THE VVORLD that Now is AND THE VVORLD that is to Come Or the First and Second Coming of Jesus Christ Wherein several Prophecies not yet fulfilled are Expounded By HAN KNOLLYS A Servant of Jesus Christ Rev. 1.19 LONDON Printed by Tho. Snowden An. 1681. TO THE READER Christian Reader SO needful is the true Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ so absolutely conducing unto Man's Eternal Well-being John 17.3 as whereby alone true Happiness is to be attained To that End in the former Part of this little Treatise is set forth First What the LORD Jesus Christ hath done and suffered for the Salvation of Sinners Secondly What HE doth work in them by his holy Spirit and Word in Order unto their Everlasting Salvation Thirdly What kind of Worship Churches Ministers and Ordinances the LORD Jesus Christ hath instituted and appointed under the Gospel And in the latter Part of it is briefly and plainly declared That there is a WORLD to Come That the LORD Jesus Christ will come personally visibly and suddenly That he will set up his Kingdom will Reign Raise the Dead and Judge both the Quick and the Dead 2 Tim. 4.1 At his Appearing his Kingdom It may be some of all sorts of Readers will judge and Censure me for one thing or another but with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by Man's Judgment I only entreat the Judicious Reader to search the Scriptures and thereby to prove all things and hold fast that which is sound I pretend not to Infallibility I know but in part yet I am willing to impart that which I do know unto others that are searching after Knowledge and Understanding And I pray that God will fill you that Read what I have written with the Knowledge of his Will Revealed in his written WORD That you may prove what is the perfect Will of God But if any man seem to be contentious we have no such Custom neither the Churches of God Nor will I contend with any one otherwise than the Apostle Jude exhorts in the third verse of his Epistle That we should earnestly contend for the Faith that was once delivered unto the Saints not by vain Disputings and Janglings but by sober Assertions and clear Proofs of Scripture Isa 8.20 Shew me friendly Reader wherein I have erred from the Truth and it will be as precious Balm and I shall esteem thee my friend indeed that will endeavour to convert me from the Errour of my Way if i◠be done in a Spirit of Love Nay if any one shall do it in another frame of spirit I shall thankfully acknowledge his kindness that will endeavour to Convince me to Reprove me yea although he should Reproach me and I would bear it patiently and humbly acknowledge my mistake And I will not obstinately hold fast any Errour after Conviction through the Grace of God for I love the Truth as it is in Jesus if my heart doth not deceive me more than my self or my esteem in the World Thy Souls Friend Han. Knollys From my Study in Bartholomew-Lane August 3. 1681. THE VVORLD That now is THE holy Scripture of Truth speaketh of three Worlds viz. The WORLD that was 2 Pet. 3.6 The WORLD that now is called this WORLD Mat. 12.32 the WORLD to come Heb. 2.5 The WORLD that now is is the Subject of the first Part of this Treatise And the WORLD to come shall be the subject of the latter Part thereof The principal matter of which we intend to treat touching the WORLD that now is doth concern the first Coming of Christ into this WORLD when the WORD was made Flesh and dwelt among us Joh. 1.14 The chief matter of the latter Part of this Treatise doth concern the Second Coming of Christ in the WORLD to come Wherein there will be New Heavens a New Earth and a New Jerusalem and all things will be new-created Rev. 21 1-5 CHAP. 1. Wherein our general Position is propounded proved and explained § 1. The Position propounded THat the Chief WORK of Jesus Christ in his first Coming into the WORLD was to save sinners to build up his own House the Church of the Living God and to institute all Gospel-Ordinances necessary for his Disciples to worship God in Spirit and in Truth § 2. The Position proved 1. That our LORD Jesus Christ came into the WORLD to save sinners Luk. 5.32 I came not to call the Righteous but Sinners to Repentance Matth. 