a Acts 2.4.2 5.12 in one Place b 1 Cor. 11 20. and therefore in communion with Christ the Head c 10.16 17. and all the Members of the Body together d 1 Joh. 1.3 whereby each Member is nourished and edified and grows up into Christ the Head in all things e Eph. 4.15 the Ordidinances of communion the immediate ends of Visible Church-Union The stedfast abode therein f Act 2.42 the offering up spiritual Sacrifices unto God acceptable through Christ g 1 Pet. 2.5 and shewing forth the Vertues of him that hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light h Ibid. v. 9 CHAP. V. Of Gathering a Gospel Visible Church Christ first in Gathering a Church The Means of Grace by Conversion and Good Men exciting Instruments How a People thus moved come into a Body How Incorporated orderly without confusion What ordinary Christian Prudence is to be used and Questions put An Essential Church a true Church as to being but not as to well-being A Person excepted against to defer for that time § 1. AVisible Gospel-Church is made by gathering divers select Persons unto Jesus Christ in a spiritual Body and relation to him as their Political Head a Eze. 34.11 12. 2 Thes 2.1 and it is Christ himself the great Shepherd that first gathers them seeketh his Sheep and brings them to his Fold and Pasture b John 10.9.14 16. perfecting them in every good Work to do his Will through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant c Heb. 13.20 21. § 2. Christ as he is our Peace a Eph. 2.14 so he cometh and preacheth Peace by the Ministry of the Everlasting Gospel b ib. v. 17. and accompanying it with his Spirit blesseth it to the turning Men from Darkness to Light c Act 26.18 working Faith and Love in Sinners Hearts d 1 Tim. 1.14 whereby they come to embrace the Blessings of Abraham's Covenant and profess the same e Act 15.11 § 3. When God hath called some thus through his Grace a Gal. 1.15 Acts 2.40 in any place and they have tasted that the Lord is gracious b 1 Pet. 2.3 they begin to see and behold how richly Christ's Glory and all the Mysteries thereof are displayed in the Churches c Eph. 3.9 10. his Golden Candlesticks d Rev. 1.20 1 Pet. 2.5 and therefore seek after all ways and means provided by Christ for their coming as lively Stones to Christ the Corner-Stone e Eph. 2.21 22. and of becoming a spiritual House or Habitation of God by his Spirit that they may offer unto God spiritual acceptable Sacrifices in and through Jesus Christ call upon and encourage one another saying come let us go up to the House of the Lord f Isa 2.3 and he will teach us his ways and some that are eminent in Faith and Holiness excite and stir up others to their Duty and claim of their Priviledges in Christ as Barnabas did at Antioch g Acts 11.23 when he saw the Grace of God in the new Converts made through the Ministry of the Disciples scattered by the Persecution from the Church at Jerusalem he exhorts them to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart h Ibid. i.e. by an explicite Church-Covenant for he saw as to the inward heart-work it was already done Which they did accordingly and became a Church by a visible Constitution and professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ in all its holy Appointments in which Church Paul and Barnabas Preached a whole Year i Acts 11.26 and to which Elders were Ordained k ib. 14.23 § 4. Hence such a People thus moved by the Grace of God and having by mutual converse one with another in their Neighbourhood and Society in some holy Duties speaking often solemnly and seriously among themselves of the things of God and their Souls a Mal. 3.16 discerning the Grace of God b Act. 11.23 and love to the Lord Jesus Christ his House and Members in each other and finding good and sufficient matter to build with c 1 Pet. 2.5 counting the cost of their professed undertaking d Luke 14.28 in the fear of God e Acts 9.31 strength of Christ and assistance of the Spirit f Eph. 3.16 having frequently and solemnly waited upon God on this account together and apart g Col. 3.17 Phil. 4.6 as also advised with the neighbouring Churches of Christ and Elders thereof h Prov. 11 14. 1 Thes 1.6 2.14 and finding their way made clear before them by the footsteps of other Flocks of that Nature i Cant. 1.8 they proceed with their Faces Zion-ward k Jer. 50.5 to the most solemn attending this great matter in framing a Gospel-Temple with Fasting and Prayer and manage it in such a manner as becomes so sacred and weighty a business without any thing of confusion l 1 Cor. 14 33 40. § 5. And therefore that it may be so performed something of ordinary Christian-Prudence is necessary a Prov. 13.16 under Christ's General Rules that all things should be done in and about Churches and God's Service without confusion b 1 Cor. 14 33. and to edification c ib. v. 26 For which reason on a solemn Day set apart for this end they ought in Faith and dependance on him d Heb. 12.28 James 1.6 to depute one of their number for that time at least to go before the rest in the concerns of that Day and preside in matters of Order e 1 Cor. 14.40 which being done all of them and each person he or she by her self if bashfulness hinder not if it doth by delivering in Writing what should be spoken are to give an account of what God hath done for each and of the hope they have with meekness and reverence f 1 Pet. 3.15 which when all have done Two Questions are to be put by the said presiding person 1. Whether they be all and every one fully satisfied with each others declared and professed grounds of Hope g Phil. 2.2 3 4 5. so far as to be willing cordially to receive one another in the Lord g Ro. 15.7 16.2 Which being answered in the Affirmative by Suffrage or word of Mouth which is best in this Case The next Question ought to be 2. Whether they all and every one do freely solemnly and unanimously give up themselves and their Seed to the Lord h Ro. 12.1 Matt. 19.14 15. Acts 2.39 and join themselves to one another in Church-Fellowship i ib. 41 42 promising subjection to Christ their Political Head in the Faith and Order of the Gospel k 2 Cor. 9.13 and to walk accordingly in discharge of their Duties to God and one another as becometh Church-Members l Col. 2.5 6 Phil. 1.27 through the Grace of God helping and assisting
Establishment in its Vailed State and as to its appurtenances appropriate to Abraham's Natural Posterity in a National Church-Constitution waxed old decayed and vanished away n Heb. 8.13 and the substantial part of Abraham's Covenant in respect of the true Grace and Government of the Promised Seed appeared and remained glorious o Gal. 3.17 4.26.28 30 31. § 4. These Extraordinary Ministers were Apostles Evangelists Prophets and Teachers whom the Lord Jesus set in the first Gospel-Church at Jerusalem a 1 Cor. 12 28. and gave them to his Churches for a general good but firstly to that Church b Eph. 4.10 11. where they first exercised their Ministry Apostleship and Eldership The Apostles so called by Christ's first Mission were Twelve c Matt. 10.2 c. one of which fell from his Apostleship d Act 1.20 these were Ordained by Christ himself and had a double Mission one to the Jews only before Christ's death e Mat. 10.6 whereby the Partition-Wall was broken down f Eph. 2.14 and then to all Nations Jews and Gentiles g Mat. 28.19 with a particular charge to go to the Jews first h Acts 13.46 Upon the Fall of Judas Matthias was chosen by the Church and a Divine Ordination by Lot i ch 1.26 Paul and Barnabas were additional Apostles k ch 14.14 and sent especially Paul Apostles to the Gentiles l Ro. 11.13 They had an extraordinary Ordination by Christ's immediate Call and Instigation of the Holy Ghost m Acts 13.2 Ga. 1.12 They were all of them such as had bin Eye-Witnesses of the Life Death Resurrection and Ascention of the Lord n Acts 1.21 22 23. Paul himself had seen Christ but was converted and called to Apostleship after his Ascention therefore he saith he was born out of due time o 1 Cor. 15.8 9. They were divinely inspired had a marvellous effusion of the Spirit upon them p Act. 2.12 had the Gifts of Tongues Healing Interpretation and of miraculous Works q Mark 16 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 12.28 They had more than ordinary Graces and Gifts mightily furnished to the Work of the Ministry and lastly had the Care of all the Churches r 2 Cor. 11.28 § 5. The Evangelists were inspired Ministers of Christ to his Churches a 2 Tim. 3.16 Acts 8.5.26 21.8 Sub-Apostolick Adjuvant to the Apostles in their Work and much at their direction b 1 Tim. 1.3 2.15 2 ep 2.2 Tit. 1.5 Some were Apostolick Evangelists as Matthew and John two of them Called Evangelists from their Evangelical Histories of Christ in their Gospels c Matt. 1.1 Mark and Luke were only Evangelists none of the Twelve Philip Timothy Titus were only Evangelists ordained Apostolically d Acts 6.2 2 Tim. 1.6 Titus 1.5 and employed and sent by the Apostles to places where they had Preached and to Churches already Planted to Visit Teach and Direct to the Election of Officers and see a supply of what was wanting or prepare Matters for the Apostles coming § 6. The Prophets and Teachers of the first stamp seemed to have much of Inspiration by the Holy Ghost a Act 2. by the coming down thereof upon the Apostles and Brethren at Pentecost It appears not that they had any Office or governing Power in the Church nor much differing b ib. 13.1 but being Brethren full of the Holy Ghost as the Deacons and Barnabas before set apart c ib. 6.3 11.24 were employed by the Apostles or moved in themselves to Preach the Gospel where-ever they came for Conversion of the dark unbelieving World d ib. 11.19 There were of later date Gifted Brethren by an ordinary Measure e 1 Cor. 14 4 5 37. 1 The. 5.20 of Grace and Gifts some for Edification within the Church and some for Propagation of the Gospel abroad which may yet remain the reason thereof remaining § 7. These Extraordinary Ministers continue not in the Churches a 1 Cor. 13 8. neither Apostles or Apostolick Men to whom it was essential to be Ordained or immediately sent by Christ and the Holy Ghost as also extraordinarily inspired and qualified The Miraculous Gifts they were furnished with are ceased b Ibid. The Apostles were to be such as had seen the Lord on Earth c Acts 1.21 22. of such there is none now They were charged with the Care of all the Churches d 2 Cor. 11 28. of such there is none now one or more to whom Christ hath committed the Care of all the Churches or of many indefinitely Lastly There 's not the same Reason for such a Ministry now The Doctrine of the Gospel having bin received in the Nations of the Earth the Canon of the Scripture filled Churches have bin planted and walked in by the Rules and Order of the Gospel The Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles abundantly confirmed by divers Signs following e Heb. 2.3 4. and since by the Profession Practice and Sufferings of multitudes of faithful Witnesses f Heb. 12.1 Rev. 12.11 CHAP. VII Of the Ordinary Ministers of a Church Christ hath appointed a sufficient Ministry for the Churches according to their inward and outward concerns What an Elder is What sorts The Pastoral Charge what it contains How discharged by one or more A Teacher what A Ruling Elder what A Deacon what A Church is fully Organiz'd with a Pastor and Deacon § 1. CHRIST being Exalted to God's Right Hand and sitting there an Apostle and High Priest of good things to come a Heb. 9.11 hath made provision for the calling in of the Elect b Acts 13.48 and his redeemed ones c Rev. 5.9 building and furnishing his spiritual Temples and Habitations for God by the Spirit d Ephes 2.20 21. not only by and under the Apostles Ministry but also by a sufficiency of Ministry and Ordinances in an ordinary and standing way and manner of Dispensation to the end of the World e Matt. 28.19 20 21 § 2. According to the great Concerns of a visible Church in this World Christ hath wisely consulted the well-being of it a Eph. 3.10 in instituting and appointing the Ministers thereof b Ephes 4.10 11. As to the higher internal concerns he hath ordained Elders c Acts 14.23 Phil. 1.1 and as to the more external no Church being able to subsist and keep up Ordinances according to the instituted Nature of them without a due care of those concerns he hath ordained and appointed Deacons d Acts 6.2 3. Phil. 1.1 § 3. An Elder is an ordinary Minister to the Church chosen and ordained by it to a Charge with Rule and Government a 1 Tim. 5.17 Act. 4.23 being a Person of Age or Gravity judged to be duly qualified for it b 1 Tim. 3.1 2 c. An Elder Presbyter or Bishop we may find to be taken in Scripture for one
