church; in taking care of the whole discipline of the church of God, that it is observed, and that the rules respecting it are put into execution. Now the rule and government of pastors of churches is not to be exercised in an arbitrary way, but according to the word of God, and the laws and rules which Christ, as King and Head of the church, has given; and when they rule according to these, they may be said to rule well, and should be respected and obeyed, and counted worthy of honour. I proceed to answer,

IV. Some queries relative to the office of pastors. "1. Whether a pastor of one church can officiate as such in another church; or whether he can administer the Lord's supper, which is a pastoral act, in and to a church of which he is no pastor.' A man can never act as a pastor, where he is not so much as a member; All members, the apostle says, have not the same office, Rom. xii. 4. but let the office be what it may, they must be members that have it, and they only. As one that is not a member of a church cannot be an officer in it; he has no office-power in it, and in consequence, cannot admini-¡ ster the Lord's supper in it, which is an act of office-power. As well may he exercise other branches of his pastoral office as this; preside at their church meetings: if he can act as a pastor in two churches, he may in ten, and twenty, and more, and so become a diocesan bishop; yea, an universal bishop or pastor as the pope at Rome pretends to be, and popery stopped not until it came to that, to establish an universal pastor Should it be asked, as it may be reasonably asked, by what authority they do this thing? who or what gives them this authority? What answer can be returned? will they say they have their authority from Christ? this must be nad, either immediately from him, as the apostles had for what they did, and then they must be called upon to work miracles in the confirmation of it, as they did; or from the word of God and Christ; and then it lies upon them to give proot of it from thence. Neither can a pastor derive his authority from his own church, of which he is properly pastor; nor from the

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other, to whom, at their request, he administers to the ordinance: neither the consent of the one, nor the desire of the other, can give him sufficient authority so to act. Such who take upon them to act in such a manner, may be truly called, busy bodies in other mens matters, 1 Pet. iv. 15. the word there translated, a busy body, is allotrioepiscopos, a bishop, in another parish or diocese. As well may a deacon of one church officiate as such in another, as a pastor of one church officiate in another; for they are both alike chosen by, and ordained to par ticular churches, and not to others. No instance can be given of such a practice in the word of God; there may be instances of members of one church communicating with another church occasionally; so Phæbe, a member of the church at Cenchrea, was to be admitted to communicate with the church at Rome but then partaking of an ordinance is a privilege arising from the communion of churches; and is only a kind of spiritual hospitality, giving a meal to a traveller; and that by a pastor discharging his office in his own proper place, in his own church: but the administration of an ordinance is an act of office power, which one church cannot give to another, nor a pastor exercise it in another church, Rom. xvi. 1, 2. The instance of the apostle Paul's breaking bread to the dis. ciples at Troas, supposing it to be understood of the ordinance of the supper, is no proof and example of such a practice, since he was an apostle, and had the care of all the churches upon him: Are all apostles? They are not. Secondly, Another question may be put upon the former, Whether a brother or private member of a church, may be de puted by the church to administer the ordinance of the Lord's supper? if the church may delegate and 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 as Dr. Owen further observes, it would render the ministry only convenient, and not absolutely necessary to the church, which is contrary to the institution of it,

and such a practice would tend to make a church content without a pastor, and careless and negligent of seeking after one, when without one. Thirdly, Another question is, Whether a pastor may remove from one congregation to another ? The answer is, if it is for worldly advantage, and he has a sufficient provision where he is, he ought not. There are

some cases in which it may be lawful for him to remove; as when it appears to be for the good of the interest of religion, and of the church of Christ in general; when a competent provision is not made for him and his family, but they are not only exposed to want, but the gospel also to the reproach and contempt of the world. Fourthly, It may be asked, Whether on account of bodily weakness, or a decay of intellectual abilities, a pastor may resign his office; he may voluntarily lay down his office, with the consent of the church. Fifthly, If it is a question, Whether a pastor of a church may be deposed from his office, and be cast out of the church for immorality or heresy, it may be answered in the affirmative, Col. iv. 17. 1 Tim. v. 19. if the sole power of excommunication lay in the pastor, he cannot be dealt with in such a manner; but that is not the case; it lies in the church, as will be seen hereafter; to which power a pastor of a church is equally subject as a private member.

