the churche the communion of those graces offices which are in Christ It hath the vse of his priesthoode because he is the high Priest thereof Also of his prophecie because he is the Prophet thereof Also of his kingdome and gouernement because he is the kynge and Lord thereof 45 How are they vnder some one chiefe Antichrist and receaue his image and markes They put religion holines in their fellowship vnder his abominations and so he is their priest They follow his lawes and ordinances and so he is their prophet They hould his gouernment and so he is their kinge 45 The Priesthoode of Christ is his office of mediation and seruice in the church for attonement and sanctification whereby all sinne and vncleannes is taken away The Priesthoode of Antichrist is his office of tolerating and dispensing with wickednes that it may remaine and agreement might be made betweene Christ and Belial 46 What vse hath the churche of his priesthoode Thereby he is our mediatour and we present and offer vppe our praiers in his name because by his intreatie our sinnes are forgeuen Also he is our iustification because by his attonement we are iustified Also he is our sanctification because he partaketh vnto vs his holines and spirituall graces 46 How is Antichrist their priest A vile person presenteth their prayers to God as a spokesman for them and pronounceth absolutiō of their sinns and that by stinting and limiting in popish wise Also hee tolerateth and dispenseth with wickednes to iustifie iniquitie Also by a vaine hallowing and blessing them selues vnder him they draw and increase their corruption and filthines by him 46 His Mediation is a duetie of his Priestlie office in seeking and getting the helpe blessing of God towardes vs by the fauor of God towardes him and therfore he complaineth intreateth for vs as belonging vnto him The forgiuenes of sinnes is the mercifull graūt of God to the prayer of Christ that the sinnes of his for whom he answered in righteousnes might be taken away Our Iustification is the ful discharge of al dueties wherewith the lawe charged vs which deliuereth vs from the guiltines of sinne by the righteousnes of Christ. Our Sanctification is the partaking of the holines spiritual graces of Christ Iesus whereby we serue God in newnesse of spirite 47 What vse hath the church of his prophecie He him selfe hath taught vs and geuen vs his lawes He preacheth vnto vs by his worde message in the mouthes of his messengers He appoynteth to euerie one their callinges and dueties 47 How is Antichrist their prophet He geueth them lawes and iniunctions which they receaue He sendeth his hirelings to preach and vphoulde with some lawes of Christ his owne lawes especially He misleadeth euerie one to his mischeuous busines 47 The Prophecie of Christ is his office of teaching and giuing lawes to his people wherby he vseth their obedience to learne and know the same His preaching by his seruauntes is the message he giueth to those whom he sendeth to vse the obedience of his people in learning that they might knowe his lawes and his will His appointing and moderating is whereby all haue their office and charge at his handes The prophecie of Antichrist is his office of teaching and giuing lawes to his people whereby he abuseth their obedience to holde and learne with some lawes of Christ his owne lawes especiallie 48 What vse hath the churche of his kinglie office By that he executeth his lawes First by ouerseeing and trying out wickednes Also by priuate or open rebuke of priuate or open offenders Also by separation of the wilfull or more greeuous offenders 48 How is Antichrist their king He forceth his religiō by ciuil power or by binding their consciences whereby he hideth shifteth away their guiltines which the word doth bewray His officers chide and braule to increase their power riches by those which offend them They excōmunicate some frō their churches to communicate damnation more surely to those which are in their churches 48 The kingdome of Christ is his office of gouernement whereby he vseth the obedience of his people to keepe his lawes commaundements to their saluation and welfare The kingdome of Antichrist is his gouernmēt confirmed by the ciuill Magistrate whereby he abuseth the obedience of the people to keepe his euill lawes and customes to their own damnation The ouerseeing and trying out of wickednes is his forceable taking of accountes by the watch in his church and the skāning of things by his worde whereby he maketh known that which anie would hyde Rebuke is a pronouncing of the knowne wickednes of anie with condemning the same in the hearing of the offēder only if his fault be priuate or of witnesses if he be wilfull therein openlie iustifie it or of the church if he yet bee more wilfull or else if his faulte be open in the presence