over these things, as to the beginnings of them, in all the members of the church, will either heal and recover them that offend, or it will warn others, and keep the church from being either corrupted or defiled; Heb. iii. xii. ***

5. It belongs unto them also to visit the sick, especially such as whose inward or outward conditions do expose them unto more than ordinary trials in their sickness; that is, the poor, the afflicted, the tempted in any kind. This in general is a moral duty, a work of mercy; but it is moreover a peculiar church-duty by virtue of institution. And one end of the institution of churches, is, that the disciples of Christ may have all that spiritual and temporal relief which is needful for them, and useful to them, in their troubles and distresses. And if this duty were diligently attended unto by the officers of the church, it would add much unto the glory' and beauty of our order, and be an abiding reserve with relief in the minds of them whose outward condition exposeth them to straits and sorrows in such a season.

I add hereunto, as a duty of the same nature, the visitation of those who suffer unto restraint and imprisonment upon the account of their profession, adherence unto churchassemblies, or the discharge of any pastoral or office-duties in them. This is a case wherewith we are not unacquainted, nor are like so to be. Some look on this as the duty of all the members of the church, who yet enjoy their liberty'; and so it is, as their opportunities and abilities will allow them, provided their discharge of it be useful unto those whom they visit, and inoffensive unto others. But this duty diligently attended unto by the elders, representing therein the care and love of the whole church, yea, of Christ himself unto his prisoners, is a great spring of relief and comfort unto them. And by the elders may the church be acquainted what yet is required of them in a way of duty on their account. The care of the primitive churches herein was most eminent.

6. It belongs unto them and their office, to advise with and give direction unto the deacons of the church, as unto the making provision and distribution of the charity of the church for the relief of the poor. The office of the deacons is principally executive, as we shall see afterward. Inquisition into the state of the poor, with all their circumstances,

with the warning of all the members of the church unto liberality for their supply, belongs unto the elders.

7. When the state of the church is such, through suffering, persecution, and affliction, that the poor be multiplied among them, so as that the church itself is not able to provide for their relief in a due manner, if any supply be sent unto them from the love and bounty of other churches, it is to be deposited with these elders, and disposed according to to their advice, with that of the teachers of the church; Acts xi. 30.

8. It is also their duty, according to the advantage which they have by their peculiar inspection of all the members of the church, their ways, and their walking, to acquaint the pastors, or teaching-elders of the church, with the state of the flock, which may be of singular use unto them for their direction in the present work of the ministry. He who makes it not his business to know the state of the church which he ministers unto in the word and doctrine, as to their knowledge, their judgment and understanding, their temptations and occasions, and applies not himself in his ministry to search out what is necessary and useful unto their edification; he fights uncertainly in his whole work, as a man beating the air. But, whereas their obligation to attend unto the word and prayer, confines them much unto a retirement for the greatest part of their time, they cannot by themselves obtain that acquaintance with the whole flock, but that others may greatly assist therein from their daily inspection, converse, and observation.

9. And it is their duty to meet and consult with the teaching-elders, about such things of importance, as are to be proposed in and unto the church, for its consent and compliance. Hence, nothing crude or indigested, nothing unsuited to the sense and duty of the church, will at any time be proposed therein, so to give occasion unto contests or janglings, disputes contrary unto order or decency; but all things may be preserved in a due regard unto the gravity and authority of the rulers..

10. To take care of the due liberties of the church, that they be not imposed on by any Diotrephes in office, or without it.

11. It is incumbent on them in times of difficulties and persecution, to consult together with the other elders concerning all those things which concern the present duty of the church, from time to time, and their preservation from violence, according unto the will of Christ.

12. Whereas, there may be, and oft-times is, but one teaching-elder, pastor, or teacher in a church, upon his death or removal, it is the work and duty of these elders to preserve the church in peace and unity; to take care of the continuation of its assemblies; to prevent irregularities in any persons or parties among them; to go before, to direct and guide the church in the call and choice of some other meet person or persons in the room of the deceased or removed.

