Graphautarkeia, or, The Scriptures sufficiency practically demonstrated wherein whatsoever is contain'd in Scripture, respecting doctrine, worship or manners is reduced to its proper head, weighty cases resolved, truths confirmed, difficult texts illustrated and explained by others more plain.

CHAP. XXVII. Of the Church of Christ under the several notions thereof, and the things belonging to the same in the general; and also as considered in the several Congregations, and parti∣cular Churches thereof. (Book 27)

The several acceptations of the Church mentioned in Scripture.

1st. General, or Universal.

UPon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not, &c. Matt. 16. 18.

Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body, &c. Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, &c. that he might pre∣sent it to himself a glorious church, Ephes. 5. 23, 25, 27.

To the general assembly and church of the first born, who are enrolled in heaven, Heb. 12. 23.

2dly, Universal, Visible.

The Lord added to the church dayly such as should be saved, Act. 2. 47.

That now, &c. might be known by the church, the manifold wisdom of God, &c. unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, &c. Ephes. 3. 10, 21.

I Paul, &c. rejoyce in my sufferings, &c. for his bodyes sake which is the church, Col. 1. 24.

3dly, Particular visible Churches of believers, who are joyned together as one bo∣dy, and usually meet together in one place, for the participation of the same Ordinances, and exercising Duties as a Church, and one to another as members thereof.

Can two walk together except they be agreed? Amos 3. 3.

They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, &c. the num∣ber of the names together, were about a hundred and twenty, Act. 1. 13, 14, 15.

And the same day there was added about three thousand souls: and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer, &c. and all who believed were together, &c. and they continuing dayly with one accord in the temple, &c. Act. 2. 41, 42, 44, 46.

Then had the Churches rest thorowout all Judea and Galilee, and Samaria, Act. 9. 31.

Then tidings, &c. came unto the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, &c. At Antioch they assembled themselves a whole year with (or, in) the Church, and taught much people, Act. 11. 22, 26.

And when they had ordained them Elders in every Church, &c. they went to Antioch, &c. when they had there gathered the Church together, &c. Act. 14. 23, 27.

Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem: they were received of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, &c. then pleased it the Apostles, and Elders, with the whole Church, to send, &c. being assembled with one accord, they gathered the multitude together, delivered the Epistle, &c. Paul went, &c. con∣firming the Churches, Act. 15. 2, 3, 4, 22, 25, 30, 41. ch. 21. 17, 18.

When he had landed at Cesaria, and gon up and saluted the Church, &c. Act. 18. 22.

Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church, Act. 20. 17.

Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, 1 Cor. 1. 2.

As I teach every where, in every Church, 1 Cor. 4. 17.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, &c. 1 Cor. 5. 4.

When ye come together in the Church, &c. when ye come together there∣fore into one place, &c. despise ye the Church of God, &c. wherefore my bre∣thren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another, 1 Cor. 11. 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 33, 34.

If therefore the whole Church be come together in one place, &c. let him keep silence in the Church, &c. as in all the Churches of the saints, &c. let women keep silence in the Churches, &c. its a shame for a woman to speak in the Church, 1 Cor. 14. 23, 28, 33, 34, 35.

As I have given order to the Churches of Galatia; so do, &c. The Church∣es of Asia, 1 Cor. 16. 1, 19.

The Churches of Macedonia, &c. thorowout all the Churches, &c. chosen of the Churches, &c. brethren, the messengers of the Churches, &c. shew, &c. before the Churches, 2 Cor. 8. 1, 18, 19, 23, 24.

Paul, &c. unto the Churches of Galatia, &c. unknown by face unto the Churches, Gal. 1. 1, 2, 22.

Ye Philippians, &c. no Church, &c. but ye only, Phil. 4. 15.

When this Epistle is read among you, cause it that be read also in the Church of Laodicea, Col. 4. 15, 16.

To the Church of the Thessalonians which is in God, 1 Thes. 1. 1.

The Churches of God which in Judea are in Christ, &c. 1 Thes. 2. 14.

The Church at Babylon, &c. salute you, 1 Pet. 5. 13.

—Born witness of thy charity before the Church, &c. I wrote unto the Church, but Diotrephes, &c. casteth them out of the Church, 3 Joh. vers. 6. 9, 10.

The seven Churches of Asia, &c. Ephesus, Smirna, Pergamus, &c. Rev. 1. 4, 11.

The Dignity, Priviledges, and Blessings, belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ in general, as such.

I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you: and I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people, Levit. 26. 11, 12. Ezek. 37. 26, 27, 28.

The cloud filled the house of the Lord; so that the Priests could not stand to minister, because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord had filled the house, 1 Kings 8. 10, 11. chap. 9. 3.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most high: God in the midst of her, she shall not be moved: God shall help her, &c. the Lord of hosts is with us: the God, &c. Psal. 46. 4, 5, 7.

Out of Sion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined, Psal. 50. 2.

The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan, an high hill; why leap ye, ye high hills? this is the hill God desireth to dwell in, the Lord will dwell in it for ever, Psal. 68. 15, 16.

In Judah is God known, his name is great in Israel; in Salem also is his ta∣bernacle, and his dwelling-place in Sion, Psal. 76. 1, 2.

He delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemies hand: he gave his people over also unto the sword, and was wroth with his inheri∣tance, Psal. 78. 61, 62.

How amiable are thy Tabernacles, O Lord of hosts, &c! blessed are they who dwell in thy house, they will be still praising of thee, &c. they go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion, appearing before God, Psal. 84. 1, 4, 7.

The Lord loveth the gates of Zion, more then all the dwellings of Jacob: glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God, &c. of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her, and the highest himself shall establish her, Psal. 87. 2, 3, 5.

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish, &c. still bring forth fruit, Psal. 92. 13, 14.

Holiness becomes thine house for ever, O Lord, Psal. 93. 5.

The Lord is great in Zion, and he is high above all people, Psal. 99. 2.

The Lord hath chosen Zion, he hath desired it for his habitation: this is my rest for ever, here will I dwell, for I have desired it: I will abundantly bless her provision, I will satisfie her poor with bread, &c. Psal. 132. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.

The Lord shall reign for ever: thy God, O Zion, unto all generations, Psal. 146. 10.

He sheweth his word unto Jacob: his statutes and his judgments unto Israel: he hath not dealt so with any nation, &c. Psal. 147. 19, 20.

The mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the moun∣tains, and shall be exalted above the hills, &c. out of Zion shall go forth the law, Isa. 2. 2, 3. Micah 4. 1.

The Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion, and upon

her assembly, a cloud and smoak by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence, &c. Isa. 4. 5, 6.

