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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 Phœbe, 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 ordi nance 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 deputed 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 neces sary 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, V.Thether 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, Whe ther 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 depos ed from his office, and be cast out of the church for immorality of 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 persons 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 muzzled 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

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agement to the diligent performance of it; with the duties of a church respecting them.

I. The nature and original of it; It is not a political, but an ecclesiastic office; sometimes, indeed, the word is used in a political sense, for the civil magistrate; who is said to be theou diakonos, the deacon of God; we render it, the minister of God, Rom. xiii. 4. but it is commonly used in an ecclesiastic sense; sometimes for extraordinary ministers, as apostles, whose ministry is called diakonos, a deaconship, and is joined with apostleship, Acts i. 17. 25.1 Cor. iii. 6. even our Lord Jesus Christ has this name and title, as the propht of the church, and a preacher of the everlasting gospel; Now I say] that Jesus Christ was diakonos a deacon, or minister of the eircumcision, or to the circumscised Jews, Rom. xv. 8. not to take notice, that the ministry of angels is called diakonia, a deaconship, Heb. i. 14. it is oftener given to ordinary preachers and ministers of the word; as to Tychicus, Epaphras, and others, Eph. v. 21. Col. i. 7. and iv. 7. but elsewhere a deacon is spoken of as a distinct officer from either ministers extraordinary or ordinary, 1 Tim. iii. and the officers of the church at Philippi are distinguished into bishops and deacons, Phil. i. 1.

Now the original of the institution of this office we have an account of, as is commonly thought, in Acts vi. 1-5. By which it appears, 1. That those who are chosen to this office must be members of the church, or they are not eligible; and that they are to be chosen by the vote and suffrage of the church; and their destination is only to that church to which they belong. Extraordinary collections from other churches, we may observe, were sent to the elders, to be disposed of by, them, Acts xi. 30. Wherefore, 2. The apostles, though they gave up themselves more especially to prayer, and the ministry of the word, yet they did not divest themselves wholly of this service; see Aces xii. 25. deacons may be what the apostle calls helps, in 1 Cor. xii. 28. being helpful to the min. Aster church, and poor, 3. This office was instituted when

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