3 10. Acts 6.3 Approbation must be after Election lest 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. Acts 15.37 38. Mat. 18.21 22. compared with Prov. 10.12 1 Pet. 4.8 It the things objected bear Weight against the Officer-elect the Election is void and they may proceed to the Choice of another 1 Tim. 3.4.5 and 5.11 Acts 15.37 38. Ezek. 44.10 2 King 22.9 Defects or Faults that cast Men out of Office are sufficient to hinder Men from entring into Office By Proportion If the things objected be Frivelous the Election 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 Acts 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 and 40.12 16. Numb 8.6 15. Heb. 5.4 5. Mat. 3.15 17. Acts 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 John 20.21 23. Mat. 18.15 20. compared with Exod. 29.1 38. Numb 8.10 11. Acts 6.3 5. and 14.23 and 20.28 1 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 Acts 6.6 and 13.3 and 14.23 1 Cor. 4.2 The third is a Charge given to the Officer thus admitted to look unto his Office in all the parts thereof Mat. 28.18 19. 1 Tim. 5.21 1 Pet. 5.1 2. 1 Tim. 6.13 14. compared 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 Mark 10.16 by God the Father in ordaining Christ to his Office of Mediator Luke 3.21 22. by Christ in ordaining the Apostles Acts 2.3 4. and 1.4 8. by the Apostles in giving the Holy Ghost Acts 8.15 17. in ordaining Evangelists 2 Tim. 1.6 and in ordaining ordinary Ministers Acts 6.6 and 14.23 by the Eldership or Church in ordaining Officers Acts 13.3 1 Tim. 4.4 by the Evangelists in ordaining Officers 1 Tim. 5.22 Tit. 1.5 and so may lawfully be retained and used in the Church still Heb. 6.2 The Use of Imposition of Hands is twofold 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 Mat. 3.17 Secondly To signifie and to assure the Officer to be ordained that the Lord by the Church giveth him Power to administer Acts 13.3 4. and 20.28 John 20.21 Ordination and so Imposition of Hands appertaineth to the whole Church as doth Election and Approbation Acts 13.3 Num. 8.9 10. yet for order sake the fittest Members lay on Hands and perform all other Particulars of Ordination for and in the Name of whole Church 1 Cor. 14.40 compared with Numb 8.9 10. and Acts 13.3 and 1 Tim. 4.14 and 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 Numb 8.9 10. Thus after the Apostacy of Antichrist ariseth a true Ministry in the Church Rev. 18.4 The Officers of a 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 1st Bishops 2dly Deacons Phil. 1.1 The Bishops are also called Elders or Presbyters Acts 20.17 28. 1 Pet. 5.1 The Bishops or Elders jointly together are called the Eldership or Presbytery 1 Tim. 4.14 and 5.17 compared The Eldership consisteth of three sorts of Persons or Officers Viz. the Pastor Teacher and Governor 1 Tim. 4.14 and 5.17 All 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. and 3. The Teacher is a Bishop excelling in the Word of Knowledge or Doctrine Rom. 12.7 1 Cor. 12.8 The Governor 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 deal by Office in the Government of the Church 1 Tim. 5.17 and are conversant about the Soul and Spiritual Part Joh. 18.36 2 Cor. 10.3 The Deacons are Officers employ'd about the Works of Mercy respecting the Body or outward Man Acts 6.2 The Deacons are 1st Men. Or 2. Women Deacons or Widows Acts 6.2 Rom. 16.1 Men Deacons ought to Collect and Distribute with Integrity the Churches Treasure according to the Churches Necessities and the Saints Occasions Rom. 12.8 2 Cor. 8.2 8. 1 Cor. 16.2 3. The Churches Treasure is Silver Gold or Money worth freely given by the Members of the Visible Church for the Common Good Lev. 27. toto 2 Kings 12 14-16 Luke 21.4 Acts 4.34 35. 