Query, Are there no ruling elders besides the pastor?
Answer. There might be such in the primitive apostolical church, but we
see no ground to believe it an abiding office to continue in the church,
but was only temporary.
1. Because we have none of the qual-ifications of such elders mentioned,
or how to be chosen.
2. Because we read not particularly what their work and business is, or
how distinct from preaching elders; though we see not but the church may
(if she sees meet) choose some able and discreet brethren to be helps in
government; We have the qualifications of bishops and deacons directly laid
down, and how to be chosen, and their work declared, but of no other office
or officers in the church, but these only.
Question. May an elder of one church if called, warrantably administer all
ordinances to another?
Answer. No surely; for we find no such warrant for any such practice, he
being only ordained pastor or elder of that particular church that chose
him, etc. and hath no right or authority to administer as an elder in any
other where he is not so much as a member.
Question. May a church call out a teacher that is no ordained elder to administer
all ordinances to them?
Answer. You may as well ask, may a church act disorderly? Why were ministers
to be ordained, if others unordained might warrantably do all their work?
if therefore they have no person fitly qualified for that office, they must
look out from abroad for one that is. Yet (as we say) necessity has no law;
provided therefore that they can't do either, it is better their teacher
be called to do it, than the church should be without their food, and church
ordinances neglected; yet let all Churches take care to organize themselves,
and not through covetousness, or neglect of duty, rest incomplete churches,
and so under sin. God is the God of order, and not of confusion, in all
the churches of the saints. And how fervently did God deal of old with such
that meddled with the priests work and office, who were not of the priesthood,
nor called by him to administer in holy things!