18.11 For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost And 1 Tim. 1.15 Christ Jesus came into the WORLD to save Sinners 2. That our LORD Jesus Christ being come in the Flesh did build up his own House the Church of God Heb. 3 -- 6. For this Man Christ Jesus was counted worthy of more glory than Moses in as much as He who builded the House hath more honour than the House Moses was faithful in all his House as a Servant but Christ as a Son over his own House the Church of God 1 Tim. 3.15 3. That our Lord Jesus Christ hath instituted all Gospel-Ordinances necessary for his Disciples to worship God in Spirit and in Truth 1 Cor. 11.1 2. Be ye followers of me even as I am of Christ And keep the Ordinances as I delivered them unto you Joh. 4.21 22 23 24. The true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth § 3. The Position explained The first part of our general Position to be explained is That our LORD Jesus Christ came into the WORLD to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Now the Method I shall observe in the Explanation of this part of our Position shall be to shew 1. What kind of Saviour Christ is 2. What Salvation Sinners may have by Jesus Christ And 3. How Sinners are saved by Jesus Christ And of these in order First What kind of Saviour is Jesus Christ I answer 1. The LORD Jesus Christ is an Almighty Saviour As there is none other Act. 4.12 so there needs none other Saviour None can pull a Soul out of Christ's hand Joh. 10.27 -- 30. Christ is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God-Man Emmanuel God with us Matth. 1.23 Jehovah our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 The Mighty God Isa 9.6 The Almighty Rev. 1.8 The true God and Eternal Life 1 Joh. 5.20 There is no Saviour but God Isa 43.3 11. I even I am Jehovah and beside me there is no Saviour And Jude v. 25. To the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power both now and ever Amen It is absolutely necessary unto Salvation to know and believe That the LORD Jesus Christ is very God as well as very Man So the Virgin Mary believed when she said My Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour Luk. 1.46 47. And so did all the holy Apostles and Saints believe and confess Rom. 9.5 2
him he is fully persuaded that there is not Salvation in any other and believing that Christ is able to save to the utmost all that come to God through him And being drawn to Christ by God the Father he doth by a lively Act of Faith go to him and adventure his Soul upon him resolving If I perish I will perish here This Faith is God's workmanship Eph. 28. By grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of your selves it is the Gift of God Faith is not of our selves for when the poor lost Soul sees a necessity of believing and is willing to believe he experienceth that it is not in his own power to believe he cannot believe Faith is the gift of God and the Convert lies under doubting until God give him to believe Though to believe be our duty yet it is God's Grace Gift and Work 1 Thes 1.11 Called the Work of Faith with power and the Faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 As before Another part of God's Workmanship upon Converted Believers is Mortification of Sin Rom. 6.6 Our Old-man is Crucified with him that the Body of Sin might be destroyed this is also our duty Rom. 8.13 But if ye through the Spirit do mortify the Deeds of the Body to wit of sin ye shall live And it is the Effect of true Faith in Christ Acts 15.9 Having purified or purged their hearts by Faith The Spirit of God by Faith works out sin and corruption both out of the heart and out of the life gradually killing and crucifying our Old Man Gal. 5.24 that the body of sin might be destroyed That henceforth we should not serve sin Rom. 6.6 nor fulfil the lusts of our flesh and of our carnal mind for to be carnally minded is death This part of God's Workmanship called Mortification is begun in Evangelical Repentance and godly sorrow for sin whereby a sanctified Believer is made to loath abhor and hate his sins 2 Cor. 7.9 10. and by the Grace of God to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts And to live soberly righteously and godly in this evil world Tit. 2.11 12. Now his heart being out of love with sin the Young Convert doth by the Assistance of the holy Spirit and Grace of God labour and endeavour the mortification of every corruption and the power of the indwelling Spirit in every sanctified Believer opposeth and subdueth the power of indwelling sin that remains in him after Regeneration Gal. 5.17 And the Spirit and Grace of God in him gets the Victory whereby Grace Reigns Rom. 5.20 21. And the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus makes him free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.2 Free first from the Reigning power of sin Rom. 6.11 14. Sin hath not dominion over a sanctified Believer nor will Christ suffer sin to reign in him nor suffer him to obey it in the lusts thereof Secondly From the captivating power of sin which Paul so sadly complained of Rom. 7.23 24 25. and was freed from by the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ Rom. 8.2 Thirdly From the Motions of sin in the flesh Rom. 7.5 6. So