2 Cor. 8 2-8 and 9.7 The Churches Treasure is holy Mat. 27.6 Luke 12.4 Query Whether those that are without may cast of their Goods into the Treasury lest the Treasury be polluted 2 Cor. 8.4 Josh 6 17-19 Nothing that is gotten by Fraud Violence or any wicked Means may be cast into the Churches Treasury Deut. 23.18 Micah 1.7 Esa 67.3 Query Whether the use of the Churches Treasure is peculiar to the Saints and consists in provision for holy Things or holy Persons Deut. 14.2 3 21. Exod. 30.12 16. Holy Things such as Bread and Wine for the Lord's Supper with 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. 16.2 3. 2 Cor. 8.7 1 Cor. 9.6 14. 1 Tim. 5.17 18. In the Necessity of the Church if they that are without bestow any thing upon the Saints they may receive and use it with Thanksgiving 1 Cor. 10.25 26. If it be manifested by Evidence that the Goods of them that are without offered to the Saints be the Treasures of Wickedness the Saints are not to receive nor use them to avoid offence 1 Cor. 10.28 29. Women-Deacons or Widows are of Sixty Years of Age qualified according to the Apostle's Rule 1 Tim. 5.9 relieving the Bodily Infirmities of the Saints with Cheerfulness Rom. 12.8 and 16.1 Hitherto of the
Apostacy is when the Officers shall fall to open Idolatry Atheism Heresie or other Sins against the first and second Table of the like Nature Ezek. 44.10 and by proportion drawn from 2 King 23.9 1 Tim. 3.2 Lev. 22 1-5 and 21 16-24 Ezra 2.61 62. Query Whether the Officer upon Repentance after Apostacy or Sin equivalent thereto may be retained as a Member of the Church but not as an Officer Ezek. 44.13 14. Mat. 26 69-75 compared with John 21 15-18 Acts 15.38 Disability is either of Age or Sickness or Maiming c. Disability of Age is when the Officer can no longer by reason of old Age discharge the Works of his Office then he may retain his Dignity and ought to be honoured of all Numb 8 23-26 Philemon 9. Disability by Sickness as Frensie Madness Malancholy or by Maiming as Loss of the Tongue in the Pastor or Teacher c. or by any other Infirmity disabling him to the Actions of his Office Lev. 16.24 compared with 1 Tim. 3.2 Tit. 1.6 9. Query whether an Officer may refuse an Office imposed upon him by a lawful Calling Exod. 4.14 Jer. 1.6 7 17. Query Whether the Church may suffer her Officer to be translated from her self to other Churches upon any good Ground Acts 20.28 1 Pet. 5.2 Acts 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 endangered Acts 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 Job 31.33 Prov. 28.13 Due Conviction is the Discovery of the Sin by manifest Evidence Job 19.4 and 32.12 13. and 39.37 Manifest Evidence is either to the Fact or Sinfulness of the Fact The Fact is evident either by Confession of the Party that committed the Fact or by sufficient Witness Mat. 26.65 Deut. 19.15 John 5.31 Query Whether the Testimony of them that are without is Sufficient or no The Sinfulness of the Fact is Evident either by direct Scripture or by necessary Consequence from the Scripture Mat. 22.31 32. and 4.4 Due Conviction is perceived two Ways 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. 27.19 Tit. 3.10 1 Cor. 2.15 and 12.10 Obstinacy in Sin is the continuance in refusing to confess and forsake the Crime Prov. 28.13 Mat. 18.17 Josh 7.1 9. If the Matter be not Evident but Doubtful and Controversal Communion still must be preserved peaceably notwithstanding Diversity of Judgment till the Truth be discovered Phil. 3.15 16. 