and the same thing c Acts 20 17 28. in relation to a Church of Christ and are mostly taken indifferently for any Ruling and Teaching Minister as may be shewed by Classick Authors in Civil respects and by Scripture Language An Elder is an ordinary standing Minister in a Church The Apostles were Elders d 1 Pet. 5.1 and executed Elders places both in Teaching and Ruling where-ever they came but all Elders were not Apostles nor could they exert Apostolick Power Elders being Men of ordinary use in a Church of Christ and must continue e Acts 14.23 An Elder primarily signifies an old Man f ib. 2.17 but applied to an Office of Eldership in Church or State he is fitly called a Presbyter or Alderman in our Language i. e. Elderman Such there were in the Church and State of the Jews g Exo. 12.21 and are in the Churches under the Gospel h Act 14.23 A Bishop is an Overseer of a Charge and may be without Rule Among the Grecians an Attick Magistrate Clark of the Market or Commissary of an Army was called a Bishop but the Scripture useth it for a Ministerial Charge Teaching and Ruling one or both Ruling at least § 4. The Elders of a Church are Pastor or Adjuvant in the Pastoral Charge under Christ The Pastor is an Elder of a visible and particular Church Chosen and Ordained to the Office of Feeding the Flock by the Word Sacraments and Government a 1 Pet. 5.2 3. Eph. 4.11 Act. 20.38 The Office Charge and business of a Pastor is as a Shepherd to his Flock to Feed Guide and Fold So Christ is the great Pastor b John 10 11 16. and the first to the Gospel-Church c Mat. 26.26 31. And as he is the Chief Pastor d 1 Pet. 5.4 so is he the great President and Example to all the Pastors of particular Churches in all things wherein he is to be followed in the Exercise of their Pastoral relation e John 13.15 as also the Guidance of his Spirit and Direction of his Word f Mat. 28.20 with all his holy Institutions are to be diligently observed for to him it is that they must give account g Heb. 13.17 of this their great Stewardship h 1 Cor. 4.1 2. § 5. The Ministerial Charge as to Administration of things of the most spiritual Nature in a Visible Church is contained in the Pastoral Relation and where God gives ability to perform it fully to the edification of the Church One may perform it duly a 2 Cor. 12.19 Eph. 4.12 But in case of bodily infirmity or greatness of the Congregation if he is not able through the first to bear the whole Work of Teaching and Exhorting or for the other reason he is not able to go through the governing Work Christ hath provided Helps and Assistance for him a Teacher in his Teaching work and a ruling Elder to aid and assist in Ruling b 1 Tim. 5.17 § 6. He that is called and ordained of Christ by the Church to concur with the Pastor in the Teaching Work to the furthering the Churches Edification is called a Teacher and waits on that Service helping also in Ruling with the Pastor a Rom. 12.7 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 3.1 2. Eph. 4.11 12. Tit. 1.9 1 Pet. 4.10 11. § 7. He that is Called and Ordained of Christ by the Church to concur with the Pastor in diligently rulling is required to wait on that Work especially for the Edification of the Church and is called a Ruling-Elder and is Ordained in the same manner with a Teaching-Elder a 1 Tim. 3.1 Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17 § 8. He that ministers to the external concern of the Church serving Tables for the support of the Worship of God and relief of the Poor is a Deacon a Acts 6.2 4.35 compar'd with ch 6. Neh. 13.13 there may be one or more as the concerns of the Church are and there may be Women-helps in some Cases necessary called Deaconesses b Rom. 16.1 12.8 1 Tim. 5.9 10. The Deacon's Charge is the true and faithful disposal of the Churches Stock and Contributions and to the Church they are accountable c 1 Cor. 4.2 1 Tim. 3.8 9 10. 1 Pet. 4.10 § 9. A Church which hath a Pastor and Deacon is fully Organized the Church requiring no more to Edification The Pastoral Office containing in it all the Teaching and Ruling Charge and the Deacons all that concern the Care of the Church as to Externals CHAP. VIII Of a Call to a Church Ministry How a Church is regularly furnisht by Call and Ordination A Call immediate or mediate What each is How a Church comes to a Call And how made The consummation thereof no Ordination A Person called being not a Member ought to be joined to the Church calling him before Ordination None can or ought to be Ordained to the Catholick Visible Church § 1. A Church of Christ comes to be regularly furnished with a Ministry for its Edification by a due Call a Heb. 5.4 of such as are qualified thereto and Ordination of them A Church Calls when after waiting upon God for Directions b Phil. 4.6 Mat. 9.38 and coming to be acquainted with the Grace and Ministerial Gifts of a person or persons which having tryed c 1 Joh 4.1 1 Tim. 3.10 they are inclined to apprehend him or them suitable for them the Church gives him or them a solemn invitation to a Ministerial Charge § 2. A Call to a Ministerial Charge or Work is either immediately by God himself in a more than usual way or manner a Gal. 1.1.12 1 Tim. 1.1 or mediate by the Church of God and every one that undertakes such holy service must have one of these two Calls or else God sends him not b Rom. 10.15 The immediate Call is when God doth qualifie and call a Person to a Ministerial Service without the instrumentality of Men or Churches and such was the Call of the Prophets and Apostles whose Call was their Ordination and Infallible § 3. A Mediate Call is that which Christ makes by the instrumentality of a Church walking after Christ's commands a 1 Pet. 5.2 2 John 6. but is not infallible but eventually may not answer the Churches end in Calling because the Person called may not be suitable or for some reasons may refuse to submit thereto Hence God answers a Churches Call by sending to them a Person fit and willing whereby it most times proves happy and successful b Jer. 3.15 Mat. 9.37 38. § 4. The Church having wisely and duly debated the whole matter with all secrecy and keeping things within the Church and asked counsel of God and Neighbour Churches so far as may be needful and come to some result among themselves all if possible agreeing without strife and murmuring a Phil. 2.3 8. 1 Pet. 3.8 or
at least if any not so well satisfied do consent to acquiesce in the mind of the Church the Call is agreed upon but by such only who are actual Members not by Members of other Churches that communicate upon recommendation only § 5. The consummation of the said Call is made by the free acceptance of the Person called a 1 Pet. 5.2 but such Call and Acceptance though necessary as Preliminaries do not constitute a Person in a Ministerial Office any more than a private Contract doth constitute Man and Wife but Marriage by a Publick Covenant before sufficient Witness So that the Person Called is not constituted in Office without Ordination which is a Publick and solemn setting him apart § 6. If the Person called be not a Member where he is to take his Church-Charge he ought now upon the said Call and Acceptance to join as an actual Member to the Church a Act. 6.3 1 Cor. 5.12 For to constitute a non-Member in Office is contrary to all the Rules of any Corporate Society § 7. A Person may not be Ordained a Pastor or Church-Officer at large or before he be called to a particular Congregation For relates and cor-relates are co-essential to each other and have reciprocal relative affections Ordination also is a solemn recognition of a Contract before made which is done in the Call Moreover to make a Pastor before a People call him is to make a Pastor to no body and to Ordain a Pastor upon supposal some People will choose him makes him not only precarious but null ipso facto for being Ordained upon a supposed futurition makes his present Ordination void not being a capable subject till called to a Relation And if it be said Such an one is Ordained Pastor to the Catholick visible Church Then 1. Why did not that Church call him 2. Why may not Deacons be Ordained to the Catholick visible Church 3. If he be Ordained Pastor to the Catholick how can he be Pastor to a particular Church unless he become a general and particular Pastor a double Pastor which is absurd 4. What power have a few Pastors or Churches to Ordain any Man to be Pastor to the Catholick Church as much power as an incorporated People or the Mayors of several Corporations meeting together have to appoint a common Mayor to all Corporations or to make one another so CHAP. IX Of Ordination Of the meaning of the Word How our Translators use the Word Whether the Imposition of Hands be peculiar to Church Ministers Whether Teaching Elders only can Ordain Laying on of Hands of Antiquity and of what uses Divers Opinions about it Arguments Answered 1 2 3 4. Concluded that it 's an obsolete Rite and Nine Arguments for it How Ordination ought to be performed How a Deacon's Ordination may be repeated The Ordination of a meer Preaching Minister to Conversion § 1. ORdination is an English Word almost Latine and coming of it by which our Translators render Words in both Originals of very divers significations But their use of the Word may be reduced for the most part to these two General significations 1. To the sence of pre-ordination of things or persons and so Ordination is destination 2. It 's taken for an actual constitution of a thing or person in a state or relation that either is designed unto 1. By enacting a Isa 30.33 Act. 13.38 10.42 Ephes 2.10 1 Pet. 1.20 Jer. 1.5 Laws for this or that thing or