their_o ministry_n to_o the_o glory_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o profit_n of_o the_o church_n and_o if_o they_o have_v not_o power_n to_o and_o do_v not_o exercise_v the_o authority_n and_o execute_v the_o law_n of_o christ_n to_o see_v too_o and_o require_v orderly_o walk_v of_o all_o the_o member_n and_o authoritative_o to_o deal_v with_o offender_n and_o transgressor_n of_o his_o law_n who_o have_v power_n or_o can_v do_v it_o a_o church_n of_o believer_n as_o have_v be_v show_v be_v a_o family_n a_o corporation_n and_o household_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v know_v to_o all_o man_n that_o all_o family_n and_o incorporate_v body_n of_o man_n do_v or_o aught_o to_o live_v under_o and_o submit_v unto_o the_o law_n order_n and_o discipline_n of_o those_o family_n and_o corporation_n whereunto_o they_o belong_v and_o in_o order_n thereunto_o they_o have_v such_o among_o they_o as_o have_v power_n and_o authority_n to_o exercise_v discipline_n and_o execute_v law_n to_o command_v order_n 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careful_o frequent_o and_o holy_o dispense_v and_o administer_v by_o they_o who_o be_v set_v there_o to_o do_v it_o six_o they_o must_v stand_v between_o god_n and_o the_o church_n with_o holy_a heart_n hand_n and_o tongue_n lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n for_o the_o church_n or_o in_o their_o behalf_n and_o that_o private_o and_o public_o for_o their_o work_n and_o office_n be_v not_o only_o to_o minister_v to_o they_o from_o christ_n but_o they_o be_v to_o present_v their_o want_n desire_n and_o gratitude_n to_o god_n for_o they_o also_o which_o be_v no_o easy_a work_n to_o do_v they_o must_v pray_v and_o wrestle_v with_o god_n for_o they_o as_o for_o their_o own_o soul_n and_o carry_v they_o upon_o their_o heart_n and_o soul_n in_o their_o secret_a address_n to_o god_n and_o plead_v with_o god_n importunate_o for_o they_o
holy_a end_n of_o god_n in_o desire_v communion_n with_o they_o as_o 1_o to_o enjoy_v god_n and_o hold_v communion_n with_o he_o in_o all_o his_o ordinance_n and_o appointment_n 2_o to_o worship_n god_n there_o in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n and_o give_v he_o your_o homage_n and_o service_n in_o his_o house_n 3_o to_o show_v and_o declare_v your_o subjection_n and_o obedience_n unto_o he_o and_o to_o make_v a_o public_a and_o open_a profession_n of_o he_o before_o man_n 4_o to_o receive_v of_o his_o grace_n to_o enrich_v your_o soul_n with_o his_o fullness_n and_o to_o be_v seal_v by_o his_o spirit_n unto_o the_o day_n of_o your_o redemption_n 5_o that_o you_o may_v walk_v orderly_a and_o beautiful_o and_o shine_v as_o light_n in_o the_o church_n and_o in_o the_o world_n before_o saint_n and_o sinner_n 6_o that_o you_o may_v be_v establish_v in_o the_o truth_n live_v under_o the_o watch_n and_o care_n of_o christ_n minister_n and_o of_o fellow_n member_n that_o by_o their_o inspection_n 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they_o know_v or_o aught_o to_o know_v christ_n will_v not_o have_v there_o and_o that_o they_o ought_v to_o try_v and_o prove_v person_n that_o they_o may_v know_v their_o worthiness_n and_o fitness_n before_o they_o admit_v they_o in_o be_v clear_a in_o act_n 9.26_o and_o because_o christ_n have_v commit_v the_o key_n of_o his_o temple_n unto_o they_o to_o take_v in_o and_o put_v out_o according_a to_o his_o will_n and_o appointment_n moreover_o he_o blame_v some_o for_o suffer_v tare_n if_o mean_v of_o person_n to_o be_v sow_v in_o his_o kingdom_n and_o not_o endeavour_v to_o prevent_v and_o keep_v they_o out_o matth._n 13.25_o say_v he_o while_o man_n sleep_v the_o enemy_n come_v and_o sow_v tare_n that_o be_v while_o such_o as_o shall_v have_v keep_v the_o temple_n gate_n shut_v against_o they_o to_o have_v keep_v they_o out_o be_v negligent_a and_o careless_a of_o their_o duty_n for_o they_o shall_v have_v do_v all_o they_o can_v to_o have_v keep_v out_o the_o devil_n seed_n 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neither_o