1 Cor. 13.49.7.9 Persons that differ in Judgment are either Strong or Weak Rom. 15.1 The Strong must not maintain Controversies with the Weak nor Despise them but bear their Infirmity and Burden Rom. 15.1 and 14.1 3. Gal. 6.2 1 Cor. 13.5 7. and 9.22 and 10.23 34. The Weak must not Censure or Judge the Strong as Delinquents but meekly desire Instruction and Satisfaction Rom. 14.3 Mat. 7 1-3 Thus must Men walk in Diversity of Opinion during which time all Men must carefully search out the Truth and labour for Information 1 Cor. 1.10 2 Pet. 3.18 Phil. 3.15 Jam. 1.5 The Power given the Church for casting out obstinate convicted Offenders is the Power of Excommunication 2 Cor. 18.3 6. and 1.5.4.5 1 Tim. 1.20 Gal. 5.12 2 Thess 3.6 14. Mat. 18.17 Query Whether delivering to Satan be not or does not contain some bodily Punishment to be inflicted upon the Offender See Acts 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 Query Whether separating withdrawing turning away from false Teachers and wicked Livers 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 duly administred is ratified and confirmed in Heaven Mat. 18.18 John 20.23 Therefore the Party Excommunicate is in the Hands of Satan and out of the Lord's Protection and Blessing being deprived of all the publick Means of Salvation Mat. 18.17 Cor. 5.5 Esa 4.5 6. In Excommunication consider two Things First The decreeing 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 Excommuication is not the Destruction of the Offender but the Mortification of his Sin and the Salvation of his Soul 1 Cor. 5.5 2 Thes 3.14 15. 1. Tim. 1.23 Query Whether the Party Excommunicated is to be counted as an Enemy or to be admonished as a Brother 2 Thess 5.15 The Members of the Church are to avoid Religious and Civil Communion with him that is Excommunicated Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.11 except that Subjects Servants Children Parents Wife or Husbands c. that are bound to him may perform Civil and Natural Offices to him 1 Cor. 7.5 12 13. and by Proportion The Party Excomunicated upon Repentance is to be admitted again into the Communion of the Visible Church 2 Cor. 2 6-8 yet so as that the Church always have an especial Eye to him as being a suspicious Person that durst despise the Church Mat. 18.17 Ezek. 44.10 2 Pet. 2.22 Heb. 10.26 by Proportion Query Whether an Officer Excommunicated upon Repentance may be again admitted into Office And whether he must have a new Vocation by Election Approbation Ordination The Visible Church walking in this Holy Order hath in it the Presence and Protection of Christ Esa 4.5 6. Mat. 28.20 and 18.20 To such a Visible Church must all sorts of Persons resort that desire to be saved Acts 4.12 Mat. 7.13 14. John 15.6 True Visible Churches are of two sorts First Pure where no open known Sin is suffered Rev. 2 7-13 and 3 8-11 Secondly Corrupt wherein some one or more open known Sin is tolerated Rev. 3.1 6. 1 Cor. 11.17 21 22. True Visible Churches are so far good as they agree to the Pattern of the Word Heb. 8.5 Rev. chap. 2 and 3.1 Cor. 11.2 17 22. Every true Visible Church hath Title to whole Christ and all the Holy Things of God Esa 9.6 7. Cant. 2.16 Eph. 1.22 23. Any one true Visible Church is of equal Power with any other Visible Church Apoc. cap. 2. and 3. 1 Cor. 5. and hath Power to reform all Abuses within it self 1 Cor. 11.2 17. which Power is Spiritual as is Christ's Kingdom not Worldly Bodily nor Carnal John 18.36 2 Cor. 10.3 5. The erecting of Visible Churches appertaineth to Princes and private Persons Princes must erect them in their Dominions and command all their Subjects to enter into them being first prepared and fitted thereto 2 Chron. 