person which is called an Ordinance b 1 Cor. 7.17 Act. 16 14. Ps 81.5 1 Chro. 9.22 Gal. 3.19 and is a Conjugate to Ordination because ordained or 2. By constituting instating or enstalling a Person in a Charge or Office c Mar. 3.14 Act 1.22 2 Chr. 11.15 2 King 23.5 Titus 1.5 Heb. 5.1 8.3 which is most properly Ordination in that sence as we are here concern'd in it being the publick and solemn enstating or installing a person in an Office or Charge committed to him to which he was duly before called and which he hath accepted § 2. But when Ordination according to its usage in the Old or New Testament is applied unto Men it signifies only the instating any one actually in a Place or Charge that he is designed or called to Again in all the places where our Translators make such use of the Word there is not the least mention of Imposition of Hands tho the Word rendred ordaining a Act 14.23 signifies the lifting up of hands by way of Suffrage in Election of Officers § 3. It 's thought generally that Imposition of Hands is only an honourary and peculiar Ceremony to the Ordination of Teaching Elders and sacred to them alone But if the said Imposition be a thing essential to Ordination as such it must belong to all Church-Ministers ordained as to Ruling Elders and Deacons because likewise the greatest Plea that can be made for laying on of Hands on ordinary Church-Ministers must be taken from the Ordination of Deacons a Acts 6. whereas indeed we have not one instance of laying on of Hands on ordinary Teaching Elders in the whole New Testament tho we read of the ordaining them b Act 14.23 § 4. Again it 's an Error commonly received that Ordination performed by that supposed sacred Rite is only to be administred by Teaching Elders whether of the same Church or of other Churches and is an authoritative act of such But this must needs be a great mistake upon all accounts for the Elders of one Church cannot perform an Authoritative Act in another it being a great Usurpation a 1 Pet. 4.15 and the Elders of one Church having no power to Vote in another which the meanest Brother hath therefore how little power hath a foreign Elder to ordain or lay on hands in the said Church If it appertain to Elders only sure to the Elders of that Church in which the Ordination is and to those to whom Authoritative Acts do belong and not to the Elders of another Church and Corporation any more than the enstalling the Mayor of one Corporation appertains to an Authoritative Act of the Mayor of another But it may be truly said That Ordination of Elders is oftner in Churches that have no Elders at all than in such that want one and that have others surviving Who then must Ordain a Pastor called to a Pastoral Charge and lay Hands upon him Ans Who should do it but the Church that called him b Acts 14.23 Who should put him into his Charge but Christ by them for it 's Christ invests any person with a Church Ministerial Office by the Church where he hath placed his Name c Deu. 14.23 16.6.11 which is his Presence and Authority He is the servant of Christ to his Church and is its Propriety and therefore as called so to be Elected and Installed by it Obj. But may the Church having no Elders lay Hands on him Ans
Deacons by laying on of Hands as for the laying on of Hands on ordinary Pastors and more there being a seeming President for the first but none for the second § 8. It 's alledged The Presbytery laid their Hands on Timothy a 1 Tim. 4.14 and they say The Presbytery was a Classis or at least a Consistory of ordinary Elders Ans 1. That Inference wants proof for that they were not all so is beyond Question for the Apostle Paul was among them for one or else Timothy had Hands laid on him twice b 2 Tim. 1.6 2. The Apostles were Presbyters and call themselves so c 1 Pet. 5.1 and why might it not be a Presbytery of Apostles and Evangelists seeing such are mentioned by Name and it belonged to them and not to ordinary Pastors to bestow the Gifts of the Holy Ghost by laying on of Hands And 3. It appears that Timothy received such a Gift by the laying on of Hands d 1 Tim. 1.18 4. He was not made an ordinary Pastor but an Evangelist the Ordination of whom we find was by the Apostles As Paul's Ordination was a separation to his Apostleship to the Gentiles e Acts 13. § 9. It 's alledged That Timothy is charged to lay Hands suddenly on no Man which seems to be meant of Ordination of ordinary Pastors Ans If it be so meant yet it proves not laying on of Hands by ordinary Pastors for Timothy was not such It is not to be doubted but the Gift that Timothy received was such an extraordinary Gift as was bestowed then frequently by laying on of Hands and which Simon Magus would have purchas'd of Peter for Money That on whomsoever he should lay his Hands they should receive the Holy Ghost a Acts 8.18 19. This Gift or the Rite of Conveyance the Apostles were wary of prostituting to Men of corrupt Minds And therefore the Apostle warns Timothy not to apply it rashly to any for it 's apparent the Apostles laid not their Hands on Simon Magus finding he had no truth of heart but rejected him and laid not Hands upon him though he had bin baptized § 10. Heb. 6.2 is pleaded That Baptism and laying on of Hands were appointed as standing Ordinances in Churches Ans This Text hath bin much mistaken and abused But briefly it 's not to be understood as if Baptism it self or laying on of Hands were to be understood to be the Principles there meant for indeed he speaks but of one Foundation a 1 Cor. 3.11 the Doctrine of Christ which is laid in Repentance and Faith held forth in Baptism and confirmed by the Apostolick Signs following Christ's Ascention b Heb. 2.3.4 Mark 16.16 in those extraordinary Gifts conveyed by laying on of the Hands of the Apostles and Apostolick Men Hence Beza saith he found in one Copy That Baptism and Laying on of Hands were enclosed by a Parenthesis But if it be not so it matters not much for it is the Doctrine of Baptism and laying on of Hands which are here spoken of viz. The Foundation-Doctrine of Christ symbolically exhibited by the one and miraculously beyond all doubt confirmed by the other in Apostolick times § 11. We conclude concerning this high applauded Ceremony which the Papists make Sacramental and say it leaves an indelible Character and some Protestants adore little less That we find upon the best Enquiry and strictest Scrutiny That it is no continued Ordinance or Institution of Christ in his Churches And That its an obsolete and ceased Ceremony for these Heads of Reasons only for brevity sake following 1. Because the End and Significancy of this Rite is ceased therefore the Rite it self for a Rite that signifies nothing is an empty Sign and vain and we ought not to do any thing in the Worship of God that is empty insignificant vain a Col. 2.8 Matt. 15.9 Col. 3.20 and the doing whereof is Will-Worship 2. That Ceremony that none can by a due Authority apply cannot be performed but none such are now or can pretend thereto there being no Apostles or Apostolick Men or such as can pretend to extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghost much less to a Power or Commission to bestow them on others by any Solemn Duty whatever much less by a Ceremony Therefore such a Practice as is a Pretence before Men to that which we dare not profess plainly to in Words before God is but a mocking of God and Man b Gal. 6.7 2 Cor. 11.13 3. We have shewed that the Ceremony was never appropriate to the Ordaining of any Ministers for it was a common Ceremony used in other Cases and to other Persons To the sick c Mar. 16.18 to new Converts d Act 8.17 to those that were Members and had Grace but it was none of those Gifts that were for Propagation and Confirmation of the Doctrine of Christ e ib. 13.3 Many yea most of the Apostles were Ordained without it f Mat. 10.7 8. 28.19 No Ordinary Pastor Ordained with it as we read of g Acts 24.23 Where it was used the Appliers of it were such as were inspired or had immediate Command from God for doing it and there were many that never had imposition of Hands themselves h Acts 8.14 17. 4. Ordination is no where called Laying on of Hands nor Laying on of Hands Ordination in the Old or New Testament 5. There is the same Reason for the Ordaining Ruling Elders and Deacons by Imposition of Hands greater for the latter i Acts 6.6 and will the Assertors of this Rite allow it to them No they appropriate it to Teaching Elders only 6. Our Translators do honestly own that the Churches Solemn and Publick Election of Elders by Suffrage is Ordination k ib. 14.23 7. There is no more ground for continuance of this Rite nor so much as for that of washing feet l Joh. 13.5 or laying on of hands or anointing the sick m James 5.14 but since the cessation of Miraculous Gifts the anointing of the sick and Imposition of Hands in all Cases as a Rite is ceased That of washing feet was only teaching to Christ's Disciples the duty of Humility and Self-Denial which they were after to follow him in as Ministers not in the use of the Ceremony it self n John 13.13 14 15 16. and there are but two Instituted Rites perpetuated to the Churches to the end of the World Baptism o Mat. 28.19 and the Lord's Supper p 1 Cor. 11 26. 8. If it be used only to denote the Blessing of the Party Ordained then Imposition of Hands is a great Usurpation and makes the Elders of one Church superiour to them of another for the lesser is blessed of the greater which Superiority Christ never allowed q Heb. 7.7 Mat. 23.11 Mar. 9.34 Luke 22.24 26. If it be said It 's used to point out the Person ordained it 's childish and frivolous