will_v nor_o power_n by_o nature_n either_o to_o will_v or_o do_v that_o which_o they_o ought_v and_o be_v please_v to_o god_n that_o they_o have_v forsake_v god_n and_o be_v under_o the_o curse_n of_o the_o law_n and_o that_o they_o be_v the_o child_n subject_n and_o servant_n of_o the_o devil_n world_n and_o their_o own_o lust_n that_o god_n leave_v not_o all_o man_n in_o this_o state_n and_o condition_n but_o provide_v a_o all-sufficient_a remedy_n namely_o jesus_n christ_n and_o that_o by_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n enter_v into_o with_o christ_n in_o the_o behalf_n of_o man_n before_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n tit._n 1.2_o 2_o tim._n 1.9_o prov._n 8._o and_o that_o in_o pursuance_n thereof_o he_o elect_v and_o give_v some_o to_o christ_n that_o he_o may_v
hope_v i_o may_v affirm_v and_o assert_v without_o reflection_n on_o or_o offence_n to_o such_o as_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v if_o any_o such_o there_o be_v that_o fear_n god_n believer_n be_v thus_o build_v and_o form_v together_o be_v now_o become_v a_o holy_a temple_n of_o god_n and_o be_v according_o own_v by_o he_o as_o such_o and_o now_o they_o be_v the_o seat_n and_o subject_n of_o all_o the_o law_n and_o ordinance_n power_n and_o authority_n that_o jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v to_o and_o for_o his_o church_n use_n and_o benefit_n i_o mean_v they_o or_o this_o church_n so_o form_v and_o build_v have_v all_o these_o essential_o though_o not_o formal_o until_o christ_n set_v one_o or_o more_o teach_v elder_n in_o it_o for_o the_o orderly_o use_v and_o manage_n of_o that_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n give_v to_o the_o church_n yet_o i_o say_v i_o think_v that_o it_o do_v essential_o reside_v in_o they_o as_o the_o first_o subject_n of_o the_o key_n for_o i_o find_v the_o key_n give_v unto_o they_o for_o the_o use_n and_o behoof_n of_o the_o church_n matth._n 16.18_o 19_o which_o say_v power_n of_o the_o key_n can_v be_v give_v only_o to_o peter_n nor_o unto_o the_o universal_a or_o catholic_n church_n that_o it_o shall_v use_v they_o as_o such_o for_o that_o be_v impossible_a but_o they_o be_v give_v to_o particular_a church_n as_o form_v up_o of_o believer_n namely_o to_o such_o as_o can_v have_v matter_n bring_v to_o and_o be_v receive_v and_o hear_v by_o they_o from_o a_o offend_a brother_n matth._n 18.15_o 16_o 17._o and_o such_o a_o church_n be_v here_o mean_v as_o have_v power_n to_o deal_v with_o a_o sin_v member_n in_o case_n of_o obstinacy_n and_o therefore_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o such_o be_v nor_o there_o intend_v now_o this_o church_n speak_v of_o have_v power_n to_o elect_v and_o call_v such_o person_n out_o from_o among_o themselves_o to_o use_v and_o exert_v the_o power_n and_o authority_n of_o jesus_n christ_n already_o give_v they_o and_o minister_a to_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n as_o they_o judge_v the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v fit_v qualify_v for_o give_v to_o and_o send_v among_o they_o and_o invest_v with_o authority_n and_o ability_n for_o their_o good_n i_o say_v they_o have_v power_n to_o elect_v and_o call_v such_o to_o office_n power_n over_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n and_o that_o they_o ought_v with_o all_o convenient_a speed_n after_o they_o be_v build_v up_o to_o do_v it_o because_o till_o that_o be_v do_v they_o can_v orderly_o and_o regular_o administer_v or_o receive_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n for_o all_o can_v exert_v and_o exercise_v that_o power_n that_o do_v essential_o reside_v in_o themselves_o as_o a_o church_n neither_o can_v any_o private_a member_n while_o such_o and_o therefore_o it_o must_v be_v do_v by_o officer_n or_o one_o in_o office_n that_o be_v call_v set_v apart_o and_o whole_o dedicate_v to_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n among_o they_o therefore_o they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o