29. and 34. and 17. Private Persons separating from all Sin and joining together to obey Christ their King Priest and Prophet as they are bound are a true Visible Church and have a Charter given them by Christ thereto being but two or three Mat. 18.20 Acts 14.19 20. Heb. 11.38 and further power than to reform themselves they have none Every Man is bound in Conscience to be a Member of some Visible Church established in this true Order Mat. 7.13 Rev. 18.4 Because every Man is bound to obey Christ in his Kingdom and spiritual Regiment and no other Luke 19.14 27. and the true Visible Church is Christ's Kingdom and House Mark 13.34 Luke 19.14 27. Acts 1.3 Heb. 12 28. and 3.6 Therefore they that are not Members of this Visible Church are no Subjects of Christ's Kingdom Luke 19.17 1 Cor. 5.12 This true Visible Church is call'd Christ 1 Cor. 12.12 Thus much concerning the true Church The false Church of Antichrist followeth to be considered Whatsoever thing is contrary 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 Forms of Visible Churches and to appoint new Officers Laws Ministry Worship or Communion in the Church is Antichrist 1 John 4.3 2 Thes 2.4 Rev. 13.16 17. Whosoever yieldeth or submitteth to any other Constitution Laws Officers Ministry or Worship than that of Christ's Appointment is the Subject Servant of Antichrist by necessary Consequence from the former and Rom. 6.16 A Man cannot be both the Servant of Christ and of Antichrist Mat. 6.24 FINIS
a true Visible Church are requisite three things First True Matter 2dly True Form 3dly True Properties The true Matter of a true Visible Church are Saints Exod. 28.9 10 15 21. compared with Rev. 21.14 21. and 1 Kings 5.17 compared with 1 Pet. 2.5 Levit. 11. to 13 43 44. compared with Rev. 18.2 1 Pet. 2.9 Deut. 14. 2. Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 Eph. 1.1 Phil. 1.1 1 Pet. 1.2 Heb. 3.1 Saints are Men separated from all known Sin practising the whole Will of God known unto them Col. 1.2 and 2.11 13. Rom. 1.7 and 6.2 12 22. growing in Grace and Knowledge 2 Pet. 3.18 continuing to the end 1 John 2.19 The true Form of a true Visible Church is partly inward partly outward The inward part of the Form consisteth in Three things First The Spirit 2dly Faith 3dly Love The Spirit is the Soul animating the whole Body Eph. 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 and 4.13 15. and 5.30 33. 1 Cor. 6.17 Love uniteth the Members of the Body each to other Eph. 2.20 21. and 4.16 23. Col. 3.14 15. The outward part of the true Form of the true Visible Church is a Vow Promise Oath or Covenant betwixt God and the Saints by proportion from the inward Form See also Gen. 17.1 2. and 15.18 Deut. 29.1 9 13. 1 Chron. 29.10 and 34.30 32. Psal 119.106 Nehem. 9.38 and 10.29 1 Cor. 12.25 26. Rom. 12.5 15 1â— Matth. 18.15 17. This Covenant hath Two Parts 1. Respecting God and the Faithful 2. Respecting the Faithful amongst themselves 1. That part of the Covenant which respects God consists in their Solemn Personal Engagement and Profession to be his in Faith and Holy entire Obedience Esa 55.3.56 1. Ezek. 16.60 2 Chron. 7.18 2. That which regards the Faithful is a Solemn Declaration of their Submission to the same Lord Faith and Baptism under the same Church-order Josh 22 2-5 Rom. 1.5.6.16 17 18 19. Eph. 5.24 The Priviledges the Saints enjoy by thus entering into Covenant are Twofold 1. Communion in all holy Things of God 2. The Power of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Joh. 1. and 3. 