Question.

VVHat is a Church?

Ans.

A company of faithfull and holy people (with their seed) called by the Word of God into publick co∣venant with Christ, and amongst them∣themselves Page  [unnumbered] for mutuall fellowship in the use of all the meanes of Gods glory and their salva∣tion.

Qu

Of what sort or number of people must this company consist?

A.

It is all one whether they be high or low, few or many, so as they exceed not such a num∣ber, as may ordinarily meet together in z one place for the worshipping of God, and san∣ctification of the Lords day.

Qu.

What are the reasons why the Church must consist of faithfull and holy persons?

A.

1. First the * Scriptures every where so teach.

2. The * Church is the body of Christ, all whose members therefore should be conforma∣ble in some measure to him their head.

3 Onely such * worshippers please God as are accepted of him and have right to the covenant of grace and seales thereof.

Qu

But are not hypocrites mingled with the faithfull in the Church?

A.

None ought to bee by the word of God: and where such are they are not truly added by the Lord to the Church, but doe a creepe in through their owne hypocrisie, and not with∣out the Churches sin also, if they may bee dis∣cerned to be such.

Qu.

By what meanes is the Church gathe∣red?

A.

b By the word preached and by faith re∣ceived of them that heare it.

Qu.

Is every beleever a member of the visi∣ble Church?

A

c No d, but he must also by his perso∣nall and publick profession adjoyne himselfe to Page  [unnumbered] some particular fellowship and societie of Saints.

Qu.

How prove you the Seed of the faithfull to be of the Church with them?

A.

By the e covenant which God made with Abraham and his seed: which was the co∣venant of the Gospell and confirmed in Christ; the † seale thereof circumcision, being the seale of the righteousnesse of Faith.

Qu.

What are the essentiall markes of the Church?

A.

f Faith and Order, as the Church in them may be scene and beheld to walke in Christ Iesus whom shee hath received: Faith professed in word and deed, shewing the Matter to bee true: and Order in the holy things of God, shewing the Forme to bee true, which are the two essentiall parts of the Church. g

Qu.

Are not the preaching of the word and administring of the Sacraments certain marks of the true Church?

A.

No: for the word may (and that rightly) be preached to assemblies of unbeleevers for their conversion h: as may the Sacraments also (though unjustly) bee administred unto them i, and so be made sying signes. Besides, the true Church may for a time want the use of divers ordinances of God, but hath alwayes right unto them; as may also the false Church usurpe and abuse them but without right.

Qu.

What are the meanes in and by which Christ and the Church have fellowship together?

A.

k 1. In the gifts of the Spirit of Christ. 2. In the offices of ministery given to the Church. 3. In the workes done in and by those gifts and offices.

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Qu.

Wherein standeth this communion of the Spirit?

A.

l In the in-dwelling and operation of the gifts and graces thereof conveyed from Christ as the head, unto the Church as his body, and mem∣bers one of another: Whence ariseth that most streit and divine conjunction, by which, as by the civill bond of marriage, the man and wife are one flesh: so they who are thus joyned to Christ are one spirit m.

Qu.

How many are the offices of ministery in the Church?

A.

Five: (besides the extraordinary offices of Apostles, Prophets and Evangelists, for the first planting of the Churches, which are ceased, with their extraordinary gifts.)

Qu.

How is that proved?

A.

Partly by the n Scriptures, which both mention them expresly, and describe them by their principall gifts, and workes: and partly by Reason agreeable to the Scriptures.

Qu.

Shew me which those officers bee, with their answerable gifts and workes.

A.

1. * The Pastor, to whom is given the gift of wisedome for exhortation. 2. The Teach∣er, to whom is given the gift of knowledge for doctrine. 3. The governing Elder, who is to rule with diligence. 4. The Deacon, who is to administer the holy treasure with simplicitie. 5. The Widow, or Deaconesse, who is to attend the sick and impotent, with compassion and cheerefulnesse. *

Qu.

What is the Reason for the proving of these ministeries?

A.

Because all these are usefull and necessary, and these alone sufficient for the Church; as be∣ing Page  [unnumbered] the most perfect societie and p body of Christ, which neither faileth in that which is necessary, nor exceedeth in any thing superflu∣ous.

Qu.

Whence ariseth the usefulnesse and suffi∣ciency of these ministeries in the Church?

A.

From the condition partly of the soules, and partly of the bodies of the members.

Qu.

How doth that appeare?

A.

1. In the soule is the facultie of understan∣ding, about which the Teacher is to be exercis∣ed * for information by doctrine. 2. The will and affections: upon which the q Pastor is especially to work by exhortation and comfort. 3. Because that doctrine and exhortation with∣out obedience, are unprofitable, the diligence of the ruling Elder is requisite for that pur∣pose.

Qu.

How are the other two Ministeries to be exercised?

A.