that no lust shall conceive and bring forth sin Jam. 1.14 15. And at last Christ will free sanctified Believers from the indwelling presence of sin Death will make a total and final separation between their sins and their souls for Eternity Another part of God's Workmanship upon converted Believers in order to their Salvation is sanctification of heart and life God hath chosen you to Salvation through sanctification of the Spirit 2 Thes 2.13 And Jesus Christ sanctifieth his People Heb. 2.11 As the End of our Faith is the salvation of our souls 1 Pet. 1.9 so the way to Salvation is Sanctification and Holiness Isa 35.8 And without Holiness no Man shall see the LORD to his comfort and salvation Heb. 12.14 Sanctification consists in the Truth of Grace in the Growth of Grace and in the Perfection of Grace The Truth of Grace produceth the Spiritual Fruit of the Gospel Col. 1.5 6. The Word of the Truth of the Gospel bringeth forth fruit since the day ye heard it and knew the Grace of God in Truth The Growth of Grace hath a threefold gradation some sanctified Believers grow like little Children in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.2 3. As new-born Babes desire the sincere Milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Those St. John calls little Children whose sins are forgiven 1 Joh. 2.12 13. And St. Paul calls them Babes in Christ 1 Cor. 3.1 Heb. 5.13 For he is a Babe one that is weak in Faith Rom. 14.1 15.1 Though such have but a little grace yet it is true grace and doth grow Grace is of a growing nature like a grain of Mustard-seed Matth. 13.31 Other sanctified Believers grow like young men they are strong in Faith and overcome the wicked One 1 Joh. 2.13 14. Their Faith is great their Love is fervent and their Patience hath its perfect work that they may be entire lacking nothing 1 Thes 1.3 And some sanctified Believers are compared to Fathers that is to say gracious grave grown and experienced Christians 1 Joh. 2.13 14. Such were some of the Saints in the Church at Thessalonica 2 Thes 1.3 4. Your faith grows exceedingly and the love of every one of you all to each other aboundeth The Perfection of Grace is the state of sanctified Believers in Heaven there are the spirits that is the souls of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 Sanctified Believers ought to go on to perfection Heb. 6.1 And they that have received the Promises ought to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and filthiness of spirit perfecting Holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 2. And God hath ordained the Ministry of the Gospel for the perfecting of the Saints Eph. 4.11 12 13. Until we all come in the unity of Faith unto a perfect man And though the Apostle was not perfect as he confessed yet he pressed toward the mark for the prize of the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3.12 14. So ought all the Saints to do until they be translated from Earth to Heaven and from Grace to Glory and shall be set down in the Father's house among the Spirits of just men made perfect Thus Jesus Christ who came into the WORLD to save sinners brings them to salvation The next particular in our general Position to be explained is that Jesus Christ came into this WORLD to build up his own House the Church of God As Moses was faithful in the House of God as a servant who did all things about the Tabernacle according to the Pattern shewed unto him by God in the Mount Exod. 25.40 Acts 7.44 Heb. 8.5 So Jesus Christ was faithful unto God that appointed him as a Son over his own House the true Tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not Man Heb. 3.2 3 5 6.
Heb. 8.2 called The Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3.15 The LORD Jesus Christ in order unto the building up his House the Church of God did ordain a Gospel-Ministry Eph. 4.11 12 13. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. And set them in his Church 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers c. The Apostles as wise Master-builders did prepare fit Materials for to build the House of God and to that purpose they having received Commission and Command from the LORD Jesus Christ Mark 16.15 went out into the WORLD and Preached the Gospel beginning at Jerusalem And when they had made and baptized many Disciples they planted those Churches that we read of in the holy Scriptures which were built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Corner Stone in whom all the building fitly framed together was builded together an Habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2 19-22 The Church at Jerusalem was the first of all those Gospel-Churches Act. 2.47 And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Which Church was at its first Constitution a particular Congregation of sanctified Believers baptized with Water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit Matth. 