The Lord of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion, Isa. 8. 18.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, &c. they shall not hurt nor de∣stroy in all my holy mountain, Isa. 11. 6, 7, 8, 9.

Cry out, and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the holy one of Israel in the midst of thee, Isa. 12. 6.

The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it, Isa. 14. 32.

The moon shall be confounded, &c. when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, Isa. 24. 23.

In this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, &c. and I will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, &c. Isa. 25. 6, 7.

A vineyard of red wine, I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every mo∣ment, left any hurt it: I will keep it night and day, Isa. 27. 2, 3.

As when an hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth, and he awaketh and his soul is empty, &c. so shall the multitude &c. be who fight against Zion, Isa. 29. 8.

The Lord whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem, Isa. 31. 9.

Look upon Zion the city of our solemnities; thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle which shall not be taken down, &c. but there the glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams, &c. the Lord is our judg, our law-giver: the Lord our King, &c. the inhabitants shall not say I am sick: the people, &c. shall be forgiven, Isa. 33. 20, 21, 22, 24.

God threatens nations, as recompences for the controversy of Zion, Isa. 34. 1, 2, 8.

The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come unto Zion, &c. and they shall obtain gladness; and sorrow and sighing shall fly away, Isa. 35. 10. ch. 51. 11, 12.

I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory, Isa. 46. 13.

Zion said, the Lord hath forsaken me, &c. can a woman forget her sucking child, &c? yea, they may: yet will I not forget thee: Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of mine hands: thy walls are continually, &c. Isa. 49. 14, 15, 16.

The Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places, Isa. 51. 3.

Zion, thy God reigneth, Isa. 52. 7.

I will bring them to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house, Isa. 56. 6, 7.

Say to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh, &c. and they shall call them the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, a city not forsaken, Isa. 62. 11, 12.

I will take you one of a city, &c. and bring you unto Zion, and will give

You pastours according to mine heart, Jer. 3. 14, 15.

Do not abhor us, for thy names sake: do not disgrace the throne of thy glory, Jer. 14. 21.

The place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, Ezek. 43. 7.

And ye shall know that I am the Lord in the midst of Israel, &c. for in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, Joel 2. 27, 32.

The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem, and heaven and earth shall shake: but the Lord is the hope of his people, &c. I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain, &c. and a fountain shall come out of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley, &c. Judah shall dwell for ever, &c. for the Lord dwelleth in Zion, Joel 3. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21.

For I, faith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her, &c. many nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, &c. and the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion, &c. Zech. 2. 5, 10, 11, 12.

Upon this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not pre∣vail against her, Matt. 16. 18.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them, Matt. 18. 20.

Feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood, Act. 20. 28.

The Churches, the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 8. 23.

To the intent, that unto principalities, and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God, &c. unto him be glory in the Church, by Christ Jesus thorowout all ages, &c. Ephes. 3. 10, 11, 21.

That he might present to himself a glorious Church without spot, Ephes. 5. 27.

The house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar, &c. 1 Tim. 3. 15.

See Union and Relation between Christ and his Church, Chap. 15.

Of the Qualification of the Members of the Churches, what they should be.

And the Lord spake to Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle, &c. That ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, &c. Levit. 10. 9, 10.

Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever, Psal. 93. 5.

They shall call them the holy people: the redeemed of the Lord, Isa. 62. 12.

Her Priests have violated my law, &c. have put no differenee between the holy and profane: neither have they shewed, &c. between the unclean, and the clean, Ezek. 22. 26.

Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people: is a cake not turned, Hosea 7. 8.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3. 3.

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called Saints, Rom. 1. 7.

—Grant you to be like-minded one towards another, &c. that ye may with one mind, and one mouth, glorifie God, &c. I my self am perswaded of you brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledg, &c. Rom. 15. 5, 6, 14.

Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, to them who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called Saints, &c. I beseech you, &c. that ye all speak the same thing, &c. that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind, and in the same judgment, 1 Cor. 1. 2, 10.

By one spirit we are all baptized into one body, &c. 1 Cor. 12. 13.

Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? what communion hath light with dark∣ness, &c? Ye are the temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and, &c. wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, &c. I will receive you, 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

First they gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God, 2 Cor. 8. 5.

Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone: in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the spirit, Ephes. 2. 19, 20, 21, 22.

To the Saints and faithful brethren in Christ, who are at Colosse, Col. 1. 2.

Ye are the children of the light, and of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness, &c. that this Epistle be read unto all the holy brethren, 1 Thess. 5. 5, 17.

Be ready always to give an answer unto every man who asketh you a reason of the hope which is in you, with meekness and fear, 1 Pet. 3. 15.

See more of Discipline, &c. Chap. 27.

Of the propriety that particular Churches had in their members, and of others joyning themselves to them.

And great fear came upon all the Church, &c. and they were all with one ac∣cord in Solomons Porch; and of the rest durst no man joyn himself to them, but the people magnified them, Acts 5. 11, 12, 13.

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to joyn himself to the

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disciples, and they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple: but Barnabas took him, and brought him unto the Apostles, and de∣clared unto them, how he had seen the Lord, &c. and he was with them, com∣ing, &c. at Jerusalem, Acts 9. 26, 27, 28.

It pleased the Apostles, &c. with the whole Church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, &c. Judas and Silas, chief men among the brethren, Acts 15. 22.

Phebe our sister, who is a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea, Rom. 16. 1.

Because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy, &c. Gal. 4. 2.

Epaphroditus my brother, &c. but your messenger, &c. I send him therefore the more carefully, that when ye see him again, ye may rejoyce, &c he was nigh unto death, &c. Phil. 2. 25, 26, 27, 28.

Onesimus, &c. who is one of you, &c. Epaphras, who is one of you, &c. sa∣lute you, Col. 4. 9, 12.

Our friends salute thee; greet the friends by name, 3 John ver. 14.

Of Letters commendatory: or the Churches receiving of such who were recom∣mended them from others, by word, or Letter.

Barnabas took Paul and brought him to the Apostles, and declared unto them, how he had seen the Lord, &c. and he was with them, &c. Acts 9. 26, 27, 28.

When Apollos was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, ex∣horting the Disciples to receive him: who when he was come, helps them much, Acts 18. 27.

I commend unto you Phebe our sister, &c. that ye receive her in the Lord, &c. Rom. 16. 1, 2.

If Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he work∣eth, &c. 1 Cor. 16. 10, 11.

Need we (as some) Epistles of commendation to you, or of commendation from you? 2 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3.

He remembreth the obedience of you all, how with fear, &c. ye received him, 2 Cor. 7. 14, 15.

