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 ^ 
 
 

 
 CHRIST 
 
 ON HIS 
 
 THRONE. 
 
 OR, 
 
 ^ ChriftsChurch-governmcnt brief- 
 ly laid downc ; and how it ought to 
 
 bee fet up in all€hriftian Con- 
 gregations. 
 
 Refolvcd in fundry Cafes of Confcicncc, 
 
 IE K. 6.16. 
 
 Thus faith the Lord ; Stand je in the wayes ****['* * nA 
 aske for theold paths, where is the pod w*j y *ndw*lkj here- 
 to andyejhallfoide reftfer your fifties. 
 
 LVKE I9. 2 7« 
 But thoft mine Enemies , which would not that I Jhould 
 takeover them, krm£ them hither and flay them bejore me. 
 
 Printed in the yeare 1640. 
 
MODELL 
 
 OF THE *" 
 
 Government of the Church under 
 the Gofpel, by Presbyters, 
 
 Proved ouc of the holy Script ures, to be that one, onely 
 
 uniform Government of the univerfall vifible Church, and 
 
 of all Nationall, Provincial^ Clafiicall and Congrc- 
 
 gationall Churches : which is according to the 
 
 will and appointment of Jefus Chrift. 
 
 Which may ferveto ftay fuch as are doubting, 
 
 withhope of full fatisfa<ftion> and clear demonstra- 
 tion of this truth, ftiortlytobemadeby the 
 Reverend Aflembly of Divines. 
 
 Compofed by a Presbyterian Minifter of the City of Lo.^dott^ 
 
 and approved by divers of his learned Brethren, 
 
 and at their requeft Publifaed. 
 
 *yt <>£ %£? v£> ^> -Cjr *>£> <£/ -QJ -U£r -i^g * *& <£r ijjf ■^ r - -^f -C^l %£> Xjpr <jp 
 
 LONDON/ 
 
 Trinted ioxTho* Z/»derhill, and are to beTcliat his fhop 
 at the figne of the Bible in WoocKlreet. ' 1646. 
 
 !■ 
 

To the Honourable City of London, 
 
 and all the Inhabitants thereof, who fin- 
 
 cerely fcek and defire a true reformation of the 
 Church, according to the Word of God. 
 
 Ive mt leave , mo fi famous and renowned 
 City 9 and je the Right Honeurable Lerd 
 CMajor, the Right Worf)ipfull ^yildermen, 
 and religious Common-Conn cell and Com- 
 movers > to congratulate and rejoice withyou^ 
 for that honour which the Lord hath laid on jouin thefe dates 
 of great confufion. Tou y under God, have been the guard of 
 this prefent Parliament, by which fo great things have been 
 done for the fafety and defence of three Kingdoms. Tour 
 free contributions of your wealth and (ubflance^ have been 
 the finews of this wane, undertaken for the defence of cur 
 Religion 3 Laws and Liberties. Few Counties in this 
 Kingdom have been able to defend themfelves t much lejje to 
 help others, except thofe whom you have encouraged, andfet 
 on work by yeur example, and to whom you have been a lul- 
 wark againfl the enemies, who by you have been terrified 
 from invading them. All the afociated Counties have 
 caufe to blejje God for the vicinity and fieighbour-hood of 
 London. And all the reft of the Kingdom may fay, 
 if the Lord had not helped tis by the Forces^ Arms, and 
 fupplies of men and money from London, we had been 
 