as if a Man could not be seen or known that comes upon so weighty and Publick an Undertaking but they must point at him and tell the People who he is as if the Churches Election and his publick Acceptance were not enough to shew the Man 9. This Ceremony hath bin abominably abused by Papists to Superstition and Idolatry and greatly idoliz'd by Protestants r 2 Kings 18.4 and always a Bone of Contention even in the more Reformed Churches ſ 1 Tim. 1.6 Titus 3.9 a great offence and Stumbling-Block to many Therefore it is of great Concern to the Churches for the promoting Peace and Truth to throw it out altogether having no Ground or Warrant for the continuance of it § 12. It will be then enquired In what manner a Church should Ordain its own Ministers The Way is plain and easie if Men make it not hard knowing That Ordination of any one to an Office is no more than the Publick and Solemn Recognition of the Call with his like Declaration of his Acceptance whereby he is enstated in and enters upon his Function and Charge Therefore this Solemnization ought to be before competent Witnesses i. e. Churches by themselves or Pastors and Messengers and ought thus to be performed decently to the Honour of Christ a 1 Cor. 14 40. on a Day of Solemn Prayer set a-part for this End by the Church b Acts 14.23 the neighbouring Churches acquainted therewith and their Presence desired beforehand on the said appointed Day Either a Ruling Elder or other if there be any or a Delegated Brother after first Application unto God by Prayer c Phil. 4.6 Eph. 6.18 puts this Question unto the Church Whether they do freely choose A. B. to be their Pastor Teacher Ruling Elder as the Relation is to be the Ordination of all being alike to be such an one to them And whether they submit to him in the Lord To which Answer being made in the Affirmative the Brethren only holding up their Hands d Ibid. 1 Tim. 2.12 The Elected Elder declares his Acceptance in all Gravity and Humility e 1 Pet. 5.2.3 c. So is the Day filled up with suitable Exhortations and Supplications by the assistance of neighbouring Pastors and the Ordination is finished and the Pastor Ordained enters on his Office in the Conclusion of the Solemn Work of that Day § 13. In the same manner a Deacon is ordained differing only in some respects of Publick Solemnity and that the words of the Question import him not to be a Governing Minister § 14. A Church ought to have a due regard to the Person whom they Call and Ordain a Pastor or Teaching-Elder that he be a Man sound in the Faith a 2 Tim. 1.13 of good Report b 1 Tim. 3.7 Tit. 1.6 no Novice c 1 Tim. 3.6 of Exemplary Grace and Piety d ib. 4.12 1 Pet. 5.3 and approved Abilities to Teach e 1 Tim 3.2 rightly divide the Word of God f 2 Tim. 2.15 and defend the Truth g Tit. 1.9 § 15. The Conceit that Ordination may not be repeated is a Popish and vulgar Error For as Churches are no more Prisons to Ministers than People and there may be sufficient reason for the Pastor Elder or Deacon to remove from one Church to another in such a Case a Man is to be Ordained again and so if he change to another Church afterward for one Churches Ordination of a Man cannot make him Pastor to another § 16. He that Preacheth to a People for Conversion needs no other Ordination than the due Approbation and Mission of a Church of which he is a Member accompanied with their Solemn Prayers for a Blessing on his Ministry CHAP. X. Of Ordinances of General Communion Of the reason of the Word Ordinance Christ's Offices shine forth in Ordinances The Church obliged to wait on Christ in them Ordinances General or Special Which General Publick Preaching what Publick Prayers what Praises of the Church and singing Psalms Contribution Observation of the Lord's Day Of Church Fasts § 1. HAVING shewed what Christ's Ordination of Persons is we come to shew what Christ's Ordination of things is and it is His Enacting divers Ordinances a 1 Cor. 11.2 and Appointments for the Order and Government of his own House b Heb. 3.6 Hence his positive Laws of this kind are called Ordinances because Ordained by him or made by his Ordination c Acts 16.4 § 2. The Lord Jesus Christ exerts his Headship of our Profession by his Institution and Ordination of such Ordinances wherein his Offices may eminently shine forth in some appearing as the Apostle of our Profession a Heb. 3.1 in others as High-Priest i. e. Melchisedech a Kingly High-Priest b Ibid. ch 7.16 17. In the Word Preached c Eph. 2.17 as our Apostolick Prophet d Acts 3.22 In the Seals of the Covenant his Priestly Vertues and Excellencies are held forth e 1 Cor. 11 25 26. Acts 2.38 In the Keyes of Rule and Government his Kingly Office shines forth f Rev. 3.7 Zac. 6.13 And thus he is symbolically described in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks the Churches g Rev. 1.13 14 c. § 3. A Gospel Ordinance of Christ is some visible Means of Grace a Acts 20.32 Eph. 4.7 8 Heb. 12.28 Ordained by Christ as Head of our Profession b He. 3.1.2 wherein a Church of Christ and all the Members thereof are obliged to wait on him Socially or in Communion c Acts 2.42 1 Cor. 10.16 Heb. 10.23 25. for his Presence and Blessing d 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 1.13 Ps 132.15 in one place e 1 Cor. 11 20. 14.23 § 4. Christ hath appointed some Church Ordinances to be dispensed in a Publick and General way promiscuously and some to be attended upon in a more peculiar way of Communion being appropriated to the Churches only The Ordinances that appertain to the General Publick Communion of the Church as well as to the separate and retired are Preaching the Word a Acts 11.26 Prayers b Eph. 6.18 Praises c Heb. 13.15 and Contributions d Gal. 6.6 1 Tim. 6.18 Heb. 13.16 § 5. The Publick Preaching of the Word of God is the Reading a Neh. 8.8 Luke 4.16 Expounding b Neh. 8.8 Acts 17.3 28.3 rightly dividing the Word of God c 2 Tim. 2.15 to all spiritual Ends and Uses d ib. 3.15 in order to the Edification of Believers e Acts 20.32 and Conversion of Unbelievers f Acts 26.18 Which Preaching ordinarily belongs to the Teaching Elders g 1 Tim. 5.17 tho occasionally others may Exercise Gifts among them as the Elders of other Churches h 1 Pet. 4.11 1 Cor. 2.4 or Brethren when Called thereto who are able to speak to Edification Exhortation and Comfort with submission to the Judgment of the
19. as is usual in the Charters granted by Earthly Kings yea a priority of time seems to be given to Peter as appears by the event on both accounts as to the first Management being the first Apostle that presided in Government c Act. 1.15 in taking in and excluding Church-Members d Act. 2.41 ch 5.1 as we see he was the first that opened by his Doctrine the Door unto Jews and Gentiles but in all this it appears that he was but a Steward to Christ and his Church and that although the present management of them was in Peter and the Apostles yet it was the Church that was the subject of them e Mat. 18.17 § 6. Tho Christ hath wisely provided for his Honour and the well-being of his Churches in that he hath set Elders in his Churches to manage the Keys in an orderly and honourary manner a 1 Cor. 12 28. yet he hath committed the propriety of 'em next to himself and in his own Name unto the Church whether Organized or Essential only as to a spiritual Body corporate which he hath endowed with this Priviledge among others of having and keeping the Keys b Rom. 3.2 Acts 7.37 38. Rev. 3.7 and it appears that the Church as such is the first subject of the Keys under Christ because 1. The End of them is to preserve the being of a Church as well as for its well-being and therefore they must belong to it as soon as the Church becomes essential c 1 Cor. 5.7 12.28 2. As soon as the Church becomes a Body Corporate in Christ the whole Charter for Priviledges belongs to it and therefore all that appertain to its preservation which cannot be without the power of the Keys d 1 Cor. 7.17 12.26 27. 3. Without the use of the Keys they cannot Organize themselves with Elders and Deacons for to let in any Person into Office must be by the use of them e Acts 14.23 4. A Church before it hath Ministerial Officers may admit Members or reject a Scandalous Member for its preservation therefore hath the use of the Keys for embodying into a Church doth not so shut them up that none can either come in to them or be cast out before they have chosen a Pastor f Gal. 5.1 2 Cor. 6.14 15. 5. A Church that hath Elders may be by Providence deprived of them how can they be re-supplied without the use of the Keys especially if they call such as are not of their Body None can be an Officer in a Corporation but he that is incorporated first as a Member g Acts 6.3 Rom. 12.4 6. In proceeding with an offending Member the first degrees thereof are by Members not in Ministerial Office h Mat. 18.15 7. Elders are but Stewards to Christ and his Church for the due management of the Keys they are entrusted with and are accountable to Christ and his Church and are to use them with its consent in all Cases not to make advantage by them to Lord it over God's Heritage by assuming an Arbitrary and Despotick Power to themselves exercising Dominion over the Church-Members Faith instead of being helpers of their Joy i 1 Pet. 5.3 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Cor. 4.1 8. Suppose an Elder there being but one Pastor or other come to fall under just cause of Censure Who must use the Keys in deposing and censuring this offending and incorrigible Elder but the Body of the Church k Col. 4.17 3 John 9. § 7. By what hath bin said it clearly appears the Keys of Government primarily are placed in a Church as a Body Corporate because the disposal of the orderly Management of them to Officers belongs to the Church under Christ and the use of them for their preservation belongs to them before such Ministerial Officers are Ordained by them in that mean time the power of the Keys is exerted by the Church by the hands of the Brethren for tho each Sister is a true Member of this Corporation and accordingly upon that ground should Vote yet Christ having made a particular Exception upon that account that Women may not speak or exercise Authority in the Church a 1 Tim. 2.12 1 Cor. 14.35 therefore whatever passeth in the Church by the Majority of the Brethren is a Church act so that it be done in a Congregation the Sisters present otherwise it s no Church-Meeting b 1 Cor. 14.23 § 8. A Church Organized with Elders useth the Keys Ministerially exerting the power of Christ committed to it in and by the Elders going along with them in an◠explicite consent to all things agreeable to the Order of the Gospel a 1 Pet. 5.3 which power is exercised in the admitting Persons into Church-Fellowship or in debarring of Members from the Communion of the Church b 3 Joh. 10 and in all matters that tend to the one or other § 9. They that are said to be coming into the Church are either such as are not actual Members to this Church but Members of other Churches a Rom. 16.1 Or else they are Non-Members to any Church b 1 Cor. 5.12 And there are some Rules of Order to be observed before admitting and some in Admittance of such of each sort § 10. The Word of God requiring all exactness in Admitting Church-Members least the Childrens Bread be cast to Dogs a Mat. 7.6 15.26 and that the House of God be not made a Den of Thieves b Mat. 21.13 and in order to the future Peace and Purity of the Church The Elders as Stewards who ought to be found faithful c 1 Cor. 4.1 2. when any one propounds him or her self to join in Fellowship ought to make impartial Enquiry into three things 1. To ask the Reason of his Hope d 1 Pet. 3.15 2. What competency of knowledge in the Principal Doctrines of Faith and Order e 1 Tim. 2 4 5. he hath arrived at so far at least as to be fundamentally grounded therein to be able to discern the Lord's Body f 1 Cor. 11 29. 3. Enquiry ought to be made whether his Conversation answer this Profession and adorn the Gospel g Tit. 2.11 12 13 14. § 11. A Person 's giving a reason of his Faith and Hope is his Declaring what he hath Experienced of the Grace of God upon his heart a 1 Pet. 3.15 Psal 66.16 through the Means of Grace that he hath sate under b 2 Cor. 2.15 16. Acts 2.41 26.17 18. and the Operation of the Spirit c John 16.8 9. in the production of his Repentance unto Life and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ d Heb. 6.1 which a true Believer is ready to give an account of e 1 Pet. 3.15 to any one that enquires of him seriously especially to a Church of Christ which he applieth himself unto that is so highly concerned therein for they that
