of a true visible Church are Saints Exod. 28 9 10 15-21 compared with Rev. 11 11-21 1 King â— 17 compared wiâ—h 1 Pet. 2.5 Levit. 1◠〈◊〉 1â— â—â— 4â— compared with Rev 18 2 1 Pet. 2 Deâ— 1â— â— â—om 1 7 1 Cor. 1 2. Eph 1 1 Phil. 1 1 1 Pet. 1 2 Heb. 3 1. Saints are men seperated from all knowne sin practising the whol will of Goâ— knâ—wâ—e unto them Col. 1 2. 2 11-1â— Rom. 17. and 6.2.12.22 growing in grace and knowâ—edg 2. Pet. 3.18 continuing to the end 1. Ioh. 2.19 The true form of a true visible Church is partly inward partly outward The inward part of the foâ—me consisteth in 3. things 1. the Spirit 2 Faith 3 love The Spirit is the soule animating the whole body Ephe. 4 4. 1 Cor. 12 4.11-13.7-10 1 Cor. 6.17 Faith uniteth the members of the body to the head Christ Eph. 3.1 4.13.15 5.30 23. 1 Cor. 6.17 Love uniteth the members of the body each to other Eph. 2.20.21 4.16.3 Col. 3.14.15 The outward part of the true forme of the true visible church is a vow promise oath or covenant betwixt God and the Saints by proportion from the inward forme see also Gen. 17.1.2 and 15 18. Deut. 29.1 9-13 2 Chron. 29.10 34.30.32 Psal 119.106 Nehem. 9 38. 10.29 1. Cor 12.25.26 Rom. 12 5.15.16 Mat. 18.15.17 This covenant hath 2 parts 1. respecting God and the faithful 2. respecting the faithful mutually Mat. 18 20. The first part of the covenant respecting God is either from God to the faithful or from the faithful to God 2. Cor 6 16 From God to the faithfull Mat 22.3.2 the sum wherof is expressed 2. Cor. 6.16 I wil be their God To be God to the faithful is 1. to give Christ 2. with Christ al things els Esay 9.6 1. Tim. 4.8.2 Pet. 1.3 Rom. 8.32 1. Cor. 3 21-13 From the faithful to God 2. Cor. 6.16 the summe whereof is to be Gods people that is to obey al the commandements of God Deut. 29.9 The second part of the covenant respecting the faithful mutually conteineth all the duties of love whatsoever Levit. 19.17 Mat. 18.15 16 1. Thes 5.14 Mat. 22.39.2 Thes 3 14.45 Heb. 3.13 10 24 25. The true properties of a true Church visible are two I communion in all the holy things of God 2 the power of our Lord Iesus Christ 1 Ioh. 1 5. 1 Cor 10 16 5.4.5 Mat 18.20 Esay 55 3 Act 13 34. The holy things of God are 1. Christ 2. benefits by Christ Rom 8.32 The true Church hath title possession and use of Christ Esa 9 6 Song 2 16. Mat. 18.20 1. Cor. 3 21.23 Eph 5 30 The benefits which the true Church hath by Christ are the meanes of salvation and almes 1 Tim 14 8 2 Pet. 1 3. The meanes of salvation are the word Sacraments prayers Censures and the ordinances of Christ for the dispensing of them all Rom. 3 2 4 11. Luk 19 46 Mat. 18 15 17. Act. 2 42 1 Cor. 11 23 26 Mat. 28 19 Psal 149 6 9. Almes are the works of mercy yeelded to the Saincts in distresse Act. 2 44 45 5 4 Mat. 25 34 40 Heb. 13 1 3 1 Tim. 3 2 5 10. The power of the Lord Iesus Christ given to the church hath three parts viz. power to 1. receive in Ioh. 10.3 Ast. 9 26.27 18 27. 6 5. 2 preserve and keep within 1 Iohn 2 19. 1 Pet 1 5. 3. to cast out 1 Cor 5 13. The true visible Church hath power to ceive in 〈◊〉 Members into communion Act 2 41 and 18 27 and 9 26 27. 2. officers into office Act 6.5 14 23. The way or doore whereby both members and officers enter in is Christ that is the way taught by Christ in his word Ioh 14 6. 17.17 Marc. 13 34 â—7 The way of receiving in of members is faith testified by obedience Act 8 36 37. Mat 3 6. Luke 7 29.30 Faith is the knowledge of the doctrine of salvation by Christ 1 Câ—r 12 9 Gal 3 2. Obedience is a godly righteous and sober life Tit. 2 11 12 Rom 5. Members thus received into communion are of two sorts 1 Prophets a private persons 1 Cor 14.24 1 Sam. 19 24 23. Prophets are men endued with gifts apt to utter matter fit to edification exhortation and consolation 1 Cor 14 3. Act 13 1. Rom 12 6. These persons must first be appointed to this exercise by the Chu ch 1 Cor 14 49. Act. 13 1. The Prophets care must be to prophecy according to the proportion of faith Rom 12 6 1 Cor 14 26. Let the Prophets speake two or three and let the rest iudge â— Câ—r 14 29 If any thing be revealed to him that sitteth by let the first hold his peace 1 Cor 14 30 40. All that have gifts may be admitted to prophecy 1 Câ—r 14 31. Private persons are a men 2. women Priuate men present at the exercise of prophecy may modestly propound their doubts which are to be resolved by the Prophets Luk 2 46.47 1 Sam. 19 20 23 1 Cor. 4 30. Women are not permitted to speake in the church in time of Prophecy 1 Cor 14 34. 