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner, &c. or our brethren, they are the messengers of the Churches: wherefore shew ye to them, &c. 2 Cor. 8. 22, 23, 24.

Marcus, &c. touching whom ye received commandment: if he come unto you, receive him, Col. 4. 10.

The brethren, &c. whom if thou bring forward, &c. we therefore ought to receive such, &c. I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes, &c. received us not, &c. and forbiddeth them who would, &c. 3 John 3. 6, 8, 9, 10.

Of the Order of the Churches, in their Assemblies and Meet∣ing: what they did there, as their Duty; and how they should order it, in their constant Worship.

Christ said, The Scribes and Pharisees, &c. love the chief seats in the Syna∣gogues, &c. but he who is greatest among you, shall be your servant, &c. Matth. 23. 6, 11, 12, 17.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, &c. Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples, &c. about one hundred and twenty, &c. Acts 1. 13, 14, 15.

They were all with one accord in one place, &c. and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in pray∣ers, &c. And all who believed were together, &c. and they continued daily with one accord in the temple, &c. Acts 2. 1, 42, 44, 46.

The Apostles being let go, they went to their own company, &c. and they lift up their voyce with one accord, and said, Lord, &c. Acts 4. 23, 24, &c.

The Church, &c. and they were all with one accord in Solomons porch, Acts 5. 11, 12.

Barnabas and Saul a whole year assembled themselves with the Church: and taught much people, Acts 11. 25, 26.

Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him, &c. many were met together, praying, Acts 12. 5, 12.

When ye come together into one place, this is not to eat the Lords Supper, &c. wherefore my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry, &c. 1 Cor. 11. 20, 33.

If therefore the whole Church be come together into one place, &c. If all prophesie, &c. How is it then brethren? When ye come together, every one hath a Psalm, hath a Doctrine, &c. let all things be done unto edifying, &c. for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the Churches of the Saints, 1 Cor. 14. 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 33.

I am with you in the spirit, joying, and beholding your order, Col. 2. 5.

Comfort your selves together, and edifie one another: even as also ye do, 1 Thess. 5. 11.

Let us consider one another, to provoke one another to love and good works: not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another, Heb. 10. 24, 25.

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons: for if there come into your assembly (or, Synagogue) a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel; and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and ye have respect unto him who weareth the gay cloathing, and say unto him, sit thou here in a good place: and say unto the poor, stand

thou there; or, sit here under my footstool; are you not then partial, &c? hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the king∣dom, &c? If ye fulfil the royal law, &c. thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self, ye do well: but if ye respect persons, ye commit sin, James 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Of the gifts which the members of Churches received: Of Prayer, Prophecying, Psalms, Tongues, &c. and how they did use them in the Church-assemblies, and elswhere, for the edification and good one of another, and of others: the order how they should be used, directed: such gifts to be desired for this end.

Eldad and Medad prophesied in the camp: and there ran a young man, and told Moses and Joshua, &c. said, My Lord Moses, forbid them: and Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the Lords people were Prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them, Numb. 11. 26, 27, 28, 29.

Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the Congre∣gation, and spread forth his hand toward heaven, and said, Lord God of Is∣rael, &c. 1 Kings 8. 22, 23, &c.

Jehoshaphat stood in the Congregation, &c. in the house of the Lord, &c. and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven, &c? 2 Chron. 20. 4, 5. 6, 7, &c.

Then they who feared the Lord, spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkned, &c. They shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, Malachi 3. 16, 17.

John said, Master, We saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followed not us, and we forbad him: but Jesus said, Forbid him not, for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me: for he who is not against us, is on our part, Mark 9. 38, 39, 40.

The Jews used to have such speak in their Synagogue, who were not either Priests, or other officers, as appears in these instances, Luke 4. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Acts 13. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18. chap. 17. 1, 2, 3.

There was a great persecution against the Church which was at Jerusalem: and they were all scattered abroad, &c. except the Apostles, &c. therefore they who were scattered abroad, went every-where preaching the word, Acts 8. 1, 4.

Now they who were scattered, &c. when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus, and the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord, Acts 11. 19, 20, 21.

Apollos, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, &c. he taught di∣ligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John, &c. who when Aquilla and Priscilla had taught the way of God more perfectly, did migh∣tily convince the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the Scriptures, that Jesus was Christ, Acts 18. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

Think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we being many, &c. Having then gifts differing, according to the grace which is given to us, whether prophecy let us prophesie, according to the proportion of faith, &c. Or he that teacheth, on teaching: or he who exhorteth, on exhortation, &c. he who ruleth, with diligence, Rom. 12. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

I my self am also perswaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of good∣ness, filled with knowledg, able also to admonish one another, Rom. 15. 14.

I thank my God, &c. that in every thing ye are inriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledg, 1 Cor. 1. 4, 5.

Now there are diversity of gifts, but the same spirit, &c. But the manifestati∣on of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledg, &c. To another faith, &c. to another prophecy, &c. But all these worketh that one and the self-same spirit, dividing to every man severally, as he will, &c. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, &c. God hath set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him, &c. Are all Apostles, &c? Have all the gift of healing? do all speak with tongues, &c? But covet earnestly the best gifts, 1 Cor. 12. 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 18, 28, 29, 30, 31.

Desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesie, &c. He who prophe∣sieth, speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort, &c. He edifieth the Church, &c. Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the Church, &c. If all prophesie, and there come in one that believeth not, &c. he is convinced of all, &c. will report that God is in you of a truth. How is it, brethren, that when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, &c. let all things be done to edifying, &c. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judg. If any thing be revealed to another who sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesie one by one, that all may learn, and all may be com∣forted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God, &c. Let your women keep silence in the Churches, &c. Wherefore bre∣thren, covet to prophesie, &c. Let all things be done decently, and in order, 1 Cor. 14. 1, 3, 4, 5, 12, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 40.

We also believe, therefore speak, 2 Cor. 4. 13.

As ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledg, 2 Cor. 8. 7.

Many of the brethren of the Lord waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word, &c. Some preach Christ out of envy, &c. What then, &c? Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoyce, &c. Phil. 1. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another, Col. 3. 16.

Comfort (or, exhort) one another, with these words, 1 Thess. 4. 18.

Wherefore comfort your selves together, and edifie one another, even as also ye do, 1 Thess. 5. 11.

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, &c. But exhort one another daily, &c. lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin, Heb. 3. 12, 13.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again, which be the first principles of the oracles of God, Heb. 5. 12.

Let us consider one another, &c. not forsaking the assembling of our selves together, as-the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the, &c. Heb. 10. 24, 25.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified, 1 Pet. 4. 10, 11.

