he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3.3 requiring regeneration as an indispensable condition in a Member of his Church a subject of his Kingdom For his Temple is now to be built of living stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Men spiritually and savingly quickened from their death in sin and by the Holy-Ghost whereof they are partakers made a meet habitation for God Eph. 2.21 22. 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16 which receiving vital supplyes from Christ its head increaseth in faith and holiness edifying it self in love Ephes. 4.15 16. And as the Apostles in their writings do ascribe unto all the Churches and the Members of them a participation in this effectual vocation affirming that they are Saints called sanctified justified and accepted with God in Christ Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 4.15 Heb. 3.1 Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 6.11 So many of the duties that are required of them in that relation and condition are such as none can perform unto the glory of God their own benefit and the edification of others the ends of all obedience unless they are partakers of this effectual calling 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 1 Cor. 12.12 Ephes. 4.16 Add hereunto that these Churches and the members of them are not only commanded to separate themselves as to their Worship of God from the World that is men in their worldly state and condition but are also required when any amongst them trasgress against the rules and laws of this holy calling above described to cast them out of their society and communion 1 Cor. 5.13 from all which it appears who are the subject matter of these Churches of Christ as also secondly the means whereby they come to be so namely the administration of the spirit and word of Christ and Thirdly the general ends of their calling which are all spoken to in this answer Quest. 20. By what means do persons so called become a Church of Christ Answ. They are constituted a Church and interested in the rights power and priviledges of a Gospel-Church by the will promise authority and law of Iesus Christ upon their own voluntary consent and engagement to walk together in the due subiection of their Souls and Consciences unto his authority as their King Priest and Prophet and in an holy observation of all his commands ordinances and appointments Matth. 18.20 Chap. 28.18 19. Acts 2.41 42. Exod. 24.3 Deut. 5.27 Psalm 110.3 Isa. 44.5 Chap. 59.21 Ephes. 4.7 8 9 10. 2. Cor. 8.5 Explication That the Lord Christ hath constituted such a Church-state as that which we enquire about hath been proved already Unto a Church so constituted he hath also by his word and promise annexed all those priviledges and powers which we find a Church to be entrusted withall This he hath done by the standing and unalterable Law of the Gospel which is the Charter of their spiritual society and incorporation Neither are nor can any persons be interested in the rights of a Church any otherwise but by virtue of this Law and constitution This therefore is first to be laid down that the sole moral foundation of that church-Church-state which we enquire after is laid in the Word Law and appointment of Christ. He alone hath authority to erect such a society he is the builder of this house as well as the Lord over it Heb. 3.3 6. neither without it can all the authority of men in the World appoint such a state or erect a Church and all acceptable actings of men herein are no other but acts of pure obedience unto Christ. Farthermore We have declared that the Lord Christ by the dispensation of his word and spirit doth prepare and fit men to be subjects of his Kingdom Members of his Church the work of sending forth the means of the conversion of the souls of men of translating them from the power of darkness into light he hath taken upon himself and doth effectually accomplish it in every generation And by this means he builds his Church Matth. 18.20 For unto all persons so called he gives command that they shall do and observe whatever he hath appointed them to do Mat. 28.20 in particular that they profess their subjection to him and their obedience in joyning themselves in that state wherein they may be enabled to observe all his other laws and institutions with the whole worship of God required therein Being converted unto God by his Word and Spirit they are to consider how they may now obey the Lord Christ in all things Amongst his commands this of joyning themselves in Church societies wherein he hath promised his presence with them Matth. 18.20 that is to dwell amongst them by his word and spirit Isa. 59.21 is the very first This by virtue of that command and promise of his they are warranted and enabled to do nor do they need any other warrant The authority of Christ is sufficient to beare men out in the discharge of their duty to him Being then made willing and ready in the day of his power Psalm 110.3 they consent choose and agree to walk together in the observation of all his commands And hereby do they become a Church For their becoming a Church is an act of their willing obedience unto Christ. This obedience is an act of their wills guided by rule for this also is necessary that they proceed herein according to the rules of his appointment afterwards to be unfolded And herein upon their obedience unto the commands of Christ and faith in his promises do Believers by virtue of his Law and constitution become a Gospel Church and are really and truly interested in all the power rights and priviledges that are granted unto any Church of Christ. For in this obedience they do these two things which alone he requires in any persons for the obtaining of an interest in these priviledges First They confess him his person his authority his law his grace Secondly They take upon themselves the observance of all his commands Thus did God take the children of Israel into a Church-state of old He proposed unto them the Church obedience that he required of them and they voluntarily and freely took upon themselves the performance of it Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said will we do So Deut. 5.7 and hereby they had their solemn admission into their Church-state and relation unto God And the like course they took when ever there was need of renewing their engagements Josh. 24.18 21 22. And the people said we will serve the Lord for he is our God and Joshua said unto the people ye are witnesses against your selves that ye have chosen the Lord to serve him and they said we are witnesses This was the covenant that was between God and that people which was solemnly renewed so often as the
and Believers of all nations under Heaven were to be admitted unto the priviledge of his worship Eph. 2.15 16 17 18. the national Church of the Jewes with all the Ordinances of it being removed and taken away the Lord Christ hath appointed particular Churches or united Assemblies of Believers amongst and by whom he will have all his holy Ordinances of worship celebrated And this institution of his at the First preaching of the Gospel was invariably and inviolably observed by all that took on them to be his Disciples without any one instance of questioning it to the contrary in the whole World or of the celebration of any Ordinances of his worship amongst any Persons but only in such societies or particular Churches And there is sufficient evidence and warranty of this institution given us in the Scripture For First they are appointed and approved by Christ. Matth. 18.15 16 17 18 19 20. If thy Brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother but if he will not hear thee then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established and if he shall neglect to hear then tell it unto the Church but if he neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican verily I say unto you whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed also in Heaven again I say unto you that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven for where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Such a Church he supposeth and approveth as his Disciples had relation unto and as any one of them could have recourse unto as a Brother in obedience to his commands and directions This could not be the Church of the Jews neither in its whole body nor in any of its Judicatories For as at that time there was a solemn decree of excommunication against all and every one that should profess his Name John 9.22 The Jews had already agreed that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue which was executed accordingly upon the man that was born blind Verse the 34. which utterly disabled them from making any use of this direction command or Institution of his for the present So afterwards the chief business of the Rulers of those Assemblies from the highest court of their Sanhedrim to the meanest Judicatory in their Synagogues was to persecute them and bring them unto death Math. 10.17 They will deliver ye up to the Councills and they will scourge you in their Synagogues John 15.21 And it is not likely that the Lord Christ would send his Disciples for direction and satisfaction in the weighty matters of their obedience unto him and mutual love towards one another unto them with whom they neither had nor could nor ought to have any thing to do withal and if they were intended they were all already made as heathens and Publicans being cast out by them for refusing to hear them in their blasphemies and persecutions of Christ himself Such a society also is plainly intended as whereunto Christ promiseth his presence by his spirit and whose righteous sentences he takes upon himself to ratifie and confirm in Heaven Moreover such a Church doth he direct unto as wiâ—h which his Disciples were to have familiar Brotherly constant converse and communion with whom they were so to be joyned in society as to be owned or rejected by them according to their judgement as is apparent in the practice enjoyned unto them and without relation whereunto no duty here appointed could be performed As therefore the very name of the Church and nature of the thing bespeaks a society so it is evident that no society but that of a particular Church of the Gospel can be here intended Secondly these Churches he calls his Candlesticks Rev. 1.20 In allusion unto the Candlesticks of the Temple which being an institution of the old Testament