with or calls them to to be continued to the end of the world are Pastors Teachers Elders and Deacons X. Churches thus gathered and assembling for the Worship of God are thereby visible and publique and their Assemblies in what place soever they are according as they have liberty or opportunity are therefore Church or Publique Assemblies XI The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person fitted and gifted by the holy Ghost unto the Office of Pastor Teacher or Elder in a Church is that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the Church it self and solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer with Imposition of Hands of the Eldership of that Church if there be any before constituted therein And of a Deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage and set apart by Prayer and the like Imposition of Hands XII The Essence of this Call of a Pastor Teacher or Elder unto Office consists in the Election of the Church together with his acceptation of it and separation by Fasting and Prayer And those who are so chosen though not set apart by Imposition of Hands are rightly constituted Ministers of Jesus Christ in whose Name and Authority they exercise the Ministery to them so committed The Calling of Deacons consisteth in the like Election and acceptation with separation by Prayer XIII Although it be incumbent on the Pastors and Teachers of the Churches to be instant in Preaching the Word by way of Office yet the work of Preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the holy Ghost for it and approved being by lawful ways and means in the Providence of God called thereunto may publiquely ordinarily and constantly perform it so that they give themselves up thereunto XIV However they who are ingaged in the work of Publique Preaching and enjoy the Publique Maintenance upon that account are not thereby obliged to dispense the Seals to any other then such as being Saints by Calling and gathered according to the Order of the Gospel they stand related to as Pastors or Teachers yet ought they not to neglect others living within their Parochial Bounds but besides their constant publique Preaching to them they ought to enquire after their profiting by the Word instructing them in and pressing upon them whether young or old the great Doctrines of the Gospel even personally and particularly so far as their strength and time will admit XV Ordination alone without the Election or precedent consent of the Church by those who formerly have been Ordained by vertue of that Power they have received by their Ordination doth not constitute any person a Church Officer or communicate Office power unto him XVI A Church furnished with Officers according to the minde of Christ hath full power to administer all his Ordinances and where there is want of any one or more Officers required that Officer or those which are in the Church may administer all the Ordinances proper to their particular Duty and Offices but where there are no teaching Officers none may administer the Seals nor can the Church authorize any so to do XVII In the carrying on of Church-administrations no person ought to be added to the Church but by the consent of the Church it self that so love without dissimulation may be preserved between all the Members thereof XVIII Whereas the Lord Jesus Christ hath appointed and instituted as a means of Edification that those who walk not according to the Rules and Laws appointed by him in respect of Faith and Life so that just offence doth arise to the Church thereby be censured in his Name and Authority Every Church hath Power in it self to exercise and execute all those Censures appointed by him in the way and Order prescribed in the Gospel XIX The Censures so appointed by Christ are Admonition and Excommunication and whereas some offences are or may be known onely to some it is appointed by Christ that those to whom they are so known do first admonish the offender in private in publique offences where any sin before all or in case of non-amendment upon private admonition the offence being related to the Church and the offender not manifesting his repentance he is to be duely admonished in the Name of Christ by the whole Church by the Ministery of the Elders of the Church and if this Censure prevail not for his repentance then he is to be cast out by Excommunication with the consent of the Church XX As all Belâ—evers are bound to joyn themselves to particular Churchâ— when and where they have opportunity so to do so nonâ— are to be admitted unto the Priviledges of the Churches who do not submit themselves to the Rule of Christ in the Censures of the Government of them XXI This being the way prescribed by Christ in case of offence no Church-members upon any offences taken by them having performed their duty required of them in this matter ought to disturb any Church-order or absent themselvâ—s from the publique Assemblies or the Administration of any Ordinances upon that pretence but to wait upon Christ in the further proceeding of the Church XXII The Power of Censures being seated by Christ in a particular Church is to be exercised onely