Of other acts done in and by these particular Churches, in sending out messengers to other churches; and upon occasions, determining of controver∣sies in religious matters; writing and sending Epistles, and ordering other affairs. Of their meeting together, in order hereto, and receiving, and hearing such Epistles: the Epistles directed to the whole body, and they concerned in it.

When tidings of the gentiles receiving the Gospel, came unto the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem: they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch, &c. When the dearth was prophesied of, the Disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren who dwelt in Judea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul, Acts 11. 20, 21, 22, 28, 29, 30.

Paul and Barnabas coming to Antioch, gathered the church together, and rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how, &c. Acts 14. 26, 27.

When the matter of circumcision was in dispute in the Church at Antioch, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and the Elders, about this questi∣on. And being brought on their way by the Church, &c. when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the Church, and of the Apostles, &c. All the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, &c. Then James spake, &c. Then pleased it the Apostles and elders, with the whole Church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, &c. and wrote letters by them after this manner: The Apostles, Elders, and Brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are, &c. It seems good to us, being assem∣bled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, &c. it seems good to the holy Ghost, and to us, &c. They came to Antioch, and when they had

gathered the multitude together, they delivered the Epistle, Act. 15. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 13, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30.

If then ye have judgment of things pertaining to this life, set them to judg who are least esteemed in the Church, 1 Cor. 6. 4.

When I come, whomsoever you shall aprrove by letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem, 1 Cor. 16. 3.

We have sent with him the brother, &c. who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us, with this grace (or, gift), &c. Whether any do enquire, &c. of our brethren, they are the messengers of the Churches, 2 Cor. 8. 18, 19, 23.

I suppose it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus, &c. your messenger, and he who ministred to my wants, Phil. 2. 25.

When this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the Church of the Laodiceans: and that ye likewise read the estpile from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, take heed to the ministry which thou hast received of the Lord, that thou fulfil it, Col. 4. 16, 17.

I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren, 1 Thess. 5. 27.

Salute all them who have the rule over you, and all the Saints, Heb. 13. 24.

Peter having written at large to the Saints, speaks distinctly to the elders, thus: To the elders which are among you: I exhort, &c. to feed the flock of God, &c. 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2, 3.

I wrote to the Church, but Diotrephes who loved to have the pre-emi∣nence among them, received us not: wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds, &c. Not content herewith, neither doth he himself receive the bre∣thren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the Church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, 3 Joh. vers. 9, 10, 11.

John wrote to the seven Churches in Asia distinctly, though they were in one countrey, and charges each Church with its own guilt, and commends each Church by it self: takes no notice of any power any had over other. He directs his epistles to the Angel of the Church: but the matter he speaks to the whole Church: and concludes, Hear what the spirit saith unto the Churches, Rev. 1. 4. ch. 2, ch. 3.

See more of Church-Acts, in Discipline.

Of the ending of controversies arising between the members of the Churches, to avoid going to law before others.

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the Saints? do ye not know, that the Saints shall judg the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye un∣worthy to judg the smallest matters? know ye not, that we shall judg Angels? how much more, things which pertain to this life, &c? Set them to judg who are least esteemed in the Church. I speak to your shame, Is

it so that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one who shall be able to judg between his brethren; but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers? Now therefore, there is ut∣terly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another: why do ye not rather take wrong? &c. 1 Cor. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Of the relief of the poor of the Churches, and their contributions to the necessity of other Churches, and the order of it.

And the multitude of them who believed, were of one heart, &c. Neither said any of them, that ought of the things which he possessed, was his own: but they had all things common, &c. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands, or houses, sold them, and brought the prises, &c. and laid them down at the Apostles feet: and distributi∣on was made unto every man according as he had need, Act. 4. 32, 34, 35.

—The price of thy land? While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou, &c? Act. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4.

When the number of the disciples were multiplied, there arose a murmuring against the Hebrews, by the Grecians, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Whereupon the Church chose Deacons to look to this matter, Act. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

The Disciples, every one according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren, &c. Act. 11. 28, 29, 30.

These hands have administred to my necessities, and to them who were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that ye so labouring, ought to sup∣port the weak, and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive, Act. 20. 34, 35.

It hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia, to make a certain contri∣bution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem, Rom. 15. 25, 26.

Now concerning the collection for the Saints, as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia, so do ye; upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no ga∣thering when, &c. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2.

—By the occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love: for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, &c. Not that other men be eased, and you burdened: but by an equality, &c. 2 Cor. 8. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver, &c. The administration of this Service, not only supplieth the want of the Saints, but it is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God, &c. They glorifie God for your professed sub∣jection to Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 9. 7, 12, 13.

If any would not work, neither should he eat, &c. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing, &c. 2 Thess. 3. 10, 11, 12, 13.

If any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew pity at home, and to requite their parents, &c. If any provide not for his own, &c. If any man or woman who believeth, have widows, let them relieve them: and let not the Church be charged, that it may relieve them who are widows indeed, 1 Tim. 5. 4, 8, 16.

See the Duty of distributing to the Saints necessity at large, Chap. 17.

Of the Officers of particular Churches, their Power, Duty, and Recompence: how they should be qualified for the Of∣fice; and of the Churches duty to them as such.

First, Of Officers Power, Duties, &c.

I will give you Pastors according to mine heart, who shall feed you with know∣ledg and understanding, Jer. 3. 15. chap. 23. 4.

Thou shalt speak my word unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, Ezek. 2. 7.

I have made thee a watchman, &c. give them warning from me, when I say, &c. and thou givest him not warning, &c. his blood will I require at thine hand: yet if thou warn, &c. Ezek. 3. 17, 18, 19.

They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause men to discern between the unclean, and the clean, &c. and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies, &c. Ezek. 44. 23, 24. Jer. 15. 19.

Their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables, &c. look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, &c. we will give our selves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word, Acts 6. 1, 2, 3, 4.

Paul sent to Ephesus, and called the Elders of the Church, &c. he said unto them, &c. Take heed therefore to your selves, and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, &c. I know this, that after my departure, grievous wolves shall enter, &c. therefore watch, &c. and I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring, ye ought to support the weak: and remember the words of our Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give, than to receive, Acts 20. 17, 18, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35.

Let us wait on our ministring; or he who teacheth, on teaching: or he

who exhorteth, on exhortation, &c. he who ruleth, with diligence, &c. Rom. 12. 7, 8.

It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful, 1 Cor. 4. 2.

God hath set some in the Church: first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, third∣ly Teachers, &c. helps, governments, 1 Cor. 12. 28.

He gave some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; till we all come into the unity of the faith, &c. Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13, 14.

To all the Saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the Bishops and Deacons, Phil. 1. 1.

