and Believers of all nations under Heaven were to be admitted unto the priviledge of his worship Eph. 2.15 16 17 18. the national Church of the Jewes with all the Ordinances of it being removed and taken away the Lord Christ hath appointed particular Churches or united Assemblies of Believers amongst and by whom he will have all his holy Ordinances of worship celebrated And this institution of his at the First preaching of the Gospel was invariably and inviolably observed by all that took on them to be his Disciples without any one instance of questioning it to the contrary in the whole World or of the celebration of any Ordinances of his worship amongst any Persons but only in such societies or particular Churches And there is sufficient evidence and warranty of this institution given us in the Scripture For First they are appointed and approved by Christ. Matth. 18.15 16 17 18 19 20. If thy Brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established and if he shall neglect to hear then tell it unto the Church but if he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in Heaven again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven for where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Such a Church he supposeth and approveth as his Disciples had relation unto and as any one of them could have recourse unto as a Brother in obedience to his commands and directions This could not be the Church of the Jews neither in its whole body nor in any of its Judicatories For as at that time there was a solemn decree of excommunication against all and every one that should profess his Name John 9.22 The Jews had already agreed that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue which was executed accordingly upon the man that was born blind Verse the 34. which utterly disabled them from making any use of this direction command or Institution of his for the present So afterwards the chief business of the Rulers of those Assemblies from the highest court of their Sanhedrim to the meanest Judicatory in their Synagogues was to persecute them and bring them unto death Math. 10.17 They will deliver ye up to the Councills and they will scourge you in their Synagogues John 15.21 And it is not likely that the Lord Christ would send his Disciples for direction and satisfaction in the weighty matters of their obedience unto him and mutual love towards one another unto them with whom they neither had nor could nor ought to have any thing to do withal and if they were intended they were all already made as heathens and Publicans being cast out by them for refusing to hear them in their blasphemies and persecutions of Christ himself Such a society also is plainly intended as whereunto Christ promiseth his presence by his spirit and whose righteous sentences he takes upon himself to ratifie and confirm in Heaven Moreover such a Church doth he direct unto as wiâ—h which his Disciples were to have familiar Brotherly constant converse and communion with whom they were so to be joyned in society as to be owned or rejected by them according to their judgement as is apparent in the practice enjoyned unto them and without relation whereunto no duty here appointed could be performed As therefore the very name of the Church and nature of the thing bespeaks a society so it is evident that no society but that of a particular Church of the Gospel can be here intended Secondly these Churches he calls his Candlesticks Rev. 1.20 In allusion unto the Candlesticks of the Temple which being an institution of the old Testament doth directly declare these Churches to be so under the New And this he speakes in reference unto those seven principal Churches of Asia every one of which was a Candlestick or an institution of his own Thirdly In pursuit of this appointment of Christ and by his authority the Apostles so soon as any were converted unto the faith at Jerusalem although the old National Church state of the Jewes was yet continued gathered them into a Church or society for celebration of the ordinances of the Gospel Acts. 2.41 42. they that gladly received the word were baptised and they continued stedfastly together in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers verse 47 the Lord adding unto this Church dayly such as should be saved And this company is expresly called the Church at Jerusalem Acts. 8.1 This Church thus called and collected out of the Church of the Jewes was the rule and pattern of the disposing of all the Disciples of Christ into Church societyes in obedience unto his command throughout the World Acts 11.26 Acts 14.23 27. Fourthly they took care for the forming compleating and establishing them in order according to his will under the rule of them given and granted unto them by himself for that purpose all in a stâ—ddy pursuit of the commands of Christ. Acts 14.23 they ordained them Elders in every Church Titus 1.5 For this cause left I thee in Creet that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 12. Fifthly they do every where in the Name and authority of Christ give unto these Churches rules directions and precepts for the due ordering of all things relating to the worship of God according to his minde as we shall see afterwards in particular For First there is no charge given unto the Officers Ministers Guides or Overseers that he hath appointed but it is in reference unto the discharge of their duty in such Churches That Ministers or Officers are of Christs appointment is expresly declared Ephes. 4.11.12 He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifâ—ing of the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set in his Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers These are of Christs institution but to what end why as they were ordained in every Church Acts 14.23 Titus 1.5 So their whole charge is limited to the Churches Acts 20.17 He sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church and said to them Verse the 28. take heed
therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the Holy-Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Pet. 5.2 The Elders which are among you I exhort feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof 1 Tim. 3.15 Colos. 4.17 And say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it They were the Churches of Christ wherein they ministred which Christ appointing them to take care of manifests to be his own institution and appointment And this is fully declared Rev. chap. 2.3 where all the dealings of Christ with his Angels or Ministers are about their behaviour and deportment among his Candlesticks each of them the Candlestick whereunto he was related or the particular Churches that they had care of and presided in the Candlesticks being no less of the institution of Christ than the Angels And they were distinct particular Churches which had their distinct particular Officers whom he treateth distinctly withall about his institutions and worship especially about that of the state of the Churches themselves and their constitution according to his mind Secondly There is no instruction exhortation or reproof given unto any of the Disciples of Christ after his ascension in any of the books of the New Testament but as they were collected into and were members of such particular Churches This will be evidenced in the many instances of those duties that shall afterwards be insisted on And the Lord Christ hath not left that as a matter of liberty choice or conveniency which he hath made the foundation of the due manner of the performance of all those duties whereby his Disciples yield obedience unto his commands to his glory in the World Sixthly The principal writings of the Apostles are expresly directed unto such Churches and all of them intentionally 1 Cor. 1.1 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Colos. 1.2 chap. 4.16 1 Thes. 1.1 2 Thes. 1.1 Ephes. 1.1 compared with Acts 20.17 1 Pet. 5.2 or unto particular persons giving directions for their behaviour and duty in such Churches 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.5 So that the great care of the Apostles was about these Churches as the principal institution of Christ and that whereon the due observance of all his other commands doth depend Of what nature or sort these Churches were shall be afterwards evinced we here only manifest their institution by the authority of Christ. Seventhly Much of the writings of the Apostles in those Epistles directed to those Churches consists in rules precepts instructions and exhortations for the guidance and preservation of them in purity and order with their continuance in a condition of due obedience unto the Lord Christ. To this end do they so fully and largely acquaint the Rulers and Members of them with their mutual duty in that especial relation wherein they stand to each other as also of all persons in particular in what is required of them by vertue of their Membership in any particular society as may be seen at large in sundry of Pauls Epistles And to give more strength hereunto our Lord Jesus Christ in the revelation that he made of his mind and will personally after his ascension into Heaven insisted principally about the condition order and preservation of particular Churches not taking notice of any of his Disciples not belonging to them or joyned with them These he warns reproves instructs threatens commands all in order unto their walking before him in the condition of particular Churches Rev. 2. and 3. at large Besides As he hath appointed them to be the â—eat and subject of all his Ordinances having granted the right of them unto them alone 1 Tim. 3 1â— intrusting them with the exercise of that authority which he puts forth in the rule of his Disciples in this World he hath also appointed the most holy institution of his supper to denote and express thâ—â— union and communion which the members of each of these Churches have by his Ordinance among themsevles 1 Cor. 10.17 The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ for we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread And also he gives out unto them the gifts and graces of his spirit to make every one of them meet for and useful in that place which he holds in such Churches as the Apostle discourseth at large 1 Cor. 12.15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26. verses Colos. 2.19 Eph. 4.16 It is manifest then that no Ordinance of Christ is appointed to be observed by his Disciples no communication of the gifts of the Holy-Ghost is promised to them no especial duty is required of them but with respect unto these Churches of his Institution In the Answer to this Question four things are declared tending to the Explication of the nature of a particular Church or Churches 1. The subject matter of them or the persons whereof such a Church doth or ought to consist 2. The means whereby they are brought into a condition capable of such an estate or qualified for it 3. The general ends of their calling 4. The especial means whereby they are constituted a Church which last will be spoken unto in the next Question For the first All men are by nature the children of wrath and do belong unto the World which is the Kingdom of Satan and are under the power of darkness as the Scripture every where declares In this state men are not subjects of the Kingdom of Christ nor meet to become members of his Church Out of this condition they cannot deliver themselves They have neither will unto it nor power for it but they are called out of it this calling is that which effectually delivers them from the Kingdom of Satan and translates them into the Kingdom of Christ. And this work or effect the Scripture on several accounts variously expresseth Sometimes by Regeneration or a new birth sometimes by conversion or turning unto God sometimes by vivification or quickening from the dead sometimes by illumination or opening of the eyes of the blind all which are carryed on by sanctification in holiness and attended with Justification and adoption And as these are all distinct in themselves having several formal reasons of them so they all concur to compleat that effectuall vocation or calling that is required to constitute persons members of the Church For besides that this is signified by the typical holiness of the Church of old into the room whereof reall holiness was to succeed under the new Testament Exod. 19.6 Psal. 24 3 4 5 6. Psal. 15.1 2. Isa. 35.8 9. Isa. 54.13 Chap. 60.21 1 Pet. 2.9 our Lord Jesus Christ hath laid it down as an everlasting rule that unless a man be born again
