a Acts 2.4.2 5.12 in one Place b 1 Cor. 11 20. and therefore in communion with Christ the Head c 10.16 17. and all the Members of the Body together d 1 Joh. 1.3 whereby each Member is nourished and edified and grows up into Christ the Head in all things e Eph. 4.15 the Ordidinances of communion the immediate ends of Visible Church-Union The stedfast abode therein f Act 2.42 the offering up spiritual Sacrifices unto God acceptable through Christ g 1 Pet. 2.5 and shewing forth the Vertues of him that hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light h Ibid. v. 9 CHAP. V. Of Gathering a Gospel Visible Church Christ first in Gathering a Church The Means of Grace by Conversion and Good Men exciting Instruments How a People thus moved come into a Body How Incorporated orderly without confusion What ordinary Christian Prudence is to be used and Questions put An Essential Church a true Church as to being but not as to well-being A Person excepted against to defer for that time § 1. AVisible Gospel-Church is made by gathering divers select Persons unto Jesus Christ in a spiritual Body and relation to him as their Political Head a Eze. 34.11 12. 2 Thes 2.1 and it is Christ himself the great Shepherd that first gathers them seeketh his Sheep and brings them to his Fold and Pasture b John 10.9.14 16. perfecting them in every good Work to do his Will through the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant c Heb. 13.20 21. § 2. Christ as he is our Peace a Eph. 2.14 so he cometh and preacheth Peace by the Ministry of the Everlasting Gospel b ib. v. 17. and accompanying it with his Spirit blesseth it to the turning Men from Darkness to Light c Act 26.18 working Faith and Love in Sinners Hearts d 1 Tim. 1.14 whereby they come to embrace the Blessings of Abraham's Covenant and profess the same e Act 15.11 § 3. When God hath called some thus through his Grace a Gal. 1.15 Acts 2.40 in any place and they have tasted that the Lord is gracious b 1 Pet. 2.3 they begin to see and behold how richly Christ's Glory and all the Mysteries thereof are displayed in the Churches c Eph. 3.9 10. his Golden Candlesticks d Rev. 1.20 1 Pet. 2.5 and therefore seek after all ways and means provided by Christ for their coming as lively Stones to Christ the Corner-Stone e Eph. 2.21 22. and of becoming a spiritual House or Habitation of God by his Spirit that they may offer unto God spiritual acceptable Sacrifices in and through Jesus Christ call upon and encourage one another saying come let us go up to the House of the Lord f Isa 2.3 and he will teach us his ways and some that are eminent in Faith and Holiness excite and stir up others to their Duty and claim of their Priviledges in Christ as Barnabas did at Antioch g Acts 11.23 when he saw the Grace of God in the new Converts made through the Ministry of the Disciples scattered by the Persecution from the Church at Jerusalem he exhorts them to cleave to the Lord with full purpose of heart h Ibid. i.e. by an explicite Church-Covenant for he saw as to the inward heart-work it was already done Which they did accordingly and became a Church by a visible Constitution and professed Subjection to the Gospel of Christ in all its holy Appointments in which Church Paul and Barnabas Preached a whole Year i Acts 11.26 and to which Elders were Ordained k ib. 14.23 § 4. Hence such a People thus moved by the Grace of God and having by mutual converse one with another in their Neighbourhood and Society in some holy Duties speaking often solemnly and seriously among themselves of the things of God and their Souls a Mal. 3.16 discerning the Grace of God b Act. 11.23 and love to the Lord Jesus Christ his House and Members in each other and finding good and sufficient matter to build with c 1 Pet. 2.5 counting the cost of their professed undertaking d Luke 14.28 in the fear of God e Acts 9.31 strength of Christ and assistance of the Spirit f Eph. 3.16 having frequently and solemnly waited upon God on this account together and apart g Col. 3.17 Phil. 4.6 as also advised with the neighbouring Churches of Christ and Elders thereof h Prov. 11 14. 1 Thes 1.6 2.14 and finding their way made clear before them by the footsteps of other Flocks of that Nature i Cant. 1.8 they proceed with their Faces Zion-ward k Jer. 50.5 to the most solemn attending this great matter in framing a Gospel-Temple with Fasting and Prayer and manage it in such a manner as becomes so sacred and weighty a business without any thing of confusion l 1 Cor. 14 33 40. § 5. And therefore that it may be so performed something of ordinary Christian-Prudence is necessary a Prov. 13.16 under Christ's General Rules that all things should be done in and about Churches and God's Service without confusion b 1 Cor. 14 33. and to edification c ib. v. 26 For which reason on a solemn Day set apart for this end they ought in Faith and dependance on him d Heb. 12.28 James 1.6 to depute one of their number for that time at least to go before the rest in the concerns of that Day and preside in matters of Order e 1 Cor. 14.40 which being done all of them and each person he or she by her self if bashfulness hinder not if it doth by delivering in Writing what should be spoken are to give an account of what God hath done for each and of the hope they have with meekness and reverence f 1 Pet. 3.15 which when all have done Two Questions are to be put by the said presiding person 1. Whether they be all and every one fully satisfied with each others declared and professed grounds of Hope g Phil. 2.2 3 4 5. so far as to be willing cordially to receive one another in the Lord g Ro. 15.7 16.2 Which being answered in the Affirmative by Suffrage or word of Mouth which is best in this Case The next Question ought to be 2. Whether they all and every one do freely solemnly and unanimously give up themselves and their Seed to the Lord h Ro. 12.1 Matt. 19.14 15. Acts 2.39 and join themselves to one another in Church-Fellowship i ib. 41 42 promising subjection to Christ their Political Head in the Faith and Order of the Gospel k 2 Cor. 9.13 and to walk accordingly in discharge of their Duties to God and one another as becometh Church-Members l Col. 2.5 6 Phil. 1.27 through the Grace of God helping and assisting
