ment, and governors ecclefiaftical in the church, hath furnished 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 fcripture doth hold out deacons, as diftinct officers
in the church c.

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.

Of particular Congregations

Tit lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregati

IT

ons, 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 discharge of mutual duties f.

The ordinary way of dividing Chriftians into distinct congregations, and moft expedient for edification, is by the respective 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 ftand with the most convenient use of the ordinances, and discharge of moral duties, without refpect of perfons b. Thirdly, The paftor and people muft fo nearly cohabit

f 1 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 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 thy hand from thy poor brother. v. 11. For the poor fhall never ceafe out of the land; therefore I command thee, faying, Thou fhalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in the land. Mat. xxii. And the fecond is like un39. to it, Thou fhalt love thy neigh

together

bour as thyfelf. Mat. v. Think
17.
not that I am come to destroy the
law or the prophets: I am not come
to deftroy, but to fulfil.

b 1 Cor. xiv. 26. Let all things be done unto 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 so 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

Nn 4

vile

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 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 likewise it is requifite that there be others to take fpecial care for the relief of the poor /.

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.

Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation.

THE ordinances in a fingle congregation, are prayer,

vile raiment.

i Prov. xxix. 18. Where there is no vifion, the people perith; 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 conversation.

k 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath fet fome in the church; firft apoftles, fecondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts

thankf

of healings, helps, governments, diverfities of tongues.

1 Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the 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 ye out among you feven men of honeft report, full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this bufinefs.

`'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.

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.

HRIST hath inftituted a government, and governors

Cecclefiaftical in the church. To that aCH

ecclefiaftical in the church: To that purpose, the apostles did immediately receive the keys from the hand of Jefus Chrift, 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 several forts of assemblies, which are congregational, claffical, and fynodical.

Of the power in common of all thefe Affemblies.

T is lawful and agreeable to the word of God, that the feveral 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. con cern o.

# 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 spirit, and I will pray with the understanding alfo: I will fing with the spirit, and I will fing with the understanding alfo. v. 16. Elfe when thou fhalt bless with the fpirit, how fhall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned, fay, Amen at thy giving of thanks, feeing

They

he understandeth not what thou fayeft?

Mat. xviii. 15. Moreover, if thy brother fhall trespass 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 one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. v. 17. And if he fhall neglect to hear them, tell it unto

the

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 some power to dispense church-cenfures.

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

T

HE ruling officers of a particular congregation have power, authoritatively, 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.

Which three branches are proved by Heb. xii. 17. 1 Theff. 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 these that walk diforderly.

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, Whatfoever ye fhall bind on earth, fhall be bound in heaven: and what foever ye fhall loofe on earth, thall be loofed in heaven: v. 19. Again, I fay unto you, That if two of you fhall agree on earth, as touching a ny thing that they fhall afk, 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 midst of them.

p Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your fouls, as they that muft give ac

Thirdly,

count, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. 1 Theff. v. 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; v. 13. And to esteem them very highly in love for their works fake. And be at peace among yourselves. Ezek. xxxiv. The difeafed have ye not strengthned, 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 have ye fought that which was loft: but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

4.

1 Mat.