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cised by, one and the 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 moft excel y. 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 minister in a particular congregation, he is to perform, fo 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 there were in the Jewish church elders of the people, joined with the priests and Levites in the Government of the church a; fo Chrift, who hath inftituted government,

and with diligence; he that fheweth man hath received the gift, even mercy, with cheerfulness. I Cor. fo minister the fame one to another, xii. 1. Now concerning fpiritual as good stewards of the manifold gifts, brethren, I would not have grace of God. v. 11. If any man you ignorant. v. 4. Now there are fpeak, let him speak as the oracles diverfities of gifts, but he fame of God; if any man minifter, let Spirit. v. 5. And there are diffe- him do it as of the ability which rences of adminiftration, but the God giveth: that God in all things fame Lord. v. 6. And there are may be glorified through Jefus diversities of operations, but it is Chrift; to whom be praise and dothe fame God, which worketh all minion, for ever and ever. Amen. in all. v. 7. But the manifeftation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

x I Cor. xiv. 3. But he that prophefieth, fpeaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word, be inftant in feason, 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 gainfayers.

y See in letter w immediately preceeding. Pet. iv. 10. As every

z 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word, be inftant in season, 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 gainfayers. 1 Tim. vi. 2. And they that have unbelieving mafters, let them not defpife them, becaufe they are brethren: but rather do them fervice, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

a 2 Chron. xix. 8. Moreover.

and governors ecclefiaftical in the church, hath furnished fame in his church, befide the ministers 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 churchies commonly call elders.

Deacons.

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

THE

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

in 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 return ed 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. io. And what caufe 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 fhail not trefpafs.

b Rom. xii. 7. Ör ministry, let us wait on our miniftring; or he that teacheth, on teaching: v. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhor tation he that giveth, let him do it with fimplicity, he that ruleth, with diligence; he that heweth mercy, with cheerfulness. I Cor. xii. 28. And God hath fet fome in the church, firft apoftles, feconda rily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diverfities of tongues.

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c Phil. i. i. Paul and Timotheus the fervants of Jefus Christ, to all the faints in Chrift Jefus, which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. Tim. iii. 8. Likewise muft the deacons be grave, double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre.

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not

d 1 Tim. iii. 8. Likewife muft the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, 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 difciples 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 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 wifdom, whom we may appoint over this business. v. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and the miniftry of the word.

e Acts vi. 1. -4. (See before in letter d). I Cor,

Of particular Congregations.

Tis lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregations, that is, a certain company of Chriftians to meet in one affembly ordinarily 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 diftinct and fixed congregations, for the better administration of fuch ordinances as belong unto them, and the discharge of mutual duties f.

The ordinary way of dividing Chriftians into diftinct congregations, and moft 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 destroy the law, but to fulfil it g.

Secondly, The communion of faints must be fo ordered, as may stand with the most convenient ufe of the ordinances, and discharge of moral duties, without refpect of persons b. Thirdly, The paftor 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.

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f1 Cor. xiv. 26.-Let all things be done to edif f yng. 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 Deut. xv. 7. 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 thine hand from thy poor brother. V. 11. For the poor fhall never ceafe out of the land: therefore I command thee, faying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in thy land. Matth. xxii. 39. And the fecond is like unto it, thou fhalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matth. v. 17.

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Think not that I am come to deftroy the law or the prophets : I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

h1 Cor. xiv. 26.-Let all things be done to edifying. Heb. x. 24. And let us confider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works: v. 25. Not forfaking the affembling of ourselves together, as the manner of fome is; but exhorting one another: and fo much the more, as ye fee the day approaching. James ii. 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jefus Christ 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 alfo a poor man in vile raiment.

Prov.

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Of the Officers of a particular Congregation.

OR officers in a fingle congregation, there ought to be one at the least, both to labour in the word and doctrine, and to rule i.

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

And likewise it is requifite that there be others to take special care for the relief of the poor l..

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

Thefe 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 moft expedient that in thefe meetings, one whofe office is to labour in the word and doctrine, do moderate in their proceedings m.

TH

Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation.

HE 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 adminiftred, collection made for the poor, difmiffing the people with a bleffing,

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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 re-
port, full of the Holy Ghost and
wifdom, whom we may appoint o-
ver this business.

m 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.

n 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

Of Church-Government, and the several forts of Affemblies for the fame.

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HRIST hath instituted a government, and governors ecclefiaftical in the church: to that purpose, the apostles did immediately receive the keys' from the hand of Jefus Christ, and did use and exercise them in all the churches of the world upon all occafions.

And Chrift hath fince continually furnished fome in his church with gifts of government, and with commiffion to execute the fame, when called 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.

T is lawful and agreeable to the word of God, that the

I feveral affemblies before mentioned, have power to con

vent, and call before them any perfon within their feveral bounds, whom the ecclefiaftical business which is before them doth concern o.

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

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

fing with the understanding alfo. v. 16. Elfe when thou fhalt blefs with the fpirit, how fhall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned, fay Amen at thy giving of thanks, feeing he understandeth not what thou fayft ?

o Matth. xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy brother fhall trefpafs againft thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he thall hear thee, thou haft gained thy brother. v. 16. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witneffes, every word may be established. V. 17. And if he fhall neglect to hear them,

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tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be into thee as an heathen man, and a publican. v. 18. Verily I fay unto you, Whatfoever ye fhall bind on earth, fhall be bound in heaven and whatfoever ye fhall loofe on earth, fhall be loofed in heaven. v 19. Again, I say unto you, That if two of του fhall agree on earth, às touching any thing that they fhall afk, it thall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. v. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midft of them.

Heb.

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