Congregation 2. If he come from abroad having years of discretion and judgement fit to examine himself it is expected he should have a testimoniall of his former life and conversation and of his diligence in attending the Ordinances in the place where he hath lived And being found knowing in the fundamentall truths of Christianity he is desired First to declare that his purpose is to live and die in the communion of the Reformed churches Secondly to promise that if he should conceive any scruples of the Doctrine that is taught in the Reformed churches he shall not conceale his doubts and fall away from the Fellowship into which he is received but make the same known unto his Teachers to receive satisfaction therein Thirdly to oblige himself to use all carefull diligence to honour and adorn his profession with his life and conversation and to avoyd all occasion of scandall Fourthly and lastly to promise to submit himself unto the Rules of Church-discipline according to the Word and to respect those that are set over him in the Lord. All which he is engaged to do by word of mouth and by giving his hand unto the Eldership In some places this admission of Members is left to the Pastor to be performed in private yet so as the reception of the party must be notified unto and ratified by the Eldership In some places all is done before the whole Eldership In some places also the names of those that are admitted are published unto the whole Congregation from the Pulpit Of the second viz. Duties relating to the Eldership 20. Such as have given up their names unto a Congregation to be under a Pastorall charge and the government of an Eldership ought to hear s the voice of their Pastors s Joh. 10. 3. The sheep hear his voice To t follow them t Ibid. v. 4. The sheep follow him for they know his voice To continue u in their fellowship and not to follow strangers u Act. 2. 42. They continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship Yet by this they are not deprived of the liberty of hearing others besides their own Pastors that they may x prove all things and hold fast that which is good x 1 Thess 5. 21. Prove all things hold fast that which is good 21. They ought to obey their Rulers y submit themselves unto them that their work may be done with joy and not with grief y Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch That they may do it with joy and not with grief 22. This obedience and submission ought not to be formall but hearty proceeding from z a high esteem of them in love for their works sake z 1 Thess 5. 13. Esteem them viz. those that labour and are over you in the Lord and admonish you very highly in love for their works sake 23. As an inward affection and esteem so an outward care for their Rulers is requisite in Professors They ought then to communicate unto those that teach them in all good things Gal. 6. 6. counting all that Rule well worthy of double honour but especially to provide maintenance for those that labour in the word and doctrine 1 Tim. 5. 17. because the Lord hath ordained that those who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel 1 Cor. 9. 14. 24. They ought to mark and avoyd all Teachers that cause offences and divisions amongst them Rom. 16. Of the third viz. Duties relating to their Fellow-members 25. They ought to consider their fellow-members to provoke them to love and to good works not forsaking the assembling of themselves together as the manner of some is Heb. 10. 24 25. 26. They ought to hold forth the word of life and shine as lights in the world in the midst of a crooked generation Phil. 2. 15. 27. To this effect they ought to do all things without murmurings and disputings that they may be found blamelesse as the children of God Phil. 2. 4. 28. They ought to serve their brethren through love Gal. 5. 13. and not to please themselves but others for their good to edification Rom. 15. 1 2. 29. They ought not either to despise or judge one another for matters which God hath left free either to be done or not to be done according as God doth give every one the measure of faith Rom. 14. the whole chap. 30. They ought to withdraw themselves from every brother that walketh disorderly and is a busie body 2 Thess 3. 6 11. yet they ought not to count him an enemy but should admonish him as a Brother ibid. v. 15. CHAP. IX Certain Rules concerning the Administration of the LORDS Supper for the decent ordering of the action Offered to the consideration of those that scruple at the gesture of Sitting 1. IT is not lawfull for us in Gods worship to do what we think good in our own eyes but what is most agreeable to his will 2. For if we know not what his will is we cannot worship him in Faith 3. If we worship him not in faith we cannot please him 4. And if we please him not we cannot expect a blessing upon our performance 5. Therefore to be sure of a blessing we must know and carefully observe that which is most answerable to his will in things belonging to his worship 6. Now to know and observe this in the Sacrament of the Lords supper Christs practise in the institution thereof so far as he would have us to imitate the same and his intention in commanding us to imitate him therein is to be considered 7. The necessity of considering Christs practise and intention in this matter doth arise from the Apostles commandement who doth herein very distinctly referre us unto Christ himselfe for a warrant of that which is to be done saying that in this matter he delivered that which he received of the Lord 1 Cor. 11. 