Page images
PDF
EPUB

Thirdly, Because of the great fin and danger, both to him that comes unworthily, and alfo to the whole church q. And there was power and authority, under the old teftament, to I keep unclean perfons from holy things r.

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, such 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 weakneffes and mutual dependence, as alfo in regard of enemies from without.

9 Mat. vii. 6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither caft your pearls before fwine, 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 walk eth 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

of

ver. 23. And others fave with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment fpotted by the flefh. 1 Tim. v, 22. Lay hands fuddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other mens fins. Keep thy felf pure.

Lev, xiii. 5. And the priest fhall look on him the feventh day; and behold, if the plague in his fight be at a stay, and the plague fpread not in the skin, then the priest thall thut him up feven days more. Numb. ix. 7. And those 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 season among the children of Ifrael? 2 Chron. xxiii. 19. And he fet the porters at the gates of the house of the Lord, that none that was unclean in any thing should enter in. f1 Tim.

Of Claffical Affemblies.

HE fcripture doth hold out a presbytery in a churchs.

TH

A presbytery confifteth of ministers of the word, and fuch other publick officers as are agreeable to and warranted by the word of God, to be church-governors, to join with the ministers in the government of the church t.

The fcripture doth hold forth, that many particular congregations may be under one presbyterial government. This propofition is proved by instances;

I. First, of the church of Jerufalem, which confifted of more congregations than one, and all these congregations were under one presbyterial government.

This appeareth thus:

1. First, the church of Jerufalem confifted of more congregations than one, as is manifeft.

First, By the multitude of believers mentioned in divers, both before the difperfion of the believers there, by means of the perfecution v. And alfo after the dif perfion.

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 prefbytery. Acts xv. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no fmall diffention and difputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them fhould go up to Jerufalem unto the apoftles and elders about this queftion. v. 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 conAder of this matter.

Rom. xii. 7. Or miniftry, let us wait on our miniftring: or he that

[ocr errors]

teacheth, on teaching; v. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with fimplicity: he that ruleth, with diligence: he that fheweth mercy, with cheerfulnefs. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath fet fome in the church; first apoftles, fecondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diverfities of tongues. v Acts 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 scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Acts i. 15. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the difciples, and faid, (the number

of

perfion w.

Secondly, by the many apostles 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 second and fixth chapters of the Acts, doth argue more congregations than one in that church.

2. Secondly, all thofe congregations were under one presbyterial government, because, First, they were one churchy. Secondly,

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 gladnefs, and fingleness of heart, v. 47. praifing God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily fuch as fhould be faved. Acts iv. 4. Howbeit, many of them which heard the word, believed, and the number of the men was about five thoufand. 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 difciples was multiplied, there arofe 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. Acts xii. 24. But the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts xxi. 20. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and faid unto him, Thou feest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are, which believe and they are all zealous of the law.

x Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the difciples unto them, and faid, It is not reafon that we fhould leave the word of God, and serve tables.

y Acts 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 scattered 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 fuch as fhould be faved, compared with Acts v. 11. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these 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

Secondly, The elders of the church are mentioned z.

Thirdly, The apostles did the ordinary acts of presbyters as presbyters in that kirk; which proveth a presbyterial church before the difperfion, Acts vi.

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 go

vernment.

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

Nor doth there appear any material difference betwixt the feveral 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.

when they were come to Jerufalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

z Acts xi. 30. Which alfo they did, and fent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts xv. 4. And when they were come to Jerufalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. v. 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. 17. And when we were come to Jerufalem, the brethren received us gladly, v. 18. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto

3. ThirdJames, and all the elders were prefent.

a Acts xi. 30. Which also they did, and fent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul, Acts xv. 4. And when they were come to Jerufalem, they were received of the church, and of 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. v. 22. Then it pleased the apoftles 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. 17. And when they were come to Jerufalem, the brethren received them gladly. v. 18. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James, and all the elders were prefent, and fo forward.

b Acts

3. Thirdly, Therefore the scripture doth hold forth, that many congregations may be under one presbyterial govern

ment.

II. Secondly, By the inftance of the church of Ephefus; for,

1. That there were more congregations than one in the church of Ephefus, appears by Acts xx. 3 1. b, where is mention of Paul's continuance at Ephefus in preaching for the space of three years; and Acts xix. 18, 19, 20. where the fpecial effect of the word is mentioned c; and v. 10 and 17, of the fame chapter, where is a distinction of Jews and Greeks d; and 1 Cor. xvi. 8, and 9. where is a reafon of Paul's stay at Ephesus until Pentecofte; and v. 19. where is mention of a particular church in the house of Aquila and Priscilla then at Ephefusƒ, 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 these many congregations,

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.

e Acts xix. 18. And many that . believed, came and confeffed and fhewed their deeds. v. 19. Many alfo 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.

d Acts xix. 10. And this continued by the space of two years: fo that all they which dwelt in Afia 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 Ephefus until Pentecost. v. 9. For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adverfaries.

f 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 into the fynagogue, and reafoned with the Jews. v. 24. And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the fcriptures, came to Ephetus. v. 26. And he began to fpeak 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

« PreviousContinue »