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faith), lest, being lifted up with pride,
he fall into the condemnation of the
devil. Likewise must the deacons be
grave, not double-tongued, not given
to much wine, not greedy of filthy
lucre, holding the mystery of the
faith in a pure conscience: and let
these also first be proved, then let
them use the office, &c. let the dea-
cons be the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children and their own
houses well.-1 Tim. iii. 1—13.
If thou put the brethren in remem- gainsayers.-Titus i. 5—9.
brance of these things, thou shalt be
a good minister, &c. but refuse pro-
fane and old wives' fables, &c. Be
thou an example of the believers in
word, in conversation, in charity, &c.
give attendance to reading, to exhor-
tation, to doctrine, &c. meditate upon
these things: give thyself wholly
unto them, &c. take heed unto thy-
self and thy doctrine.-1 Tim. iv. 6,
7. 11–13. 15, 16.

had appointed thee. If any be blame-
less, &c. not accused of riot, or un-
ruly: for a bishop must be blameless,
as the steward of God: not self-
willed, not soon angry, not given to
wine; no striker, not given to filthy
lucre, but a lover of hospitality, a
lover of good men, sober, just, holy,
temperate; 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

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren: the elder women, &c. Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honour; especially they that labour in the word and doctrine.-1 Tim. v. 1. 17. O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust: avoiding profane and vain babblings.-1 Tim. vi. 20.

I put thee in remembrance, that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee, &c.-2 Tim. i. 6, 7.

Shewing thyself a pattern of good works; in doctrine, uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech that cannot be condemned, &c. these things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.-Titus ii. 7, 8. 15.

Them that have the rule, &c. watch for your souls, as they that must give account.-Heb. xiii. 17.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, &c.— James v. 14.

The elders which are among you, I exhort, &c. feed the flock of God, which is among you (or as much as in you is); taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords (or over-ruling) over God's heritage, but being examples of the flock.1 Pet. v. 1-4.

Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence receiveth us not.3 John 9, 10.

SECT. II. Complaints of, and Threatenings against, evil Officers, or Ministers of the Church.

The things that thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also, &c. a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of His watchmen are blind, they are all truth; but shun profane and vain ignorant, they are all dumb dogs: babbling, &c. The servant of the they cannot bark, sleeping, lying Lord must not strive, but be gentle down, loving to slumber: yea, they unto all men apt to teach, patient are greedy dogs, which can never (or forbearing), in meekness, instruct- have enough; and they are shepherds ing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure, &c.-2 Tim. ii. 2. 15, 16. 23-25.

Ordain elders in every city, as I

that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain from his quarter: come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we

will fill ourselves with strong drink, and to-morrow shall be as this day. Isa. Ivi. 10-12.

The priests said not, Where is the Lord? and they that handled the law, knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, &c. Wherefore I will yet plead with you, &c.Jer. ii. 8, 9.

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof ?--Jer. v. 30, 31.

From the prophet unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely: thus they have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, &c. when, &c.-Jer. vi. 13, 14. viii. 10, 11.

The pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.-Jer. x. 21.

the shepherds feed the flocks? ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, &c. but ye feed not the flock: the diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, &c. but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. Ezek. xxxiv. 2—4. 8. 10.

The priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money; yet will they lean upon the Lord, &c. therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed, &c.-Micah iii. 11, 12.

Her priests polluted the sanctuary, and have done violence to the law.— Zeph. iii. 4.

Woe to the idol shepherd, that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, &c.-Zech. xi. 17.

O priests, that despise my name, &c. ye offer polluted bread unto mine altar, &c. If ye offer the blind, and the lame, is it not evil? &c.--Mal. i. 6—8.

The priests' lips should keep knowledge, &c. but ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupt

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, &c.-Jer. xii. 10, 11. Woe be unto the pastors that de-ed the covenant of Levi, &c. therestroy, and scatter the sheep of my fore have I also made you contemptipasture, saith the Lord: therefore ble and base before the people.— thus saith the Lord God of Israel Mal. ii. 7—9. against the pastors that feed my people, Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them : behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, &c. The prophets, &c. They strengthen the hands of evil-doers, so that none doth return from his wickedness.-Jer. xxiii. 1, 2. 14.

The priests and the prophets advise to put Jeremiah to death, because he told them what God spake.-Jer. xxvi. 10, 11. 16.

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean.-Ezek. xxii. 26.

Woe to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves: should not

He that is an hireling, &c. seetl the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. John x. 12, 13.

SECT. III. The Churches' Duty_to

ward their Officers, and such others who labour among them.

PROVIDE neither gold nor silver, &c. for the workman is worthy of his meat.-Matt. x. 9, 10.

They all wept sore, &c. sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more.-Acts xx. 37, 38.

If the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.-Rom. xv. 27.

Have we not power to eat and to

We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: and to esteem them very highly in love for their work sake.1 Thess. v. 12, 13.

drink? &c. or to forbear working? acceptable, well pleasing to God.Who goeth a warfare at any time at Philip. iv. 16-19. his own charges? &c. Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? or saith he it not altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, Let the elders that rule well be no doubt, &c. If we have sown unto counted worthy of double honour; you spiritual things, is it a great especially they who labour in the word thing if we shall reap your carnal and doctrine. For the scripture saith, things? &c. Nevertheless, we have Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that not used this power, but suffer all thing, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know, that they which minister about holy things, live (or feed) of the things of the temple? &c. Even so hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.1 Cor. ix. 4-15.