look_v out_o from_o among_o themselves_o and_o call_v to_o office_n such_o as_o they_o judge_v christ_n have_v send_v they_o act._n 6.3_o act._n 14.23_o chap._n v._n show_v what_o officer_n christ_n have_v appoint_v for_o and_o give_v to_o his_o gospel-churche_n and_o what_o be_v their_o office_n and_o work_n in_o a_o holy_a temple_n of_o god_n 7._o quest_n what_o officer_n have_v jesus_n christ_n give_v to_o the_o church_n answ_n the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v by_o his_o sovereign_a authority_n give_v to_o his_o church_n pastor_n and_o teacher_n rule_v elder_n and_o deacon_n all_o which_o officer_n be_v invest_v with_o different_a power_n and_o entrust_v with_o different_a work_n in_o the_o church_n now_o the_o teaching-ruling_a officer_n have_v several_a name_n and_o appellation_n give_v they_o according_a to_o the_o particular_a part_n and_o branch_n of_o their_o work_n in_o the_o church_n as_o pastor_n teacher_n elder_n bishop_n guide_n all_o these_o name_n be_v give_v to_o the_o same_o person_n and_o officer_n in_o the_o church_n sometime_o they_o be_v call_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n eph._n 4.11_o sometime_o elder_n 1_o tim._n 5.17_o 1_o pet._n 5.1_o sometime_o bishop_n or_o overseer_n act._n 20.28_o sometime_o guide_n heb._n 13.7_o 17._o and_o they_o be_v of_o the_o same_o sort_n order_n and_o degree_n their_o work_n office_n and_o power_n the_o same_o for_o although_o they_o have_v different_a name_n in_o sound_n yet_o not_o of_o work_n power_n and_o authority_n in_o the_o church_n the_o person_n be_v the_o same_o their_o office_n power_n and_o authority_n the_o same_o and_o their_o work_n the_o same_o the_o scripture_n do_v no_o where_n give_v one_o ordinary_a teach_a officer_n more_o power_n and_o authority_n than_o another_o or_o set_v one_o sort_n of_o teach_v elder_n over_o another_o sort_n nor_o give_v they_o distinct_a and_o different_a work_n to_o do_v in_o the_o church_n but_o so_o as_o that_o whatever_o power_n or_o work_v a_o bishop_n have_v in_o the_o church_n to_o exercise_v and_o do_v the_o same_o have_v a_o elder_a or_o pastor_n also_o have_v a_o bishop_n power_n and_o authority_n to_o command_v and_o teach_v so_o have_v a_o elder_a too_o have_v a_o bishop_n i_o mean_v one_o of_o christ_n make_v the_o order_n of_o church-matter_n and_o manage_v the_o discipline_n thereof_o so_o have_v a_o elder_a also_o 1_o tim._n 5.17_o for_o they_o be_v the_o same_o beside_o teach_v elder_n the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v give_v and_o appoint_v mere_a roll_a elder_n to_o his_o church_n also_o for_o the_o well-being_n peace_n and_o establishment_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o assist_v and_o help_v the_o teach_v roll_a elder_n in_o look_v after_o &_o take_v care_n of_o the_o concernment_n of_o the_o church_n call_v help_n 1_o cor._n 12.28_o and_o they_o be_v express_o call_v rule_v elder_n distinct_o from_o the_o teach_v roll_a elder_n 1_o tim_n 5.17_o and_o help_v government_n in_o 1_o cor._n 12.28_o and_o in_o rom._n 12.8_o it_o be_v say_v he_o that_o rule_v let_v he_o do_v it_o with_o diligence_n and_o distinguish_v they_o from_o treach_v minister_a and_o exhort_v ruler_n for_o teacher_n have_v the_o power_n of_o rule_n and_o discipline_n as_o well_o as_o the_o mere_a roll_a elder_n in_o 7_o 8._o verse_n and_o the_o apostle_n speak_v not_o there_o of_o different_a office_n in_o the_o same_o person_n though_o that_o be_v a_o truth_n but_o of_o different_a person_n and_o officer_n for_o say_v he_o let_v the_o teacher_n wait_v on_o their_o teach_v minister_a and_o exhort_v that_o be_v as_o it_o be_v their_o great_a and_o principal_a work_n as_o indeed_o it_o be_v and_o therefore_o to_o ease_v they_o a_o little_a of_o the_o roll_a part_n of_o their_o work_n and_o that_o they_o may_v the_o more_o fix_o and_o cheerful_o attend_v unto_o and_o perform_v that_o other_o part_n of_o their_o work_n namely_o to_o teach_v and_o minister_v in_o the_o church_n the_o lord_n jesus_n have_v