sue out a Divorce m Mat. 5. 31 32. And after the Divorce to marry another as if the offending party were dead n Mat. 19. 9 Rom. 7. â— 3 VI. Although the corruption of man be such as is apt to study arguments unduely to put asunder those whom God hath joyned together in marriage yet nothing but Adultery or such wilfull desertion as can no way be remedied by the Church or Civil Magistrate is cause sufficient of dissolving the bond of Marriage o Mat. 19. 8 9. 1 Cor. 7. 15. Mat 19. 6. Wherein a publick and orderly course of proceeding is to be observed And the Persons concerned in it not left to their own wills and discretion in their own case p Deut. 24. 1 2 3 4. CHAP. XXV Of the Church THe Catholick or Vniversall Church which is invisible consists of the whole number of the Elect that have bin are or shall be gathered into one under Christ the Head thereof and is the Spouse the Body the fulnesse of Him that filleth all in all a Eph. 1. 10 22 23 Eph. 5. 23 27. 32 Col. 1. 18 II. The visible Church which is also Catholick or Vniversall under the Gospell not confined to one Nation as before under the Law consists of all those throughout the World that professe the true Religion b 1 Cor. 1 2 1 Cor. 12 12 13. Psal 2. 8 Rev. 7. 9 Rom. 15. 9 10 11 12 and of their children c 1 Cor. 7. 14. Acts 2 39. Ezek. 16. 20 21. Rom. 11 16. Gen. 3. 15. Gen. 17. 7 and is the Kingdome of the Lord Iesus Christ d Mat. 13. 47 Isa 9. 7 â— Eph. 1. 19 the House and Family of God e Eph 2. 15 out of which there is no ordinary possibility of Salvation f Acts 2. 47 III. Vnto this Catholick Visible Church Christ hath given the Ministery Oracles and Ordinances of God for the gathering and perfecting of the Saints in this life to the end of the world aâ—d doth by his own presence and Spirit according to his promise make them effectuall thereunto g 1 Cor 12 28. Eph. 4 11 12 13 Mat. 28. 19 20. Isa 50. 21 IV. This Catholick Church hath bin sometimes more sometimes lesse visible h Rom. 11. 3 4. Rev. 12. 6 14. And particular Churches which are Members thereof are more or lesse as pure according as the Doctrine of the Gospel is taught and imbraced Ordinances administred and publick worship performed more or less purely in them i Rev. 2. 3 chapters 1 Cor. 5. 6 7 V. The purest Churches under Heaven are subject both to mixture and errour k 1 Cor 13. 12. Rev. 2. 3 chapters Mat. 13. 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 47 and some have so degenerated as to become no Churches of Christ but Synagogues of Satan l Rev. 18. 2 Rom. 11. 18 19 20 21 22 Neverthelesse there shall be alwayes a Church on Earth to Worship God according to his will m Mat. 16 18 Psâ—l 72. 17 Psâ—l 102. 28 Mat 28. 19 20 VI. There is no other Head of the Church but the Lord Iesus Christ n Col. 1. 18 Eph 1. 22 Nor can the Pope of Rome in any sence be head thereof but is that Antichrist that man of sin and Sun of Perdition that exalteth himself in the CHurch against Christ and all that is called God o Mat. â—3 8 9 10 2 Thess 2. 3 4 8. 9 Rev. 13. 6. CHAP. XXVI Of the Communion of Saints ALL Saints that are united to Iesus Christ their Head by his Spirit and by Faith have fellowship with him in his graces Sufferings Death Resurrection and Glory a 1 Iohn 1 Eph 3. 16 17 18 19 Iohn 1. 16 Eph. 2 5 6 Phil. 3. 10 Rom. 6. 5 6 2 Tim. 2 12 And being united to one another in love they have communion in each others gifts graces b Eph. 4. 15 16. 1 Cor. 12 7. 1 Cor 3. 21 22 23 Col. 2. 19. and are obliged to the performance of such duties publick and private as do conduce to their mutuall good both in the inward and outward man c 1 Thes â— 11. 14 Rom. 1 11 12 14. 1 Iohn 3. 16 17 18. Gal. 6. 10. II Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God and in performing such other spirituall services as tend to their mutuall edification d Heb. 10 24 25. Acts 2. 42 46 Isa 2 3 1 Cor. 11 20 as also in relieving each other in outward things according to their severall abilities and necessities Which Communion as God offereth opportunity is to be extended unto all those who in every place call upon the Name of the Lord Iesus e Acts 2. 44 45. 1 Iohn 3. â—7 2 Cor. 8 9. chapters Acts 11. 29 30. III. This Communion which the Saints have with Christ doth not make them in any wise partakers of the substance of his God-head or to be equall with Christ in any respect either of which to affirm is impious and blasphemous f Col 1. 18 19. 