preventing the very Beginnings of Ill Blood among them; and Instructing of all from House to House, more privately, and Warning of all persons, unto the Things more peculiarly incumbent on them; in Visiting all the Afflicted, and informing of and consulting with the Ministers for the Welfare of the Whole Flock. And