acquaint themselves with the outward condition of those that appear to be poor and needy in the Church whether by the addresses of such poor ones who are bound to make known their wants occasions and necessities unto them or by the information of others or their own observation Secondly to acquaint the Elders and the Church as occasion requireth with the necessities of the poor under their care that those who are able may be stirred up by the Elders to a free supply and contribution Thirdly To dispose what they are entrusted with faithfully cheerfully tenderly with partiality or preferring one before another for any outward respect whatever Fourthly To keep and give an account unto the Church when called for of what they have received and how they have disposed of it that so they may be known to have well discharged their Office that is with care wisdom and tenderness whereby they procure to themselves a good degree with boldness in the faith and the Church is encouraged to entrust them farther with this sacrifice of their almes which is so acceptable unto God Quest. 24. Wherein consists the general duty of the whole Church and every member thereof in their proper station and condition Answ. In performing doing and kéeping inviolate all the commands and institutions of Iesus Christ walking unblameably and fruitfully in the World holding forth the Word of truth and glorifying the Lord Christ in and by the profession of his name and kéeping his testimony unto the end Matth. 28.20 Acts 2.42 Phil 2.15 16. Chap. 4.8 9. 1 Thes. 3.8 1 Pet. 4.10 11 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 10.23 Explication Besides the general duties of Christianity incumbent on all Believers or Disciples of Christ as such there are sundry especial duties required of them as gathered into Church societies upon the account of an especial trust committed unto them in that state and condition For First the Church being appointed as the seat and subject of all the institutions of Christ and ordinances of Gospel worship it is its duty that is of the whole body and every member in his proper place to use all care watchfulness and diligence that all the commands of Christ be kept inviolate and all his institutions observed according to his mind and will Thus those added to the Church Acts 2.42 Together with the whole Church continued stedfastly which argues care circumspection and diligence in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers Which principal duties are enumerated to express their respect towards all This is their standing fast in the Lord which was a matter of such joy to the Apostle when he found it in the Thessalonians 1 Ephe. 3.8 For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. That order and stedfastness which he rejoyced over in the Colossians Chap. 2.5 For though I am absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit joying and boholding your order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. And where this duty is despised men contenting themselves with what is done by others there is a great neglect of that faithfulness in obedience which the Church owes unto Jesus Christ. Secondly the Glory of the Lord Christ and the doctrine of the Gospel to be manifested in and by the power of an holy exemplary conversation is committed unto the Church and all the members of it This is one end wherefore the Lord Christ calls them out of the World separates them to be a peculiar people unto himself brings them forth unto a visible profession and puts his name upon them namely that in their walking and conversation he may shew forth the holiness of his doctrine and power of his spirit grace and example to effect in them all holiness godlyness righteousness and honesty in the World Hence are they earnestly exhorted unto these things Phil. 4.8.9 Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue if their be any praise think on these things and that to this end that the doctrine of the Gospel may be adorned and Christ glorified in all things Tit. 2.10 And those who fail herein are said to be Enemies of the cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 As hindring the progress of the doctrine thereof by representing it undesirable in their conversation This also therefore even the dutie of universal holiness with an especial regard unto the honour of Christ and the Gospel which they are called and designed to testifie and express in the World is incumbent on the Church and every member of it namely as the Apostle speaks that they be blameless and harmless the sons of God without rebukes in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom they are to shine as lights in the World Phil. 2.15 Thirdly the care of declaring and manifesting the truth is also committed unto them Christ hath made the Church to be the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 where the truth of the Gospel is so firmly seated founded fixed established and then lifted up in the wayes of Christs appointment to be seen discerned and known by others And as this is done principally in the preaching of the Gospel by the Elders of the Church and in their contending for the truth once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. So it is also the duty of the whole Church to hold forth the word of life Phill. 2.16 by ministring of the gift that every man hath received 1 Peter 4.10 In the way of Christs appointment In these and the like instances doth our Lord Jesus require of his Church that they express in the World their subjection unto him and his authority and that they abide therein unto the end against all opposition whatever The sinful neglect of Churches in the discharge of their duty herein was one great means of that Apostacy from the rule of the Gospel which they generally of old fell into When the members of them began to think that they had no advantage by their state and condition but only the outward participation of some Ordinance of worship and no duty incumbent on them but only to attend and follow the motions and actings of their Guides the whole societies quickly became corrupt and fit to be disposed of according to the carnal interest of those that had by their neglect and sin gotten dominion over them And at all times as the people were negligent in their duty the Leaders of them were apt to usurp undue authority When the one sort will not do that which they ought the other are ready to take upon them what they ought not It is a circumspect performance of duty on all hands alone that will keep all sorts of persons in the Church within those bounds and limits and up to those rights and priviledges which Christ hath allotted and granted unto them
is not ashamed to call them Brethren Heb. 2.11 being by him born of God and from their participation of one and the self same Spirit which dwelleth in them as they are the Temple of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in them 1 Cor. 3.16 as also in all the fruits of that one Spirit 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6 7 8. and in that one faith and hope whereunto they are called Eph. 4.4 5 6. endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace there is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all And that love which is not built on these principles and foundations is not Evangelical whatever other ground it may have or occasion it may pretend unto Communion of Saints consists in their mutuall love duly exercised according to rule and all communion is an effect of Union In Union therefore must lye the springs of love and this consists in a joynt incorporation of Believers into Christ for as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ for by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body and this they have by the means before mentioned namely their adoption faith and inhabitation of the Spirit Now in the joint celebration of the Ordinances of Gods worship they altogether make profession of these principles and act that one faith hope and love jointly whereof they are made partakers and thereby grow up more and more into the head by that which every joint supplieth Eph. 4.16 and some of them are peculiarly designed by the Lord Christ for the testification of their love and union among themselves 1 Cor. 10.16 17. the cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ as we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread Qu. 12. What is principally to be attended unto by us in the manner of the celebration of the worship of God and observation of the institutions and Ordinances of the Gospel Answ. That we observe and do all whatsoever the Lord Christ hath commanded us to observe in the way that he hath prescribed and that we add nothing unto or in the observation of them that is of mans invention or appointment Deut. 4.2 chap. 12.32 Jer. 7.27 Maâ— 15.9 13. Mat. 17.5 Coloss. 2.3 Mat. 28.20 Heb. 3.3 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 11.23 Rev. 22.18 1 Chron. 16.13 Isa. 29.13 Explication This was in part spoken to before on the third Question where it was shewed that the Scripture is the only way and means whereby God hath revealed what that worship is which he will accept in and of the Church Here moreover as to the duty of the Church in this matter three things are asserted First That we are to observe and do all whatsoever the Lord Christ hath commanded us to observe This lyes plain in the command Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And we are directed unto it in the injunction given us from Heaven to hear that is obey him in all things Mat. 17.5 he being the Prophet to whose teachings and instructions we owe obedience on pain of extermination from among the people of God Deut. 18.15 Act. 3.22 23. Whatever he hath appointed commanded revealed as the will of God to be observed in or about the worship of God that is to be kept and observed by the Church inviolably For if we are his Friends and Disciples we will keep his commandments No disuse of what continuance soever can discharge us from the observation of institutions After the Feast of Tabernacles had been disused from the times of Joshua unto the return from the captivity the restoration of it was required of God and accepted with him Neh. 8.17 No abuse of how high a nature soever can absolve us from obedience unto an institution 1 Cor. 18.19 20 21 22 23. After the great abuse of the Lords Supper in that Church the Apostle recalls them again unto the observation of it according to the institution of Christ. And after the defilement of all the Ordinances of the Gospel under the Anti-Christian apostacy yet the Temple and the Altar are to be measured again Rev. 11.1 and the Tabernacle of God was again to be raised amongst men Rev. 21.3 No opposition no persecution can give the Church a dispensation wholly to omit and lay aside the use of any thing that the Lord Christ hath commanded to be observed in the worship of God whilest we are under the obligation of that great rule Acts 4.19 Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye It is true in the observation of positive institutions we may have regard unto rules and prescriptions of prudence as to times places and seasons that by no inadvertency or miscarriage of ours or advantage taken by the adversaries of the truth the edification of the Church be hindred So the Disciples met with the doors shut for fear of the Jewes John 20.19 and Paul met with the Disciples in the night in an upper chamber for the celebration of all the Ordinances of the Church Acts 20.7 8. yet as to the obligation unto their observation it indispensably binds us and that alwayes and that as to all the institutions of Christ whatever Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching To dispence with Christs commands practically is unlawfull much more doctrinally most of all authoritatively as the Pope takes on himself to do This then is the Churches duty to search out all the commands of Christ recorded in the Gospel and to yield obedience unto them We are not in this matter to take up meerly with what we find in practice amongst others no though they be men good or holy The duty of the Church and consequently of every member of it in his place and station is to search the Scriptures to inquire into the mind of Christ and to find out whatever is appointed by him or required of his Disciples and that with hearts and minds prepared unto a due observation of whatever shall be discovered to be his will Secondly Whatever belongs unto the worship of God in the way or manner whereby any of the Ordinances of Christ is to be performed comes also under the command of Christ which is duly to be attended unto and observed Indeed whatever is of this nature appoinâ—ed by Christ it doth therefore belong to the worship of God And what is not so appointed neither doth nor can