and hearing of those whiche see his fault or if he be wilfull before the churche whereby he may be ashamed and others feare Separatiō of the open wilfull or greeuous offēders is a dutifulnes of the church in withholding from them the christian communion and fellowship by pronouncing and shewing the couenaunt of christian cōmunion to be broken by their greeuous wickednes and that with mourning fasting and prayer for them denouncing Gods iudgements against them 49 What vse hath the churche of the graces and offices vnder Christ It hath those which haue office of teaching and guiding Also those which haue office of cherishing and releeuing the afflicted poore Also it hath the graces of all the brethren and people to doo good withall 49 What is the common plague in drawing corruptions and partaking wickednes together vnder Antichrist Some haue office of deceauing and misleading the people Some of prouiding for the belly and kitchin All the company do partake further wickednes in a false worship vngodly behauiour 49 The office of teaching and guiding is a charge or message committed by God vnto those which haue grace and giftes for the same and thereto are tried and duelie receyued of the people to vse their obedience in learning and keeping the lawes of God 50 Who haue the grace office of teaching and guiding Some haue this charge and office together which can not be sundred Some haue their seueral charge ouer manie churches Some haue charge but in one church onlie 50 Who haue the office of deceauing and misleading the people Some haue their authoritie power of rauening ioined together and participate Likewise some haue their seueral power to rauene manie churches Also some are tied toe particular churches 50 The offices or charges participate and ioyned are whiche haue their execution and gouernement with consent and counsell of diuers in the same office and charge 51 How haue some their
or it is the blessing of God vppon him whâ—reby he wanteth nothing nor hath neede of anie thing else to better his state 32 How hath he gotten happines for vs He hath gotten the causes of our happines which are in god Also the meanes of our happines as proceeding from God Also he hath gotten the inioying of the happines it selfe 32 Howe doo they make the people cursed like to them selues They ar altogither brought into the displeasure and disliking of God They are left helples without the meanes of saluation All woe and miserie waiteth vpon them 32 The causes of our happines in God is the secrete sufficiencie which he hath in him self â—o saue mankinde 33 What be the causes of our happines in God His chusing and predestinating of vs vnto this happines His mercie His loue towardes vs. 33 How are they brought into this displeasure of God They shewe them selues appointed and iudged vnto damnation Also that preseÌ„tly they are vnder the fierce wrath of god his bitter curse And that God hateth loatheth theÌ„ 33 His Electing or chusing is his free consent or will in his eternall counsell to saue vs for his names sake without anie desert of oures to make knowne his exceeding great mercies His Predestinating of vs is his full consent or counsaile whereby he is setled to saue those whom he hath chosen and after that manner vvhich pleaseth and liketh him 34 What be the meanes of our happines from God Our calling leading vnto this happines Our obedience thereto in mortifying our selues Our raysing and quickning againe 34 How are they left helples with out the meanes of saluation They are called away and misled to destructioÌ„ without any hope of help They are desperatly hardened They are most fearfully discouraged and troubled when their euill state appeareth 34 The meanes of our Happines from God is the helpe vvhich hee giueth vs in our selues and among our selues His calling of vs is his vsing of all meanes and occasions to moue vs to the seking of saluatioÌ„ in Christ. His calling of vs in trueth is vvhen the meanes vvhich moue vs to seeke vnto Christ are cleare to the conscience vvihthout the outvvarde signes thereof 35 What is our calling and leading vnto this happines In the new Testament our calling is in plainer maner as by the first planting and gathering of the church vnder one kinde of gouernement Also by a further plaÌ„ting of the church according to that gouernement But in the olde Testament our calling was by shadowes and ceremonies as among the Iewes 35 How doo Antichristes call awaye and misleade the people Some are Antichristes which professing the newe Testament peruert the same as they which supplant ouerthrowe the good state and gouernement of the church Whiche also establishe their false churche and gouernement in steade therof And some are Antichristes by peruerting the olde Testament as the Iewes which holde stil the shadowes and ceremonies