love patience meekness CHAP. V. Of the duties of their Calling which are more private THe duties of their Calling are these that belong to their watching over and ruling of the flock and they be of two sorts some that they are to perform by themselves alone and so may be called More private duties others that they are to perform jointly with the rest of the Over seers of the House of God and may be called more publick The duties of their Calling that be more private are all these that private Christians are bound to perform each of them unto another by the Law of charity and love and these are first to instruct one another Joh. 4. 29. Acts 18. 26. Secondly to exhort and stir up one another to provoke unto love and good works Heb. 10. 24 25. Thirdly to admonish and rebuke one another Levit. 19. 17. First privately and if they will not hearken then before Witnesses if yet they will not hearken then to tell the Church and if they will not hear the Church then to tell the Church and if they will not hear the Church then let them be unto us as Heathens and Publicans Math. 18. 15 16 17. Fourthly to comfort the afflicted and to support the weak 1 Thess. 5. 11. Fifthly to restore those who are fallen Gal. 6. 1. Sixthly To reconcile these who are at variance Math. 5. 9. Seventhly To pray one for another Jude 20. Eighthly To visit the sick and those who are in bonds and distress Math 25. 36. All these duties Elders are to perform to the several Members of the Congregation by vertue of their Calling The Scriptures do expresly mention some of them as incumbent unto them to wit admonishing these over whom God hath set them 1 Thess. 5. 12. visiting and praying over the sick Jam. 5. 14. feeding the flock by Instruction Exhortation Rebuke and Comfort in such a way as is competent to their station Act 20. 28. The rest we may warrantably gather by analogie and proportion from these If privat Christians be obliged thereto much more are Christian Elders who have the charge of Souls in a special way obliged thereto These things are well expressed in the sixth Chap. of the second Book of Discipline As the Pastors and Doctors say they should be diligent in teaching and sowing the â—eed of the Word so the Elders should be careful in seeking of the fruit of the same of the People It appertains to them to assist the Pastor in Examination of them that come to the Lords Table Item in visiting the sick they should cause the Acts of the Assemblies aswell particular as general to be put in execution carefully they should be diligent to admonish all men of their duty according to the rule of the Evangel things that they cannot correct by privat admonition they should bring to the Eldership From what hath been said concerning these duties of Ruling Elders these three things follow First that they ought to be men of such ability as are in some measure able to instruct exhort admonish rebuke comfort pray and do these duties now mentioned Secondly That it is needful for them not only to have some measure of ability for these things but also to have some measure of dexterity wisdom experience tenderness in following the same Thirdly That they be well acquainted with the condition of the Congregation and the Members thereof and therefore be careful to observe their carriage and frequently to visit and take inspection of Families that they may instruct the ignorant exhort the negligent admonish the sloathful and rebuke those who walk disorderly comfort the afflicted establish those who waver visit the sick encourage these who do well and see piety and godliness promoted in Families and every one edifying another in love walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Ghost CHAP. VI. Of these duties which are more publick and which they are â—o perform joyntly with others THe duties of Elders which are more publick and which they are to perform joyntly with others are these which ly upon them in the Assemblies or Courts of the Church which are made up of Preaching Elders Teaching Elders and Ruling Elders These Assemblies are in our Church of four sorts either they are of the Elders of particular Congregations which is the Church Session or of the Elders of moe Congregations than one lying near together which is the Presbyterie or of the Elders of moe Presbyteries then one which is the Provincial Synod or of the Elders Commissioners from all the Presbyteries in the Land which is the General or National Assembly To these we may adde a fifth sort to wit that which is made up of Elders from all or diverse Nations professing the Faith of Jesus Christ. Whilst we speak of Elders of which the Assemblies of the Church are made up we mean all sorts of Elders Ministers Doctors and Ruling Elders It is true that in the Congregations of our Church because of the want of maintenance there be few or no Doctors or Teaching Elders distinct from Pastors or Ministers who perform the duties both of the Preaching Elder and of the Teaching Elder only in the Schools of Divinity are such In all Assemblies of the Church Ruling Elders being therto rightly called have power to sit write debate vote and conclude in all matters that are handled therein Acts 15. 