b 1 Cor. 12 12. Rev. 1.20 2. It 's a Company of Men not of Angels for Angels are no where called a Church tho a Company c Heb. 12.22 but they surround the Church d Rev. 5.11 and consort in their Adorations with the Church The Angels were not Redeemed by Christ's Blood neither of the Nature of the Head and therefore not the Body of Christ as the Church is e Heb. 2.16 3. It 's a spiritual Company in contra-distinction to humane and civil Societies or Companies gathered together occasionally or statedly f Act 19.39 4. It 's separated from the World all the World is not a Church but it 's called and separated out of the World g John 17.10 15.19 2 Cor. 6.17 as Christ the Head is separate h Heb. 7.26 2 Pet. 2.20 Deut. 14.2 Titus 2.14 so must the Body be 5. They are not a company of scattered Sheep but gathered into a Fold i John 10.16 Stones not lying here and there but brought into a building k 1 Pet. 2.4.5 6. They are embodied or incorporated with the Corner-Stone and to one another and as Members are knit to the Head and one another l 2 Thes 2.1 Eph. 4.16 Ps 122 3. 1 Thes 1 1. Hence Union to Christ the Head and to one another is essentially necessary to the Church of God m John 15 to which Union is requisite cutting off from the old Stock and Implantation into the new n Rom. 11.24 connection knitting and coalition of Head and Members together Members to the Head and they to one another o Eph. 2.21 and lastly an aptitude order and fitness to each other to compleat the whole in usefulness and comeliness p 1 Cor. 12 11 12 13. Eph. 4.16 2.21 § 11. Hence it plainly appears what a Church of God is in the general Nature thereof It is a spiritual company of men separated from the world a 2 Cor. 6.17 congregated and incorporated in Christ Jesus b 1 Cor. 12.12 Congregation is a Genus to Church it 's a spiritual Congregatiion and there is no Church but is so in some sense or other the words in the Old and New Testament always signifie so Cohel and Ecclesia But Congregation seems to be a remoter Genus than Corporation for every Congregation is not incorporated neither is every incorporated Congregation a spiritual Body c Acts 19.39 and therefore a Church but every Church is a Congregation incorporated by the Union afore-mentioned and it 's for the end of him whose it is viz. his Glory in communion with him and of one Member with another CHAP. II. Of the Catholick Church A Church defined A Spiritual Corporation how distinguisht Corporation what How belonging to Christ What Persons a Church is made up of How Membership comes Communion Distribution of Church The Catholick Church Catholick Vnion Communion It s not the Subject of Ordinances No Catholick Visible Church § 1. FROM what hath bin said in the former Chapter it appears that a Church is thus defined viz. That it is a Spiritual Corporation or Body of Christ a Eph. 1.23 Col. 1.24 1 Pet. 2.9 the Head to which many select persons b Tit. 2.14 separated from the World c 2 Cor. 6.16 17. are gathered d 2 The. 2.1 and united e Eph. 5.23 30. and accordingly fitly joined one to another f ch 4.16 for holy Communion in the Lord g 1 John 1.3 § 2. Corporation or a Political Body is the next common Nature to a Church and not Congregation or Assembly for Congregation is either occasional a Act 19.39 41. or fixed and stated by incorporation and this either civil or spiritual a civil is nothing appertaining to our present concern but the spiritual is for a Civil is that which belongs to a Secular or Republican State but spiritual is that that belongs to a Spiritual or Ecclesiastick State b 1 Cor. 10 4. Gal. 6.1 Matth. 7.6 1 Cor. 7.32 33. hence spiritual here is not confin'd to the sence of invisibility but is meant of that which is of a heavenly sacred and supernatural Nature c 1 Cor. 15.40 Heb. 8.5 9.23 1. Pet. 2.5 wherefore a spiritual Corporation or Body Politick is either mystical and invisible or visible professed and manifest to the World § 3. A Corporation is a Community constituted by Law or Charter granted by a Supream Power whereby it is invested with Priviledges and a Governing Power regulated by and subordinated to the Honour and Interest of the said supream Power such are Kingdoms Cities Housholds or Families or any number of persons bound together in any sociable Bond is a Society of this Nature whether implicite or explicite of these the Conjugal is the least though the first and most ancient yea the most honourable of all Civil Societies being the Root from whence they spring wherefore the Relation between Christ and his Church is represented thus to us by the Spirit of God in a most lively manner a Eph. 5.31 32. § 4. The Government Liberties and Priviledges of the Church are given as by Charter to the Lord Jesus Christ by the Father a Psa 2.6 Mat. 28.18 ch 2.6 the administration of which Power by him is either internal and immediate by his Spirit in the hearts of his People and according to the measure of Grace given to every one and of the same nature in the whole Body b Col. 3.15 Rom. 8.9 2 Cor. 3.8 17. Gal. 5.16.18.25 1 Pet. 1.2.22 of Christ c Rom. 12.3 1 John 3.24 and is universal and invisible or Christ administers more externally visibly and mediately in particular visible Bodies Politick by his Word instituted Officers and Ordinances for the sake and edifying of his Universal Church d Eph. 4.12 § 5. Every Church of Christ is made of select Persons and separated from the World a 1 Pet. 2.9 Tit. 2.14 2 Cor. 6.16.17 either by Effectual Calling and thereby become Members of the Mystical Body of Christ b Eph. 4.4 1 Cor. 12.12 or by a visible Profession and Confederation and thereby become Members of the visible particular Churches c 2 Cor. 7.13 § 6. A People may be gathered together yea to Christ so as to hear him or his Messengers a Act 13.43 Matt. 13.2 and not thereby become Members of the Body of Christ under any consideration But they must be so gathered to Christ the Head as to come into the bond of the Covenant b Eze. 20.37 Col. 2.19 1 Cor. 6.17 either by receiving Christ by Faith and thereby restipulating personally to the Covenant of Grace and so joining to the Lord. Or it is when a Person doth upon his Profession actually covenant with a particular Church by the first he becomes a Member of the Mystical Body c Col. 3.11 and by the second of a
19. as is usual in the Charters granted by Earthly Kings yea a priority of time seems to be given to Peter as appears by the event on both accounts as to the first Management being the first Apostle that presided in Government c Act. 1.15 in taking in and excluding Church-Members d Act. 2.41 ch 5.1 as we see he was the first that opened by his Doctrine the Door unto Jews and Gentiles but in all this it appears that he was but a Steward to Christ and his Church and that although the present management of them was in Peter and the Apostles yet it was the Church that was the subject of them e Mat. 18.17 § 6. Tho Christ hath wisely provided for his Honour and the well-being of his Churches in that he hath set Elders in his Churches to manage the Keys in an orderly and honourary manner a 1 Cor. 12 28. yet he hath committed the propriety of 'em next to himself and in his own Name unto the Church whether Organized or Essential only as to a spiritual Body corporate which he hath endowed with this Priviledge among others of having and keeping the Keys b Rom. 3.2 Acts 7.37 38. Rev. 3.7 and it appears that the Church as such is the first subject of the Keys under Christ because 1. The End of them is to preserve the being of a Church as well as for its well-being and therefore they must belong to it as soon as the Church becomes essential c 1 Cor. 5.7 12.28 2. As soon as the Church becomes a Body Corporate in Christ the whole Charter for Priviledges belongs to it and therefore all that appertain to its preservation which cannot be without the power of the Keys d 1 Cor. 7.17 12.26 27. 3. Without the use of the Keys they cannot Organize themselves with Elders and Deacons for to let in any Person into Office must be by the use of them e Acts 14.23 4. A Church before it hath Ministerial Officers may admit Members or reject a Scandalous Member for its preservation therefore hath the use of the Keys for embodying into a Church doth not so shut them up that none can either come in to them or be cast out before they have chosen a Pastor f Gal. 5.1 2 Cor. 6.14 15. 5. A Church that hath Elders may be by Providence deprived of them how can they be re-supplied without the use of the Keys especially if they call such as are not of their Body None can be an Officer in a Corporation but he that is incorporated first as a Member g Acts 6.3 Rom. 12.4 6. In proceeding with an offending Member the first degrees thereof are by Members not in Ministerial Office h Mat. 18.15 7. Elders are but Stewards to Christ and his Church for the due management of the Keys they are entrusted with and are accountable to Christ and his Church and are to use them with its consent in all Cases not to make advantage by them to Lord it over God's Heritage by assuming an Arbitrary and Despotick Power to themselves exercising Dominion over the Church-Members Faith instead of being helpers of their Joy i 1 Pet. 5.3 2 Cor. 1.24 1 Cor. 4.1 8. Suppose an Elder there being but one Pastor or other come to fall under just cause of Censure Who must use the Keys in deposing and censuring this offending and incorrigible Elder but the Body of the Church k Col. 4.17 3 John 9. § 7. By what hath bin said it clearly appears the Keys of Government primarily are placed in a Church as a Body Corporate because the disposal of the orderly Management of them to Officers belongs to the Church under Christ and the use of them for their preservation belongs to them before such Ministerial Officers are Ordained by them in that mean time the power of the Keys is exerted by the Church by the hands of the Brethren for tho each Sister is a true Member of this Corporation and accordingly upon that ground should Vote yet Christ having made a particular Exception upon that account that Women may not speak or exercise Authority in the Church a 1 Tim. 2.12 1 Cor. 14.35 therefore whatever passeth in the Church by the Majority of the Brethren is a Church act so that it be done in a Congregation the Sisters present otherwise it s no Church-Meeting b 1 Cor. 14.23 § 8. A