of the olde lawe denie Christ to be come in the fleshe 35 The new Testament which is called the Gospell or glad tidings is a ioyfull and plaine declaring and teaching by a due message of the remedie of our miseries thorowe Christe our Redeemer who is come in the fleshe a Sauior vnto those which worthelie receyue this message and hath fulfilled the ould ceremonies Our calling in plainer manner is when the meanes which moue vs to seeke Christ are cleare to the conscience without the outward shadowes and ceremonies thereof The Church planted or gathered is a companie or number of Christians or beleeuers which by a willing couenant made with their God are vnder the gouernment of god and Christ and kepe his lawes in one holie communion because Christ hath redeemed them vnto holines happines for euer from which they were fallen by the sinne of Adam The Church gouernment is the Lordshipp of Christ in the communion of his offices wherby his people obey to his will and haue mutual vse of their graces and callings to further their godlines and welfare 36 Howe must the churche be first planted and gathered vnder one kinde of gouernement First by a couenant and condicion made on Gods behalfe Secondlie by a couenant and condicion made on our behalfe Thirdlie by vsing the sacrament of Baptisme to seale those condicions and couenantes 36 Howe doo they supplant and ouerthrowe the good state and gouernement of the church They wrest and mocke the Lords couenant as if he offered theÌ„ grace The people doo yoake and binde away them selues by their couenant from the Lord and his grace They make their Baptisme a pledge and seale of gracelesnes mischeefe 36 The couenant on Gods behalf is his agreement or partaking of condicions with vs that if we keepe his lawes not forsaking his gouernment hee will take vs for his people blesse vs accordingly 37 What is the couenant or condicion on Gods behalfe His promise to be our God and sauiour if we forsake not his gouernement by disobedience Also his promise to be the God of our seede while we are his people Also the gifte of his spirit to his children as an inwarde calling and furtheraunce of godlines 37 How doo they wrest and mocke the Lords couenaunt By a blasphemous abusing of the name and promises of God they make theÌ„ selues their Gods by holding theÌ„ bondslaues to ther gouernment Also they holde their children and seede in like bondage Also they intaÌ„gle theÌ„ with a spirit of error coÌ„tinual misgeuiÌ„g froÌ„ good 37 His promisse to his church is his sure couenant remembred taught and held by the church and the seede thereof whereby it onely hath assurance of saluation in Christ. The spirit of God in vs is an inwarde working of the holy Ghost in our hartes stirring and drawing vs to take Christe for our Sauiour and preparing and streÌ„gthning vs vnto all goodnes 38 What is the couenant or condicion on our behalfe We must offer and geue vp our selues to be of the church and people of God We must likewise offer and geue vp our children and others being vnder age if they be of our householde and we haue full power ouer them We must make profession that we are his people by submitting our selues to his lawes and gouernement 38 Howe doo the people yoake and binde awaye them selues from the Lorde and his grace They cutt of and keepe awaye them selues from the true church to be amonge the wicked They geue vp them selues others to be of their popishe parishes and felloshippe They beare the image and markes of Antichristian people by obeying and keeping the lawes of Antichrist 38 The couenaunt on our behalfe is our agreement and partaking of conditions with God That he shalbe our God so long as wee keepe vnder his gouernement and obey his lawes and no longer The giuing vp of
our selues and our seede to be of the church is a duetifulnes in seeking holines and happines by Christe in his Churche which onely wee haue by a couenaunt to be vnder his gouernement in the Church and by obeying thereto Our profession and submission to his Iawes gouernement is the keeping of our couenant by leading a godly and Christian life 39 How must Baptisme be vsed as a seale of this couenaunt They must be duelie presented and offered to God and the church which are to be Baptised They must be duelie receiued vnto grace and fellowship 39 How do they make Baptisme a pledge and seale of gracelesnes mischiefe They are brought to bee baptised vnto Antichrist and his popish parishes Then also in stead of due receauing there is a gracelesse forceing and rauening of them vnto damnation 39 Baptisme is a Sacrament or marke of the outwarde church sealing vnto vs by the wasshing of our bodies in water and the word accordingly preached our suffering with Christ to die vnto sinne by repentance and our rising with him to liue vnto righteousnes and also sealing our calling profession and happines gotten by our faith in the victorie of the same Iesus Christ. 