23. and that we ought to follow him so far as he is a follower of the Lord ibid. v. 1. 8. Therefore we are bound to look unto Christ in the first place and to the Apostles afterward with a reference unto the Lord because finally our faith must rest only in the Lord as the object thereof and the end and use of the Apostolicall ministery is to call us unto communion with them that by them we may have communion with the Father and with his sonne Jesus Christ 1 Joh. 1. 3. For we are sure that in following him and fulfilling his intention we do nothing amisse because He is the Way the Truth and the Life Joh. 14. 6. 9. Christs practise then in the institution of his Supper in that which is to be imitated is this First he took the Bread and by giving speciall thanks over it he separated it from the common to a holy use then he brake it and gave it to his disciples and commanded them to eat thereof Secondly he took the Cup which in like
Covenant f Exod. 19. 5. If ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then ye shall be peculiar treasure unto me or to confirm g and keep them in it g Isa 8. 16. Binde up the Testimony seal the Law among my disciples Ezek. 20. 19 20. I am the Lord your God walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and do them and hallow my Sabbaths and they shall be a signe between me and you that ye may know that I am the Lord your God 4. The meanes which doth bring men to the Covenant is that which begetteth Faith the meanes which doth confirm and keep men in the Covenant is that which increaseth and strengtheneth Faith and the meanes which doth reclaim men from the breach of the Covenant is that which doth chastise unbelief and disobedience 5. To beget Faith the ordinance of Preaching h is appointed h Rom. 10. 14. How shall they beleeve in him of whom they have not heard and how shall they heare without a Preacher v. 17. So then faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God To confirm it i the same ordinance is to be used i 1 Pet. 2. 2. Desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby together with the ordinance of k Prayer k Act. 6. 4. But we will give our selves continually unto Prayer and to the ministry of the Word and the right use of l Baptism l Mat. 28. 19. Baptizing them in the name of the Father c. Act. 2. 40. Then they that gladly received the word were baptized and the m Lords supper m Act. 2. 41. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and in prayer and the fellowship of the Saints by their n assemblies n Heb. 10. 25. Not forsaking the Assembling of our selves together c. and by the supporting of one another in their o burthens o Gal. 6. 2. Beare ye one anothers burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ And to reclaim the disobedient from the breach of the Covenant the rod p of Discipline p 1 Cor. 4. 21. Shall I come with a Rod c. and weapons of q Revenge are appointed q 2 Cor. 10. 6. Having in a readinesse to Revenge all disobedience 6. These ordinances are not to be concealed but by the publike profession r of the Gospel administred in the Church r Mat. 5. 14. Ye are the light of the world a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid v. 15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushell v. 16. Let your light shine so before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven 7. The ordinances of Government are to be administred by those who are intrusted with the s Keyes of the kingdome of heaven whose authority is to binde or loose and to remit or retain sinnes according to the revealed will of God ministerially s Mat. 16. 19. And I will give thee the Keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shal be bound in heaven whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven Joh. 20. 23. Whosoever sinnes ye remit they are remitted unto them and whosoever sinnes ye retain they are retained The key of Knowledge must alwayes make way for the key of Discipline because the weapons of Righteousnesse must first lead the minds of men captive and convict their consciences t before they be made use of to revenge disobedience t 2 Cor. 10. 4 5. The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought unto the obedience of Christ and having in a readinesse to revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled Luk. 11. 52. Ye have taken away the key of knowledge c. CHAP. IV. Concerning the office imployment of the Pastor and Teacher 1. THat Christ Jesus hath appointed Pastors and Teachers to be officers in his Church is evident from Joh. 10. 1 2. the Sheep-fold the Shepherd of the sheep Ephes 4. 