appoint_v some_o to_o attend_v only_o ordinary_o to_o the_o work_n of_o rule_v to_o keep_v all_o in_o order_n in_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o charge_v they_o to_o do_v it_o with_o diligence_n rom._n 12.8_o beside_o these_o the_o lord_n have_v give_v deacon_n to_o his_o church_n also_o act._n 6._o 1_o tim._n 3.8_o to_o 14._o vers_fw-la and_o phil._n 1.1_o for_o another_o kind_n of_o work_n namely_o to_o attend_v table_n to_o look_v after_o the_o poor_a and_o provide_v for_o they_o to_o dispose_v of_o the_o church_n distribution_n and_o charity_n for_o the_o profit_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o relief_n of_o the_o poor_a of_o the_o church_n 8._o quest_n how_o ought_v pastor_n and_o teacher_n to_o be_v qualify_v or_o what_o be_v require_v unto_o their_o right_a constitution_n and_o officiate_a in_o the_o church_n as_o such_o officer_n answ_n first_o they_o must_v be_v furnish_v with_o ministerial_a gift_n for_o their_o work_n namely_o such_o as_o christ_n promise_v and_o ascend_v up_o to_o heaven_n to_o give_v unto_o man_n for_o the_o work_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o which_o he_o receive_v of_o the_o father_n for_o they_o even_o then_o when_o he_o give_v all_o thing_n into_o his_o hand_n joh._n 3.35_o which_o be_v absolute_o necessary_a for_o all_o that_o take_v upon_o they_o the_o great_a work_n of_o the_o ministry_n and_o the_o care_n and_o charge_n of_o soul_n or_o to_o oversee_v and_o edify_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n these_o gift_n be_v spiritual_a which_o they_o receive_v not_o from_o man_n but_o from_o christ_n their_o lord_n who_o send_v they_o as_o his_o steward_n into_o his_o household_n to_o give_v they_o meat_n in_o due_a season_n matth._n 24._o as_o his_o servant_n into_o his_o vineyard_n to_o dress_v prune_n and_o order_v it_o to_o keep_v and_o
why_o shall_v not_o their_o reason_n be_v sober_o and_o humble_o consider_v of_o by_o you_o and_o oblige_v you_o to_o practice_v unless_o you_o can_v null_a they_o and_o with_o peace_n and_o meekness_n propound_v better_a to_o they_o for_o their_o satisfaction_n it_o be_v sad_a when_o member_n of_o church_n shall_v be_v so_o high_o conceit_v of_o themselves_o and_o their_o own_o notion_n as_o that_o they_o shall_v despise_v and_o turn_v as_o it_o be_v a_o deaf_a ear_n to_o all_o the_o reason_n of_o their_o elder_n and_o delight_n in_o be_v singular_a from_o they_o and_o their_o fellow-brethren_n in_o church-matter_n and_o in_o contend_v for_o victory_n rather_o than_o for_o truth_n this_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v for_o it_o make_v church-work_n tedious_a spoil_v the_o beauty_n and_o loveliness_n of_o it_o yea_o it_o mar_v the_o harmony_n of_o church_n order_n and_o this_o be_v dishonourable_a to_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n and_o exceed_o grievous_a to_o your_o teacher_n who_o do_v unfeigned_o seek_v and_o aim_v at_o your_o good_a in_o all_o and_o dare_v not_o do_v otherwise_o for_o fear_v of_o offend_a christ_n their_o lord_n 7._o encourage_v they_o with_o your_o purse_n also_o for_o it_o be_v the_o will_n of_o christ_n that_o you_o shall_v do_v so_o they_o labour_v for_o your_o soul_n and_o spend_v their_o time_n and_o strength_n to_o do_v you_o all_o possible_a service_n in_o their_o place_n and_o capacity_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v most_o reasonable_a that_o you_o shall_v labour_v and_o provide_v for_o their_o body_n they_o spend_v for_o you_o and_o therefore_o you_o shall_v spend_v for_o they_o they_o be_v shepherd_n do_v watch_v over_o and_o wait_v on_o you_o their_o flock_n and_o i_o appeal_v to_o any_o indifferent_a judgement_n if_o it_o be_v not_o a_o most_o reasonable_a thing_n that_o they_o shall_v live_v by_o the_o milk_n of_o their_o flock_n sure_o paul_n yea_o the_o holy_a ghost_n think_v so_o 1_o cor._n 9.7_o 8._o and_o therefore_o have_v declare_v it_o for_o our_o learning_n and_o practice_n it_o be_v god_n ordinance_n under_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o