OF THE OFFICE OF BISHOP

(OVERSEER).

It is clear that in every congregation or church there was set a presbytery or company of bishops, whose office it was to rule and preside over the body in all matters of order and discipline: Acts xiv. 23—" And when they had ordained (appointed) them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they

believed." Chap. xx. 17-" And from Miletus he (Paul) sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church."

Titus

i. 5-"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee." Phil. i. 1-" Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. Heb. xiii. 17" Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves." Ver. 7-" Remember them that have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their

conversation: Jesus Christ the same

yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." Ver. 24-" Salute all them that have the rule over you." 1 Thes. v. 12-" And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." 1 Tim. v. 17-"Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour." Acts xx. 28-"Take heed, therefore, unto yourslves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." 1 Tim. iii. 4-"A bishop must be one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection, with

all gravity; for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?" 1 Peter "The elders which are among you

V.

I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." Rom. xii. 8-"He that ruleth (let him do it) with diligence."

Moreover, it is the office of a bishop

to teach and to exhort the flock, and to guide them into an increasing knowledge and acquaintance with the doctrine and precepts of the Gospel. Jer. iii. 15"I will give them pastors after mine own heart, who shall feed them with knowledge and with understanding." 1 Tim.

Titus

iii. 2-" For a bishop must be apt to teach." Rom. xii. 7-"He that teacheth, (let him wait) on teaching; or he that exhorteth on exhortation." i. 7-" For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding