The ministry, oracles, and ordinances of the New Testament, are given by Jesus Christ to the general church visible, for the gathering and perfecting of it in this life, until his second coming b. Particular visible churches, members of the general church, are also held forth in the New Testament. Particular churches in the primitive times were made up of visible saints, viz. of such as, being of age, professed faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according to the rules of faith and life, taught by Christ and his apostles; and of their children ". to one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Ver. 28. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [Together with the rest of the Chapter.] b1 Cor. xii. 28. [See before.] Eph. iv. 4. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; Ver. 5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Compared with Ver. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ : Ver. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Ver. 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; Ver, 16. From whom the Of whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love. Gal. i. 21. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; Ver. 22. And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ. Rev. i. 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne. Ver. 20. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Rev. ii. 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. d Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the re mission Of the Officers of the Church. THE HE officers which Christ hath appointed for the edification of his church, and the perfecting of the saints, are, some extraordinary, as apostles, evangelists, and prophets, which are ceased. Others ordinary and perpetual, as pastors, teachers, and other church-governors, and deacons. Pastors. THE pastor is an ordinary and perpetual officer in the church, prophesying of the time of the gospel. mission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Ver. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Compared with Acts v. 14. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. 1 Cor. i. 2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. Compared with 2 Cor. ix. 13. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men. Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving First, wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy. Rom. xi. 16. For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Mark x. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Compared with Mat. xix. 13. Then were there brought unto him littlechildren, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. Ver. 14. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Luke xviii. 15. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Ver. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. e Jer. iii. 15. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. Ver. 16. Ap First, it belongs to his office, To pray for and with his flock, as the mouth of the people unto God, Acts vi. 2, 3, 4. and xx. 36. where preaching and prayer are joined as several parts of the same office. The office of the elder (that is, the pastor) is to pray for the sick, even in private, to which a blessing is especially promised; much more therefore ought he to perform this in the publick execution of his office, as a part thereof. And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the Lord, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the Lord; neither shall it come to mind, neither shall they remember it, neither shall they visit it, neither shall that be done any more. Ver. 17. At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. f 1 Pet. v. 2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Ver. 3. Neither as being lords over God's heri tage, but being ensamples to the flock. Ver. 4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and som e pastors and teachers; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Ver. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, un To: to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. 8 Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Ver. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out. among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wis. dom, whom we may appoint over this business. Ver. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word, Acts xx. 36. And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and pray- ed with them all. h James v. 14. Is any man sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: Ver. 15. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him. up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. i1 Cor. xiv. 15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. Ver. 16. Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, To read the scriptures publickly; for the proof of which, 1. That the priest and Levites in the Jewish church were trusted with the publick reading of the word, is proved 3. 2. That the ministers of the gospel have as ample a charge and commission to dispense the word, as well as other ordinances, as the priests and Levites had under the law, proved, Isa. Ixvi. 21. Mat. xxiii. 34. where our Saviour entitleth the officers of the New Testament, whom he will send forth, by the same names of the teachers of the Old'. Which propositions prove, that therefore (the duty being of a moral nature) it followeth by just consequence, that the publick reading of the scriptures belongeth to the pastor's office. To feed the flock, by preaching of the word, according to which he is to teach, convince, reprove, exhort, and comfort TM. seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? k Deut. xxxi. 9. And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and unto all the elders of Israel. Ver. 10. And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years is the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles. Ver. 11. When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Neh. viii. 1. And all the people gathered themselves together as one man, into the street that was before the water-gate, and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel. Ver. 2. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, both of men and wo Το men, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. Ver. 3. And he read therein-Ver. 13. And on the second day were gathered together the chief of the fathers of all the people, the priests and the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand the words of the law. Isa. lxvi. 21. And I will also take of them for priests, and for Levites, saith the Lord. Mat. xxiii. 34. Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them ye shall kill and crucify, and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city. mi Tim. iii. 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach. 2 Tim. iii. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in rig teousn To catechise, which is a 'plain laying down the first principles of the oracles of God", or of the doctrine of Christ, and is a part of preaching. To dispense other divine mysteries °. To administer the sacraments P. To bless the people from God, Numb. vi. 23, 24, 25, 26. Compared with Rev. xiv. 5. (where the same blessings, and persons from whom they come, are expressly mentioned,) Isa. teousness: Ver. 17. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Tit. i. 9. Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. n Heb. v. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 01 Cor. iv. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Ver. 2. Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful. P Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. 20. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have com. manded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Mark xvi. 15. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Ver. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 1 Cor. xi. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. Ver. 24. And, when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. Ver. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, say. ing, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Compared with 1 Cor. x. 26. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Numb. vi. 23. Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, Ver. 24. The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. Ver. 25. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee-Ver. 26. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Compared with Rev, i. 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne: Ver. 5. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first-begctten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth, Isa. Ixvi. 21. And I will also take of them for |