 A i utterly 
 
The Epiftlc Dedicatory, 
 
 utterly deftroied and hid wafle. But the chief glory he- 
 ft owed on yon by God, is your courage for the truth, and 
 true Chriftian Religion your earneft (tudy, and conflant 
 endeavour for promoting an happy Reformation of the Church 
 in Religion, DoHrine, Worfhip, and Difcipltnc^ accord- 
 ing to the Word of God 5 your zeal against Seffmes, 
 Schifmaticks, Heretich, and Blafphemers, who labour 
 cunningly to corrupt your fervants, to Jleal away the hearts 
 of your wives and children, to pull many fair feathers 
 cut of your wings, and to draw Dijciples after them, and 
 your ftanding sleadfft in the old paths, and walking in 
 that good way, Ier.6.16. which the Lord Chrifi by his 
 Apoflles hath prsfcribed to the Vniverfall Church 5 In 
 vrhich all the pure primitive Churches of eld, and aUthe 
 be ft reformed churches have walked from the dales of your 
 Fathers, untiS this day. God hath in able d you wonder- 
 fully by his grace, to reftft the fubtle temptations of the 
 world and the Devil. I know when yon were courted 
 with offers of great eft honours and priviledgcs, to with- 
 draw yon from your purpofe and refifution, of (landing 
 for the common weal of State and Church, and of jut- 
 porting and upholding of the pro^s and pi Mars of this Land, 
 w hen it trembled, and was reaiyto be difolvcd. 
 
 I cannot fir get that fad time, full of fears and dan- 
 gers, when (the chief command of your City, being in the 
 hand and fffivir of ' Malignant s, who had alfo a Ilron* 
 
 ion,6y which they attempted to overthrew you) it was 
 the (p'riion and prcfepen cf fame of the mo ft faith full Pa- 
 Hiffir, *ud wife members of Parliament, that unleffe God 
 did put into jour hearts a refolutionto ft and up for them, 
 they fjad fmall hope offaving either the Church and King- 
 dom from mine, or our Religion t Laws, Liberties, and thrir 
 
 own 
 
The hpiitlc Dedicatory. 
 
 $wn lives from deflrutt ion 3 and in that juncture of time 
 .the Lord did put fitch a f fir it of courage , fortitude and 
 holy zeal into you, who were the main body of the City, 
 that you Hood up, and appeared openly for the worthy Pa. 
 trons of your Religion, Laws and Liberties , whereby they 
 were animated to proceed vigor ou fly in their wonted ' courfc 
 ofjuftice^ to the terrour and afl'onifbment of all the ene- 
 mies and diflurbers of our peace. After this you have 
 ken Hrongly affaulted by fpirituall wickedness divers 
 waxes. 
 
 Fir ft, by cunning feducers^ who ufurping the name and 
 outward [hew of rare Saints, have Jlollen away the hearts 
 of many, and with feigned fanciity and large promt fes 
 of a pure platform and model! of Church -Difcipline and 
 perfect Reformation, according to Chriflsown inflitution, 
 have drawn them into Schifme, and (eparation from their 
 own Congregations. But you, by your wifdom have quick- 
 ly fmelled out their fraud, and vain hoofing of great 
 things , which they can never perform and bring to 
 
 ? 4 fft' 
 
 Secondly, you have been tried , (when Scriptures fail- 
 ed them, and favoured not their modefl) with bold pre- 
 tences of new lights, which you have fcorned^ <ts wife 
 men are wont to fcorn, and not vouch fafe to look after thofe 
 ignes fatuos, wandrtng lights and night fires, by which 
 fools, who follow them tn the dark, are lead into danger- 
 ous pits, boggs, ditches, and downfalls. 
 
