with them in every State and Condition with all Love and Compassion 4. And to shew them in all respects as near as he can a good Example in Conversation Charity Faith and Purity that his Ministry may be the more acceptable to all and the Name of God be glorified and Religion delivered from Reproach 5. He must see he carries it to all with all Impartiality not preferring the Rich above the Poor nor lord it over God's Heritage nor assume any greater Power than God hath given him but to shew a humble and meek Spirit nay to be clothed with Humility The Office and Work of Deacons THE Work of Deacons is to serve Tables viz. to see to provide for the Lord's Table the Minister's Table and the Poor's Table 1. They should provide Bread and Wine for the Lord's Table 2. See that every Member contributes to the Maintenance of the Ministry according to their Ability and their own voluntary Subscription or Obligation 3. That each Member do give weekly to the Poor as God has blessed him 4. Also visit the Poor and know their Condition as much as in them lies that none especially the aged Widows be neglected Of the Duty of Church-Members to their Pastor 1 st 'T IS the Duty of every Member to pray for their Pastor and Teachers Brethren pray for us that the Word of the Lord may run and be glorified Again saith Paul Praying also for us that God would open unto us a door of utterance to speak the Mystery of Christ. Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him They that neglect this Duty seem not to care either for their Minister or their own Souls or whether Sinners be converted and the Church edified or not They pray for their daily Bread and will they not pray to have the Bread of Life plentifully broken to them Motives to this 1. Ministers Work is great Who is sufficient for these things 2. The Opposition is not small which is made against them 3. God's loud Call is as well as Ministers themselves for the Saints continual Prayers and Supplication for them 4. Their Weakness and Temptations are many 5. The Increase and Edification of the Church depends upon the Success of their Ministry 6. If they fall or miscarry God is greatly dishonoured and his Ways and People reproached 2 dly They ought to shew a reverential Estimation of them being Christ's Ambassadors also called Rulers Angels c. they that honour them and receive them honour and receive Jesus Christ. Esteem them very highly in Love for their Work sake Again he saith Let the Elders that rule well be accounted worthy of double Honour especially they who labour in Word and Doctrine that is as I conceive such that are most laborious 3 dly 'T is their Duty to submit themselves unto them that is in all their Exhortations good Counsels and Reproofs and when they call to any extraordinary Duty as Prayer Fasting or days of Thanksgiving if they see no just cause why such days should not be kept they ought to obey their Pastor or Elder as in other cases also Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves 4 thly It is their Duty to take care to vindicate them from the unjust Charges of evil Men or Tongue of Infamy and not to take up a Reproach against them by report nor to grieve their Spirits or weaken their Hands 5 thly 'T is the Duty of Members to go to them when under Trouble or Temptations 6 thly It is their Duty to provide a comfortable Maintenance for them and their Families sutable to their State and Condition Let him that is taught in the Word communicate to him that teacheth in all good things Who goeth a Warfare at his own Charge who planteth a Vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof c. Even so hath the Lord ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel If we have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things They should minister to them chearfully with all readiness of Mind Ministers are not to ask for their Bread but to receive it honourably The Ministers Maintenance tho it is not by Tythes c. as under the Law yet they have now as just a right to a comfortable Maintenance as they had then the equity of the Duty is the same Our Saviour saith Dr. Owen and the Apostles plead it from grounds of Equity and Justice and all kind of Laws and Rules of Righteousness among Men of all sorts calls for it 7 thly It is their Duty to adhere to them and abide by them in all their Trials and Persecutions for the Word Ye were not ashamed of me in my Bonds c. 8 thly Dr. Owen adds another Duty of the Members to their Pastor viz. to agree to come together upon his Appointment When they were come and had gathered the Church together c. Query Are there no ruling Elders besides the Pastor Answ. There might be such in the Primitive Apostolical Church but we see no ground to believe it an abiding Office to continue in the Church but was only temporary 1. Because we have none of the Qualifications of such Elders mention'd or how to be chosen 2. Because we read not particularly what their Work and Business is or how distinct from preaching Elders tho we see not but the Church may if she sees meet choose some able and discreet Brethren to be Helps in Government We have the Qualifications of Bishops and Deacons directly laid down and how to be chosen and their Work declared but of no other Office or Officers in the Church but these only Quest. May an Elder of one Church if called warrantably administer all Ordinances to another Answ. No surely for we find no warrant for any such Practice he being only ordained Pastor or Elder of that particular Church that chose him c. and hath no Right or Authority to administer as an Elder in any other where he is not so much as a Member Quest. May a Church call out a Teacher that is no ordained Elder to administer all Ordinances to them Ans. You may as well ask May a Church act disorderly Why were Ministers to be ordained if others unordained might warrantably do all their Work if therefore they have no Person fitly qualified for that Office they must look out from abroad for one that is Yet as we say Necessity has no Law provided therefore they can't do either it is better their Teacher be called to do it than that the Church should be without their Food and Church-Ordinances neglected yet let all Churches take care to organize themselves and not through Covetousness or neglect of Duty rest incompleat Churches and so
Spirits we do solemnly join our selves together in a Holy Vnion and Fellowship humbly submitting to the Discipline of the Gospel and all Holy Duties required of â— People in such a spiritual Relation 1. We do promise and ingage to walk in all Holiness Godliness Humility and Brotherly Love as much as in us lieth to render our Communion delightful to God comfortable to our selves and lovely to the resâ— of the Lord's People 2. We do promise to watch over each others Conversations and not to suffer Sin upon one another so far â— God shall discover it to us or any â— us and to stir up one another to Lâ—â—â— and good Works to warn rebuke aâ—â— admonish one another with Meekness according to the Rules left to us of Christ in that Behalf 3. We do promise in an especial manner to pray for one another and for the Glory and Increase of this Church and for the Presence of God in it and the pouring forth of his Spirit on it and his Protection over it to his Glory 4. We do promise to bear one anothers Burdens to cleave to one another and to have a Fellow-feeling with one another in all Conditions both outward and inward as God in his Providence shall cast any of us into 5. We do promise to bear with one anothers Weakeness Failings and Infirmities with much Tenderness not discovering to any without the Church nor any within unless according to Christ's Rule and the Order of the Gospel provided in that case 6. We do promise to strive together for the Truths of the Gospel and Purity of God's Ways and Ordinances to avoid Causes and Causers of Division endeavouring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Ephes. 4 3. 