11. He gave some Pastors and Teachers 2. That to these officers the whole work and effect of the ordinary Administration is committed is also evident from Ephes 4 11 till 17. where next unto the extraordinary officers of the church who are Apostles Prophets and Evangelists the ordinary who are Pastors and Teachers are ranked unto whom together with the others all is ascribed that is to be done concerning the Church Therefore the extraordinary officers ceasing all is committed unto the ordinary administration which resteth upon these 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3 4. Feed the flock 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shepherdize the flock 3. That these officers are distinct from Ruling Elders and that Ruling Elders are subordinate unto their imployment is cleer from 1 Tim. 5. 17. The Elders that Rule well especially they that labour in the word and doctrine That they are also distinct from Deacons and that these are subordinate unto them in like manner is cleer from Act. 6. 2 3 4. It is not reason we should leave the Word and serve tables Look out men whom we may appoint over this busines but we will give our selves to Prayer and to the ministery of the Word 4. That in the work of the Ministery the duties of the Pastor and Teacher are to be jointly performed doth appeare by this that the Pastors according to Gods heart do feed the people with knowledge and understanding Jer. 3. 15. Then also reproofs rebukes and exhortations which are the proper work of the Pastor must be performed with all long suffering and doctrine which is the proper work of the Teacher 2 Tim. 4. 2. 5. That the speciall gifts and proper works of both these are neverthelesse distinct is also apparent from Rom. 12. 6 7 8. Having gifts differing He that teacheth on teaching He that exhorteth on exhortation And 1 Cor. 12. 8. To one is given the word of wisdome which is the Pastoral to another the word of knowledge which is the Doctoral gift 6. So then the Pastoral office doth eminently contain the use of all other offices for all that is to be done by the Teacher or by the Ruling Elder or the Deacon is to be subservient unto this care and in case these officers be wanting the Pastor is to do all by himself even as the Apostles did the work of the Deacons before those officers were chosen Act. 4. 34 35. They laid down the prices at the Apostles feet and distribution was made And when all these do their duties he ought carefully to concurre with them therein Rom. 12. 5. We being many are one body and every one members one of another 1 Cor. 12. 20. They are many members yet but one body vers 25. The members should have the
condescend one to another to partake of the same each with other and consequently no man ought to stand alone in the profession 34. So then every Minister of the Gospel in the duties of his Ministerial charge is bound in conscience to maintain a Brotherly communion and correspondency with his neighbour Ministers chiefly in matters of common and publike concernment So that every one is bound to ask the question which the Spouse proposeth unto Christ in the Canticles chap. 1. 7. Tell me O thou whom my soule loveth where thou feedest where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon And then to follow the duty prescribed in e the Answer e Cant. 1. 8. Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock and feed thy kids besides the shepherds tents 35. By which means all the Congregations of Professours will be as they ought to be co-ordinate unto each other as companies of horses in Pharaohs chariots Cant. 1. 9. combined in the same warfare for the same Kings service 36. Now this conjunction and co-ordination of Churches by the brotherly combination of their Leaders as it may not prejudge the liberty which they have in Christ so it should oblige them to a right use of that liberty to make it serviceable unto each other in the communion of Saints 37. It cannot be serviceable to this end and binding without a free willing mutuall agreement of Brethren to walk in the same publike wayes First of Doctrine and of Worship for the honour of God secondly of Government for the good of Believers to strengthen them in the way of the Heavenly calling Thirdly of Discipline for the rooting out of vice and scandals which dishonour the profession 38. To make this agreement free and mutuall there must be some Assemblies and Conferences setled and these so ordered that all things shall be carried with that equality that none shall have cause to think himself borne down or excluded from his right or past by and concluded without his consent in matters which do concern him 39. And to do this two things must needs be determined First what the orderly constitution of the Assemblies must be in their Members and method of handling matters by way of conference Secondly what the matters are which they should meddle withall and what the things are which they should not meddle withall 40. In all which besides that which is cleerly to be gathered from the word of God the practises and the tryed courses of the Reformed churches should be taken into consideration and prudentially applied unto the circumstances of our present condition Wherein I beseech God to direct us to his glory in the advancement of our peace Amen CHAP. V. Concerning the office and imployment of Ruling Elders THat Ruling a Elders are officers in the Church of God may be cleerly gathered from Rom. 12. 