be any part thereof Of this nature are the celebration of all other Ordinances with prayer for every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer 1 Tim. 4.5 of some of them indispensably in the assemblies of the Church 1 Cor. 10.16 17. Chap. 11.20 24 25 33. With care in the observation of the general rules of love modesty condescention and prudence doing all things decently and in order 1 Cor. 11.33 Chap. 14.40 Gestures in some sacred actions Mat. 26.20 26. John 13.23 All which the Church is diligently to inquire into as things that belong to the pattern of the house of God the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof the forms thereof and the Ordinances thereof with the Laws thereof promised to be shewed unto it Ezek. 43.11 to attend carefully to their observation is its duty being left at liberty as to all other circumstances which no authority of man can give any real relation to the worship of God unto Therein lyes the exercise of that Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of the mysterie of the Gospel which is given unto the Church Ephes. 1.17 18. It was the wisdom of the antient Church to do and observe all that God appointed in the way and manner that he had prescribed for their observance Deut. 4.5 6. Behold I have taught you statutes and judgements even as the Lord my God commanded me keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdom and understanding And herein is the command of Christ kept inviolate and unblameable The perswasion of some that the Lord hath not prescribed all things wherein his worship is concerned seems to proceed from a negligence in inquiring after what he hath so prescribed and when once that perswasion is entertained all farther inquiry is superseded and despised For to what end should any one seek after that which he is satisfied cannot be found as that which is not cannot be But this mistake will be elsewhere more fully discovered Thirdly A principal part of the duty of the Church in this matter is to take care that nothing be admitted or practised in the Worship of God or as belonging thereunto which is not instituted and appointed by the Lord Christ. In its care faithfulness and watchfulness herein consists the principal part of its loyalty unto the Lord Jesus as the Head King and Law-giver of his Church and which to stir us up unto he hath left so many severe interdictions and prohibitions in his word against all additions to his commands upon any pretence whatever of which afterwards Qu. 13. Are not some Institutions of the New Testament ceased as unto any obligation unto their observation and therefore now rightly disused Answ. 1. Some Symbolical tokens of moral duties occasionally used only for present instruction in those duties are mentioned in the Gospel without any intention to oblige Believers unto the formal constant use or repetition of them And 2. Some temporary appointments relating unto gifts in the Church bestowed only for a season in the first plantation of the Gospel are ceased but 3. No institution or command of Christ given unto the whole Church relating unto the Evangelical administration of the New Covenant for the use and benefit of all Believers doth or shall cease to the end of the World nor can be wholly omitted without a violation of the authority of Iesus Christ himself John 13.12 13 14 15. Rom. 16.16 1 Cor. 16.20 1 Tim. 5.10 Mark 6.13 Jam. 5.14 Matth. 28.20 1 Tim. 6.14 1 Cor. 11.16 Explication Mention is made in the Scriptures of sundry things practised by the Lord Christ and his Apostles which being then in common use amongst men were occasionally made by them Symbolical instructions in moral duties Such were washing of feet by one another the holy kiss and the like but there being no more in them but a sanctâ—fied use directed unto the present civil customes and usages the commands given concerning them respect not the outward action nor appointed any continuance of them being peculiarly suited unto the state of things and Persons in those Countries as John 13.12 13 14 15. After he had washed their feet and had taken his garments and was set down again he said unto them know ye what I have done to ye ye call me Master and Lord and ye say well for so I am if I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet ye also ought to wash one anothers feet for I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you 'T is evident that it is the moral duty of brotherly love in condescention and mutual helpfulness to be expressed in all necessary offices as occasion doth require that is the thing which Jesus Christ here enjoyneth his Disciples and leads them to by his own example in an office of love then in use in those parts The same is to be said of the holy kiss Rom. 16.16 which was a temporary occasional token of entire love which may in answer thereunto be expressed by any sober usage of salutation amongst men to the same purpose But the things themselves were not instituted for any continuance nor do represent any special grace of the New Covenant which is inseperable from every institution of Gospel worship properly so called Common usages or practises therefore directed to be used in a due manner and unto a proper end where they are used make them not institutions of worship Neither have they in them as so commanded or directed any one thing that concurs to the constitution of a Gospel-Ordinance for neither had they their rise in the authority of Christ nor is any continuance of them enjoyned nor any promise annexed unto them nor any grace of the New Covenant represented or exhibited in them Besides there were in the first Churches continued for a while certain extraordinary gifts that had their effects visibly on the outward senses of men and tended not immediately unto the edification of the Church in their faith but unto the conviction of others and vindication of the authority of them by whom the Gospel was Preached and propagated Such was that gift of healing the sick which being an especial effect of the Holy-Ghost for the advantage of the Church in those dayes in some places it was accompanied by anointing with Oyle but this being no universal practice and used only in the exercise of a gift extraordinary whose use and being are long since ceased it never was appointed nor intended to be of continuance in the Church which is not tyed by the Lord Christ to the empty signs and shadows of things whose substance is not enjoyed besides no spiritual grace of the Covenant was ever intimated sealed or exhibited by that usage of anointing with Oyle The first mention of it is Mark 6.13 where its practice is reckoned among the effects of that extraordinary power which the Lord Christ committed unto his twelve Disciples on their first
26.16 19. these are sufficient intimations of what care and diligence we ought to use in attending unto what God hath appointed in his worship and although now under the new Testament he doth not ordinarily proceed to the inflicting of temporal judgements in thâ— like cases of neglect yâ—â— he hath not wholly left us without instances of his putting forth tokens of his displeasure in temporal visitations on such miscarriages in his Church 1 Cor. 11.30 For this cause saith the Apostle many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep From all which it appeares of what concernment it is unto the glory of God and the salvation of our own souls to attend diligently unto our duty in the strict and sincere observation of the worship of the Gospel for he lets us know that now a more severe punishment is substituted against such transgressions in the room of that which he so visibly inflicted under the old Testament Heb. 10.25 26 27 28 29. Qu. 16. Is there yet any other consideration that may stir up Beleivers to an holy and religious care about the due observation of the institutions of the Gospel Answ. Yea namely that the great apostacy of the Church in the last dayes foretold in the Scripture and which God threatneth to punish and revenge consists principally in false worship and a departure from the institutions of Christ. Rev. 14.4 5. Chap. 17.1 2 3 5. Explication That there is an Apostacy of the Church foretold in the book of the Revelations is acknowledged by all who with sincerity have inquired into the minde of God therein The state of things at this day and for many ages past in the World sufficiently confirm that perswasion And herein sundry things in general are obvious unto every sober consideration thereof First the horrible evils troubles and confusions that are to be brought into and upon the World thereby Secondly the high guilt and provocation of God that is contained in it and doth accompany it Thirdly the dreadful vengeance that God in his appointed time will take upon all the promoters and obstinate maintainers of it These things are at large all of them foretold in the Revelation and therein also the Apostacy it self is set forth as the cause of all the plagues and destructions that by the righteous judgement of God are to be brought upon the World in these latter dayes Now as God doth earnestly call upon all that fear him not to intermeddle nor partake in the sins of the Apostates lest they should also partake in their judgements Chap. 18.4 I heard a voice from Heaven saying come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues So he doth plainly declare wherein the apostacy and sin it self should principally consist and that is in the corrupting and contaminating of the Ordinances of his worship or the introduction of false worship joyned with the persecution of them who refused to submit thereunto For this cause is the sin it self set out under the name of fornication and whoredome and the Church that maintains it is called the Mother of Harlots Chap. 17.5 That by fornication and whoredome in the Church the adulterating of the worship of God and the admission of false self-invented worship in the room thereof whereof God is jealous is intended the Scripture every where declares It is easie then to gather of how great concernment unto us it is especially in these latter dayes wherein this so hainous and provoking sin is prevalent in the World carefully to attend unto the safe unerring rule of Worship and diligently to perform the duties that are required therein Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God Answ. 1. The calling gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship 2. Prayer with thanksgiving 3. Singing of Psalms 4. Preaching the word 5. Administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. 