1 Cor. 8 6. Isa 42 8 1 Tim 6 15 16. Psal 45 7. with Heb. 1. 8 9. Nor doth their Communion one with another as Saints take away or in fringe the title or propriety which each man hath in goods and possessions g Exod. 20. 15 Eph 4 28 Acts 5. 4. CHAP. XXVII Of the Sacraments SAcraments are holy Signes and Seales of the Covenant of Grace a Rom. 4. 11 Gen. 17. 7 10 immediatly instituted by God b Mat. 28. 19 1 Cor 11. 23. to represent Christ and his Benefits and to confirm our interest in him c 1 Cor. 10 16. 1 Cor 25 26. Gal. 3. 27. as also to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the Church and the rest of the World d Rom. 15. 8 Exod. 12. 48 Gen. 34. 14 and solemnly to engage them to the Service of God in Christ according to his Word e Rom. 6. 3 4. 1 Cor. 10. 16 21. II. There is in every Sacrament a spirituall relation or Sacramentall union between the Signe and the Thing signified whence it comes to passe that the names and effects of the one are attributed to the other f Gen. 17. 10 Mat. 26. 27 28. Tit. 3. 5 III. The grace which is exhibited in or by the Sacraments rightly used is not conferred by any power in them neither doth the efficacy of a Sacrament depend upon the piety or intention of him that doth administer it g Rom 2. 28 29. 1 Pet. 3. 21 but upon the work of the Spirit h Mat. 3. â—â— 2 Cor. 12. 13 and the word of institution which contains together with a precept authorizing the use thereof a promise of benefit to worthy receivers i Mat. 26. 27 â—8 Mat. 28. 19 â—0 IV. There be only two Sacraments ordained
a father able and ready to help us u Ro. 8 15 Luk 11 13 and that we should pray with and for others w Act 12 5 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2 Q. What do we pray for in the first Petition A. In the first Petition which is Hallowed be thy name x Mat 6 9 we pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himself known y Psal 67 2 3 and that he would dispose all things to his own glory z Psa 83 throughout Q. What do we pray for in the second Petition A. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdom come a Mat 6. 10 we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed b Psa 68 1 18 and that the Kingdom of Grace may be advanced c Rev 12 10 11 our selves and others brought into it and kept in it d 2 Thess 3 1. Rom 10 1 Ioh. 17 9 20 and that the Kingdom of Glory may be hastened e Rev 22 20 Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition A. In the third Petition which is Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven f Mat. 6 10 we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know obey and submit to his will in all things g Psa 67 throughout Ps 119 36 mat 26 39 2 Sam. 15 25. Iob 1 21 as the Angels do in heaven h Psa 103. 20 21 Q. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition A In the fourth Petition which is Give us this day our dayly bread i Mat. 6. 11 we pray that of Gods free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them k Prov. 30 8 9 Gen. 28 20. 1 Tim 4. 4 5 Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition A. In the fisth Petition which is And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debters l Mat. 6. 12 we pray that God for Christs sake would freely pardon all our sins m Psa 51. 1 2 7 9 Dan. 9. 17 18 19 which we are the rather encouraged to ask because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others n Luk. 11. 4 Mat 18. 15 Q. What do we pray for in the sixth Petition A. In the sixth Petition which is And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil o Mat. 6. 13 we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin p Mat 26 41 or support and deliver us when we are tempted q 2 Cor 12. 1 8 Q. What doth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Conclusion of the Lords Prayer which is For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory for ever Amen r Mat. 6. 13 teacheth us to take our encouragement in prayer from God onely Å¿ Dan. 9. 4 7 8 9 16 17 18 19. and in our Prayers to praise him ascribing Kingdom power and glory to him t 1 Chro. 29. 10 11 12 13 and in testimony of our desire and assurance to be heard we say Amen u 1 Cor. 14 16. Rev. 22. 20 21 PROPOSITIONS Concerning Church-Government AND ORDINATION OF MINISTERS LONDON Printed for Robert Bostock and are to be sold at his shop at the Kings-head in Pauls Church-yard 1648. TO THE Right Honorable THE Lords Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT The humble Advice of the Assembly of Divines now sitting by Ordinance of Parliament at Westminster Concerning Church-Government The Preface JEsus Christ upon whose shoulders Isa 9. 