28.19 and separated from the Synagogues of the unbelieving Jews to worship God in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4.21 23 24. according to the sacred Institutions of Christ and his Apostles even the Ordinances of God delivered unto his Churches of Saints 1 Cor. 11.1 2. And although the number of the Disciples were multiplied from one hundred and twenty Act. 1.15 to three thousand Act. 2.41 yea to five thousand Act. 4 4. Act. 5.14 And Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women So that the Apostles had their own distinct Companies Societies or Congregations in Jerusalem Act. 4.13 19 23. And Peter and John being let go they went to their own Company Yet they all being of one heart and of one soul were but one Church and are so denominated Act. 15.4 And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the Church c. Act. 15.22 The whole Church And so were all the particular Congregations in every City denominated and called viz. The Church of God at Corinth 1 Cor. 1.2 And so our Lord and Saviour denominated all the Churches of God in Asia by the particular Cities wherein they were first planted and assembled to worship God Rev. 2.1 8 12 18. Rev. 3.1 7 14. Read those verses I intreat the Reader to consider 1. That our Lord Jesus Christ in building up his own House the Church of God ordained and appointed a preceding Ministry to be workers together with him in building his House Heb. 3.4 1 Cor. 3.9 10 11. We are labourers together with God Ye are God's Building c. 2. That the Churches of God under the Gospel are not National but Political and Congregational 3. That a particular visible true Constituted Gospel Church of God doth consist of fit Matter and due Form Jesus Christ the Chief Corner Stone is a lively Stone and the Materials of the Church ought to be living Stones Mat. 3.16 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Sanctified Believers 1 Cor. 1.2 6. And Christ himself was Baptized with Water Act. 10.44 47 48. and with the holy Spirit every one in his Visible Churches of Saints ought to be Baptized with Water and with the holy Spirit (a) Joh. 5. v. 5. 2. Those sanctified Believers ought to he fitly framed together and orderly compacted joyned and built together an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. chap. 4.15 16. which is the Form of the House of God the Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3. v. 15. God commanded his Prophet Ezekiel chap. 43. v. 10 11. saying Thou Son of Man shew the House to the House of Israel (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in conjugatione hiph Annunciavit exposuit narravit indicavit And let them measure the Pattern Shew them the Form of the House And write it in their sight A wise Master-builder will take care to prepare fit Materials in every respect answerable and suitable unto the House he is about to build and so ought the Ministers of Christ who are Co-workers with God in building his House which is his Church to take heed both what and how they build 1 Cor. 3 9-14 Every mans work shall be made manifest for the Day shall declare it And the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is c. Young Converts new-born-Babes in Christ may be added to the Church of God Act. 2.41 47. But they are not fit Materials to be laid next unto the Corner Stone of that Spiritual building I say again they are not fit for the Foundation-work of God's building nor are they fit for Pillars in the House of God Consider what St. Paul that wise Master-builder saith of such young Converts 1 Cor. 3.1 2 3. Heb. 5.12 13. Read the words These and such as these are not fit Matter for the Foundation nor for Pillars nor for Beams in the House of God at the first Beginning Planting and Building or Gathering of a Church of God But rather Fathers that is grave gracious holy wise and experienced Believers Also some young Men that is such Christians that are strong in Faith and have in some measure overcome the World the Devil and their own Corruptions who are full of the holy Spirit rich in Grace and zealous for the House of God and the Purity of his Worship I say a competent number of such Christians being sound in the Faith holy in their Life and fitly qualified with diversity of spiritual gifts knowledge and grace are in my Opinion most meet to be by their own mutual free consent and agreement joyned tegether to become a particular Church of Saints by the help of some wise Master-builders and faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3 9-11 The