2. May a pastor remove from one congregation unto another?
This is a thing also which the ancient church made great provi- sion against; for when some churches were increased in members, reputation, privileges, and wealth, above others, it grew an ordinary practice for the bishops to design and endeavour their own removal from a less unto a greater benefice. This is so severely interdicted in the councils of Nice and Chalcedon as that they would not allow that a man might be a bishop or presbyter in any other place but only in the church wherein he was originally ordained; and, there- fore, if any did so remove themselves, decreed that they should be sent home again, and there abide, or cease to be church-officers.
THE ESPJiC'iAL DUTY OE PASTORS OF CHURCHES. 05
Cone. Nicffi. can. 15, 16; Chalcecl., can. 5, 20. Pluralities, as they are called, and open contending for ecclesiastical promotions, bene- fices, and dignities, were then either unknown or openly condemned.
Yet it cannot be denied but that there may be just causes of the removal of a pastor from one congregation unto another ; for whereas the end of all particular churches is to promote the edification of the catholic church in general, where, in any especial instance, such a removal is useful unto that end, it is equal it should be allowed. Cases of this nature may arise from the consideration of persons, places, times, and many other circumstances that I cannot insist on in particular. But that such removals may be without offence, it is required that they be made, — (T) WithTEe~£ree consent of the churches~concerned ; (2.) With the advice of other churches, or their elders, with whom they walk in communion. And of examples of this kind, or of the removal of bishops or pastors from one church to another in an orderly manner, by advice and counsel, for the good of the whole church, there are many instances in the primitive times. Such was that of Gregory Nazianzen, removed from Casima to Con- stantinople; though I acknowledge it had no good success.
3. May a pastor voluntarily, or of his own accord, resign and lay down his office, and remain in a private capacity?
This also was judged inconvenient, if not unlawful, by the first synod of Ephesus, in the case of Eustathius. He was, as it appears, an aged man, one that loved his own peace and quietness, and who could not well bear the oppositions and reproaches which he met withal from the church, or some in it, and thereon solemnly, upon his own judgment, without advice, laid down and renounced his office in the church ; who thereupon chose a good man in his room. Yet did the synod condemn this practice, and that not without weighty reasons, whereby they confirmed their judgment.
But yet no general rule can be established in this case; nor was the judgment or practice of the primitive church precise herein. Clemens, in his epistle to the church of Corinth, expressly adviseth those on whose occasion there was disturbance and divisions in the church to lay down their office and withdraw from it. Gregory Nazianzen did the same at Constantinople; and protested openly that although he were himself innocent and free from blame, as he truly was, and one of the greatest men of his age, yet he would de- part or be cast out, rather than they should not have peace among them ; which he did accordingly. Oral 52, et Vit. Greg. Nazian. And afterward a synod at Constantinople, under Photius, concluded that in some cases it is lawful, can. 5. Wherefore, —
(1.) It seems not to be lawful so to do merely on the account of weakness for work and labour, though occasioned by age, sickness, or bodily distemper : for no man is any way obliged to do more than
96 TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEL CHURCIT.
he is able with the regular preservation of his life ; and the church is obliged to be satisfied with the conscientious discharge of what abihties a pastor hath, otherwise providing for itself in what is wanting,
(2.) It is not lawful merely on a weariness of and despondency under opposition and reproaches, which a pastor is called and obliged to undergo for the good and edification of the flock, and not to faint in the warfare whereto he is called.
These two were the reasons of Eustathius at Perga, which were disallowed in the council at Epbesus. But, —
(3.) It is lawful in such an incurable decay of intellectual abili- ties as whereon a man can discharge no duty of the pastoral office imto the edification of the church.
(4.) It is lawful in case of incurable divisions in the church, con- stantly obstructing its edification, and which cannot be removed whilst such a one continues in his office, though he be no way the cause of them. This is the case wherein Clemens gives advice, and whereof Gregory gave an example in his own practice.
But this case and its determination will hold only where the divi- sions are incurable by any other ways and means; for if those who cause such divisions may be cast out of the church, or the church may withdraw communion from them, or if there be divisions in fixed parties and principles, opinions or practices, they may separate into distinct communions. In such cases this remedy, by the pastor's laying down his office, is not to be made use of; otherwise all things are to be done for edification.