Church Organized with Elders useth the Keys Ministerially exerting the power of Christ committed to it in and by the Elders going along with them in an◠explicite consent to all things agreeable to the Order of the Gospel a 1 Pet. 5.3 which power is exercised in the admitting Persons into Church-Fellowship or in debarring of Members from the Communion of the Church b 3 Joh. 10 and in all matters that tend to the one or other § 9. They that are said to be coming into the Church are either such as are not actual Members to this Church but Members of other Churches a Rom. 16.1 Or else they are Non-Members to any Church b 1 Cor. 5.12 And there are some Rules of Order to be observed before admitting and some in Admittance of such of each sort § 10. The Word of God requiring all exactness in Admitting Church-Members least the Childrens Bread be cast to Dogs a Mat. 7.6 15.26 and that the House of God be not made a Den of Thieves b Mat. 21.13 and in order to the future Peace and Purity of the Church The Elders as Stewards who ought to be found faithful c 1 Cor. 4.1 2. when any one propounds him or her self to join in Fellowship ought to make impartial Enquiry into three things 1. To ask the Reason of his Hope d 1 Pet. 3.15 2. What competency of knowledge in the Principal Doctrines of Faith and Order e 1 Tim. 2 4 5. he hath arrived at so far at least as to be fundamentally grounded therein to be able to discern the Lord's Body f 1 Cor. 11 29. 3. Enquiry ought to be made whether his Conversation answer this Profession and adorn the Gospel g Tit. 2.11 12 13 14. § 11. A Person 's giving a reason of his Faith and Hope is his Declaring what he hath Experienced of the Grace of God upon his heart a 1 Pet. 3.15 Psal 66.16 through the Means of Grace that he hath sate under b 2 Cor. 2.15 16. Acts 2.41 26.17 18. and the Operation of the Spirit c John 16.8 9. in the production of his Repentance unto Life and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ d Heb. 6.1 which a true Believer is ready to give an account of e 1 Pet. 3.15 to any one that enquires of him seriously especially to a Church of Christ which he applieth himself unto that is so highly concerned therein for they that
particular Congregation d Act. 2.41 § 7. The end of Church-Union is Communion which is with Christ the Head and one another a 1 Joh. 1.3 This is in the Spirit b Phil. 2.1 and belongs to the whole Catholick Body or it is expressed by a visible communion in the Ordinances administred in particular Bodies and is the Communion of particular Churches c Act. 2.43 1 Cor. 10.16 § 8 According therefore to the Dispensation of the Fulness of Christs Headship a Joh. 1.16 Eph. 1.19 3.7 Col. 1.19 20. internally and mystically by his Spirit b John 14.26 16.13 14 15. or externally and ministerially as the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession c Heb. 3.1 8.6 10.1 12.23 Eph. 4.12 The Church and Body of Christ hath its standing mystical and invisible or instituted and visible § 9. The Catholick Church is the Mystical Body of Christ made up of all saved ones Militant and Triumphant a Heb. 12.23 24. Eph. 3.15 united together in one Spirit b 1 Cor. 6.17 for communion therein accordingly c Phil. 2.1 Or It is all the Company of saved ones Militant and Triumphant embodied in Christ Jesus d Ro. 12.5 1 Cor. 12.12 It is called the Mystical Body from that hidden standing which it hath in Christ e Col. 3.3 1 Pet. 3.4 Psal 83.3 every Member being undiscernably as to Men united to Christ and one another f 1 Cor. 12 13. Eph. 4.3 and have communion in the Mystery of God of the Father and of Christ they all eat and drink the same spiritual Meat and Drink g 1 Cor. 10 3 4. whence the matter and form of this Body being not infallibly known to any on Earth h 2 Tim. 2.19 either the particular Members Militant or Triumphant or their bond of Union or their Heavenly communion in the Spirit this Church is fitly called the Mystical Body of Christ to distinguish it from all other considerations of a Church and hence it hath these distinguishing Properties 1. Invisibility as to Men a Heb. 12.22 23. 2. Universality as containing all saved ones on Earth and in Heaven b Eph. 1.10 3.15 3. Perpetuity as to particular Members union and communion their Names being all written in Heaven c Heb. 12.22 23. Luk. 10.20 § 10. The Catholick Union is that whereby a person being cut off from his corrupt standing in the old Adam a Ro. 11.24 he is created b Eph. 2.10 and implanted in Christ Jesus c Ro. 11.24 for righteousness and life d 1 Cor. 1.30 Eph. 4.24 personally restipulating by Faith to the Covenant of Grace made in Christ Jesus e Gal. 3.22 26.29 such an one becomes vitally f Gal. 2.20 conjugally and federally united to Christ the Head g Eph. 4.23 5.23 Jer. 31.33 32.40 Rom. 12.5 and therefore consequentially and really is a Member of the whole Body of Christ and of every part being so united to the Head h Eph. 1.23 § 11. Catholick Communion of Saints is that which is also invisible a Phil. 2.1 and is not only of the Saints Militant one with another but of the Militant and Triumphant in one body b Heb. 12.22 23. and consists in a coparticipation of the fulness of the Grace of God in Christ c Joh. 1.16 being all Elected Redeemed and Sanctified in him d Eph. 1.4 5 6. gradually here e Phi. 3.13 and perfectly conformed to him hereafter f Heb. 12.23 all partakers of the same Spirit in the measure of each one g 1 Cor. 12 4.11 blessed with the same spiritual Blessings for kind h Eph. 1.3 growing up under the same means