1 Tim. 2 12 Revel 2 20. If women doubt of any thing delivered in time of prophecy and are willing to learne they must aske them that can teach them in private as their husbands at home if they be faithfull or some other of the Church 1 Cor 14 35 1 Tim 2 12. To this exercise of Prophecy may be admitted unbeleevers or they that are without 1 Cor 14 24. Act 2 6 13. The exercise of prophecy and the preaching of the word by them that are sent is that ordinary meanes God hath appointed to convert men 1 Cor. 14 24 25. Rom 10 14 14. They are sent by God to preach whom the church sendeth Act 13 2 4 8 14 15. If any man be converted by other meanes it is not ordinarie Rom 10 14 15. Iohn 4 39 41. Act 9 5 6 Therefore they that are converted in false Churches are not converted by ordinary meanes 1 King 14.13 19.18 Rom. 11.3.4 Rev. 18.4 The way of receiving officers into office is 1 Election 2 Approbation 3 Ordination which must be performed with fasting prayer Act. 6 5. 14 23. 1 Tim. 3.10 5.22 4.14 Tit. 1.5 Act. 13.3 The person to be admitted into office must first be a member of that visible church wheÌ„ce he hath his calling Act. 1 21 22 and 6 3 5. 18 27 28 1 Cor. 11 12 and 3 6 1 Tim. 3 2 3 10. Election is by most voyces of the members of the Church in full communion Act. 6.5 14.23 Quaere whether women servants and children admitted into full communion yet under age may not give voyce in elections excommunications and other publique affaires of the Church 1 Pet. 3.7 Ephes 4.4 1 Tim 5.9.10 Num. 30 5-10-16
1 Cor. 14.34 Gen. 3.16 1 Cor. 11.3.10 Gen. 18.19 Iosh. 24.15 Approbation is the examining finding the officer elect to be according to the rules of his office 1 Tim. 3.10 5.9.10 Act. 6.3 In approbation every member is bound to obiect what he can especially they that denied their voices Act. 15 37 38. 1 Tim. 3.2.3 10. Act. 6.3 Approbation must be after election least without cause the infirmities of the brethren be discovered for there are faults disabling men to offices which do not disable them to be members of the church Ezek 44.9 15. Act. 15. â—7 38 Mat. 18.21.22 compared with Prov. 10 12. 1 Pet. 4.8 If the things objected beare weight against the officer elect the election is void and they must proceed to the choise of another 1 Tim. 3 4 5. 5.11 Act. 15 37 38. Ezee. 44.10 2 King 23.9 Defects or faults that cast men out of office are sufficient to hinder men from entring into office by proportion If the things obiected be frivolous the elâ—ction is approved 1 Tim. 3.10 and they that dissented are to consent to the rest that so the whole church may agree in one person 1 Cor. 1.10 Eph. 4.3 compared with Act 1.26 If the parties objecting still dissent without an approved reason they are to be reformed by censure 1 Cor. 11 17 18. Mat. 18 15 17. Ordination is the dedication of the officer thus approved to his office Exod. 29 44. 40 12 16. Nomb 8 6 15. Heb. 5 4 5 Mat 3 1â— 17 Act 13 3 4. 1 Tim 4 14. Heb. 6 2. Ordination hath three parts The first is the power which the Church committeth to the officer approved to administer according to his office Ioh. 20 21 23 Mat. 1â— 1â— 20 câ—mpared with Exod. 29 1 38 Nâ—mb 8.10.11 Act 6 3 5 14 23 20 28 â— Tim. 4.14 2 Tim 1 6 14. The second is prayer made by the whole church for the officer invested with this power that he may faithfully administer Act 6 6 and 13 1 14 13 1 Cor 4 2. The 3. is a chaâ—ge given to the officer thus admitted to look unto his office in all the parts thâ—â—eoâ— Mat 28 18 19 1 Tim 5 21. 1 Pet 5 1 2 1 Tim 6 13 14 câ—mpared with Deut 1.16 The ceremony used by the Apostles in ordination is imposition of hands which ceremony first of all was used in the old testament Num 8 10. then in the new by Christ in praying for children Mar 10 16. by God the Father in ordeining Christ to his office of Mediator Luke 3 21 22 by Christ in ordeining the Apostles Act 2 3 4 1 4.8 by the Apostles in giving the holy Ghost Act 8 15 17 in ordeining Evangelists 2 Tâ—m 1 6 in ordeining ordinary ministers Act 6 6 14 23 by the Eldership or church in ordeining officers Act 13 3. 