6o 4. 31: A wholef? »ne.Caveat 4. They have power to over fee, when they fee caufe, Ails 20. 2 8. and to fee into, and enquire in. to the eltare of the flock of God, to know their fpiritu- all condition , fo far as is fit to be known, that fo they may be comforted in the work of Chrift though there be no fin breakour, nor they come to them.' i hef 3. 5, 6. The Apofile enquired into their faith, charity, and prayer , verf. 7. and hence was comforted, &c. And this Patti doth not as an extraordinary man, but leaves his example as a prefident to the Elders of Ephe fus; to go from houfe to houfe, and enquire, to teach and exhort, Ails 20. for Elders are to prevent fcanda:is as well as to remove them, left when they come they fay, Oh that 1 had known this before, cfpeciaily where they fee needs Now hence it is that men raft offthe government of Chrifi, when they will not have their fpirimall condition fearched into,, the Elders foot is now too great for his fhoe, I am to give an account coGod; fo are they alto ofthee; now thou canft not:give it if thou,,enquireft not how thy condition fiands, neither can they with comfort unleffe thou telleft them howit stands with thee. 'Tis true there are many fecret things they can never findout,yet'they are to attend their duty. The Minifters charge is to caft the feed, the Elders duty is to enquire alter the fruit in the husbandry of Chrift ; it is a fad condition when a'man bath filch a wound that he will not go to the Lord for help, becaufe bee Ioves it ; and will not have man to know it, becaufej';ee is alliamed of it ; But you (hail know it, at the, left day that the ' Lord would have healed you, and you would not, but can quarrell and fnap at the Elders when they come to enquire ofyour condition ? andwhy do ye inquire ; you take too much on you. 5.` They have power to guide, and counfell, and warn the Church , út leaft in all weighty affaires which may concern them and their common good : hence they are called guides and leaders to the pee- pie, Bleb. 13. 17. Mal. 2. 7. 1 do not mean in all perfonall things.Ails 20. 31.1 warnedyou of wolves, &c. Hence I. For mernhers in matters of great and weighty of wires which concern the good of the whole Church, nay
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