6. Discipline and rule of the Church collected and setled most of which have also sundry particular duties relating unto them and subservient unto their due observation 1. Matth. 28.19 20. Acts 2.41 42. 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephes. 4.11 12. Matth. 18.17 18 19. 1 Cor. 4.17 1 Cor. 7.17 Acts 14.23 Titus 1.5 1 Tim. 3.15 2. 1 Tim. 2.1 Acts 6.4 Acts 13.2 3. 3. Ephes. 5.19 Colos. 3.16 4. 2 Tim. 4.2 Acts 2.42 1 Cor. 14.3 Acts 6.2 Heb. 13.7 5. Matth. 28.19 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 6. Matth. 18.17 18 19. Rom. 12.6 7 8. Rev. 2.3 Explication These things being all of them afterwards to be spoken unto severally and apart need not here any particular Explication They are the principal heads wherein Gospel-worship consisteth and whereunto the particular duties of it may be reduced Qu. 18. Whereas sundry of these things are founded in the light and law of nature as requisite unto all solemn worship and are moreover commanded in the moral Law and explications of it in the Old Testament how do you look upon them as Evangelical institutions to be observed principally on the authority of Jesus Christ Answ. Neither their general suitableness unto the principles of right reason and the dictates of the light and law of nature nor the practice of them in the worship of God under the Old Testament do at all hinder them from depending on the meer institution of Iesus Christ as to those especial ends of the â—â—â—ry of God in and by himself and the edification of his Church in the faith which is in him whereunto he hath appointed them Nor as unto that especial manner of their performance which he requireth in which respects they are to be observed on â—he account of his authority and command only Matth. 17.5 Matth. 28. â—0 John 16.23 24. Heb. 3.4 5 6. Ephes. 1.22 Chap. 2.20 21 22. Heb. 12.25 Explication The principal thing we are to aim at in the whole worship of God is the discharge of that duty which we owe to Jesus Christ the King and head of the Church Heb. 3.6 Christ as a Son over his own house whose house are we 1 Tim. 3.15 That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the Church of the living God This we cannot do unless we consider his authority as the formal reason and cause of our observance of all that we do therein If we perform any thing in the worship of God on any other account it is no part of our obedience unto him and so we can neither expect his grace to assist us nor have we his promise to accept us therein for that he hath annexed unto our doing and observing whatever he hath commanded and that because he hath commanded us Matth. 28 20. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and loe I am with you alwayes even
therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the Holy-Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Pet. 5.2 The Elders which are among you I exhort feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof 1 Tim. 3.15 Colos. 4.17 And say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it They were the Churches of Christ wherein they ministred which Christ appointing them to take care of manifests to be his own institution and appointment And this is fully declared Rev. chap. 2.3 where all the dealings of Christ with his Angels or Ministers are about their behaviour and deportment among his Candlesticks each of them the Candlestick whereunto he was related or the particular Churches that they had care of and presided in the Candlesticks being no less of the institution of Christ than the Angels And they were distinct particular Churches which had their distinct particular Officers whom he treateth distinctly withall about his institutions and worship especially about that of the state of the Churches themselves and their constitution according to his mind Secondly There is no instruction exhortation or reproof given unto any of the Disciples of Christ after his ascension in any of the books of the New Testament but as they were collected into and were members of such particular Churches This will be evidenced in the many instances of those duties that shall afterwards be insisted on And the Lord Christ hath not left that as a matter of liberty choice or conveniency which he hath made the foundation of the due manner of the performance of all those duties whereby his Disciples yield obedience unto his commands to his glory in the World Sixthly The principal writings of the Apostles are expresly directed unto such Churches and all of them intentionally 1 Cor. 1.1 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Colos. 1.2 chap. 4.16 1 Thes. 1.1 2 Thes. 1.1 Ephes. 1.1 compared with Acts 20.17 1 Pet. 5.2 or unto particular persons giving directions for their behaviour and duty in such Churches 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.5 So that the great care of the Apostles was about these Churches as the principal institution of Christ and that whereon the due observance of all his other commands doth depend Of what nature or sort these Churches were shall be afterwards evinced we here only manifest their institution by the authority of Christ. Seventhly Much of the writings of the Apostles in those Epistles directed to those Churches consists in rules precepts instructions and exhortations for the guidance and preservation of them in purity and order with their continuance in a condition of due obedience unto the Lord Christ. To this end do they so fully and largely acquaint the Rulers and Members of them with their mutual duty in that especial relation wherein they stand to each other as also of all persons in particular in what is required of them by vertue of their Membership in any particular society as may be seen at large in sundry of Pauls Epistles And to give more strength hereunto our Lord Jesus Christ in the revelation that he made of his mind and will personally after his ascension into Heaven insisted principally about the condition order and preservation of particular Churches not taking notice of any of his Disciples not belonging to them or joyned with them These he warns reproves instructs threatens commands all in order unto their walking before him in the condition of particular Churches Rev. 2. and 3. at large Besides As he hath appointed them to be the â—eat and subject of all his Ordinances having granted the right of them unto them alone 1 Tim. 3 1â— intrusting them with the exercise of that authority which he puts forth in the rule of his Disciples in this World he hath also appointed the most holy institution of his supper to denote and express thâ—â— union and communion which the members of each of these Churches have by his Ordinance among themsevles 1 Cor. 10.17 The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ for we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread And also he gives out unto them the gifts and graces of his spirit to make every one of them meet for and useful in that place which he holds in such Churches as the Apostle discourseth at large 1 Cor. 12.15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26. verses Colos. 2.19 Eph. 4.16 It is manifest then that no Ordinance of Christ is appointed to be observed by his Disciples no communication of the gifts of the Holy-Ghost is promised to them no especial duty is required of them but with respect unto these Churches of his Institution In the Answer to this Question four things are declared tending to the Explication of the nature of a particular Church or Churches 1. The subject matter of them or the persons whereof such a Church doth or ought to consist 2. The means whereby they are brought into a condition capable of such an estate or qualified for it 3. The general ends of their calling 4. The especial means whereby they are constituted a Church which last will be spoken unto in the next Question For the first All men are by nature the children of wrath and do belong unto the World which is the Kingdom of Satan and are under the power of darkness as the Scripture every where declares In this state men are not subjects of the Kingdom of Christ nor meet to become members of his Church Out of this condition they cannot deliver themselves They have neither will unto it nor power for it but they are called out of it this calling is that which effectually delivers them from the Kingdom of Satan and translates them into the Kingdom of Christ. And this work or effect the Scripture on several accounts variously expresseth Sometimes by Regeneration or a new birth sometimes by conversion or turning unto God sometimes by vivification or quickening from the dead sometimes by illumination or opening of the eyes of the blind all which are carryed on by sanctification in holiness and attended with Justification and adoption And as these are all distinct in themselves having several formal reasons of them so they all concur to compleat that effectuall vocation or calling that is required to constitute persons members of the Church For besides that this is signified by the typical holiness of the Church of old into the room whereof reall holiness was to succeed under the new Testament Exod. 19.6 Psal. 24 3 4 5 6. Psal. 15.1 2. Isa. 35.8 9. Isa. 54.13 Chap. 60.21 1 Pet. 2.9 our Lord Jesus Christ hath laid it down as an everlasting rule that unless a man be born again
Church was eminently reformed Now although the outward solemnity and ceremonies of this covenant were peculiar unto that people yet as to the substance and nature of it in a sacred consent for the performance of all those duties towards God and one another which the nature and edification of a Church do require it belongs to every Church as such even under the Gosple And this is the way whereby Beleivers or the Disciples of Christ do enter into this state the formal constituting cause of any Church This account doth the Apostle give of the Churches of the Macedonians 2 Cor. 8.5 And this they did not as we hoped but first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God before the performance of other duties and in order thereunto they first gave themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ or took upon themselves the observance of his commands and institutions which is the intendment of that expression Among these commands one was that they should give up themselves to the Apostles doctrine Rule and government in the order by Christ prescribed that is in Church order This therefore they did by the will of God according to his will and appointment This description doth the Apostle give of the way whereby the Believers of Macedonia were brought into Churches It was by their own obedience unto the will of God consenting agreeing and taking upon themselves the observation of all the commands and institutions of Christ according to the direction and guidance of the Apostles So did the Believers at Jerusalem Acts 2.41 42. Being converted by the word and making profession of that conversion in their Baptism they gave up themselves to a stedfast continuance in the observation of all other Ordinances of the Gospel Besides the Church is an house a Temple the house of God 1 Tim. 3.15 The house of Christ Heb. 3.6 The Temple of God Ephe. 2.21 22. Believers singly considered are stones living stones 1 Peter 2.5 Now how shall these living stones come to be an house a Temple can it be by occasional occurrences civil cohabitation in political precincts usage or custome of assembling for some parts of worship in any place these things will never frame them into a house or Temple This can be no otherwise done but by-their own voluntary consent and disposition Ephe. 2.19 20 21 22. Ye are fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the household of God and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit Chap. 4.16 From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love From these and sundry other places it is manifest that the way and means of Believers coalition into a Church-state is their own obedience of faith acting it self in a joynt voluntary consent to walk together in an holy observation of the commands of Christ whence the being and union of a particular Church is given unto any convenient number of them by his Law and constitution Qu. 21. Seeing the Church is a society or spiritual incorporation of persons under rule government or Discipline declare who or what are the rulers governors or Officers therein under Jesus Christ An. They have been of two sorts 1 extraordinary appointed for a season only and 2 ordinary to continue unto the end of the World Qu. 22. Who are the extraordinary Officers or Rulers or Ministers of the Church appointed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ therein for a season only An. 1 The Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ with 2 the Evangelists and Prophets indowed with extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost associated with them and employed by them in their work and Ministry 1 Math. 10.2 3. Acts 1.26 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 2 Luke 10.1 2 Tim. 4.5 Titus 1.5 Acts 11.27 28. Acts 21.9 10 11. 