These few instances have I given of the work and duty of ruling elders. They are all of them such as deserve a greater enlargement in their declaration and confirmation, than I can here afford unto them. And sundry things of the like nature, especially with respect unto communion with other churches and synods: but what hath been spoken is sufficient unto my present purpose. And to manifest that it is so, I shall add the ensuing observations.

1. All the things insisted on, do undoubtedly and unquestionably belong unto the rule and order appointed by Christ in his church. There is no one of them that is liable unto any just exception from them by whom all church-order is despised. Wherefore, where there is a defect in them or any of them, the church itself is defective as unto its own edification. And where this defect is great, in many of them, there can be no beauty, no glory, no order in any church, but only an outward show and appearance of them. And that all these things do belong unto the duty of these elders, there needs no other proof nor confirmation, but that they all undoubtedly and unquestionably belong unto that rule and order, which the Lord Christ hath appointed in his church, and which the Scripture testifieth unto, both in general and particular. For all the things which belong unto the rule of the church, are committed to the care of the rulers of the church.

2. It is a vain apprehension to suppose that one or two teaching officers in a church, who are obliged to give them

selves unto the word and prayer, to labour with all their might in the word and doctrine, to preach in and out of season; that is, at all times, on all opportunities, as they are able, to convince gainsayers by word and writing, pleading for the truth; to assist and guide the consciences of all, under their temptations and desertions, with sundry other duties, in part spoken to before, should be able to take care of, and attend with diligence unto these things that do evidently belong unto the rule of the church, And hence it is, that churches at this day do live on the preaching of the word, the proper work of their pastor, which they greatly value, and are very little sensible of the wisdom, goodness, love, and care of Christ, in the institution of this rule in the church, nor are partakers of the benefits of it unto their edification. And the supply which many have made hitherto herein, by persons either unacquainted with their duty, or insensible of their own authority, or cold, if not negligent, in their work, doth not answer the end of their institution. And hence it is that the authority of government, and the benefit of it, are ready to be lost in most churches. And it is both vainly and presumptuously pleaded, to give countenance unto a neglect of their order, that some churches do walk in love and peace, and are edified without it; supplying some defects by the prudent aid of some members of them. For it is nothing but a preference of our own wisdom unto the wisdom and authority of Christ; or at best, an unwillingness to make a venture on the warranty of his rule, for fear of some disadvantages that may ensue thereon.

3. Whereas, sundry of the duties before mentioned, are, as unto the substance of them, required of the members of the church, in their several stations, without any especial obligation to attend unto them with diligence, to look after them, or power to exercise, any authority in the discharge of them, to leave them from under the office-care of the elders, is to let in confusion and disorder into the church, and gradually to remove the whole advantage of the discipline of Christ, as it is come to pass in many churches already.

It is therefore evident, that neither the purity, nor the order, nor the beauty or glory of the churches of Christ, nor the representation of his own majesty and authority in the government of them, can be long preserved without a multi

plication of elders in them, according to the proportion of their respective members, for their rule and guidance. And for want hereof have churches of old and of late, either degenerated into anarchy and confusion, their self-rule being managed with vain disputes and janglings, unto their division and ruin; or else given up themselves unto the domination of some prelatical teachers, to rule them at their pleasure, which proved the bane and poison of all the primitive churches; and they will and must do so in the neglect of this order for the future.

CHAP. IX.

Of deacons.

THE original institution, nature, and use of the office of deacons in the church, are so well known, as that we need not much insist upon them. Nor shall I treat of the name which is common unto any kind of ministry civil or sacred; but speak of it as it is appropriated unto that especial work for which this office was ordained.

The remote foundation of it lieth in that of our Saviour, The poor you have always with you;' John xii. 8. He doth not only foretel that such there should be in the church, but recommends the care of them who should be so, unto the church. For he maketh use of the words of the

law, Deut. xv. 11. For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy. This legal institution, founded in the law of nature, doth the Lord Christ by his authority transfer and translate unto the use of gospel churches among his disciples.

And it may be observed, that at the same instant bypocrisy and avarice began to attempt their advantage on the consideration of this provision for the poor, which they afterward effected unto their safety. For on the pretence hereof, Judas immediately condemned an eminent duty towards the person of Christ, as containing a cost in it,