to be members of a visible Church of Christ was before declared and that is that which the Lord Jesus hath made the indispensible condition of entring into his Kingdom namely of being born again John 3.33 This worke being secret hidden and invisible the Church cannot judge of directly and in its own form or nature but in the means effects and consequents of it which are to be testified unto it concerning them who are to be admitted unto its fellowship and communion it is required therefore of them First that they be of a conversation free from blame in the world for whereas one end of the gathering of Churches is to hold forth and express the holiness of the doctrine of Christ and the power of his grace in turning Men from all ungodliness unto sobriety righteousness and honesty it is required of them that are admitted into them that they answer this end And this the principle of grace which is communicated unto them that believe will effect and produce For although it doth not follow that every one who hath attained an unblameable honesty in this World is inwardly quickened with a true principle of saving grace yet it doth that they who are indowed with that principle will be so unblameable And although they may on other accounts be evil spoken of yet their good conversation in Christ will justify it self Secondly competent knowledge in the mysteries of the Gospel is another means whereby the great qualification inquired after is testified unto the Church For as without this no priviledge of the Gospel can be profitably made use of nor any duty of it be rightly performed so saving light is of the essence of conversion and doth inseparably accompany it 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Where this is wanting it is impossible for any person to evidence that he is delivered from that blindness darkness and ignorance which all men are under the power of in the state of nature Such a measure then of light and knowledge as whereby men are enabled to apprehend aright of the person and offices of Christ of the nature of his mediation the benefits thereof and the obedience that he requires at the hands of his Disciples is expected in them who desire to be admitted into the fellowship of the Church Thirdly hereunto is to be added soundness in the faith For the unity of faith is the foundation of Love and all the duties thereof which in an especiall manner are to be performed towards the Church called therefore the house-hold of faith There is among the members of the Church one faith Ephes. 4.5 The common faith the faith once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. Which is the sound doctrine 1 Tim. 1.10 Which those that will not endure must be turned from 2 Tim. 4.3 the faithful word that is to be held fast Tit. 1.9 1 Tim. 1.19 And which we are to be sound in Tit. 1.13 Contained in a form of sound words as to the profession of it 2 Tim. 1.13 And this soundness in the unity of the faith as it should be improved unto oneness of mind and oneness of accord in all the things of God Phil. 2.2 Though it may admit of some different apprehensions in some things wherein some may have more clear and distinct discoveries of the mind and will of God than others which hinders not but that all may walk according to the same rule Phil. 3.15 16. So it is principally to be regarded in the fundamentall truths of the Gospel in and by the faith whereof the Church holdeth on the head Jesus Christ Coloss. 2.19 And in the fundamentall principles of Gospel worship the joynt celebration whereof is the next end of the gathering the Church for without a consent of mind and accord herein no duty can be performed unto edification nor the peace of the Church be preserved and these principles are those which we have explained Fourthly it is required that these things be testified by them unto the Church with the acknowledgement of the worke of Gods grace towards them and their resolution through the power of the same grace to cleave unto the Lord Christ with full purpose of heart and to live in all holy obedience unto him They come to the Church as Disciples of Christ professing that they have learnt the truth as it is in Jesus which what it infers the Apostle teacheth at large Ephes. 4.20 21 22 23 24. See also Acts 11.23 Acts 8.21 22 23. And this by themselves to be testified unto the Church First that they may be received in love without dissimulation as real partakers in the same faith hope and salvation with themselves as living members of the mystical body of Christ. Secondly That on all ensuing occasions they may be minded of their own profession and engagements to stir them up thereby unto faithfulness stedfastness and perseverance Hereupon are the Elders of the Church to judge by the rule of truth in Love and meekness concerning their condition and meetness to be laid as living stones in the house of God so as that they may 1. Reject false hypocritical pretenders if in or by any means their hypocrisie be discovered unto them Acts 8.20 23. Titus 1.10 Jer. 15.19 2. That they may direct and encourage in the way such as appear to be sincere instructing them principally in the nature of the way whereinto they are engaging the duties dangers and benefits of it Acts 18.26 Act. 14.22 1 Cor. 3.22 23. 3. To propose them their conditions their desires their resolutions unto the Church after their own expressions of them to be considered of in love and meekness Acts 9.26 27. Whereupon those that are approved do give up themselves unto the Lord to walk in the observation of all his commands and ordinances and to the Church for the Lords sake 2 Cor. 8.5 abiding in the fellowship thereof whereunto they are admitted Acts 2.41 42. Quest. 51. Wherein doth the especial form of a particular Church whereby it becomes such and is distinguished as such from all others consist Answ. In the special consent and agréement of all the members of it to walk together in the observation of the same Ordinances numerically hence its constitution and distinction from other Churches doth procéed Exod. 19.5 8. Chap. 24.3 7. Deut. 26.17 2 Cor. 8.5 Acts 14.23 Acts 20.28 Heb. 13.17 Explication It hath been before declared what especial agreement or covenant there ought to be among all the members of the same Church to walk together in a due subjection unto and observance of all the institutions of the Lord Christ. And this is that which gives it its special form and distinction from all other Churches In the general nature of a Church all Churches do agree and equally partake There is the same law of the constitution