Say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it, Col. 4. 17.

If a man desire the office of a Bishop, he desireth a good work: a Bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife: vigilant, sober, of good behaviour (or, modest); given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, nor greedy of filthy lucre, but patient: not a brawler, not covetous: one who ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity: for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the Church of God? not a novice, (or, one newly come to the faith), lest be∣ing lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not gree∣dy of filthy lucre, holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience; let these also first be proved, then let them use the office, &c. husband of one wife, ruling their children well, and their own house, 1 Tim. 3. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good mini∣ster, &c. but refuse profane and old, &c. Be thou an example to believers in word, in conversation, in charity, &c. give attendance unto reading, to ex∣hortation, to doctrine, &c. meditate on these things: give thy self wholly unto them, &c. take heed to thy self and thy doctrine, 1 Tim. 4. 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16.

Let the Elders who rule well, &c. especially they who labour in the word and doctrine, 1 Tim. 5. 17.

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babling, 1 Tim. 6. 20.

The things thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also, &c. shun profane and vain bablings, &c. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men: apt to teach, patient, (or, forbearing) in meekness instructing them who oppose themselves, if God peradventure, &c. 2 Tim. 2. 2, 16, 23, 24, 25.

Ordain Elders in every City, &c. If any be blameless, &c. not accused of riot, or unruly; for a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God: not self-wil∣l•…•…d, not soon angry, not given to wine; no striker, not given to filthy lucre,

but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught: that he may be able by found doctrine both to exhort, and to convince the gain-sayers, Titus 1. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Shewing thy self a pattern, &c. in doctrine, uncorruptness, gravity, sin∣cerity, &c. these things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority, Titus 2. 7, 15.

Them who have the rule, &c. watch for your souls, as they who must give ac∣count, Heb. 13. 17.

Is any sick, &c. call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over them, &c. James 5. 14.

The Elders who are among you, I exhort, &c. feed the flock of God, which is among you; (or, as much as in you is) taking the oversight thereof, not by con∣straint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords (or, over-ruling) over Gods heritage, but being examples of the flock, 1 Pet. 5. 4, 2, 3, 4.

Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preheminence, received us not, &c. 3 John ver. 9, 10.

See more in Gospel-Preachers in general, Chap. 16.

Complaints of, and threatnings against evil Officers, or Ministers of the Church.

His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs: they cannot bark, sleeping, ly•…•…ng down, loving to slumber: yea, they are greedy dogs who can never have enough, and they are shepherds who cannot under∣stand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain from his quar∣ter: come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill our selves with strong drink, and to morrow shall be as to day, Isa. 56. 10, 11, 12.

The Priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they who handled the law, knew me not: the Pastors also transgressed against me, &c. Wherefore I will yet plead, &c. Jer. 2. 8, 9.

The Prophets prophesie falsly, and the Priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jer. 5. 30, 31.

From the Prophet unto the Priest, every one dealeth falsly: they have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, peace, &c. when, &c. Jer. 6. 13, 14. chap. 8. 10, 11.

The Pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered, Jer. 10. 21.

Many Pastors have destroyed my vinyard, they have trodden my portion, &c. Jer. 12. 10, 11.

Wo unto the Pastors who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture, saith the Lord: therefore thus saith the Lord, &c. against the Pastors who feed

my people, Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: Behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, Jer. 23. 1, 2.

Her Priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean, and the clean, Ezek. 22. 26.

Wo to the shepherds of Israel who do feed themselves: should not the shep∣herds feed the flock? ye eat the fat, and ye clothe your selves with the wool, &c. ye feed not the flock: the diseased have ye not strengthned, neither have ye healed that which was sick, &c. but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled, Ezek. 34. 2, 3, 4, 10.

The Priests thereof teach for hire, and the Prophets thereof divine for mo∣ney, yet will they lean upon the Lord, &c. therefore shall Zion, &c. be plowed, Micah 3. 11.

Her Priests have done violence to the law, polluted the Sanctuary, Ze∣phan. 3. 4.

Wo to the Idol-shepherd who leaveth the flock: the sword shall be upon his, &c. Zechar. 11. 17.

—O Priests, who despise my name, &c. ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar, &c. if ye offer the blind and the lame, (ye say), It is not evil, &c. Malachi 1. 6, 7, 8.

The Priests lips should keep knowledg, &c. but ye are departed out of the way: ye have caused many to stumble at the law, ye have corrupted the cove∣nant of Levi, &c. therefore have I also made you contemptible, &c. before the people, Malachi 2. 7, 8, 9.

He who is an hireling, &c. seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep, &c. John 10. 12, 13.

3dly, The Churches duty towards their Officers, and such other who labour among them.

Provide neither gold nor silver, &c. for the workman is worthy of his meat, Matth. 10. 9, 10.

They all weptfore, &c. sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more, Acts 20. 37, 38.

If the Gentiles are made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things, Rom. 15. 27.

Have we not power to eat and drink, &c. to sorbear working, &c? who goeth to warfare at any time at his own charges, &c? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox which treadeth out the corn, &c. Doth God take care for oxen? or saith he it not altogether for our sakes? for our sakes, no doubt, &c. If we have sown unto you in spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things, &c? Nevertheless, we have not used this power, &c. lest we should hin∣der

the Gospel. Do ye not know, that they who minister about holy things, live (or, feed) of the things of the temple, &c? even so hath the Lord or∣dained, that they who preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel, 1 Cor. 9. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

—Know the house of Stephanus, &c. that you submit your selves unto such, and to every one who helpeth with us, and laboureth, 1 Cor 16. 15, 16.

Ye received me as an Angel, &c. am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Gal. 4. 14, 15, 16.

Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him who teacheth, in all good things, Gal. 6. 6.

Praying always, &c. and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, &c. Ephes. 6. 18, 19. 1 Thess. 5. 26.

I suppose it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus my brother, and com∣panion in labour, &c. but your messenger, &c. receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such in reputation, (or, honour such), because for the work of Christ, &c. Phil. 2. 25, 28, 29, 30.

Ye sent once and again unto my necessity, not because I desire a gift; but I de∣sire fruit that may abound to your account, &c. I received the things sent from you, an odour of a sweet-smelling sacrifice, acceptable and pleasing to God, Phil. 4. 15, 16, 17, 18.

We beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: and esteem them very highly in love for their work-sake, 1 Thess. 5. 12, 13.

Let the Elders who rule well, be counted worthy of double-honour, especi∣ally they who labour in the word and doctrine: for the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the oxe, &c. the labourer is worthy of his hire: against an El∣der receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses, 1 Tim. 5. 17, 18, 19.