As the Church consisteth of men, and * they of soules and bodies, so are the Deacons out of the Churches treasure, and contribution to provide for the common uses of the Church, reliefe of the poore, and maintenance of the Of∣ficers; as are the widowes to afford unto the sick and impotent in body (not able otherwise * to help themselves) their cheerefull and comfor∣table service.

Qu.

Wherefore call you those Offices by the name of Ministeries, or Services?

A.

For two causes: 1. For that they are no Lordships, but services of Christ, and of the * Church.

2. Because they consist in administring only of those things which are Christs, and the Churches under him.

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Q.

By whom are these Officers to have their outward calling?

A.

By the Church whereof they are members for the present, and to which they are to ad∣minister.

Q.

How doth that appeare?

A.

1. The Apostles who taught onely Christs Commandements, so directed the Churches p.

2. The people amongst whom they have been conversant can best judge of their fitnesse, both in respect of their Persons and families.

3 It furthereth much the diligence and saith∣fulnesse of the Minister, that they whose Mi∣nister hee is have freely chosen him, as un∣to whom under Christ they commit the most pretious treasure of their soule: as also it binds * the people to greater love and conscience of o∣bedience of him and his ministry, whom them∣selves have made choyce of.

4. The Church being a most free Corpo∣ration spirituall under Christ the Lord, is in * all reason and equity to chuse her ministers and † servants under him unto whom also shee is to give wages for their service and labour.

Qu.

Is this outward calling of simple neces∣sity for a true Church officer?

A.

Yea, as for the Magistrate in the City and Common-wealth; or steward in the family: without which they usurp their places, how excellent soever, whether in their gifts or workes.

Q.

What if the Officer bee found unfaithfull in his place?

A.

He is by the Church to bee warned to take heed to his ministery hee hath received, Page  [unnumbered] to fulfill it; which if he neglect to doe, by the same power which set him up, he is to be * put downe and deposed. *

Q.

VVhat are the outward workes of the Churches communion with Christ

A.

These six: 1. Prayer. 2. the reading and opening of the VVord. 3. the Sacraments. 4. singing of Psalmes. 5. Censures. 6. con∣tribution to the necessity of the Saints.

Qu.

Wherefore put you prayer in the first place?

A.

Because by it all the rest are sanctified to the faithfull. For prayer see the end of the * fifth Principle with the exposition: onely adde this, that in the act of our speaking unto God by prayer, wee are not to use the helpe of * any booke, beades, crucifixes or the like, to teach or provoke us, but onely the helpe of the spirit of adoption, and prayer, working in our hearts effectually, and teaching us both what and how to pray as we ought.

Qu.

What believe you touching the word?

A.

Besides the things observed in the fifth Principle and Exposition; that the whole writ∣ten Word, and it alone is to be read and opened in the Church.

Qu.

Wherefore are the whole Scriptures to be read and opened?

A.

* Because the whole Word of God is pure, written for our learning and comfort, given by divine inspiration, and is profitable for doct∣rine, reproofe, correction and instruction, and from which nothing may be * diminished,

Qu.

How prove you that the Scriptures on∣ly are to be read, and opened in the Church?

A.

s Because they alone are sufficient for faith, Page  [unnumbered] * and the obedience which is of Faith, and able to make the man of God perfit, throughly fur∣nished unto all good workes, and unto which nothing may t be added.

Qu.

Who are to open and apply the Scrip∣tures in the Church?

A.

Principally the Bishops or u Elders, who by the Word of life are to feed the flock, both in teaching and government. Secondly, such as are out of office, in the exercise of Pro∣phesie.

Qu.

How is that exercise proved in the Scriptures?

A.

By f examples in the Iewish Church, where men though in no office, either in Tem∣ple or Synagogue, had liberty publiquely to use their gifts.

2 g By the Commandement of Christ and his Apostles.

3 By the prohibiting of h women (not ex∣traordinarily inspired) to teach in the Church: herein liberty being given unto men their hus∣bands, or others.

4 By the excellent ends, which by this meanes are to be obtained: as 1 i The glory of God in the manifestation of his manifold gra∣ces. 2. That the gifts of the spirit in men be not quenched. 3. For the fitting and triall of men for the Ministery. 4. For the preserving pure of the doctrine of the Church, which is more endangered, if some one or two alone may onely be heard, and speake. 5. For debating and satisfying of doubts, if any doe arise. 6. For the edifying of the Church, and conversion of others.

Qu.

VVho is a Prophet in this sence?

Page  [unnumbered]

A.

He that hath the gift of the spirit to speake * unto edification, exhortation and comfort.

Qu.

VVhat is the order of this exercise?

A.

That it be performed af•er the publique Ministery by the teachers, and under their di∣rection and moderation: whose duty it is, if any thing be obscure to open it: if doubtfull to cleare it: if unsound to refuse it: if unperfit to supply what is wanting, as they are able.