full of the Holy-Ghost and wisdom and the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen c. This was done when only Deacons were to be ordained in whom the interest and concernment of the Church is not to be compared with that which it hath in its Pastors Teachers and Elders The same is mentioned again Acts 14.23 where Paul and Barnabas are said to ordain Elders in the Churches by their election and suffrage For the word there used will admit of no other sence however it be ambiguously expressed in our translation Neither can any instance be given of the use of that word applyed unto the communication of any office or power to any person or persons in an assembly wherein it denoteth any other action but the suffrage of the multitude and this it doth constantly in all writers in the Greek tongue And hence it was that this right and priviledge of the Church in choosing of those who are to be set over them in the work of the Lord was a long time preserved inviolate in the primitive Churches as the ancients do abundantly testifie Yea the shew and appearance of it could never be utterly thrust out of the World but is still retained in those Churches which yet reject the thing it self And this institution of our Lord Jesus Christ by his Apostles is suited to the nature of the Church and of the authority that he hath appointed to abide therein For as we have shewed before persons become a Church by their own voluntary consent Christ makes his subjects willing not slaves His rule over them is by his grace in their own wills and he will have them every way free in their obedience A Church-state is an estate of absolute liberty under Christ not for men to do what they will but for men to do their duty freely without compulsion Now nothing is more contrary to this liberty than to have their Guides Rulers and Overseers impose on them without their consent Besides the body of the Church is obliged to discharge its duty towards Christ in every institution of his which herein they cannot if they have not their free consent in the choice of their Pastors or Elders but are considered as mute persons or brute creatures Neither is there any other ordinary way of communicating authority unto any in the Church but by the voluntary submission and subjection of the Church it self unto them For as all other imaginable wayes may fail and have done so where they have been trusted unto so they are irrational and unscriptural as to their being a means of the delegation of any power whatever Fifthly Unto this election succeeds the solemn setting apart of them that are chosen by the Church unto this work and ministry by fasting prayer and imposition of the hands of the Presbitery before constituted in the Church wherein any person is so to be set apart Qu. 26. May a Person be called to or be employed in a part only of the Office or work of the Ministry or may he hold the relation and exercise the duty of an Elder or Minister unto more Churches than one at the same time Answ. Neither of these have either warrant or President in the Scripture nor is the first of them consistent with the authority of the Ministry nor the latter with the duty thereof nor either of them with the nature of that relation which is between the Elders and the Church Acts 14.23 1 Pet. 5.2 Acts 20.28 Explication There are two parts of this Question and Answer to be spoken unto severally The First is concerning a person to be called or employed in any Church in a part only of the office or work of the Ministry As suppose a Man should be called or chosen by the Church to administer the Sacraments but not to attend to the work of Preaching or unto the rule or guidance of the Church or in like manner unto any other part or parcell of the work of the Ministry with an exemption of other duties from his charge or care If this be done by consent and agreement for any time or season it is unwarrantable and disorderly what may be done occasionally upon an emergency or in case of weakness or disability befalling any Elder as to the discharge of any part of his duty is not here enquired after For First If the Person so called or employed have received gifts fitting him for the whole work of the Ministry the exercise of them is not to be restrained by any consent or agreement Seeing they are given for the edification of the Church to be traded withall 1 Cor. 12 7. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall and this he which hath received such gifts is bound to attend unto and pursue Secondly If he have not received such gifts as compleatly to enable him unto the discharge of the whole work of the Ministry in the Church wherein he is to administer it is not lawful for the Church to call him unto that work wherein the Lord Christ hath not gone before them in qualifying him for it Yea to do so would be most irregular for the whole power of the Church consists in its attendance unto the rule given unto it And therefore the office and work of the Ministry being constituted by the Law of Christ it is not in the power of the Church to enlarge or streighten the power or duty of any one that is called unto the office thereof Neither can or ought any person that is called unto the worke of the Ministry to give his consent to the restraint of the exercise of that gift that he hath received in a due and orderly manner nor to the abridgement of the authority which the Lord Christ hath committed unto the Ministers of the Gospel As it is incumbent upon them to take care to preserve their whole authority and to discharge their whole duty so that arbitrary constitutions of this nature are irregular and would bring in confusion into Churches The second part of the Question is concerning the Relation of the same person to more Churches than one at the same time and his undertaking to discharge the duty of his relation unto them as an Elder or Minister And this also is irregular and unwarrantable Now a man may hold the relation of an Elder Pastor or Minister unto more Churches than one two wayes First formally and directly by all equal formal interest in them undertaking the Pastoral charge equally and alike of them being called alike to them and accepting of such a relation 2 virtually when by virtue of his relation unto one Church he puts forth his power or authority in Ministerial acts in or towards another The First way is unlawful and destructive both of the Office and duty of a Pastor For as Elders are ordained in and unto the Churches respectively that they are to take care of Acts 14.23 Tit. 1.5 And their office