8. He that ruleth with diligence a 1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double-honour chiefly those that labour in the word and doctrine 1 Cor. 12. 28. God hath set in the Church Governments 2. That they are officers distinct from other officers is also plain from the same place chiefly from that of 1 Tim. 5. 17. and from Rom. 12. 4 6. compared with 8. For in 1 Tim. 5. 17. he doth mention two sorts of Elders first in the generall those that rule well secondly more distinctly those that in bearing rule labour in the word and doctrine And in Rom. 12. 4. the Apostle saith that there are many members in the body of the Church and that they have not all of them the same offices then v. 6. he saith that the gifts of grace which makes men capable of offices are different and then in the latter part of v. 6. and v. 7. 8. he sheweth what the particular differences of offices are amongst which he reckoneth up that of Ruling from whence it followeth that the Ruler is not only an officer but a different officer from the others named in that place 3. The nature of the office belonging to them may be understood 1. By the names given to it 2. By the things about which it is conversant 3. By the end which it hath in being conversant thereabout 4. By the parts of the work to be done in it First the Names given to these Elders are Rulers Governours Overseers Stewards The name of Ruler in the originall is twofold one doth import Superiority another Action the first is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the second 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both are translated Rulers but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth properly signifie one that standeth over others in authority and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth properly signifie one that doth lead and guide others in the way wherein they ought to walk The name of Governour doth signifie one that giveth directions and addresses whereby others are ordered in a course as a ship by him that sitteth at the helm thereof The name of Overseer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth import both authority and action by the inspection which a Superior doth take of one that is under his charge The name of Steward doth signifie one that is to see the laws and orders of his Masters house observed and hath the keyes thereof committed unto his keeping 2. The Things about which the charge is conversant are in generall the Church and such as may be gained thereunto Which is the spirituall b house and tabernacle of God b Ephes 2. 21 22. It viz. the building groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord an habitation of God through the Spirit the body c of Christ q 1 Cor. 12. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular and the Kingdome which is not of this d world d Joh. 18. 36. My kingdome is not of this world and therefore is not to be governed by the lawes of this world nor can the officers thereof claim their calling and authority from this world nor ought they to meddle in their charge with the e affairs of this world e Luk. 12. 14. Who made me a Judge or a divider over you If Christ was no Judge or divider in worldly matters then none of his Officers as under him In particular this office is conversant about the Religious profession and life of those that belong in any respect to the Church whether they be in or out of office Thirdly the End wherefore the Elders are conversant about these things is that they should look both to the Church and to the Members thereof to edifie that and preserve it from scandals and to make these fit to walk worthy of the calling by which they are called in the Gospel 4. The parts of their work are the severall duties whereunto they are obliged which are chiefly these First in respect of God they are his f stewards f Tit. 1. v. 5. with 7. Thou shouldest ordain Elders in every city as I appointed thee if any be blamelesse
either single by themselves and not imbodyed with other professors or stand so imbodyed with some as to be disjoynted from other bodies of the same profession 13. Nor ought any Church-officers to take upon them such a In respect of their Officers Relation to any particular Body as to think themselves obliged unto none but unto the members thereof in their Ministeriall charges for if they do so they make themselves to be no joints in the body of Christ which every officer is bound to be and they hinder the compacting of the whole together which is contrary to the end of their imployment Ephes 4. 13. 16. and they open a door to the cunning craftinesse of men who lie in wait to deceive that it may seduce the simple and plain-hearted believer and unsettle him Ephes 4. 14. Rom. 16. 18. 14. All Christians applying themselves unto a particular Of the third head how beleevers should apply themselves to a particular Congregation congregation ought to come thereunto free willingly in the beauty of holinesse Psal 110. 3. and not upon any other considerations then the love of Holinesse Psal 84. 