doth directly declare these Churches to be so under the New And this he speakes in reference unto those seven principal Churches of Asia every one of which was a Candlestick or an institution of his own Thirdly In pursuit of this appointment of Christ and by his authority the Apostles so soon as any were converted unto the faith at Jerusalem although the old National Church state of the Jewes was yet continued gathered them into a Church or society for celebration of the ordinances of the Gospel Acts. 2.41 42. they that gladly received the word were baptised and they continued stedfastly together in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers verse 47 the Lord adding unto this Church dayly such as should be saved And this company is expresly called the Church at Jerusalem Acts. 8.1 This Church thus called and collected out of the Church of the Jewes was the rule and pattern of the disposing of all the Disciples of Christ into Church societyes in obedience unto his command throughout the World Acts 11.26 Acts 14.23 27. Fourthly they took care for the forming compleating and establishing them in order according to his will under the rule of them given and granted unto them by himself for that purpose all in a stâ—ddy pursuit of the commands of Christ. Acts 14.23 they ordained them Elders in every Church Titus 1.5 For this cause left I thee in Creet that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 12. Fifthly they do every where in the Name and authority of Christ give unto these Churches rules directions and precepts for the due ordering of all things relating to the worship of God according to his minde as we shall see afterwards in particular For First there is no charge given unto the Officers Ministers Guides or Overseers that he hath appointed but it is in reference unto the discharge of their duty in such Churches That Ministers or Officers are of Christs appointment is expresly declared Ephes. 4.11.12 He gave some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministery for the edifâ—ing of the body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set in his Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers These are of Christs institution but to what end why as they were ordained in every Church Acts 14.23 Titus 1.5 So their whole charge is limited to the Churches Acts 20.17 He sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church and said to them Verse the 28. take heed
therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the Holy-Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Pet. 5.2 The Elders which are among you I exhort feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof 1 Tim. 3.15 Colos. 4.17 And say to Archippus take heed to the Ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it They were the Churches of Christ wherein they ministred which Christ appointing them to take care of manifests to be his own institution and appointment And this is fully declared Rev. chap. 2.3 where all the dealings of Christ with his Angels or Ministers are about their behaviour and deportment among his Candlesticks each of them the Candlestick whereunto he was related or the particular Churches that they had care of and presided in the Candlesticks being no less of the institution of Christ than the Angels And they were distinct particular Churches which had their distinct particular Officers whom he treateth distinctly withall about his institutions and worship especially about that of the state of the Churches themselves and their constitution according to his mind Secondly There is no instruction exhortation or reproof given unto any of the Disciples of Christ after his ascension in any of the books of the New Testament but as they were collected into and were members of such particular Churches This will be evidenced in the many instances of those duties that shall afterwards be insisted on And the Lord Christ hath not left that as a matter of liberty choice or conveniency which he hath made the foundation of the due manner of the performance of all those duties whereby his Disciples yield obedience unto his commands to his glory in the World Sixthly The principal writings of the Apostles are expresly directed unto such Churches and all of them intentionally 1 Cor. 1.1 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Colos. 1.2 chap. 4.16 1 Thes. 1.1 2 Thes. 1.1 Ephes. 1.1 compared with Acts 20.17 1 Pet. 5.2 or unto particular persons giving directions for their behaviour and duty in such Churches 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.5 So that the great care of the Apostles was about these Churches as the principal institution of Christ and that whereon the due observance of all his other commands doth depend Of what nature or sort these Churches were shall be afterwards evinced we here only manifest their institution by the authority of Christ. Seventhly Much of the writings of the Apostles in those Epistles directed to those Churches consists in rules precepts instructions and exhortations for the guidance and preservation of them in purity and order with their continuance in a condition of due obedience unto the Lord Christ. To this end do they so fully and largely acquaint the Rulers and Members of them with their mutual duty in that especial relation wherein they stand to each other as also of all persons in particular in what is required of them by vertue of their Membership in any particular society as may be seen at large in sundry of Pauls Epistles And to give more strength hereunto our Lord Jesus Christ in the revelation that he made of his mind and will personally after his ascension into Heaven insisted principally about the condition order and preservation of particular Churches not taking notice of any of his Disciples not belonging to them or joyned with them These he warns reproves instructs threatens commands all in order unto their walking before him in the condition of particular Churches Rev. 2. and 3. at large Besides As he hath appointed them to be the â—eat and subject of all his Ordinances having granted the right of them unto them alone 1 Tim. 3 1â— intrusting them with the exercise of that authority which he puts forth in the rule of his Disciples in this World he hath also appointed the most holy institution of his supper to denote and express thâ—â— union and communion which the members of each of these Churches have by his Ordinance among themsevles 1 Cor. 10.17 The cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ for we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread And also he gives out unto them the gifts and graces of his spirit to make every one of them meet for and useful in that place which he holds in such Churches as the Apostle discourseth at large 1 Cor. 12.15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26. verses Colos. 2.19 Eph. 4.16 It is manifest then that no Ordinance of Christ is appointed to be observed by his Disciples no communication of the gifts of the Holy-Ghost is promised to them no especial duty is required of them but with respect unto these Churches of his Institution In the Answer to this Question four things are declared tending to the Explication of the nature of a particular Church or Churches 1. The subject matter of them or the persons whereof such a Church doth or ought to consist 2. The means whereby they are brought into a condition capable of such an estate or qualified for it 3. The general ends of their calling 4. The especial means whereby they are constituted a Church which last will be spoken unto in the next Question For the first All men are by nature the children of wrath and do belong unto the World which is the Kingdom of Satan and are under the power of darkness as the Scripture every where declares In this state men are not subjects of the Kingdom of Christ nor meet to become members of his Church Out of this condition they cannot deliver themselves They have neither will unto it nor power for it but they are called out of it this calling is that which effectually delivers them from the Kingdom of Satan and translates them into the Kingdom of Christ. And this work or effect the Scripture on several accounts variously expresseth Sometimes by Regeneration or a new birth sometimes by conversion or turning unto God sometimes by vivification or quickening from the dead sometimes by illumination or opening of the eyes of the blind all which are carryed on by sanctification in holiness and attended with Justification and adoption And as these are all distinct in themselves having several formal reasons of them so they all concur to compleat that effectuall vocation or calling that is required to constitute persons members of the Church For besides that this is signified by the typical holiness of the Church of old into the room whereof reall holiness was to succeed under the new Testament Exod. 19.6 Psal. 24 3 4 5 6. Psal. 15.1 2. Isa. 35.8 9. Isa. 54.13 Chap. 60.21 1 Pet. 2.9 our Lord Jesus Christ hath laid it down as an everlasting rule that unless a man be born again