 Thirdly, they have reprtfented unto you Presbyterian 
 
 Government as a Bugbear, and cruel! mcnfler, worfethen 
 
 Popery and Prelacy, unto which if you (nbmit, yo-t and 
 
 your children are male (laves forever, to the InU if proud, 
 
 pecvifl)) tyranntcall Priests 5 ^sfnd attthough many cre- 
 
 K^d 3 du. 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory.' 
 dnlous fools, and nnft able fouls, are hereby ter rifled and 
 skaredout of their wits, and run wilde after [ever aII 
 dangerous feels, and know net where to reft ■ ret you are 
 nofuchflrangers to the G off el, nor fo link acquainted 
 with the Scripture, of the New Teftament, lt s to be mo. 
 ved wtth fuch skareerowes • but rather by fuch rabid 
 railing again ft Government of the church by clalTicall 
 Presbyteries, you have been moved and ftirred up (after 
 ferious confideratien, and confutation had with Hour rod 
 ly Paftours, and Teachers, diligent fearchin? of the Scr'i 
 ftures, and good affurance of undemanding ofdivinetrutl 
 gained to your fdves ) to be more earneft and impmu. 
 nate w promoting that Presbyterian Government, befides 
 which there is no mention of any other in all the writing 
 of the Affiles ; nor any other acknowledged or recef 
 wtid'"'*" 3 re f ermed ch «"bcs in alCthe Chriftian 
 
 The AfoUicaU Church at Jerufalem, cenSffiw of 
 many thoufands and ten thoufands of heleeveis, J d Co 
 many particular Congregations, wo* altogether governed 
 by the Afoftles and Presbyters, ^iffemblies, Synods and 
 Presbyteries, as appears, A<5t.n. 3<3 . an d [. ' '"* 
 21 18. The Chnftian Church of the Gentiles ^W 
 unto chriftin feverall Nations, Countries and <%££ 
 Paul and Barnabas, had every one their Presbyters or 
 darned to have rule over them in the Lord Aft? 
 33. ' rvLl si4. 
 
 The Church ofEphefus, that great city of Alia had 
 alfo divers Presbyters, whom the Hcly gL/ had tie 
 fiver feers to watch m common ever it, Ads 20 m IT 
 ^4ndofthemS. P^\ fpeaks, 1 l m < ° 7 
 let the Eiders that J well *^2j£5 
 
 double 
 
The Epiitlc Dedicatory. 
 
 double honour. Alfo S. Paul left Titus in Crcef, 
 And appointed him to ordain Presbyters in every City, 
 and Juch overfeers as were fit to rule the Church, Tir. 
 1.5. Peter and Iohn were Presbyters, and called 
 themfelves fo , 44 they with others governed fever all 
 Churches^ i.Pet. 5. !• John 2. 1. And John ?. 1. 
 Wherefore, London, thou that haft chofen the hefk 
 fart, rejoice in the Lord thy G$d^ who hath made his 
 glory to rife upon thee , And his light to (hine upon thy 
 grAve Senatours , thy religious Common Councdl , and 
 aII thy true he Art ed Citizens; and hath led them into 
 thofe waies which be in chrtfl , which SAint Paul 
 tAught every where, and in every Church , 1 Cor. 4. 
 17. For the encouraging of you , worthy Citizens, in 
 your conftancy , and for the confirming of them that are 
 wedk and wavering , I have framed out of the Scri- 
 ptures this brief dtfcourfc, concerning th.tt one uniform- 
 Church -Government , which Chrift by his Apo flies or- 
 dained , and appointed to be Jet up in the whole univer- 
 fill Church , and to be obferved in all other Churches , 
 members of the univerfall. Here you hAve the HeAvcn- 
 ly pater n fhadewtd out in afmall ccrnpajje, of thAt Go- 
 vernment , for the eJlAbltjhment whereof in this City 
 And Kingdom, you have flood up and ap feared openly at 
 fever all times, if the Lord be plea/ed to bleffe yon with 
 courage for his truth, and with conftancy and perfeve- 
 rance till yon obtain four defire, which us the defire alfo 
 of all Orthodox faitbfull Mirtiflers in the Land, then 
 fhall London be called The City of the Lord, the Zion 
 of the holy cne of Ifracl; And they who defpife her and 
 ft And up azainft her, to Under the work of God in bcr 
 binds, [I: all bow down At the f Us of her feet, and her 
 
 emmizs 
 
The Epiftle Dedicatory. 
 enemies (b«U lick the dufi, even lick up the duff of her 
 feet, for they fliall not be sjhmed who wit fir the Lord, 
 
 Tfa.49. 23. 
 