power consists in a relation unto the Church that they are set over so they are commanded to attend unto the service of the Churches wherein and whereunto they are so ordained Act. 20.28 1 Peter 1.2 And that with all diligence care and watchfulness as those that must give an account Heb. 13.17 which no man is able to do towards more Churches than one the same duty being at all times to be performed towards all And because the whole authority of the Elders Pastors or Bâ—shops of Churches is ministerial â— Cor. 4.1 consisting in a power of acting upon the command of Christ they are bound in their own persons to the discharge of their duty and Office without the least pretence of authority to delegate another or others to act their part or to do their duty which would be an effect of autocratorical authority and not of obedience or Ministry The latter way also of relation unto many Churches is unwarrantable For 1 It hath no warrant in the Scripture no Law nor constitution of Christ or his Apostles can be produced to give it countenance but Elders were ordained to their own Churches and commanded to attend unto them 2 No rule is given unto any Elders how they should behave themselves in reference unto more Churches than one in the exercise of their ministerial power as there are rules given unto every one for the discharge of that duty in the Church whereunto he is related 3 There is no example to give it countenance recorded in the Scripture 4 The authority to be put forth hath no foundation 1 Not in the gifts they have received for the ministerial power is not an absolute ability or faculty of doing what a man is able but a right whereby a man hath power to do that rightly and lawfully which before he could not do This gifts will not give to any for if they did they would do it to all that have received them 2 Not in their election for they are chosen in and by that Church whereunto they stand in especial relation whose choice cannot give ministerial power over any but themselves 3 Not in their setting apart by fasting prayer and imposition of hands for this is only unto that office work and power whereunto they are chosen They are not chosen for one end and set apart for another 4 Not from the Communion of Churches for that gives no new power but only a due exercise of that which was before received Qu. 27. What are the principal duties of the Pastors or Teachers of the Church An. 1 To be examples unto the flock in faith love knowledge méekness patience readiness to suffer for the name and Gospel of Christ with constancy therein 2 To watch for the souls and take care of all the spiritual concernments of the whole flock committed to them 3 To preach the word diligently dividing it aright 4 To preserve and contend for the truth 5 To administer all the Ordinances of the Gospel duly and orderly 6 To stir up and exercise the gifts they have received in the discharge of their whole work and administration of all Ordinances 7 To instruct admonish cherish and comfort all the Members of the Church as their conditions occasions and necessities do require 8 To attend with diligence skill and wisdome unto the discharge of that authority which in the rule of the Church is committed unto them 1 1 Tim. 3.10 11 13. Chap. 4.12 2 Tim. 2.3 Coloss. 1.24 Phil. 2.17 Chap. 3.17 2 Heb. 13.17 Acts 20.28 3 2 Tim. 2.15 2 Tim. 4.2 Rom. 12.6 7 8. 4 1 Tim. 6.20 Acts 20.28 Jude 3. 5 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 3.15 6 1 Tim. 4.14 15 16. 7 Acts 20.18 19 20 25 26. 1 Thes. 3.5 2 Tim. 2.24 25. 8 Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17 The answer is full and plain Qu. 28. Wherein principally doth the authority of the Elders of the Church consist An. 1 In that the Rule of the Church and the guidance thereof in things appertaining unto the worship of God is committed unto them And therefore 2 Whatever they do as Elders in the Church according unto rule they do it not in the name or authority of the Church by which their power is derived unto them nor as Members only of the Church by their own consent or covenant but in the name and authority of Iesus Christ from whom by virtue of his Law and Ordinance their ministerial office and power is received so that 3 In the exercise of any act of Church power by and with the consent of the Church there is an obligation thence procéeding which ariseth immediately from that authority which they have received of Iesus Christ which is the spring of all rule and authority in the Church 1 Acts 20.28 Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.2 1 Cor. 12.28 2 1 Tim. 3.5 Coloss. 4.17 2 Cor. 10.4 8. 3 1 Tim. 4.11 Titus 2.15 1 Peter 1.2 3 4 5. Explication The answer unto this Question explains the power or authority of the Elders of the Church from whom they do receive it and how it is exercised by them the right stating whereof is of great importance in the whole discipline of the Church and must therefore here be farther explained to this end we may consider First that all Church power is originally vested in Jesus Christ the sole head and Monarch thereof God the Father hath committed it unto him and intrusted him with it for the accomplishment of his work of mediation Matth. 28.18 Secondly that he doth communicate of this authority by way of trust to be exercised by them in his name unto persons by him appointed so much as is needful for the ordering and disposing of all things in his Churches unto the blessed ends for which he hath instituted and appointed them For no man can have any power in his Church for any end whatever but by delegation from him What is not received from him is meer usurpation And whoever takes upon himself the exercise of any Rule or Authority or power in the Church not granted unto them by him or not rightly derived from him is an oppressor a thief and a Robber this necessarily follows upon the absolute investiture of all power in him alone 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 12. Thirdly the means whereby the Lord Christ communicates this power unto men is by his Law and constitution whereby he hath granted ordained and appointed that such and such powers shall be exercised in his Church and that by such and such persons to be derived unto them in such a way and manner so that the word of the Gospel or the Laws and constitutions of the Lord Christ therein are the first recipient seat and subject morally of all Church power whatever Matth. 16.19 Matth. 18.18 19 20. Fourthly the way and means whereby any persons come to a participation of this power regularly according to the mind of Christ is by the obedience unto and due observation of his laws and commands