Know the house of Stephanus, &c. that you submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.--1 Cor. xvi. 15, 16.

Ye received me as an angel of God, &c. Am I therefore become your enemy, because I told you the truth? -Gal. iv. 14-16.

Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth, in all good things.—Gal. vi. 6.

Praying always, &c. and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, &c.-Ephes. vi. 18, 19. 1 Thess. v. 25. 2 Thess. iii. 1, 2.

I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, &c. but your messenger, &c. Receive him therefore in the Lord, with all gladness: and hold such in reputation (or honour such), because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, &c.-Phil. ii. 25. 29, 30.

Ye sent once and again unto mine necessity: not because I desired a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account, &c. having received the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice

treadeth out the corn, and the labour-
er is worthy of his hire. Against an
elder receive not an accusation but
before two or three witnesses.-
1 Tim. v. 17—19.

Remember them which have the rule over you; who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, &c. Obey them that have the rule over you (or guide you), and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, &c. Pray for such, &c. Salute all them that have the rule over you.-Heb. xiii. 7. 17, 18. 24.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him.—James v. 14.

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.-1 Pet. v. 5.

IV.

Of the Appointment and Ordination of Officers in Churches. AND the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Take Aaron and his sons with him, &c. and gather thou all the congregation together, &c. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him, &c. and said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done. And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.-Levit. viii. 1, &c.

Thou shalt bring the Levites before the tabernacle of the congregation, and thou shalt gather the whole assembly of the children of Israel together: and thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord, and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites.-Numb. viii. 9. 11.

Peter stood up in the midst of the him a charge.-Numb. xxvii. 18, 19. disciples, and said (the number of 22, 23. the names together, were about an Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of hundred and twenty), &c. Wherefore, the spirit of wisdom: for Moses had of these men which have companied laid his hands upon him.-Deut. with us all the time that the Lord xxxiv. 9.

Jesus went in and out among us, &c. must one be ordained, to be a witness with us of his resurrection. And they appointed two, &c. And they prayed, and said, Thou Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, &c. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.--Acts. i. 15.

21.27.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, &c. Brethren, look ye out among you seven men, of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business, &c. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, &c.-Acts vi. 2, 3. 5, 6.

And when they had ordained them elders by suffrage in every church, and had prayed, with fasting, they commended them to the Lord.-Acts xiv. 22, 23.

For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee.-Titus i. 5.

TWELFTHLY. Of laying on of Hands upon the several occasions, and to the several ends in Scripture mentioned.

Bring forth him that hath cursed, without the camp, and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head.-Levit. xxiv. 14.

Thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord; and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites.-Numb. viii. 10.

Moses set Joshua before Eleazar, and before all the congregation, and he laid his hands upon him, and gave

They chose Stephen, &c. whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.-Acts vi. 5, 6.

Peter and John prayed, and laid their hands on the disciples, and they received the Holy Ghost.—Acts viii. 14, 15. 17.

The prophets and teachers at Antioch, by the command of the Holy Ghost, to separate Paul and Barnabas, &c. did pray, and fast, and lay their hand upon them.-Acts xiii. 1-3.

Paul, finding certain disciples, &c. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them.-Acts xix. 1.6.

Paul prayed, and laid his hands on Publius's father, and healed him, being sick.-Acts xxviii. 8.

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

Lay hands suddenly on no man: neither be partaker of other men's sins.-1 Tim. v. 22.

Stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands. -2 Tim. i. 6.

repentance, &c. and of laying on of Not laying again the foundation of hands.—Heb. vi. 1, 2.

THIRTEENTHLY. Of the several Ordinances of Christ, to be observed in and by the Churches of Christ, and elsewhere.

The earth is defiled under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, &c.—Isa. xxiv. 5.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, &c. And they, continuing daily with

one accord in the temple, &c.-Acts ii. 41, 42. 46.

And now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.-1 Cor. xi. 2.

ORDINANCE I. Prayers.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, &c.-Acts i. 14.

And they continued, &c. and in prayers. Acts ii. 42.

II. Reading, teaching, preaching of

the Word of God; Prophesying.

THOU shalt set him king over thee, whom, &c. He shall write him a copy of this law in a book, &c. he shall read therein all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord. Deut. xvii. 15. 18-20. 2 Kings xxii. 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. Gather the people together; men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates; that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law; and that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear and learn to fear the Lord, &c. —Deut. xxxi. 11—13.

Joshua read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according unto all that is written in the book of the law; there was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.Josh. viii. 34, 35.

Jehoshaphat sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, &c. to teach in the cities of Judah, and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests; and they taught in Judah, and had the

book of the law of the Lord with them: and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.-2 Chron. xvii. 7-9.

And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation, &c. and he read therein, &c. from the morning until midday, &c. Also Joshua and Bani, &c. and the Levites caused the people to understand the law, and the people stood in their place: so they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the read

ing.-Neh. viii. 1–9. xiii. 1.

He established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children, &c. that they might set their hope in God, &c.-Ps. lxxvii. 5—7.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors: for whoso findeth me, findeth life.-Prov. viii. 34, 35.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, &c. that publisheth salvation, &c.-Isa. lii. 7. Neh. i. 15.

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully; what is the chaff to the wheat, saith the Lord?-Jer. xxiii. 28, 29.

Thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.-Ezek. ii. 7.

They shall wander from sea to sea, &c. to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.-Amos viii. 12.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, and then shall the end, &c.-Matt. xxiv. 14.

Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, &c. teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.-Matt. xxviii. 19, 20.

The parable of the sower opened

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