you and upon your brethren this do and ye shall not trespass So Christ who hath instituted a Government and Governours Ecclesiastical in the Church hath furnished some in his Church beside the Ministers of the Word with gifts for governments and with commission to execute the same when called there unto who are to joyn with the Minister in the government of the Church Rom. 12. 7 8. v. 7. Or Ministry let us wait on our ministring or he that teacheth on teaching v. 8. Or he that exhorteth on exhortation he that giveth let him do it with simplicity he that ruleth with diligence he that sheweth mercy with cheerfulness 1 Cor. 12. 28. And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healings helps governments diversities of tongues Which Officers reformed churches commonly call Elders Deacons THe Scripture doth hold out Deacons as distinct officers in the church Phil. i. â— Paul and Timotheus the servant of Jesus Christ to all saints in Christ Jesus whith are at Philippi with the Bishops and Deacons 1 Tim. 3. 8. Likewise must the Deacons be grave not double-tongued not given to much wine not greedy of filthy lucre Whose Office is perpetual 1 Tim. 3. 8. Likewise must the Deacons be grave not double-tongued not given to much wine not greedy of filthy lucre to ver 15. see in the Bible Act. 6. 1 2 3 4. v. 1. And in those dayes when the number of the Disciples was multiplyed there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily manistration v. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve tables v. 3. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisdom whom we may appoint over this business v. 4. But we will give our selves continually to prayer and to the Ministry of the word To whose Office it belongs not to preach the Word or administer the Sacraments but to take special care in distributing to the necessities of the poor Act. 6. 1 2 3 4. see before Of Particular Congregations IT is lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregations that is a certain company of christians to meet in one Assembly ordinarily for publick Worship When believers multiply to such a number that they cannot conveniently meet in one place it is lawful and expedient that they should be divided into distinct and fixed congregations for the beter administration of such ordinances as belong unto them and the discharge of mutual duties 1 Cor. 14. 26 33 40. v. 26. Let all things be done unto edifying v. 33. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace as in all Churches of the Saints v. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order The ordinary way of dividing Christians into distinct Congregations and most expedient for edification is by the respective bounds of their dwellings First Because they who dwell together being bound to all kind of moral duties one to another have the better opportunity thereby to discharge them which moral tye is perpetual for Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it Deut. 15. 7 11. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thy hand from thy poor brother v. 11. For the poor shall never cease out of the land therefore I command thee saying Thou shalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother to the poor and to the needy in the land Mat. 22. 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Mat. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil Secondly The communion of saints must be so ordered as may stand with the most convenient use of the Ordinances and discharge of moral duties without respect of persons 1 Cor. 14. 26. Let all things be done unto edifying Heb. 10. 24 25. v. 24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works v. 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 ye see the day approaching Jam. 2. 1 2. v. 1. My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of glory with respect of persons v. 2. For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring in goodly apparel and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment Thirdly The pastor and people must so nearly cohabite together as that they may mutually perform their duties each to other with most conveniency In this company some must be set apart to bear office Of the Officers of a particular Congregation FOr Officers in a single Congregation there ought to be one at the least both to labour in the Word and Doctrine and to rule Prov. 29. 18. Where there is no vision the people perish but he that keepeth the law happy is he 1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine Heb. 13. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you who have spoken unto you the word of God whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation It is also requisite that there should be others to joyn in Government 1 Cor. 12. 28. And God hath set some in the Church First Apostles Secondarily Prophets Thirdly Teachers after that Miracles then gifts of healings helps governments diversities of tongues And likewise it is requisite that there be others to take special care for the reliefe of the poor Acte 6. 2 3. v. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables v. 3. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisdome whom ye may appoint over this business The number of each of which is to be proportioned according to the condition of the Congregation These officers are to meet together at convenient and set times for the well ordering of the affairs of that Congregation each according to his office It is most expedient that in these meetings one whose office is to labour in the Word and Doctrine do moderate in their proceedings 1 Tim. 5. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the Word and Doctrine Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation THe Ordinances in a single Congregation are Prayer Thanksgiving and singing of Psalms 1 Tim. 2. 1. I
the mount V. 3. And no man shall come up with thee c. V. 4. And he hewed two Tables of stone like the first and rose early in the morning and went up into Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him and took in his hand the two Tables of stone and are recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exodus the four first Commandments containing our duty to God and the other six our duty to man n Matth. 22. 37 38 39 40. Jesus said unto him Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind V. 38. This is that first and great Commandment V. 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self V. 40. On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets Q. What Rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the ten Commandments A. For the right understanding of the ten Commandments these rules are to be observed 1. That the Law is perfect and bindeth every one to full conformity in the whole man unto the righteousness thereof and unto intire obedience for ever so as to require the utmost perfection of every duty and to forbid the least degree of every sin o Psal 19. 7. The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple Jam. 2. 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all Mat. 5. 21. to the end Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time Thou shalt not kill But I say and so on to the end 2. That it is spiritual and so reacheth the Understanding Will Affections and all other powers of the soul as well as words works and gestures p Rom. 7. 14. For we know that the law is spiritual but I am carnal sold under sin Deut. 6. 5. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might Compared with Mat. 22. 37 38 39. Jesus said unto him Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind V. 38. This is the first and great Commandment V. 39. And the second is like unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self Matt. 5. 21 22-27 28 36. to the end Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgement V. 22. But I say unto you that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement and whosoever shall say to his brother Raca shall be in danger of the Council but whosoever shall say Thou fool shall be in danger of hell-fire V. 27. Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time Thou shalt not commit adultery But I say unto you that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart V. 36. Neither shalt thou swear by thine head c. to the end of the chapter 3. That one and the same thing in divers respects is required or forbidden in several Commandments q Col. 3. 5. Mortifie therefore your members which are upon the earth fornication uncleanness inordinate affection evil concupiscence and covetousness which is idolatry Amos 8. 5. Saying when will the New Moon be gone that we may sell corn and the sabbath that we may set forth wheat making the Ephah small and the shekel great and falsifying the balances by deceit Pro. 1. 19. So are the wayes of every one that is greedy of gain which taketh away the life of the owners thereof 1 Tim. 6. 10. For the love of money is the root of all evil which while some have coveted after they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrowes 4. That as where a duty is commanded the contrary sin is forbidden r Isa 58. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own wayes nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words Deut. 6. 13. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him and shalt swear by his Name Compared with Mat. 4. 9 10. And saith unto him All these things will I give thee if thou wilt fall down and worship me V. 10. Then said Jesus unto him Get thee hence Satan for it is written Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serve Mat. 15. 4 5 6. For God commanded saying Honour thy father and thy mother and he that curseth father or mother let him die the death V. 5. But ye say that whosoever shall say to his father or mother It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me And honour not his father or his mother he shall be free Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition and where a sin is forbidden the contrary duty is commanded Å¿ Mat. 5. 21 22 23 24 25. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time Thou shalt not kill and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgement V. 22. But I say unto you whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgement and whosoever shall say to his brother Raca shall be in danger of the Council but whosoever shall say Thou fool shall be in danger of Hell fire V. 23. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the Altar and there remember that thy brother hath ought against thee V. 24. Leave there thy gift and go thy way first be reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift V. 25. Agree with thine adversary while thou art in the way with him least c. Eph. 4. 28. Let him that stole steal no more but rather let him work with his hands the thing that is good that he may have to give to him that needeth so where a promise is annexed the contrary threatning is included t Exod. 20. 12. Honour thy father and mother that thy dayes may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee Compared with Prov. 30. 17. The eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his mother the ravens of the valleys shall pick it out and the young eagles shall eat it and where a threatning is annexed the contrary promise is included u Jer. 18. 7 8. At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation or Kingdom to pluck up and to pull down and to destroy it V. 8. If that nation against whom I have pronounced turn from their evil I will repent of the evil
that I thought to do unto them Exod. 20. 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain for the Lord will not hold him guiltlesse that taketh his name in vain Compared with Psal 15. 1 -4 5 Lord who shall abide in thy Tabernacle and who shall dwell in thy holy Hill V. 4. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned but he honoureth them that fear the Lord he that sweareth to his own hurt and changeth not V. 5. He that putteth not his money out to usury nor He that doth these things shall never be moved And with Psal 24. 4 5. He that hath clean hands and a pure heart who hath not lift up his hands unto vanity nor sworn deceitfully V. 5. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation 5. That what God forbids is at no time to be done * Job 13. 7 8. Will ye speak wickedly for God and talk deceitfully for him V. 8. Will ye accept his person will ye contend for God Rom 3. 8. And not rather as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say Let us do evil that good may come whose damnation is just Job 36. 21. Take heed regard not iniquity for this hast thou chosen rather then affliction Heb. 11. 25. Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season what he commands is alwayes our duty x Deut. 4. 8 9. And what nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day V. 9. Onely take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently least thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and least they depart from thy heart all the dayes of thy life but teach them thy sons and thy sons sons and yet every particular duty is not to be done at all times y Mat. 12. 7. But if ye had known what this meaneth I will have mercy and not sacrifice ye would not have condemned the guiltless 6. That under one sin or duty all of the same kind are forbidden or commanded together with all the causes means occasions and appearances thereof and provocations thereunto z Matt. 5. 21 22-27 28. See s before V. 27. Ye have heard that it hath been said of old Thou shalt not commit adultery But I say unto you whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 15. 4 5 6. For God commanded saying Honour thy father and thy mother and he that curseth his father and his mother let him die the death V. 5. But ye say that whosoever shall say to his father or mother It is a gift by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me and honour not his father and his mother he shall be free thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition Heb. 10. 24 25. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and unto good works V. 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 ye see the day approaching 1 Thess 5. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil Jude v. 23. And others save with fear pulling them out of the fire hating even the garment spotted by the flesh Gal. 5. 26. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory provoking one another envying one another Col. 3. 21. Fathers provoke not your children to anger least they be discouraged 7. That what is forbidden or commanded to our selves we are bound according to our places to endeavour that it may be avoided or performed by others according to the duty of their places a Exod. 20. 