2. Cor. 1.1 Explication That the Church is a Spiritual corporation attended with rule and government is evident from the nature of the thing it self and testimonies of Scripture Only as the Kingdome of Christ is not of this World or Worldly so this rule and government of the Church is not mearly external and secular but spiritual Neither doth this rule at all belong unto it merely as materially considered in men yielding obedience unto the call which is the foundation of the Church nor absolutely as it is formally constituted a Church by the consent and agreement described but moreover it is required that it be organically compleat with Officers or rulers now to the constitution of such a society or corporation there is required First that the persons whereof it is constituted do consent together into it for the attaining of the ends which they design Without this no society of any kind can exist This is the form of mens coalescencie into societyes And that there is in the Church such a consent and agreement hath been shewed Secondly that there be Rules or Laws for the guidance and direction of all the Members of the society in order to their pursuit of the proper ends of it That such Rules or Lawes are given and prescribed by the Lord Christ unto the Church will afterwards appear in our consideration of them in particular so that the Church is a society of men walking according unto Rule or Law for the attaining of the ends of the society Thirdly that there be Authority instituted for to see to the due Observation of these Rules and Lawes of the society which consists in this 1 That some be appointed to Rule and Govern in the Church 2 Others to Obey and be Ruled or Governed both according to the Laws of the society and not otherwise And both these are eminently found in this Church-state as we shall see in the ensuing Question with their Answers and Explications Now that these Officers or Rulers should be of two sorts both the nature of the thing it self required and so hath our Lord Jesus Christ appointed For when the Church was first to be called gathered and erected it was necessary that some Persons should 〈◊〉 extraordinarily employed in that work for ordinary Officers antecedent unto the calling and erection of the Church there could be none And therefore these pesons were in an extraordinary manner endowed with all that power which afterwards was to reside in the Churches themselves and moreover with that which was peculiarly needful unto the discharge and performance of that special duty and work that they were appointed unto But when Churches were called gathered erected and setled for continuance there was need of Officers suited to their state and condition called in an ordinary way that is
power consists in a relation unto the Church that they are set over so they are commanded to attend unto the service of the Churches wherein and whereunto they are so ordained Act. 20.28 1 Peter 1.2 And that with all diligence care and watchfulness as those that must give an account Heb. 13.17 which no man is able to do towards more Churches than one the same duty being at all times to be performed towards all And because the whole authority of the Elders Pastors or Bâ—shops of Churches is ministerial â— Cor. 4.1 consisting in a power of acting upon the command of Christ they are bound in their own persons to the discharge of their duty and Office without the least pretence of authority to delegate another or others to act their part or to do their duty which would be an effect of autocratorical authority and not of obedience or Ministry The latter way also of relation unto many Churches is unwarrantable For 1 It hath no warrant in the Scripture no Law nor constitution of Christ or his Apostles can be produced to give it countenance but Elders were ordained to their own Churches and commanded to attend unto them 2 No rule is given unto any Elders how they should behave themselves in reference unto more Churches than one in the exercise of their ministerial power as there are rules given unto every one for the discharge of that duty in the Church whereunto he is related 3 There is no example to give it countenance recorded in the Scripture 4 The authority to be put forth hath no foundation 1 Not in the gifts they have received for the ministerial power is not an absolute ability or faculty of doing what a man is able but a right whereby a man hath power to do that rightly and lawfully which before he could not do This gifts will not give to any for if they did they would do it to all that have received them 2 Not in their election for they are chosen in and by that Church whereunto they stand in especial relation whose choice cannot give ministerial power over any but themselves 3 Not in their setting apart by fasting prayer and imposition of hands for this is only unto that office work and power whereunto they are chosen They are not chosen for one end and set apart for another 4 Not from the Communion of Churches for that gives no new power but only a due exercise of that which was before received Qu. 27. What are the principal duties of the Pastors or Teachers of the Church An. 1 To be examples unto the flock in faith love knowledge méekness patience readiness to suffer for the name and Gospel of Christ with constancy therein 2 To watch for the souls and take care of all the spiritual concernments of the whole flock committed to them 3 To preach the word diligently dividing it aright 4 To preserve and contend for the truth 5 To administer all the Ordinances of the Gospel duly and orderly 6 To stir up and exercise the gifts they have received in the discharge of their whole work and administration of all Ordinances 7 To instruct admonish cherish and comfort all the Members of the Church as their conditions occasions and necessities do require 8 To attend with diligence skill and wisdome unto the discharge of that authority which in the rule of the Church is committed unto them 1 1 Tim. 3.10 11 13. Chap. 4.12 2 Tim. 2.3 Coloss. 1.24 Phil. 2.17 Chap. 3.17 2 Heb. 13.17 Acts 20.28 3 2 Tim. 2.15 2 Tim. 4.2 Rom. 12.6 7 8. 4 1 Tim. 6.20 Acts 20.28 Jude 3. 5 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 3.15 6 1 Tim. 4.14 15 16. 7 Acts 20.18 19 20 25 26. 1 Thes. 3.5 2 Tim. 2.24 25. 8 Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17 The answer is full and plain Qu. 28. Wherein principally doth the authority of the Elders of the Church consist An. 1 In that the Rule of the Church and the guidance thereof in things appertaining unto the worship of God is committed unto them And therefore 2 Whatever they do as Elders in the Church according unto rule they do it not in the name or authority of the Church by which their power is derived unto them nor as Members only of the Church by their own consent or covenant but in the name and authority of Iesus Christ from whom by virtue of his Law and Ordinance their ministerial office and power is received so that 3 In the exercise of any act of Church power by and with the consent of the Church there is an obligation thence procéeding which ariseth immediately from that authority which they have received of Iesus Christ which is the spring of all rule and authority in the Church 1 Acts 20.28 Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.2 1 Cor. 12.28 2 1 Tim. 3.5 Coloss. 4.17 2 Cor. 10.4 8. 3 1 Tim. 4.11 Titus 2.15 1 Peter 1.2 3 4 5. Explication The answer unto this Question explains the power or authority of the Elders of the Church from whom they do receive it and how it is exercised by them the right stating whereof is of great importance in the whole discipline of the Church and must therefore here be farther explained to this end we may consider First that all Church power is originally vested in Jesus Christ the sole head and Monarch thereof God the Father hath committed it unto him and intrusted him with it for the accomplishment of his work of mediation Matth. 28.18 Secondly that he doth communicate of this authority by way of trust to be exercised by them in his name unto persons by him appointed so much as is needful for the ordering and disposing of all things in his Churches unto the blessed ends for which he hath instituted and appointed them For no man can have any power in his Church for any end whatever but by delegation from him What is not received from him is meer usurpation And whoever takes upon himself the exercise of any Rule or Authority or power in the Church not granted unto them by him or not rightly derived from him is an oppressor a thief and a Robber this necessarily follows upon the absolute investiture of all power in him alone 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 12. Thirdly the means whereby the Lord Christ communicates this power unto men is by his Law and constitution whereby he hath granted ordained and appointed that such and such powers shall be exercised in his Church and that by such and such persons to be derived unto them in such a way and manner so that the word of the Gospel or the Laws and constitutions of the Lord Christ therein are the first recipient seat and subject morally of all Church power whatever Matth. 16.19 Matth. 18.18 19 20. Fourthly the way and means whereby any persons come to a participation of this power regularly according to the mind of Christ is by the obedience unto and due observation of his laws and commands
