Body of the Church in respect of the state or frame of it (1) Math. 16.19 and 18.17 Psal 45.19 but principally to the Presbitery in respect of the Order or Administration of it (2) 1 Tim. 5.17 4.14 1 Thes 5.12 Heb. 13.7 1 Cor. 12.28 Quest What power of Government is committed to the body of the Church (3) Act. 1.23.26 14 33 6.3.5 16 10. 9.26 27. Ans The body of the Church hath power from Christ to choose and call her owne Officers and members to send forth any of them for her service (4) 2 Cor. 8.19.25 to inquire and heare and assist in the Judgment of all publicke scandalls (5) Act. 11 23 Math. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.4 5. Act. 15.33.4 Quest What power of Government is committed to the Presbitery Ans To call the Church together (6) Act. 6 â—2 Ioh 1.13 14. and to deliver the Counsell of God to them with all Authority (7) Tit. 2.15 to prepare matters for the Churches hearing (8) Act. 21.18 and to propound and order them in the Assembly (9) Act. 1.15 to administer Ordinations (10) 1 Tim 4.14 and Censures (11) 1 Tim. 1.20 and to dismisse the Assembly with a blessing in the Name of the Lord (12) Num. 6.23 Quest But hath not Christ committed some power of Gouernment to every private member of the Church Ans Yes verily there is a power of edification (1) 1 Cor 16.8 13 10. Mat. 16.18.19 which the Lord hath given to any member of the Church to excercise mutualy one over another (2) Iude 20. 1 Thes 5 11. 1 Coâ— 1â— 17 to save some with compassion others with feare (3) Iude 21 22 23. by a word of Instruction Admonition Exhortation and comfort (4) Act. 18 26 Mat. 8.15 Col. 3.16 Thes 14.11 Quest How is Ordination to bee administred Ans When the Church hath chosen and called an Officer they present him to the Elders (1) Act 6.5 6 who doe ordaine him if he be a Deacon with Prayeâ— and imposition of hands (2) Act. 6 6. and with fasting also is to bee an Elder (3) Act. 14.33 Quest How are the Censures of the Church to bee administred Ans The Censures of the Church are ordained by Christ for the removall of scandalls out of the Church (1) Mat 1.8.6 to 15. Luk. 17.1 2 3 which if they be private one Brother offending another the Offendor is to goe and acknowledge his Repentance of it unto his Brother (2) Mat. 5.23 24. who is then to forgive im (3) Luk. 17 4 but if the Offendor neglect to doest the Brother offended is to goe and admonish and convince him of it betweene themselves privately If thereupon the Offendor be brought to Repent of his offence the Admonisher hath won his Brother But if the Offender heare not his Brother the Brother offended is to take with him one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established whether the word of Admonition if the Offendor receive it or the word of complaint to the Church if hee refuse it the offended Brother is to tell the Church if he refuse to heare the Church then is he to bee accounted as an Heathen and Publican (4) Luk. 17.3 Math. 18.15.16 17. Quest What if the Scandalls or Offences bee publick how are they to be removed Ans By publick Reproofe (1) 1 Tim. 5.20 Gal. 2.14 and if the offences be not onely publick but haynous then the Church is to remove the offence by Excomunicating the Offendor out of the Church (2) 1 Cor. 5.15 1 Tim. 1.20 Quest How is Excomunication to be administred Ans When the offence of any Brother is publick and haynous or being private is through the Offendors obstinacy become publickly scandalous the Church being met together is in the Name and Power of the Lord Iesus and with his Spirit are to deliver such an one to Sathan for the destruction of the Flesh and the Salvation of his Soule in the day of the Lord Jesus (1) 1 Cor 5.1.4 5 11 12. 2 Thes 3.14 Mat. 18.17 Quest Is there no use of Suspension in the Church Ans Not as a Church Censure or as an Act of power but as an Act of discretion in the Church Officers discerning the uncleane from the cleane untill they bee cleansed (2) Lev. 10.10 Quest What is Anathama Maranatha Ans It is the utmost Censure of the Church whereby a Brother falling from the love of Christ into hatied against him is cut off from fellowship with Christ for ever even to the comming of the Lord (3) 1 Cor. 16.22 Quest Having seene what power of Government the Church hath received and exerciseth within it selfe Tell me now whither one Church hath power of Government over another Ans No Church hath power of Government over another but each of them hath chiefe power within it selfe and all of them equall power one with another every Church hath received alike the power of binding and loosing opening and shutting the Kingdome of Heaven (1) Mat 18.17 18. but one to another all of them are Sisters (2) Cant. 8.8 all of them Sarahs all of them Queenes none Hagar none of them Concubines (3) Gal. 4.26 Cant. 6.8 but by their owne corruption or usurpation of others (4) Rev 18.17 Finally all of them are Candlesticks of the same precious mettell and in the middest of them all Christ equally walketh (5) Rev. 1.12 13. Quest But if one Church have no power of Government over another what course is there left to Reforme such corruptions as may arise in any Church whether in Doctrine or practise Ans The corruptions that are found in any Church doe either infect part of the Church or the whole body if part onely then the part remaining sound may either convince and reforme their Brethren themselves if they be able or if they be not able they may at least prevaile so farre with them as to send for light to some other Church as they of Antioch did to the Church at Jerusalem But if the Corruptions found in a Church doe infect the whole Body yet still there is hope in Israel concerning this for though one Church have not power of Government over another subordinate to them yet every Church hath equall power one with another as coordinate with them And therefore looke what power one Brother hath over another in the same Church the same power hath one Church over another in Brotherly communion as if one Church shall heare of any offence in another they may enquire the certainty of it and thereupon send Letters and Messengers to convince and admonish them of it If the Church offending doe heare the Church admonishing they have gained their Brethren and their owne desire If the Church heare them not then the Church may take one or two Churches more to assist them in the conviction of that sin if yet the Church heare them not then upon due notice given all the Churches thereabouts may meete together and after judicious inquiry into the Cause may by the Word of God confute and condemne such Errours in Doctrine or practice as are found oftensive to prevent the spreading either of the Gangreene of Heresie or of the Leprosie of sin and if the Church offending shall not yet hearken to their Brethren though the rest of the Churches have no power to deliver them to Sathan yet they have power to withdraw from them the right hand of Fellowship and no longer to hold them in the Communion of Saints till they approve their Repentance (2) By proportion from Mat. 18 15.16 17. 2 Thes 3.6 FINIS
The True CONSTITVTION Of A particular visible Church proved by Scripture Wherein is briefly Demonstrated by Questions and Answers what Officers Worship and Government Christ hath ordained in his CHVRCH By that Reverend and Learned Divine Mr. IOHN COTTON B. D. and Pastor of Boston in New England IEREMY 50.5 They shall aske the way to Sion with their faces thitherward saying Come let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant that shall not be forgotten LONDON Printed for Samuel Satterthwaite at the Signe of the black Bull in Budge Rowe neare to Saint Antholines Church 1642. THE true Constitution of a Particular visible Church proved by Scripture Quest WHat is the Church Ans The Church is a Mysticall body (1) Eph. 5.30 31 32. Rom. 12.4 5. 