towards particular Members of each Church respectively as such and there is no power given by him unto any Synods or Ecclesiastical Assemblies to Excommunicate or by their publique Edicts to threaten Excommunication or other Church-censures against Churches Magistrates or their people upon any account no man being obnoxious to that Censure but upon his personal miscarriage as a Member of a particular Church XXIII Although the Church is a Society of men assembling for the celebration of the Ordinances according to the appointment of Christ yet every Society assembling for that end or purpose upon the account of cohabâ—â—ation within any civil Precincts and Bounds is not thereby constituted a Church seeing there may be wanting among â—hem what is essentially required thereunto and therefore a Believer living with others in such a Precinct may joyn hâ—mself with any Church for his edification XXIV For the avoiding of differences that may otherwise arise for the greater Solemnity in the Celebration of the Ordinances of Christ and the opening a way for the large usefulness of the Gifts and Graces of the holy Ghost Saints living in one City or Town or within such distances as that they may conveniently assemble for divine Worship ought rather to joyn in one Church for their mutual strengthning and edification then to set up many distinct Societies XXV As all Churches and all the Members of them are bound to pray continually for the good or prosperity of all the Churches of Christ in all places and upon all occasions to further it Every one within the bounds of their Places and Callings in the exercise of their Gifts and Graces So the Churches themselves when planâ—ed by the providence of God so as they may have opportunity and advantage for it ought to hold communion amongst themselves for their peace increase of love and mutual edification XXVI In cases oâ— difficulties or differences either in point of Doctrine oâ—â—n Administrations wherein either the Churches in general â—â—e concerned or any one Church in their Peace Union anâ— Edification or any Member or Members of any Church 〈◊〉 injured in or by any proceeding in Censâ—â—es not agreâ—able to Truth and Order it is according to the minde oâ— Christ that many Churches holding communion togethâ—r do by their Messengers meet in a Synod or Councel to consider and give their advice in or about that matter in â—ifference to be reported to all the Churches concerned Howbeit these Synods so assembled are not entrusted with any church-Church-Power properly so called or with any Jurisdiction over the Churches themselves to exercise any Censures either over any Churches or Persons or to impose their determinations on the Churches or Officers XXVII Besides these occasional Synods or Councels there are not instituted by Christ any stated Synods in a fixed Combination of Churches or their Officers in lesser or greater Assemblies nor are there any Synods appointed by Christ in a way of Subordination to one another XXVIII Persons that are joyned in Church-fellowship ought not lightly or without just cause to withdraw themselves from the communion of the Church whereunto they are so joyned Nevertheless where any person cannot continue in any Church without his sin either for want of the Administration of any Ordinances instituted by Christ or by his being 1 Cor. 1.10 Acts 15. Rom. 15.6 8 9. v. 9. This perswasion cometh not of him that calleth you Gal. 5.8 1 Pet. 1.5 1 Pet. 3.15 8 Cor. 2. Gal. 1.6 Heb. 5.12 Eph. 4.12 14. Heb. 3.6 Heb. 10.22 June 20. 1648. Aug. 1647 Session â—86 Ordinance of March 14. 1645. Considerations and Cautions from Sion Coll. June 19. 1646. Jus divinum Minist. pub by the Provost of London in the Preface Puritanis Ang. by Dr. Aims near 50 years since as the opinions of Whitehead Gilbe Fox Dearing Greenham Cartwright Venner Fulk Whitaker Rainold Perkins c.
and upright towards those that are planted in his house And that as the Faith was but once for all and intentionally first delivered unto the Saints so the Saints when not abiding scattered but gathered under their respective Pastors according to Gods heart into an house and Churches unto the living God such together are as Paul forespake it the most steady and firm pillar and seat of Truth that God hath anywhere appointed to himself on earth where his truth is best conserved and publiquely held forth there being in such Assemblies weekly a rich dwelling of the Word amongst them that is a daily open house kept by the means of those good Housholders their Teachers and other Instructers respectively appropriated to them whom Christ in the vertue of his Ascension continues to give as gifts to his people himself dwelling amongst them to the end that by this as the most sure standing permanent means the Saints might be perfected till we all even all the Saints in present and future ages do come by this constant and daily Ordinance of his unto the unity of the Faith and Knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ which though growing on by parts and piecemeal will yet appear compleat when that great and general Assembly shall be gathered then when this world is