7 We do promise to meet together on Lord's Days and â—â—â—ther times as the Lord shall giâ—◠〈◊〉 Opportunities to serve and glorify God in the 〈◊〉 his Worship to edify one 〈…〉 and to contrive the gâ—â—◠〈…〉 Church 8. We do promise according to our Ability or as God shall bless us with the good things of this World to Communicate to our Pastor of Minister God having ordained that they that Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel And now can any thing lay a greater obligation upon the Conscience than this Covenant what then is the Sin of such who violate it These and all other Gospel-Duties we humbly submit unto promising and purposing to perform not in our own Strength being consciouâ— of our own Weakness but in thâ— Power and Strength of the Blessed God whose we are and whom we desire to serve To whom be Glory now and for evermore Amen FINIS Act. 2.41 42 43 44. Act. 8.14 Act. 19.4 5 6. Eph. â— 1 2. and â— 12 13 19. Col. 1.2 4 12. 1 Pet. 2.5 Act. 5.13 14. Rom. 6.17 Heb. 6.1 2. Rom. 6.3 4 5. 1 Pet. 2.4 5 6. Eph. 2.20 21. Col. 2.19 Psa. 66.16 Act. 11.4 5 6 c. 23 24. 1 Pet. 3.15 2 Cor. 8.5 Jer. 50.5 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 5.1 2. Of an Organical Church 1 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5 6 7. Tit. 1.5 6 7 8 9 10. Tit. 1.7 Act. 6.6 2 Tim. 5.22 1 Cor. 9.16 17. Act. 20.31 35. 2 Tim. 2.15 2 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 3. Jer. 3.15 2 Tim. 4.2 2 Cor. 5.19 Act. 20.20 27. Pro. 27.23 1 Thess. 5.15 1 Tim. 4.12 Jam. 2.4 1 Tim. 5.21 1 Pet. 5.3 and 5.6 The Deacons Work Act. 6.1 2 3 5 7 8 9 10. Acts 5.7 8 9 10. 1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 6.1 1 Thess. â— 25 Heb. 13.18 2 Cor. 2.16 1 Cor. 16.9 1 Tim. 4.3 4 5. 2 Cor. 3.19 20. 1 Thess. 3.13 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13.5 17. Jer. 20.10 Zeph. 2.8 2 Cor. 11.21 23. Gal. 6.6 1 Cor. 9.7 8. ver 14. ver 11. Mat. 10.9 10. See Dr. Owen ' s Eshod p. 21 22. 2 Tim. 4.16 17 18. Eshod pag. 27. Act. 14.27 Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1.5 6 7. Act. 20.17 27 28. Tit. 1.5 1 Cor. 14.40 1 Tim. 3. 1 Cor. 14.33 38. Of the reception of Members into the Church Psal. 66.16 Acts 9.26 27. 3 Joh. 9 10. Rom. 14.17 19. 1 Pet. 3.15 1 Cor. 14.40 Rom. 15.1 2. Acts 11.2 3 4 5 6. To whom Members join themselves Act. 2.47 5.11 15. A monthly day to be appointed for Discipline The Power of the Keys committed to the Church Acts 16.5 2 Thess. 1.3 6. Dr. Chauncy on the Power of the Keys p. 335. 1 Cor. 5.4 5. 2 Thess. 3.6 14. 1 Cor. 5.7 Of Church-Censures 2 Thess. 3.11 12. Psa. 15.1 3. 2 Thess. 3.12 2 Thess. 2.6 Disorderly Members only to be withdrawn from 2 Thess. 2.14 15. Heb. 12.25 Of private Offences between Brother and Brother Mat. 18.15 Mat. 18.16 Dr. Chauncy p. 345. The Sisters are not to vote in the Church The Act of Excommunication or Church-Censure 1 Cor. 5. Pag. 345. Mat. 18.17 Of Scandalous Crimes or Evils The Church Censure on notorious Offenders is the same with that in Mat. 18. Pag. 343. 1. Tim. 5.24 Act. 5.11 Jud. 23. 1. Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 7.11 Numb 12.14 Of dealing with Hereticks See Pool's Annot. on 1 Cor. 11.19 2 Pet. 2.1 Who is an Heretick Tit. 3.10 1 Tim. 1.19 20. What an admonition is The manner of the Reception of a communicate Person Mat. 13.18 2 Cor. 2.6 7. 1 Tim. 5. How to proceed against a Scandalous Pastor â— see not if they have none fitly qualified but the Church may cast him out Relief for a Member unjustly dealt with The cause of Disorders in the Church Rom 6 17. Heb 6 2 3 Dr. Chauncy pag. 337. Phil. 1.27 Tit. 2.10 The great Danger of making a Rent in a Church Rom. 1.31 Acts 2.42 1 Cor. 12.6 14.7.5.1.20 21 25. Heb. 10.25 Jude 19. ☞ ★ Jude 19. 1 Cor. 1.10 3.3 11.18 Heb. 10.22.23 25. Mixt Excommunication Rom. 19.17 18. 2 Thess. 3.6.14 15. Jude 12. Let none call the Church a Prison since all do voluntarily Covenant with it and 't is dangerous to break Christ's bonds 2 Timo. 2.23 2 Thess. 3.14 Prov. 6.16 Of a Letâ—er of Reâ—ommendaâ—ion Rom 16.1.2 Acts 18.27 Mat. 18.15 Disorders Corrected Removed Iohn 13.12 17 Eph. 4.3 Heb. 13.1 Eph. 4.31 32. cap. 5.2 Psal. 132.1 Jam. 3.16 Acts 5.3.8 Levit. 