Church was eminently reformed Now although the outward solemnity and ceremonies of this covenant were peculiar unto that people yet as to the substance and nature of it in a sacred consent for the performance of all those duties towards God and one another which the nature and edification of a Church do require it belongs to every Church as such even under the Gosple And this is the way whereby Beleivers or the Disciples of Christ do enter into this state the formal constituting cause of any Church This account doth the Apostle give of the Churches of the Macedonians 2 Cor. 8.5 And this they did not as we hoped but first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God before the performance of other duties and in order thereunto they first gave themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ or took upon themselves the observance of his commands and institutions which is the intendment of that expression Among these commands one was that they should give up themselves to the Apostles doctrine Rule and government in the order by Christ prescribed that is in Church order This therefore they did by the will of God according to his will and appointment This description doth the Apostle give of the way whereby the Believers of Macedonia were brought into Churches It was by their own obedience unto the will of God consenting agreeing and taking upon themselves the observation of all the commands and institutions of Christ according to the direction and guidance of the Apostles So did the Believers at Jerusalem Acts 2.41 42. Being converted by the word and making profession of that conversion in their Baptism they gave up themselves to a stedfast continuance in the observation of all other Ordinances of the Gospel Besides the Church is an house a Temple the house of God 1 Tim. 3.15 The house of Christ Heb. 3.6 The Temple of God Ephe. 2.21 22. Believers singly considered are stones living stones 1 Peter 2.5 Now how shall these living stones come to be an house a Temple can it be by occasional occurrences civil cohabitation in political precincts usage or custome of assembling for some parts of worship in any place these things will never frame them into a house or Temple This can be no otherwise done but by-their own voluntary consent and disposition Ephe. 2.19 20 21 22. Ye are fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the household of God and are 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 groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit Chap. 4.16 From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love From these and sundry other places it is manifest that the way and means of Believers coalition into a Church-state is their own obedience of faith acting it self in a joynt voluntary consent to walk together in an holy observation of the commands of Christ whence the being and union of a particular Church is given unto any convenient number of them by his Law and constitution Qu. 21. Seeing the Church is a society or spiritual incorporation of persons under rule government or Discipline declare who or what are the rulers governors or Officers therein under Jesus Christ An. They have been of two sorts 1 extraordinary appointed for a season only and 2 ordinary to continue unto the end of the World Qu. 22. Who are the extraordinary Officers or Rulers or Ministers of the Church appointed to serve the Lord Jesus Christ therein for a season only An. 1 The Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ with 2 the Evangelists and Prophets indowed with extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost associated with them and employed by them in their work and Ministry 1 Math. 10.2 3. Acts 1.26 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephe. 4.11 2 Luke 10.1 2 Tim. 4.5 Titus 1.5 Acts 11.27 28. Acts 21.9 10 11. 2. Cor. 1.1 Explication That the Church is a Spiritual corporation attended with rule and government is evident from the nature of the thing it self and testimonies of Scripture Only as the Kingdome of Christ is not of this World or Worldly so this rule and government of the Church is not mearly external and secular but spiritual Neither doth this rule at all belong unto it merely as materially considered in men yielding obedience unto the call which is the foundation of the Church nor absolutely as it is formally constituted a Church by the consent and agreement described but moreover it is required that it be organically compleat with Officers or rulers now to the constitution of such a society or corporation there is required First that the persons whereof it is constituted do consent together into it for the attaining of the ends which they design Without this no society of any kind can exist This is the form of mens coalescencie into societyes And that there is in the Church such a consent and agreement hath been shewed Secondly that there be Rules or Laws for the guidance and direction of all the Members of the society in order to their pursuit of the proper ends of it That such Rules or Lawes are given and prescribed by the Lord Christ unto the Church will afterwards appear in our consideration of them in particular so that the Church is a society of men walking according unto Rule or Law for the attaining of the ends of the society Thirdly that there be Authority instituted for to see to the due Observation of these Rules and Lawes of the society which consists in this 1 That some be appointed to Rule and Govern in the Church 2 Others to Obey and be Ruled or Governed both according to the Laws of the society and not otherwise And both these are eminently found in this church-Church-state as we shall see in the ensuing Question with their Answers and Explications Now that these Officers or Rulers should be of two sorts both the nature of the thing it self required and so hath our Lord Jesus Christ appointed For when the Church was first to be called gathered and erected it was necessary that some Persons should 〈◊〉 extraordinarily employed in that work for ordinary Officers antecedent unto the calling and erection of the Church there could be none And therefore these pesons were in an extraordinary manner endowed with all that power which afterwards was to reside in the Churches themselves and moreover with that which was peculiarly needful unto the discharge and performance of that special duty and work that they were appointed unto But when Churches were called gathered erected and setled for continuance there was need of Officers suited to their state and condition called in an ordinary way that is
acquaint themselves with the outward condition of those that appear to be poor and needy in the Church whether by the addresses of such poor ones who are bound to make known their wants occasions and necessities unto them or by the information of others or their own observation Secondly to acquaint the Elders and the Church as occasion requireth with the necessities of the poor under their care that those who are able may be stirred up by the Elders to a free supply and contribution Thirdly To dispose what they are entrusted with faithfully cheerfully tenderly with partiality or preferring one before another for any outward respect whatever Fourthly To keep and give an account unto the Church when called for of what they have received and how they have disposed of it that so they may be known to have well discharged their Office that is with care wisdom and tenderness whereby they procure to themselves a good degree with boldness in the faith and the Church is encouraged to entrust them farther with this sacrifice of their almes which is so acceptable unto God Quest. 24. Wherein consists the general duty of the whole Church and every member thereof in their proper station and condition Answ. In performing doing and kéeping inviolate all the commands and institutions of Iesus Christ walking unblameably and fruitfully in the World holding forth the Word of truth and glorifying the Lord Christ in and by the profession of his name and kéeping his testimony unto the end Matth. 28.20 Acts 2.42 Phil 2.15 16. Chap. 4.8 9. 1 Thes. 3.8 1 Pet. 4.10 11 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 10.23 Explication Besides the general duties of Christianity incumbent on all Believers or Disciples of Christ as such there are sundry especial duties required of them as gathered into Church societies upon the account of an especial trust committed unto them in that state and condition For First the Church being appointed as the seat and subject of all the institutions of Christ and ordinances of Gospel worship it is its duty that is of the whole body and every member in his proper place to use all care watchfulness and diligence that all the commands of Christ be kept inviolate and all his institutions observed according to his mind and will Thus those added to the Church Acts 2.42 Together with the whole Church continued stedfastly which argues care circumspection and diligence in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers Which principal duties are enumerated to express their respect towards all This is their standing fast in the Lord which was a matter of such joy to the Apostle when he found it in the Thessalonians 1 Ephe. 3.8 For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. That order and stedfastness which he rejoyced over in the Colossians Chap. 2.5 For though I am absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit joying and boholding your order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. And where this duty is despised men contenting themselves with what is done by others there is a great neglect of that faithfulness in obedience which the Church owes unto Jesus Christ. Secondly the Glory of the Lord Christ and the doctrine of the Gospel to be manifested in and by the power of an holy exemplary conversation is committed unto the Church and all the members of it This is one end wherefore the Lord Christ calls them out of the World separates them to be a peculiar people unto himself brings them forth unto a visible profession and puts his name upon them namely that in their walking and conversation he may shew forth the holiness of his doctrine and power of his spirit grace and example to effect in them all holiness godlyness righteousness and honesty in the World Hence are they earnestly exhorted unto these things Phil. 4.8.9 Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue if their be any praise think on these things and that to this end that the doctrine of the Gospel may be adorned and Christ glorified in all things Tit. 2.10 And those who fail herein are said to be Enemies of the cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 As hindring the progress of the doctrine thereof by representing it undesirable in their conversation This also therefore even the dutie of universal holiness with an especial regard unto the honour of Christ and the Gospel which they are called and designed to testifie and express in the World is incumbent on the Church and every member of it namely as the Apostle speaks that they be blameless and harmless the sons of God without rebukes in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom they are to shine as lights in the World Phil. 2.15 Thirdly the care of declaring and manifesting the truth is also committed unto them Christ hath made the Church to be the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 where the truth of the Gospel is so firmly seated founded fixed established and then lifted up in the wayes of Christs appointment to be seen discerned and known by others And as this is done principally in the preaching of the Gospel by the Elders of the Church and in their contending for the truth once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. So it is also the duty of the whole Church to hold forth the word of life Phill. 2.16 by ministring of the gift that every man hath received 1 Peter 4.10 In the way of Christs appointment In these and the like instances doth our Lord Jesus require of his Church that they express in the World their subjection unto him and his authority and that they abide therein unto the end against all opposition whatever The sinful neglect of Churches in the discharge of their duty herein was one great means of that Apostacy from the rule of the Gospel which they generally of old fell into When the members of them began to think that they had no advantage by their state and condition but only the outward participation of some Ordinance of worship and no duty incumbent on them but only to attend and follow the motions and actings of their Guides the whole societies quickly became corrupt and fit to be disposed of according to the carnal interest of those that had by their neglect and sin gotten dominion over them And at all times as the people were negligent in their duty the Leaders of them were apt to usurp undue authority When the one sort will not do that which they ought the other are ready to take upon them what they ought not It is a circumspect performance of duty on all hands alone that will keep all sorts of persons in the Church within those bounds and limits and up to those rights and priviledges which Christ hath allotted and granted unto them