hand of the Pastor or other Elders that he is a Member of such a Church walks as becomes the Gospel and is not under any Censure or Dealing for any Offence This falls short of a dismission for 1. It needs not any Vote of the Church it being a Testimonial 2. It needs not be directed to any particular Church but to all it may concern 3. There 's no transferring of Church Membership 4. Such takes place only when a Church-Member is called for a Season only by Providence to communicate with another Church 5. In Case there be no Elders in the Church a Testimonial under the Hands of some of the Brethren may be sufficient a Acts 18.27 2 Cor. 3.1 § 4. A Dismission or Letter of Dismission is that which is wrote from one Church to another by the hand of the Elders or in case ther 's none by some Brethren by the consent and in the Name of the Church wherein the Member asking the said Dismission and obtaining it is discharged from his original Relation to that Church and is transferred to the constant Communion Watch and Care of the other Church to which he is dismissed a Rom. 16.1 2. And in such a Dismission these things are to be observed from the Nature of the thing it self 1. That the said Brother dismissed be not under the Censure or Dealing of the Church dismissing him 2. That the Letter of Dismission may be either with or without Commendation as the Case may require or the carriage of the said Member hath bin tho he hath not bin under the Dealing of the Church for any censurable action Many a good Man proving an ill Church-Member as such an one may be an ill Husband not carrying himself orderly and duely in his Relation 3. That a Dismission be granted either upon good Reason alledged by him or upon his peremptory insisting upon it for the Peace of the Church 4. A Church-Member is not to be dismissed at large to join to what Church he pleases for 1. This is to dismiss him to himself and not to a Church the Church to which he is dismissed being not specified 2. To discharge him from the Watch and Care of one Church and not to transfer him to the Communion of another is the putting him out of all Church Communion and therefore an interpretative Excommunication a 1 Cor. 5.13 3. A Church may not dismiss a Member to them that it hath no Church Communion with and therefore not to the wide World b Joh. 15.19 17.21 2 Cor. 6.14 15. 4. As a Church is to watch over a Brother while he walks with it so their Watch and Care ought to be extended to him when he departs to see him lodg'd in safe hands c He. 13.17 5. To dismiss a Brother to his own pleasure or to the wide World is to expose him to Temptation and accordingly many so dismissed have cast off all Church-Watch and joined to none at all d Ro. 14.13 6. No other Church can duely receive a Brother so dismissed but as a Non-Member to any Church e 1 Cor. 5.12 13. 7. It argues no small disregard to the Order of the Gospel to grant such a Dismission and likewise it becomes a great Reproach to the Church and Elders f Heb. 8.5 6. 3.3 § 5. A Church may in some Cases deny a Dismission asked As 1. When the said Brother is under Church Dealing 2. When he desires only a Dismission at large to the World 3. When he asks a Dismission to a False or Heretical Church But if he ask a Dismission to a Church of the same Order and give no satisfactory reason for it and yet remains Peremptory in such Demand the Church ought not to refuse the granting of it for so to do is 1. To keep a Man forcibly and to make the Church a Prison a 2 Cor. 1.24 2. It is to Lord it over God's Heritage b 1 Pet. 5.3 3. It is to lay a stumbling-Block in his way and to tempt him to rend himself off schismatically from the Church c Ro. 14.13 4. It 's to destroy his Edification for he cannot edifie by Means he is forceably kept under d Eph. 4.16 Rom. 15.2 5. It 's contrary to Christ's Golden Rule e Mat. 7.12 6. It may prove dangerous to the whole Church proving a Root of bitterness that may infect many f Heb. 12.15 § 6. Some Churches or pretended at least that walk by their own Wills rather than by any of Christ's Rules will never grant a Dismission regularly to any In such Cases a Regular Church is necessitated to take such Discharges of Members as an Irregular Church will give And if upon the use of all due means they will grant none the Church-Member so refused may join himself upon the terms of a non-Member and so be admitted by the more Regular Church § 7. The management of the Keys in such Cases as have a tendency to exclusion from all Church Communion are such as look that way by reason of the falls and offences of Church-Members and so comprehend all due means that are to be used for the Recovery of such as are fallen a Gal. 6.1 and that are to be taken in case of incorrigibleness § 8. Excommunication is by the use of the Keys in a Judicial Proceeding of the Church in the Name of Christ whereby a Person is excluded and cast out of Communion in all the Special Ordinances thereof a John 9. 22 34. 12.42 1 Cor. 5.1 § 9. Excommunication may be considered as direct or more indirect Direct is the sentence of the Church in the Name of Christ for the casting out of an impenitent or notorious Sinner from Communion of the Church a Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.4 which is always to be understood of the Special Ordinances for Publicans and Sinners are not excluded from the Ordinances of general Communion such as Preaching and Praying and Excommunication puts a Person but into the condition of Publicans and Sinners in respect of Ordinances § 10. A Church ought not upon every slight occasion to proceed unto Excommunication of a Brother but upon the account of Matters of great weight wherein the Honour of Christ the Purity of Ordinances and the Soul of the Offender are concerned and such offences do either call for immediate proceeding to this Sentence or for a more gradual and mediate proceeding thereto a Jude 22 23. § 11. When the matter of fact is most notorious and scandalous past all Dispute and publickly known a 1 Tim. 1.20 5.24 1 Cor. 5.4 then the Church is called immediately to proceed unto Censure notwithstanding any present signs of Conviction and Remorse for the necessary Vindication of the Glory of God the Church and their Holy Profession and to manifest their just indignation against such wickedness b 2 Cor. 7.11 So as it
b 1 Cor. 12 12. Rev. 1.20 2. It 's a Company of Men not of Angels for Angels are no where called a Church tho a Company c Heb. 12.22 but they surround the Church d Rev. 5.11 and consort in their Adorations with the Church The Angels were not Redeemed by Christ's Blood neither of the Nature of the Head and therefore not the Body of Christ as the Church is e Heb. 2.16 3. It 's a spiritual Company in contra-distinction to humane and civil Societies or Companies gathered together occasionally or statedly f Act 19.39 4. It 's separated from the World all the World is not a Church but it 's called and separated out of the World g John 17.10 15.19 2 Cor. 6.17 as Christ the Head is separate h Heb. 7.26 2 Pet. 2.20 Deut. 14.2 Titus 2.14 so must the Body be 5. They are not a company of scattered Sheep but gathered into a Fold i John 10.16 Stones not lying here and there but brought into a building k 1 Pet. 2.4.5 6. They are embodied or incorporated with the Corner-Stone and to one another and as Members are knit to the Head and one another l 2 Thes 2.1 Eph. 4.16 Ps 122 3. 1 Thes 1 1. Hence Union to Christ the Head and to one another is essentially necessary to the Church of God m John 15 to which Union is requisite cutting off from the old Stock and Implantation into the new n Rom. 11.24 connection knitting and coalition of Head and Members together Members to the Head and they to one another o Eph. 2.21 and lastly an aptitude order and fitness to each other to compleat the whole in usefulness and comeliness p 1 Cor. 12 11 12 13. Eph. 4.16 2.21 § 11. Hence it plainly appears what a Church of God is in the general Nature thereof It is a spiritual company of men separated from the world a 2 Cor. 6.17 congregated and incorporated in Christ Jesus b 1 Cor. 12.12 Congregation is a Genus to Church it 's a spiritual Congregatiion and there is no Church but is so in some sense or other the words in the Old and New Testament always signifie so Cohel and Ecclesia But Congregation seems to be a remoter Genus than Corporation for every Congregation is not incorporated neither is every incorporated Congregation a spiritual Body c Acts 19.39 and therefore a Church but every Church is a Congregation incorporated by the Union afore-mentioned and it 's for the end of him whose it is viz. his Glory in communion with him and of one Member with another CHAP. II. Of the Catholick Church A Church defined A Spiritual Corporation how distinguisht Corporation what How belonging to Christ What Persons a Church is made up of How Membership comes Communion Distribution of Church The Catholick Church Catholick Vnion Communion It s not the Subject of Ordinances No Catholick Visible Church § 1. FROM what hath bin said in the former Chapter it appears that a Church is thus defined viz. That it is a Spiritual Corporation or Body of Christ a Eph. 1.23 Col. 1.24 1 Pet. 2.9 the Head to which many select persons b Tit. 2.14 separated from the World c 2 Cor. 6.16 17. are gathered d 2 The. 2.1 and united e Eph. 5.23 30. and accordingly fitly joined one to another f ch 4.16 for holy Communion in the Lord g 1 John 1.3 § 2. Corporation or a Political Body is the next common Nature to a Church and not Congregation or Assembly for Congregation is either occasional a Act 19.39 41. or fixed and stated by incorporation and this either civil or spiritual a civil is nothing appertaining to our present concern but the spiritual is for a Civil is that which belongs to a Secular or Republican State but spiritual is that that belongs to a Spiritual or Ecclesiastick State b 1 Cor. 10 4. Gal. 6.1 Matth. 7.6 1 Cor. 7.32 33. hence spiritual here is not confin'd to the sence of invisibility but is meant of that which is of a heavenly sacred and supernatural Nature c 1 Cor. 15.40 Heb. 8.5 9.23 1. Pet. 2.5 wherefore a spiritual Corporation or Body Politick is either mystical and invisible or visible professed and manifest to the World § 3. A Corporation is a Community constituted by Law or Charter granted by a Supream Power whereby it is invested with Priviledges and a Governing Power regulated by and subordinated to the Honour and Interest of the said supream Power such are Kingdoms Cities Housholds or Families or any number of persons bound together in any sociable Bond is a Society of this Nature whether implicite or explicite of these the Conjugal is the least though the first and most ancient yea the most honourable of all Civil Societies being the Root from whence they spring wherefore the Relation between Christ and his Church is represented thus to us by the Spirit of God in a most lively manner a Eph. 5.31 32. § 4. The Government Liberties and Priviledges of the Church are given as by Charter to the Lord Jesus Christ by the Father a Psa 2.6 Mat. 28.18 ch 2.6 the administration of which Power by him is either internal and immediate by his Spirit in the hearts of his People and according to the measure of Grace given to every one and of the same nature in the whole Body b Col. 3.15 Rom. 8.9 2 Cor. 3.8 17. Gal. 5.16.18.25 1 Pet. 1.2.22 of Christ c Rom. 12.3 1 John 3.24 and is universal and invisible or Christ administers more externally visibly and mediately in particular visible Bodies Politick by his Word instituted Officers and Ordinances for the sake and edifying of his Universal Church d Eph. 4.12 § 5. Every Church of Christ is made of select Persons and separated from the World a 1 Pet. 2.9 Tit. 2.14 2 Cor. 6.16.17 either by Effectual Calling and thereby become Members of the Mystical Body of Christ b Eph. 4.4 1 Cor. 12.12 or by a visible Profession and Confederation and thereby become Members of the visible particular Churches c 2 Cor. 7.13 § 6. A People may be gathered together yea to Christ so as to hear him or his Messengers a Act 13.43 Matt. 13.2 and not thereby become Members of the Body of Christ under any consideration But they must be so gathered to Christ the Head as to come into the bond of the Covenant b Eze. 20.37 Col. 2.19 1 Cor. 6.17 either by receiving Christ by Faith and thereby restipulating personally to the Covenant of Grace and so joining to the Lord. Or it is when a Person doth upon his Profession actually covenant with a particular Church by the first he becomes a Member of the Mystical Body c Col. 3.11 and by the second of a
