solemnly with one accord engaging themselves to come together in ONE Congregation and to Assemble themselves together in some one Place every first Day of the week to worship God publickly in all his holy Ordinances with their mutual professed Subjection unto the Laws of God's House and with a Professed Resolution to Continue in the Apostles Doctrine and in Fellowship and in Breaking of Bread and Prayer through the Help of God All which being done the same Minister ought to declare them to be a Church of Saints and the Ministers and Brethren of other Churches being also present ought to own and acknowledge them to be a Sister-Church by giving them the Right hand of Fellowship and so to commend them by Prayer unto God and to the Word of his Grace who is able to build them up and to give them an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified The Well-Being of a particular Church of Saints doth principally consist in three things viz. Oneness Order and Government That Gospel-Oneness which maketh very much for the Well-Being of a particular Church is threefold First That there be but ONE Church in one City 1 Cor. 14.19 34. and that all the Congregations of Saints in that City called Churches bear but one Name to wit the Church of God in that City as in the Apostles daies Act. 15.4.22 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 2. 3. chap. That so there may be no Schism Divisions nor sinful Separations from the Church of God but that the whole Church may be perfectly joyned together in ONE As a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 as an House or Building fitly framed together Ephes 2.21 22. and as a Body fitly joyned and compacted by every joynt of supply Eph. 4.16 Secondly That this Church be of one Heart and of one Soul Act. 4.32 being perfectly joyned together in the same Mind and in the same Judgment 1 Cor. 1.2 9 10. that so they may all with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 having the same Love one to another Phil. 2.1 2 3. and the same Care one for another 1 Cor. 12.25 26 27. each one endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4 3-6 This Oneness will make the Communion of Saints very comfortable Col. 2 2-5 And hereby they will enjoy Fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit in all God's holy Gospel-Ordinances to the Glory of God and their own Edification Thirdly That this one Church and all the Congregations of Saints that are Members thereof walk by one and the same Rule of the written Word of God Phil. 3.16 being Ordered and Guided by their Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders according to the Royal Laws of God's House called the perfect Law of Liberty Jam. 1.25 submitting themselves unto those Guides Act. 20.28 whom God hath made their Overseers who watch for their Souls as they that must give an Account Heb. 13.7 17. Cant. 6.4.10 Gospel-Order is a great Beauty and Ornament to the Church Col. 2.5 and Order makes very much for the Well-Being of the Church And Gospel-Order consisteth in these things Psal 48.2 Ezek. 16.12 14. First That the Bishop and Presbyters set in Order the things which are wanting in the Church Titus 1.5 1 Cor. 11.34 Secondly That all things in the Church be done decently and in Order which Christ hath commanded to be done 1 Cor. 14.40 And for which his Apostles and Disciples have given us Example Phil. 3.17 Thirdly That the Order of the Gospel be carefully observed and kept in the Administration of God's Sacred Ordinances in the Admission of Members in the Ordination of Church-Officers and in withdrawing from every Brother that walketh Disorderly God was offended with his Church under the Law because they sought him not in due Order 2 Chron. 15.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 14.33 And God hath committed the Government of his Gospel-Church and Kingdom unto Christ to Order it c. Isa 9.6 7. God is not the Author of Confusion Gospel-Government is ordained and appointed of God for the Well-Being of his Church The Church of God cannot have a Well-Being without Christ's Instituted Gospel-Government And to that end God the Father hath laid the Government of his Church upon his Son Jesus Christ Isa 9.6 7. To whom he gave all Power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 And he hath made Christ Lord of his House and King of his Church Heb. 3 1-6 Psal 149.2 The Lord Jesus Christ deligated this his Ecclesiastical Government of the Church unto his holy Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers called Bishops Presbyters or Elders who where allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel 1 Thes 2.4 And the Apostles and Evangelists did commit the same unto faithful men 2 Tim. 2.12 whom they Ordained Bishops Presbyters or Elders in the Churches of Saints Titus 1.5 7. Act. 14.23 which Gospel-Government as we said before is not a Coercive-Power over Mens Consciences nor is it a Dominion over their Faith neither is it a Lordship over God's Clergy or Heritage but it is a Stewardship of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2 3 4. Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God And Titus 1.7 For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God Unto this Gospel-Government appertains Church-Censures of Admonition 2 Thes 3.15 and Titus 3.10 Suspension or withdrawing from a Brother or Member that hath and doth walk disorderly 2 Thes 3.6 and Excommunication of those Members that live in gross and scandalous sins 1 Cor. 5.1 4 5 13. CHAP. II. Of Gospel-Ministry § 1. THE LORD Jesus Christ is the Chief Minister of God's Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 8.1 2. which the Lord pitched and not Man He is the Chief Pastor of God's little Flock (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pastorum Princeps 1 Pet. 5.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the Bishop of our Souls (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.25 Heb. 13.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 13.20 The great Shepherd of of the Sheep who in all things hath the Pre-eminence (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in omnibus Ipse Primatum tenens or Supremacy § 2. HE gave Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry Ephes 4.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 12.28 The Apostles Prophets Evangelists were appointed by Christ to Preach the Gospel to the World Mark 16.15 and for the Gathering of the Saints framing and perfectly joyning them together (e) Eph. 4.11 12 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Pastors and Teachers were Set by Christ in the Churches as fixed Officers for the Edifying of the Body until we all meet together in
the Unity of Faith c. § 3. Those Pastors and Teachers are called Elders 1 Pet. 5.1 Elder is a name of Office in the Church of God Elders are indeed fixed Officers for Rule and Government who are to be counted worthy of double Honour 1 Tim. 5.17 They are also called Bishops Phil. 1.1 And the Elders of the Church of Ephesus Act. 20.17 were called Bishops Act. 20.28 (f) Act. 20.17 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 28. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over which the holy Spirit hath made you Overseers or Bishops The Office of a Pastor Bishop and Presbyter or Elder in the Church of God is to take the Charge Oversight and Care of those Souls which the Lord Jesus Christ hath committed to them to feed the Flock of God to watch for their Souls (g) Act. 20.28 Heb. 13.17 1 Tim. 5.17 1 Tim. 3.15 Isa 33.22 to Rule Guide and Govern them by virtue of their Commission and Authority received from Christ Mat. 28.18 19 20. Titus 2.15 according to the Laws Constitutions and Ordinances of the Gospel § 4. The Office of Episcopacy and Presbytery or Eldership in the Church of God is Divine and Sacred but not Lordly 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. (h) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 prospicientes neque ut dominantes Cleris c. neither over-ruling the Clergy No Bishop Pastor or Presbyter is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Master of the House of God which is the Church of the Living God but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Steward or Dispensor of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2. The Apostles Bishops Pastors and Teachers were Fellow-Elders 1 Pet. 5.1 The Elders which are among you I exhort who am a Fellow-Elder (i) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. But they were not all of equal Dignity and Authority § 5 It doth appear at least I think so and indeed it is my Opinion that there was even from the Beginning of the Gospel of the Grace of God a Priority and Pre-eminence among the Ministers of Christ approved of God yea and appointed by himself in the Church (k) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 1 Cor. 12.28 29. And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers after that miracles then gifts of healings helps governments diversities of Tongues Are all Apostles are all Prophets are all Teachers are all workers of miracles Christ gave Priority and Pre-eminence unto his Apostles above the Ordinary Prophets and Evangelists Pastors and Teachers and all other Ministers Eph. 4.11 (l) 2 Cor. 2.9 11.28 2 Thes 3.6 The Evangelists Timothy and Titus called Bishops in the subscriptions of St. Paul's Epistles to them both in our English Bibles and in the Greek Testament had Authority and Pre-eminence above other Pastors Teachers and Elders in the Ephesian Church and in Crete 1 Tim. 1.3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus when I went into Macedonia that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other Doctrine Titus 1.5 10 11 13. and 2.15 and 3.10 11. For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers especially they of the Circumcision whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole houses teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucres sake This witness is true wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the Faith These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authority Let no man despise thee A man that is an Heretick after the first and second Admonition reject Knowing that he that is such is subverted and sinneth being condemned of himself § 6. And the consonant Testimonies of the Antients with the general consent of Modern Divines and Protestaâ—â— Writers of good esteem and approbation do assent and acknowledge That Timothy and Titus were not only Evangelists but Bishops set and fixed by some of the Apostles to Oversee Order and Govern Churches Ordain Bishops and Presbyters and to exercise Authority over them