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Which three branches are proved by Heb. xii. 17. 1 Theff. v. 12. 13. Ezek. xxxiv. 4. p.

Authoritative fufpenfion from the Lord's table of a perfon not yet caft out of the church, is agreeable to the fcripture:

First, Because the ordinance itfelf must not be profaned.

Secondly, Because we are charged to withdraw from thofe that walk diforderly.

Thirdly, Because of the great fin and danger, both to him that comes unworthily, and alfo to the whole churchq. And there was power and authority, under the Old Teftament, to keep unclean per1ons from holy things r.

ye fhall loofe on earth, fhall be loofed in heaven: v. 19. again, I fay unto you, That if two of you fhall agree on earth, as touching any thing that they fhall afk, it fhall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. V. 20. For where two or three are gather ed together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Heb. xiii. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and fubmit yourselves, for they watch for your fouls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. I Theff. v. 12. and we befeech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; v 13. and to esteem them very highly in love for their works fake. And be at peace among yourselves. Ezek. xxxiv. 4. The diseased have ye not ftrengthened, neither have ye healed that which was fick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which, was driven away, neither have ye fought that which was loft: but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

9 Mat. vii. 6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither caft

The

your pearls before swine, left they trample them under their feet, and turn again, and rent you. 2 Theff. iii. 6. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jefus Chrift, that ye withdraw yourfelves from every brother that walketh diforderly, and not after the tradition which ye received of us. V. 14. and if any man obey not our word by this epiftle, note, that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed, v. 15. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. I Cor. xi. 27. Wherefore, whofoever fhall eat this bread, or drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, fhall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. See on to the end of the chapter. Compared with Jude, v. 23. and others fave with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands fuddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens fins. Keep thyself pure.

r Lev. xiii. 5. And the priest fhall look on him the feventh day; and behold, if the plague in his fight be at a ftay, and the plague fpread not in the fkin, then the priest fhall fhut him up feven days more. Numb. ix. 7. and thofe

mea

The like power and authority, by way of analogy, continues under the New Teftament.

The ruling officers of a particular congregation have power authoritatively to fufpend from the Lord's table a perfon not yet caft out of the church;

First, Because those who have authority to judge of, and admit, fuch as are fit to receive the facrament, have authority to keep back fuch as fhall be found unworthy.

Secondly, Because it is an ecclefiaftical business of ordinary practice belonging to that congregation.

When congregations are divided and fixed, they need all mutual help one from another, both in regard of their intrinfical weaknesses and mutual dependance, as alfo in regard of enemies from without.

TH

Of Claffical Affemblies.

HE fcripture doth hold out a prefbytery in a church. A prefbytery confifteth of minifters of the word, and fuch other public officers as are agreeable to and warranted by the word of God, to be church-governors, to join with the minifters in the government of the church t.

The fcripture doth hold forth, that many particular congregations may be under one prefbyterial government.

This propofition is proved by inftances;

1. First, Of the church of Jerufalem, which confifted of more congregations than one, and all these congregations were under one prefbyterial government.

This appeareth thus:

1. First, The church of Jerufalem confifted of more eongregations than one, as is manifeft.

men faid unto him, We are defiled by the dead body of a man; wherefore are we kept back, that we may not offer an offering of the Lord in his appointed feafon, among the children of Ifrael? 2 Chron, xxiii, 19. and he fet the porters at the gates of the houfe of the Lord, that none that was unclean in any thing fhould enter in.

1 Tim. iv. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. A&s xv. 2. When therefore Paul

First,

and Barnabas had no small diffenti-
on and difputation with them, they
determined that Paul and Barna-
bas and certain other of them should
go up to Jerufalem unto the apostles
and elders, and they declared all
things that God had done with
them. v. 6. And the apostles and
elders came together for to confider
of this matter.

Rom. xii. 7. Or miniffry, let us
wait on our miniftering: or he that
teacheth, on teaching; v. 8. Or he
that exhorteth, on exhortation: he

that

4

Firft, By the multitude of believers mentioned in divers, both be fore the difperfion of the believers there, by means of the periecution v. And alio after the difperfion w.

Secondly, By the many apofties and other preachers in the church of Jerufalem. And if there were but one congregation there, then each apostle preached but feldom x; which will not confift with Acts vi. 2.

Thirdly, The diverfity of languages among the believers, mentioned both in the fecond and fixth chapters of the Acts, doth argue more congregatious than one in that church.

that giveth, let him do it with fimplicity he that ruleth, with diligence he that theweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Cor. xii. 28 and God hath fet fome in the church; firft apoftles, fecondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diverfities of

tongues.

A&ts viii. 1. and Saul was confenting unto his death And at that time there was a great perfecution against the church which was at Jerufalem, and they were all fcattered abroad throughout the regi ons of Judea and Samaria, except the apoles. Acts i. 15. and in thofe days Peter ftood up in the midft of the difciples, and faid (the number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty.) Acts ii. 41. Then they that gladly `received his word were baptized; and the fame day there were added unto them about three thousand fouls. v. 46. and they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from houfe to houfe, did eat their meat with gladness, and fingleness of heart, v. 47. Prailing God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily fuch as fhould be faved. Acts iv. 4.