19.17 Acts 4.23 Pet. 2.2 Acts 9.27 Mat. 18.15 Psal. 63.1 Cant. 7.12 Mark 16.1 1 Cor. 1â— 25. Romans 16.17 2 Tim. 2.25 Jude 19. Jam. 3.14.16 Cant. 4.12 Rom. 1.29 1 Tim. 6.4 Zech. 7.10 1 Tim. 5.19 1 Timo. 5.19 1 Cor. 8.14 â— Cor. 16.2 Math. 18. Ier. 20.10 1 Tim. 5.19 Isa. 55. â— Acts 2 1 2. Acts 10 33. Ioel 2 1â— What tends to the Glory of a Church of Christ. 1 Cor. 3 4. Isa. 28.16 Isa. 28.16 1 Pet. 2 5 6. 1 Kings 6 7. Eph. 2.19 20 21. 1 Pet 1 16 Psalm 93.5 Cant. 1.9 Eph. 4.3 Exod. 20.24 Mat 18 20 1 Cor. 5.5 6.7 2 Cor. 8.14 Tit. 3.2 Eccl. 19.8 Apoc. 3 Iohn 9 1â— Gen. 9.22 Gal. 6.2 2 Gal. â— â— Rom. 3.10 Iude 11. Numb 22.7 21. 2 Pet. â— 10 Rev. 2.1 1 Tim. 3.5 Act. 23 5. Psal. 110.3 1 Pet. 1.25 Psal. 87.2 Neh. 1.2 How should Sinners else be Converted and the Church increased Psal. 132.13 Psal. 26.8 Psal. 29.9 Exod. 20.24 Mat. 18.20 Rev. 1.13 Psal. 27.4 Acts 2.47 Psal. 132.3 Psal. 130.15 Psal. 73.16 â—7 Psal. 87.5 Psal. 34.3 Psal. 84.1 2. Isaiah 35. Psal. 128.3 Isai. 51.3 Prov. 8.34 Psal. 26.14 Psal. 87.4 Mat. 6.6 Jer. 10.25 Eph. 6.4 Phil. 1.27 Eccl. 4.9.10.11.12.13 Ezek. 16.6 8. 2 Cor. 8.5 Hos. 2.23 2 Cor. 6.16 Church-Communion proved Exod. 26.3.4 6. Isa. 62.5 Psal. 122.3 Eph. 2.23 Eph. 4.16 1 Pet. 2.5 Psal. 93.5 Isa. 55.8 Luke 1.74.75 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Tim. 6.11 2 Pet. â— 6 7. Act. 20.19 Phil. 2.3 Ioh 13 34 and 15 12 1 Pet 1 22 Lev. 19 17 Heb 10 24 25 1 Thess 5 14 15 Rom 15 Eph. 6.18 Iam. 5.16 Col 4 12. Gal 6 2 Heb 12 12 Heb 13 31 Rom 12 15 2 Cor 11 29 1 Iohn 3.17 18 Gal 6 1 1 Thess 5 14 Rom 15 12 Eph 4 31 32 Iude v 3 Gal 5 1 Tit 3 9 10 2 Iohn v 10 Heb 3 10 and 10 25 Mal 3 16 Rom 14 18 and 15 16 〈…〉 26 â— Cor 9 7 â— 9 -12 13 Gal 6 6
under Sin God is the God of Order and not of Confusion in all the Churches of the Saints And how severely did God deal of old with such that meddled with the Priests Work and Office who were not of the Priesthood nor called by him to administer in holy things Of the reception of Members Quest. WHat is the Order of receiving Members into the Church that were no Members any where before Answ. 1. The Person must give an account of his Faith and of the Work of Grace upon his Soul before the Church and also a strict Enquiry must be made about his Life and Conversation but if through Bashfulness the Party cannot speak before the Congregation the Elder and two or three more Persons may receive an account of his or her Faith and report it to the Church But if full Satisfaction by the Testimony of good and credible Persons is not given of the Party's Life and Conversation he must be put by until Satisfaction is obtained in that respect Moreover when the Majority are satisfied and yet one or two Persons are not the Church and Elder will do well to wait a little time and endeavour to satisfy such Persons especially if the Reasons of their dissent seem weighty Quest. What is to be done when a Person offers himself for Communion from a Church that is corrupt or erroneous in Principles Answ. 1. The Church ought to take an account of his Faith in all Fundamental Points and of the Work of Grace upon his Heart 2. And if satisfied then to send also to that corrupt People to know whether they have any thing or not against his Life and Conversation If satisfied in both these respects the Church may receive him Quest. To whom is it Members â—oin themselves is it to the Elder or to the Church Answ. They are joined to the whole Community of the Church being incorporated as Members thereof and thereto abide tho the Pastor be removed by Death The Power of the Keys with Church Discipline and Members Duties one to another 1. WE judg it necessary that a Day monthly be appointed particularly for Discipline and not to manage such Affairs on the Lord's-day which should be spent â—n the publick Worship of God of â— different nature besides such â—hings may on the account of Discipline come before the Church which may not be expedient to be â—eard on the Lord's-day lest it â—isturb the Spirits of any Members and hinder their Meditation â—n the Word which they have â—ewly heard tho in small Congregations