professing Right thereto to the Believing Parent covenanting and his immediate Infant-Seed in him d Isa 65.23 chap. 44.3 Gal. 4.28 Fourthly The Seal of the Righteousness of Faith given to both Parent and Seed Fifthly The Ministry of the Gospel with all other Ordinances of Christ's Institution which each is capable of for spiritual advantage in the communion of the respective Members thereof e Gal. 3.7 8. § 3. A Visible Church is a spiritual a 1 Pet. 2.5 Body b Rom. 12.4 5. of Believers c 1 Cor. 1 2 with their immediate Seed d Gal. 3.26 27 28. 4.28 separate from the World e 2 Cor. 6.17 and given up unto Christ and one another in a Publick Covenant f 2 Cor. 8.5 Isa 56.6 7. for fellowship g 1 John 1.3 7. Phil. 1.5 1 Cor. 11.20 in all instituted Worship and Ordinances h Mat. 28.20 in one place i 1 Cor. 14.23 to the Glory of God k 1 Cor 10.31 and their own Salvation l Phil. 1.9 11. § 4. A visible Church is always particular a Rev. 1.20 Col. 2.5 a Catholick being not visible as hath bin shewed for a Visible Church is not a Society gathered together and made up of all the select People in the world there is none such can be here but it s such as is limited to a People and Place and is the subject of the Ministry and Ordinances there b 1 Cor. 11.20 14.23 Act 2.41 And though it should be supposed that there is a Catholick visible Church which cannot be granted it is to be observed that the Spirit of God speaks always of Churches in their respective places as distinct Churches each one entire in it self c 1 Cor. 1 2 1 Thes 1.1 not one Epistle wrote to any under the Name of the Catholick visible Church nor to any Church or Congregation as part of it but we read of writing to a Church in such a place d Revel 3.1 c. 1 Cor. 1.1 and divers Churches in a place as Country or Province we find distinguisht by the places where they were as Town City in which they were e Gal. 1.2 Rev. 1.4 Again each particular Congregation had its proper Elders relating to it f Act. 20.17 Phil. 1.1 Act 14.23 and not to others or to a Catholick visible Lastly the Church at Jerusalem the first Primitive was indeed the biggest and largest we read of but to make it any other than a particular Congregation is as weak Divinity as it is Logick for it continued to Assemble together in one place g Act 5.12 and was called but one Church and was not the Church that was visibly Catholick for it contained not the Churches of Samaria h Act 9.31 and Antioch i ib. 15.2 3 soon after gathered § 5. Wherefore the Subject defined by us is a particular Church not because the Catholick is a Genus of it but because the Catholick and a Particular are two distinct Species of Church by proper Adjuncts e. gr A particular Church is visible here on Earth in coetu a Act 5.12 which the Catholick Church is not It assembles in one place b 1 Cor. 11.20 which the Catholick cannot here It 's the subject of external Ordinances Officers and Discipline c Phil. 1.1 1 Cor. 5.4 which the Catholick is not The Members are known by visible Profession and confederation d 2 Cor. 9.13 which the Members of the Catholick are not known by § 6. The next general Nature as we have shewed to a Church is a Body Politick or Corporation for Body is thus distributed in Scripture Acceptation it is Natural or Political Political is Civil or Spiritual the Spiritual is a Church which is a spiritual Body Politick and that is invisible and Catholick or visible and Particular Here we are on a Particular Congregation which we say is a spiritual visible Body Politick a Rom. 12.4 5. 1 Co. 12.27 That it is a Body in a Political sence is most manifest for the Scripture calling it so it must be concluded that it cannot be so in any rational sence but as it is a Body Corporate not Civil but Spiritual it being of spiritual Matter b 1 Cor. 3. 1 Gal. 6.1 spiritual Form c 1 Pet. 2.5 and for spiritual Ends d 1 Cor. 12 3.3 7.8 Eph. 5.19 1 Pet. 2.5.9 Neither is it invisibly spiritual for spiritual things are both visible and invisible e Col. 1.16 18. 2.5 1 Pet. 2.5 but its spiritual in opposition to civil Hence the Church we are speaking of is a visible spiritual Body-Politick and as such having a special and peculiar Relation to Christ the Political Head f Heb. 3.1.6 wherein the special Glory and Excellency of this Church doth ly § 7. The great Concern therefore of this Body is its true Political Relation to Christ as the head thereof a Eph. 4.15 16. that it be by its visibility at least Christ's Corporation b 1 Cor. 12.27 1. By his Purchase c Act. 20.28 2. By his Charter and Institution being founded upon his Doctrine Rules and Appointments d Mat. 28.20 3. That the Dispensation be Christ's so that all things therein transacted be in the Name and Power of the Lord Jesus Christ e Col. 3.17 and to God's Glory by him f Eph. 3.21 4. That the Matter of this Church be visibly approved as Members of Christ's Mystical Body and so in Christ Jesus by Faith visibly at least g Phil. 1.1 2 Cor. 6.15 16. 5. That their association into one Body be by explicite Covenant first to Christ the Head and to one another as visible Members of Christ supposed faithful and Loyal to him h Rom. 15.6 7. Isa 56.7 1 Pet. 5.9 6. The great ends of it are 1. A freedom in Christ i Gal. 5.1 and the Spirit k 2 Cor. 3.17 from all other Political Heads as such in this spiritual relation and all pretendedly Ecclesiastical l 2 The. 2.4 or Civil m Isa 26.13 or Pastoral compulsion and Arbitrary Government within themselves n 1 Pet. 5.3 3 John 10. 2. The great enjoyment of the Presence and Blessing of Christ o Rev. 3.1 Eph. 1.3 3. Their communion in Christ with one another p 1 Cor. 10 16. and thereby their edification in Grace q 1 Cor. 14 26. and continued growth in Christ r Eph. 4.15 in the solemn and sacred use of all his holy Institutions and Appointments All which they look upon not as Bondage but their desirable Enjoyments and Priviledges granted to them by the Charter and Seal of the New Testament ſ Eph. 1.3 Col. 2.19 Eph. 1.18 19. § 8. As it is and ought to appear a spiritual Body a 1 Pet. 2.5 and therefore visible it must be made up of such Members
and accordingly give to each other the right hand of fellowship m 2 Cor. 4 15. Which Question answered in the Affirmative the said deputed person doth in the Name of the Lord Jesus declare them a Church of Christ As likewise the Elders and Brethren of other Churches there present as they ought to be if they can be had to behold their Faith and Order n Col. 2.5 should also declare that they own and acknowledge them a Church of Christ to their great satisfaction and rejoicing o 2 Thes 1.3 4. 1 Thes 2.13 Then lastly to continue the Work of the Day with some Word of Exhortation and earnest Supplication that God would be pleased to bless this Flock and cause it to grow as also that God would give them a faithful Pastor p Jer. 3.15 Mat. 9.38 with other Ministerial Officers giving thanks to God for this so hopeful a beginning and what he hath graciously done for them q Phil. 4.6 § 6. A Church thus constituted is a true Church and a Body of Christ and tho it s not yet organized with Ministerial Officers yet it wants nothing of the Essence of a Church of Christ a 1 Cor. 12 27. Rev. 1.20 for if a Church ceaseth not to be a Church when it hath lost all its Ministerial Officers and reduced to this state then this Church is an essential Church Besides a Church must be before a Pastor can be because that Relation must arise out of the Church and cannot arise from elsewhere a Church being a Corporation by Charter from Christ but yet though it be a true Church as to its Essence and Being yet it is not compleat as to its well-being b Titus 1.5 in that it is not furnished with all its Priviledges that Christ hath purchased and provided for it having not due instruments for the administration of all Ordinances or execution of the Power committed to it in the most orderly and regular manner c Eph. 4.11 12. § 7. Hence the first subject of the Keys is a Church essential for it s impowered by Commission from Christ to choose its own Ministerial Officers a Act. 14.23 and if they be one or more belonging to other Churches or non-Members they can receive them Members b Act 6.3 Likewise they can admit other Members that desire to join with them Lastly it hath power to admonish or reject any scandalous or any offending Member and that before such a Church hath Elders or Deacons c 1 Cor. 5.7 These are plain from the nature of a Body Corporate § 8. To conclude If in the Gathering a Church any Person offering to join a Member be on any account excepted against his admission ought to be deferred for the present and his Case to have a due hearing and consideration afterward and not to interrupt the further Proceedings of that day a Phil. 2.2.3 Eph. 4.3 CHAP. VI. Of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Churches Christ hath provided for the well-being of his Churches Ministers for the Erection and Planting the First Churches Gospel Constitution offered to the Jews first Extraordinary Ministers who And what their Call Qualifications Work Apostles and Evangelists how differing The first Prophets and Teachers no Ruling Officers Extraordinary Ministers continue not but are ceased § 1. THE Lord Jesus Christ the Great Shepherd a 1 Pet. 5.4 the Apostle and High Priest of our Profession faithful in his own House b Heb. 3.1 2. doth not only build it c ibid. v. 3. but furnish it with all Means of Grace conducing to visible and spiritual exercise of life and Godliness d 2 Pet. 1.3 and having shewed the form of his House to any People taken out from and ashamed of the ways they walked in in their former ignorance e 1 Pet. 1.14 15. separated and set them apart to the Lord in a spiritual Building f Eph. 2.19 22. doth likewise shew them