1 Tim. 4 4. by the Evangelists in ordeining officers 1 Tim 22 Tit 1 5. so may lawfully be reteined and used in the church stil Heb 6 2. The use of impâ—sition of hands is two fold First to point out the officer in time of prayer made for him as if it should be said this is the man by proportion from 1. Sam. 10 24. Math. 3.17 Secondly to signifie and to assure the officer to be ordeined that the Lord by the church giveth him power to administer Act. 13 3.4 20 28. Ioh 20 21. Ordination and so imposition of hands apperteineth to the whole church as doth electioÌ„ and approbation Act. 13 3. Num. 8 9 10. yet for order sake the fittest members lay on hands and perform all other particulars of ordination for in the name of the whole church 1 Cor. 14.40 coÌ„pared with Num. 8 9.10 Act. 13.3 1 Tim 4 14. by proportion from Lev. 4.15 The fittest persons are Elders when the church hath them 1 Tim. 4.14 when the church wanteth Elders men of best gifts appointed by the church Num. 8.9.10 Thus after the apostacy of Antichrist ariseth a true Ministerie in the church Revel 18.4 The officers of the true visible church thus admitted are then to administer faithfully 1 Tim. 3.10 1 Cor 4 2. The officers of the true visible Church are all absolutely described in the word of God Heb. 3 2 5. and 8 5. Rom 12 7.8 Mark 13 34. These officers are of two sorts 1 Bishops 2 Deacons Phil 1 1. The Bishops are also called Elders or Presbyters Act. 20 17.28 1 Pet. 5 1. The Bishops or Elders joyntly together are called the Eldership or Presbyterie 1 Tim. 4 14. and 5 17. compared The Eldership consisteth of 3 sorts of persons or officers viz. the Pastor Teacher Governour 1 Tim. 4.14 5 17. Al the Elders or Bishops must be apt to teach 1 Tim. 3 2. Tit. 1 9. The Pastor is a Bishop excelling in the word of wisdom or exhortation Rom. 12 8. 1 Cor. 12 8. he is called the Angel of the church Rev. 2 3 The Teacher is a Bishop excelling in the word of knowledge or doctrine Rom. 12 7. 1 Cor 12 8. The Governour is a Bishop excelling in the quality of wise government 1 Tim. 5 17. Rom. 12 8. The Pastor and Teacher have also power to administer the Sacraments Mat. 28 19. Ephes 4 12. 1 Cor. 11 23. All the Bishops deale by office in the government of the church 1 Tim. 5.17 are conversant about the soule and spiritual part Ioh. 18 36. 2 Cor 10 3. The Deacons are officers occupied about the works of mercy respecting the body or outward man Act. 6.2 The Deacons are 1 men 2 or women deacons or widowes Act. 6.2 Rom. 16.1 Men Deacons collect and distribute with simplicity the churches treasury according to the churches necessities the Saints occasions RoÌ„ 12 8. 2 Cor. 8 2.8 1 Cor. 16.2.3 The churches treasurie is silver gold or money worth freely given by the members of the visible church for the common good Lev. 27. toto 2. King 12. â—4-16 Luke 21.4 Act. 4.34 35. 2 Cor 8 2-8 9.7 The churches treasurie is holy Mat. 27.6 Luke 21.4 Quaere None of those that are without may cast of their goods into the treasurie lest the treasury be polluted 2 Cor. 8 4 Iosh. 6 17-19 Qâ—aere Nothing that is gotten by fraud violence or any wicked meanes may be cast into the churches treasury Deut. 23.18 Micah 1 7. Esa 67 3. The use of the churches treasurie is peculiar to the Saints and it consisteth in provision for holy things or holy persons Deut. 14 2.5.21 Exod. 30 12-16 Quaere Holy things as bread and wine for the Lords Supper places and instruments serviceable to holy uses Exod. 25 2 8. Mat. 27.7 per contrarium Holy persons as the maintenance of church officers and the poor brethren either of that particular visible church or of any other true church 1 Cor. 10 â— 2 2 Cor. 8 7. 1 Cor. 9.6.14 1 Tim. 5 17 18.