of Grace for substance i Eph. 4.15 As likewise it consists in the exercise of the same Faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ and Love towards one another k Eph. 6.23 2 Cor. 4.13 1 Joh. 4.7 11 12 2 Tim. 1 13 Coloss 2.2 with all the fruits of both as the matter may require whereby there is always a mutual Heart-Communion at least between all the Saints on Earth l Col. 1.4 and they are come to an actual Communion as well as Union with the glorified Spirits of Just Men made Perfect m Heb. 12.22 c. according to their respective degrees of attainment n Ro. 12.3 more or less whereby they arrive at last in due season to such a determined degree of Sanctity which is their prepared fitness and stature in Christ for the inheritance of the Saints in Light o Col. 1.12 Eph. 4.13 being changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory by the Spirit of the Lord p 2 Cor. 3.18 § 12. The Catholick Church as such is not the subject of Officers or Ordinances nor it being not visible can be Christ never instituted any Officers whose Power was of an universal extent except the Apostles and them only in visible Churches nor any Ordinances for a Catholick visible Communion in which all the Saints living in the same Age were to assemble and meet together a 1 Cor. 11 20. for the visibility of a Church is always in some Assembly But the Catholick Church tho it be not as hath been said hath many things peculiar to it wherein it hath its preheminence above all visible Churches In that therein the Administration of Grace and Dispensation of the Rule and Government of Christ is immediately by his Spirit b 2 Cor. 3.3.8 Gal. 5.25 Eph. 3.16 Gal. 6.18 2 Tim. 4.22 1 Pet. 1.2.22 1 Joh. 3.24 2. In that there are many saved ones in this Church that were never Members of any visible Church c 1 Pet. 1.1 3. That all the saved ones of any visible Church belong to this Church d Rev. 13.8 Heb. 12.27 4. That the Institution of visible Churches and Ordinances is for the sake of this Church e Eph. 4.11 12. 5. All adult Persons that are admitted to Membership in a particular visible Church ought to be such as are supposed by their Profession to be Members of this Mystical Body f 1 Thes 1.1 2 ep 2.1 Col. 1.2 6. That of all Churches this shall never be dissolved or one person lost out of it g Mat. 16.18 Psalm 125.1 John 10.28 29. 7. That as this Church is sometimes preserved and fed without instituted Ministry and Ordinances as the Jewish Church in Babylon and the Gospel-Church in the spiritual Babylonish Wilderness h Rev. 12.6 so it shall be most Glorious without them when it hath arrived at its perfect fulness i Rev. 19.8 9. 8. There is no false or superfluous Member in this Church tho many in others some it may be in the best k Eph. 5.27 Col. 1.21 22. Rev. 14.4 9. Death separates from other Churches but not from this l Rom. 8.35 38. 10. The Glorified Saints
Establishment in its Vailed State and as to its appurtenances appropriate to Abraham's Natural Posterity in a National Church-Constitution waxed old decayed and vanished away n Heb. 8.13 and the substantial part of Abraham's Covenant in respect of the true Grace and Government of the Promised Seed appeared and remained glorious o Gal. 3.17 4.26.28 30 31. § 4. These Extraordinary Ministers were Apostles Evangelists Prophets and Teachers whom the Lord Jesus set in the first Gospel-Church at Jerusalem a 1 Cor. 12 28. and gave them to his Churches for a general good but firstly to that Church b Eph. 4.10 11. where they first exercised their Ministry Apostleship and Eldership The Apostles so called by Christ's first Mission were Twelve c Matt. 10.2 c. one of which fell from his Apostleship d Act 1.20 these were Ordained by Christ himself and had a double Mission one to the Jews only before Christ's death e Mat. 10.6 whereby the Partition-Wall was broken down f Eph. 2.14 and then to all Nations Jews and Gentiles g Mat. 28.19 with a particular charge to go to the Jews first h Acts 13.46 Upon the Fall of Judas Matthias was chosen by the Church and a Divine Ordination by Lot i ch 1.26 Paul and Barnabas were additional Apostles k ch 14.14 and sent especially Paul Apostles to the Gentiles l Ro. 11.13 They had an extraordinary Ordination by Christ's immediate Call and Instigation of the Holy Ghost m Acts 13.2 Ga. 1.12 They were all of them such as had bin Eye-Witnesses of the Life Death Resurrection and Ascention of the Lord n Acts 1.21 22 23. Paul himself had seen Christ but was converted and called to Apostleship after his Ascention therefore he saith he was born out of due time o 1 Cor. 15.8 9. They were divinely inspired had a marvellous effusion of the Spirit upon them p Act. 2.12 had the Gifts of Tongues Healing Interpretation and of miraculous Works q Mark 16 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 12.28 They had more than ordinary Graces and Gifts mightily furnished to the Work of the Ministry and lastly had the Care of all the Churches r 2 Cor. 11.28 § 5. The Evangelists were inspired Ministers of Christ to his Churches a 2 Tim. 3.16 Acts 8.5.26 21.8 Sub-Apostolick Adjuvant to the Apostles in their Work and much at their direction b 1 Tim. 1.3 2.15 2 ep 2.2 Tit. 1.5 Some were Apostolick Evangelists as Matthew and John two of them Called Evangelists from their Evangelical Histories of Christ in their Gospels c Matt. 1.1 Mark and Luke were only Evangelists none of the Twelve Philip Timothy Titus were only Evangelists ordained Apostolically d Acts 6.2 2 Tim. 1.6 Titus 1.5 and employed and sent by