2. Secondly,

Howbeit, many of them which 'heard the word, believed, and the number of the men was about five thousand. Acts v. 14. and believers were the more added unto the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Acts vi. 1 and in those days, when the number of the dif ciples was multiplied, there arose a` murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily miniftration. v 7. and the word of God increased, and the number of the difciples multiplied in Jerufalem greatly, and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

w Acts ix. 31. Then had the churches reft throughout all Judea and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghoft, were multiplied. A&s xiii. 24. But the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts xxi. 20. and, when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou feeft, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are, which believe and they are all zealous of the law.

x Ads vi. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the difciples unto them, and faid, It is not reafon that we should leave the word

of

2. Secondly, All tho e congregations were under one presbyteriał goverment, because, First they were one church y.

Secondly, The elders of the church are mentioned z.

Thirdly, The apostles did the ordinary acts of presbyters as prefbyters in that kirk; which proveth a presbyterial church before the dif perfion, Acts vii.

Fourthly, The feveral congregations in Jerufalem being one church, the elders of that church are mentioned as meeting together for acts of government a; which proves that thofe feveral congregations were under one presbyterial government.

And whether thefe congregations were fixed, or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is alfo one as to the truth of the propofition.

Nor doth there appear any material difference betwixt the several congregations in Jerufalem, and the many congregations now in the ordinary condition of the church, as to the point of fixedness required of officers or members

3. Thirdly, Therefore the fcripture doth hold forth, that many congregations may be under one presbyteria! government.

II. Secondly, By the inftance of the church of Ephefus; for, 1. That there were more congregations than one in the church of Ephelus,

of God, and ferve tables.

y Acts viii. 1. and Saul was confenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerufalem, and they were all fcattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apoftles. Acts ii. 47. Praifing God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added unto the church daily such as should be faved, compared with Acts v. 11. and great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard thefe things. Acts xii. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prifon, but prayer was made without ceafing of the church unto God for him. Acts xv. 4. and when they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

V.

z Acts xi 30. Which also they did, and fent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. A&ts. xv. 4. and when they were come to Jerufalem, they were received of the church, and of the apofties and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 6 and the apostles and elders came together to confider of this matter v. 22. Then it pleased the apostles and elders with the whole church, to fend chofen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas firnamed Barfabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. Acts xxi. 7. and when we were come to Jerufalem, the brethren received us gladly. v. 18. and the day following, Paul went in with us unto James, and all the elders were prefent.

a Acs xi 30. Which also they 'did, and fent it to the elders by the LI hands

Ephefus, appears by Acts xx. 31. b, where is mention of Paul's con-, tinuance at Ephefus in preaching for the space of three years; and Acts xix 18, 19. 20. where the 1pecial effect of the word is mentionedc; and v. 18. and 47. of the fame chapter, where is a distinction of Jews and Greeks d; and 1 Cor. xvi. 6. and 9. where is a reason of Paul's ftay at Ephefus until Pentecofte; and v. 19. where is mention of a particular church in the houfe of Aquila and Prifcilla then at Ephefus f, as appears Acts xviii 19. 24. 26.g. All which laid together doth prove that the multitudes of believers did make more congregations than one in the church of Ephefus.

2. That there were many elders over thefe many congregations, as

hands of Barnabas and Saul. As xv. 4 and when they were come to Jerufalem, they were received of the church, and of the apoftles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. v 6. and the apostles and elders came together for to confider of this matter. v. 22. Then it pleafed the apofties and elders, with the whole church, to fend chofen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas fir. named Barfabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. Acts xxi. 17. and when they were come to Jerufalem, the brethren received them gladly. v. 8 and the day following, Paul went in with us unto James, and all the elders were preient, and fo forward.

b Acts xx. 31. Therefore watch, and remember that by the space of three years, I ceafed not to warn every one night and day with tears.

c. Acts xix. 18. and many that believed, came and confeffed and fhewed their deeds. v. 19. Many alio of them which used curious arts, brought their books together, and burned them before all men and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of filver. v. 20. So mightily grew the

word of God and prevailed.

one

d Acts xix. 10. and this continued by the fpace of two years: fo that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jefus, both Jews and Greeks. v 17 and this was known to all the Jews and Greeks alfo dwelling at Ephefus, and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jefus was magnified.

e 1 Cor. xvi. 8. But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. V. 9. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adverfaries.

1 Cor xvi. 19 The churches of Afia, falute you, Aquila and Prifcilla falute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

g Acts xviii. 19. and he came to Ephefus and left them there: but he himself entered in the fynagogue, and reafoned with the Jews. v. 24and a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the feriptures, came to Ephefus. v. 26. and he began to peak boldly in the fynagogue, whom when Aquila and Prifcilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly,

h Acts.

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