of the Church expressed which they are not to exceed in any thing Herein are bounds and limits fixed to the actings of the whole Church and of every part and member of it Thirdly This power or authority thus granted and conveyed by Jesus Christ is to be exercised as to the manner of the administration of discipline with skill and diligence Rom. 12.6 1 Cor. 12. and the skill required hereunto is a gift or an ability of mind bestowed by the Holy-Ghost upon men to put in execution the Laws of Christ for the government of the Church in the way and order by him appointed or a spiritual wisdom whereby men know how to behave themselves in the house of God in their several places for its due edification in faith and love 1 Tim. 3.15 And this ability of mind to make a due application of the Laws of the Gospel unto persons times and actions with their circumstances is such a gift of the Holy-Ghost as whereof there are several degrees answering to the distinct duties that are incumbent on the Rulers of the Church on the one hand and Members on the other And where this skill and wisdome is wanting there it is impossible that the Discipline of the Church should be preserved or carryed on Hereunto also diligence and watchfulness are to be added without which ability and power will never obtain their proper end in a due manner Rom. 12.6 7 8. Fourthly The end of this discipline is continuance increase and preservation of the Church according to the rule of its first institution 1 Cor. 5.7 This power hath Christ given his Church for its conservation without which it must necessarily decay and come to nothing Nor is it to be imagined that where any Church is called and gathered according to the mind of Christ that he hath left it destitute of power and authority to preserve it self in that state and order which he hath appointed unto it And that which was one principal cause of the decayes of the Asian Churches was the neglect of this Dicipline the power and priviledge whereof the Lord had left unto them and intrusted them withall for their own preservation in order purity and holiness And therefore for the neglect thereof they were greatly blamed by him Rev. 2.14 15 20. Chap. 3.2 as is also the Church of Corinth by the Apostle 1 Cor. 5.2 as they are commended who attended unto the diligent exercise of it Revel 2.2 Chap. 3.9 The disuse also of it hath been the occasion of all the defilements abominations and confusions that have spread themselves over many Churches in the World Quest. 42. Vnto whom is the power and administration of this Discipline committed by Jesus Christ Answ. As to the authority to be exerted in it in the things wherein the whole Church is concerned unto the Elders as unto tryall judgement and consent in and unto its exercise unto the whole Brotherhood as unto love care and watchfuless in private and particular cases to every member of the Church Matth. 24.45 Ephes. 4.13 14. Acts 20.28 1 Tim. 3.5 Chap. 5.17 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 2.3 1 Thes. 5.12 Gal. 6.1 2. 1 Cor. 4.14 1 Cor. 5.2 4 5. 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. 2 Tim. 4.2 Explication It hath been shewed that this power is granted unto the Church by virtue of the Law and constitution of Christ. Now this Law assigns the means and way whereby any persons do obtain an interest therein and makes the just allotments to all concerned in it What this Law Constitution or Word of Christ assigns unto any as such that they are the first seat and subject of by what way or means soever they come to be intrusted therein Thus that power or authority which is given unto the Elders of the Church doth not first formally reside in the body of the Church unorganized or distinct from them though they are called unto their Office by their suffrage and choice but they are themselves as such the first subject of Office power For so is the Will of the Lord Christ. Nor is the interest of the whole Church in this power of discipline whatever it be given unto it by the Elders but is immediately granted unto it by the will and Law of the Lord Jesus First In this way and manner the Authority above described is given in the first place as such unto the Elders of the Church This Authority was before explained in answer unto the 28th question as also was the way whereby they receive it And it is that power of office whereby they are enabled for the discharge of their whole duty in the teaching and ruling of the Church called the power of the keyes from Mat. 16.19 Which expression being Metaphorical and in general lyable unto many interpretations is to be understood according to the declaration made of it in those particular instances wherein it is expressed Nor is it a two-fold power or Authority that the Elders of the Church have committed unto them one to teach and another to rule commonly called the power of order and of jurisdiction but it is one power of Office the duties whereof are of several kinds referred unto the two general heads first of teaching by preaching the word and celebration of the Sacraments and 2 Of rule or government By virtue hereof are they made Rulers over the house of God Matth. 24.45 Stewards in his house 1 Cor. 4.1 Overseers of the Church Act. 20.28 1 Peter 5.2 Guides unto the Church Heb. 13.7 17. Not that they have a supream or autocratorical power committed unto them to enable them to do what seems right and good in their own eyes seeing they are expresly bound up unto the terms of their Commission Matth. 28.19 20. To teach men to do and observe all and only what Christ hath commanded nor have they by virtue of it any dominion in or over the Church that is the laws rules or priviledges of it or the consciences of the Disciples of Christ to alter change add diminish or bind by their own authority 1 Pet. 5.3 Mark 10.42 43 44. But it is a power meerly ministerial in whose exercise they are unto the Lord Christ accountable servants Heb. 13.17 Matth. 24.45 And Servants of the Church for Jesus sake 2 Cor. 4.5 This authority in the Discipline of the Church they exert and put forth by virtue of their Office and not either as declaring of the power of the Church it self or acting what is delegated unto them thereby but as ministerially exercising the authority of Christ committed unto themselves Secondly The body of the Church or the multitude of the Brethren women being excepted by especial prohibition 1 Cor. 14.34 35. 1 Tim. 2.11 12. Is by the Law and constitution of Christ in the Gospel interested in the administration of this power of discipline in the Church so far as First To consider try and make a judgement in and about all persons things and causes in reference whereunto
43 45. Deut. 14.23 Psal. 133.3 Math. 18.20 Rev. 21.3 5 Exod. 20.5 Deut. 4.23 24. Josh. 24.19 Ezek. 16. 6 Levit. 10.1 2. Num. 16.3 8 9 32 35. 1 Sam. 2.28 29. 2 Sam. 6.6 7. 2 Chron. 26.16 19. 1 Cor. 11.30 Explication For the most part the instituted worship of God is neglected and dispised in the World Some are utterly regardless of it supposing that if they attend after their manner unto moral obedience that neither God nor themselves are much concerned in this matter of his worship Others think the disposal and ordering of it to be so left unto men that as to the manner of its performance they may do with it as it seems right in their own eyes And some follow them therein as willingly walking after their commandments without any respect unto the will or authority of God But the whole Scripture gives us utterly another account of this matter The honour of God in this world the tryal of our faith and obedience the order and beauty of the Church the exaltation of Christ in his professed subjection to him and the saving of our souls in the wayes of his appointment are therein laid upon the due and right observance of instituted worship and they who are negligent about these things what ever they pretend have no real respect unto any thing that is called Religion First therefore in every state and condition of the Church God hath given his Ordinances of worship as the touchstone and tryal of its faith and obedience so that they by whom they are neglected do openly refuse to come unto Gods tryal In the state of innocency the tryal of Adams obedience according to the law of nature was in and by the institution of the trees of life and of the knowledge of good and evil Gen. 2.16 17. And the Lord God commanded the Man saying of every tree of the garden thou maist freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die This was the first institution of God and it was given unto the Church in the state of innocency and purity And in our first Parents neglect of attending thereunto did they transgress the whole law of their creation as failing in their duty in that which was appointment for their tryal in the whole Chap. 3.11 Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat c. And the Church in his family after the fall built upon the promise was tryed also in the matter of instituted worship Nor was