the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the Forms thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and all the Laws thereof and writes it in their sight that they may keep the whole Form thereof and all the Ordinances thereof and do them which is the Law of his House g Eze. 43.11 12. whereby he hath provided for the well-being of his Churches in a fit and suitable Ministry and Ordinances which he gave and dispensed chiefly at his Exaltation h Eph. 4.10 11. and according to his Commission from his Father hath commanded them diligently to observe i Matt. 28.20 § 2. And accordingly at first he provided for his Churches such a Ministry as should be best fitted to the Infant-state of his first Churches after his Ascention a Hos 11.1 3. both for the planting and watering of them b 1 Cor. 3.6 9. therefore Nominates and Ordains the first Ministers as is usual in the like case among Men in his Charter by Name c Mat. 10.2 ch 28.20 Act. 1.2 3 13. giving them more than ordinary Power and qualifying them with more than ordinary Gifts and Graces of his Holy Spirit d Mar. 16.17 18. Act 2.4 whereby they had light and authority e Act. 20.27 to teach and put in practice the whole Mind and Will of Christ in planting governing and furnishing the Churches with their ordinary and appropriate Ministry which was to be stated and standing in them to the end of the World f Mat. 28.19 20. § 3. As the Gospel in its full Light was first by Christ's Ordination to be offered to the Jews a Matt. 10.5 6. Act 13.4 6 who according to Moses were bound to hear Christ and prefer his Person and Ministry before that of Moses b Deut. 18.15 Act 7.37 So the Lord Jesus Christ himself and Apostles made the first offer of a Gospel-Constitution of Churches to them c Act 3.25 26. and placed a Gospel and powerful Ministry in that First and Famous Church at Jerusalem d 1 Cor. 12 28. which in its building precious matter e Is 54.11 1 Pet. 2.5 6. beautiful form and most rich furniture did so out-shine and darken all the Glory of their Worldly Sanctuary and services appertaining thereto f Heb. 9.1 c. that the whole Church Establishment by the Ceremonial Law of Moses the Vail under which Gospel-Mysteries lay obscured g 2 Cor. 3.14 was manifestly removed and done away h ibid. v. 13 14. having not only bin first Nailed to the Cross of Christ i Col. 2.14 but also by another Building k Heb. 9.11 and Ministration l Heb. 8.6 come in the room thereof of much more spiritual Glory and Lustre ecclipsed insomuch that what Moses had made glorious had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory that excelleth m 2 Cor. 3 10 11. Hence the Church of the Jews in regard of all its Mosaical
Either the Church must do it or it must not be done at all and if it be necessary to be done the Church must do it being an Authoritative Act Foreign Ministers have no power to do it it 's so in Civil Corporations every Jurisdiction is distinct in it self The power is in the Church to lay on Hands if allow'd as necessary by some Brethren delegated and appointed thereto and it stands with the greatest reason that they that have a lawful right to Call and Choose have the true Right of ordaining and not they who have no power to Choose or Call Besides while laying on of Hands was in use extraordinary Gifts being indifferently bestowed as God pleased it was performed indifferently by God's Appointment as Ananias an eminent old Christian d Act. 9.14 17. was sent to lay Hands on Saul and likewise the Prophets and Teachers in the Church that was at Antioch it appears not that they were Elders there were appointed by God to lay Hands on Paul and Barnabas tho at another time Philip an Evangelist could not lay Hands on them that were converted by his Ministry confirm'd by his Miracles and baptiz'd by him but he having not power to convey the Gifts of the Holy Ghost by laying on of Hands Peter and John came to Samaria for that end and purpose e Acts 8.15 16 17. Whence it appears Philip being an Evangelist and an extraordinary Minister having not the power of bestowing the Gifts of the Holy Ghost tho he had them and wrought Miracles and therefore did not lay on Hands tho he baptized that this Ceremony was used according to the Dispensation as God pleased of the Gift of bestowing the Gifts of the Holy Ghost neither confined by any Institution to Elders or Brethren and therefore one or other laid on Hands as this Gift was by God bestowed f 1 Cor. 12.7 to 11. And therefore it need not be any objection That they that Ordain others by laying on of Hands must be in the same Office and superiour to the person ordained and hence Brethren cannot ordain a Pastor For we Reply That the Church is supream to any or all the Ministers thereof they being but ministring Servants thereto that supposing laying on of Hands be Ordination the delegated Brethren that administer the Rite do it in the Name of Christ and representing the Church it 's needless the Persons applying should be in office themselves superiour as the Apostles or equal as ordinary Elders it 's enough that they are impower'd by Christ and his Church to this service at this time But the whole reason of this practice being ceased the Rite it self is also ceased as above-said for no extraordinary nor ordinary Gifts are now conveyed by laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery or of Brethren neither is the Person so enstalled any better qualified for his place either made honester or abler by a spirit of Government or any more furnisht with Gifts and Graces any more than a secular Magistrate Mayor or others is by the Ceremonies of his Instalment § 5. This Ceremony of laying on of Hands was of great Antiquity and variously applied for quite contrary ends according to the Case it was conjoined with by Divine Command or Humane Usage It was used in Prophetick Blessings a Gen. 48.14 and it was used in solemn Exsecrations b Lev. 24.14 and execution of high Criminals in charging Sin on the Sacrifice c Ib. 4.15 6.21 in constituting Representatives of the People and then the People laid hands d Numb 8.12 After the coming of Christ e Mat. 19.10 11. Christ used it variously he laid his Hands on the Head in Blessing Both Christ and his Apostles laid on Hands in Healing f Mar. 6.5 ch 16.18 Luk. 13.13 Acts 28.8 and used it indifferently that or Vnction as equivalent Rites g Isa 5.14 It is also used both in the Old and New Testament h Num. 27 23. 1 Tim. 4.14 as significant of the Conveyance of great and extraordinary Gifts to persons that God would qualifie to great Service tho not in relation to any Office in the Church i Acts 8.18 or at the enstalling eminent Leaders in Office to his People shewing God's furnishing them with extraordinary qualifications of Grace or Government at least and often both k Acts 6.6 13.2 3. Neither was this Rite or that of Unction inseparably annex'd to any of these ends or uses under the Old or New Testament Extraordinary Church-Officers were Ordained without them by Election l Act 1.23 26. Matt. 10.5 Joh. 20.22 and Extraordinary Gifts were conveyed and Miracles wrought both by Christ and his Apostles without the use of either m Acts 2.1 c. though we find not that this Ceremony was used in the New Testament by the Apostles or the next followers of them but upon the account of furnishing the subject on whom Hands were laid with extraordinary Gifts of the Goly Ghost n 1 Tim. 4.14 § 6. It is pleaded for the continuance of this Rite in Churches by some very irrationally that its essential to Ordination of Gospel-Ministers By others not as Essential so as the not having it makes it null but as necessary to the Authority and Honour of the Ministry Others look upon it as indifferent doing neither good nor harm and that Ordination is never the worse if it hath it not nor never the better if it hath it but it is only harmlesly annexed Lastly There are others think that it is obsolete like the brazen Serpent in Hezekiah's days that had no healing vertue in it a meer piece of Brass Such a thing now do many truly take Imposition of Hands to be We shall insist upon the proof of this last especially which being done all the other will fall of their own accord or by necessary consequence § 7. The Arguments used for the continuance of the use of the Rite of Imposition of Hands in the Churches are 1. The laying Hands on the Deaons by the Apostles Ans All acts of the Apostles were not Presidential to others The Apostles laid their Hands on the Deacons not so much as such but as Persons to be furnished with an Extraordinary Spirit as appeared afterward by two especially that were called forth to most Eminent Service for Christ one viz. Stephen to set his Seal to the Truth of Christ by his Bloud in giving one of the most Eminent Testimonies thereto living and dying and the first after Christ's Ascention a Acts 7. The other Philip was an Eminent Evangelist who Planted the Gospel and Churches in Samaria was brought miraculously to the Eunuch and Preached Christ unto him who although he was searching the Scriptures yet knew not that the Messiah was come till Philip opened the Prophet Isaias to him b Acts 8. They that insist on this Plea ought to be as zealous for the formal Ordination of
are added to a Visible Church ought to be such as are judged by their Profession to be such as shall be saved f Act 2. ult Rom. 12.1 2 3 4. 1 Pet. 2.5 the judgment of infallibility being peculiar to God g Joh. 6.64 Deu. 29.29 § 12. Without a Competency of Knowledge for all have not the same degree the heart cannot be good a Pro. 19.2 therefore without some knowledge of God in his glorious Attributes of the Doctrine of the Trinity the Person and Natures of Christ the Nature of the Law of the Fall by Sin and the Curse Man's State by Nature in the Guilt and Pollution of Sin Original and Actual and his miserable undone Estate thereby a Child of Wrath The Nature of the Redemption wrought by Christ in Satisfaction to God's Justice Reconciliation of Sinners to God and Purchase of Eternal Life for them that our Sins were Imputed to Christ and his Righteousness alone to us unto Justification received by Faith alone c. Likewise to know how these Mysteries of Life and Salvation are held forth to a Believer in the Seals of the Covenant a 1 Cor. 11.29 And the knowledge of these things is the more particularly to be enquired after by the Elders of Churches because many Professors build their Conversion upon meer common Convictions and only some general Notions of God and Christ when indeed they are very strangers unto and ignorant of the Great Mysteries of the Gospel b 15.34 Yet such as these ought not to be discouraged nor the smoking flax quenched c Isa 42.3 Mat. 12.20 but to be led on with gentle Instructions to a further knowledge of Divine Truth d Eph. 4.2 which if there be any beginnings of True Grace in the heart they will with a great and sincere spiritual Appetite receive as new-born Babes e 1 Pet. 2.2 and the Church ought to be careful not to reject any that they judge have the least degree of saving Grace wrought in them f Rom. 14.1 § 13. Such a Conversation is to be looked after as becomes the Gospel a Phil. 1.27 which shews the Professors Faith by his works b James 2 18. and blameless demeanour in the World as the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation teacheth c Titus 2.11 12. The afore-mentioned Course is not often taken and therefore there are so many corrupt Members in Churches Tho the exactest may be deceived a 2 Tim. 3.5 yet the carelesness b Eze. 34.7 8 10. and carnal Minds of Churches and their Elders ambition to encrease their Churches into great Numbers for the external Pomp thereof and for Wordly Advantage are the great prevailing causes of the Corruption and Apostacy of Churches c 1 Tim. 6 5. 