after due proceeding separation must be made from it till reformation come Therefore separation may be made from true churches for incorrigible corruptions and to separate from a defiled church that is incorrigible is not to forsake the communion of holy things but the pollution and prophanation of holy things Thus much for the secōd part of the churches power of preserving and keeping within The churches power of casting out followeth which is twofold First of officers out of office Act 14.23 compared with Colos ◠17 Rev 2 2 Gal. 1.8.9 Second of members out of communion Mat. 18 1◠1 Cor. 5 4 5. 2 Thes 3.6.14 1 Tim 1.20 The cause of casting officers out of office are apostacy or disability Ezec. 44 10. Nom. 8 23-26 Apostacy is when the officers shal fall to open Idolatrie Atheisme heresy or other sins equipollent of the first or second table Ezech. 44.10 by proportion drawne from 2 King 23.9 1 Tim. 3.2 Lev. 22 1-5 21 16 24 Ezra 2 61 62. The officer upon repentance after apostacy or sin equipollent therto may be reteyned as a member of the church but not as an officer Eze 44 13 14 Mat. 26 69-75 compared with Iohn 21 15-18 Act. 15 38. Quaere Disabilitie is eyther of age or sicknes or mayming c Disabilitie of age is when the officer can no longer by reason of old age discharged the works of his office then he may reteyn his dignity ought to be honored of all Num. 8 23 -26. Philemon 9. Disability by sicknes as frenzie Madnes Melancholie or by mayming as losse of the tong in the pastor or teacher c. or by any other infirmitie disabling him to the actions of his office Lev. 16-24 compared with 1 Tim. 3 2 Tit. 1 6 9 Quaere Whither an officer may refuse an office imposed upon him by a lawfull calling Exod 4 14 Ier. 1.6 7 17. Quaere Wether the church may suffer her officer to be translated from her self to other churches upon any ground Act. 20 28 1 Pet. 5 2 Act 13.4 yea though it be granted that she have members as fit for offices as her officers are in present yea though the life of the officer be endaungered Act. 9 25. Mat. 10 23 1 King 18 4. The cause of casting members out of communion is only one viz. sin obstinately stood in without repentance and confession after due conviction Mat. 18 17. Iob 31 33. Prov. 28 13. Due conviction is the discovery of the sinne by manifest evidence Iob. 19 4 32.12.13 39 37. Manifest evidence is either to the fact or sinfulnes of the fact The fact is evident either by confession of the partie that committed the fact or by sufficient witnesse Mat. 26.65 Deut 19 15 Iohn 5 31. Quaere whether the testimony of them that are without is sufficient or no. The sinfulnesse of the fact is evident either by direct Scripture or by necessary consequence from the scripture Mat. 22 31 32 4 4. Due conviction is perceived two wayes first by the delinquents shifting cavils excursions tergiversations c. 1 Tim 1.6 Tit 3 11 Secondly by the conscience of them that have power to censure the fact Psal 36 1 Prov 17 19. Tit 3 10. 1 Cor 2 15 12 10. Obstinacy in sin is the refusing of confessing and forsaking the crime Pro. 28.13 Mat. 18 17. Ioth 7 1 9. If the matter be not evident but doubtfull and controversall communion still must be preserved peaceably notwithstanding diversity of iudgement till the trueth be discovered Phil. 3 15 16. 1 Cor. 13.49.7.9 Persons that differ in iudgement are either strong or weake Rom. 15.1 The strong must not maintaine controversies with the weake nor despise them but beare their infirmitie and burden Rom. 15 1 14.1 3. Gal. 6 2. 1 Cor 13 5 7. 9 22 10 23.34 The weak must not censure or judg the strong as delinquents but meekly desire instruction and satisfaction Rom. 14.3 Mat. 7 1-3 Thus must men walke in diversity of opinion during which time all men must carefully search out the trueth labour for information 1 Cor. 1.10 2 Pet. 3.18 Phil. 3.15 Iam. 1.5 The power given the Church for casting out obstinate convicted offenders is the power of excommunication 2 Cor. 18.3 6. 1 5 4 5 1 Tim 1.20 Gal. 5 12 2 Thess 3 6 14. Mat. 18.17 Quaere whether delivering to Satan be not or conteine some bodily punishment inflicted upon the offender see Act. 5 5 10 1. Cor. 12.10 Excommunication is the depriving of the offender of the visible communion of Saints and the benefit of the holy things of God given to the Church 1 Cor. 5.4 5 11 13.2 Thess 3 6 14. Mat. 18.17 Quaere Whether separating withdrawing turning away from false teachers and wicked liver◠be the same with excommunication 2 Thes 3 6. 1 Tim. 5 6. and 2 3 5. Mat 18 17. 