the Supper of the Lord Matth. 26.27 1 Cor. 11.25 and all these graces which they teach they also exhibit and are the means of the communication of them unto Beleivers Moreover the experience of all Beleivers who have conscientiously waited upon God in their due observance may be produced in the confirmation of it The instruction edification consolation Spiritual strength courage and resolution which they have received in and by them hath been witnessed unto in their lives and ends and they to whom these things are not of the greatest importance do but in vain pretend a regard unto God in any thing whatever Farthermore God hath appointed our duty in the observation of his instituted worship to be the means of our glorifying him in the world Nor can we otherwise give glory to God but as we own his authority over us and yield obedience to what he requires at our hands And what we do herein is principally evident in those duties which lye under the eye and observation of Men. Some duties of obedience there are which the world neither doth nor can discern in Believers Such are their faith inward holiness purity of heart heavenly mindedness sincere mortification of indwelling sin some whose performance ought to be hid from them as personal prayer and almes Matth. 6.2 3 4 5 6. Some there are which are very liable to misconstruction amongst Men as Zeal in many of the actings of it But this conscientious observation of instituted worship and therein avowing our subjection unto the authority of God in Christ is that which the World may see and take notice of and that which unless in case of persecution ought not to be hid from them and that which they can have no pretence of scandal at And therefore hath God appointed that by this means and way we shall honour and glorifie him in the World which if we neglect we do evidently cast off all regard unto his concernments in this World Herein it is that we manifest our selves not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ of him and his words which he so indispensably requireth at our hands Mark 8.38 For saith he whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him also shall the son of Man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels Hereby do we keep the commandments of Christ as his freinds John 13.35 for these peculiarly are his commands and if we suffer for them then we do most properly suffer as Christians which is our glory that 1 Pet. 4.14 15 16. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you on their part he is evil spoken of but on your part he is glorified but let none of you suffer as a murderer or as a thief or as an evil doer or as a busiâ— body in other Mens matters but if any Man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorifie God â—n this behalf And a happy and a blessed thing it is to suffer for the observation of the special commands of Christ. Farther to encourage us in our duty the holy faithful God hath given us many great and precious promises that he will graciously afford unto us his especial sanctifying blessing presence in our attendance on his worship according to his appointment For as he promised of old that he would make glorious the place of his feet or abode amongst his people Isa. 60.13 that he would meet them in his sanctuary the place of his worship and there dwell amongst them and bless them and be their God Exod. 29.42 43 44 45. Deut. 14.24 so the Lord Jesus Christ hath promised his presence to the same ends and purposes unto all them that assemble together in his name for the observation of the worship which in the Gospel he hath appointed Matth. 18.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And therein is the tabernacle of God his gracious dwelling place with Men. Rev. 21.3 Now when God offereth unto us his presence his gracious blessing sanctifying and saving presence and that in and by promises which shall never fail what unspeakable guilt must we needs contract upon our own souls if we neglect or despise the tenders of such grace But because we are apt to be slothful and are slow of heart in admiting a due sense of spiritual things that fall not in with the light and principles of nature to stir us up unto a diligence in our attendance unto the will of God in this matter he hath declared that he looks upon our obedience herein as our whole loyalty unto him in that conjugal covenant which he is pleased in Christ Jesus to take Beleivers into with himself Jer. 3.14 turn O backsliding children saith the Lord for I am marryed unto you and will take you one of a City and two of a family and will bring ye unto Sion and I will give you Pastors according unto mine heart which shall feed ye with knowledge and understanding Coming unto Sion in the worship of God under the leading and conduct of Pastors according to the heart of God is our answering the relation wherein we stand unto him as he is marryed unto us and thereupon he teacheth us that as an Husband he is jealous of our discharge of our duty in this matter accounting our neglect of his worship or profanation of it by inventions and additions of our own to be spiritual disloyalty whoredome and adultery which his soul abhorreth for which he will cast off any Church or people and that for ever See Exod. 20.5 Deut. 4.23 24. Jos. 24.19 Ezek. 16. whatever he will bear withal in his Church he will not bear with that which his jealousie is exercised about If it transgress therein he will give it a bill of divorce which repudiated condition is the state of many Churches in the World however they please and boast themselves in their meritricious ornaments and practices To give yet farther strength unto all these considerations that we may not only have rules and precepts but examples also for our instruction God hath given many signal instances of his severity against Persons who by ignorance neglect or regardlesness have miscarried in not observing exactly his will and appointment in and about his worship This was the case of Nadab and Abiâ—â—s the sons of Aaron Levit. 10.1 2. of Corah Dathan and Abirain Numb 16.3 8 9 32 35. of the sons of Ely a sin not to be expiated with sacrifices and burnt offerings forever 1 Sam. 2.28 29. of Vzza in putting the Ark into a Cart when he should have born it upon his shoulders 1 Chron. 16.13 of Vzzia the King in offering incense contrary to Gods institution that duty being appropriated unto the Priests of the posterity of Aaron 2 Chron.
in a way appointed for continuance unto the end of the World and to be employed in the ordinary work of the Church that is the duties of it which were constantly incumbent on it by virtue of the command and appointment of Christ. Quest. 23. Who are the ordinary Officers or Ministers of Christ in the Church to be alwayes continued therein Answ. Those whom the Scripture calls Pastours and Teachers Bishops Elders and Guides Acts 14.23 Acts 20.17 18. 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephes. 4.11 Phil. 1.1 1 Tim. 3.1 2. chap. 5.17 Titus 1.5 7. Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.1 Explication Several names are on several accounts partly designing their authority partly their duty and partly the manner of their discharge thereof assigned in the Scripture to the ordinary Ministers of the Churches Sometimes they are called Pastors and Teachers Ephes. 4.11 1 Cor. 12.28 Sometimes Bishops or Overseers Phil. 1.1 Act. 20.28 Titus 1.5 Sometimes Elders 1 Pet. 5.1 1 Tim. 5.17 Act. 14.23 Act. 20.17 Sometimes Guides Heb. 13.7 17. By all which names and sundry others whereby they are expressed the same sort order and degree of persons is intended Nor is any one of these names applyed or accommodated unto any but all the rest are also in like manner so that he who is a Pastor or a Teacher is also a Bishop or Overseer a Presbyter or Elder a Guide or Ruler a Minister a servant of the Church for the Lords sake And of all other names assigned to the Ministers of the Church that of Bishop can least of all be thought to have designed any special order or degree of preheminence amongst them For whereas it is but four times or in four places used in the New Testament as denoting any officers of the Church in each of them it is manifest that those expressed by the other names of Elders and Ministers are intended So Act. 20.28 the Bishops are the Elders of the particular Church of Ephesus verse the 17. Phil. 1.1 there were many Bishops in that one particular Church who had only Deacons joyned with them that is they were the Elders of it Tit. 1.8 the Bishops were the Elders to be ordained vers the 5. which persons are also directly intended 1 Tim. 3.2 as is evident from the coincidence of the directions given by the Apostle about them and the immediate adjoyning of Deacons unto them vers 8. So that no name could be fixed on with less probability to assert from it a special supream order or degree of men in Ministry than this of Bishops Neither is there any mention in any place of Scripture of any such preheminence of one sort of these Church-Officers or Ministers over another not in particular in those places where the Officers of the Church are in an especial manner enumerated as 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.11 Rom. 12.5 6 7 8. Nor is there any mention of any special office that should be peculiar unto such Officers or of any gifts or qualifications that should be required in them or of any special way of calling or setting apart to their office nor of any kind of Church that they should relate unto different from the Churches that other Elders or Pastors do Minister in nor of any special rule or direction for their tryal nor any command for obedience unto them but what are common to all Ministers of the Churches of Christ â—uly discharging their trust and performing their duty no intimation is given unto either Elders or Ministers to obey them or directions how to respect them nor unto them how to behave themselves towards them but all these things are spoken and delivered promiscuously and equally concerning all Ministers of the Gospel It is evident then that these appellations do not belong unto one sort of Ministers not one more than another and for what is pleaded by some from the example of Timothy and Titus it is said that when any persons can prove themselves to be Evangelists 1 Tim. 4.5 to be called unto their office upon antecedent prophecy 1 Tim. 1.18 and to be sent by the Apostles and in an especial manner to be directed by them in some employment for a season which they are not ordinarily to attend unto Titus 1.5 Chap. 3.12 It will be granted that they have another duty and office committed unto them than those who are only Bishops or Elders in the Scripture Quest. 24. What are the principal differences between these two sorts of Officers or Rulers in the Church extraordinary and ordinary Answ. 1. The former were called to their office immediately by Iesus Christ in his own Person or revelation made by the Holy-Ghost in his name to that purpose the latter by the suffrage choice and appointment of the Church it self 2. The former both in their Office and work were independant on and antecedent unto all or any Churches whose calling and gathering depended on their office as its consequent and effect the latter in both consequent unto the calling gathering and constituting of the Churches themselves as an effect thereof in their tendency unto compleatness and perfection 3. The authority of the former being communicated unto them immediately by Iesus Christ without any intervenient actings of any Church extended it self equally unto all Churches whatever that of the latter being derived unto them from Christ by the election and designation of the Church is in the exercise of it confined unto that Church wherein and whereby it is so derived unto them 4. They differ also in the gifts which were suited unto their several distinct works and employments 1 Matth. 10.2 Luke 10.1 Gal. 1.1 Acts 1.26 Acts 6.3 Acts 14.23 2 Joh. 20.21 22 23. Gal. 1.1 Ephes. 2.20 Rev. 21.14 Acts 14.23 Titus 1.5 7. 3 Matth. 28 18 19 20. 2 Cor. 11.28 Act. 20.28 1 Pet. 1.2 Colos. 4.17 4 1 Cor. 12.28 29 30. The Answer hereunto is such as needs no further Explication Quest. 25. What is required unto the due constitution of an Elder Pastor or Teacher of the Church Answ. 1 That he be furnished with the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the edification of the Church and the Evangelical discharge of the work of the Ministry 2 That he be unblameable holy and exemplary in his conversation 3 That he have a willing mind to give up himself unto the Lord in the work of the Ministry 4 That he be called and chosen by the suffrage and consent of the Church 5 That he be solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer and imposition of hands unto his Work and Ministry 1 Ephes. 4.8 11 12 13. 2 Titus 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5 6 7. 3 1. Peâ— 5.2 3. 4 Acts 14.23 5 Acts 13.2 1 Tim. 5.22 1 Tim. 4.14 Explication Five things are here said to be required unto the due and solemn constitution of a Minister Guide Elder Pastor or Teacher of the Church which as they do not all equally belong unto the essence of the call so they are all indispensably necessary