Obey them who have the rule over you (or, guide) you, and submit your selves: for they watch for your souls, &c. pray for such, &c. salute all them who have the rule over you, Heb. 13. 7, 17, 18, 24.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over them, James 5. 14, 15.

Likewise ye younger, submit your selves to the elder, 1 Pet. 5. 5.

Of the Election and ordination of Officers in Churches.

And the Lord spake to Moses, saying, Take Aaron and his sons with him, &c. and gather thou all the congregation together, &c. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him, &c. and said unto the congregation: This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them, &c. Levit. 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, &c.

Thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation, and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together: and thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall put their hands, &c. Numb. 8. 9, 11.

Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number about 120,) &c. Wherefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, &c. must one be ordained to be a wit∣ness with us, &c. And they appointed two, &c. and they prayed, and said, Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, &c. And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbred with the eleven, Acts 1. 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

Then the Twelve called the multitude, &c. and said, &c. Brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, &c. whom we may appoint over this business, &c. and the saying pleased the multitude: and they chose Stephen, &c. Acts 6. 2, 3, 5, 6.

And when they had ordained them Elders by suffrage in every Church, and had prayed, with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, Acts 14. 22, 23.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, &c. and ordain Elders in every City, as I had appointed, Titus 1. 5.

Of laying on of hands upon the several occasions, and to the several ends in Scripture mentioned.

Bring forth him who hath cursed, &c. let all who heard him, lay their hands on his head, Levit. 24. 14.

Thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites, Numb. 8. 9, 10.

Moses set Joshua before the congregation, and he laid his hands upon him, and, &c. Numb. 17. 18, 19, 22, 23.

Joshua, &c. was full of the spirit of wisdom: for Moses had laid his hands upon him, Deut. 34. 9.

They chose Stephen, &c. whom they set before the Apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them, Acts 6. 5, 6.

Peter and John prayed, and laid their hands on disciples: and they received the holy Ghost, Acts 8. 17.

The Prophets and teachers at Antioch by the command of the holy Ghost, to separate Paul and Barnabas, &c. did pray, and fast, and lay their hands upon them, Acts 13. 1, 2, 3.

Paul finding disciples, &c. and when Paul had laid his hands on them, the holy Ghost, &c. Acts 19. 1, 6.

Paul prayed, and laid hands on Publius his father, and healed him, being sick, Acts 28. 8.

Neglect not the gift, &c. given thee, &c. with laying on of the hands of the Pres∣bytery, 1 Tim. 4. 14.

Lay hands suddenly on no man: neither be partaker of other mens sins, 1 Tim. 5. 22.

Stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands, 2 Tim. 1. 6.

Not laying again the foundation of repentance, &c. of laying on of hands, Heb. 6. 1, 2.

Of the several Ordinances of Christ, to be observed in and by the Churches of Christ, and elswhere.

The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgres∣sed the laws, changed the ordinances, &c. Isa. 24. 5.

And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, &c. and they continuing daily with one ac∣cord in the temple, Acts 2. 41, 42, 46.

And now I praise you brethren, that you, &c. keep the Ordinances as they were delivered unto you, 1 Cor. 11. 2.

First, Prayers.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the wo∣men, &c. Acts 1. 14.

And they continued, &c. and in prayers, Acts 2. 42.

See Praising at large, Chap. 16.

Secondly, Reading, teaching, and preaching of the word of God, Prophesying.

Thou shalt set a King over thee, &c. he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, &c. he shall read therein all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord, Deut. 17. 15, 18, 19, 20. 2 Kings 22. 11.

When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall chuse, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing: gather the people together, men, and women and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates; that they may hear, and that they may learn and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: and their children who have not known, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord, &c. Deut. 31. 11, 12, 13.

Joshua read all the words of the law, the blessings and curses according unto all which is written in the book of the law: there was not a word of all which Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers who were conversant a∣mong them, Joshua 8. 34, 35.

Jehoshaphat sent to his Princes, to Benhail, &c. to teach in the cities of Judah, and with them Elishama, &c. Priests, and they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord with them: and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people, 2 Chron. 17. 7, 8, 9.

And Ezra the Priest brought the law before the Congregation, &c. and he read therein, &c. from the morning until the mid-day, &c. Allo Joshua and Bani, &c. and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law, and the people

stood in their place: so they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading, Nehem. 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. ch. 13. 1.

He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children, &c. that they might set their hope in God, &c. Psal. 78. 5, 6, 7.

Blessed is the man who heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors: for whoso findeth me, findeth life, Prov. 8. 34, 35.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who bringeth good tydings, who publisheth peace, &c. and publisheth salvation, &c! Isa. 52. 7. Nahum. 1. 15.

The Prophet who hath a dream, let him tell a dream: and he who hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully; what is the chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord? Jer. 23. 28, 29.

They shall wander from sea to sea, &c. to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it, Amos 8. 12.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, &c. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Matth. 28. 19, 20.

Whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust from under your feet for a testimony against them, Mark 6. 11. Luke 10. 16.

Jesus, &c. as his custom was, he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up to read: and there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaias; and when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The spirit of the Lord is upon me, &c. and he closed the book, and gave it again to the minister, and sate down, &c. and he began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears, &c. and all, &c. wondred at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, &c. Luke 4. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 31, 32.

Jesus said, &c. Ought not Christ to have suffered, &c? And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself, &c. then opened he their understandings, &c. Luke 24. 26, 27, 45.

I pray, &c. for them also who shall believe in me through their word, John 17. 20.

When the Apostles were commanded not to preach Christ, they said, whe∣ther it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you, more than unto God, judg ye, Acts 4. 18, 19. ch. 5. 28.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach, and to preach Jesus Christ, Acts 5. 42.

The Eunuch reading the Prophet Isaias, Philip came to him, &c. and opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus; he believed, &c. Acts 8. 27, 28, to the 38.

We are here all present before God to hear all things that are commanded

thee of God: while Peter was preaching Christ, the holy Ghost fell on all them who heard, Acts 10. 33, 44.

Call for Simon, &c. who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved, Acts 11. 13, 14.

When Paul and his company came to Antioch, he went into the Synagogue, &c. and after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the Synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhorta∣tion for the people, say on: Then Paul stood up, and preached, &c. Acts 13. 13, 14, 15, 16, &c.

Then spake the Lord to Paul, &c. speak, and hold not thy peace, for I have much people in this City: and he continued there, &c. teaching the word of God among them, Acts 18. 9, 10, 11.

Paul went into the Synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and perswading the things concerning the kingdom of God: but when divers were hardned, and believed not, &c. he separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus, and this continued by the space of two years: so that all they who dwelt in Asia, heard the word of the Lord, Acts 19. 8, 9, 10.