Qu.

What believe you touching the Sacra∣ments further then is observed in the former Principles?

A.

That they are to be dispensed according to the tenure of the Covenant of grace, where∣of they are seales: in respect both of the persons to whom, and of the ends for which they are to be administred.

Qu.

VVhich are those persons?

*

A.

The faithfull and their seed.

Qu.

May all the faithfull partake in the Sacra∣ments?

A.

* No, except they be also added to some particular congregation, unto which the pub∣lique ordinances and Ministery doth apper∣taine.

Qu

VVhich are the ends and uses of the Sa∣craments?

A.

The first is from God to the Church, opened in the exposition of the fifth Principle, where it is shewed what a Sacrament is. The * second is from the Church to God, in which it testifieth the acceptance of the Covenant, and bindeth it selfe to the performance of the conditions. The third is in respect of the members themselves mutually, as being bad∣ges * of their association. The fourth in re∣spect Page  [unnumbered] of all other Assemblies,* betweene whom and the Churches, they are notes of distin∣ction.

Qu.

VVhat is required touching singing of Psalmes in •he Church?

A.

That they be such as are parts of the word of God, formed by the Holy Ghost into * Psalmes or Songs, which many may conve∣niently sing together, exhorting and admoni∣shing themselves mutually with grace in their hearts.

Qu.

VVhat believe you touching the cen∣sure of excommunication?

A.

That it is to be used by every particular Church, according to the rules of Christ.

Qu.

How prove you this power to be in e∣very particular congregation?

A.

1. By the donation and gift of Christ the Lord. 2. The particular Church of Co∣rinth * had this power, for the neglect whereof it is reproved by the Apostle. 3. Every par∣ticular Church hath right to the VVord, Sa∣craments and Prayer, within it selfe, which are greater, and therfore to this which is lesser then they.

Qu.

VVhat are the rules of Christ for ex∣communication?

A.

1. The sin thus to be censured must be * scandalous, and the person obstinate after due conviction and patience used.

2. The Church excommunicating must bee that particular congregation gathered together in the name of Christ, whereof the sinner is a member.

Qu.

How prove you that by the Church Math. 18. is not meant the Bishop, or Presbyte∣ry Page  [unnumbered] representing the body?

A.

1. One man cannot be a Church, which as Christ teacheth, vers. 19. 20. must be a com∣pany, how small soever, gathered together in his name.

2. The word there used never signifieth in the Scriptures, an Officer or Officers, excluding the people.

3. The Apostle 1. Cor. 5. expounds Christs meaning to be of the whole body come toge∣ther.

4. The Elders being publique Officers, are to exercise the solemne workes of their Office, and particularly the worke of rebuking them that sinne, openly and before the Church, both that others may feare, and the Church of Faith * consent to the excommunication: and there∣fore cannot represent the Church being actual∣ly present.

5. A Representative Church in a case of faith and conscience without the consent of the represented in the particular decree establisheth the Popish doctrine of implicit Faith.

Qu.

What is the order of proceeding in this Censure?

A.

That the Brother offending privately be admon•shed privately, and after (without his * repentance) with a witnesse or two who may give testimony both of the offence and admo∣nition and lastly, that by the brother admo∣nishing with his witnesses, the sinner (remai∣ning obstinate,) complaint be made to the Church: which last complaint alone is suffi∣cient in publike offences.

Qu.

VVhat Order is to be observed after complaint thus made?

Page  [unnumbered]

A.

The Elders as the govenours of the Church, are by the Scriptures clearely to convince, and seriously to admonish and exhort the offender: and upon his impenitency (with due convicti∣on and patience:) to decree against him the sentence of Excommunication: and lastly, with the peoples free consent to pronounce and execute the same.

Qu.

How appeareth the necessity of this or∣dinance?

A.

Many wayes. 1. By the commandement of Christ, and practise of the Apostolicall * Churches.

2. For the glory of Christ, which is much impeached by the prophanesse of those who pro∣fesle * his service.

3. For the humbling of the sinner, and for the salvation of his soule. e

4. To prevent the infection of others. f

5. That by the zeale and holinesse of the Church, they without may be gayned to the Gospell.

Qu.

How is the Church to walke towards a person excommunicated?

A.

So as they may make him ashamed by * withdrawing from him in all spirituall Com∣munion, and ciuill familiarity also, so farre as may be, without the violation of any naturall * or civill bond.

Q

What is to be observed for the Chur∣ches contribution?

A.

That in their publique meeting every * first day of the week, they contribute, as God hath prospered them, to the publique Treasury, by the Deacons to be received and distributed, as there is need, to the reliefe of the poore, main∣tenance * Page  [unnumbered] of the Ministery, and other necessary uses of the Church first, and after of others also, as need requireth.