ended and these dispensations have had their fulness and period and so that from henceforth such a provision being made for us we be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of Doctrine And finally this doth give a fresh and recent demonstration that the great Apostle and High-priest of our profession is indeed ascended into heaven and continues there with power and care faithful as a son over his own house whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the hope firm unto the end and shews that he will as he hath promised be with his own Institutions to the end of the world It is true that many sad miscarriages divisions breaches fallings off from holy Ordinances of God have along this time of tentation especially in the beginning of it been found in some of our Churches and no wonder if what hath been said be fully considered Many reasons might further be given hereof that would be a sufficient Apology without the help of a retortion upon other Churches that promised themselves peace how that more destroying ruptures have befallen them and that in a wider sphere and compass which though it should not justifie us yet may serve to stop others mouthes Let Rome glory of the peace in and obedience of her children against the Reformed Churches for their divisions that occurred especially in the first rearing of them whilest we all know the causes of their dull and stupid peace to have been carnal interests worldly correspondencies and coalitions strengthened by gratifications of all sorts of men by that Religion the principles of blinde Devotion Traditional Faith Ecclesiastical Tyranny by which she keeps her children in bondage to this day We are also certain that the very same prejudice that from hence they would cast upon the Reformed if they were just do lye as fully against those pure Churches raised up by the Apostles themselves in those first times for as we have heard of their patience sufferings consolations and the transcending gifts poured out and graces shining in them so we have heard complaints of their divisions too of the forsakings of their Assemblies as the custom or maner of SOME was which later were in that respect felones de se and needed no other delivering up to Satan as their punishment then what they executed upon themselves We read of the shipwrack also of Faith and a good Conscience and overthrowings of the faith of SOME and still but of some not all nor the most which is one piece of an Apologie the Apostle again and again inserts to future ages and through mercy we have the same to make And truly we take the confidence professedly to say that these tentations common to the purest Churches of Saints separated from the mixture of the world though they grieve us for who is offended and we burn not yet they do not at all stumble us as to the truth of our way had they been many more We say it again these stumble us no more as to that point then it doth offend us against the power of Religion it self to have seen and to see daily in particular persons called out and separated from the world by an effectual work of conversion that they for a while do suffer under disquietments vexations turmoils unsettlements of spirit that they are tossed with tempests and horrid tentations such as they had not in their former estate whilst they walked according to the course of this world For Peter hath sufficiently instructed us whose business it is to raise such storms even the Devil's and also whose designe it is that after they have suffered a while thereby they shall be setled perfected stablished that have so suffered even the God of all Grace And look what course of dispensation God holds to Saints personally he doth the like to bodies of Saints in Churches and the Devil the same for his part too And that consolatory Maxim of the Apostle God shall tread down Satan under your feet shortly which Paul uttereth concerning the Church of Rome shews how both God and Satan have this very hand therein for he speaks that very thing in reference unto their divisions as the coherence clearly manifests and so you have both designs exprest at once Yea we are not a little induced to think that the divisions breaches c. of those primitive Churches would not have been so frequent among the people themselves and not the Elders onely had not the freedom liberties and rights of the Members the Brethren we mean been stated and exercised in those Churches the same which we maintain and contend for to be in ours Yea which perhaps may seem more strange to many had not those Churches been constituted of Members inlightned further then with notional and traditional knowledge by a new and more powerful light of the Holy Ghost wherein they had been made partakers of the holy Ghost and the heavenly gift and their hearts had tasted the good Word of God and the Powers of the world to come and of such Members at lowest there had not fallen out those kindes of divisions among them For experience hath shewn that the common sort of meer Doctrinal Professors such as the most are now a days whose highest elevation is but freedom from moral scandal joyned with devotion to Christ through meer education such as in many Turks is found towards Mahomet that these finding and feeling themselves not much concerned in the active part of Religion so they may have the honor especially upon a Reformation
