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fame minifter x; yet, where be feveral minifters in the fame congregation, they may be defigned to feveral employments, according to the different gifts in which each of them doth most excely. And he that doth more excel in expofition of fcriptures, in teaching found doctrine, and in convincing gainfayers, than he doth in application, and is accordingly employed therein, may be called a teacher, or doctor (the places alledged by the notation of the word do prove the propofition.) Nevertheless, where is but one minifter in a particular congregation, he is to perform as far as he is able the whole work of the miniftry z. A teacher, or doctor, is of moft excellent ufe in fchools and univerfities; as of old in the schools of the Prophets, and at Jerufalem, where Gamaliel and others taught as doctors.

Other Church-Governors.

S these were in the Jewish church, elders of the people, joined

As with the priests and Levites in the government of the church a

tering or he that teacheth, on teaching v. 8. He that exhorteth, on exhortation he that giveth. let him do it with fimplicity: he that ruleth with diligence: he that fhew eth mercy, with cheerfulness, 1 Cor. xii. 1. Now concerning fpiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant, v. 4. Now there are diverfities of gifts, but the fame fpirit. v. 5 and there are differences of administrations, but the fame Lord. v. 6. and there are diverfities of operations, but it is the fame God, which worketh all in all, v. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

x 1 Cor xiv. 3. But he that prophefieth fpeaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation and comfort. 2 Tim. iv, 2. Preach the word, be instant in feafon, out of feafon, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-fuffering and doctrine. Tit. i. 9. Holding faft the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by found doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainfavers,

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y See in letter wimmediately preceeding 2 Pet. iv. 10. as every man hath received the gift, even fo minifter the fame one to another, as good ftewards of the manifold grace of God v. 11. If any man fpeak, let him fpeak as the oracles of God; if any man minifter, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glo. rified through Jefus Chrift, to whom be praife, and dominion, for ever and ever, amen.

z 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word, be inftant in feason, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-fuffering and doctrine. Tit. i. 9 Holding faft the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by found doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainfayers. 1 Tim. vi. 2 and they that have believing mafters, let them not defpife them, because they are brethren, but rather do them fervice, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefits: These things teach and exhort.

a 1 Chron. xix. 8. Moreover, in Jerusal

So Chrift, who hath inftituted a government, and governors ecclefiaftical in the church, hath furnished fome in his church, beside the minifters of the word, with gifts for government, and with commiffion to execute the fame when called thereunto, who are to join with the minifter in the government of the church b. Which officers, reformed churches commonly called elders.

Deacons.

HE fcripture doth hold out deacons, as distinct officers in the church c.

THER

Whofe office is perpetual d. To whofe office it belongs not to preach the word or adminifter the facraments, but to take special care in diftributing to the neceffities of the poor e.

Jerufalem did Jehoshaphat fet of the Levites and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Ifrael, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controverfies, when they returned to Jerufalem. v. 9. and he charged them, faying, Thus fhall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. v. 10. and what cause foever fhall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, and statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trefpafs not against the Lord, and fo wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.

b Rom. xii. 17. Or miniftry, let us wait on our miniftering; or he that teacheth, on teaching: 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with fimplicity: he that ruleth, with diligence: be that fheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 1 Cor. xii 28. and God hath fet fome in the church, firft apostles, fecondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

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c Phil. i. I. Paul and Timotheus the fervants of Jefus Chrift, to all faints in Chrift Jefus, which are at Philippi, with the bifhops and deacons. 1 Tim. iii. 8. Likewife muß the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.

di Tim. iii. 8. Likewife must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre. See in the Bible to v. 15. Acts vi. 1. and in those days, when the number of the dif ciples was multiplied, there arofe a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily miniftration. v. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the difciples unte them, and faid, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and ferve tables. v. 3. Wherefore brethren, look out among you feven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghoft, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this bufinefs, v. 4. But we will give ourselves con. tinually to prayer, and to the miniftry of the word.

-4. (See before in

Acts vi. 1.letter d.)

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Of particular Congregations.

Tis lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregations, that

narily for public worship. When believers multiply to fuch a number, that they cannot conveniently meet in one place, it is lawful and expedient that they should be divided into distinct and fixed congregations, for the better administration of fuch ordinances as belong unto them, and the difcharge of mutual dutiesƒ.

he ordinary way of dividing Chriftians into diftinct congregations, and most expedient for edification, is by the refpective bounds of their dwellings.