Gospel-Form of a particular Church of God consists as we said in the fitly framing compacting and joyning those sanctified Believers together into ONE Fellowship Society and Gospel Brotherhood in a solemn Day of Prayer with Fasting wherein some Able Minister of the Gospel having by Preaching the Word unto them shewed them their Respective Duties in a Church Relation the Elders and Chief Brethren of some particular Churches of Saints being present and assisting in the work of the Day if they may be obtained may in the Name and Authority of the LORD Jesus Christ by virtue of this Commission given to him constitute and make them a particular Visible Church of God they giving up themselves professedly first to the LORD and then one to another mutually and
solemnly with one accord engaging themselves to come together in ONE Congregation and to Assemble themselves together in some one Place every first Day of the week to worship God publickly in all his holy Ordinances with their mutual professed Subjection unto the Laws of God's House and with a Professed Resolution to Continue in the Apostles Doctrine and in Fellowship and in Breaking of Bread and Prayer through the Help of God All which being done the same Minister ought to declare them to be a Church of Saints and the Ministers and Brethren of other Churches being also present ought to own and acknowledge them to be a Sister-Church by giving them the Right hand of Fellowship and so to commend them by Prayer unto God and to the Word of his Grace who is able to build them up and to give them an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified The Well-Being of a particular Church of Saints doth principally consist in three things viz. Oneness Order and Government That Gospel-Oneness which maketh very much for the Well-Being of a particular Church is threefold First That there be but ONE Church in one City 1 Cor. 14.19 34. and that all the Congregations of Saints in that City called Churches bear but one Name to wit the Church of God in that City as in the Apostles daies Act. 15.4.22 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 2. 3. chap. That so there may be no Schism Divisions nor sinful Separations from the Church of God but that the whole Church may be perfectly joyned together in ONE As a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 as an House or Building fitly framed together Ephes 2.21 22. and as a Body fitly joyned and compacted by every joynt of supply Eph. 4.16 Secondly That this Church be of one Heart and of one Soul Act. 4.32 being perfectly joyned together in the same Mind and in the same Judgment 1 Cor. 1.2 9 10. that so they may all with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 having the same Love one to another Phil. 2.1 2 3. and the same Care one for another 1 Cor. 12.25 26 27. each one endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4 3-6 This Oneness will make the Communion of Saints very comfortable Col. 2 2-5 And hereby they will enjoy Fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit in all God's holy Gospel-Ordinances to the Glory of God and their own Edification Thirdly That this one Church and all the Congregations of Saints that are Members thereof walk by one and the same Rule of the written Word of God Phil. 3.16 being Ordered and Guided by their Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders according to the Royal Laws of God's House called the perfect Law of Liberty Jam. 1.25 submitting themselves unto those Guides Act. 20.28 whom God hath made their Overseers who watch for their Souls as they that must give an Account Heb. 13.7 17. Cant. 6.4.10 Gospel-Order is a great Beauty and Ornament to the Church Col. 2.5 and Order makes very much for the Well-Being of the Church And Gospel-Order consisteth in these things Psal 48.2 Ezek. 16.12 14. First That the Bishop and Presbyters set in Order the things which are wanting in the Church Titus 1.5 1 Cor. 11.34 Secondly That all things in the Church be done decently and in Order which Christ hath commanded to be done 1 Cor. 14.40 And for which his Apostles and Disciples have given us Example Phil. 3.17 Thirdly That the Order of the Gospel be carefully observed and kept in the Administration of God's Sacred Ordinances in the Admission of Members in the Ordination of Church-Officers and in withdrawing from every Brother that walketh Disorderly God was offended with his Church under the Law because they sought him not in due Order 2 Chron. 15.