om teaching, is in general to watch
over the walk or conversation of the members of the church with
authority, exhorting, comforting, admonishing, reproving, encouraging,
and directing of them, as occasion shall require. The gifts necessary
hereunto are diligence, wisdom, courage, and gravity; as we shall see
afterwards. The pastoral work is principally to reveal the whole counsel
of God, to divide the word aright, or to labor in the word and doctrine,
both as unto the general dispensation and particular application of it,
in all seasons and on all occasions. Hereunto spiritual wisdom,
knowledge, sound judgment, experience, and utterance are required; all
to be improved by continual study of the 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 suitably
furnished with those of both sorts.

5th. 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 were 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, instituted that the
apostles might give a more diligent attendance unto the word and prayer.

6th. The work of the ministry in prayer, and preaching of the word, or
labor in the word and doctrine, whereunto the administration of the
seals of the covenant is annexed, with all the duties that belong unto
the special 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 intimation of its
greatness and excellency, "Who is sufficient for these things?" 2 Cor.
ii. 16. And the manner of its performance adds unto its weight. For not
to mention that intenseness 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 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