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

and that more than one man, yea, no less than all our Churches do suffer beyond measure, because no more of This Work is thoroughly performed. Moreover, they will acknowledge to me, That it is an usual Thing with a Prudent and […] Faithful Pastor, Himself […] single ou• some of the more grave, solid, aged Brethren in his Congregation, to Assist him in many parts of this work, o• many occasions in a year; nor will such a Pastor ordinarily do any important thing in his Government, without having first heard the Counsel of such Brethren. In short, There are few discreet Pastors, but what make many occasional Ruling Elders, every year I say then, suppose, the Church by a Vote Recommend some such Brethren (the fittest they have, and always more than one) unto the more States Assistance of their Pastors, in the Church Rule wherein they may be H••ps unto him? [I do not propose, that they should be Biennial or Triennial only▪ ⟨p. 65⟩though I know very famous Churches throughout Europe have them so!] Yea; and what if they should by Solemn Fasting and Prayer, be Commended unto the Benediction of God, in what Service they have to do? What Objection can be made against the Lawfulness? I think, None▪ can be made against the Usefulness of such a thing? Truly, for my part, if the Fifth Chapter of the first Epistle to Timothy would not bear me out, when Conscience both of my Duty and my Weakness made me to desire such Assistances, I would see whether the First Chapter of Deuteronomy would not. Only, let it all this while also be Remembered, That a total want of Men, is the sad case of some Churches, which cannot be thus provided for.

and that more than one man, yea, no less than all our Churches do suffer beyond measure, because no more of This Work is thoroughly performed. Moreover, they will acknowledge to me, That it is an usual Thing with a Prudent and 〈…〉 Faithful Pastor, Himself 〈…〉 single ou• some of the more grave, solid, aged Brethren in his Congregation, to Assist him in many parts of this work, o• many occasions in a year; nor will such a Pastor ordinarily do any important thing in his Government, without having first heard the Counsel of such Brethren. In short, There are few discreet Pastors, but what make many occasional Ruling Elders, every year I say then, suppose, the Church by a Vote Recommend some such Brethren (the fittest they have, and alwayes more than one) unto the more States Assistence of their Pastors, in the Church Rule wherein they may be Hps unto him? [I do not propose, that they should be Biennial or Triennial onely