1 Cor. 10.16 and 5.4 5. Mat. 18.20 Esay 55.33 Act. 15.34 The holy Things of God are 1. Christ 2. Benefits by Christ Rom. 8.32 The true Church hath Title to Possession and Use of Christ Esay 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 Means of Salvation And the Priviledges the Members enjoy in the Church is receiving of Alms 1 Tim. 14.8 2 Pet. 1.3 The Means of Sâ—lvation are the Word Sacraments Prayers Censures and the Ordinances of Christ for the Dispensing of them all Rom. 3.2 and 4.11 Luk. 19.46 Mat. 18.15 17. Acts 2.42 1 Cor. 11.23 26. Mat. 28.19 Psal 149.6 9. Alms are the Works of Mercy yielded to the Saints in Distress Acts 2.44 45. and 5.4 Mat. 25.34 40. Heb. 13.1 3. 1 Tim. 3.2 and 5.10 The Power of the Lord Jesus Christ given to the Church hath three Parts Viz. Power to 1. Receive in Joh. 10.3 Act. 9.26 27. and 18.27 and 6.5 2dly Preserve and keep within 1 Joh. 2.19 1 Pet. 1.5 3dly To cast out 1 Cor. 5.13 The true Visible Church hath Power to receive in 1. Members into Communion Act. 2.41 and 18.27 and 9.26 27. And 2dly Officers into Office Act. 6.5 and 14.23 The Way or Door whereby both Members and Officers enter in is Christ that is the Way taught by Christ in his Word Joh. 14.6 and 17.17 Mark 13.34 37. The Qualification of Members to be admitted in the Church is Faith testified by Obedience Acts 8.36 37. Mat. 3.6 Luke 7.29 30. Faith is the Knowledge of the Doctrine of Salvation by Christ 1 Cor. 12.9 Gal. 3.2 Obedience is a godly righteous and sober Life Tit. 2.11 12. Rom. 1.5 Members thus received into Communion are of two sorts 1st Prophets 2dly Private Persons 1 Cor. 14.24 1 Sam. 19.24 23. Prophets or Teachers are Men endued with Gifts proper for Edification Exhortation and Consolation 1 Cor. 14.3 Acts 13.1 Rom. 12.6 These Persons must first be appointed to this Exercise by the Church 1 Cor. 24.49 Acts. 13.1 The Prophets or Teachers Care must be to Teach according to the Proportion or Rule of Faith Rom. 12.6 1 Cor. 14.26 Let the Prophets speak two or three and the rest judge 1 Cor. 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 Cor. 14.31 Private Persons are 1st Men. 2dly Women Believers Private 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 speak 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 learn they must ask them that can teach them in Private as their Husbands at home if they be Faithful or some other of the Church 1 Cor. 14.35 1 Tim. 2.12 To hear this exercise of Prophecy may be admitted Unbelievers or they that are without 1. Cor. 14.24 Acts 2.6 13. The Exercise of Prophecy or the Preaching of the Word by them that are sent is that ordinary Means 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 Acts 13.2 4. and 8.14 15. If any Man be converted by other Means it is not Ordinary Rom. 10.14 15. John 4.39 41. Acts 9.5 6. Therefore they that are converted in false Churches are not converted by ordinary Means 1 King 14.13 and 19.18 Rom. 11.3 4. Rev. 18.4 The Way of receiving Officers into Office is 1. Election 2dly Approbation 3dly Ordination Which must be performed with Fasting and Prayer Acts 6.5 and 14.23 1 Tim. 3.10 and 5.22 and 4.14 Tit. 1.5 Acts 13.3 The Person to be admitted into Office must first be a Member of that Visible Church whence he hath his Calling Acts 1.21 22. and 6.3.5 and 18.27 28. 1 Cor. 11.12 and 3.6 1 Tim. 3.2 3-10 Election is by most Voices of the Members of the Church in full Communion Acts 6.5 and 14.23 Query Whether Women Servants and Children admitted into full Commonion yet under Age may not give Voice in Elections Excommunications and other publick Affairs of the Church 1 Pet. 3.7 Ephes 4.4 1 Tim. 5.9 10. Numb 30.5 10 16. 1 Cor. 14.34 Gen. 3.16 1 Cor. 11.3 10. Gen. 18.19 Josh 24.15 Approbation is the examining and finding the Officer-elect to be according to the Rules of his Office 1 Tim. 3.10 and 5.9 10. Acts 6.3 In Approbation every Member is bound to object what he can especially they that denied their Voices Acts 15.37 38. 1 Tim. 3.2