hath been and continueth to be the Copy ordinarily onely sold printed and reprinted for these eleven years After the 19th cap. of the Law we have added a cap. of the Gospel it being a Title that may not well be omitted in a Confession of Faith In which Chapter what is dispersed and by intimation in the Assemblies Confession with some little addition is here brought together and more fully under one head That there are not Scriptures annexed as in some Confessions though in divers others it 's otherwise we give the same account as did the Reverend Assembly in the same case which was this The Confession being large and so framed as to meet with the common errors if the Scriptures should have been alleadged with any clearness and by shewing where the strength of the proof lieth it would have required a volume We say further it being our utmost end in this as it is indeed of a Confession humbly to give an account what we hold and assert in these matters that others especially the Churches of Christ may judge of us accordingly This we aimed at and not so much to instruct others or convince gainsayers These are the proper works of other institutions of Christ and are to be done in the strength of express Scripture A Confession is an Ordinance of another nature What we have laid down and asserted about CHURCHES and their Government we humbly conceive to be the Order which Christ himself hath appointed to be observed we have endeavored to follow Scripture-light and those also that went before us according to that Rule desirous of nearest uniformity with reforming Churches as with our Brethren in New England so with others that differ from them and us The Models and Platforms of this subject laid down by learned men and practised by Churches are various We do not judge it brotherly or grateful to insist upon comparisons as some have done but this experience teacheth That the variety and possibly the disputes and emulations arising thence have much strengthened if not fixed this unhapy perswasion in the mindes of some learned and good men namely That there is no settled Order laid down in Scripture but it 's left to the prudence of the Christian Magistrate to compose or make choice of such a Form as is most sutable and consistent with their Civil Government Where this opinion is entertained in the perswasion of Governors there Churches asserting their Power and Order to be jure divino and the appointment of Jesus Christ can have no better nor more honorable entertainment then a Toleration or Permission Yet herein there is this remarkable advantage to all parties that differ about what in Government is of Christs appointment in that such Magistrates have a far greater â—â—â—â—tude in conscience to tolerate and permit the several forms of each so bound up in their perswasion then they have to submit unto what the Magistrate shall impose And thereupon the Magistrate exercising an indulgency and forbearance with protection and encouragement to the people of God so differing from him and amongst themselves Doth therein discharge as great a faithfulness to Christ and love to his people as can any way be supposed and expected from any Christian Magistrate of what perswasion soever he is And where this clemency from Governors is shewed to any sort of persons or Churches of Christ upon such a principle it will in equity produce this just effect That all that so differ from him and amongst themselves standing in equal and alike difference from the principle of such a Magistrate he is equally free to give a like liberty to them one as well as the other This faithfulness in our Governors we do with thankfulness to God acknowledge and to their everlasting honor which appeared much in the late Reformation The Hicrarchie Common-prayer-book and all other things grievous to Gods people being removed they made choice of an Assembly of learned men to advise what Government and Order is meet to be established in the room of these things and because it was known there were different opinions as always hath been among Godly men about forms of Church-Government there was by the Ordinance first sent forth to call an Assembly not onely a choice made of persons of several perswasions to sit as Members there but liberty given to a lesser number if dissenting to report their Judgements and Reasons 〈◊〉 well and as freely as the major part Hereupon the Honorable House of Commons an Indulgence we hope will never be forgotten finding by papers received from them that the Members of the Assembly were not like to compose differences amongst themselves so as to joyn in the same Rule for Church-Government did Order further as followeth That a Committee of Lords and Commons c. do take into consideration the differences of the Opinions in the Assembly of Divines in point of Church-Government and to endeavor a union if it be possible and in case that cannot be done to endeavor the finding out some way how