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 14.33 And God hath committed the Government of his Gospel-Church and Kingdom unto Christ to Order it c. Isa 9.6 7. God is not the Author of Confusion Gospel-Government is ordained and appointed of God for the Well-Being of his Church The Church of God cannot have a Well-Being without Christ's Instituted Gospel-Government And to that end God the Father hath laid the Government of his Church upon his Son Jesus Christ Isa 9.6 7. To whom he gave all Power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 And he hath made Christ Lord of his House and King of his Church Heb. 3 1-6 Psal 149.2 The Lord Jesus Christ deligated this his Ecclesiastical Government of the Church unto his holy Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers called Bishops Presbyters or Elders who where allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel 1 Thes 2.4 And the Apostles and Evangelists did commit the same unto faithful men 2 Tim. 2.12 whom they Ordained Bishops Presbyters or Elders in the Churches of Saints Titus 1.5 7. Act. 14.23 which Gospel-Government as we said before is not a Coercive-Power over Mens Consciences nor is it a Dominion over their Faith neither is it a Lordship over God's Clergy or Heritage but it is a Stewardship of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2 3 4. Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God And Titus 1.7 For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God Unto this Gospel-Government appertains Church-Censures of Admonition 2 Thes 3.15 and Titus 3.10 Suspension or withdrawing from a Brother or Member that hath and doth walk disorderly 2 Thes 3.6 and Excommunication of those Members that live in gross and scandalous sins 1 Cor. 5.1 4 5 13. CHAP. II. Of Gospel-Ministry § 1. THE LORD Jesus Christ is the Chief Minister of God's Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 8.1 2. which the Lord pitched and not Man He is the Chief Pastor of God's little Flock (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pastorum Princeps 1 Pet. 5.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the Bishop of our Souls (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.25 Heb. 13.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 13.20 The great Shepherd of of the Sheep who in all things hath the Pre-eminence (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in omnibus Ipse Primatum tenens or Supremacy § 2. HE gave Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry Ephes 4.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 12.28 The Apostles Prophets Evangelists were appointed by Christ to Preach the Gospel to the World Mark 16.15 and for the Gathering of the Saints framing and perfectly joyning them together (e) Eph. 4.11 12 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Pastors and Teachers were Set by Christ in the Churches as fixed Officers for the Edifying of the Body until we all meet together in
of the Church in any City and Villages adjacent who for Order sake in Gospel-Government hath Priority Pre-eminence and Authority above the rest of the Presbyters or Bishops of the same Church not alone nor without them but when Convened with them to Act Rule Guide Order and Govern with their Consent Suffrage and Assistance according to the Laws of the Lord Jesus Christ the Constitutions and Commandments the Practice and Example of his holy Apostles Act. 15.2 6 19 22. Nor should the Ministers of Christ strive which of them should be greatest Luk. 22.24 25 26. Neither ought any of them to Love and Affect to have Pre-eminence among them as Diotrephes did 3. Epist of John v. 9. (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Titus 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 4.1 2 3 4 5. But a Bishop must be blameless an Ensample to the Flock vigilant patient apt to teach not covetous not greedy of filthy lucre and one that Ruleth well his own House that he may take Care of the Church of God holding fast the faithful Word c. CHAP. III. THE Third Work that our Lord Jesus Christ came into this World to do was to institute those Gospel-Ordinances in which his Churches of Saints must worship God in Spirit and in Truth When the Church is Assembled on the first Day of the week in some convenient place to worship God Christ hath appointed that first of all Prayers Supplications and Thanksgivings be made 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Men having their Heads uncovered and Women having their Faces vailed or covered 1 Cor. 11.4 5 7 10 13. reverently kneeling Psal 95.6 Acts 21.5 or decently standing Luk. 18.11 13. They ought not to sit in Prayer-time unless some weakness of body or some bodily infirmity doth constrain them This part of the Worship of God ought to be administred by one of the Elders of that Church who ought to pray in the Spirit and to pray with the understanding also 1 Cor. 14.15 To pray with the Spirit