The Glory of a True Church and its Discipline Displayed, Part 1 – Part 4
Concerning a True and Orderly Gospel-Church.
BEfore there can be any Orderly Discipline among a Christian Assembly, they must be orderly and regularly constituted into a Church-state, according to the Institution of Christ in the Gospel.
1. A Church of Christ,Act. 2.41, 42, 43, 44. according to the Gospel-Institution, is a Congregation of Godly Christians,Act. 8.14. Act. 19.4, 5, 6. Eph. ….1, 2. and ….12, 13, 19. who as a Stated-Assembly (being first baptized upon the Profession of Faith) do by mutual agreement and consent give themselves up to the Lord,Col. 1.2, 4, 12. and one to another, according to the Will of God;1 Pet. 2.5. and do ordinarily meet together in one Place,Act. 5.13, 14. for the Publick Service and Worship of God;Rom. 6.17. among whom the Word of God and Sacraments are duly administred,Heb. 6.1, 2. according to Christ's Institution.
Rom. 6.3, 4, 5.2. The Beauty and Glory of which Congregation doth consist in their being all Converted Persons,1 Pet. 2.4, 5, 6. or lively Stones; being by the Holy Spirit,Eph. 2.20, 21. united to Jesus Christ the Precious Corner-Stone, and only foundation of every Christian,Col. 2.19. as well as of every particular Congregation, and of the whole Catholick Church.
3. That every Person before they are admitted Members, in such a Church so constituted, must declare to the Church (or to such with the Pastor, that they shall appoint) what God hath done for their Souls,Psa. 66.16. Act. 11.4, 5, 6, &c. 23, 24. or their Experiences of a Saving work of Grace upon their Hearts; and also the Church should enquire after,1 Pet. 3.15. and take full satisfaction concerning their Holy Lives,2 Cor. 8.5. or Good Conversations.Jer. 50.5.
And when admitted Members, before the Church they must solemnly enter into a Covenant, to walk in the Fellowship of that particular Congregation,Heb. 13.17. and submit themselves to the Care and Discipline thereof, and to walk faithfully with God in all his Holy Ordinances, and there to be fed and have Communion, and worship God there,1 Pet. 5.1, 2. when the Church meets (if possible) and give themselves up to the watch and charge of the Pastor and Ministry thereof: the Pastor then also signifying in the name of the Church their acceptance of each Person, and endeavour to take the care of them, and to watch over them in the Lord, (the Members being first satisfied to receive them, and to have Communion with them.) And so the Pastor to give them the right Hand of Fellowship of a Church, or Church Organical.
Of an Organical Church.A Church thus constituted ought forthwith to choose them a Pastor, Elder or Elders, and Deacons, (we reading of no other Officers, or Offices abiding in the Church) and what kind of Men they ought to be,1 Tim. 3.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. and how qualified, is laid down by Paul to Timothy, Tit. 1.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.and to Titus. Moreover, they are to take special care, that both Bishops, Overseers, or Elders, as well as the Deacons, have in some competent manner all those Qualifications; and after in a Day of solemn Prayer and Fasting,Tit. 1.7. Act. 6.6. that they have elected them,2 Tim. 5.22. (whether Pastor, &c. or Deacons) and they accepting the Office, must be ordained with Prayer, and laying on of Hands of the Eldership; being first prov'd, and found meet and fit Persons for so Sacred an Office: Therefore such are very disorderly Churches who have no Pastor or Pastors ordained, they acting not according to the Rule of the Gospel, having something wanting.
Of the work of a Pastor, Bishop or Overseer.
1. THe work of a Pastor is to preach the Word of Christ, or to feed the Flock,1 Cor. 9.16, 17. and to administer all the Ordinances of the Gospel which belong to his Sacred Office,Act. 20.31 35. and to be faithful and laborious therein, studying to shew himself approved unto God,2 Tim. 2.15. a Work-man that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. 2 Cor. 4.1, 2.He is a Steward of the Mysteries of God, 1 Tim. 3.therefore ought to be a Man of good Understanding and Experience, being sound in the Faith, and one that is acquainted with the Mysteries of the Gospel:Jer. 3.15. Because he is to feed the People with Knowledg and Vnderstanding. He must be faithful and skilful to declare the Mind of God,2 Tim. 4.2. and diligent therein, also to preach in season and out of season; God having committed unto him the Ministry of Reconciliation,2 Cor. 5.19 a most choice and sacred Trust. What Interest hath God greater in the World which he hath committed unto Men than this? Moreover, he must make known the whole Counsel of God to the People.Act. 20.20, 27.
2. A Pastor is to visit his Flock,Pro. 27.23. to know their state, 1 Thess. 5.15.and to watch over them, to support the weak, and to strengthen the feeble-minded, and succour the tempted, and to reprove them that are unruly.
3. To pray for them at all times, and with them also when sent for, and desired, and as Opportunity serves; and to sympathize with them in every State and Condition, with all Love and Compassion.
4. And to shew them in all respects, as near as he can,1 Tim. 4.12. a good Example in Conversation, Charity, Faith and Purity; that his Ministry may be the more acceptable to all, and the Name of God be glorified, and Religion delivered from Reproach.
5. He must see he carries it to all with all Impartiality,Jam. 2.4. not preferring the Rich above the Poor,1 Tim. 5.21. nor lord it over.1 Pet. 5.3. and 5.6. God's Heritage, nor assume any greater Power than God hath given him; but to shew a humble and meek Spirit, nay to be clothed with Humility.
The Office and Work of Deacons.
The Deacons Work.THE Work of Deacons is to serve Tables,Act. 6.1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10. viz. to see to provide for the Lord's Table, the Minister's Table,Acts 5.7, 8, 9, 10. and the Poor's Table (1.) They should provide Bread and Wine for the Lord's Table. (2.) See that every Member contributes to the Maintenance of the Ministry,1 Cor. 16.2. according to their Ability, and their own voluntary Subscription or Obligation. (3.) That each Member do give weekly to the Poor, as God has blessed him. (4.) Also visit the Poor, and know their Condition as much as in them lies;Acts 6.1. that none, especially the aged Widows, be neglected.
Of the Duty of Church-Members to their Pastor.
1st. 'TIS the Duty of every Member to pray for their Pastor and Teachers. Brethren, 1 Thess. ….25.pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run and be glorified. Again, saith Paul, Praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, Heb. 13.18.to speak the Mystery of Christ. Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him. They that neglect this Duty seem not to care either for their Minister, or their own Souls, or whether Sinners be converted, and the Church edified or not. They pray for their daily Bread, and will they not pray to have the Bread of Life plentifully broken to them?