3. The church's call, election, appointment, acceptation, submission,
Rom. 10:14, 15; for the work of preaching unto the conversion of souls being a moral duty, comprised under that general precept of doing good unto all, the appointment of some to the performance of that work, by the way of office, doth not enclose it.
The second, or authority, proper to them who orderly are set apart thereunto, ariseth from,— 1. Christ's institution of the office, Eph. 4:11.
2. God's providential designation of the persons, Matt. 9:38.
3. The church's call, election, appointment, acceptation, submission, Gal. 4:14; Acts 14:23; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13; Acts 6:3; 2 Cor. 8:5: which do not give them dominion over the faith of believers, 2 Cor. 1:24, nor make them lords over God's heritage, 1 Pet. 5:3; but intrust them with a stewardly power in the house of God, 1 Cor. 4:1, 2,—that is, the peculiar flock over which, in particular, they are made overseers,
Acts 20:28. Of whom the word is to be received,— (1.) As the truth of God; as also from all others speaking according to gospel order in his name.
(2.) As the truth held out with ministerial authority to them in particular, according to the institution of Christ.
Want of a due consideration of these things lies at the bottom of all that negligence, carelessness, sloth, and wantonness in hearing, which have possessed many professors in these days. There is nothing but a respect to the truth and authority of God in the administration of the word that will establish the minds of men in a sober and profitable attending unto it. Neither are men weary of hearing until they are weary of practising.