there any discovery of the wickedness of Cain or approbation of the faith of Abel until they came to be proved in their sacrifices a new part of Gods instituted worship the first in the state and condition of sin and the fall whereinto it was brought Gen. 4.3 4 5. In process of time it came to pass Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord and Abel he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof and the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect The ground whereof the Apostle declares Heb. 11.4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain by which he obtained witness that he was righteous God testifying of his gifts In the observation of that first institution given to the Church in the state of the fall did Abel receive a testimony of his being justified and accepted with God Afterwards when Abraham was called and peculiarly separated to bare forth the name of God in the world and to become the spring of the Church for future ages he had the institution of circumcision given him for the tryal of his obedience the Law and condition whereof was that he who observed it not should be esteemed an alien from the covenant of God and be cut off from his People Gen. 17.9 10 11. God said unto Abraham thou shalt keep my covenant thou and thy seed after thee in their generations This is my covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee every man-child among you shall be circumcised Verse the 14 and the uncircumcised man-child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised that soul shall be cut off from his people he hath broken my covenant And in like manner so soon as ever his posterity were to be collected into a new Church state and order God gave them the Ordinance of the Passover Exod. 12.24 Ye shall observe this thing for an Ordinance to thee and to thy Sons for ever and that upon the same penalty with that of circumcision to these he added many more on mount Sinai Exod. 20. all as the tryals of their faith and obedience unto succeeding generations How he hath dealt with his Church under the new Testament we shall afterwards declare In no state or condition then of the Church did God ever accept of moral Obedience without the observation of some instituted worship accommodated in his wisdome unto its various states and conditions And not only so but as we have seen he hath made the observation of them according unto his mind and appointment the means of the tryal of Mens whole obedience and the rule of the acceptance or rejection of them And so it continues at this day what ever be the thoughts of men about the worship which at present he requires Besides God hath appointed that his Ordinances of worship shall be as effectual means as to instruct us in the mysteries of his will and mind so of communicating his love mercy and grace unto us as also of that communion or intercourse with his holy Majesty which he hath graciously granted unto us by Jesus Christ. And this as it is sufficiently manifested in the Scriptures quoted in answer unto this question so it is at large declared in the writings of those holy and good men who have explained the nature of gospel Ordinances and therefore in particular we need not here insist much in the farther proof of it Thus Abraham was instructed in the nature of the covenant of grace by circumcision Gen. 17.10 which is often explained in the old Testament by applying it in particular to the grace of conversion called the circumcision of the heart Deut 10.16 Chap. 30.6 Jer. 4.4 as also in the new Testament Coloss. 2.11 And by the Passover where the people taught not only the mercy of their present deliverance Exod. 12.23 24. but also to look for the Lamb of God who was to take away the sin of the world John 1.29 the true Passover of the people of God which was sacrificed for them 1 Cor. 5.7 how our incision or implanting into Christ is represented and signified by our Baptism the Apostle declares Rom. 6.3 4 5. as also our communion with him in his death by
the Supper of the Lord Matth. 26.27 1 Cor. 11.25 and all these graces which they teach they also exhibit and are the means of the communication of them unto Beleivers Moreover the experience of all Beleivers who have conscientiously waited upon God in their due observance may be produced in the confirmation of it The instruction edification consolation Spiritual strength courage and resolution which they have received in and by them hath been witnessed unto in their lives and ends and they to whom these things are not of the greatest importance do but in vain pretend a regard unto God in any thing whatever Farthermore God hath appointed our duty in the observation of his instituted worship to be the means of our glorifying him in the world Nor can we otherwise give glory to God but as we own his authority over us and yield obedience to what he requires at our hands And what we do herein is principally evident in those duties which lye under the eye and observation of Men. Some duties of obedience there are which the world neither doth nor can discern in Believers Such are their faith inward holiness purity of heart heavenly mindedness sincere mortification of indwelling sin some whose performance ought to be hid from them as personal prayer and almes Matth. 6.2 3 4 5 6. Some there are which are very liable to misconstruction amongst Men as Zeal in many of the actings of it But this conscientious observation of instituted worship and therein avowing our subjection unto the authority of God in Christ is that which the World may see and take notice of and that which unless in case of persecution ought not to be hid from them and that which they can have no pretence of scandal at And therefore hath God appointed that by this means and way we shall honour and glorifie him in the World which if we neglect we do evidently cast off all regard unto his concernments in this World Herein it is that we manifest our selves not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ of him and his words which he so indispensably requireth at our hands Mark 8.38 For saith he whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him also shall the son of Man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels Hereby do we keep the commandments of Christ as his freinds John 13.35 for these peculiarly are his commands and if we suffer for them then we do most properly suffer as Christians which is our glory that 1 Pet. 4.14 15 16. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you on their part he is evil spoken of but on your part he is glorified but let none of you suffer as a murderer or as a thief or as an evil doer or as a busiâ— body in other Mens matters but if any Man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorifie God â—n this behalf And a happy and a blessed thing it is to suffer for the observation of the special commands of Christ. Farther to encourage us in our duty the holy faithful God hath given us many great and precious promises that he will graciously afford unto us his especial sanctifying blessing presence in our attendance on his worship according to his appointment For as he promised of old that he would make glorious the place of his feet or abode amongst his people Isa. 60.13 that he would meet them in his sanctuary the place of his worship and there dwell amongst them and bless them and be their God Exod. 29.42 43 44 45. Deut. 14.24 so the Lord Jesus Christ hath promised his presence to the same ends and purposes unto all them that assemble together in his name for the observation of the worship which in the Gospel he hath appointed Matth. 18.20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And therein is the tabernacle of God his gracious dwelling place with Men. Rev. 21.3 Now when God offereth unto us his presence his gracious blessing sanctifying and saving presence and that in and by promises which shall never fail what unspeakable guilt must we needs contract upon our own souls if we neglect or despise the tenders of such grace But because we are apt to be slothful and are slow of heart in admiting a due sense of spiritual things that fall not in with the light and principles of nature to stir us up unto a diligence in our attendance unto the will of God in this matter he hath declared that he looks upon our obedience herein as our whole loyalty unto him in that conjugal covenant which he is pleased in Christ Jesus to take Beleivers into with himself Jer. 3.14 turn O backsliding children saith the Lord for I am marryed unto you and will take you one of a City and two of a family and will bring ye unto Sion and I will give you Pastors according unto mine heart which shall feed ye with knowledge and understanding Coming unto Sion in the worship of God under the leading and conduct of Pastors according to the heart of God is our answering the relation wherein we stand unto him as he is marryed unto us and thereupon he teacheth us that as an Husband he is jealous of our discharge of our duty in this matter accounting our neglect of his worship or profanation of it by inventions and additions of our own to be spiritual disloyalty whoredome and adultery which his soul abhorreth for which he will cast off any Church or people and that for ever See Exod. 20.5 Deut. 4.23 24. Jos. 24.19 Ezek. 16. whatever he will bear withal in his Church he will not bear with that which his jealousie is exercised about If it transgress therein he will give it a bill of divorce which repudiated condition is the state of many Churches in the World however they please and boast themselves in their meritricious ornaments and practices To give yet farther strength unto all these considerations that we may not only have rules and precepts but examples also for our instruction God hath given many signal instances of his severity against Persons who by ignorance neglect or regardlesness have miscarried in not observing exactly his will and appointment in and about his worship This was the case of Nadab and Abiâ—â—s the sons of Aaron Levit. 10.1 2. of Corah Dathan and Abirain Numb 16.3 8 9 32 35. of the sons of Ely a sin not to be expiated with sacrifices and burnt offerings forever 1 Sam. 2.28 29. of Vzza in putting the Ark into a Cart when he should have born it upon his shoulders 1 Chron. 16.13 of Vzzia the King in offering incense contrary to Gods institution that duty being appropriated unto the Priests of the posterity of Aaron 2 Chron.
