the
weakness, the passions, the temptations of men, the mutual provocations
and differences that are apt to fall out even among the best, the
influence that earthly objects are apt to have upon their minds, the
frowardness sometimes of men's natural tempers; the attendance unto
this one duty, or part of rule, requires the utmost diligence of them
that are called unto it.

3d. To warn all the members of the church of their special church
duties, that they be not found negligent or wanting in them. These are
special duties required respectively of all church members, according
unto the distinct talents which they have received, whether in things
spiritual or temporal. Some are rich and some are poor; some old and
some young; some in peace and some in trouble; some have received more
spiritual gifts than others, and have more opportunity for their
exercise: therefore it belongs unto the rule of the church, that all be
admonished, instructed, and exhorted to attend unto their respective
duties, by those in _rule_, according to the observation which they make
of people's diligence or negligence in them.

4th. To watch against the beginning of any church disorders, such as
those that infested the church of Corinth, or any of the like sort; and
to see that the members of the church attend regularly upon the
ordinances of the gospel, as by slothfulness in this, decays in faith,
love, and order have insensibly prevailed in many, to the dishonor of
Christ, and the danger of their own souls.

5th. It belongs unto them also to visit the sick, and especially such as
their 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 divine
institution, ordaining, that the disciples of Christ may have all that
spiritual and temporal relief, which is necessary for them, and useful
to them, in their troubles and distresses.

6th. To assist the pastor in watching over and directing the flock, and
to advise with the deacons concerning the relief of the poor. According
to the advantage which they have by their peculiar inspection of the
conversation of all the members of the church, they ought to acquaint
the teaching elders with the state of the flock, as to their knowledge,
conditions, and temptations, which may be of singular use unto the