in them unto whom they are prescribed As when an Office with the power of it is constituted and limited by the law of the Land there is no more required to invest any man in that office or to give him that power than the due observance of the means and way prescribed in the law to that end The way then whereby the Elders of the Church do come to participate of the power and authority which Christ hath appointed to be exercised in his Church is by their and the Churches due observance of the Rules and Laws given by him for their election and setting apart unto that office Heb. 4.3 Acts 14.24 Fifthly on this account they receive their power from Christ himself alone and that immediately for the means used for their participation of it are not recipient of the power it self formally nor do authoritatively collate or conferr it only the laws of Christ are executed in a way of obedience So that though they are chosen and set apart to their office by the Church yet they are made Overseers by the holy-Ghost Acts 20.28 Though they have their power by the Church yet they have it not from the Church nor was that power whereof they are made partakers as was said formally resident in the body of the Church before their participation of it but really in Christ himself alone and morally in his word or law And thence is the rule and guidance of the Church committed unto them by Christ Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.2 1 Tim. 3.5 Sixthly this authority and power thus received from Christ is that which they exert and put forth in all their ministerial administrations in all which they do as ministers in the house of God either in his worship or in the rule of the Church it self They exercise that authority of Christ which he hath in his law appointed to be exercised in his Church and from that authority is due order given unto the administration of all the ordinances of worship and an obligation unto obedience to acts of rule doth thence also ensue so that they which despise them despise the authority of Christ. Seventhly when as Elders they do or declare any thing in the name of the Church they do not as such put forth any authority committed unto them from and by the Church but only declare the consent and determination of the Church in the exercise of their own liberty and priviledge but the authority which they act by and which they put forth is that which is committed to themselves as such by Jesus Christ. Eighthly this authority is comprised in the Law and constitution of Christ which themselves exert only ministerially and therefore when ever they act any thing authoritatively which they are not enabled for or warranted in by the word of the Gospel or do any thing without or contrary unto rule all such actings as to any spiritual effect of the Gospel or obligation on the consciences of Men are Ipso facto null and are no way ratified in Heaven where all their orderly actings are made valid that is by Christ himself in his Word Ninthly The reason therefore why the consent of the Church is required unto the authoritative acting of the Elders therein is not because from thence any authority doth accrew unto them anew which virtually and radically they had not before but because by the rule of the Gospel this is required to the orderly acting of their power which without it would be contrary to rule and therefore ineffectual as also it must needs be from the nature of the thing it self for no act can take place in the Church without or against its own consent whilest its obedience is voluntary and of choice But if it be asked what then shall the Elders do in case the Church refuse to consent unto such acts as are indeed according to rule and warranted by the institution of Christ it is answered that they are First diligently to instruct them from the word in their duty making known the mind of Christ unto them in the matter under consideration 2 To declare unto them the danger of their dissent in obstructing the edification of the Body to the dishonour of the Lord Christ and their own spiritual disadvantage 3 To wait patiently for the concurrence of the grace of God with their Ministry in giving light and obedience unto the Church and 4 In case of the Churches continuance in any failure of duty to seek for advice and counsel from the Elders and Brethren of other Churches all which particulars might be enlarged would the nature of our present design and work permit it Quest. 29. What is the duty of the Church towards their Elders Pastors or Teachers Answ. 1 To have them in reverence and honour for their office and works sake 2 To obey them conscientiously in all things wherein they speak unto them in the name of the Lord. 2 To pray earnestly for them that they may and to exhort them if need require to fulfill the work of the Ministry 4 To communicate unto them of their temporals for their comfortable subsistance in the World and usefulness unto others 5 Wisely to order things by their direction so as that they may be amongst them without fear 6 To abide with and stand by them in their sufferings for the Gospel and service of Christ among them 1 1 Thes. § 12 13. 1 Tim. 5.17 2 Heb. 13.17 1 Cor. 16.16 3 Ephes. 6.18 19. Colos. 4.3 2 Thes. 3.1 Colos. 4.17 4 Gal. 6.6 1 Cor. 9.14 5 1 Cor. 16.10 6 2 Tim. 1.16 17 18. 2 Tim. 4.16 Quest. 30. Are there any differences in the Office or Offices of the Guides Rulers Elders or Ministers of the Church Answ. The Office of them that are Teachers is one and the same among them all but where there are many in the same Church it is the will of Christ that they should be peculiarly assigned unto such especial work in the discharge of their office power as their gifts received from him do peculiarly fit them for and the necessities of the Church require Rom. 12.4 5 6 7 8 1 Cor. 8.11 1 Pet. 4.10 Chap. 5.2 Explication The Office of them that are to instruct the Church in the name and authority of Christ is one and the same as hath been shewed before And there are many names that are equally accommodated unto all that are partakers of it as Elders Bishops Guides They are all alike Elders alike Bishops alike Guides have the one office in common amongst them and every one the whole intire unto himself But there are names also given unto them whereby they are distinguisht not as to Office but as to their work and employment in the discharge of that office such are Pastors and Teachers Ephes. 4.11 Which are placed as distinct persons in their work partakers of the same Office Now the foundation of this distinction and difference lyes First In the different gifts that they have