received For although it be required in them all that they have received all those gifts abilities and qualifications which are necessary for the work of the Ministry yet as to the degrees of their participation of their gifts some may more excell in one others in another 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. There are diversities of gifts but the same spirit and there are differences of administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of operations but it is the same God which worketh all in all For to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit c. and all these gifts are bestowed upon them to be exercised and laid out for the profit and benefit of the Church Verse the 7. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall And therefore every one is in aâ— especial manner to attend unto the exercise and use of that gift wherein he doth excell or which tends most to the edification of the Church every man being to minister according as he hath received 1 Pet. 4.10 Secondly It lyes in the nature of the work of the Ministry in the Church which in general may be referred unto two heads or ends First The instruction of it in the knowledge of God in Christ and the mysteries of the Gospel that it might grow in grace wisdom saving light and knowledge Secondly The exhortation of it to walk answerable unto light received in holiness and universal obedience Now though these several ends of the Ministry cannot be divided or separated yet they may be distinguished and so carryed on distinctly that in the one knowledge or light may be firstly and principally intended so as to lead unto obedience in the other holiness may be firstly designed as springing from Gospel light or knowledge Hence therefore are the Elders of the Church principally to attend unto that work or that end of the Ministry which by the Holy-Ghost they 〈◊〉 most suited unto And therefore the Church following the intimations of the Holy-Ghost in communicating his gifts in variety as he pleaseth and attending their own edification may and ought amongst those whom they choose to the Office of Elders or Ministers withall design them in Particular unto that especial work which they are especially fitted and prepared for and this upon their being chosen and set apart they are accordingly to attend unto He that teacheth on teaching he that exhorteth on exhortation Rom. 12.7 8. Their Office then is the same but their teaching work and employment on the grounds mentioned distinct and different Quest. 31. Are there appointed any Elders in the Church whose office and duty consist in rule and government only Answ. Elders not called to teach ordinarily or administer the Sacraments but to assist and help in the rule and government of the Church are mentioned in the Scripture Rom. 1â— 8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 Explication This Office of ruling Elders in the Church is much opposed by some and in especial by them who have least reaâ—son so to do For First They object against them that they are lay Elders when those with whom they have to do deny that distinction of the Church into the Clergy and Layity For although they allow the distribution of 〈◊〉 into Officers and the multitude of the Brethren yet they maintain that the whole Church is Gods Clergy his lot and portion 1. Pet. 5.3 Again they affirm them to be Elders and therein not meerly of the members of the Church but Officers set apart unto their Office according to rule or the appointment of Christ. And if by Layity the people distinct from the Officers of the Church are to be understood the very term of a lay Elder implyes a contradiction as designing one who is and is not a Church Officer Besides themselves do principally govern the Church by such whom they esteem Lay-men as not in holy-Orders to whom the principal part of its rule at least in the execution of it is committed which renders their objection to this sort of Church-Officers unreasonable Others also have given advantage by making this Office annual or biennial in them that are chosen unto it which though they plead the necessity of their Churches for as not having Persons meet for this work and duty who are willing to undertake in constantly during their lives without such a contribution for their maintenance as they are not able to afford yet the wisest of them do acknowledge an irregularity in what they do and wish it remedied But this hinders not but that such Church-Officers are indeed designed in the Scripture and of whom frequent mention is made in the ancient writers and footsteps also yet remain in most Churches of their institution though wofully corrupted For besides that some light in this matter may be taken from the Church of the Jews wherein the Elders of the People were joyned in Rule with the Priests both in the Sanhedrim and all lesser Assemblies there is in the Gospel express mention of persons that were assigned peculiarly for Rule and Government in the Church as 1 Cor. 12.28 And it is in vain pretended that those words helps governments do denote gifts only seeing the Apostle expresly enumerates the persons in Office or Officers which the Lord Christ then used in the foundation and Rule of the Churches as then planted He that ruleth also is distinguisht from him that teacheth and him that exhorteth Rom. 12.8 and is prescribed diligence as his principal qualification in the discharge of his duty And the words of the Apostle to this purpose are express 1 Tim. 5.17 Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially those who labour in the word and doctrine For the words expresly assign two sorts of Elders whereof some only attend unto rule others moreover labour in the word and doctrine Neither doth that word as some would have it labour in the Word intend any other labour but what is incumbent on all the Pastors and Teachers of their Church as their constant duty see Rom. 6.12 Acts 20.35 1 Thes. 5.12 Now can we suppose that the Apostle would affirm them to be worthy of double honour whom comparing with others he notes as remiss and negligent in their work For it seems that others were more diligent in the discharge of that duty which was no less theirs if only one sort of Elders be here intended The Scripture is not wont to commend such persons as worthy of double honour but rather to propose them as meet for double shame and punishment Jer. 48.10 1 Cor. 9.16 And they are unmindful of their own interest who would have Bishops that attend to the rule of the Church to be distinctly intended by the Elders that rule well seeing the Apostle expresly preferreth before and above them those that attend constantly to the Word and Doctrine And besides what is thus expresly
it is to be exercised Thus the Brethren at Jerusalem joyned in the consideration of the observation of Mosaical ceremonies with the Apostles and Elders Act. 15.23 And the multitude of them to whom letters were sent about it likewise did the same Verse the 30 31 32. And this they thought it their duty and concernment to do Chap. 21 22. And they are blamed who applyed not themselves unto this duty 1 Cor. 5.4 5 6. Thence are the Epistles of Paul to the Churches to instruct them in their duties and priviledges in Christ and how they ought to behave themselves in the ordering of all things amongst them according to his mind And these are directed unto the Churches themselves either joyntly with their Elders or distinctly from them Phil. 1.1 And the whole preservation of Church-order is on the account of this duty recommended unto them Neither can what they do in complyance with their Guides and Rulers be any part of their obedience unto the Lord Christ unless they make previously thereunto a rational consideration and judgement by the rule of what is to be done Neither is the Church of Christ to be ruled without its knowledge or against its will nor in any thing is blind obedience acceptable to God Secondly The Brethren of the Church are intrusted with the priviledge of giving and testifying their consent unto all acts of Church power which though it belong not formally unto the authority of them it is necessary unto their validity and efficacy and that so far forth as that they are said to do and act what is done and effected thereby 1 Cor. 5.4 13. 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. And they who have this priviledge of consent which hath so great an influence into the action and validity of it have also the liberty of dissent when any thing is proposed to be done the warrant whereof from the Word and the rule of its performance is not evident unto them Qu. 43. Wherein doth the exercise of the authority for discipline committed unto the Elders of the Church consist An. 1 In personal private admonition of any member or members of the Church in case of sin errour or any miscarriage known unto themselves 2 In publick admonition in case of offences persisted in and brought orderly to the knowledge and consideration of the Church 3 In the ejection of obstinate offenders from the society and communion of the Church 4 In exhorting comforting and restoring to the enjoyment and exercise of Church priviledges such as are recovered from the error of their wayes all according to the lawes rules and directions of the Gospel 1 Matth. 18.15 1 Thess. 5.14 1 Cor. 4.14 Titus 1.13 Chap. 2.15 2 Tim. 4.2 2 1 Tim. 5.19.20 Matth. 18.16 17. 3 Titus 3.10 1 Tim. 1.20 Matth. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.5 Gal. 5.12 4 2 Cor. 2.7 Gal. 6.1 2 Thess. 3.15 Qu. 44. May the Church cast any Person out of its communion without previous admonition An. It may in some cases where the offence is notorious and the scandal grievous so that nothing be done against other general rules 1 Cor. 4. Qu. 45. Wherein doth the liberty and duty of the whole brotherhood in the exercise of discipline in the Church in perticular consist An. 1 In a meek consideration of the condition and temptations of offenders with the nature of their offences when orderly proposed unto the Church 2 In judging with the Elders according to rule what in all cases of offence is necessary to be done for the good of the offenders themselves and for the edification and vindication of the whole Church 3 In their consent unto and concurrence in the admonition ejection pardoning and restoring of offenders as the matter shall require Gal. 6.1 2. 1 Cor. 5.2 4 5 12. 