OF THE DUTIES OF CHURCHES TO

THEIR PASTORS.

THE several duties which members of churches are under obligation to perform to their respective ministers, pastors, and elders, will be considered, as they lie in various passages of scripture.

I. In 1 Thess, v. 12, 13. We beseech you brethren to know them, &c. 1. It is the duty of church members to know their pastors; which is not to be understood of a bare knowledge of their persons, for it cannot be supposed, that there can be such a relation between pastors and members, and yet the members not know their pastors; the sheep know their

shepherd and his voice. To be acquainted with them; to acknowledge them as their ministers; to take notice of them; to love them; and to shew a concern for their comfort and welfare, their safety and protection. Now the arguments and reasons made use of to enforce this duty are, 1. Because such persons laboured among them; they were not non-resi dents, but were upon the spot where the people were, they had the care of; for where should pastors be, but with their flocks, 1 Pet. v. 2. 2. Because they are over the churches to whom they minister. 3. They admonish the saints, or put them in mind of their former experiences, of the duties of religion, and of approaching danger from their spiritual enemies. 11. It is the duty of church members not only to know their pastors, but to esteem them very highly in love, for their work-sake, or superabundantly, as the word signifies, over and above common esteem and affection, and above common christians, in honour, prefering them to others; they are to think, and should speak very highly and very honourably of them.

II. Other branches of the duty of members to their pastors are expressed in Heb. xiii. 7. 17, 18. Obey them that have the rule over you, &c. respects duties to be performed to the same per- ¡ sons who are described as before. 1.Obedience is to be yielded; which lies, 1. In a due regard to the ministry of the word by them. 2. In attendance on the ordinances of the gospel, as administered by them, and in joining with them constantly in the administration of them. 3. In regarding their admonitions, reproofs, and rebukes, whether in case of error or immorality, and whether in private or in public. 2. Another branch of the duty of church members to their pastors, is to submit themselves to them; that is, to the laws of Christ's house, as directed to and put into execution by them. Another branch of duty in church members to their pastors, is suggested in verse 18, Pray for us, for us ministers: members of churches should be solicitous at the throne of

grace for their ministers. With respect to their private. studies and preparation for their work, and with respect to the world, and their conduct in it.

III. The duty of church members to their pastors is held forth in various passages respecting their maintenance, or a provision for the subsistence of themselves and families, 1 Tim. v. 17, 18. Gal. vi. 6. This duty the apostle urges and presses with various arguments, in 1 Cor. ix. 7-14. he argues from the law of nature and nations, exemplified in the cases of soldiers, planters of vineyards, and keepers of flocks, who, by virtue of their calling and services, have a right to a livelihood; between whom, and ministers of the gospel, there is a resemblance: also he argues from the law of Moses, particularly the law respecting the ox, not to be muzIzled when he treads out the corn; which he interprets of ministers of the word, and applies it to them; he argues the right of the maintenance of the ministers of the gospel, from the justice and equity of the thing; that since they minister spiritual things, it is but reasonable they should receive temporal ones: he makes this clear from the case of the priests under the legal dispensation, who ministering in holy things, had a provision made for them; and lastly, from the constitution and appointment of Christ himself, whose ordinance it is, that they that preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.

IV. It is the duty of members of churches to adhere to their pastors, and abide by them in every condition and state; to support them under all difficulties; to encourage them under all their discouragements; to sympathize with them in all their trials: the apostle Paul commends particularly Onesiphorus for his attachment to him and concern for him.

OF THE OFFICE OF DEACONS.

THE other officers in a gospel church are deacons: the things to be treated of respecting this office, are the nature and original of it; the work to be performed by those who are appointed to it; their qualifications for it, and the encour