40 How must they be presented and offered The children of the faithfull though they be infantes are to be offered to God and the church that they may be Baptised Also those infantes or children which are of the householde of the faithfull and vnder their full power Also all of discretion which are not baptised if they holde the Christian profession and shewe forth the same 40 How are they geuen vp vnto popish parishes The children of the wicked and vnfaithfull are offered by godfathers and godmothers and brought to their parishes The parentes and gouernours haue no authoritie to present them They hould not the christian profession nor shew forth the same 40 Presenting and offering of persons to be baptised is a duetifulnes in the parentes and gouernours which offer or in the parties which offer themselues whereby they seeke their saluation by ioyning with the church in one christian communion The due receyuing vnto grace and fellowship is a duetifulnes of the Church in partaking with those in one Christian communioÌ„ which are meere for the same 41 How must they be receaued vnto grace and felloshippe The worde must be duely preached in an holie assemblie The signe or Sacrament must be applied thereto 41 What is their gracelesse forceing and rauening of them A lawe doth binde the preist and people to a popish reading or to a dead frutelesse forme of wordes The signe is made a superstitious trifting colouring of abominations 41 By preaching the worde of Baptisme we vnderstande not the blinde reading or fruitles prating thereof at randome but a due teaching bylawful messengers of our redemption mortifying and raysing with Christ 42 How must the word be preached The preacher being called and meete thereto must shewe the redemption of christians by Christ and the promises receaued by faith as before Also they must shewe the right vse of that redemption in suffering with Christ to dye vnto sinne by repeÌ„tance Also the raising and quickning again vpon repentance 42 What is their dead reading or frutelesse forme of teaching A blind guide or priestlie Preacher by a shewe of reading or telling a redemption by Christ doth snare theÌ„ with the abominations of Antichrist They lead them to a desperate hardning by the wicked guiding of their parishes or charges They are vtterlye withdrawne from goodnes to sett them selues on mischeefe and wickednes 42 Our redemption is defined before Our sufferings and raysing do followe after to be handled 43 Howe must the signe be applied thereto The bodies of the parties baptised must be washed w t water or sprinckled or dipped in the name of the Father and of y e Sonne and of the holy Ghost vnto the forgeuenes of sinnes and dying thereto in one death and burial with Christ. The preacher must pronounce theÌ„ to be baptised into y e bodie and gouernement of Christ to be taught to professe his lawes that by his mediatioÌ„ victorie they might rise againe with him vnto holines happines for euer The church must geue thankes for the partie baptised and praye for his further instruction and traininge vnto â—aluation 43 How is the signe made a superstitious trifle They blasphemously abuse the name of god in baptising theÌ„ wherby they further come vnder the fierce wrath of god his bitter curse to be more desperatlie hardened in their sinnes Thei are pronounced to be baptised into their wicked fellowship and gouernment to be taught to professe with some lawes of Christ the lawes of antichrist especially to be set on mischiefe and left helplesse therein The parishe with a false worship and idoll seruice geue thankes and pray vnto God as to an idoll wherby there is a further increase of wickednes miserie to the partie baptised 43 Baptising in the name of God is a due applying of the signe of washing or sprinckling to the worde duelie preached by him which is knowne to be sent of God Baptising into the bodie and gouernement of Christ is when the parties Baptised are receyued vnto grace and fellowshippe by partaking with the church in one Christian communion Thankes giuing and Prayer doo followe after to be spoken of here they be mencioned by occasion Hitherto of the first gathering and planting of the Church 44 How must it be further builded accordinge vnto churche gouernement First by communion of the graces offices in the head of y e church which is Christ. Secondly by communion of the graces and offices in the bodie which is the church of Christ. Thirdly by vsing the Sacrament of the Lords supper as a seale of this communion Hitherto of supplanting of the true Church 44 How do they establish their false church gouernmeÌ„t in stead therof They are first vnder one chiefe Antichrist the Pope or vnder other Antichrists