4. The work of rule, as distinct from teaching, is in general to watch over the walking or conversation of the members of the church with authority, exhorting, comforting, admonishing, reproving, en- couraging, directing of them, as occasion shall require. The gifts necessary hereunto are diligence, wisdom, courage, and gravity ; as "we shall see afterward. The pastoral work is principally to " de- clare the whole counsel of God," to " divide the Avord aright," or to " labour in the word and doctrine," both as unto the general dispen- sation and particular application of it, in all seasons and on all occa- sions. Hereunto spiritual wisdom, knowledge, sound judgment, expe- rience, and utterance, are required, all to be improved by continual
110 TllUE NATUEE OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
study of tlie word and prayer. But this difference of gifts unto these distinct works doth not of itself constitute distinct offices, because the same persons may be meetly furnished with those of both sorts.
5. Yet distinct works and duties, though some were furnished with gifts for both, were a ground, in the wisdom of the Holy Ghost, for distinct offices in the church, where one sort of them was as much as those of one office could ordinarily attend unto. Acts vi. 2-4 Ministration unto the poor of the church for the supply of their temporal necessities is an ordinance of Christ. For the admi- nistration hereof the apostles were furnished with gifts and wisdom above all others; but yet, because there was another part of their work and duty superior hereunto, and of greater necessity unto the propagation of the gospel and edification of the church, — namely, a diligent attendance unto the word and prayer, — the wisdom of the Holy Ghost in them thought meet to erect a new office in the church for the discharge of that part of the ministerial duty, which was to be attended unto, yet not so as to be any obstruction unto the other. I do not observe this as if it were lawful for any others after them to do the same, — namely, upon a supposition of an especial work to erect an especial office. Only, I would demonstrate from hence the equity and reasonable ground of that institution, which we shall afterward evince.
6. The work of the ministry in prayer and preaching of the word, or labour in the word and doctrine, whereunto the administra- tion of the seals of the covenant is annexed, with all the duties that belong unto the especial application of these things (before insisted on) unto the flock, are ordinarily sufficient to take up the whole man, and the utmost of their endowments who are called unto the pastoral office in the church. The very nature of the work in itself is such as that the apostle, giving a short description of it, adds, as an inti- mation of its greatness and excellency, " Who is sufficient for these things?" 2 Cor. ii. ^Q. And the manner of its performance adds unto its weight; for,- — not to mention that intension of mind, in the exercise of faith, love, zeal, and compassion, which is required of them in the discharge of their whole office, — the diligent consideration of the state of the flock, so as to provide spiritual food convenient for them, with a constant attendance unto the issues and effects of the word in the consciences and lives of men, is enough, for the most part, to take up their whole time and strength.
It is gross ignorance or negligence that occasioneth any to be otherwise minded. As the work of the ministry is generally dis- charged, as consisting only in a weekly provision of sermons and the performance of some stated offices by reading, men may have time and liberty enough to attend unto other occasions; but in such persons we are not at present concerned. Our rule is plain, 1 Tim. iv. 12-16.
OF THE RULE OF THE CHURCH, OR OF RULING ELDERS. Ill
7. It doth not hence follow that those Avho are called unto the ministiy of the word, as pastors and teachers, who are elders also, are divested of the right of ride in the church, or discharged from the exercise of it, because others not called unto their office are appointed to be assistant unto them, that is, helps in the government ; for the right and duty of rule is inseparable from the office of elders, which all bishops or pastors are. The right is still in them, and the exer- cise of it, consistently with their more excellent work, is required of them. So was it in the first institution of the sanhedrim in the church of Israel, Exod. xviii. 1 7-23. Moses had before the sole rule and government of the peeple. In the addition that was made of an eldership for his assistance, there was no diminution of his right or the exercise of it according to his precedent power. And the apostles, in the constitution of elders in every church, derogated no- thing from their own authority, nor discharged themselves of their care. So when they appointed deacons to take care of supplies for the poor, they did not forego their own right nor the exercise of their duty, as their other work would permit them. Gal. ii. 9, 10; and in particular, the apostle Paul manifested his concernment herein in the care he took about a collection for the poor in all churches.