according to the Laws Canons and Constitutions of Christ and his Apostles given unto them Walo (m) Walo alias Salmas lib. de Episc pag 229. Titum Cretae Insulae praefecit Paulus qui non singulari in aliqua Civitate Episcopus fuit sed totam illam Provinciam ad tempus procuraret c. called Salmasius who professedly pleaded for the Identity of Bishops and Presbyters confessed concerning the Antients that Chrysostome Epiphanius Theophylact Theodoret and other Greek Commentators have collected out of the words of St. Paul That Titus was verily the Bishop of Crete (n) Hierom. de Eccles script Ephesiorum Episcop à Paulo ordinatus c. Hierom hath recorded both Timothy and Titus Bishops the one of Ephesus and the other of Crete to whom (o) Ambros in Praefat. ad Timoth. c. 3. hunc creatum Episcopum c. Ambrose Primasius and (*) Gregor Pap. de Curat Past part 2. c. 11. Primaâ— in Trin. Gregory the Great do consent so do Reverend Beza (p) Beza de Minist gra cap. 22. Habuit jam tum Presbyterium suum aliquem 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Presbyterum etiam Presbyterorum manente communi appellatione Learned Scultetus Luther Master Moulin Tossanus Zuinglius Calvin Dr. Gerard Dr. Reynolds and several others assert and acknowledge That the Presbytery had their Presbyter or President over them in the Apostolical Age when the community of Names of Presbyters and Bishops remained among them Such were Timothy and Titus whom the Apostles ordained Bishops 1 Tim. 4.14 2 Tim. 1.6 Titus 1.5 Scultetus in Titum cap. 8. p. 10. At Paulus Ephesi in Creta aliquandiu docuerat ideo Titum Timotheum in Creta jubet manere non utique ut Evangelistas sed Ecclesiae Gubernatores c. Luther tom 1. fol. 309. conclus 13. Probo quamlibet civitatem habere debere Episcopum proprium jure divino quod ex Paulo ad Titum ostendo dicente v. 5 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As I have ordained thee Calvinus in Titum 1.5 Discimus saith he ex hoc loco non eam fuisse aequalitatem inter Ministros quia unus aliquis Authoritate praeesset § 7. Jesus Christ commanded his Servant John the Apostle to write a Book and send it to the seven Churches in Asia Rev. 1.11 He directed his seven several Epistles to the seven several Angels of the seven Churches beginning thus Unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus and so the rest Chap. 2.1.8.12.18 and Chap. 3 1 7 14. And those seven Epistles were by those seven Angels to be communicated to all the Asian Churches and every one was called upon in that Epiphonema at the End of every several Epistle He that hath an Ear let him hear c. Rev. 2.7 11 17 29. chap. 3.6 13
22. that is to hearken attend and observe what the Lord Jesus Christ by his Spirit saith utno the Churches not to this or that particular Church only Rev. 2.1 7. nor to these seven Churches exclusively but unto all the Churches of Saints in all other Countries Cities and Places in all the future Ages of the World Dr. Scultetus saith (a) Scult observat in Titum Doctissimi quique interpretes per septem Ecclesiarum Angelos interpretantur septem Ecclesiarum Episcopos neque enim aliter possunt vim nisi facere Textui velint All the most Learned Interpreters by Angels expound the Bishops of the Churches nor can it be otherwise interpreted without Violence to the Text. As punctually and pertinently speaks Marlorat (b) Marlorat in Apoc 1.12 Quamvis quaedam tam in Clero quà m in Populo corrigenda essent non tamen Populum sed Clerum aggreditur nec quemlibet de Clero nominatim Principem Cleri utique Episcopum Some things saith he were to be corrected as well in the People as in the Clergy yet doth not Saint John write unto the People nor yet to the Clergy but to the Chief of them which is the Bishop Dr. Reynolds in his Conference with Hart. cap. 2. divisio 3. saith Although in the Church of Ephesus there were sundry Elders and Pastors to guide it yet among these sundry Pastors was there one Chief whom our Saviour calleth the Angel of that Church Apoc. 2.1 And the said Doctor telling us of that very Time when St. Paul assembled the Elders of Ephesus at Miletum Act. 20. 17 28. chap. 8. distinct 3. saith One was chosen as Chief called Bishop § 9. Smectym c. assert that the word Angel Rev. 2.1 c. doth signifie only the Presbytery or the Colledge of Elders Pastors and not the Church (a) Smectym Vindication pag. 146 148. And they draw argument from the Epistle of Christ to the Church in Thyatira Rev. 2.18.20 24. Upon which place Beza thus paraphrased Unto you that is saith he unto the Angel as President and unto the rest of the Elders viz. the Colledge of Presbyters in Thyatira And as many as have not this Doctrine that is have not received this Doctrine of Jezebel But why would Christ have the Angel or Chief Bishop of the Church of Thyatira blamed for suffering false Teachers in that Church to Teach and Seduce his Servants if he was not their President or Superintendent who had Priority Preeminency and Authority above other Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders called Bishops in that Church (b) Beza in Apoc. 2.1 Angelus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quem oportet admoneri per eum Collegas totamque adeo Ecclesiam Gualther Hom. 9. in Apoc. 2.8 Angelo id est Episcopo Smyrnensi atque toti Ecclesiae constat ex Historiis Polycarpum fuisse hunc Angelum Consult Beza Gualter especially Ignatius that holy Martyr who is said to live in the daies of the Apostles who writ an Epistle to the Ephesians wherein he hath plainly and fully distinguished between Bishops and Presbyters and towards the end of that Epistle he doth exhort them to obey both the Bishop and the Presbytery with an undivided mind (b) IgnaEpist ad Ephes p. 17-29 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 § 10. Polycarpus was Bishop of Smyrna when St. John wrote that Epistle Revel 2.8 Unto the Angel of the Church of the Smyrnians saith Irenaeus And who can better inform us than they that lived in the daies of the Apostles Polycarpus saith Irenaeus (c) Iren. advers Haeres l. 3. c. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. was not only taught by the Apostles and conversed with many that had seen Christ but also was by the Apostles Constituted in Asia Bishop of the Church which is in Smyrna Whom we our selves also did see in our younger Age for he continued long And being very aged he most gloriously and nobly suffering Martyrdom departed this Life To this let me add the Testimony which those Brethren of the Church of Smyrna who were present at the Martyrdom of their Bishop Polycarpus gave him (d) Smyrnens Eccles epist de Martyrio Policarpi Euseb lib. 4. hist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vide Euseb l. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as Eusebius l. 4. Hist 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 15. He was said his Brethren the most admirable Man in our Times an Apostolical and Prophetical Doctor and Bishop of the whole Church in Smyrna Famous and certain is the Testimony of Hegesippus in his History of the Church as Eusebius noteth to the same purpose The next and last I shall cite is the Testimony of Clement whom St. Paul mentioneth among other his fellow Labourours Phil. 4.3 § 11. Clement is said by the Antients to have written an Epistle to the Church and Saints at Corinth which Epistle hath the Attestation of Irenaeus who calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a most substantial Epistle to the Corinthians and of Photius that stiles it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an eloquent or a worthy spoken Epistle It is also highly commended by Origin Cyril Justin Martyr St. Jerom and other godly and learned men Which Epistle Mr. Patrick Young saith is extant in the King's Library at Oxford His words in that his Epistle are these (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Clem. Epist ad Corinth pag. 57. D. Patrieii Junii Our Apostles knew saith he by our Lord Jesus Christ that there will be Contention about the Name of Episcopacy And therefore for this very same cause having received perfect knowledge thy appointed the foresaid Degrees and gave thereupon a Designed Order and List of Offices c. And it would be no small sin in us saith he if we should refuse or reject them who have sacredly and without Reproof undergone the Offices of Episcopacy c. The Magd. Cent. 1 2 3. do make mention of such Bishops in the Churches of God And all Ecclesiastical Historians that I have Read do testify the Priority and Pre-eminence of Bishops § 12. I would not be misunderstood therefore I will take liberty to tell the Reader That this Priority Presidence and Pre-eminence of any one Bishop above other Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders and Ministers of Christ is not any Lordly Prelacy with coercive Power over the Conscience or Dominion over the Faith of God's Clergy For the holy Apostles did approve themselves to every Mans Conscience in the sight of God 2 Cor. 4.1 2. not having Dominion over their Faith 2 Cor. 1.24 Neither as being Lords over God's Clergy or Heritage 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. But I mean and intend any one of the Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders who are or shall by the Consent Approbation and Choice of the rest be appointed ordained and set over them as Chief Bishop or Presbyter
of the Church in any City and Villages adjacent who for Order sake in Gospel-Government hath Priority Pre-eminence and Authority above the rest of the Presbyters or Bishops of the same Church not alone nor without them but when Convened with them to Act Rule Guide Order and Govern with their Consent Suffrage and Assistance according to the Laws of the Lord Jesus Christ the Constitutions and Commandments the Practice and Example of his holy Apostles Act. 15.2 6 19 22. Nor should the Ministers of Christ strive which of them should be greatest Luk. 22.24 25 26. Neither ought any of them to Love and Affect to have Pre-eminence among them as Diotrephes did 3. Epist of John v. 9. (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Titus 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 4.1 2 3 4 5. But a Bishop must be blameless an Ensample to the Flock vigilant patient apt to teach not covetous not greedy of filthy lucre and one that Ruleth well his own House that he may take Care of the Church of God holding fast the faithful Word c. CHAP. III. THE Third Work that our Lord Jesus Christ came into this World to do was to institute those Gospel-Ordinances in which his Churches of Saints must worship God in Spirit and in Truth When the Church is Assembled on the first Day of the week in some convenient place to