it_o be_v ratify_v and_o confirm_v to_o man_n under_o and_o by_o the_o new_a testament_n also_o namely_o that_o minister_n shall_v be_v honourable_o and_o comfortable_o maintain_v by_o their_o congregation_n the_o great_a god_n take_v special_a care_n about_o it_o and_o make_v provision_n for_o their_o maintenance_n assoon_o as_o he_o have_v ordain_v and_o set_v they_o up_o and_o appoint_v and_o set_v they_o out_o their_o work_n and_o god_n strictly-charged_n his_o people_n to_o see_v that_o they_o do_v not_o at_o any_o time_n forget_v or_o neglect_v the_o levite_n but_o pay_v they_o all_o that_o he_o have_v set_v out_o and_o appoint_v for_o they_o and_o that_o then_o when_o by_o reason_n of_o age_n or_o other_o impediment_n they_o can_v not_o minister_v to_o they_o and_o for_o they_o as_o well_o as_o when_o they_o do_v numb_a 3.6_o to_o the_o 14._o vers_fw-la numb_a 16.9_o 10._o deut._n 26.2.15_o vers_fw-la deut._n 10.8_o 9_o numb_a 7.1_o 2_o 3_o 4_o 5._o deut._n 12.19_o deut._n 14.26_o 27_o 28_o 29._o deut._n 18.1_o 9_o now_o god_n care_v of_o and_o goodness_n to_o his_o ambassador_n do_v not_o die_v with_o the_o ceremonial_a law_n but_o he_o have_v continue_v it_o under_o the_o gospel_n and_o therein_o strait_o charge_v his_o people_n to_o provide_v for_o they_o according_a to_o their_o ability_n god_n command_v his_o people_n to_o communicate_v to_o their_o teacher_n in_o all_o good_a thing_n gal._n 6.6_o let_v he_o that_o be_v teach_v in_o the_o word_n communicate_v to_o he_o that_o teach_v in_o all_o good_a thing_n and_o in_o 1_o cor._n 9.14_o the_o apostle_n assure_v we_o that_o it_o be_v not_o of_o man_n but_o a_o real_a and_o unchangeable_a ordinance_n of_o god_n now_o by_o and_o under_o the_o gospel_n for_o say_v he_o so_o have_v god_n ordain_v that_o they_o that_o preach_v the_o gospel_n shall_v live_v of_o the_o gospel_n mark_v it_o 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and_o the_o new_a law_n or_o gospel_n as_o in_o this_o 1_o cor._n 9_o from_o the_o 5._o to_o the_o 15._o vers_fw-la he_o evince_v so_o in_o gal._n 6.6_o and_o rom._n 15.27_o and_o say_v the_o apostle_n in_o 1_o cor._n 9.11_o v._o if_o we_o have_v sow_v to_o you_o spiritual_a thing_n be_v it_o a_o great_a thing_n if_o we_o shall_v reap_v your_o carnal_a thing_n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v alas_o these_o be_v but_o light_n small_a and_o low_a matter_n that_o you_o give_v we_o for_o our_o pain_n and_o labour_n in_o comparison_n of_o what_o we_o do_v for_o and_o dispense_v to_o you_o your_o carnal_a thing_n that_o you_o impart_v to_o we_o for_o our_o body_n be_v not_o comparable_a to_o our_o labour_n pain_n and_o care_n to_o impart_v spiritual_a riches_n to_o your_o soul_n and_o therefore_o if_o you_o grudge_v at_o your_o part_n with_o you_o to_o we_o know_v that_o you_o grudge_v we_o small_a and_o very_o inconsiderable_a thing_n in_o comparison_n of_o what_o we_o distribute_v to_o you_o this_o be_v another_o of_o your_o work_n and_o duty_n to_o your_o teacher_n you_o must_v therefore_o do_v it_o and_o that_o 1._o cheerful_o and_o willing_o not_o grudge_o hearty_o not_o hypocritical_o and_o indifferent_o dutiful_o and_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o will_n of_o christ_n not_o as_o a_o arbitrary_a thing_n that_o you_o may_v or_o may_v not_o do_v at_o your_o own_o will_n and_o pleasure_n constant_o and_o persevere_o not_o for_o some_o time_n only_o and_o see_v that_o your_o end_n be_v right_a in_o it_o namely_o to_o encourage_v your_o minister_n propagate_v the_o gospel_n to_o profit_v soul_n to_o serve_v please_v and_o honour_v the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o that_o in_o the_o right_a performance_n of_o your_o duty_n to_o christ_n &_o his_o minister_n you_o may_v enjoy_v the_o good_a of_o the_o promise_n and_o the_o blessing_n of_o all_o christ_n ordinance_n administer_v by_o they_o but_o that_o i_o may_v a_o little_a more_o enforce_v this_o on_o your_o conscience_n be_v 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