15. If any that are eminent in the world do stand upon the points of Honour thinking that they have a right to the priviledges of the kingdom of Christ by reason of their places in the world and that it would be unbeseeming to them to offer themselves to be admitted into a particular congregation They do greatly mistake the nature of Gods kingdom the state of true Honour for none are truly excellent honourable but h Saints h Psal 16. 3. The Saints that are in the earth and to the excellent in whom is all my delight and the Godly whom God hath set apart for himself Psal 4. 2 3. Now the Kingdome of Christ is not of this world Ioh. 18. 37. nor can it be entertained with the worldly respects i of persons i Jam. 2. 1 2. My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons For if there come into your Assembly a man with a gold ring in goodly apparell and there come in also a poore man in vile raiment v. 3. and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay cloathing and say unto him Sit thou here in a good place and say to the poor Stand thou there or sit here under my footstoole v. 4. are ye not then partiall in your selves and become judges of evill thoughts Because the world and all that is in it is either wholly opposite k unto Christianity and doth lie in wickednesse 1 Joh. 5. 19. k Gal. 6. 14. But God forbid that I should glory save in the crosse of the Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world 1 Cor. 3. 19. The wisdome of this world is foolishnesse with God or else at the best l subordinate unto it l 1 Cor. 3. 22. whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods As if he had said Christ is subordinate unto God ye are subordinate unto Christ the world and all things in it are subordinate to your use in reference to Christ Therefore it can be no disparagement to any in the world to apply themselves to Christ in his ordinances but it will be their greatest honour to exalt him for such as confesse him before men he will confesse before his heavenly Father and his holy Angels Mat. 10. 32. Luk. 12. 8. 16. Nor do the Saints by their profession of being separate from the world make voyd any of the lawes of nature because they are commanded to be subject unto every ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2. 13. And the Lord of glory himselfe though not bound did submit by paying tribute unto the ordinance of Caesar Mat. 17. 24 25 26 27. and hath commanded all to give unto Caesar what is Caesars and unto God what is Gods Mat. 22. 15. till v. 22. Now to Caesar is due m submission and n honour m Rom. 13. 1. Let every soule be subject to the Higher powers 1 Pet. 2. 13. Submit your selves unto the King as supreme or unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him n 1 Pet. 2. 17. Honour the King As then by the Kingdom of Christ none of the great ones of the world lose any respect due unto them but rather receive an increase of Honour so they ought not to refuse to yield unto Christ the respect which is due unto Him and his Kingdom for by giving themselves up to it they are set above themselves that is out of the world and the respects of it 17. Every one then that will be called a Christian whatsoever they are amongst men it maketh no matter God accepteth no mans person is bound as a Christian to offer himself to be imbodyed into a Congregation and to partake of the priviledges of the houshold of Faith and ought professedly to o subject himself unto the Gospel o 2 Cor. 9. 13. They glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ and give p himself over unto the Lord and by the will of God unto that Eldership whereunto he doth make his application p 2 Cor. 8. 5. They gave their own selves unto the Lord and unto us by the will of God Act. 2. 41 42. There was added viz. unto the Church three thousand soules and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers 18. Such as offer themselves in this manner unto the Eldership And how they should be received therein ought to be received without much q difficulty or scrupulosity q Rom. 14. 1. Him that is weak in the Faith receive you but not to doubtfull disputations even as Christ r received us r Rom. 15. 7. Receive ye one another as Christ also received us to the glory of God And such as come to him he saith he will in no wise cast out Joh. 6. 37. 19. Now concerning the outward form and manner of admitting Professors unto the holy Communion and distinguishing them from those that are without we find nothing distinctly enjoyned in the Word or extant in the practice of the Apostles Therefore that which may concern this matter is conceived to be left free unto the discretion of the Eldership as they shall think it most fit for the edification and capacity of those with whom they have to do And herein the customes of the Reformed churches in respect of circumstantials are found to be different yet in the main their agreement is this 1. That every one who for the first time is to be admitted unto the Holy communion is to be examined in respect of his knowledge and conversation although from his infancie he hath been borne baptized and bred in the