First, Because they who dwell together, being bound to all kind of moral duties one to another, have the better opportunity thereby to discharge them; which moral tye is perpetual, for Chrift came not to deftroy the law, but to fulfil it g.

Secondly, The communion of Saints must be fo ordered, as may ftand with the most convenient ufe of the ordinances, and discharge of moral duties, without refpect of perfons h.

Thirdly, The pastor and people must so nearly cohabit together, as that they may mutually perform their duties each to other with most conveniency.

In this company fome must be fet apart to bear office.

Of the Officers of a particular Congregation.

OR officers in a fingle congregation, there ought to be one at the leaft, both to labour in the word and doctrine, and to

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f1 Cor. xiv. 26. Let all things be done unto edifying. v. 33. For God is not the author of confufion, but of peace, as in all churches of the faints. v. 40. Let all things be done decently and in order.

g Deat. v. 17. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor fhut thy hand from thy poor brother. V. 11. For the poor fhall never ceafe out of the Jand; therefore I command thee, faying, Thou shalt open thy hand

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rule i.

It is alfo requifite that there fhould be others to join in government k.

And likewife it is requifite that there be others to take special care for the relief of the poorl

The number of each of which is to be proportioned according to the condition of the congregation.

These officers are to meet together at convenient and fet times, for the well-ordering of the affairs of that congregation, each according to his office.

It is most expedient that, in these meetings, one whofe office is to labour in the word and doctrine, do moderate in their proceedings m.

Of the Ordinances of a particular Congregation.

THE ordinances in a fingle congregation, are prayer, thanksgiving and finging of pfalms n; the word read (although there follow no immediate explication of what is read) the word expounded and applied, catechifing, the facraments adminiftered, collection made for the poor, difimiffing the people with a blessing.

as ye fee the day approaching, James ii. 1. My brethren have not the faith of our Lord Jefus Chrift the Lord of glory with refpect of perfons. v. 2. For if there come into your affembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment.

i Prov. xxix. 18. Where there is no vifion, the people perifh; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he, 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. Heb. xiii. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have fpoken unto you the word of God, whofe faith follow, confidering the end of their converfation.

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diverfities of tongues.

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/ Acts vi. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them and faid, It is not reafon that we fhould leave the word of God, and ferve tables v. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you feven men of honeft report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

m 1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, efpecially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

# 1 Tim. ii 1. I exhort therefore that first of all, fupplications, prayers, interceffions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. 1 Cor. xiv. 15. What is it then? I will pray with the fpirit, and I will pray with the understanding alfo: I will fing with the fpirit, and I will fing with the understanding alfo. v. 16, Elfe when thou shalt blefs with the fpirit, how fhall be that occupieth

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Of Church-Government, and the feveral forts of Assemblies for the fame.

HRIST hath inftituted a government, and governors ecclefiaftical in the church: To that purpofe, the apoitles did immediately receive the keys from the hand of Jefus Chrift, and did ule and exercife them in all the churches of the world upon all occasions.

And Chrift hath fince continually furnished tome in his church with gifts of government, and with commiffion to execute the fame, whencalled thereunto.

It is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that the church be governed by feveral forts of affemblies which are congregational, claffical, and fynodical.

Of the power in common of all these Assemblies.

IT T is lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that the several affemblies before-mentioned have power to convent, and call before them, any perfon within their feveral bounds, whom the ecclefiaftical business which is before them doth concerno.

They have power to hear and determine fuch caufes and differences as do orderly come before them.

It is lawful and agreeable to the word of God, that all the faid af femblies have fome power to difpenfe church-cenfures.

Of Congregational Affemblies, that is, The meeting of the Ruling Officers of a particular Congregation, for the Government thereof.

THE

HE ruling officers of a particular congregation have power, authoritively, to call before them any member of the congregation, as they fhall fee juft occafion.

To enquire into the knowledge and spiritual estate of the feveral members of the congregation.

To admonish and rebuke.

the room of the unlearned, fay, Amen at thy giving of thanks, feeing he understandeth not what thou fayeft?

Mat. xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy brother shall trefpafs against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he fhall hear thee, thou haft gained thy brother. v. 16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee

Which

one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witneffes every word may be established. v 17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, 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. v. 18. Verily, I fay unto you, Whatsoever ye thall bind on earth, fhall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever

ye

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