the Apostles to places where they had Preached and to Churches already Planted to Visit Teach and Direct to the Election of Officers and see a supply of what was wanting or prepare Matters for the Apostles coming § 6. The Prophets and Teachers of the first stamp seemed to have much of Inspiration by the Holy Ghost a Act 2. by the coming down thereof upon the Apostles and Brethren at Pentecost It appears not that they had any Office or governing Power in the Church nor much differing b ib. 13.1 but being Brethren full of the Holy Ghost as the Deacons and Barnabas before set apart c ib. 6.3 11.24 were employed by the Apostles or moved in themselves to Preach the Gospel where-ever they came for Conversion of the dark unbelieving World d ib. 11.19 There were of later date Gifted Brethren by an ordinary Measure e 1 Cor. 14 4 5 37. 1 The. 5.20 of Grace and Gifts some for Edification within the Church and some for Propagation of the Gospel abroad which may yet remain the reason thereof remaining § 7. These Extraordinary Ministers continue not in the Churches a 1 Cor. 13 8. neither Apostles or Apostolick Men to whom it was essential to be Ordained or immediately sent by Christ and the Holy Ghost as also extraordinarily inspired and qualified The Miraculous Gifts they were furnished with are ceased b Ibid. The Apostles were to be such as had seen the Lord on Earth c Acts 1.21 22. of such there is none now They were charged with the Care of all the Churches d 2 Cor. 11 28. of such there is none now one or more to whom Christ hath committed the Care of all the Churches or of many indefinitely Lastly There 's not the same Reason for such a Ministry now The Doctrine of the Gospel having bin received in the Nations of the Earth the Canon of the Scripture filled Churches have bin planted and walked in by the Rules and Order of the Gospel The Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles abundantly confirmed by divers Signs following e Heb. 2.3 4. and since by the Profession Practice and Sufferings of multitudes of faithful Witnesses f Heb. 12.1 Rev. 12.11 CHAP. VII Of the Ordinary Ministers of a Church Christ hath appointed a sufficient Ministry for the Churches according to their inward and outward concerns What an Elder is What sorts The Pastoral Charge what it contains How discharged by one or more A Teacher what A Ruling Elder what A Deacon what A Church is fully Organiz'd with a Pastor and Deacon § 1. CHRIST being Exalted to God's Right Hand and sitting there an Apostle and High Priest of good things to come a Heb. 9.11 hath made provision for the calling in of the Elect b Acts 13.48 and his redeemed ones c Rev. 5.9 building and furnishing his spiritual Temples and Habitations for God by the Spirit d Ephes 2.20 21. not only by and under the Apostles Ministry but also by a sufficiency of Ministry and Ordinances in an ordinary and standing way and manner of Dispensation to the end of the World e Matt. 28.19 20 21 § 2. According to the great Concerns of a visible Church in this World Christ hath wisely consulted the well-being of it a Eph. 3.10 in instituting and appointing the Ministers thereof b Ephes 4.10 11. As to the higher internal concerns he hath ordained Elders c Acts 14.23 Phil. 1.1 and as to the more external no Church being able to subsist and keep up Ordinances according to the instituted Nature of them without a due care of those concerns he hath ordained and appointed Deacons d Acts 6.2 3. Phil. 1.1 § 3. An Elder is an ordinary Minister to the Church chosen and ordained by it to a Charge with Rule and Government a 1 Tim. 5.17 Act. 4.23 being a Person of Age or Gravity judged to be duly qualified for it b 1 Tim. 3.1 2 c. An Elder Presbyter or Bishop we may find to be taken in Scripture for one
Sabbath m Col. 2.16 17. but the Lord's Day are 1. Then Christ finished Redemption and Rose from the Dead n Mat. 28.1 Luke 24.1 2. Then he appeared after his Resurrection to his Disciples assembled o Joh. 20.19 3. On this Day the Churches held their Solemn Assemblies for Preaching and administring the Lords Supper and Contributions p Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.12 4. On this Day John was in the Spirit and it 's called the Lord's Day q Re. 1.10 because more peculiarly appropriated to his Service as the Lord's Supper § 10. It is not in the Power of Churches to set apart any stated times Yearly or Monthly to be observed for that would be Superstition and Will-Worship a Gal. 4.10 Col. 16.17 But Days of Fasting and Humiliation may be appointed by any Church of Christ according as weighty Reasons lead it thereunto b Acts 14.23 CHAP. XI Of Ordinances of Special Communion Kinds of Ordinances of Special Communion A Seal what it doth and signifies New Testament Seals but Two What Baptism is What the Lord's Supper is What is to be observed in its Administration § 1. HAVING shewed what are Christ's Ordinances in a Visible Church of General or more common Communion we come in the next place to speak of Ordinances of Special Communion peculiar only to such as are Church-Members and these are such Appointments of Christ as concern the Administration of the Seals or such as concern the Administration of the Keys § 2. A Seal of the Covenant under the New Testament is a visible and sensible Ratification thereof wherein Christ our High Priest doth eminently shew forth unto us the glory of his Priestly Office in makeing himself a Sacrifice for Sin bearing the Charge and Curse of Sin satisfying God's Justice reconciling us to God and