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one flock, appeareth h.

3. That these many congregations were one church, and that they were under one presbyterial government, appearethz.

ΤΗ

Of Synodical Affemblies..

HE 'scripture doth hold out another fort of affemblies for the government of the church, befide claffical and congregational, all which we call fynodical k.

Paftors and teachers, and other church-governors (as alfo other fit perfons, when it, fhall be deemed expedient) are members of those affemblies which we call fynodical, where they have a lawful calling there

unto.

Synodical affmblies may lawfully be of feveral forts, as provincial,

national and oecumenical.

It is lawful and agreeable to the word of God, that there be a fubordination of congregational claffical, provincial and national affeinblies, for the government of the church.

Acts xx 17. and from Miletus he fent to Ephefus, and called the elders of the church V. 25. and now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, fhall fee my face no more v. 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the holy Ghost hath made you overfeers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchafed with his own blood, . 30. alfo of your own felves thall men arife, fpeaking perverfe things, to draw away disciples after them. v. 36, and when he had thus fpoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. V. 37. and they all wept fore, and fell upon Paul's neck, and kiffed him.

i Rev. ii. Unto the angel of the church of Ephefus write, Thefe things faith he that holdeth the feven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the feven golden candlesticks. v. 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and

Of

thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil; and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and haft found them liars, v. 3 and haft born, and hait patience, and tor my name's fake haft laboured, and haft not fainted v. 4. Nevertheless, I have fomewhat against thee, because thou haft left thy first love. v 5. Remember therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or elfe I will coma unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 6: But this thou haft, that thou hateft the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which also I hate. Joined with A&s xx: 17, 28. (See in letter h)

k Acts xv. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small diffention and difputation with them, they determined that Paul and Bar nabas, and certain other of them should go up to Jerufalem unto the apostles and elders about this quefti.

UNDER

Of Ordination of Minifters.

NDER the head of ordination of minifters is to be confidered, either the doctrine of ordination, or the power of it.

No

Touching the doctrine of Ordination.

O man ought to take upon him the office of a minister of the word, without a lawful calling

-Ordination is always to be continued in the church m.

Ordination is the folemn fetting apart of a perfon to fome public church-office n.

on.

v. 6. and the apoft'es and elders came together for to confider of this matter, v. 22. Then it pleafed the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to fend chosen men of their own company to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas firnamed Barfabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren. v. 33 and wrote letters by them after this manner: The apoftles, and elders, and brethren, fend greeting unto the brethren, which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria, and Cilicia.

John iii. 17. John anfwered and aid, a man can receive no thing, except it be given him from heaven. Rom. x. 14. How then fhall they call on him, in whom they have not believed? and how fhall they believe on him, of whom they have not heard? and how fhall they hear without a preacher ? V. 15 and how fhall they preach except they be fent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gofpel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things? Jer. xiv. 14. Then the Lord faid unto

me,

The prophets prophefy lies in my name, I fent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither

Every

fpake I unto them? they prophefy unto you a falfe vifion and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. Heb. v. 4. and no man taketh this honour unto himfelf, but he that is called of God as was Aaron

m 1 Tim. i. 5 For this caufe left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldst fet in order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. 1 Tim, v. 21. 1 charge thee before God, and the Lord Jefus Chrift, and the elect angels, that thou obferve these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. v. 22. Lay hands fuddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens fins. Keep thyself pure.

n Num, viii 10. and thou fhalt bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Ifrael fhall put their hands upon the Levites v. 11.. And Aaron fhall offer the Levitesbefore the Lord, for an offering of the children of Ifrael, that they may execute the fervice of the Lord. v. 14. Thus fhalt thou feperate the Levites from among the children of Ifrael; and the Levites fhall be mine. v. 19. and I have given the Levites,

as

Every minister of the word is to be ordained by impofition of hands, and prayer with fafting, by thofe preaching presbyters, to whom it doth belong o.

It is agreeable to the word of God, and very expedient that fuch as are to be ordained minifters, be defigned to fome particular church, or other ministerial charge p.

He that is to be ordained minifter, must be duly qualified, both for life and ministerial abilities, according to the rules of the apostle q.

as a gift to Aaron and to his fons, from among the children of Ifrael, to do the fervice of the children of Ifrael, in the tabernacle of the con=gregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Ifrael; that there be no plague among the children of Ifrael, when the children of Ifrael come nigh unto the fanctuary. .22. and after that went the Levites in, to do their fervice in the tabernacle of the congregation, before Aaron and before his fons: as the Lord had commanded Mofes concerning the Levites, fo did they unto them. Acts vi. 3. Wherefore brethren, look ye out among you feven men of honeft report, full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business, V. 5 and the faying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghoft, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a pro felyte of Antioch, v. 6. Whom they had fet before the apoftles; and when they had prayed they laid their hands on him. • 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands fuddenly on no man, neither be par. taker of other mens fins. Keep thyfelf pure. Acts xiv. 23. and when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had pray ed with falling, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they