1 Pet. 5.2 § 14. The Pastor or Elders thus receiving satisfaction that the Person offering himself is a fit Stone for Christ's Building a 1 Pet. 2.5 he is in a Church-Meeting to be Propounded to the Church b 1 Cor. 14 23. and a competent time alotted to the Church for converse with the said Person c Acts 9.26 27. and enquiry after his Christian Deportment that all the Members of the Congregation may be satisfied in a Person whom they admit to so holy a Communion with them which time being expired and nothing objected against the said Person the Elders bring him before the Church to give the Reasons of his Hope either by Word of Mouth or by Writing if bashfulness hinder him or her from speaking d Rom. 14.16 19 20. 15.1 2. which the Elder or Pastor reads and if any Brother desire any further Question should be asked it ought not to be denied The Person owning the Declaration read and no Objection made the Elder puts the Question Whether the Church are satisfied in the Party propounded and do consent to his Admission e Phil. 2.2 desiring them to answer in the Affirmative by their Suffrage in lifting up their Hands and then if any be otherwise minded to speak or shew their disagreement by the same Sign Which agreed the Pastor or Elder doth ask the Party thus approved Whether he doth in the strength of Christ yield professed subjection to the Gospel f 2 Cor. 9.14 Act 11.23 and promise to walk with that Church in the Communion of the Faith and Order thereof g Col. 2.5 giving up himself and his Seed to the Lord and the Congregation h Ro. 12.1 2 Cor. 8.5 according to the Tenor of Abraham ' s Covenant i Rom. 15.7 8 9. or words of a foederal obligation to Christ and the Church to the same purpose Which he promiseth solemnly to do by the Help of God Whereupon the Elder doth in the Name of Christ receive him into Church-Fellowship promising on the behalf of the Church and himself To watch over him in the Lord k Heb. 13.17 and discharge towards him those incumbent Duties which may promote his edification in the ways of God l 2 Cor. 1.24 ch 10.8 8. Or Words to that purpose § 15. A Person thus joined to a Congregation is joined to and become a Member of a spiritual Corporation a 1 Cor. 12 27. Isa 56.3 Acts 5.36 Rom. 12.5 to the whole Body not to the Pastor or Elder only as some ignorant People think and therefore run away when the Pastor or Elder disgusts them or dieth but are by Covenant united to the Church and are not Discharged while that lasts without the Church's leave tho all the Officers die Moreover he is now obliged by his Covenant Relation to attend ordinarily upon the Ministry and Ordinances administred in that Church b Act 2.42 Heb. 10.25 and seek the Prosperity thereof for if a joined Member to one Church ordinarily attend the Ministry of another upon pretence of better Edification or upon any other pretence He 1. Hereby condemns his own Choice c Gal. 2.18 2. He cannot expect better Edification where God hath not placed him d 1 Cor. 7.24 Psal 92.13 3. If he cannot Edifie at Home he should ask his Dismission and not feed abroad every day 4. There is ordinarily some Corruption lies under that Plea 5. It is a living in continual breach of a solemn Covenant 6. It is quite contrary to the Primitive Practices 7. It destroys the end of Churches which is that Brethren should walk together in Vnity Unanimity and Fellowship e Ps 133.1 8. It discourageth and breaketh the hearts of faithful Pastors and Elders 9. It is a Practice that Christ will not bless because it so directly strikes at his Glory in his Churches 10. The Apostle makes such Deserters to be in the High-way to Apostacy f Heb. 10.25 26. 11. God is most glorified in every ones keeping his own Vineyard and not others § 16. As a Church-Member hath covenanted to walk in Communion of all Ordinances with hat
till he hath given satisfaction to the Church § 18. Some speak much of and practice a Censure of Suspension when an offending Brother is forbid by the Church to come to its Communion in the Lord's Supper till it appear whether he be guilty or no of the Sin charged on him Our Lord Jesus Christ hath given no such Rule to Churches to walk by For till a Brother is fully Convict before the Church the Church hath no power to deprive him of any Church-Priviledges that belong to him by reason of his Membership and while the Church is in the way of its Duty it is not guilty of the Sin of a particular Member Hence Brethren sin greatly in withdrawing from a Church's Communion because a Brother or more lyeth under the charge of some Sin which they have not yet convinced him of before the Church either for the matter or Nature of the thing till both which is done in the Judgment of the Church he is not Convict nor can be excluded from Ordinances but being Convict and incorrigible he is fully ripe for the Censure of Excommunication and there is no room for Suspension therefore Suspension before Conviction is unjust and Suspension after is needless and comes short of Christ's Institution But if to gratifie some through weakness startled at the presence of a suspected un-convict Person at the Lord's Supper who is under the Church's dealing in order to Conviction the suspected Brother will forbear Communion it is to be lookt on as an act of his own but no Censure of the Church CHAP. XIV Of Communion of Churches That there is Communion between Churches Some things incommunicable in Churches Some communicable and what Wherein Communion of Churches consists In Cases of Difficulties and Differences what is to be done § 1. VIsible Communion is of Members in particular in a Visible Church a Body Politick or Corporate which we have spoken unto It remains that something be spoken of the Communion of those Bodies viz. Churches between whom there is a Visible Communion And it is such a common participation of visible Priviledges of the Means of Grace in the instituted Ordinances of Christ and a mutual Communication of benefits as occasion may serve as is between co-ordinate Bodies Politick without infringement of their particular and appropriate Priviledges limited to and bounded within themselves only § 2. The Priviledges of a particular Church are to be considered in Communion of Churches as incommunicable and as communicable They that are incommunicable are such as one Church cannot hand over to or communicate to another without breaking the Charter and overthrowing their own Constitution and they are such as these 1. A Church chooseth its own Elders and Deacons but cannot choose either for another Church 2. Such Ministerial Officers being chosen the relation stands firm between them in the Church which chose them and they are not Elders or Deacons to another Church the Pastor and Deacon to the Church at Coloss are not Pastor and Deacon to the Church of Ephesus 3. The doing of any Act which is inseparably distinguishing to that Office Relation in the execution thereof cannot be communicated or carried from Church to Church As for Example the Administration of Seals or use of the Keys are such acts therefore a Minister to one Church cannot dispence them in another because they are performed by vertue of his Office that is limited to one Church nor can he transfer his relation or the proper Adjuncts thereof 4. There is also a peculiar Corporation-Relation and Priviledge that a Brother hath in the Church of which he is a Member and can have neither in any other where he is not an actual Member as Membership in stated Fellowship under the Watch and Government of the said Church this he hath no where else Likewise he can Vote and give his Suffrage in any Church acts which he cannot do elsewhere Wherefore one Church cannot have Communion with another in choosing or ordaining Elders or Deacons any further than to look on and be Eye-Witnesses of what they do nor in admitting or casting out of Members 5. There can be no Communion by way of mixing or conjoining powers as there cannot be of transferring any more than the Corporation of Bristol and Glocester can mix and conjoin their Juridical Power § 3. But there are some things wherein Communion of Churches according to the Nature of them doth consist as in Natural Bodies there are things and actions wherein they can communicate to each other so far as is consistent with their Nature to commix or conjoin but there are some things wherein its impossible they should as in Sensation or in the use of the Senses we may hear see taste c. with one another but cannot transfer our Hearing Tasting Smelling or Seeing to one another So in Bodies Politick there are some things we can enjoy or participate of together and can communicate to each other but there are others that we cannot So it is in the Communion of Churches 1. We may benefit by each others Gifts and Graces the exercise whereof are separable from any particular Relation that any one hath to a Church Such things belong to general Communion as to Expound Preach and Pray c. These the Pastor of one Congregation may exercise in another without any consideration of his Pastoral Relation only as one that is Gifted for such Services to common advantage 2. There is Communion in counsel and advice and such there was between the Church of Jerusalem and that at Antioch a Acts 15. 3. There is Communion between Churches in giving and in receiving b Phil. 4.15 4. There is Communion in respect of Members so as one may recommend or dismiss Members to another but this cannot be in Officers one Church cannot dismiss an Elder or Deacon as such to another Whatever Office a Man bears in a Church it 's so in all Civil Corporations he cannot be dismist with his Office but only as to his Membership The Mayor of Glocester may be transferred to Bristol and taken in a common Member but cannot be transferred as Mayor to the Mayoralty of Bristol no not for one Sessions Day or Hour 5. They may communicate with each other as to fraternal Entertainments in spiritual Feasts so far as to give each other the right hand of Fellowship as to the Members of true Churches of Christ and hence the Members of one Church as occasion is do partake in Ordinances with another so far as Office-Relation is not concern'd So the Member of one Congregation partakes in the Lord's Supper with another or brings his Child to be there baptized where the Pastor is administring in his proper Place and Relation But the Pastor cannot come and administer either Seal in a Congregation to which he hath no Pastoral Relation nor can be owned in any Pastoral act there The Pastor himself may receive in a Neighbouring Church as a Brother