6 7 the Government is whose name is called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace of the encrease of whose Government and Peace there shal be no end who sits upon the throne of David and upon his Kingdom to order it and to establish it with Judgment Mat. 28. 18 19 20 Eph. 1. 20 21 22 23 compared with Eph. 4 8 11. Psa 68. 18 and Justice from henceforth even for ever having all power given unto him in Heaven and in Earth by the Father who raised him from the dead and set him on his own Right Hand far above all Principalities and Power and Might and Dominion and every Name that is named not only in this World but also in that which is to come and put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his Body the fulness of him that filleth all in all He being ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things received gifts for his Church and gave offices necessary for the edification of his Church and perfecting of his Saints Of the Church THere is one General Church visible held forth in the New Testament 1 Cor. 12. 12 13 28. together with the rest of the Chapter The Ministry Oracles and Ordinances of the new Testament are given by Jesus Christ to the General Church visible for the gathering and perfecting of it in this life until his second coming 1 Cor. 12 28. Ephes 4. 4 5. compared with vers 10 11 12 13 15 16. of the same Chapter Particular visible Churches Members of the General Church are also held forth in the New Testament Gal. 1. 21 22. Rev. 1. 4. 20. and Rev. 2. 1. Particular Churches in the Primitive times were made up of visible Saints viz. Of such as being of age professed faith in Christ and obdience unto Christ according to the Rule of Faith and Life taught by Christ and his Apostles And of their Children Acts 2. 38 41. Acts 2 vers last compared with Acts 5. 14. 1 Cor. 1. 2. compared with the 2 Corinth 9. 13. Acts 2. 39. 1 Cor. 7. 14. Rom. 11. 16. and so forward Mark 10. 14. compared with Matth. 19. ver 13 14. Luke 18. vers 15 16. Of the Officers of the Church THe Officers which Christ hath appointed for the edification of his Church and the perfecting of the Saints are Some extraordinary as Apostles Evangelists and Prophets which are ceased Others ordinary and perpetual as Pastors Teachers and other Church-Governors and Deacons Pastors THe Pastor is an ordinary and perpetual Officer in the Church Jer. 3. 15 16 17. Prophecying of the time of the Gospel 1 Pet. 5. 2 3 4. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. First It belongs to his office To pray for and with his flock as the mouth of the people unto God Acts 6. 2 3 4. 20. 36 Where Preaching and Prayer are joyned as several parts of the same Office Jam. 5. 14 15. The Office of the Elder that is the Pastor is to pray for the sick even in private to which a blessing is especially promised much more therefore ought he to perform this in the publick execution of his Office as a part thereof 1 Cor. vers 15 16. To read the Scripture
conversed with his Apostles speaking to them of the things pertaining to the Kingdome of God d Acts 1. 2. 3. and giving them commission to preach the Gospell to all nations e Mat. 28. 19 20. forty dayes after his resurrection he in our nature and as our head f Heb. 6. 20 triumphing over enemies g Eph. 4. 8. visibly went up into the highest heavens there to receive gifts for men h Acts 1. 9. 10. 11. Eph. 4. 10. Psal 68. 18. to raise up our affections thither i Col. 3. 1. 2 and to prepare a place for us k Ioh. 14. 3. where himself is and shall continue till his second comming at the end of the world l Acts 3. 21. Q. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God in that as God-man he is advanced to highest favour with God the Father m Phil. 2. 9. with all fulnesse of joy n Acts 2. â—8 with Psal 16. 11. glory o Ioh. 17. 5. and power over all things in heaven and earth p Eph. 1. 22. 1 Pet. 3. 21. and doth gather and defend his Church subdue their enemies furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces q Eph. 4. 10. 11 12. â—sa 110. throughout and maketh intercession for them r Rom. 8. 34. Q. How doth Christ make intercession A. Christ maketh intercession by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven Å¿ Heb. 9. 