10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter nor thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant nor thy cattel nor the stranger that is within thy gates Lev. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him Gen. 18. 19. For I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgement that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoke of him Josh 24. 15. And if it seem evil to you to serve the Lord chuse you this day whom ye will serve but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Deut. 6. 6 7. And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up 8. That in what is commanded to others we are bound according to our places and callings to be helpful to them b 2 Cor. 1. 24. Not for that we have dominion over your faith but are helpers of your joy and to take heed of pertaking with others in what is forbidden them c 1 Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sins keep thy self pure Eph. 5. 11. And have no fellowship with the unprofitable works of darkness but rather reprove them Q. What special things are we to consider in the ten Commandments A. We are to consider in the ten Commandments the Preface the substance of the Commandments themselves and several reasons annexed to some of them the more to inforce them Q. What is the Preface to the Commandments A. The Preface to the Commandments is contained in these words I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt out of the house of bondage d Exod. 20. 2. wherein God manifesteth his Soveraignty as being Jehovah the Eternal Immutable and Almighty God e Isai 44. 6. Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of hosts I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God having his Being in and of himself f Exod. 3. 14. And God said unto Moses I AM THAT I AM and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you and giving being to all his words g Ex. 6. 3. And I appeared unto Abraham and Isaac and Jacob by the name of God Almighty but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them and works h Act. 17. 24-28 God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of heaven and of earth dwelleth not in temples made with hands V. 28. For in him we live and move and have our being as certain also of your
hearing Neh. 8. 1 2 13. v. 1. And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water-gate and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses which the Lord had commanded to Israel v. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women and all that could hear with understanding upon the first day of the seventh moneth v. 3. and he read therein v. 13. And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people the priests and the Levites unto Ezra the sâ—r the even to understand the words of the law 2. That the Ministers of the Gospel have as ample a charge and commission to dispense the Word as well as other Ordinances as the Priests and Levites had under the law proved Isa 66. 21. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. Mat. 28. 34. Wherefore behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucifie and some of them shall ye scourge in your Synagogues and persecute them from City to City Where our Saviour intituleth the Officers of the New Testament whom he will send forth by the same names of the teachers of the Old Which Propositions prove that therefore the duty being of a moral nature it followeth by just consequence that the publick reading of the Scriptures belongeth to the Pastors Office To feed the flock by preaching of the Word according to which he is to teach convince reprove exhort and comfort 1 Tim. 3. 2. A Bishop then must be blameless the husband of one wise vigilant sober of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. v. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in righteousness v. 17. That the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works Tit. 1. 9. Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers To Catechise which is a plain laying down the Principles of the Oracles of God Or of the Doctrine of Christ and is a part of preaching Heb. 5. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat To dispense other Divine Misteries 1 Cor. 4. 1 2. v. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and stewards of the misteries of God v. 2. Moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful To administer the Sacraments Mat. 28. 19 20. v. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Ghost v. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world Amen Mar. 16. 15 16. v. 15. And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel unto every creature v. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25. v. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread v. 24. And when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me v. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup when he had supped saying This cup is the New Testament in my blood this do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me Compared with 1 Cor. 10. 16. 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 To bless the people from God Numb 6. 23. 24 25 26. v. 23. Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons saying On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel saying unto them v. 24. The Lord bless thee and keep thee v. 25. The Lord make his face to shire upon thee v. 26. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace Compared with Rev. 1. 4 5. v. 4. John to the seven Churches which are in Asia grace be unto you and peace from him which is and which was and which is to come and from the seven spirits which are before his throne v. 5. And from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness and the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the Kings of the earth unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood Where the same blessings and persons from whom they come are expresly mentioned Isa 66. 21. And I will also take of them for Priests and for Levites saith the Lord. Here under the names of the Priests and Levites to be continued under the Gospel are meant Evangelical Pastors who therefore are by office to bless the people Deut. 10. 8. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the Covenant of the Lord to stand before the Lord to minister unto him and to bless in his name unto this day 2 Cor. 13 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Eph. 1. 2. Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ To take care of the poor Act. 11. 30. Which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul Act. 4. 34 35 36 37. v. 34. Neither was there any among you that lacked for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prises of the things that were sold v. 35. And laid them down at the Apostles feet and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need v. 36. And Joses who by the Apostles was surnamed Barnabas which is being interpreted the son of conselation a Levite and of the country of Ciprus v. 37. Having land sold it and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles feet Act. 6 2 3 4. v. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the Disciples unto them and said It is not reason that we should leave the word of God and serve Tables v. 3. Wherefore brethren look you out among you seven men of honest report full of the Holy Ghost and wisdome whom ye may appoint over this business v. 4. But we will give our selves continually to prayer and