implies two things First That the Minister have a spiritual Gift to pray Zech. 12.10 Secondly That he have the Spirits Assistance in praying Rom. 8.26 To pray with the understanding is to pray with such words as all the Congregation doth hear and understand that they may say Amen 1 Cor. 4.16 After Prayer the Teacher ought to Read the Written Word of God distinctly and give the sense thereof by Expounding and Interpreting the words of that Scripture that so the People may understand and be instructed or taught to know the Will and Mind of God therein revealed for their Learning and Edification as they did Neh. 8.4 5 6 7 8. And as Christ himself and his Apostles also did Luk. 4.16 17 21 22. Act. 28.23 Reading the holy Scripture is an Ordinance of God unto which Christ hath promised a Gospel-Blessing Rev. 1.3 Col. 4.16 And then the Pastor ought to Preach the Gospel and to exhort the People to Repent and Believe the Gospel to be holy and to walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blamelesly Labouring in the Word and Doctrine to Convert Sinners to Edifie Believers to Convince Gainsayers and to Comfort Strengthen and Establish them that Believe in Christ Also let the Prophets speak two or three and let the rest judge 1 Cor. 14.29 31. Rom. 12.6 7 8. Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given unto us Whether Prophesie let us Prophesie according to the Analogy of Faith Or Ministry let us wait on our Ministring Or he that Teacheth on Teaching Or he that Exhorteth on Exhortation And he that Ruleth with diligence The Apostles so Preached that many believed Act. 14.1 And it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 Our LORD Jesus Christ did command his Ministers also to Baptize them that do believe in him with Water in the Name of the Father Son and holy Spirit Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.15 16. Joh. 1.33 Our Lord himself was Baptized by John in the River Jordan Mat. 3.13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him Ver. 16. And Jesus when he was Baptized went up straightway out of the Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut immergeretur ver 13. and ver 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immersus Jesus Mark 1.5 9. And were all Dipped of him in the River Jordan confessing their sins We read that both Men and Women were Baptized when they Believed Acts 8.12 But we read not in the holy Scripture of Truth that any Infants were Baptized They that had received the holy Spirit were commanded to be Baptized with Water in the Name of the LORD Acts 10.47 48. Those Men and Women are fit Subjects of Baptism that have received the Spirit of Christ do Believe in Christ Confess their sins and Repent Acts 2 37-41 The Manner of the Administration of this Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism was thus practised in the Daies of Christ and of his Apostles to wit The Person Baptizing and the Persons Baptized went into the Water Acts 8.38 39. And they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and he Baptized him That is Philip Dipped the Eunuch under the Water and then they came out of the Water v. 39. The Spirit of God hath inspired the Apostles in writing the holy Scriptures to use one Greek word viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Dipping Joh. 1.25 26 33. Heb. 9.19 21. and another viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Sprinkling So that if to Dip in Water be to Baptize to Sprinkle with Water is to Rantize And the Manner of Baptizing in Water is represented in the holy Scripture by Burying in Water and raising up out of the Water Col. 2.12 Rom. 6.4 whereby is also figured forth the Believer's Fellowship with Jesus Christ in his Death and Resurrection Col. 2.12 Jesus Christ also before his Death did Institute his own Supper Matth. 26.26 27 28. 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. and commanded his Disciples to do so and to do so often in Remembrance of him 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and as a Memorial of his Death until he come again ver 26. In Administring this Sacred Ordinance of the Lord's Supper according to the Example of Christ and his Disciples these particular things ought to be observed 1. The Time The Lord's Supper ought to be Administred ordinarily on the Lord's Day that is the first Day of the week Acts 20.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. On the only Day of Sabbaths It is an Hebraism And upon the first Day of the week the Disciples came together to break bread c. And the time of the day was at Evening then Christ administred his Supper Mark 14.17 22. 2. The Minister ought to take the Bread and consecrate it by the Word and Prayer