2. and 6. 22 23. The things which be handled in the Assemblies of the Church be either matters of Faith matters of Order matters of Discipline or that which concerneth the sending of Church-officers according to which they have a fourfold power 1. That which is called Dogmatick whereby they judge of Truth and Error in points of Doctrine according to the Word of God only 2. That which is callee Diatactick by which they discern and judge of the circumstances of these things that belong to the worship of God as Times Places Persons and all such particulars in Ecclesiastick Affairs as are not determined in the Word according to the general Rules thereof concerning order and decency avoiding of scandal doing all to the glory of God and to the edifying of the Church 3. That which is Critick or Corrective by which Censures are exercised upon the scandalous and obstinate and such as are penitent again admitted to the Ordinances Fellowship Society of the Church 4. That which is called Exousiastick by vertue of which they send authorize and give power to Church officers to serve in the house of God All these Assemblies are not to exer cise all these powers but to keep themselves within their due bounds the Inferior leaving these things that are of more common concernment to the Superiour but in all these Powers Ruling Elders have a share and do put forth the same in exercise according to the measure that belongs to the Assembly whereof they are Members Acts 15. 6. 22 23. Howbeit the
labour in the word and doctrine Which Text doth hold forth and distinguish two sorts of Elders in the Church to whom the Lord Jesus hath committed the power of Ruling One sort who do also labour in the Word and Doctrine to wit Pastors and Teachers Another sort who do only Rule and doing it well are accounted worthy of double honour and these are the Ruling Elders of whom we speak From this that the Office of the Ruling Elder is of Divine Institution we gather these conclusions First that it is not a thing arbitrary and indifferent for such to wait upon their charge yea or not as they please or as their attendance may contribute for their own or their friends particular which is the custom of too too many Elders but that they are bound in conscience diligently to attend and follow the duties thereof whether they be such as they ought to the several Members of the Congregation or the keeping of Session or Presbytery and other Assemblies of the Church when they are called and desired thereto Secondly that Elders ought to do their Office not formally and hypocritically for the fashion only but sincerely and honestly as in the sight of God by whom they are called unto this holy Calling and to whom they must render an accompt of their discharge of this great trust Thirdly they ought not to domineer over their fellow Brethren and Elders but carry themselves humbly and serviceably as these who are appointed of the Lord Jesus for ministring unto and edifying of his Body the Church Fourthly that they ought to carry themselves with that authority holiness gravity and prudence that becomes these who are called of God to bear Rule in his House Fifthly that Elders once lawfully called to the Office and having gifts from God meet to exexcise the same unless they be removed therefrom because of miscarriages are still Elders thogh happily in Congregations where many qualified men may be found some may be permitted for a time to surcease from the exercise of the charge and others be put in their room as was among the Levites under the Law in serving in the Temple by courses Sixthly that people ought to obey such as these who have the rule over them and to submit themselves because they wait for their souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief Heb. 13. 17. Yea they would know them as these who are over them in the Lord and do admonish them and esteem them very highly in love for their works sake 1 Thes. 5. 12 13. CHAP. III. Of the Vocation or Calling of Ruling Elders AS no man is to intrude in any imployment without a lawful Calling so much less ought any man to intrude himself without a Calling into any sacred Function in the House of God Heb. 5. 4. Therefore before any take upon him to exercise the Office of Ruling Elder he ought to be lawfully called thereunto This Calling is inward or outward the inward Calling is the Testimony of a good Conscience concerning some measure of ability and gifts for the Charge and a sincere and honest inclination and purpose to imploy these gifts for the honour of God the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the good of souls The outward Calling is to be after the same manner with that of other Church-officers and it stands in their Election and in the tryal of their carriage gifts and admission to the Charge The Election is to be made by the Congregation wherein they are to bear charge Acts 6. 