26.16 19. these are sufficient intimations of what care and diligence we ought to use in attending unto what God hath appointed in his worship and although now under the new Testament he doth not ordinarily proceed to the inflicting of temporal judgements in thâ— like cases of neglect yâ—â— he hath not wholly left us without instances of his putting forth tokens of his displeasure in temporal visitations on such miscarriages in his Church 1 Cor. 11.30 For this cause saith the Apostle many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep From all which it appeares of what concernment it is unto the glory of God and the salvation of our own souls to attend diligently unto our duty in the strict and sincere observation of the worship of the Gospel for he lets us know that now a more severe punishment is substituted against such transgressions in the room of that which he so visibly inflicted under the old Testament Heb. 10.25 26 27 28 29. Qu. 16. Is there yet any other consideration that may stir up Beleivers to an holy and religious care about the due observation of the institutions of the Gospel Answ. Yea namely that the great apostacy of the Church in the last dayes foretold in the Scripture and which God threatneth to punish and revenge consists principally in false worship and a departure from the institutions of Christ. Rev. 14.4 5. Chap. 17.1 2 3 5. Explication That there is an Apostacy of the Church foretold in the book of the Revelations is acknowledged by all who with sincerity have inquired into the minde of God therein The state of things at this day and for many ages past in the World sufficiently confirm that perswasion And herein sundry things in general are obvious unto every sober consideration thereof First the horrible evils troubles and confusions that are to be brought into and upon the World thereby Secondly the high guilt and provocation of God that is contained in it and doth accompany it Thirdly the dreadful vengeance that God in his appointed time will take upon all the promoters and obstinate maintainers of it These things are at large all of them foretold in the Revelation and therein also the Apostacy it self is set forth as the cause of all the plagues and destructions that by the righteous judgement of God are to be brought upon the World in these latter dayes Now as God doth earnestly call upon all that fear him not to intermeddle nor partake in the sins of the Apostates lest they should also partake in their judgements Chap. 18.4 I heard a voice from Heaven saying come out of her my people that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues So he doth plainly declare wherein the apostacy and sin it self should principally consist and that is in the corrupting and contaminating of the Ordinances of his worship or the introduction of false worship joyned with the persecution of them who refused to submit thereunto For this cause is the sin it self set out under the name of fornication and whoredome and the Church that maintains it is called the Mother of Harlots Chap. 17.5 That by fornication and whoredome in the Church the adulterating of the worship of God and the admission of false self-invented worship in the room thereof whereof God is jealous is intended the Scripture every where declares It is easie then to gather of how great concernment unto us it is especially in these latter dayes wherein this so hainous and provoking sin is prevalent in the World carefully to attend unto the safe unerring rule of Worship and diligently to perform the duties that are required therein Quest. 17. Which are the principal institutions of the Gospel to be observed in the worship of God Answ. 1. The calling gathering and setling of Churches with their Officers as the seat and subject of all other solemn instituted worship 2. Prayer with thanksgiving 3. Singing of Psalms 4. Preaching the word 5. Administration of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. 6. Discipline and rule of the Church collected and setled most of which have also sundry particular duties relating unto them and subservient unto their due observation 1. Matth. 28.19 20. Acts 2.41 42. 1 Cor. 12.28 Ephes. 4.11 12. Matth. 18.17 18 19. 1 Cor. 4.17 1 Cor. 7.17 Acts 14.23 Titus 1.5 1 Tim. 3.15 2. 1 Tim. 2.1 Acts 6.4 Acts 13.2 3. 3. Ephes. 5.19 Colos. 3.16 4. 2 Tim. 4.2 Acts 2.42 1 Cor. 14.3 Acts 6.2 Heb. 13.7 5. Matth. 28.19 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 6. Matth. 18.17 18 19. Rom. 12.6 7 8. Rev. 2.3 Explication These things being all of them afterwards to be spoken unto severally and apart need not here any particular Explication They are the principal heads wherein Gospel-worship consisteth and whereunto the particular duties of it may be reduced Qu. 18. Whereas sundry of these things are founded in the light and law of nature as requisite unto all solemn worship and are moreover commanded in the moral Law and explications of it in the Old Testament how do you look upon them as Evangelical institutions to be observed principally on the authority of Jesus Christ Answ. Neither their general suitableness unto the principles of right reason and the dictates of the light and law of nature nor the practice of them in the worship of God under the Old Testament do at all hinder them from depending on the meer institution of Iesus Christ as to those especial ends of the â—â—â—ry of God in and by himself and the edification of his Church in the faith which is in him whereunto he hath appointed them Nor as unto that especial manner of their performance which he requireth in which respects they are to be observed on â—he account of his authority and command only Matth. 17.5 Matth. 28. â—0 John 16.23 24. Heb. 3.4 5 6. Ephes. 1.22 Chap. 2.20 21 22. Heb. 12.25 Explication The principal thing we are to aim at in the whole worship of God is the discharge of that duty which we owe to Jesus Christ the King and head of the Church Heb. 3.6 Christ as a Son over his own house whose house are we 1 Tim. 3.15 That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the house of God which is the Church of the living God This we cannot do unless we consider his authority as the formal reason and cause of our observance of all that we do therein If we perform any thing in the worship of God on any other account it is no part of our obedience unto him and so we can neither expect his grace to assist us nor have we his promise to accept us therein for that he hath annexed unto our doing and observing whatever he hath commanded and that because he hath commanded us Matth. 28 20. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and loe I am with you alwayes even
unto the end of the World This promised presence respects only the observance of his commands Some men are apt to look on this authority of Christ as that which hath the least influence into what they do If in any of his institutions they find any thing that is suited or agreeable unto the light of nature as Ecclesiastical societies government of the Church and the like they say are they suppose and contend that that is the ground on which they are to be attended unto and so are to be regulated accordingly The interposition of his authority they will allow only in the Sacraments which have no light in reason or nature so desirous are some to have as little to do with Christ as they can even in the things that concern the worship of God But it would be somewhat strange that if what the Lord Christ hath appointed in his Church to be observed in particular in an especial manner for especial ends of his own hath in the general nature of it an agreement with what in like cases the light of nature seems to direct unto that therefore his authority is not to be considered as the sole immediate reason of our performance of it But it is evident First That our Lord Jesus Christ being the King and Head of his Church the Lord over the house of God nothing is to be done therein but with respect unto his authority Matth. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him Ephes. 