perhaps a day in two or three Months may be sufficient 2. The Power of the Keys or to receive in and shut out of the Congregation is committed unto the Church The Political Power of Christ saith Dr. Chauncy is in the Church whereby it is exercised in the Name of Christ having all lawful Rule and Government within it self which he thus proves viz. 1. The Church essential is the first Subject of the Keys 2. They must of necessity to their Preservation purge themselves from all pernicious Members 3. They have Power to organize themselves with Officers Yet I humbly conceive I may add that the Concurrence of the Presbytery is needful hereunto 4. If need be that they call an Officer from without or one of another Church they must first admit him a Member that they may ordain their Officer from among themselves 5. They have Power to reject a scandalous Pastor from Office and Membership ' This Power of Christ is exerted as committed to them by the Hands of the Elder appointed by Christ the due management whereof is in and with the Church to be his Care and Trust as a Steward whereof he is accountable to Christ and the Church not lording it over God's Heritage And that the Power of the Keys is in the Church appears to me from Mat. 18. If he will not hear the Church it is not said if he will not hear the Elder or Elders As also that of the Apostle in directing the Church to cast out the Incestuous Person he doth not give this Counsel to the Elder or Elders of the Church but to the Church so he commands the Church to withdraw from every Brother that walks disorderly Purge out the old Leaven that you may be a new Lump Of Church-Censures NOW as to Church-Censures I understand but two besides Suspension viz. 1. Withdrawing from a Member that walks disorderly 2. Casting out oâ— Excommunicating such that are eâ—ther guilty of notorious or scandaâ—lous Crimes of Heresy c. oâ— of contemning the Authority oâ— the Church Briefly to each of these 1. Suspension is to be when'â— Member falls under Sin and thâ— Church wants time fully to heaâ— the matter and so can't withdraw from him or cast him out 2. If any Member walks disorderly tho not guilty of gross scandalous Sins he or she as soon as it is taken notice of ought to be admonished and endeavours to be used to bring him to Repentance For we hear that there are some which walk disorderly not working at all but are busy-bodies Such as meddle with Matters that concern them not it may be instead of following their Trade and Business they go about from one Member's House to another telling or carrying of Tales and Stories of this Brother or of that Brother or Sister which perhaps may be true or perhaps false and may be too to the Reproach or Scandal of some Member or Members which if so it is back-biting and that is so notorious a Crime that without Repentance they shall not ascend God's holy Hill Back-biting is a diminishing our Neighbours or Brother's good Name either by denying him his due Praise or by saying any thing to his Charge falsely or irregularly or without sufficient cause or evidence Thus our Annotators But this of disorderly walking does not amount to such a Crime but Evils not so notorious Now them â—â—at are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own Bread They must be admonished 1. An Admonition is a faithful Endeavour to convict a Person of a Fault both as to Matter of Fact and Circumstance and this Admonition must be given first if it be private by that Brother that knows or has knowledg of the Fault or Evil of the Person offending whether the Elder or Member for any private Brother ought to admonish such with all care and faithfulness before he proceeds farther But if it be publick thâ— Church ought to send for the Offender and the Pastor must admonish him before all 2. But if after all due Endeavours used he is not reclaimed buâ— continues a disorderly Person the Church must withdraw from him Now we command you Brethren is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you withdraw from every Bâ—â—ther that walketh disorderly