case there be not the success aimed at obtained in these several degrees of private admonition it is then the will of our Lord Jesus Christ that the matter be reported unto the Church that the offender may be publickly admonished thereby and brought to repentance wherein is to be observed First That the persons who have endeavoured in vain to reclaim their offending Brother by private admonition are to acquaint the Elders of the Church with the case and crime as also what they have done according to rule for the rectifying of it who upon that information are obliged to communicate the knowledge of the whole matter to the Church This is to be done by the Elders as to whom the preservation of order in the Church and the rule of its proceeding do belong as we have shewed before Secondly The report made to the Church by the Elders is to be 1. Of the crime guilt or offence 2. Of the Testimony given unto the truth of it 3. Of the means used to bring the offender to acknowledgement and repentance 4. Of his deportment under the private previous admonitions either as to his rejecting of them or as to any satisfaction tendred all in order love meekness and tenderness Thirdly Things being proposed unto the Church and the offender heard upon the whole of the offence and former proceeding the whole Church or multitude of the Brethren are with the Elders to consider the nature of the offence with the condition and temptations of the offenders with such a spirit of meekness as our Lord Jesus Christ in his own person set them an example of in his dealing with sinners and which is required in them as his Disciples Gal. 6.1 2. 2 Cor. 2.8 Fourthly The Elders and Brethren are to judge of the offence and the carriage of the offender according to rule and if the offence be evident and persisted in then Fifthly The offender is to be publickly admonished by the Elders with the consent and concurrence of the Church 1 Thes. 5.14 1 Tim. 5.20 Matth. 18.16 17. And this admonition consists of Five parts 1. A declaration of the crime or offence as it is evidenced unto the Church 2. A conviction of the evil of it from the rule or rules transgressed against 3. A declaration of the authority and duty of the Church in such cases 4. A rebuke of the offender in the name of Christ answering the nature and circumstances of the offence 5. An Exhortation unto humiliation and repentance and acknowledgement Eleventhly In case the offender despise this admonition of the Church and come not upon it unto repentance it is the will and appointment of our Lord Jesus Christ that he be cut off from all the priviledges of the Church and cast out from the society thereof or be excommunicated wherein consists the last act of the discipline of the Church for the correction of offenders and herein may be considered First The nature of it that it is an authoritative act and so principally belongs unto the Elders of the Church who therein exert the power that they have received from the Lord Christ by and with the consent of the Church according to his appointment Matth. 16.19 John 20.23 Matth. 18.18 1 Cor. 5.4 Titus 3.10 1 Tim. 1.20 2 Cor. 2.6 And both these the Authority of the Eldership and the consent of the Brethren are necessary to the validity of the sentence and that according to the appointment of Christ and the practice of the first Churches Secondly The effect of it which is the cutting off or casting out of the person offending from the communion of the Church in the priviledges of the Gospel as consequently from that of all the visible Churches of Christ in the earth by virtue of their communion one with another whereby he is left unto the visible kingdom of Satan in the World Matth. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.2 5 13. 1 Tim. 1.20 Titus 3.10 Gal. 5.12 Thirdly The ends of it which are 1. The gaining of the party offending by bringing him to repentance humiliation and acknowledgement of his offence 2 Cor. 2.6 7. 2 Cor. 13.10 2. The warning of others not to do so presumptuously 3. The preserving of the Church in its purity and order 1 Cor. 5.6 7. all to the glory of Jesus Christ. Fourthly The causes of it or the grounds and reasons on which the Church may proceed unto sentence against any offending persons Now these are no other but such as they judge according to the Gospel that the Lord Christ will proceed upon in his finall judgement at the last day For the Church judgeth in the name and authority of Christ and are to exclude none from its communion but those whom they find by the rule that he himself excludes from his Kingdom and so that which they bind on earth is bound by him in Heaven Matth. 18.18 And their sentence herein is to be declared as the declaration of the sentence which the Head of the Church and Judge of all will pronounce at the last day only with this difference that it is also made known that this sentence of theirs is not final or decretory but in order to the prevention of that which will be so unless the evil be repented of Now although the particular evils sins or offences that may render a person obnoxious unto this censure and sentence are not to be enumerated by reason of the variety of circumstances which change the nature of actions yet they may in general be referred unto these heads First Moral evils contrary to the light of nature and express commands or prohibitions of the moral law direct rules of the Gospel or of evil report in the world amongst men walking according to the rule and light of reason And in cases of this nature the Church may proceed unto the sentence whereof we speak without previous admonition in case the matter of fact be notorious publickly and unquestionably known to be true and no general rule which is not to be impeached by particular instances lye against their proceedure 1 Cor. 5.3 4. 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. Secondly Offences against that mutual love which is the bond of perfection in the Church if pertinaciously persisted in Matth. 18.16 17. Thirdly false doctrines against the fundamentals in faith or worship especially if maintained with contention to the trouble and disturbance of the peace of the Church Gal. 5.12 Titus 3.9 10 11. 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. Revel 2.14 15. Fourthly Blasphemy or evil speaking of the wayes and worship of God in the Church especially if joyned with an intention to hinder the prosperity of the Church or to expose it to persecution 1 Tim. 1.20 Fifthly Desertion or total causeless relinquishment of the society and communion of the Church for such are self-condemned having broken and renounced the covenant of God that they made at their entrance into the Church Heb. 10.25 26 27 28 29. Sixthly The time or season of the putting forth