far tender conferences who cannot in all things submit to the same Rule which shall be established may be born with according to the Word and as may stand with the publique peace By all which it is evident the Parliament purposed not to establish the Rule of Church-Government with such rigor as might not permit and bear with a practise different from what they had established In persons and Churches of different principles if occasion were And this Christian clemency and indulgence in our Governors hath been the foundation of that Freedom and Liberty in the managing of Church-affairs which our Brethren as well as WE that differ from them do now and have many years enjoyed The Honorable Houses by several Ordinances of Parliament after much consultation having settled Rules for Church-Government and such an Ecclesiastical Order as they judged would best joynt with the Laws and Government of the Kingdom did publish them requiring the practise hereof throughout the Nation and in particular by the Ministers of the Province of London But upon the former reason or the like charitable consideration these Rules were not imposed by them under any PENALTY or rigorous inforcement though frequently urged thereunto by some Our reverend Brethren of the Province of London having considered of these Ordinances and the Church-Government laid down in them declared their opinions to be That there is not a compleat rule in those Ordinances also that there are many necessary things not yet established and some things wherein their consciences are not so fully satisfied These Brethren in the same paper have published also their joynt Resolution to practise in all things according to the rule of the Word and according to these Ordinances so far as they conceive them correspond to it and in so doing they trust they shall not grieve the spirit of the truly godly nor give any just occasion to them that are contrary minded to blame
their proceedings We humbly conceive that WE being dissatisfied in these things as our Brethren the like liberty was intended by the honorable Houses and may be taken by us of the Congregational way without blame or grief to the spirits of those Brethren at least to resolve or rather to continue in the same resolution and practise in these matters which indeed were our practises in times of greatest opposition and before this reformation was begun And as our Brethren the Ministers of London drew up and published their opinions and apprehensions about Church-Government into an intire System so we now give the like publique account of our consciences and the rules by which we have constantly practised hitherto which we have here drawn up and do present Whereby it will appear how much or how little we differ in these things from our Presbyterian Brethren And we trust there is no just cause why any man either for our differing from the present settlement it being out of conscience and not out of contempt or our differences one from another being not wilful should charge either of us with that odious reproach of Schism And indeed if not for our differing from the State-settlement much less because we differ from our Brethren our differences being in some lesser things and circumstances onely as themselves acknowledge And let it be further considered that we have not broken from them or their Order by these differences but rather they from us and in that respect we less deserve their censure our practise being no other then what it was in our breaking from Episcopacy and long before Presbytery or any such form as now they are in was taken up by them and we will not say how probable it is that the yoke of Episcopacy had been upon our neck to this day if some such way as formerly and now is and hath been termed Schism had not with much suffering bin then practised since continued in For Novelty wherewith we are likewise both charged by the enemies of both it is true in respect of the publique and open profession either of Presbytery or Independency this Nation hath been a stranger to each way it 's possible ever since it hath been Christian though for our-selves we are able to trace the footsteps of an Independent Congregational way in the ancientest customs of the Churches as also in the writings of our soundest Protestant Divines and that which we are much satisfied in a full concurrence throughout in all the substantial parts of Church-Government with our Reverend Brethren the old Puritan non-Conformists who being instant in prayer and much sufferings prevailed with the Lord and we reap with joy what they sowed in tears Our Brethren also that are for Presbyterial subordinations profess what is of weight against Novelty for their way And now therefore seeing the Lord in whose hand is the heart of Princes hath put into the hearts of our Governors to tolerate and permit as they have done many years persons of each perswasion to enjoy their consciences though neither come up to the Rule established by Authority And that which is more to give us both protection and the same encouragement that the most devoted Conformists in those former superstitious times enjoyed yea and by a