3. 5 and 14. 23. That it may be gone about in the more orderly way it is fit that a nomination be made by the Minister and Eldership of the Congregation of the persons fittest and best qualified for the imployment and that the names of the persons nominated by them be publickly intimated to the Congregation and they desired in case of their not being satisfied as having exception or knowing others better qualified to represent the same to the Minister and Eldership If there be no Eldership in the Congregation a nomination may be made either by the Presbytery or by the most judicious and godly Members of the Congregation particularly Masters of Families together with the Minister or one or more Ministers of the Presbytery in case of the Congregations want of a Minister The trial is to be by the Minister and Eldership of the Congregation or in case of the want of these by the Presbytery And they are to be tryed both in regard of their conversation that it be blameless and holy and also in regard of their knowledge and experience in the things of God and of the Affairs of his House and of their ability and prudence for Government It is true that the trial of Elders in their knowledge and gifts required for their Charge hath not been much in use in this Church It being taken for granted that conscience would be made of making choise of such as had knowledge and were able and fit or that if any ignorant or not able and sitted were nominat that some of the Congregation upon the intimation of their names would except against them but by this means it hath come to pass that many ignorant and unqualified men have been admitted Elders in many Congregations to the great detriment of Religion and no small reproach of our Church The Apostle 1 Tim. 3. 10. speaking of Deacons which is the lowest rank of the Officers of the Church requires that these also first be proved then let them use the Office of a Deacon being found blameless And the same reasons and grounds that plead for the tryal of a Minister pleads also for the tryal of Elders in a way suitable to the qualifications required in them Their Admission is to be by the Minister of the Congregation or one appointed by the Presbytery in the presence of the whole Congregation with the Preaching of the Word concerning their duty and with Prayer and Humiliation concerning the spirit of their Calling to be poured out upon them and that the pleasure of the Lord may prosper in their hands At which time they are solemnly to engage themselves before the Lord to be faithful and diligent and watchful over the flock committed to their charge and in all the duties of that holy and honourable imployment and the People are also to engage themselves to obey them and to submit themselves to them in the Lord and to honour them and highly to esteem them in love for their works sake CHAP. IV. Of the Duties of a Ruling Elder THe Duties of a Ruling Elder be of two sorts some that are personal and relate to his conversation as a Christian others that are Official and relate to his Ruling as an Office-bearer in the House of God His personal qualifications or the duties of his conversation are the same with these which the
of the Knowledge Gifts Experience Prudence and Gravity wherewith they ought to be indued The Officers in the House of God who in the Scriptures are called by the name of Elders are of severall soits Preaching Elders or Ministers Teaching Elders or Doctors and Ruling or Governing Elders all these three are often times in the N. T. comprized under the general name of Elder Act. 15 6 22. 20. 17. 1. Pet. 5 It is the Ruling Elder whom we have now to do with who is so called not because the power of ruling and governing the Church belongs to him alone for it also belongs to the Preaching â—nd Teaching Elders or to the Ministers and Doctors But because to rule and govern is the principal and chief part of his Charge and Imployment it is the highest Act of his Office It is not competent for him to Preach that belongs to the Pastor or Minister nor to teach that belongs to the Doctor but his Office is comprized within the compasse of Ruling and Governing the Church and therefore he is called the Governing or Ruling Elder The Apostle in the Epistle to the Rom ch 1â— 8. calleth him him that ruleth and 1 Cor. 12. 28 he calls them Governments putting the abstract for the concret Governments for Governours Thus then we have the proper or right name of these Church Officers which serves to correct a twofold mistake The 1. is of these who either out of ignorance or disdain do call them Lay-Elders as if they were a part of the People only and not to be reckoned amongst the Officers of the Lords House whom the Popish Church in their pride and others following them calls the Clergy that is the Lords Inheritance in opposition to the Laity or People whom they look upon as base and much inferior to the other in worth and Excellency whereas all the Lords People are his portion and the lot of his in heritance Deut. 32. 