1 Cor 12.28 whereof Christ is the Head (2) Eph. 2.22 5.23 the members and Saints (3) 1 Cor. 2.12 Col. 1.2 called out of the World (4) 1 Cor. 2.2.9 and united together into one Congregation (5) 1 Cor. 11.18 14.23 by an holy Covenant (6) Exo. 19 5. 24.3.7 Deu. 5.2.27 and 29.2.9 to 15. to worship the Lord and to edifie one another in all his holy Ordinances (7) 1 Cor. 5.4 1 Cor. 14.26 Quest What sort of Members hath God set in his Church Ans Some that are Ministers (1) 1 Cor 4 17 Eph. 4.12 Col 4.17 Rom. 12 7 or Officers (2) 1 Tim. 3.2.10.13 Rom. 11.3 Psal 109.8 in the Church others commonly called by the generall name that belongeth to all the members Brethren (3) Act. 15.22 23. Rom. 16 3 and Saints (4) Paul 2.2 Quest What sorts of Ministers or Officers hath God set in his Throne Ans Some extraordinary as Apostles Prophets and Evangelists (1) Eph. 4.11 1 Cor 12.28 some ordinary and perpetuall as Bishops and Deacons (2) Phil. 2 2 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3 Quest What manner of men are to be called to these Offices to be Bishops or Elders in the Church Ans A Bishop or Elder in the Church must be in himselfe a blamelesse man for Holinesse and Righteousnesse and for freedome from passions and lusts also a vigilant man and of good behaviour Moreover he must bee in his Family a man of good Government and of good Hospitality in his Name a man of good Report even of those that are without in his Profession not a young Plant but holding fast the faithfull Word apt to teach it and able to maintaine it (1) 1 Tim. 2.2 to 7. Tit. 1.6 to 9. Quest What sorts of Bishops or Elders hath God ordained in his Church Ans Of Bishops who are also called Elders God hath ordained two sorts Ruling Elders and such as labour in word and in Doctrine (1) 1 Tim. 5 17 1 Cor. 12.28 Rom. 12.6 7 8. Acts 20.28 Tit. 1.5.7 commonly called Pastors and Teachers (2) Eph. 4.11 all of them to watch over one certaine Flocke the Church of a particular Congregation (3) Act. 14 23 and 20.17 with 28. Phil. 1.1 Tit. 1.5 Quest What is the Office or worke of the Pastors or Teachers Ans The Pastors worke is to attend upon Exhortation and therein to dispence a word of wisedome the Teacher is to attend upon Doctrine and therein to dispence a word of knowledge (1) Rom 12.7 8. 1 Cor. 12.28 Quest What is the Office of the Ruling Elders Ans Seeing the Kingdome of Christ is not of this World but Heavenly and spirituall (1) Ioh 18 36 and the Government of his Kingdome is not Lordly (2) Mat. 20 25 26. but Stewardly and Ministeriall (2) Luk 12 42 and to labour in the ministry of Exhortation and Doctrine is the proper work of the Pastor and Teacher (3) 1 Tim. 5.17 it remaineth therefore to bee the part and Office of the ruling Elders to assist the Pastor and Teacher in all other Acts of Rule besides as becommeth good Stewards of the Houshold of God (4) Rom. 12 8. as first to open and shut the doores gf Gods House (5) Math. 16.19 by admission of Members (6) Acts 20.28 29. by ordination of Officers (7) 1 Tim. 4.14 by excommunication of notorious and obstinate offenders (8) Math. 18.17 18. Secondly to see that none without the Church live either inordinately without a calling or Idly in their calling (9) 2 Thes 3.10 11 12. thirdly to prevent and heale such offences in life and Doctrine as might corrupt either their owne Church (10) Rev. 22 14 15.20 or other Churches if their Counsel be required (11) Act. 15.2.6 Fourthly to prepare matters before hand for the Churches consideration (12) Acts 21 18. and to moderate the carriage of all matters in the Church assembled (13) Act. 6 2. as to propound matters to the Church (14) Act. 6 2 3 and to order the season of speech and silence in the Church (15) Acts 13 15. Fifthly to feed the flock of God with a word of admonition (16) 1 Thes 5.12 Acts 20.31 and as they