1 Cor. 5 4 5. Excommunication duely administred is ratified and confirmed in heaven Mat. 18.18 Iob. 20.23 Therefore the partie excommunicate is in the hands of Sathan and out of the Lords protection and blessing being deprived of all the publicke meanes of salvation Mat. 18 17. Cor. 5.5 Esay 4.5 6. In excommunication consider two things first the decreing of it which must be done by the whole church 1 Cor. 5 4 wherein the church must proceed as in approving her officers Secondly the pronouncing of excommunication which must be performed by the fittest person deputed thereto by the Church 1. Cor. 14 40. The end of excommunication is not the destruction of the offender but the mortification of his sinne and the salvation of his soule 1 Cor. 5.5.2 Thes 3.14.15 1 Tim. 1 23 The partie excommunicate is not to be counted as an enemy but to be admonished as a brother 2. Thess 5.15 Quaere The members of the church are to avoid all religious and civil communion with him that is excommunicate Mat 18 1◠1 Cor 5 11 except that subjects servants children parents wise or husband c. that are bound to him may performe civil and naturall offices to him 1. Cor. 7 5 12.13 and by proportion The partie excommunicate upon repentance is to be admitted againe into the communion of the visible Church 2 Cor. 2 6-8 yet so as that the Church alwayes have an especiall eye to him as being a suspitious person that durst despise the Church Mat. 18.17 Ezech. 4◠10. 2 Pet. 2.22 Heb. 10.26 by proportion Quaere Whether an officer excommunicate upon repentance may be again admitted into office whether must he have new vocation by election approbation ordination yea or nay The visible Church walking in this holy order hath in it the presence and protection of Christ Esa 4.5.6 Mat 28 20. 18.20 To this visible Church must al sorts of persons resort that desire to be saved Act. 4 12. Mat. 7.13.14 Ioh 1◠6 True visible churches are of two sorts first pure where no open known sinne is suffred Rev. 2 7-13 3 8-11 second corrupt wherein some one or more open knowne sin is tolerated Rev. 3.1.6 1 Cor. 11.17.21.22 True visible Churches are so far forth good as they agree to the paterne of the word Heb. 8.5 Rev. cap. 2. 3.1 Cor. 1 2 17.22 Every true visible Church hath title to whole Christ and al the holy things of God Esa 9.6 7. Song 2.16 Ephe. 1.22.23 Every true visible Church is of equal power with all other visible Churches Apoc. cap. 2. 3. 1. Cor. 5. and hath power to reforme al abuses within it self 1 Cor. 11.2.17 which power is spirituall as is Christs kingdom not worldly bodily nor carnal Ioh. 18 36 2 Cor. 10 3.5 The erecting of visible churches apperteyneth to princes and private persons Princes must erect them in their dominions command all their subjects to enter into them being first prepared and fitted thereto 2. Chron. 29. 34. and 17. Private persons separating from all sinne and joyning together to obey Christ their king priest and prophet as they are bound are a true visible Church have a Charter given them of Christ thereto being but two or three Mat. 18 20. Act. 14 19 20. Heb. 11.38 and further powre then to reforme themselves they have none Every man is bound in conscience to be a member of some visible church established into this true order Mat. 7.13 Rev. 18.4 Because every man is bound to obey Christ in his kingdome and spiritual regiment and no other Luk. 19 14 27 and the true visible church is Christs kingdome and house Mark 13.34 with Luk 19 14.27 Act. 1 3. Heb 12 28 3 6 Therfore they that are not members of this visible church are no subjects of Christs kingdome Luk. 19.17 1 Cor 5.12 This true visible church is called Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 Thus much concerning the true church the false church of Antichrist followeth to be considered Whatsoever thing is contrarie to this order of the visible church is Antichristian by notation of the word compared with 1. Cor. 12.12 Whosoever taketh upon him to erect new forme or shappes of visible churches and to appoint new officers lawes ministerie worship or communion in the church is Antichrist 1. Iohn 4 3. 2 Thes 2.4 Rev. 13.16.17 Whosoever yeeldeth or submitteth to any other constitution lawes officers ministery or worship then that of Christs appoyntement is the subjecte servant of Antichrist by necessary consequēce from the former Rom. 6.16 A man cannot be both the servant of Christ and of Antichrist Mat. 6 24. FINIS