procuring Eternal Salvation to us a 1 Pet. 2.9 Heb. 9.26 Col. 1.21 22. Heb. 9.12 who as such is the great Condition of the Covenant of Grace b Isa 42.6 i. e. of Abraham's Covenant c Ro. 4.13 Gal. 3.17 whereby we have upon Profession right to claim all Church-Priviledges Mystical and Visible in the State of Grace and that of Glory hereafter d Gal. 3.9.28 29. In all the Old Testament Seals and in the New especially Christ in the Covenant of Grace is in a most lively manner represented and shewed forth in the Church e 1 Cor. 11 24 25 26. Col. 2.11 12. as to Condition and Promises he being not only the great Condition but the Yea and Amen of all the Promises f 2 Cor. 1.20 which are therein Applied and Sealed at least Ministerially g Gen. 17.7 10. Rom. 4.11 12. Gal. 3.27 § 3. The Seals of the New Testament are Two and no more Baptism and the Lord's Supper which are the only Instituted Rites or Ceremonies in a Church that are ordained by Christ to continue till he come a Matt. 28.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. All Jewish Ceremonies are vanisht as Shadows and abolished b Heb. 8.5.13 2 Cor. 3.14 as all Ceremonies attending the bestowing Miraculous Gifts are also ceased c 1 Cor. 13.8 such as Imposition of Hands on well or sick Vnction washing of Feet this being but a didactical Ceremony used by Christ to teach the Apostles Humility and not to Lord it over his Churches and was never intended for a standing Ordinance And as none of these which many are fond of and even Idolize some one and some another and upon as good Grounds all as any for each one had any Sanction for continuance so their significancy ceasing the Sign also comes to nought § 4. Baptism is a Sign and Seal of the Righteousness of Faith wherein Washing with Water into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost a Mat. 28.19 doth represent and shew forth at least Ministerially a Sinners washing from his Sins in the Bloud of Christ b Rev. 1.6 Act 2.38 his New Birth and Renovation by the Spirit of Christ c Titus 3.5 and his Covenant Obligation to be the Lords d Gal. 3.27 28. eib 3.9.26 The Subjects of this Seal are all those who by Profession of Faith in Christ e ib. 3.9.26 which is Abraham's Faith are become Covenant-Members accordingly of a Visible Church and their immediate Infant-Seed f Act. 2.39 they being blessed with faithful Abraham g Gal. 3.7 8 14. and having all essential Church-Blessings come upon them And therefore the Blessing of Membership to the professing Body of Christ h Rom. 15.8 9. ch 4.11 12 and Gospel Church Priviledges as they belong to one or other respectively are Ministerially to be applied of which Baptism is none of the least being the Ordinance of Christ in which only a Believer can bring his Infant-Seed to Christ and he cannot bring it to Christ out of an Ordinance therefore it being his Duty to bring it to Christ it must be in this Ordinance to be blessed with Abraham's Blessing spiritually as he and his Seed are Ecclesiastically the reason that Christ gives for his Command of bringing Infants to him i Matt. 19.14 15. Mark 10.14 16. Luk. 18.16 is That they are Church Members of such is the Kingdom of Heaven and it 's known that Christ means his visible Church in the days of the Gospel by the Kingdom of Heaven and he took them in his Arms received them visibly laid his Hands upon them which is more than for any Ministers to Baptize them and blessed them And doth Christ Bless with any Blessing besides the Blessing of Abraham that comes on the Gentiles § 5. The Lord's Supper is a special Ordinance of Church Communion a 1 Cor. 10.16 instituted and continued by Jesus Christ b 1 Cor. 11 26. wherein by the Giving and Receiving the outward Elements of Bread and Wine c Mat. 26.26 Mar. 14.23 Luke 22.19 1 Cor. 11.23 the Death Satisfaction and Merits of Christ are in a lively manner shewed forth and he who through Christ is a worthy Receiver doth spiritually and really by Faith partake of his Body and Bloud with all the high Benefits thereof and not Ministerially only as he doth who is only an outside professed Member It is called the Lord's Supper d 1 Cor. 11 20. because it is of the Lord's Institution and for this end to shew forth his Death e 1 Cor. 11 26. and because he first Celebrated it the Evening before his Death f ib. v. 23. § 6. This being instituted for so spiritual and solemn Ends and Purposes a 1 Cor. 11 24 25 26 27. Luk. 22.19 cannot be administred or attended upon for any other Purposes such as to qualifie Men upon a secular account without great Prophanation thereof b Mal. 1.11 12. John 6.26 27. Ex. 20.4 7 Rev. 13.16 17. § 7. In the Administration of this Ordinance these things according to the Primitive
Institution seem necessary to be observed 1. That it be administred to the whole Church met together a 1 Cor. 11 20. in one place and not to particular Persons or to the Church in distinct parts it being an Ordinance of Communion of a Body of Christ b ib. 10.16 2. That it be not dispensed to Members that are not capable to discern the Lord's Body or to Examine themselves c 1 Cor. 11 28 29. 3. That each Element be distinctly blessed and apart by it self by calling upon God in Christ for a Blessing d 1 Cor. 11 24 25. 