which reseÌ„ble him or sprang vp of him and receaue their image and markes They draw corruptions and partake wickednes one with an other in one common plague They make their supper of communion a pledge seale of their wretched confusion 44 The communion of graces is a mutuall vsing of friendshippe and callings to pleasure and be pleasured in all christian charitie Christ is the Sonne of God made by his Father the Heade and Lorde of the Church because he hath anoynted and filled him with his Spirit and hath giuen him an office and charge and the fulnes of all graces to worke our saluation Antichrist is the childe of the Deuill filled with the spirit of delusion and hypocrisie who hath an vsurped office ouer false christians named the church of God and by the strength of his Lawes gouernement and superstitious ceremonies doeth ouerthrowe their redemption by Christ. 45 Howe hath
by the helpe of God 115 What gift must they haue All Gouernours must haue forwardnes before others in knowledge and godlines as able to guide And some must haue age and eldershippe Also some must haue parentage and birth 115 Howe are they vnfitt and vnskilfull to gouerne They are vntoward through their ignoraunce are worldlie minded men They are children or of childish condicions They haue no right nor succession by parentage or birth 115 Knowledge is the right iudgement or wisedome which they should haue whereby they shoulde haue all thinges sought and founde out belonging to that calling Godlines is defined before Age and Eldershippe is a gifte whereby they haue greater authoritie as by naturall deserte of their wisdome if so be by cōtinuāce of time they haue gotten that wisedome Birth and Parentage is a gifte whereby they haue greater authoritie as by naturall deserte of kindred and bloude or of begetting and bringing vp if so bee they aunswere in worthines otherwise 116 What charge or commaundement of God must they haue to vse their guift They haue first the speciall commaundement of furthering his kingdome by edifyinge and helping of others where there is occasion and the persones be worthie Also some speciall prophecie and foretelling of their calling or some generall commaundement for the same Also particular warninges from God vnknowne to the world as in oulde time by vision dreame and reuelation and now by a speciall working of Gods spirite in our consciences 116 How are they forbidden by God and vnsente to that calling They are chiefly forbidden to hinder the building of the Lords kingdome Also their is some generall commaundement or some speciall warning and example to stay them from that calling Also their owne fancie ambition or lust doth thurst them on to that calling 116 A commaundement to vse our giftes is a pronounced or written lawe or forme of wordes appointing vnto vs that duetie by the authoritie of God in the pronoūcer or writer The speciall commaundemement for this is defined before Prophecie or foretelling of their calling is the pronounced or written decree or will of God for their calling shewed before hande whiche appointeth vnto them that calling by the authoritie of God in the pronouncer or writer Particular warnings is the stirring vp and prouoking of them by the worde their consciences and the spirit of grace in them and by the occasions of doing good by their giftes wherby they are compelled to vse their giftes in that calling 117 what agreement must there be of men For Church gouernours there must be an agreement of the church For ciuil Magistrates there must be an agreement of the people or Common welth For Houshoulders there must be an agreement of the houshouldes As Husbandes Parents Maisters Teachers or Scholemaisters c. 117 How do they steale into that calling or gett it by force rauening They will shift thrust themselues into the Church gouernment as Antichristes They will shift or thrust themselues into the ciuil gouernment as Tyrantes They wil shift and thrust thē selues into home gouernment like Lord-danes or maisterly troublers 117 Church gouernors are persons receyuing their authoritie office of God for the guiding of his people the Church receyued and called thereto by due consent and agreement of the Church The Church gouernement and gouernours are defined before Ciuill Magistrates are persons receyuing their authoritie office of God for the due guiding of the common wealth whereto they are duely receyued and called by consent and agreement of the people and subiectes A larger definition may be this Ciuill Magistrates are persons authorised of God and receyued by the consent or choyse of the people whether officers or subiectes or by birth succession also to make execute lawes by publike agreement to rule the common wealth in all outwarde iustice to maintaine the right welfare honour thereof with outwarde power bodily