5. The substance of these and all other instances or testimonies of the same kind is this: Those whose names are the same, equally common and applicable unto them all, whose function is the same, Avhose qualifications and characters are the same, whose duties, ac- count, and reward are the same, concerning whom there is in no one
46 TRUE NATUEE OF A GOSPEL CIIUECH.
place of Scripture the least mention of inequality, disparity, or pre- ference iu office among them, they are essentially and every way the same. That thus it is with the elders and bishops in the Scripture cannot modestly be denied.
I do acknowledge, that where a church is greatly increased, so as that there is a necessity of many elders in it for its instruction and rule, decency and order do require that one of them do, in the man- agement of all church-affairs, preside, to guide and direct the way and manner thereof: so the presbyters at Alexandria did choose one from among themselves that should have the pre-eminence of a president among them. Whether the person that is so to preside be directed unto by being first converted, or first ordained, or on the account of age, or of gifts and abilities, whether he continue for a season only, and then another be deputed unto the same work, or for his life, are things in themselves indifferent, to be determined according unto the general rules of reason and order, with respect unto the edification of the church.
I shall never oppose this order, but rather desire to see it in prac- tice,— namely, that particular churches were of such an extent as necessarily to require many elders, both teaching and ruling, for their instruction and government; for the better observation of order and decency in the public assemblies; for the fuller representation of the authority committed by Jesus Christ unto the officers of his church ; for the occasional instruction of the members in lesser assemblies, which, as unto some ends, may be stated also ; with the due attendance unto all other means of edification, as watching, inspecting, warning, admonishing, exhorting, and the like: and that among these elders one should be chosen by themselves, with the consent of the church, not into a new order, not into a degree of authority above his breth- ren, but only unto his part of the common Avork in a peculiar manner, which requires some kind of precedency. Hereby no new officer, no new order of officers, no new degree of power or authority, is consti- tuted in the church; only the work and duty of it is cast into such an order as the very light of nature doth require.
But there is not any intimation in the Scripture of the least im- parity or inequality, in order, degree, or authority, among officers of the same sort, whether extraordinary or ordinary. The apostles were all equal; so were the evangelists, so were elders or bishops, and so were deacons also. The Scripture knows no more of an archbishop, such as all diocesan bishops are, nor of an archdeacon, than of an arch- apostle, or of an arclievangelist, or an archprophet. Howbeit it is evident that in all their assemblies they had one who did preside in the manner before described; which seems, among the apostles, to have been the prerogative of Peter.
The brethren also of the church may be so multiplied as that the
THE OFFICERS OF THE CHUllCH. 47
constant meeting of them all in one place may not be absolutely best for their edification; howbeit, that on all the solemn occasions of the church whereunto their consent was necessary, they did of old, and ought still, to meet in the same place, for advice, consultation, and consent, was proved before. This is so fully expressed and exem- plified in the two great churches of Jerusalem and Antioch, Acts xv., that it cannot be gainsaid. When Paul and Barnabas, sent by the " brethren" or church at Antioch, verses 1-8, were come to Jerusalem, they were received by "the church," as the brethren are called, in dis- tinction from the "apostles and elders," verse 4. So when the apostles and elders assembled to consider of the case proposed unto them, the whole " multitude" of the church, that is, the brethren, assembled with them, verses 6, 1 2 ; neither were they mute persons, mere audi- tors and spectators in the assembly, but they concurred both in the debate and determination of the question, insomuch that they are ex- pressly joined with the apostles and elders in the advice given, verses 22, 23. And when Paul and Barnabas returned unto Antioch, the " multitude," unto whom the letter of the church at Jerusalem was directed, came together about ii, verses 23, SO. Unless this be ob- served, the primitive church-state is overthrown. But I shall return from this digression.
The first officer or elder of the church is the pastor. A pastor is the elder that feeds and rules the flock, 1 Pet. v. 2; that is, who is its teacher and its bishop: noz/jtavars, =-/(r%ocroDi/7-£;, "Feed, taking the oversight."
It is not my })resent design or work to give a full account of the qualifications required in persons to be called unto this office, nor of their duty and work, with the qualities or virtues to be exercised therein ; it would require a large discourse to handle them practi- cally, and it hath been done by others. It were to be wished that what is of this kind expressed in the rule, and which the nature of the office doth indispensably require, were more exemplified in prac- tice than it is. But some things relating unto this officer and his office, that are needful to be well stated, I shall treat concerning.