4. That after Consecration the Bread broken is to be delivered with the Words of Distribution directed to the whole Church e Mat. 26.26 27. at once and by them divided among themselves and not carried up and down from Party to Party or from Seat to seat After the pouring out the Wine and blessing it it ought to be dispensed with the words of distribution in like manner to the whole Church f Ibid. and not carried up and down as aforesaid which practises came from the Church of Rome and not from Christ or his Apostles 5. The Posture of Receiving is sitting g Mat. 26.20 as Christ and his Disciples not kneeling or standing because its a Feast and signifies our eating and drinking Spiritually with joy and gladness and though Prayer accompany it wherein may be Praying Gestures as in other Ordinances yet Giving and Receiving here is a distinct Ordinance from Prayer 6. The Pastor of the congregation h Mat. 26.26 is to administer and not the Pastor of another who hath no administring Power out of his own Congregation neither hath Christ ordained any Administrators General to his Churches For the Pastor also to take in a Partner in Administration is Will-Worship and Humane 7. When the Elements are blessed by the Church the People ought not to betake themselves to their secret Prayers as if the Table had not bin blessed already none doth so at their ordinary Festivals § 8. Christ hath not in either of these Seals precisely determined the quantity of either Element to be made use of neither what quantity of Bread and Wine each should take or how much Water should be used in Baptism for our eating and drinking in the Lord's Supper is not to satisfie our natural Hunger and Thirst a 1 Cor. 11 21 22. nor is the Washing with Water in Baptism to put away the outward filth of the flesh b 1 Pet. 3.21 But our Saviour having told us what is spiritually intended and signified it is sufficiently manifest that so much of each Element in both Seals as doth hold forth to us the thing signified is enough tho never so little for Christ hath not brought his Churches in the New Testament under a Mosaick Tutorship so as to bind them up to such quantities and qualities of externals in manner as he did the Church of Old § 9. The Administration of the Seals belongs not to any but Teaching Elders being most appropriate to the Pastoral Office to feed the Flock in this peculiar manner for Christ when a Pastor on Earth administred it and therefore other Pastors whom he substitutes when ascended ought to do it Hence no private Member may be occasionally called thereto by the Church if so it renders Christ's Office needless and precarious Nor no Pastor of another Church may for the Pastor to one Church is no Pastor to another nay he hath no power to Vote and therefore not so much as a private Brother to Administer CHAP. XII Of Admitting Church Members The Ends of the use of the Keys What they are How distinguished The Key of Knowledge Of Government How given to Peter Elders for the due Management but primarily given to the Church Women not to exert Ruling Power The Church with Elders useth the Keys Ministerially Admittances ought to be with Exactness with the giving a reason of their Hope and an account of their Knowledge Their Conversation to be enquired into The Manner of Receiving in The Person received gives up his Children He may not Desert He ought to bring his Children Of Occasional Communion and of receiving recommended or dismist Members § 1. HAVING spoken to the Seals of the New Covenant we come to speak to the other Ordinances of Special Communion which concern the use of the Keys in all matters of Church Government a 1 Cor. 12 28. they being Christ's and committed by him to every Visible Congregation to be used according to his Rules and Directions in his Name b 1 Cor. 5.4 and to his Glory The great ends of which Dispensation of his Headship in this kind are the due increase of his Churches c Isa 9.7 Acts 2. ult and their Peace d Psa 122.7 Heb. 7.2 Zach. 6.13 Joh. 20.21 26. 1 Pet. 1.2 5.14 and Purity e Rev. 2.1 18. Ezek. 43.10 11. Isa 5.2 § 2. The Keys are the Power of Christ a Isa 22.22 Rev. 3.7 which he hath given to every particular Congregation to open and shut it self by b Mat. 16.19 and to do all things that belong thereunto in order unto the said ends it being Christ's House c Heb. 3.6 holy Temple d Eph. 2.21 Garden e Cant. 4.12 Vineyard f Isa 5.1 Walled in Hedged and Enclosed § 3. The Keys of Christ are to be distinguished they are his Keys of Hell and Death or his Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven i. e. of the Church His Keys of Hell and Death are the Power by Conquest which he hath obtained over Sin Curse Natural Death and Satan himself a Rev. 1.18 1 Cor. 15.54 55. Mat. 28.20 Heb. 2.14 The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven b Mat. 16.19 are they that he manageth his Visible Churches by and gives a power of opening and shutting a Visible Church by These Keys are that of Knowledge c Luke 11.52 and that of Discipline d Rev. 3.7 § 4. The Key of Knowledge is the Gospel Preached a Lu. 11.52 Mat. 10.7 2 Cor. 2 12 1 Cor. 16.9 the Spirit of Christ working inwardly to open the heart to receive it b Acts 16.14 in this respect this seems to be one of the Keys which our Lord gave to Peter in that he had the Honour of turning the first Key of Conversion after our Lord's Ascention both to Jews c Act. 2.41 and Gentiles d Act. 10.34 11.8 Eph. 3 4 5 6. § 5. The other Key given unto Peter is of Government and Discipline a Isa 9.6 neither of which Keys were given unto him as to a single Person or ruling Head of the Visible Churches neither that of Knowledge nor Government but unto the Church in him tho unto him with the other Apostles as the first Managers thereof their Names being put down in Christ's Charter granted to the Churches b Matt. 28