punishemens and ciuill forcing of men Housholders or house keepers are persons authorised ouer their housholdes and charges 118 What agreement must there be of the church for the calling of church gouernours They must trie their guiftes and godlines They must receyue them by obedience as their guides and teachers where they plante or establish the church They must receyue them by choyse where the church is planted The agreement also for the calling of ciuill magistrates should be like vnto this excepting their Pompe and outward power and orders established meete for the people 118 How doe they shift or thrust themselues into the church gouernment as Antichristes They hide away their vntowardnes and wickednes and colour the same by an outward bragge or countenance of authoritie or by flatterings and pleasings They vndermine and take away by craft the libertie of the church and bring them into bondage They come vppon them by power and force and yoake them by cruel lawes and penalties The like may be saide of Tyrauntes which vsurpe ciuil authoritie 118 Agreement of men is the willingnes or glad consent both of the Gouernors to rule the people or inferiours to obey for the assurance they haue in God of welfare by eche other Trying of their giftes and godlines is a taking of accountes of the same by a right iudgemēt of them by that which we haue knowne and seene in them whiche doeth sufficientlie warrant their meetenes Receyuing of them by obedience is a duetifulnes in partaking to them the vse of our submission or seruice because they partake vnto vs the vse of their authoritie and guiding Receyuing by choyse is an agreement or partaking of condicions betweene Gouernours and inferiours That so long as the Gouernours haue right vse of the submission and seruice of inferiours and the inferiours also haue the right vse and welfare of their authoritie guiding they shall hold that communion or else make a breache thereof when once it shall tende to confusion and destruction We giue these definitions so generall that they may be applied also to the ciuill state 119 What choyse should there be The praiers and humbling of all with fasting and exhortation that God may be chiefe in the choise The consent of the people must be gathered by the Elders or guides and testifyed by voyce presenting or naming of some or other tokens that they approue them as meete for that calling The Elders or forwardest must ordeine and pronounce them with prayer and imposition of handes as called and authorised of God and receyued of their charg to that calling Yet imposition of handes is no essentiall pointe of their calling but it ought to be left when it is turned into pompe or superstition 119 How doe they come vppon them with power and force and yoake them with crueltie With pride threates or wicked lawes they are thrust vppon the people by their owne might or by the strength
charge and office together There be Synodes or the meetings of sundrie churches which are when the weaker churches seeke helpe of the stronger for deciding or redressing of matters or else the stronger looke to them for redresse There is also prophecie or meetings for the vse of euerie mans gift in talk or reasoning or exhortation and doctrine There is the Eldershippe or meetings of the most forwarde and wise for lookinge to matters 51 Howe haue they their Antichristian authoritie ioyned partaking They haue their popishe Synodes counselles and conuocations c. They haue their prophecies commoÌ„ places collegies c for the abuse of mens guiftes by triflinges and stintings inioyninges and charginges in popishe wise They haue their spirituall courts churchwardens sydemen c. 51 A Synode is a Ioyning or partaking of the authoritie of manie Churches mette togither in peace for redresse and deciding of matters which can not wel be otherwise taken vp Prophecie is a ioyning or partaking of the office of manie Teachers in peaceable manner both for iudgement and tryall and also for the vse of euerie mannes gifte in talke reasoning exhortation or doctrine Eldership is a Ioyning or partaking of the authoritie of Elders or forwardest and wysest in a peaceable meeting for redressing and deciding of matters in particular Churches and for counsaile therein 52 Who haue their seueral charge ouer many churches Apostles had charge ouer many churches Likewise Prophetes which had their reuelations or visions Likewise helpers vnto these as EuaÌ„gelistes and companions of their iourneis 52 Who haue their false charge ouer manie churches High popishe Commissioners and Legates c. Archbishoppes and Bishoppes c. Also helpers vnto these as ChauÌ„celours Commissareis Sumners c rouing and wandring Ministers 52 An Apostle is a person hauing office and message from God for the which he is meete vnto all persons and churches to