1

A teacher, or doctor, is of moft excellent ufe in fchools and universities; as of old in the fchools of the prophets, and at Jerufalem, where Gamaliel and others taught as doctors.

Other Church-Governors.

S thefe were in the Jewish church, elders of the people, joined with the priests and Levites in the government of the church a: So Chrift, who hath inftituted a government, and governors ecclefiaftical in the church, hath furni-" fhed fome in his church, befide 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 call elders.

Deacons.

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

THE

long-fuffering and doctrine. Tit. ye fhall even warn them that they 1.9.Holding faft the faithful word trefpafs not against the Lord, and as he hathbeen taught,that he may fo wrath come upon you,and upon beablebyfound doctrine,bothtoex- your brethren: this do,and ye fhall hort & to convince the gainfayers, not trefpafs. I Tim. 6. 2. And they that have believing mafters,let them not defpife them, because they are brethren, but rather do them fervice, becaule they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefits: These things teach and exhort.

b Rom 12. 7. Or ministry,let us wait on our miniftring: or he that teacheth, on teaching: v. 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with fim plicity: he that ruleth, with diligence:he that fheweth mercy, with chearfulness. 1. Cor 12. 29. And God hath fet fome in the church, firit apoftles, fecondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,afterthatmiracles. then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

a 2 Chron 19.8.Moreover,in Jerufalem did Jehoshaphat fet of the Levites, and of priefts, and of the chief of the fathers of Ifrael, for the judgment of the Lord, & for controverfies, when they returned to Jerufalem, v9. And he charged c Phil.1.1. Paul and Timotheus them, faying, Thus fhall ye do in the fervants of Jefus Chrift, to all the fear of the Lord, faithfully, faints in Chrift Jefus, which are at and with a perfect heart. v 10. Philippi, with the bishopsand deaAnd what caufe foever fhall come cons. 1 Tim. 3. 8. Likewife mult to you of your brethren that dwell the deacons be grave, not doublein their cities, between blood and tongued,not given to much wine, blood,between law and command- not greedy of filthy-lucre. ment, and ftatutes and judgments,

Kk 4

di Tim

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 distributing to the neceffities of the poor e

IT

Of particular congregations.

T is lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregations, that is, a certain company of Chriftians to meet in one affembly ordinarily for publick 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 difcharge of mutual duties, f.

The ordinary way of dividingChriftians into diftinct congregations, and moft expedient for edification, is by the refpective bounds of their dwelling;

Firft, 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 faints must be fo ordered, as

d1 Tim. 3. 8. Likewife muft the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedyof filthy lucre.See in the Bible to . 15. Acts 6. 1. And in thofe days, when the number of the difcipleswas multiplied,there arofe a murmuringoftheGreciansagainft the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily miniftration..2. Then the twelve calJed the multitude of difciples unto them, and faid, it is not reafon that we fhould leave the word of God, and ferve tables, v, 3. Wherefore brethren, look you out among you feven men of honest report, full of the holy Ghost, and wifdom, whom wemay appoint over this bufinefs. 7. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the miniftry of the word.

e Acts 6. 1, 2, 3, 4. See before in letter d.

may

f 1 Cor. 14.26. Let all things be done unto edifying, 7.33. ForGod 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, 15.7. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy bre thren 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 land; therefore I command thee, faying, thou shalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother,to the poor, and to the needy in the land. Mat. 22. 39. And the fecond is like unto it,thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyfelf. Mat. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to deftroy the law or the prophets I am not come deftroy, but to fulfil. hi Cer.

may stand with the most convenient ufe of the ordinances, and difcharge of moral duties, without refpect of perfons h

Thirdly, The paftor and people muft fo nearly cohabite 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 least, both to labour in the word and doctrine, and to rule i.

FOR

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 poor

1.

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

h1 Cor. 14. 26. Let all things be done unto edifying. Heb. 10. 24. And let us confider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works, v.25. Not forfaking the af fembling of ourfelves together, as the manner of fome is;but exhorting one another, and fo much the more, as ye fee the day approaching. James 2.1. 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 alfo a poor man in vile raiment.

i Prov. 29, 18. Where there is novifion,the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 1 Tim.5.17. Let the eldersthat rule well be counted worthy of double honour,efpecially they who labour in word and doctrine. Heb. 13. 7.

Of

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God, whole faith follow, confidering the end of their converfation.

I

k 1 Cor. 12. 28. AndGod hath fet fome in the church; firft apoftles, fecondly prophets, thirdly teachcrs, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diverfities of tongues.

1 Acts 6.2. Then the twelve calfed the multitude of the difciples unto them, and faid, it is not reafon that we fhould leave the word of God, and ferve tables. . 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you feven men of honest report, full of the holy Ghost, and wifdom, whom ye may appoint over this bufinefs.

miTim.5.17. Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of

doubla

Of the ordinances in a particular Congregation. HE ordinances in a fingle congrégation, are prayer,

thanksgiving, and finging of pfalms n; the word read (altho' 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.

Of Church-government, and the feveral forts of affemblies for the fame.

WHRIST hath instituted

goverment, and governors ecclefiaftical in the church: to that purpofe, the apoftles did immediately receive the keys from the hand of Jefus I Chrift, and did ufe and exercife 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 thefe aflemblies.

It is and ag teabre-mentioned have power to con

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

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

They

double honour,efpeciallythey who rit,how fhall he that occupieth the labour in word and doctrine.room of the unlearned, fay,Amen n 1 Tim 2.1. I exhort therefore at thy giving of thanks, feeing he that first of all,fupplications,pray- understandeth not what thou fay ers, interceffions, and giving of est? thanks be made for all men, 1 Cor o Mat. 18. 15. Moreover,if thy 14,15. What is it then? I will pray brother fhall trefpafs against thee, with the fpirit,& I will pray with go and tell him his fault between the understanding alfo: I will fing thee,and him alone: if he fhall hear with the fpirit,and I will fing with thee.thou haft gained thy brother. the understanding alfo, v 16, Elfe v. 19.But if he will not hear thee, when thou shalt blefs with the fpi- then take with thee one or two

more

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

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

Of congregational affemblies, that is, the meeting of the ruling officers of a particular congregation for the government thereof. THE ruling officers of a particular congregation have power, authoritatively, to call before them any mem ber of the congregation, as they fhall fee juft occafion. To enquire into the knowledge and fpiritual eftate of the feveral members of the congregation.

To admonish and rebuke.

Which three branches are proved by Heb. xiii. 17. 1 Thess. V. 12, 13. Ezek. xxxiv. 4. P.

Authoritative fufpenfion from the Lord's table of a perfon not yet caft out of the church, is agreeable to the fcripture, Firft, Because the ordinance itself must not be profaned. Secondly, Because we are charged to withdraw from thefe that walk diforderly.

Thirdly, Because of the great fin and danger, both to

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, 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 shall bind on earth, fhall be bound in heaven: and whatfoever ye fhall loofe on earth, fhall be loofed in heaven. V. 19. Again, I fay unto you, that if two of you fhall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they fhall ask, it shall 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.

him

p Heb. 13. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and fubmit yourfelves,for they watch for your fouls, as they that muft give account,that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you, I Thef, 5. 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admoni(h you; v. 13. And to efteem them very highly inlove for their works fake. And be at peace among yourfelves, Ezek. 34. 4. The dileafed have ye notitrengthned, neither have ye healed that which was fick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither