i presbyters in that kirk; which proveth a presbyterial church before the dispersion, Acts vi. Fourthly, The several congregations in Jerufalem being one church, the elders of that church are mentioned as meeting together for acts of government 2; which proves that those several congregations were under one presbyterial go. vernment. And whether these congregations were fixed, or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is all one as to the truth of the propofition. Nor doth there appear any material difference betwixt the feveral congregations in Jerufalem, and the many congregations now in the ordinary condition of the church, as to the point of fixedness required of officers or members. 3. Thirdly, Therefore the scripture doth hold forth, that many congregations may be under one presbyterial govern ment. II. Secondly, By the instance of the church of Ephesus; for, 1. That there were more congregations than one in the church of Ephesus, appears by Acts xx. 31 b, where is mention of Paul's continuance at Ephesus in preaching for the space of three years; and Atts xix. 18, 19, 20. where the special effect of the word is mentioned c; and v. 10. and 18. of the fame Chapter, where is a diftinction of Jews and Greeks d; and 1 Cor. xvi. 8. and 9. where is a reason of Paul's a Acts 11. 30. Which also they did, and fent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 15. 4. And when they were come to Jerufalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all thingsthatGodhaddone withthem. v. 6. And the apostles and elders came together for to confider of this matter. 2.22. Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chofen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas firnamed Barsabas, andSilas chiefmen among the brethren. Acts 21. 17. And when they were come to Jerufalem the brethren received them gladly. v. 18. And the day following, Panl went in with us unto James, and all the elders were present. And fo forward. b Acts20. 31. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years, I ceafed not to warn every one night and day with tears. c Acts19.18. And many that believed came, & confefled, and shewed their deeds. v 19. Many alfo of them which used curious arts, brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, & found it fifty thousand pieces of filver. 2.20. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed. d. Acts 19.10. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all 1 Paul's, stayat Ephesus until Pentecost e; and v. 19. Where 2. That there were many elders over these many_congre- 3. That these many congregations where one church, and that theywere under onepresbyterialGovernmentappeareth i. Of all they who dwelt in Afia heard all the flock over the which the the word of the Lord Jefus, both holyGhosthathmade youoverseers, Jews and Greeks.v. 17. And this to feed the church of God, which was known to all the Jews and e 1 Cor. 16.8. But I will tarry at f 1 Cor. 16.19. The churches of Afia falute you, Aquila and Prif cilla falute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their houfe. he hath purchased with his own i Rev. 2. 1. Unto the Angel of the church of Ephelus write, These things faith he that holdeth the seven stars in his righthand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, v. 2. I know g Acts 18.19. And he came to thy works, and thy labours, & thy Ephefus and left them there; but patience, and how thou canst not he himself entred into the Syna- bear themwhich are evil; and thou gogue, and reasonedwith the Jews. hafttried them which fay they are v. 24. And a certain Jew named apostles, and are not, and haft Apollos, born at Alexandria, an found them liars. v. 3. And hast eloquent man, and mighty in the born, and haft patience, and for fcriptures, came to Ephefus.v. 26. my names fake haft laboured, and And he began to speak boldly in h Acts 20.17. And from Miletus haft not fainted 2.14. Nevertheless, Acts Of Synodical Affemblies. THE. Scripture doth hold out another fort of affemblies for the government of the church, beside elassical and congregational, all which we call fynodical. k. Paftors and Teachers, and other church governors (as also other fit perfons, when it shall be deemed expedient) are me nbers of those assemblies which we call fynodical, where they have a lawful calling thereunto. Synodical affemblies may lawfully be of several forts, as provincial, national and oecumenical. It is lawful and agreeable to the word of God, that there be a fubordination of congregational, and classical, provincial and national affemblies, for the government of the church. N Of Ordination of Ministers. be confidered, either the doctrine of ordination, or the power of it. Touching the doctrine of ordination. O Man ought to take upon him the office of a minifter of the word, without a lawful calling 1. k Acts 15. 2. When therefore Pauland Barnabashad no smalldif 1entionand difputation with them, they determined that Paul & Barnabas, and certain other of them should go upto Jerufalem unto the apostles and elders about this que stion. v. 6. And the apostles and elders cametogetherfortoconfider of this matter. v. 22. Then it pleased the apostles and elders with the whole church, to fend chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas firnamed Barfabas, and-Silas, chief men among the brethren: v. 23 And wrote letters by them after this manner; the Or apottles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the gentiles in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia. I john3. 17. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, exceptit be givenhim fromheaven. Rom. 10. 14. How then fhallthey call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard, and how shall theyhear withouta preacher? v. 15, andhow shall they preach except they be fent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glade tidings of good thi things; Jer ト 530 The Form of Church-government. Ordination is always to be continued in the church m. Ordination is the folemn setting apart of a person to fome public church-office n. Every minifter of the word is to be ordained by imposition of hands, and prayer with fafting, by those preaching prefbyters, to whom it doth belong o. It is agreeable to the word of God, and very expedient, that fuch as are to be ordained minifters, being defigned to fome particular church, or other minifterial charge p. Jer. 14.14. Then the Lord faidunto me, The prophets prophefie lies in my name, I fent them not, nei ther have I commandedthem, neither spake I unto them; they prophefie unto you a false vifion and divination, and a thing of nought and the deceit of their heart. Heb5.4. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. m1 Tim 1.5. Forthis causeleftI thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set inorderthe things thatarewanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. iTim. 5.21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that thouobservethelethings, withoutpreferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 2. 22. Lay hands fuddently on no man, neither be partaker of other mens fins. Keep thyself pure. n Num. 8. 10. And thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Ifrael shall put theirhandsupon the Levites. v. 11. And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord, for an offering of the children of Ifrael; that they may execute the fervice of the Lord. v. 14. thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Ifrael; and the Levites shall be mine. v, 19. and I have given the Levitesas agift to Aaron, and to his fons, from among the children of Ifrael, to do the fervice of the children of Ifrael in, the tabernacle of the congregation, He and to make an atonement forthe childrenof Ifrael; that there be no plagueamongthechildrenof Ifrael, when the children of Ifrael come nigh unto the fanctuary. v. 22. And afterthat went the Levites in, todotheirservice in the tabernacle of thecongregation, before Aaron & before his fons; as the Lordhad commanded Mofesconcerning the Levites, so did they unto them. Acts. 6. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honeft report, full of the holy gholt, and wisdom, whom we may appointover this business.v.5 And the laying pleased thewhole multitude:and theychose Stephen a man full of faith and of the holy ghost, and Philip, & Prochorus, & Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch. v. 6. Whomthey had fet before the apostles; and when theyhad prayed they laid their hands on them. o 1 Tim.5.22. Lay hands fuddenly on noman, neither, be partaker of other mens fins, keep thyself pure. Acts. 14. 23. And whenthey had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fafting, they commended them to the Lord, onwhomtheybelieved.Acts 13.3. And when they had fafted and prayed, andlaidtheir hands on them, they sent them away. p Acts.14. 13. fee before. Tit. 15. For this cause left I theein Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qualified, both for life and minifterial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle q. 4 He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained r. No man is to be ordained a minister for å particular con gregation, if they of that congregation can shew just cause of exception against him. f. Touching the power of ordination. Ordination is the act of a prefbytery ti The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole prefbytery, which when it is over more congregations than one, whether those congregations be fixed or ⚫ not dain elders in every city, as I had not accused of rict, or unruly, good men, sober, just, holy, tem- qi.Tim.3.2 A bishopthen must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, føber, of good be haviour, given to hospitality, apt 1 Tim. 3.7. Moreover he mult to teach; v. 3. Not given to wine. wine, have a good report of them which nor striker, not greedy of filthy lu- are without, left he fall into recre, but patient; not a brawler, not proach, and the snare of the devil. covetous: v. 4. One that ruleth, 10. And let these alfo first be weil with his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; v.5 (For if a man know nothow to rule his own house, how hall he take care of the church of God) v. 6. Not a novice, left be-ing lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnati on on of of the devil, Tit. i. 5. For this caufe left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee, v. 6. If any man be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, proved, then let them use the of- I 1 Tim.3. 2.A bishop then must t 1 Tim. 4. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was gi bla 1 1 |