It Avere much to be desired that all those who take upon them this pastoral office did well consider and understand how great and necessary a part of their work and duty doth consist in their con- tinual fervent prayer for their flocks ; for besides that it is the only
THE ESPECIAL DUTY OF PASTORS OF CHURCHES. 79
instituted way whereby they may, by virtue of their office, bless their congregations, so will they find their hearts and minds, in and by the discharge of it, more and more filled with love, and engaged with diligence unto all other duties of their office, and excited unto the exercise of all orrace towards the whole church on all occasions. And where any are negligent herein, there is no duty which they perform towards the church but it is influenced with false consider- ations, and will not hold weight in the balance of the sanctuary.
8. The administration of the seals of the covenant is committed unto them, as the stewards of the house of Christ; for unto them the authoritative dispensation of the word is committed, whereunto tlie administration of the seals is annexed ; for their principal end is the peculiar confirmation and application of the word preached. And herein there are three things that they are to attend unto : — (1.) The times and seasons of their administration unto the church's edification, especially that of the Lord's supper, whose frequency is enjoined. It is the duty of pastors to consider all the necessary cir- cumstances of their administration, as unto time, place, frequency, order, and decency. (2.) To keep severely unto the institution of Christ, as unto the way and manner of their administration. The gradual introduction of uninstituted rites and ceremonies into the church celebration of the ordinance of the Lord's supper ended at length in the idolatry of the mass. Herein, then, alone, and not in bowing, cringing, and vestments, lies the glory and beauty of these administrations, namely, that they are compliant with and expres- sive of the institution of Christ, nor is any thing done in them but in express obedience unto his authority. " I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you," saith the apostle in this case, 1 Cor. xi. 23. (3.) To take care that these holy things be adminis- tered only unto those who at^e meet and worthy, according unto the rule of the gospel. Those who impose on pastors the promiscuous administration of these divine ordinances, or the application of the seals unto all without difference, do deprive them of one-half of their ministerial office and duty.
But here it is inquired by some, " Whether, in case a church have no pastor at present, or a teaching elder with pastoral power, it may not delegate and appoint the administration of these especial ordi- nances unto some member of the church at this or that season, who is meetly qualified for the outward administration of them?" which, for the sake of some, I shall examine.
No clun'ch is complete in order without teaching officers, Eph. iv. 11, 12; 1 Cor. xiL 27, 28.
A church not complete in order cannot be complete in administra- tions, because the power of administrations depends upon the power of order proportionably ; that is, the power of th^ church depends
80 TRUE NATUEE OF A GOSPEL CHUECII.
upon tlie being of the church. Hence the first duty of a church without officers is to obtain them, according to rule. And to endea- vour to complete administrations without an antecedent completing of order is contrary unto the mind of Christ, Acts xiv. 23 ; Tit. i. 5, " That thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every church." The practice therefore proposed is irregular, and contrary to the mind of Christ.
The order of the church is twofold, — as essential, and as organical. The order of the church as essential, with its power thence arising, is, — first. For its preservation ; secondly. For its perfection. (1 .) For its preservation in admission and exclusion of members; (2.) For its perfection in the election of officers.
No part of this power, which belongs to the church as essentially considered, can be delegated, but must be acted by the whole church. They cannot delegate power to some to admit members, so as it should not be an act of the whole church. They cannot delegate power to any to elect officers, nor any thing else which belongs to them as a church essentially. The reason is, things that belong unto the essence of any thing belong unto it formally as such, and so cannot be transferred.
The church, therefore, cannot delegate the power and authority inquired after, should it be supposed to belong to the power of order as the church is essentially considered ; which yet it doth not.
If the church may delegate or substitute others for the discharge of all ordinances whatsoever without elders or pastors, then it may perfect the saints and complete the work of the ministry without them, which is contrary to Eph. iv. 11, 12; and, secondly, it would render the ministry only convenient, and not absolutely necessary to the church, which is contrary to the institution of it.
A particular church, in order as organical, is the adequate subject of all ordinances, and not as essential; because as essential it never doth nor can enjoy all ordinances, namely, the ministry in particular, whereby it is constituted organical. Yet, on this supposition, the church, as essentially considered, is the sole adequate subject of all ordinances.