publique Law to establish this Liberty for time to come and yet further in the midst of our fears to set over us a Prince that owns this Establishment and cordially resolves to secure our Churches in the enjoyment of these Liberties if we abuse them not to the disturbance of the Civil Peace This should be a very great engagement upon the hearts of all though of different perswasions to endeavor our utmost joyntly to promove the honor and prosperity of such a Government and Governors by whatsoever means which in our Callings as Ministers of the Gospel and as Churches of Jesus Christ the Prince of peace we are any way able to as also to be peaceably disposed one towards another and with mutual toleration to love as brethren notwithstanding such differences remembring as it 's very equal we should the differences that are between Presbyterians and Independents being differences between fellow-servants and neither of them having authority given from God or man to impose their opinions one more then the other That our Governors after so solemn an establishment should thus bear with us both in our greater differences from their Rule and after this for any of us to take a fellow-servant by the throat upon the account of a lesser reckoning and nothing due to him upon it is to forget at least not to exercise that compassion and tenderness we have found where we had less ground to challenge or expect it Our prayer unto God is That whereto we have already attained we all may walk by the same rule and that wherein we are otherwise minded God would reveal it to us in his due time Books sold by John Allen at the Sun Rising in Pauls Church-yard viz. Mr. Caryls fifth Volume on the Book of Job in quarto Mr. Caryls seventh Volume on the Book of Job in quarto Bezae Novum Testamentum in folio Mr. Allens Scripture Chronology in quarto Mr. Baxters Call to the Unconverted Mr. Cotton on the Covenant intended suddenly for the Press Mr. Lukins Practice of Godliness Mr. Burgess of Original sin Pareus on the Revelation in folio Mr. Gataker against Judicial Astrology wherein he proves it to be the way and practice of Heathens and ought not to be so much as named by them that profess the Name of Christ Esay 47.12 13. Jer. 10.2 The History of the Evangelical Churches of the Valleys of Piemont containing a most exact Description of the Place and a faithful Account of the Doctrine Life and Persecutions of the ancient Inhabitants together with a most naked and punctual Relation of the late Bloody Massacre 1655. and a Narrative of all the following Transactions to 1658. justifiâ—d partly by divers ancient Manuscripts written many hundred years before Calvin or Luther By Samuel Morlaend Esq in folio The humbled sinner resolved what he should do to be saved or Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ the onely way of Salvation by Mr. Obadiah Sedgwick in quarto The Riches of Grace displayed in the offer and tender of Salvation to poor sinners by the same Author in twelves The Fountain opened and the Water of Life flowing forth for the refreshing of thirsty sinners by the same Author quarto The Gospels Glory without prejudice to the Law shining forth in the Glory of God the Father Son and holy Ghost for the salvation of sinners by Mr. Richard Byfield in octavo A DECLARATION OF THE FAITH and ORDER Owned and practised in the CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES IN ENGLAND CHAP. I. Of the holy Scripture ALthough the Light of Nature and the Works of Creation and Providence do so far manifest the Goodness Wisdom and Power of God as to leave men
crucified and all benefits of his death the Body and Blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in with or under the Bread or Wine yet as really but spiritually present to the Faith of Believers in that Ordinance as the Elements themselves are to their outward senses VIII All ignorant and ungodly persons as they are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ so are they unworthy of the Lords Table and cannot without great sin against him whilest they remain such partake of these holy Mysteries or be admitted thereunto yea whosoever shall receive unworthily are guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord eating and drinking Judgement to themselves CHAP. XXXI Of the state of Man after Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead THe Bodies of men after death return to dust and see corruption but their souls which neither die nor sleep having an immortal subsistence immediately return to God who gave them the souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness are received into the highest Heavens where they behold the face of God in light and glory waiting for the full redemption of their bodies And the souls of the wicked are cast into Hell where they remain in torment and utter darkness reserved to the Judgement of the great day Besides these two places for souls separated from their bodies the Scripture acknowledgeth none II. At the last day such as are found alive shall not die but be changed and all the dead shall be raised up with the self-same bodies and none other although with