shall be called for to visite pray over their sick brethren (17) Iam. 5.14 Quest What manner of men hath God appointed to be called to the Deacons Office Answ Men of gravity and of good report not given to dissembling nor to Wine nor to covetousnesse ful of the holy Ghost and wisedome holding forth the mistery of the faith in a pure conscience keeping their houshold in good Rule and enjoying such wives as may neither dishonour nor corrupt their Office not slanderers but brave and sober and faithfull in all things 1 1 Tim. 3.8 to 12. Act 6.3 Quest What is the office of the Deacons Answ To receive the offrings of the Church brought unto them and laid downe before them (1) Acts 4 34 35. and therewith to serve Tables (2) Acts 6.2 distributing with simplicity (3) Rom. 12.8 not onely to the Ministers of the Church (4) Gal. 6.6 but to any other of the brethren as they shall have need (5) Act. 4 35 Quest But is it not the Office of the Deacons to shew mercy with cheerfulnesse Answ Yes verily to their Brethren in misery (1) Rom 12.8 but that part of their office they do chiefly performe by the hand of the widdowes chosen into their number who are therefore called the Deacons or servants of the Church (2) Rom. 16 1 Quest What manner of widdowes hath God allowed to be taken into this number Answ Ancient women well reported of for good workes for nursing her children for lodging of Strangers for washing the Saints feet for relieving the afflicted for following diligently every good work (3) 1 Tim 5 9 10 Quest What manner of men hath God appointed to be received as Brethren and members of his Church Answ Such as are called of God out of this world to the fellowship of Christ
pardon of originall finne and for the sin of the parents and for a blessing upon the Sacrament and Infant (8) Mat. 3.11 1 Timot. 4 5. and then calling the childe by the name which the Parent hath given it for his owne edification and the Childes (9) Luk. 1.59 to 63. 2 21 he baptizeth it either by dipping (10) Mat. 3.16 Iohn 3 33. Acts 8 38. Rom 6.40 or sprinkling (11) 1 Cor. 10.2 Heb 20 22. into the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost (12) Mat. 28.19 Quest How is the Lords Supper to be administred Answ The Supper of the Lord is to be dispensed by the Minister of the Word (1) 1 Chr. 30.17 35.5 6. unto the faithfull of the same body (2) 1 Cor. 10.17 12 13 14 or commended to them by a like body (3) RoÌ„ 16.1 2 having examined and judged themselves (4) 1 Cor. 11.28 to 31. sitting down with him at the Lords Table (5) Mat. 26.20 Lu 22.27 to 30 before whom the Minister taketh the bread and blesseth it breaketh it and giveth it to the brethren with this commandement once for all to take and eate it as the body of Christ broken for them and this doe in remembrance of him in like manner also he taketh the cup and having given thanks he powreth it forth and giveth it to them with a commandement to them all to take and drink it at the bloud of Christ shed for them and this also to do in Remembrance of him (6) Mat 26.26 27 28. Lu. 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. and after all thansgiving is ended with singing a Psalm (7) Ma. 26.30 Mar. 14.26 Quest After the Ministery of the Word and the Seales thereof how is the Collection for the Saints to be adminished Answ The Collection for the Saints was by the Apostles Ordinance to be made for the time every Lords day (1) 1 Cor. 16.1 2 Deut. 16.16 for the measure as God had prospered every man (2) 1 Cor. 16.2 2 Cor. 8.3 for the manner not of constraint but freely (3) 2 Cor. 9.5.7 brought by the givers as an offering to the Lord said down (4) Act. 4.34 35. Mark 12.42 1 Chr. 19.17 as at first before the Apostles so afterwards by their appointment before the Deacons of the Church as into a common Treasurie (5) Act. 4.35 1 Cor 16.2 with 6.2.8 by them to be distributed to the supply of the Ministery and of