9. 1. Pet. 5. 3. The second mistake is of these who do call these only Ruling-Elders who sit in Presbyteries Synods and General Assemblies allowing to others the name of Elders but not of Ruling-Elders But every Elder in the Lords House is a Ruling-Elder because the power and exercise of rule and Government belongs to every Elder though some of them upon speciall occasions be called to a more eminent Exercise of it than others CHAP. II. Of the Institution of Ruling-Elders THE Institution of the Office of Ruling Elder is divine it is not an ordinance of man but of God The Lord Jesus upon whose shoulder the Government is and who is faithfull in all his House hath in his Eternal Wisdom thought fit to appoint such an Officer in his House for the right and orderly Governing thereof It is true that by the sloth or rather by the pride of Teachers whilest they alone would seem to be somewhat and by the policy of Satan and inadvertance of the Church these Officers were for many Ages together out of use in the Christian Church But certain it is that both the Jewish Synagogue and after the Christian Church had Seniores or Elders without whose counsel nothing was done in the Church That the Jewish Church had such appears from 2 Chro. 19. 8. Jer. 29. 1. Mat. 16 21 22 23 26 57 59. Act. 4. 5. And that the Christian Church also had them in the primitive purest times thereof appears from the testimony of ancient Writers as may be found by these who will take pains to search into these things But we have a more sure word for the Divine Institution of Elders in the Christian Church then any testimony of man to wit the Testimony of God in the Scriptures of the New Testament The first place of Scripture is Rom. 12. 6 7 8. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given us whether prophesie let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith or Ministery let us wait on our Ministring or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on exhortation he that gives let him do it wih simplicity he that ruleth with diligence he that sheweth mercy with cheerfulnesse In which Text the Apostle doth first comprehend all the severall kindes of ordinary standing Officers in the Church of God under two general Heads to wit Prophecie whereby is meaned the ordinary facultie of right understanding and expounding the Scriptures and Ministery under which is comprehended all other Church-Officers and Imployments To each of these the Apostle addeth their generall duties to wit that he who prophesieth should do it according to the proportion of faith h. e. according to the measure of the measure of knowledge of the word of faith that he hath received of God And he that ministers let him wait on his ministring h. e. let him not do it negligently or slothfully but faithfully and diligently Then he sub-divides these two Generalls into the speciall Offices contained under them He divides him that prophesieth into him that teacheth and him that exhorteth or into the Doctor to whom the word of teaching or Instruction belongs and the Pastor to whom the Word of Exhortation is competent Under him that ministereth he comprehends first him that giveth by whom is meant the Deacon who is appointed for the supply of the poor Secondly him that ruleth by whom can be meant no other then the Ruling Elder seeing an ordinary ruling Officer in the Church who is different from the Pastor and Teacher is here spoken of by the Apostle The second place of Scripture that proves the Office of Ruling Elders is 1 Cor. 12. 28. And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers afterward miracles then gifts of healing helps governments kinds of tongues Some of the Bibles of the late English Translation read helps in governments but cross to the Text in the first Language that bears helps governments as two distinct things and therefore in other Editions of that Translation this is helped In this Text the Apostle reckons several Officers of the Church some extraordinary which were to continue but for a season such as Apostles Prophets Powers or Miracles gifts of healing kinds of tongues Some Ordinary which were to continue in the Church to the end of the World and these are Teachers or the ordinary Church Officers who are exercised in the Word Helps h. e. the Deacons who are appointed for the help and relief of the poor and governments h. e. the Governing and Ruling Elders for it is clear from the words that the Apostle by Governments doth mean a Church-Officer whom God hath set in his Church for Ruling and Governing thereof now this cannot be any other of the Church-Officers for these he hath named besides and therefore it remains that it is the Ruling Elder The third place of Scripture is 1Tim 5. 17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour specially they that