 This is the prater of 'your fervantin 
 the work of the Lord, andhnmble 
 ftp pliant for ymprofperhy at 
 
 the throne of grace. 
 
 G.W. 
 
 A 
 
tft 4ft* #g~ fy* *£■ *£- ^jf <r^ «* ^ftv 
 
 |Hb l^jfr 
 
 AModellofthe Government of the 
 
 Church under the Gofpei, by Prcsbyters.pro- 
 
 ved out of the holy Scriptures, to be that one 5 
 onely uniform Government of the univerfall 
 vifible Church,and of all Nationjll,Pro- 
 vinciall, ClaiTicall and Congrega- 
 tional! Churches : which is ac- 
 cording to the will and ap- 
 pointment of Jefus 
 Chrift. 
 
 He holy Scriptures of the New Teftamentdo fpeak 
 mod plainly of a Church Government, and ot ru- 
 ling and rulers,which the Lord Jefus Chrift hath 
 appointed to be in his Church vifible on earth 
 ^ in the times under the Gofpei : the patern and 
 platform of this GovernmeDt,together with a coinmiflion to go- 
 vern the univerfall Church in all Nations according to it, he 
 gave to his Apoftles byword ot mouth in the time of his life 
 (as the Gofpei in divers paffages doth teftifie) and after his paf- 
 fion, when he fhewed himfelf alive unto them, and was feen of 
 themfourry daies, fpeaking the things pertaining to the King- 
 dom of God, j4 tt.i.$. And that the Apoftks by word and 
 writing, and by their example and practice, might infallibly 
 inftruft all Churchts by them, gathered unto him in all Nations, 
 and might deliver unto them, (o as they had received from the 
 mouth of him thefupream Lord, that one uniform Government: 
 He filled them with extraordinary gifts, and (cnt onto them the 
 holy Ghoftjthe Comforter, to lead them into all truth, ]oh.\6, 
 i$. to teach them all things, and to bring all things to their re- 
 membrance, whatfoevtr he had (aid unco them, fab, 14. 2 6. 
 And thatGovernrhent,which they partly by word and Wntii 
 
 B 
 
(*} 
 
 and partly by their example and pra&ice,did prescribe uniform- 
 ly in all Churches, is of divine inftution : and to it all Ortho- 
 dox reformed Churches in all the Chriftian world at this day, 
 have (ubmitted themfeives, acknowledging it to be the onely 
 Government Ecclefiafticall which is fare divino, and by the 
 will and appointment of Jefus Chrift. And yet in this una- 
 ble and wavering age and generation, and in this unfetled ftate, 
 and land full of confufion ; as the giddy-headed multitude,which 
 are like clouds without water, carried about with every winde 
 of Doftrine, and dream of new lights beginning to appear, da 
 call into queftion the favingdo&rines of cececnall truth, and the 
 chief Articles of the Chnftian faith, firmly beleeved,conftantiy 
 profeffed, and never doubted of by any true Chriftians : So al- 
 fo many of the wifeft Statelmen,who are efteemed the pillars of 
 the Kingdom, and theftay of the State, do doubt and make 
 queftion, whether there be any Church Government fare 
 Divino&nd by the will and appointment of jefus Chrift ? What 
 shat Government is ? Who are the Governours ? And by what 
 rules and laws they ought to govern ? And how farre, and in 
 what things, matters and caaies, power is given to them by 
 Chrift to rule and govern in the Church ? For the anfwering of 
 all fuch queftions, and removing of all fuch doubts and fcruples, 
 I will endeavour, out or love to the truth, and zeal to the honour 
 of Chrift, and the advancement of his Kingly power in his 
 Church, to lay down fome fore grounds of Doctrine, gathered 
 out of holy Scripture, and proved by clear teilimorrics of Gods 
 fpirit, fpeaking in the infallible written word. 
 