1 Cor. 6.2 2 Cor. 2 6 7 8. Qu. 46. What is the duty of private Members in reference unto the discipline appointed by Christ in his Church An. It is their duty in their mutual watch over one another to exhort each other unto holiness and perseverance and if they observe any thing in the wayes and walkings of of any of their fellow Members not according unto the rule and the duty of their profession which therefore gives them offence to admonish them thereof in private with love meekness and wisdom and in case they prevail not unto their amendment to take the assistance of some other Brethren in the same work and if they fail in success therein also to report the matter by the Elders direction unto the whole Church Matth. 18.16 17 18. 1 Thess. 5.14 Explication In these questions an enquirie is made after the exercise of discipline in the Church as to that part of it which belongs unto the reproof and correction of miscarriages according to the distribution of right power and priviledge before explained The first act hereof consists in private admonition for so hath our Lord ordained that in case any Brother or member of the Church do in any thing wâ—lk disorderly and not according to the rule of the Gospel that he or they unto whom it is observed and who are thereby offended may and ought to admonish the person or persons so offending of their miscarriage and offence concerning which is to be observed First what is previously required thereunto and that is First that in all the members of the Church there ought to be love without dissimulation They are to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love Rom. 12.9 10. which as they are taught of God so they are greatly exhorted thereunto Heb. 13.1 This love is the bond of perfection the most excellent way and means of preserving Church order and farthering the edification thereof 1 Cor. 13. Without which well seated and confirmed in the hearts and minds of Church members no duty of their Relation can ever be performed in a due manner Secondly this love is to exert and put forth it self in tender care and watchfulness for the good of each other which are to work by mutual exhortations informations instructions according as opportunities do offer themselves or as the necessities of any do seem to require Heb. 3.13 Chap. 10.24 Secondly this duty of admonishing offenders privately and personally is common to the Elders with all the members of the Church neither doth it belong properly unto the Elders as such but as Brethren of the same society And yet by virtue of their office the Elders are enabled to do it with more Authority morally though office power properly be not exercised therein By virtue also of their constant general watch over the whole flock in the discharge of their office they are enabled to take notice of and discern miscarriages in any of the members sooner than others But as to the exercise of the discipline of the Church in this matter this duty is equally incumbent on every member of it according as the obligation on them to watch over one another and to exercise especial love
towards each other is equal Whence it is distinguished from that private pastoral admonition which is an act of the teaching office and power not directly belonging unto the rule or government enquired after But this admonition is an effect of love and where it proceedeth not from thence it is irregular Matth. 18.16 17 18. Rom. 15.14 Thirdly this duty is so incumbent on every member of the Church that in case of the neglect thereof he both sinneth against the institution of Christ and makes himself partaker of the sin of the party offending and is also guilty of his danger and ruine thereby with all that disadvantage which will accrue to the Church by any of the members of it continuing in sin against the rule of the Gospel They have not only liberty thus to admonish one another but it is their express and indispensible duty so to do The neglect whereof is interpreted by God to be hatred of our Brother such as wherewith the love of God is inconsistent Levit 19.17 1 John 4.20 Chap. 3.15 Fourthly although this duty be personally incumbent on every individual member of the Church yet this hinders not but if the sin of an offender be known to more than one at the same time and they joyntly take offence thereat they may together in the first instance admonish him which yet still is but the first and private admonition which is otherwise when others are called into assistance who are not themselves acquainted with the offence but only by information and joyne in it not upon the account of their own being offended but of being desired according unto rule to give assistance to them that are so Fifthly the way and manner of the discharge of this duty is that it be done with prudence tenderness and due regard unto all circumstances whence the Apostle supposeth a spiritual abilitie to be necessary for this work Rom. 15.14 Ye also are full of goodness filled with all knowledge also able to admonish one another especially four things are to be diligently heeded First that the whole duty be so managed that the person offending may be convinced that it is done out of love to him and affectionate conscientious care over him that he may take no occasion thereby for the exasperation of his own spirit Secondly that the Persons admonishing others of their offence do make it appear that what they do is in obedience unto an institution of Christ and therein to preserve their own souls from sin as well as to benefit the offenders Thirdly that the admonition be grounded on a rule which alone gives it authority and efficacy Fourthly that there be a readiness manifested by them to receive satisfaction either 1 In case that upon tryal it appeareth the information they have had of the miscarriage whence the offence arose was undue or not well grounded or 2 of acknowledgement and repentance Sixthly The ends of this Ordinance and institution of Christ are 1. To keep up Love without dissimulation among all the members of the Church for if offences should abide unremoved love which is the bond of perfection would not long continue in sincerity which tends to the dissolution of the whole society 2. To gain the offender by delivering him from the guilt of sin that he may not lye under it and procure the wrath of God against himself Levit. 19.17 3. To preserve his person from dishonour and disreputation and thereby to keep up his usefulness in the Church To this end hath our Lord appointed the discharge of this duty in private that the failings of men may not be unnecessarily divulged and themselves thereby exposed unto temptation 4. To preserve the Church from that scandal that might befall it by the hasty opening of all the reall or supposed faylings of its members And 5. To prevent its trouble in the publick hearing of things that may be otherwise healed and removed Seventhly In case these ends are obtained either by the supposed offending persons clearing of themselves and manifesting themselves innocent of the crimes charged on them as Joshua 22.22 23 24 25. 2 Cor. 7.11 Or by their acknowledgement repentance and amendment then this part of the discipline of the Church hath through the grace of Christ obtained its appointed effect Eighthly In case the persons offending be not humbled nor reformed nor do give satisfaction unto them by whom they are admonished then hath our Lord ordained a second degree of this private exercise of discipline that the persons who being offended have discharged the foregoing duty themselves according unto rule shall take unto them others two or three as the occasion may seem to require to joyn with them in the same work and duty to be performed in the same manner for the same ends with that before described Matth. 18 15 16 17. And it is the duty of these persons so called in for assistance First To judge of the crime fault or offence reported to them and not to proceed unless they find it to consist in something expresly contrary to the rule of the Gospel and attested in such manner and with such evidence as their mutual love doth require in them with respect unto their Brethren And they are to judge of the testimony that is given concerning the truth of the offence communicated unto them that they may not seem either lightly to take up a report against their Brother or to discredit the testimony of others Secondly In case they find the offence pretended not to be a reall offence indeed contrary to the rule of the Gospel or that it is not aright grounded as to the evidence of it but taken up upon prejudice or an over-easie credulity contrary to the law of that love which is required amongst Church-members described 1 Cor. 13. and commanded as the great means of the edification of the Church and preservation of its union then to convince the brother offended of his mistake and with him to satisfie the person pretended to be the offender that no breach or schism may happen among the members of the same body Thirdly Being satisfied of the crime and testimony they are to associate themselves with the offended Brother in the same work and duty that he himself had before discharged towards the offender Ninthly Because there is no determination how often these private admonitions are to be used in case of offence it is evident from the nature of the thing it self that they are to be reiterated first the one and then the other whilest there is any ground of hope that the ends of them may be obtained through the blessing of Christ the Brother gained and the offence taken away Neither of these then is to be deserted or laid aside on the first or second attempt as though it were performed only to make way for somewhat farther but it is to be waited on with prayer and patience as an ordinance of Christ appointed for attaining the end aimed at Tenthly In
he made them known to whom he pleased Psalm 147.19 20. And although some of the wayes which he doth appoint may seem to have a great compliance in them unto the light of nature yet in his worship he accepts them not on that account but meerly on that of his own institution and this as he hath declared his will about in the second Commandment so he hath severely forbidden the addition of our own inventions unto what he hath appointed sending us for instruction unto him alone whom he hath endowed with Soveraign Authority to reveal his will and ordain his worship John 1.18 Matth. 17.5 1 Chron. 16.13 Qu. 3. How then are these wayes and means of the worship of God made known unto us Answ. In and by the written word only which contains a full and perfect Revelation of the will of God as to his whole worship and all the concernments of it John 5.39 Isa. 8.20 Luke 16.19 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 1 Pet. 1.19 Deut. 4.2 chap. 12.32 Joshua 1.7 Prov. 30.6 Rev. 22.20 Isaiah 29.13 Explication The End wherefore God granted his word unto the Church was that thereby it might be instructed in his mind and will as to what concerns the worship and obedience that he requireth of us and which is accepted with him This the whole Scripture it self every where declares and speaks out unto all that do receive it as 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. with the residue of the testimonies above recited do declare It supposeth it declareth that of our selves we are ignorant how God is how he ought to be worshipped Isa. 8.20 Moreover it manifests him to be a jealous God exercising that holy property of his nature in an especial manner about his worship rejecting and despising every thing that is not according to his will that is not of his Institution Exod. 20.4 5. That we may know what is so he hath made a Revelation of his mind and will in his written word that is the Scripture and to the end that we might expect instruction from thence alone in his worship and act therein accordingly First he sends us and directs us thereunto expresly for that purpose Isa. 8.28 Luke 16.19 John 5.39 and not once intimates in the least any other way or means of instruction unto the end Secondly He frequently affirms that it is sufficient able and perfect to guide us therein 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. 