worship God Christ hath appointed that first of all Prayers Supplications and Thanksgivings be made 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Men having their Heads uncovered and Women having their Faces vailed or covered 1 Cor. 11.4 5 7 10 13. reverently kneeling Psal 95.6 Acts 21.5 or decently standing Luk. 18.11 13. They ought not to sit in Prayer-time unless some weakness of body or some bodily infirmity doth constrain them This part of the Worship of God ought to be administred by one of the Elders of that Church who ought to pray in the Spirit and to pray with the understanding also 1 Cor. 14.15 To pray with the Spirit implies two things First That the Minister have a spiritual Gift to pray Zech. 12.10 Secondly That he have the Spirits Assistance in praying Rom. 8.26 To pray with the understanding is to pray with such words as all the Congregation doth hear and understand that they may say Amen 1 Cor. 4.16 After Prayer the Teacher ought to Read the Written Word of God distinctly and give the sense thereof by Expounding and Interpreting the words of that Scripture that so the People may understand and be instructed or taught to know the Will and Mind of God therein revealed for their Learning and Edification as they did Neh. 8.4 5 6 7 8. And as Christ himself and his Apostles also did Luk. 4.16 17 21 22. Act. 28.23 Reading the holy Scripture is an Ordinance of God unto which Christ hath promised a Gospel-Blessing Rev. 1.3 Col. 4.16 And then the Pastor ought to Preach the Gospel and to exhort the People to Repent and Believe the Gospel to be holy and to walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blamelesly Labouring in the Word and Doctrine to Convert Sinners to Edifie Believers to Convince Gainsayers and to Comfort Strengthen and Establish them that Believe in Christ Also let the Prophets speak two or three and let the rest judge 1 Cor. 14.29 31. Rom. 12.6 7 8. Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given unto us Whether Prophesie let us Prophesie according to the Analogy of Faith Or Ministry let us wait on our Ministring Or he that Teacheth on Teaching Or he that Exhorteth on Exhortation And he that Ruleth with diligence The Apostles so Preached that many believed Act. 14.1 And it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 Our LORD Jesus Christ did command his Ministers also to Baptize them that do believe in him with Water in the Name of the Father Son and holy Spirit Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.15 16. Joh. 1.33 Our Lord himself was Baptized by John in the River Jordan Mat. 3.13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him Ver. 16. And Jesus when he was Baptized went up straightway out of the Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut immergeretur ver 13. and ver 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immersus Jesus Mark 1.5 9. And were all Dipped of him in the River Jordan confessing their sins We read that both Men and Women were Baptized when they Believed Acts 8.12 But we read not in the holy Scripture of Truth that any Infants were Baptized They that had received the holy Spirit were commanded to be Baptized with Water in the Name of the LORD Acts 10.47 48. Those Men and Women are fit Subjects of Baptism that have received the Spirit of Christ do Believe in Christ Confess their sins and Repent Acts 2 37-41 The Manner of the Administration of this Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism was thus practised in the Daies of Christ and of his Apostles to wit The Person Baptizing and the Persons Baptized went into the Water Acts 8.38 39. And they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and he Baptized him That is Philip Dipped the Eunuch under the Water and then they came out of the Water v. 39. The Spirit of God hath inspired the Apostles in writing the holy Scriptures to use one Greek word viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Dipping Joh. 1.25 26 33. Heb. 9.19 21. and another viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Sprinkling So that if to Dip in Water be to Baptize to Sprinkle with Water is to Rantize And the Manner of Baptizing in Water is represented in the holy Scripture by Burying in Water and raising up out of the Water Col. 2.12 Rom. 6.4 whereby is also figured forth the Believer's Fellowship with Jesus Christ in his Death and Resurrection Col. 2.12 Jesus Christ also before his Death did Institute his own Supper Matth. 26.26 27 28. 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. and commanded his Disciples to do so and to do so often in Remembrance of him 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and as a Memorial of his Death until he come again ver 26. In Administring this Sacred Ordinance of the Lord's Supper according to the Example of Christ and his Disciples these particular things ought to be observed 1. The Time The Lord's Supper ought to be Administred ordinarily on the Lord's Day that is the first Day of the week Acts 20.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. On the only Day of Sabbaths It is an Hebraism And upon the first Day of the week the Disciples came together to break bread c. And the time of the day was at Evening then Christ administred his Supper Mark 14.17 22. 2. The Minister ought to take the Bread and consecrate it by the Word and Prayer