He

blieved. Acts xiii. 3. and when they had fafted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they fent them away.

p Acts xiv. 23 (See before.) Tit. i. 5. For this caufe left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldft fet in or der the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee. Acts xx. 17. and from Miletus he fent to Ephefus, and called the elders of the church. v. 28. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghoft hath made you overfeers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

q Tim. iii. 2 a bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, fober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; v. 3. Not given to wine, no ftriker, not greedy of fethy lucre. but patient; not a brawler, not covetous: v. 4. One that ruleth well his own hòufe, having his children in fubjection with all gravity; v. . 5. (For if a man know not how to rule his own houfe, how fhall he take care of the church of God?) 6. Not a novice, left being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Tit i. 5. For this caufe left I thee in Crete, that thou shoulda fet in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I L13

had

He is to be examined and approved by thofe by whom he is to be ordained r.

No man is to be ordained a minifter for a particular congregation, if they of that congregation can fhew just cause of exception against him f.

Touching the power of Ordination.

RDINATION is the act of a presbytery t.

The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery, which when it is over more congregations than one, whether those congregations be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is indfferent as to the point of ordination v.

It is very requifite that no fingle congregation, that can conveniently associate, do affume to itself all and fole power of ordination.

1. Because there is no example in fcripture, that any fingle congregation, which might conveniently affociate, did affume to ittelf all and fole power in ordination: neither is there any rule which may warrant fuch a practice

2. Because there is in fcripture example of an ordination in a prefbytery over divers congregations; As in the church of Jerufalem, where were many congregations. these many congregations were under one presbytery, and this presbytery did ordain.

The preaching presbyters orderly affociated, either in cities or neighbouring villages are thofe to whom the impofition of hands doth appertain, tor thofe congregations within their bounds refpectively. Concerning

had appointed thee. v. 6. If any man be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly. v. 7. For a bishop must be blameless; as the fteward of God; not felf willed, not foon angry, not given to filthy lucre: v. 8. But a lover of hofpitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy temperate ver. 9. Holding faft the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by found doctrine, both to exhort, and to convince the gainfayers,

1 Tim, iii. 7 Morcover he muft have a good report of them which are without, left he fall into reproach, and the feare of the devil,

V. to. and let thefe alfo firft be proved, then let them use the affice of a deacon, being found blameless. 1 Tim. v. 22. Lay hands fuddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens fins. Keep thyself pure.

I

1 Tim. iii. 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of a good behaviour, given to hofpitality, apt to teach. Tit. i. 7. For a bishop must be blameless, as the fteward of God.

1 Tim. iv, 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying ing on of the hands of the prefbytery.

1 Tim, iv. 14. (See in letter r.) Tu Sea

Concerning the Doctrinal part of Ordination of Minifters.

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O man ought to take upon him the office of a minifter of the word, without a lawful calling w.

2. Ordination is always to be continued in the church x.

3 Ordination is the folemn fetting apart of a perfon to fome public church officey.

4. Every minister of the church is to be ordained by impofition of hands and prayer, with fafting by thefe preaching presbyters to whom it doth belong z.

5. The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is in the whole presbytery, which when it is over more congregations than one, whether thofe congregations be fixed or not fixed, in regard of officers or members, it is indifferent as to the point of ordination a.

6. It is agreeable to the word, and very expedient, that fuch as are to be ordained minifters, be defigned to fome particular church, or other ministerial chargeb.

7.

He that is to be ordained minifter, must be duly qualified, both for life and minifterial abilities, according to the rules of the apoftle c. 8. He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is to be ordained d.

9. No man is to be ordained a minifter for a particular congregation, if they of that congregation can fhew juft caufe of exception against him e.

10. Preaching presbyters orderly affociated, either in cities or neighbouring villages, are thofe to whom the impofition of handsdoth appertain, for thofe congregations within their bounds respectivelyƒ.

11. In extraordinary cafes, fomething extraordinary may be done, until a fettled order may be had, yet keeping as near as poffibly may be to the rule g.

w See before in letter /. x See before in letter m. y See before in letter n. z See before in letter o. a See before in letter v b See before in letter p. c See before in letter q. d See before in letter r. e See before in letter f

f. 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 prefbytery.

g 2 Chron. xxix. 14. But the priests were too few, fo that they

12. There could not flay all the burnt-offerings; wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them till the work was ended, and until the other priefts had fanctified themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to fanctify themselves than the priests. ver. 35. and also the burnt-offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peaceofferings, and the drink offerings for every burnt-offering fervice of the house of the Lord was fet in order. v. 36. and Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that L14

So the

God

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