Church was eminently reformed Now although the outward solemnity and ceremonies of this covenant were peculiar unto that people yet as to the substance and nature of it in a sacred consent for the performance of all those duties towards God and one another which the nature and edification of a Church do require it belongs to every Church as such even under the Gosple And this is the way whereby Beleivers or the Disciples of Christ do enter into this state the formal constituting cause of any Church This account doth the Apostle give of the Churches of the Macedonians 2 Cor. 8.5 And this they did not as we hoped but first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God before the performance of other duties and in order thereunto they first gave themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ or took upon themselves the observance of his commands and institutions which is the intendment of that expression Among these commands one was that they should give up themselves to the Apostles doctrine Rule and government in the order by Christ prescribed that is in Church order This therefore they did by the will of God according to his will and appointment This description doth the Apostle give of the way whereby the Believers of Macedonia were brought into Churches It was by their own obedience unto the will of God consenting agreeing and taking upon themselves the observation of all the commands and institutions of Christ according to the direction and guidance of the Apostles So did the Believers at Jerusalem Acts 2.41 42. Being converted by the word and making profession of that conversion in their Baptism they gave up themselves to a stedfast continuance in the observation of all other Ordinances of the Gospel Besides the Church is an house a Temple the house of God 1 Tim. 3.15 The house of Christ Heb. 3.6 The Temple of God Ephe. 2.21 22. Believers singly considered are stones living stones 1 Peter 2.5 Now how shall these living stones come to be an house a Temple can it be by occasional occurrences civil cohabitation in political precincts usage or custome of assembling for some parts of worship in any place these things will never frame them into a house or Temple This can be no otherwise done but by-their own voluntary consent and disposition Ephe. 2.19 20 21 22. Ye are fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit Chap. 4.16 From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love From these and sundry other places it is manifest that the way and means of Believers coalition into a Church-state is their own obedience of faith acting it self in a joynt voluntary consent to walk together in an holy observation of the commands of Christ whence the being and union of a particular Church is given unto any convenient number of them by his Law and constitution Qu. 21. Seeing the Church is a society or spiritual incorporation of persons under rule government or Discipline declare who or what are the rulers governors or Officers therein under Jesus Christ An. They have been of two sorts 1 extraordinary appointed for a season only and 2 ordinary to continue unto the end of the World Qu. 22. Who are the extraordinary Officers or Rulers or Ministers of the Church appointed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ therein for a season only An. 1 The Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ with 2 the Evangelists and Prophets indowed with extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost associated with them and employed by them in their work and Ministry 1 Math. 10.2 3. Acts 1.26 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 2 Luke 10.1 2 Tim. 4.5 Titus 1.5 Acts 11.27 28. Acts 21.9 10 11. 2. Cor. 1.1 Explication That the Church is a Spiritual corporation attended with rule and government is evident from the nature of the thing it self and testimonies of Scripture Only as the Kingdome of Christ is not of this World or Worldly so this rule and government of the Church is not mearly external and secular but spiritual Neither doth this rule at all belong unto it merely as materially considered in men yielding obedience unto the call which is the foundation of the Church nor absolutely as it is formally constituted a Church by the consent and agreement described but moreover it is required that it be organically compleat with Officers or rulers now to the constitution of such a society or corporation there is required First that the persons whereof it is constituted do consent together into it for the attaining of the ends which they design Without this no society of any kind can exist This is the form of mens coalescencie into societyes And that there is in the Church such a consent and agreement hath been shewed Secondly that there be Rules or Laws for the guidance and direction of all the Members of the society in order to their pursuit of the proper ends of it That such Rules or Lawes are given and prescribed by the Lord Christ unto the Church will afterwards appear in our consideration of them in particular so that the Church is a society of men walking according unto Rule or Law for the attaining of the ends of the society Thirdly that there be Authority instituted for to see to the due Observation of these Rules and Lawes of the society which consists in this 1 That some be appointed to Rule and Govern in the Church 2 Others to Obey and be Ruled or Governed both according to the Laws of the society and not otherwise And both these are eminently found in this Church-state as we shall see in the ensuing Question with their Answers and Explications Now that these Officers or Rulers should be of two sorts both the nature of the thing it self required and so hath our Lord Jesus Christ appointed For when the Church was first to be called gathered and erected it was necessary that some Persons should 〈◊〉 extraordinarily employed in that work for ordinary Officers antecedent unto the calling and erection of the Church there could be none And therefore these pesons were in an extraordinary manner endowed with all that power which afterwards was to reside in the Churches themselves and moreover with that which was peculiarly needful unto the discharge and performance of that special duty and work that they were appointed unto But when Churches were called gathered erected and setled for continuance there was need of Officers suited to their state and condition called in an ordinary way that is