Now brethren, I commend you to God, and the word of his grace, which is able, &c. Acts 20. 32.

I have appeared unto thee, &c. to make thee a minister, &c. the Gentiles to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, Acts 26. 16, 17, 18.

And Paul dwelt two years in his own hired house, and received all who came in unto him: preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 28. 30, 31.

I am ready to preach the Gospel, &c. for I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation, &c. Rom. 1. 15, 16.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe on him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach except they be sent, &c? so then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Rom. 10. 14, 15, 17.

Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel, &c. for the preaching of the cross is to them who perish, foolishness: but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God, &c. It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them who believe, &c. 1 Cor. 1. 17, 18, 21, 23, 24.

My preaching was not with the inticing words of mans wisdom, &c. but that which the holy Ghost, &c. 1 Cor. 2. 4, 5, 13.

In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel, 1 Cor. 4. 15.

Every man praying or prophecying having his head covered, dishonoureth his head, 1 Cor. 11. 4.

He who prophecyeth, speaketh unto men to edification, exhortation, and com∣fort, &c. he edifieth the Church, &c. 1 Cor. 14. 3, 4.

Who hath made us able ministers of the new Testament, &c. if the mini∣stration

of death written and engraven in stones, was glorious; so, &c. how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious, &c? 2 Cor. 3. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

—The ministry of reconciliation: to wit, that God was in Christ, &c. we are Embassadours for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God, 2 Cor. 5. 18, 19, 20.

And he gave some Apostles, &c. for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body, until, &c. Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13, 14.

The Apostle rejoyced that Christ was preached, although some did it not uprightly, Phil. 1. 15, 16, 18.

Ye received the word of God which ye heard of us: ye received it not as the word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God, &c. 1 Thess. 2. 13, 16.

Despise not prophecyings, 1 Thess. 5. 20.

Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, 1 Tim. 4. 13.

I charge thee, &c. preach the word: be instant in season, and out of season: reprove, &c. 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2, 3.

If the word spoken by Angels was stedfast, &c. how shall we escape if we neg∣lect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them who heard, &c? Heb. 2. 2, 3.

For unto us was the Gospel preached as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them who heard (or, because they were not united by faith to) it, Heb. 4. 2.

I beseech you brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have writ∣ten, &c. Heb. 13. 22.

Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, &c. wherefore my be∣loved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, &c. receive with meekness the ingraffed word, which is able to save your souls: but be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, &c. James 1. 18, 19, 21, 22, 23.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, &c. and this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you, 1 Pet. 1. 23, 25.

As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2. 2.

If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God, 1 Pet. 4. 11.

I will not be negligent to put you in remembrance always of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth: yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remem∣brance, 2 Pet. 1. 12, 13. chap. 3. 1, 2.

That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly, our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ, 1 John 1. 3.

Blessed is he who readeth, and they who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, Revel. 1. 3.

See Ministers of the Gospel in general, Chap. 26.

See gifts of the members of Churches before.

See of the word of God, chap. 1.

3dly, Baptisms.

God said unto Abram, Thou shalt keep my covenant, &c. Every man-child among you shall be circumcised, &c. and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you, &c. Abram took Ishmael his son, and all who were born in his house, &c. and circumcised the flesh, &c. And Abraham was nine∣ty and nine years old when he was circumcised, &c. and Ishmael his son, thirteen years old when he was circumcised, Gen. 17. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 23, 24, 25.

Suffer little children, and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven: and he laid his hands on them, Matth. 19. 13, 14, 15.

Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Fa∣ther, and of the Son, and of the holy Ghost, Matth. 28. 19.

John said, I indeed baptize you with water: but one mightier than I, com∣eth, &c. he shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire, Luke 3. 16. Acts 11. 15, 16.

Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples, John 4. 1, 2.

Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins: for the promise is unto you, and to your children, &c. then they who gladly received the word, were baptized, Acts 2. 38, 39, 41.

But when they believed, &c. they were baptized both men and women, &c. Simon was baptized, &c. The Eunuch said, Here is water, what hinders me to be baptized? and Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou maist, &c. they went down into the water, and he baptized him, Acts 8. 12, 13, 36, 37, 38.

Saul arose, and was baptized, Acts 9. 18.

Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, who have re∣ceived the holy Ghost as well as we? and he commanded them to be baptized in the name, &c. Acts 10. 47, 48.

Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved, Acts 11. 14.

Lydia, &c. whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul: and when she was baptized and her houshold, &c. believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved, thou and thine house, &c. and he took them the same hour, &c. and was baptized, he, and all his straightway, Acts 16. 14, 15, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34.

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were bap∣tized into his death, buried, &c? Rom. 6. 3, 4.

I baptized also the house of Stephanus: besides, I know not whether I, &c. 1 Cor. 1. 16.

The unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife: and the unbelie∣ving

wife is sanctified by the believing husband, otherwise were your children unclean: but now they are holy, 1 Cor. 7. 14.

Leaving the principles, &c. of the doctrine of Baptisms, Heb. 6. 1, 2.

The ark wherein few, &c. were saved by water: the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Pet. 3. 20, 21.

4thly, Breaking of bread, or the Lords Supper.

The Passover instituted: and all the directions about it, Exod. 12.

The people not prepared, yet did eat: Hezekiah prayed for them, 2 Chr. 30. 18, 19.

As they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body: and he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it, for this is my blood of the new Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins: but he said unto them, I will not drink it henceforth, &c. and when they had sung, &c. Matth. 26. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30.

They all drank of the cup, Mark 14. 23.

He sate down, and the twelve Apostles with him, &c. He took the cup and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among your selves, &c. And he took bread and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you, this do in remembrance of me. Likewise al∣so the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new Testament in my blood, which is shed for you, Luke 22. 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

When Judas had received the sop at supper, he went immediately out, John 13. 26, 30.

And they continued stedfastly, &c. in breaking of bread, Acts 2. 42.

Upon the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread, &c. Paul preached to them, &c. in the upper chamber where they were gathered together, &c. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, &c. Acts 20. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, &c. let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, &c. but with the unleavened bread of since∣rity, 1 Cor. 5. 7, 8.

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the comunion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? for we being many, are one bread and one body: for we are all par∣takers of that one bread, &c. ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils: ye cannot, &c. 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17, 21, 22.