the poore Saints according to their need and of all the outward Service of the Church (6) 1 Tim 5 7 18 Gal. 6.6 Acts 5.35 6 1 2 3. Rom. 15.26 Quest What duty of Gods worship is to be performed in dismissing the assembly Answ After all parts of Gods publique worship have been performed by the Minister (1) Num. 6.23 or any of the Prophets is to dismis the Assembly with a word of blessing offering up blessings unto the Lord (2) 1 King 8.15 and putting a blessing upon the people (3) 2 Sam. â— 8 1 K 8 5â— to 8. Num. 6.23 to 27 2 Thes 3.17.18 2 Cor. 13 18. Quest In what manner are all duties of Gods worship to be administred Ans In Spirituall simplicity without affectation of legall shadowes (1) Iohn â— 26 of worldly pomp or carnall excellencie (2) 2 Cor. 2 17 18.22 1 Co 2.1 2. 6 13 decently (3) Cor 14.40 and in order (4) 1 Co. 14.40 and to edification (5) 1 Cor 4.26 Quest What forme of Government is the Governement of the Church Answ The government of the Church is in Christ our head Kingly or regal (1) Psalm 2.6 Isay 33.12 but in the Church Stewardly and Ministeriall (2) Mâ—â— 16.19 1 Cor. 4.11 1 Pet 4.10 and in both of them Spirituall and heavenly (3) Ioh. 18.36 Quest How doth Christ exercise his Kingly Government or power in the Church Answ By calling the Church into holy fellowship with himselfe and one with another (4) Psal 74.2 by ordaining Officers and Governours in his Church with their callings and gifts (5) Ep. 4.8.11 1 Cor. 12 28 by giving Lawes and ordinances to his Church for the whole government of it (6) Isa 3â— 2 Tim 4 12. 2 Tim. 3.6 7 By putting life and power even the power of his spirit in all his Ordinances for the edifying of his body unto perfection (7) Mat. 18 18 20 28.20 Iohn 1â— 7 to 11.12.14 and finally by subduing our enemies and protecting our selves in his peace to his heavenly Kingdome (8) Rom. 16 2â— Iohn 14 27. 1 Tim. 4.8 Quest How is the Governement of the Church in the hand of the Church Stewardly or Ministeriall Answ Because the end of the Government of the Church is spirituall and heavenly (1) Ioh. 18.36 as is the building of Christs Kingdome and saving of soules (2) Mat. 26 19 1 Cor 5 5. it is not in the power of men to ordaine or provide means or helpes to such ends but onely for him that can worke upon the soule and conscience (3) 2 Cor 1 24 1 Corm 3.5.6.7 and therefore it is not in the hand of the Church to make Lawes or ordinances to chuse Officers or Members to administer Saeraments or Censures or any part of worship or Governement of their own heads but to receive all as from the hand of Christ and to dispense all according to the will of Christ revealed in his Word (4) Heb 8 5. 1 King 13 33. 12 33. Ier. 7.31 Quest How is the government of the Church Spirituall and heavenly Answ The government of the Church though it be not altogether inward but partly outward (1) Luk. 17.20 21. Esay 2 3. as beeing administred by open and known Officers (2) Isa 30.20 withaudable and lively voice (3) Rev. 1.16 in the open face of the brethren of the Congregation (4) Mat 18 15 1 Tim 5 20. yet is it in it selfe not of this world but Spirituall and heavenly (5) Ioh. 18 30 as being ordained not by the wisedome and power of this world but of Christ (6) 1 Cor. 2.6 7 8. and administred not according to the precepts of men but his Commandoments (7) Mat 28.20 not by earthly weapons but by the Word and Sacraments and other Spirituall Ordinances (8) 2 Cor. 10.4 not working upon the bodyes or outward estates of men by fines or imprisonments losse of limbes or lives but upon their soules and consciences by the evidence of the Spirit (9) Heb 13.7 2 Cor 10.5 1 Cor. 2 4. Iohn 16.33 Rom. 14.17 finally not aiming at worldly peace wealth or honour but at the Righteousnesse of faith peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost 10 Quest To whom hath Christ committed the Government of his Church Ans Partly to the