shewe them their state of damnatioÌ„ for some notable want or wickednes and to vse the obedience of all persons and churches whiche receyue him to plante reforme and set order for auoyding that damnation A Prophet is a person hauing office and message from God for the which hee is meete to foretell of plagues or of blessings which GOD hath shewed to the Prophet to vse the obedience of all which receiue him to plante reforme and set order for the auoyding of the plagues and the obtayning of the blessings Euangelistes are persons hauing office message of God for the which they are tried to be meete and thereto are chosen where the church is planted or receiued by obedience wheÌ„ they plant the church to helpe the Apostles or Prophetes either by preparing a way for them to do the more good or by holding that waye course which the Apostles and Prophetes appointe vnto them 53 Who haue their seuerall charge in one Churche onely to teache and guide the same The Pastour or he which hath the guift of exhorting and applying especiallie The Teacher or he whiche hath the guift of teaching especially and lesse guift of exhorting and applying They whiche helpe vnto them both in ouerseeing and counsailinge as the most forward or Elders 53 Who haue their false charge ouer one churche onlie to deceaue and misleade it Priestes Parsons Vicars Curats and the rest of that rable which ar thrust vppon the flocke And helpers vnto these as euerie Questman and the Clarks and Readers and Singers c. 53 A Pastor is a person hauing office and message of God for exhorting mouing especially and guiding accordinglie for the which he is tried to be meete thereto is duelie chosen by the church which calleth him or receyued by obedience where he planteth the Church A Teacher of doctrine is a person hauing office and message of God for teaching especiallie and guiding accordinglie with lesse gifte to exhorte and applie for the which he is triâ—d to be meete and thereto is duelie chosen by the church which calleth him or receyued by obedience where he planteth the church An Elder or more forward in gifte is a person hauing office and message of God for ouersight and counsaile and redressing thinges amisse for the which he is tried c. 54 Who haue office of cherishing and releeuing the afflicted and poore The Releeuers or Deacons which are to gather and bestowe the church liberalitie The Widowes which are to praye for the church with attendaunce to the sicke and afflicted thereof 54 Whoe be for the kitchin and for feeding the bellie They haue their ciuil collections popishlie established Also Amners Almsemen Beade-houses Mourners Stewards Cookes with all that rable 54 The Releeuer is a person hauing office of God to prouide gather bestowe the giftes and liberalitie of the church as there is needâ— to the which office he is tried and receyued as meete The Widowe is a pâ—rson hauing office of god to pray for the church to visit and minister to those which are afflicted distressed in the church for the which she is tried and receyued as meete 55 How hath the church the vse of those graces which al y e brethreÌ„ people haue to do good withal Because euerie one of the church is made a Kinge a Priest and a Prophet vnder Christ to vpholde and further the kingdom of God to breake and destroie the kingdome of Antichrist and Satan 55 Howe are the people of the euill churches a plague to them selues by partaking wickednes one with an other Euery one is a captaine and ringleader to mischeefe Also a spirituall infection and abomination Also a false wretched deceauour 55 The kingdome of all Christians is their office of guiding and ruling with Christ to subdue the wicked and make one another obedient to Christ. Their Priesthoode is their office of cleansing and redressing wickednes whereby sinne and vncleannes is taken away from amongst them Their Prophecie is their office of iudging all thinges by the worde of God whereby they increase in knowledge and wisedome among them selues 56 Howe are we made Kinges We must all watch one an other and trie out all wickednes We must priuatlie and openlie rebuke the priuat and open offendours We must also separate the wilful and more greeuous offenders and withdraw our selues froÌ„ them and gather the righteous togither 56 Howe is euerie one a captaine and ringleader to mischeefe Thei all seek occasions of euill and hunt for the bloud of the righteous They chide brawle without shame both priuatlie and openlie They driue and chase from them the righteous and loath their companie 56 Looke question 48. For watching trying out wickednes For priuate and open rebuke For separation 57 How are all Christians made Priestes vnder Christ They present and offer vp praiers vnto God for them selues for others They turne others from iniquitie so that attonement is