When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lords supper (or, ye cannot eat): for in eating, every one taketh before other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken: what, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise you the Church of God, and shame them that have not (or, are poor)? for I have received of the Lord that which also I de∣livered

unto you, that the the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in (or, for a) remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is thenew Testament in my blood, this do ye, as often as ye drink it, in remem∣brance of me: for as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew (or, shew ye) the Lords death till he come: wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, &c. he who eateth, &c. unworthily, eateth and drink∣eth damnation to himself, not discerning the Lords body, &c. When ye come to∣gether to eat, tarry one for another: and if any man hunger, let him eat at home, 1 Cor. 11. 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 33, 34.

5thly, Discipline, Church-censures, or removing of Scandals.

If a soul fin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness whether he hath seen or known of it: if he do not utter it, then shall he bear his iniquity, Levit. 5. 1.

If there were a leper in the camp of Israel, he was to be pronounced unclean, and his habitation without the camp alone, Levit. 13. 44, 46.

When he was to be brought into the camp again, he was first to be pronoun∣ced clean by the Priest, after he had viewed him and offered sacrifices for him, and performed other things: so for other uncleannesses, they were to be separa∣ted from the congregation, &c. and so brought in again, Levit. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, &c. chap. 15. Matth. 8. 4.

Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise re∣buke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him (or, that thou bear not sin for him), Levit. 19. 17.

If the people of the land do any way hide their eyes from the man when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, Levit. 20. 3, 4, 5.

The Priests or people who were unclean, &c. by any uncleanness, were not to eat or touch the holy things, that they might not profane the holy name of the Lord; if they did before they were cleansed, they were to be cut off from the presence of God: no stranger was to eat of the holy thing, Levit. 22. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15.

Put out of the camp every leper, and every one who hath an issue, &c. both male and female shall ye put out, &c. that they defile not their camp in the midst whereof I dwell: and the children of Israel did so, &c. Numb. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4. Deut. 23. 14.

Uzziah the king was a leper; and being in the temple, the Priests thrust him out from thence, &c. he dwelt in a several house, being a leper: for he was cut off from the house of the Lord, 2 Chron. 26. 19, 20, 21.

The people of Israel, the Priests and the Levites, have not separated them∣selves

from the people of the land, &c. for they have taken of their daughters, &c. so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people, &c. yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass, &c. Ezra 9. 1, 2.

They read in the book of Moses, &c. that the Ammonite, &c. should not come into the congregation of God for ever, &c. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude, Nehem. 13. 1, 3.

He who spareth his rod, hateth his son: but he who loveth him, &c. Prov. 13. 24.

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself: and discover not a secret to another (or, the secret of another), Prov. 25. 9.

Open rebuke is better than secret love, Prov. 27. 5.

If thou take forth the precious from the vile: thou shalt be as my mouth, Jer. 15. 19.

Her priests have violated my law, and have prophaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane: neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, Ezek. 22. 26.

They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause men to discern between the unclean and the clean, Ezek. 44. 23.

Ephraim hath mixed himself among the people, &c. a cake not turned, Hosea 7. 8.

Jesus said unto Peter, &c. I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven: whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven, Matth. 16. 18, 19.

If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between him and thee: if he will hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother: 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: and if he shall neg∣lect to hear them, tell it to the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican; verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth, &c. Matth. 18. 15, 16, 17, 18. John 20. 21, 22, 23.

If thy brother trespass, &c. rebuke him: and if he repent, forgive him, &c. if seven times a day, Luke 17. 3, 4.

I beseech you brethren, mark them who cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye bave learned, and avoid them: for they are such who serve not our Lord Jesus, but their own bellies, &c. Rom. 16. 17, 18.

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such, &c. and ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who hath done this deed, might have been taken away from among you, &c. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction

of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, &c. know ye not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, &c? I wrote to you in an Epistle, not to keep company with fornicators, yet not altogether with the for∣nicators of this world, &c. But if any man that is called a brother, be a fornica∣tor, or covetous, or an idolator, &c. with such a one, no not to eat: for what have I to do with them who are without? do not ye judg them who are with∣in, &c? therefore put away from among your selves that wicked person, 1 Cor. 5.

Sufficient to such a man was this punishment (or, censure) which was in∣flicted of many: so that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and com∣fort him, &c. wherefore I beseech you, that you would confirm your love to him, &c. to whom ye forgive any thing, I also forgive, 2 Cor. 2. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, &c. What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness, &c? Are ye not the temple of the living God, &c? come out from among them, and touch no unclean thing, &c. 2 Cor. 6. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.

When Paul had written to the Galatians about some who troubled them, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ, &c. had preached the circumcision, &c. he said to them, Ye did run well, who did hinder you that that ye should not obey the truth? this perswasion cometh not from him who calleth you: a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump: I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded: but he who troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be, &c. I would they were even cut off who trouble you: for brethren, ye have been called to liberty, Gal. 1. 6, 7, 8. Gal. 5. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

If any man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness: considering thy self, lest thou also be tempted, Gal. 6. 1.

Have no fellwoship with unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them: for it is a shame even to speak of such things, &c. Ephes. 5. 11, 12.

Now we exhort (or beseech) you brethren, warn them who are unruly, 1 Thess. 5. 14.

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus, that ye withdraw your selves from every brother who walketh disorderly, and not after the traditions which he received of us: for your selves know how ye ought to follow us, &c. If any man obey not our word by this Epistle, note (or, signifie) that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother, 2 Thess. 3. 6, 7, 14, 15.

Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away, con∣cerning faith have made shipwrack; of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they learn not to blaspheme, 1 Tim. 1. 19, 20.

Rebuke not an Elder, but intreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren: the elder women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all puri∣ty,

&c. Against an Elder receive not an accusation, but before (or, under) two or three witnesses: them who sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear, 1 Tim. 5. 1, 2, 19, 20.

Men of corrupt minds, &c. from such withdraw thy self, 1 Tim. 6. 5. 2 Tim. 3. 5.

A man who is an heretick, after the first and second admonition reject, know∣ing, that he who is such, is subverted and sinneth, being condemned of himself, Tit. 3. 10, 11.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, &c. looking diligently, lest any man fail (or, fall from) the grace of God: lest any root of bitterness spring∣ing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled: lest there be any fornicator or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel, &c. Heb. 12. 14, 15, 16.

I know thy works, &c. and how thou canst not bear them who are evil: and thou hast tryed them who say they are Apostles, and are not, and thou hast found them lyars, &c. The Church in Pergamus, &c. I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them who hold the doctrine of Balaam, &c. So also hast thou them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate, &c. The Church of Thyatira, &c. I have a few things against thee, be∣cause thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth her self a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat things sa∣crificed to idols, &c. All the Churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the heart, &c. Revel. 2. 2, 14, 15, 20, 23.

See Rebuke and Reproof, Chap. 17.