4.15 Speaking the truth in love grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplyeth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Eph. 2.20 21. Ye are 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 groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the spirit Secondly And that therefore the suitableness of any thing to right reason or the light of nature is no ground for a Church observation of it unless it be also appointed and commanded in especial by Jesus Christ. Thirdly That being so appointed and commanded it becomes an especial institution of his and as such is to be observed so that in all things that are done or to be done with respect unto the worship of God in the Church the authority of Christ is alwayes principally to be considered and every thing to be observed as commanded by him without which consideration it hath no place in the Worship of God Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel Answ. A society of Persons called out of the World or their natural worldly state by the administration of the Word and Spirit unto the obedience of the Faith or the knowledge and Worship of God in Christ â—oyned together in an holy band or by special agreement for the exercise of the communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Ordinances of the Gospel Rom 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Heb. 3 1. James 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Peter 2.5 Ephes. 2.21.22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Explication The Church whose nature is here inquired after is not the Catholick Church of elect Believers of all ages and seasons from the beginning of the World unto the end thereof nor of any one age nor the universality of professors of the Gospel but a particular Church wherein by the appointment of Christ all the Ordinances of the Worship of God are to be observed and attended unto according to his Will For although it be required of them of whom a particular Church is constituted that they be true Believers seeing that unless a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God and so on that account they be members of the Church Catholick as also that they make visible profession of faith and obedience unto Jesus Christ yet moreover it is the will command and appointment of Christ that they should be joyned together in particular societies or Churches for the due observation of the Ordinances of the Gospel which can alone be done in such Assemblies For as the members of the Catholick Church are not known unto one another meerly on the account of that faith and union with Christ which makes them so whence the whole society of them is as such invisible to the World and themselves visible only on the account of their profession and therefore cannot meerly as such observe the Ordinances of the Gospel which observation is their profession so the visible Professors that are in the World in any age cannot at any time assemble together which from the nature of the thing it self and the institution of Christ is indispensably necessary for the celebration of sundry parts of that worship which he requires in his Church and therefore particular Churches are themselves an Ordinance of the New Testament as the National Church of the Jews was of old For when God of old erected his Worship and enjoyned the solemn observation of it he also appointed a Church as his institution for the due celebration of it That was the people of Israel solemnly taken into a Church relation with him by covenant wherein they took upon themselves to observe all the laws and ordinances and institutions of his worship Exod. 20.19 Speak thou with us and we will hear Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the People all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said we will do Deut. 5.27 All that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee we will hear it and do it And God accordingly appointed them Ordinances to be observed by the whole congregation of them together at the same time in the same place Exod. 23.17 Three times in the year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God Deut. 16.16 Three times in a year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose Neither would God allow any stranger any one not of the Church so instituted by him to celebrate any part of his instituted worship untill he was solemnly admitted into that Church as a member thereof Exod. 12.47 48. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it and when a stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep the Passover to the Lord let all his Males be circumcised and then let him come near and keep it and he shall be as one that is born in the Land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof To the same end and purpose when the knowledge of God was to be diffused all the World over by the preaching of the Gospel
full of the Holy-Ghost and wisdom and the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen c. This was done when only Deacons were to be ordained in whom the interest and concernment of the Church is not to be compared with that which it hath in its Pastors Teachers and Elders The same is mentioned again Acts 14.23 where Paul and Barnabas are said to ordain Elders in the Churches by their election and suffrage For the word there used will admit of no other sence however it be ambiguously expressed in our translation Neither can any instance be given of the use of that word applyed unto the communication of any office or power to any person or persons in an assembly wherein it denoteth any other action but the suffrage of the multitude and this it doth constantly in all writers in the Greek tongue And hence it was that this right and priviledge of the Church in choosing of those who are to be set over them in the work of the Lord was a long time preserved inviolate in the primitive Churches as the ancients do abundantly testifie Yea the shew and appearance of it could never be utterly thrust out of the World but is still retained in those Churches which yet reject the thing it self And this institution of our Lord Jesus Christ by his Apostles is suited to the nature of the Church and of the authority that he hath appointed to abide therein For as we have shewed before persons become a Church by their own voluntary consent Christ makes his subjects willing not slaves His rule over them is by his grace in their own wills and he will have them every way free in their obedience A church-Church-state is an estate of absolute liberty under Christ not for men to do what they will but for men to do their duty freely without compulsion Now nothing is more contrary to this liberty than to have their Guides Rulers and Overseers impose on them without their consent Besides the body of the Church is obliged to discharge its duty towards Christ in every institution of his which herein they cannot if they have not their free consent in the choice of their Pastors or Elders but are considered as mute persons or brute creatures Neither is there any other ordinary way of communicating authority unto any in the Church but by the voluntary submission and subjection of the Church it self unto them For as all other imaginable wayes may fail and have done so where they have been trusted unto so they are irrational and unscriptural as to their being a means of the delegation of any power whatever Fifthly Unto this election succeeds the solemn setting apart of them that are chosen by the Church unto this work and ministry by fasting prayer and imposition of the hands of the Presbitery before constituted in the Church wherein any person is so to be set apart Qu. 26. May a Person be called to or be employed in a part only of the Office or work of the Ministry or may he hold the relation and exercise the duty of an Elder or Minister unto more Churches than one at the same time Answ. Neither of these have either warrant or President in the Scripture nor is the first of them consistent with the authority of the Ministry nor the latter with the duty thereof nor either of them with the nature of that relation which is between the Elders and the Church Acts 14.23 1 Pet. 5.2 Acts 20.28 Explication There are two parts of this Question and Answer to be spoken unto severally The First is concerning a person to be called or employed in any Church in a part only of the office or work of the Ministry As suppose a Man should be called or chosen by the Church to administer the Sacraments but not to attend to the work of Preaching or unto the rule or guidance of the Church or in like manner unto any other part or parcell of the work of the Ministry with an exemption of other duties from his charge or care If this be done by consent and agreement for any time or season it is unwarrantable and disorderly what may be done occasionally upon an emergency or in case of weakness or disability befalling any Elder as to the discharge of any part of his duty is not here enquired after For First If the Person so called or employed have received gifts fitting him for the whole work of the Ministry the exercise of them is not to be restrained by any consent or agreement Seeing they are given for the edification of the Church to be traded withall 1 Cor. 12 7. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall and this he which hath received such gifts is bound to attend unto and pursue Secondly If he have not received such gifts as compleatly to enable him unto the discharge of the whole work of the Ministry in the Church wherein he is to administer it is not lawful for the Church to call him unto that work wherein the Lord Christ hath not gone before them in qualifying him for it Yea to do so would be most irregular for the whole power of the Church consists in its attendance unto the rule given unto it And therefore the office and work of the Ministry being constituted by the Law of Christ it is not in the power of the Church to enlarge or streighten the power or duty of any one that is called unto the office thereof Neither can or ought any person that is called unto the worke of the Ministry to give his consent to the restraint of the exercise of that gift that he hath received in a due and orderly manner nor to the abridgement of the authority which the Lord Christ hath committed unto the Ministers of the Gospel As it is incumbent upon them to take care to preserve their whole authority and to discharge their whole duty so that arbitrary constitutions of this nature are irregular and would bring in confusion into Churches The second part of the Question is concerning the Relation of the same person to more Churches than one at the same time and his undertaking to discharge the duty of his relation unto them as an Elder or Minister And this also is irregular and unwarrantable Now a man may hold the relation of an Elder Pastor or Minister unto more Churches than one two wayes First formally and directly by all equal formal interest in them undertaking the Pastoral charge equally and alike of them being called alike to them and accepting of such a relation 2 virtually when by virtue of his relation unto one Church he puts forth his power or authority in Ministerial acts in or towards another The First way is unlawful and destructive both of the Office and duty of a Pastor For as Elders are ordained in and unto the Churches respectively that they are to take care of Acts 14.23 Tit. 1.5 And their office
And herein alone doth the order honour and beauty of the Church consist Church members therefore are to search and enquire after the particular duties which as such are incumbent on them as also to consider what influence their special state and condition as they are Church members ought to have into all the duties of their obedience as they are Christians For this priviledge is granted unto them for their edification that is their fartherance in their whole course of walking before God And if this be neglected if they content themselves with a name to live in this or that Church to partake of the Ordinances that are stated and solemnly administred only that which would have been to their advantage may prove to be a snare and temptation unto them What these especial duties are in the particular instances of them is of too large a consideration here to be insisted on Besides it is the great dutie of the Guides of the Church to be inculcating of them into the minds of those committed to their charge For the Churches due performance of its dutie is their honour Crown and reward Qu. 35. Whence do you reckon prayer which is a part of moral and natural worship among the institutions of Christ in his Church An. On many accounts as 1 because the Lord Christ hath commanded his Church to attend unto the worship of God therein 2 because he bestowes on the Ministers of the Church gifts and ability of prayer for the benefit and edification thereof 3 he hath appointed that all his other ordinances should be administred with prayer whereby it becomes a part of them 4 because himself ministers in the holy place as the great High priest of his Church to present their prayers unto God at the throne of grace 5 because in all the prayers of the Church there is an especial regard had unto himself and the whole work of his mediation 1 Luke 18.1 Chap. 21.36 Rom. 12.5 1 Tim. 2.1 2. 2 Ephe. 4.8 12 13. Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.6 3 Acts 2.42 1 Tim. 4.5 4 Rev. 8 3 4. Heb. 4.14 15 16. Chap. 6.20 Chap. 10.20.21 22. 5 John 14.13 Chap. 15.16 22 26. Ephe. 3.14 15. Qu. 36. May not the Church in the solemn warship of God and celebration of the Ordinances of the Gospel make use of and content it self in the use of forms of prayer in an unknown tongue composed by others and prescribed unto them An. So to do would be 1 contrary to one principal end of prayer it self which is that Believers may therein apply themselves to the throne of grace for spiritual supplies according to the present condition wants and exigencies of their souls 2 to the maâ—n end that the Lord Iesus Christ aimed at in supplying men with gifts for the discharge of the work of the mimistry tending to render the the promise of sending the holy Ghost which is the immediate cause of the Churches preservation and continuance néedless and useless Moreover 3 It will render the discharge of the duty of Ministers unto several precepts and exhortations of the Gospel for the use stirring up and exercise of their gifts impossible and 4 thereby hinder the edification of the Church the great end of all Ordinances and institutions 1 Rom. 8.26 Phil. 4.6 Heb. 4.16 1 Pet. 4.7 2 Ephes. 4.8 12 13. 3 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim. 1.6 7. Colos. 4.17 Matth. 25.14 15 16. 4 1 Cor. 12.7 Quest. 37. Is the constant work of Preaching the Gospel by the Elders of the Church necessary Answ. It is so both on the part of the Elders or Ministers themselves of whom that duty is strictly required and who principally therein labour and watch for the good of the flock and on the part of the Church for the fartherance of their faith and obedience by instruction reproof exhortation and consolation Matth. 24.45 46 47 48 49 50 51. Rom. 12.7 8. 1 Cor. 9. 17 18. Ephes. 4.12 13. 1 Tim. 4 15 16. Chap. 5.17 2 Tim. 2.24 25. Chap. 3.14 15 16 17. Chapter 4.2 Quest. 38. Who are the proper subjects of Baptism Answ. Professing Believers if not Baptised in their infancy and their Infant séed Matth. 28.19 Acts 2.38 39. Acts 16.33 1 Cor. 1.16 1 Cor. 7.14 Colos. 2.12 13. With Genesis 17.10 11 12. Quest. 39. Where and to whom is the Ordinance of the Lords Supper to be administred Answ. In the Church or Assembly of the congregation to all the Members of it rightly prepared and duly assembled or to such of them as are so assembled 1 Cor. 11.20 21 22 28 29 33. Acts. 2.46 Quest. 40. How often is that Ordinance to be administred Answ. Every First day of the wéek or at least as often as opportunity and conveniency may be obtained 1 Cor. 11.26 Acts 20.7 Quest. 41. What is the Discipline of the Church Answ. It consists in the due exereise of that authority and power which the Lord Christ in and by his Word hath granted unto the Church for its continuance increase and preservation in purity order and holiness according to his appointment Matth. 16.19 Rom. 12.8 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6. Rev. 2.2 20. Explication Sundry things are to be considered about this discipline of the Church as First The foundation of it which is a grant of power and authority made unto it by Jesus Christ as Mediator Head King and Law-giver of his Church For all discipline being an act of power and this being exercised in and about things internal and spiritual no men can of themselves or by grant of any others have any right or authority to or in the exercise thereof Whoever hath any interest herein or right hereunto it must be granted unto him from above by Jesus Christ and that as Mediator and head of his Church For as all Church power is in an especial manner by the authority and grant of the Father vested in him alone Matth. 28.18 Ephes. 1.20 21 22 23. So the nature of it which is spiritual the object of it which are the Consciences and Gospel priviledges of Believers with the ends of it namely the glory of God in Christ with the spiritual and eternal good of the souls of men do all manifest that it can have no other right nor foundation This in the first place is to be fixed that no authority can be exercised in the Church but what is derived from Jesus Christ as was spoken before Secondly The means whereby the Lord Christ doth communicate this power and authority unto his Church is his word or his law and constitution concerning it in the Gospel so that it is exactly limited and bounded thereby And no power or authority can be exercised in the Church but what is granted and conveyed unto it by the word seeing that Christ communicates no power or authority any other wayes What ever of that nature is beside it or beyond it is meer usurpation and null in its exercise Herein is the commission of the Guides and Rules