12. 24 in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth t Heb. 1. 3. declaring his will to have it applyed to all believers u Ioh. 3. 16. Ioh 17. 9. 20. 24. answering all accusations against them w Rom. 8 33. 34. procuring for them quiet of conscience notwithstandding daily failings x Rom 5. 1 2 1 Iohn 2. 1 2 accesse with boldnesse to the throne of Grace y Heb. 4 16 acceptance of their persons z Eph. 1. 6 and services a 1 Pet. 2 5 Q. How is Christ to be exalted in his comming again to judge the world A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world in tha the who was unjustly judged condemned by wicked men b Acts 3. 14 15. shal come again at the last day with great power b in the full c Mat. 24. 30 manifestation of his own glory and of his Fathers with all his holy Angels d Luk. 9. 26 Mat. 25 31 with a shout with the voice of the Arch-Angel and with the Trumpet of God e 1 The. 4. 16 to judge the world in righteousnesse f Acts 17. 31 Q. What benefits hath Christ procured by his Mediation A. Christ by his Mediation hath procured redemption g Heb. 9. 12 with all other benefits of the Covenant of Grace h â— Cor. 1. 10 Q How doe we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured by the application of them unto us i Ioh. 1. 11 12 which is especially the work of God the Holy Ghost k Tit. 3 5 6 Q. Who are made partakers of Redemption by Christ A. Redemption is certainly applyed effectually communicated to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it l Eph. 1. 3. 14. Ioh. 6. 37. 39 Ioh. 10. 15 16 who are in time by the holy Ghost inabled to beleeve in Christ according to the Gospel m Eph. â— 8 2 Câ—r 4. 13 Q. Can they who have never heard the Gospel and so know not Iesus Christ nor believe in him be saved by their living according to the light of nature A. They who having never heard the Gospel n Rom. 10. 14 know not Iesus Christ o 2 Thes 1 8 9 Eph. 2. 12 Ioh 1. 10 11. 12 and believe not in him cannot be saved p Ioh 8 24 Mar. 16 16 be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature q 1 Cor 1. 20 21. 22 23 24 or the Law of that Religion which they professe r Ioh. 4. 22 Rom 9. 31 32 Phil. 3. 4 5 6 7. 8 9 neither is there salvation in any other but in Christ alone Å¿ Acts 4. 12 who is the Savior only of his body in the Church t Eph. â— â—3 Q. Are all they saved who hear the Gospel and live in the Church A. All that hear the Gospel and live in the visible Church are not saved but they oâ—ly who are true members of the Church invisible u Ioh. 12 38 39 40 Rom. 9. 6 Maz 22. 14. Mat. 7. 21 Rom. 11. 7 Q. What is the visible Church A. The visible Church is a society made up of all sâ—ch as in all ages and places of the world doe professe the true Religion w 1 Cor. 1. 2 1 Cor 12. 13 Rom. 15. 9 10 11 12 Rev. â— 9 Psal 2. 8. Psal 22. 27 28 29 30 31 Psâ—l 45. 17 Mat. 28. 19 20 Isa 59. 21 and of their children x 1 Coâ— 7. 14 Acts 2. 39 Rom 11. 16 Gen. 17. â— Q. What are the speciall priviledges of the visible Church A. The visible Church hath the priviledge of being under Gods speciall care and government y Isa 4. 5 6 1 Tim. 4. 10 of being protected and preserved in all ages notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies z Psal 11. 15 throughout Isa 31. 4 5 Zach. 12. 2 3 4 8 9. and of enjoyning the communion of Saints the ordinary means of salvation a Act. 2. 39 42. offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministery of the Gospel testifying that whosoever beleeves in him shall be saved b Psal 147 19 20 Rom. 9. 4 Eph. 4. 11 12 Mar. 16. 15 16 and excluding none that will come unto him c Ioh. 6. 37. Q. What is the Invisible Church A. The Invisible Church is the whole number of the Elect that have been are or shall be gathered into one under Christ the Head d Eph. 1. 10 22 23 Ioh. 10 16 Ioh. 11. 52 Q. What speciall Benefits doe the members of the Invisible Church enjoy by Christ A The members of the Invisible Church by Christ enjoy Vnion and Communion with him in grace and glory e Ioh. 17. 21 Eph. 2. 5 6 Ioh. 17. 24 Q. What is that Vnion which the Elect have with Christ A. The Vnion which the Elect have with Christ is the work of Gods grace f Eph. 1. 22 Eph. 2. 6 7 8 whereby they are spiritually and mystically yet really and inseparably joyned to Christ as their head and husband g 1 Cor. â— 17 Ioh. 10. â—8 Eph. 5 23. 30 which is done in their effectuall Calling h 1 Pet. 5. 10 1