different qualities which shall be united again to their souls for ever III. The bodies of the unjust shall by the Power of Christ be raised to dishonor the bodies of the just by his Spirit unto honor and be made conformable to his own glorious Body CHAP. XXXII Of the last Judgement GOd hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the World in righteousness by Jesus Christ to whom all Power and Judgement is given of the Father in which day not onely the Apostate Angels shall be judged but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the Tribunal of Christ to give an account of their thoughts words and deeds and to receive according to what they have done in the body whether good or evil II. The end of Gods appointing this day is for the manifestation of the Glory of his Mercy in the eternal salvation of the Elect and of his Justice in the damnation of the Reprobate who are wicked and disobedient for then shall the righteous go into everlasting Life and receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting reward in the presence of the Lord but the wicked who know not God and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ shall be cast into eternal torments and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his Power III. As Christ would have us to be certainly perswaded that there shall be a Judgement both to deter all men from sin and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity so will he have that day unknown to men that they may shake off all carnal security and be always watchful because they know not at what hour the Lord will come and may be ever prepared to say Come Lord Jesus come quickly Amen Books sold by John Allen at the Sun Rising in Pauls Church-yard viz. Mr. Caryl's fifth Volume on the Book of Job in quarto Mr. Caryl's seventh Volume on the Book of Job in quarto Beza Novum Testamentum in folio Mr. Allens Scripture Chronology in quarto Dr. Preston's Riches of Mercy in quarto Buxtorfius's Lexicon the best sort in large octavo Mr. Baxter's Call to the Unconverted Mr. Cotton on the Covenant intended suddenly for the Press Mr. Lukin's Practice of Godliness Mr. Burgess of Original sin Pareus on the Revelation in folio Mr. Gataker against Judicial Astrology wherein he proves it to be the way and practice of Heathens and ought not to be so much as named by them that profess the Name of Christ Esay 47.12 13. Jer. 10.2 OF THE INSTITUTION OF CHURCHES AND THE ORDER Appointed in them by JESUS CHRIST I. BY the appointment of the Father all Power for the Calling Institution Order or Government of the Church is invested in a Supreme and Soveraign maner in the Lord Jesus Christ as King and Head thereof II. In the execution of this Power wherewith he is so entrusted the Lord Jesus calleth out of the World unto communion with himself those that are given unto him by his Father that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience which he prescribeth to them in his Word III. Those thus called through the Ministry of the Word by his Spirit he commandeth to walk together in particular Societies or Churches for their mutual edification and the due performance of that publique Worship which he requireth of them in this world IV. To each of these Churches thus gathered according unto his minde declared in his Word he hath given all that Power and Authority which is any way needfull for their carrying on that Order in Worship and Discipline which he hath instituted for them to observe with Commands and Rules for the due and right exerting and executing of that Power V. These particular Churches thus appointed by the Authority of Christ and intrusted with power from him for the ends before expressed are each of them as unto those ends the seat of that Power which he is pleased to communicate to his Saints or Subjects in this world so that as such they receive it immediately from himself VI Besides these particular Churches there is not instituted by Christ any Church more extensive or Catholique entrusted with power for the administration of his Ordinances or the execution of any authority in his name VII A particular Church gathered and compleated according to the minde of Christ consists of Officers and Members The Lord Christ having given to his called ones united according to his appointment in Church-order Liberty and Power to choose Persons fitted by the holy Ghost for that purpose to be over them and to minister to them in the Lord VII The Members of these Churches are Saints by Calling visibly manifesting and evidencing in and by their profession and walking their obedience unto that Call of Christ who being further known to each other by their confession of the Faith wrought in them by the power of God declared by themselves or otherwise manifested do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ giving up themselves to the Lord and to one another by the will of God in professed subjection to the Ordinances of the Gospel IX The Officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the Church so called and gathered for the peculiar administration of Ordinances and execution of Power or Duty which he intrusts them