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BEfore there can be any Or∣derly Discipline among a Christian Assembly, they must be orderly and regu∣larly constituted into a Church-state, according to the Institution of Christ in the Gospel.
1. A Church of Christ, accord∣ing to the Gospel-Institution, is a Congregation of Godly Christians, who as a Stated-Assembly (being first baptized upon the Profession of Faith) do by mutual agreement and consent give themselves up to
the Lord, and one to another, ac∣cording to the Will of God; and do ordinarily meet together in one Place, for the Publick Service and Worship of God; among whom the Word of God and Sacraments are duly administred, according to Christ's Institution.
2. The Beauty and Glory of which Congregation doth consist in their being all Converted Per∣sons, or lively Stones; being by the Holy Spirit, united to Jesus Christ the Precious Corner-Stone, and only foundation of every Chri∣stian, as well as of every particu∣lar Congregation, and of the whole Catholick Church.
3. That every Person before they are admitted Members, in such a Church so constituted, must de∣clare to the Church (or to such with the Pastor, that they shall appoint) what God hath done for their Souls, or their Experiences of a Saving work of Grace upon their Hearts; and also the Church should enquire after, and take full satisfac∣tion concerning their Holy Lives, or Good Conversations.
And when admitted Members, before the Church they must so∣lemnly enter into a Covenant, to walk in the Fellowship of that particular Congregation, and sub∣mit themselves to the Care and Discipline thereof, and to walk faithfully with God in all his Holy Ordinances, and there to be fed and have Communion, and wor∣ship God there, when the Church meets (if possible) and give them∣selves up to the watch and charge of the Pastor and Ministry there∣of: the Pastor then also signifying in the name of the Church their acceptance of each Person, and en∣deavour to take the care of them, and to watch over them in the Lord, (the Members being first satisfied to receive them, and to have Communion with them.) And so the Pastor to give them the right Hand of Fellowship of a Church, or Church Organical.
A Church thus constituted ought forthwith to choose them a Pastor, Elder or Elders, and Deacons, (we reading of no other Officers, or Offices abiding in the Church)
and what kind of Men they ought to be, and how qualified, is laid down by Paul to Timothy, and to Titus. Moreover, they are to take special care, that both Bishops, Overseers, or Elders, as well as the Deacons, have in some competent manner all those Qualifications; and after in a Day of solemn Pray∣er and Fasting, that they have elec∣ted them, (whether Pastor, &c. or Deacons) and they accepting the Office, must be ordained with Prayer, and laying on of Hands of the Eldership; being first prov'd, and found meet and fit Persons for so Sacred an Office: Therefore such are very disorderly Churches who have no Pastor or Pastors or∣dained, they acting not according to the Rule of the Gospel, having something wanting.
Act. 2.41, 42, 43, 44.
Act. 8.14. Act. 19.4, 5, 6. Eph. ••.1, 2. and ••.12, 13, 19.
Col. 1.2, 4, 12.
1 Pet. 2.5.
Act. 5.13, 14.
Rom. 6.17.
Heb. 6.1, 2.
Rom. 6.3, 4, 5.
1 Pet. 2.4, 5, 6.
Eph. 2.20, 21.
Col. 2.19.
Psa. 66.16. Act. 11.4, 5, 6, &c. 23, 24.
1 Pet. 3.15.
2 Cor. 8.5.
Jer. 50.5.
Heb. 13.17.
1 Pet. 5.1, 2.
Of an Or∣ganical Church.
1 Tim. 3.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Tit. 1.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Tit. 1.7. Act. 6.6.
2 Tim. 5.22.