1 Pet. 1.19 Psalm 19.7 8 9. and whereas he hath expresly given it unto us for that end if there be any want or defect therein it must arise from hence that either God would not or could not give unto us a perfect Revelation of his will neither of which can be imagined Thirdly He hath commanded us to observe all whatsoever he hath appointed therein and not to make any addition thereunto Joshua 1.7 Deut. 4.2 chap. 12.32 Prov. 30.6 Revel 22.20 And Fourthly Peculiarly interdicted us the use of any such things as are of the institution or appointment of Men Isa. 29.13 14. So that from the Scriptures alone are we to learn what is accepted with God in his worship Qu. 4. Have these wayes and means been alwayes the same from the beginning Answ. No! But God hath altered and changed them at sundry reasons according to the counsell of his own will so as he saw necessary for his own Glory and the Edification of his Church See Gen. 2.16 17. Gen. 17.10 11. Exod. 12.3 4 5. Exod. 20. Chap. 25.9 Heb. 1.1 Heb. 9.10 11 12. Explication The externall worship whereof we speak being as was shewed before not naturall or moral arising necessarily from the dependance of the rationall creature on God as its first Cause chiefest Good last End and Soveraign Lord but proceeding from the meer will and pleasure of God determining how he will be honoured and glorified in the world was alwayes alterable by him by whom it was appointed And whereas ever since the entrance of sin into the World God had alwayes respect unto the promise of the Lord Christ and his mediation in whom alone he will be glorified and faith in whom he aimed to begin and increase in all his worship he hath suited his Institutions of the means thereof to that dispensation of Light and knowledge of him which he was pleased at any time to grant Thus immediately after the giving of the promise he appointed sacrifices for the great means of his worship as to glorifie himself expresly by Mens off ring unto him of the principal good things which he had given them so to instruct them in the faith and confirm them in the expectation of the great sacrifice for sin that was to be offered by the promised seed Gen. 4.3 4. Heb. 11.4 These were the first instituted worship of God in the World after the entrance of sin Hereunto he nextly added Circumcision as an express sign of the Covenant with the grace of it which he called Abraham and his seed unto by Jesus Christ Gen. 17.10 11. And to the same general end and purpose he afterwards superadded the Passeover with its attendant institutions Exod. 12.23 24. And then the whole Law of institutions contained in Ordinances by the Ministery of Angels on Mount Sinai Exod 20. So by sundry degrees he built up that fabrick of his outward worship which was suited in his infinite wisdom unto his own glory and the edification of his Church untill the exhibition of the promised seed or the coming of Christ in the flesh and the accomplishment of the work of his mediation Heb. 1.1 for unto that season were those Ordinances to serve and no longer Heb. 9.10 11 12. And then were they removed by the same authority whereby they were instituted and appointed Col. 2.14 18 19 20. So that though God would never allow that Men upon what pretence soever should make any alteration in the worship appointed by him by adding unto it any thing of their own or omitting ought that he had commanded either in matter or manner notwithstanding that he knew that it was to abide but for a season but commanded all men straitly to attend to the observation of it whilest it was by him continued in force Mal. 4.4 yet he alwayes reserved unto himself the Soveraign power of altering changing or utterly abolishing it at his own pleasure which authority he exerted in the Gospel as to all the meer Institutions of the Old Testament Whilest they continued he inforced them with morall reasons as his own holiness and Authority but those reasons prove not any of those institutions to be morall unless they ensue upon those reasons alone and are no where else commanded for being once instituted and commanded they are to be inforced with morall considerations taken from the nature of God and our Duty in reference unto his Authority So saith he Thou shalt reverence my Sanctuary I am the Lord which no more proves that a morall Duty then that enjoyned upon the same foundation Levit.
11.44 I am the Lord your God ye shall therefore sanctifie your selves and ye shall be holy for I am holy neither shall ye defile your selves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth Not defiling our selves with the touching or eating of creeping things is now no morall Duty since the institution is ceased although it be inforced by many morall considerations Qu. 5. Is there any farther alteration to be expected in or of those institutions and ordinances of worship which are revealed and appointed in the Gospel Answ. No! The last compleat Revelation of the will of God being made by the Son who is Lord of all his Commands and Institutions are to be observed inviolably unto the end of the World without alteration diminution or addition Heb. 1.1 chap. 10.25 26 27. Matth. 28.20 1 Cor. 11.26 1 Tim. 6 14. Explication It was shewed before that all the Institutions of the Old Testament had respect unto the coming of Christ in the flesh who was the end of the Law Rom. 10.4 and thereupon they were subject to alteration or abolition upon a twofold account First Because that which they were appointed principally to instruct the Church in and to direct it unto the expectation of was upon his coming accomplished and fulfilled so that their end was absolutely taken away and they could no more truly teach the mind and will of God for they would still direct unto that which was to come after it was past and accomplished And this is that which the Apostle Paul so variously proves and fully confirms in his Epistle to the Hebrews especially in the 7 8 9. and 10. Chapters Secondly The Lord Christ during their continuance was to come as the Lord over his whole house with more full and ample authority then any of those whom God had employed in the institution of his Ordinances of old were intrusted withall Heb. 1.1 2 3. He spake in former dayes by the Prophets but now by the Son whom he hath appointed heir of all Chap. 3.5 6. Christ as a Son over his own house whose house are we And therefore they are all to be at his disposall to confirm or remove as he saw reason and occasion And this he did virtually in the sacrifice of himself or the blood of his Cross fulfilling and finishing of them all John 19.30 Breaking down the middle wall of partition abolishing in his flesh the enmity even the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances blotting out the hand-writing of Ordinances he took it out of the way nayling it to his Cross Eph. 2.15 Colos 2.14 Secondly Authoritatively by his Spirit in the Apostles and the doctrine of the Gospel preached by them Acts 15.10 11. Now therefore why tempt ye God to put a yoak upon the neck of the Disciples which neither our Fathers nor we were able to bear but we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved even as they Gal. 3.24 25. Wherefore the Law was our Schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith but after that faith is come we are no longer render a Schoolmaster Chap. 5.2 3 4. and eventually or providentially when he caused sacrifice and offering to cease by the Prince of the people that came with an Army making desolate to destroy both City and Sanctuary Dan. 9.26 27. according to his prediction Mat. 24.2 But now under the New Testament the worship that is appointed in the Gospel is founded in and built upon what is already past and accomplished namely the death and life of Jesus Christ with the sacrifice and atonement for sin made thereby 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25 26. which can never be again performed neither is there any thing else to the same purpose either needfull or possible Heb. 10.26 So that there is not any ground left for any new institution of worship or any alteration in those that are already instituted Nor Secondly Can any one be expected to come from God with a greater and more full authority for the Revelation of his mind than that wherewith his only Son was accompanied which yet must be if any alterations were to be made in the appointments of worship that he hath instituted in the Gospel For no Inferior nor an equall authority can abolish or alter that which is already appointed so as to give satisfaction unto the consciences of men in obedience unto such alterations And therefore because there arose not a Prophet like unto Moses under the Old Testament there could be no alteration made in his institutions but the Church was bound severely to observe them all untill the coming of Christ Mal. 4.4 Remember ye the Law of Moses my servant which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with his Statutes and Judgements and that because there arose not a Prophet afterwards in Israel like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face Deut. 34.10 And our Apostle to prove the right of Christ to alter the Ordinances of the Law layes his foundation in manifesting that he was above the Angels Heb. 1.4 being made so much better than the Angels as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they and that because the Law was given by the Ministery of Angels chap. 2.2 and so also that he was greater than Moses chap. 3.3 For this man was accounted worthy of more glory than Moses in as much as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house Moses verily was faithfull in all his house as a servant but Christ as a Son over his own house Because Moses was the Law-giver and the Mediator between God and Man in the giving of the Law Now if this be the sole foundation and warrant of the alteration made of Mosaical Ordinances by Christ namely that he was greater and exalted above all those whose Ministry was used in the dispensation of the Law unless some can be thought to be greater and exalted in authority above the Son of God there can be no alteration expected in the Institutions of the Gospel Qu. 6. May not such an Estate of faith and perfection in obedience be attained in this life as wherein Believers may be freed from all obligation unto the observation of Gospel Institutions Answ. No! For the Ordinances and Institutions of the Gospel being inseparably annexed unto the Evangelical administration of the Covenant of Grace they may not be left unobserved disused or omitted whilest we are to walk before God in that Covenant without contempt of the Covenant it self as also of the Wisdom and Authority of Jesus Christ. Heb. 3.3 4 5 6. Rom. 6.3 4 5 6. Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. Heb. 10.25 Rev. 2.5 chap. 3.3 Explication All our faith all our obedience in this life what ever may be obtained or attained unto therein it all belongs unto our walking with God in the Covenant of Grace wherein God dwells with Men and they