 And firft,I take this as an undeniable principle, That what- 
 foever Chrift hath with his own mouth commanded, or by his 
 fpiric moved his Apoftles to teach by writing ai;d word, or by 
 example and praftice* concerning the well ordering and Go- 
 vernment or his Church in any place, which is as ufctull in 
 all places, and the reaion of it (tands firm in all ages, and ic may 
 be pradikd profitably by ordinary Paltours; Alio whadoever is 
 neceffarily prefuppoied, or included in any thing, which Chrift: 
 in the Goipdcominandeth, or of neceflity mutt follow there- 
 upon, isjitre divi.no> and by the wjII and appointment ofje- 
 
 (usChnftv 
 
 Secondly,. 
 
O) 
 
 Secondly ,becaufe the main queftion which comes to be an- 
 fwered, upon which all the reft do depend, is, Whether there be 
 any proper and particular Church- Government diftinft from 
 Civill Government .-The an! wer is eafy, andfuchasmay fully 
 fatisfic any reafonable Chriftian. For firft,in every Nation, 
 Kingdom, and ftate wherein Chriftian Religion is publikely and 
 generally prof effed, all the people are to be considered two 
 waies. Firft,as men and members of acivill focietyor Com- 
 mon Wealth. Secondly ,as Chriftian men and members of the 
 Church, the myfticall body or Chrift. As they are members of 
 the Common- wealth, they are to be ruled by the laws of men 
 which are there in force, and do binde them to obedience in 
 temporall things to their Kings and Civill Magiftrates, and to 
 good order and behaviour among themfelves, rorthe peace and 
 iafety of humane fociety, and of the civill State. And this Go- 
 vernment may be among them who are Turks, Heathens and 
 not Chriftians, for it is common to all men of all Nations,States 
 and Kingdoms. But as they are Chriftians and members of the 
 Church, Chrifts myfticall body, fo they are to be governed by 
 the law of Chrift, which bindes them to the obedience of 
 him in all things, which concern their fpirituafl eftate, heaven- 
 ly life, and bleflednes, and to holy communion among them- 
 felvts in fpirituall things. Thefe two Stares and Governments 
 arefodiftinft and different, that eitherof them may ftand alone 
 without the other. There arc and have been divers earthly King* 
 doms well ordered, and wifely governed in all outward tempo- 
 rail things, in which Chrift hath had no Church, neither was 
 Chnftianity known or profeiTed. And again, Chrift hath had a 
 Church well governed, and flourifhing in Religion, grace, and 
 godlines, when there was no civill Government, King, or Ci- 
 vill Magiftrate to help or uphold it, but all fetagainftit, toper- 
 fecute, vex, and make havockofit; as it was in the daies of 
 Chrift and of hisApoftles, and in divers ages after: And yet 
 Chrift was the King, and the Church was his Kingdom in which 
 he ruled, and is called the Kingdom of God, C\Tattk % 12.28. 
 and that Kingdom of heaven, Mutth. 3. 2. &4. 14. Now a 
 Kingdom is not an Anarchy, that is,a confufed multitude with- 
 out Government ; but a Monarchy,in which there is one King 
 
 ii a who 
 
(4) 
 
 who is fuprcam Governour. And in the Church,which is Gods 
 holy hill, and fpirituall Zion, Chrift alone is the King, PfaL 2. 6. 
 &Zech.9.9. foh.12.11. andthehead, andk>leruler,^f.2,6\ 
 Ephef.i.zi. and the Government is on his Qioulder, Jfa.g 6. 
 He alfo alone is the Lord, and Law-giver, If 4. 3.3 . 2 2. lam 4. 1 2. 
 and his Word is the law and rule of Government, Ifa.i*i> yea 
 the law, and rule by which the fpirit ruleth^w.^. and to 
 which he is limited in moving and working, I oh. 16.13. 
 
 3. But that Church-Government maybe more clearly and 
 diftinftly underftood : we arc further to diftinguifh between 
 the fuprcme power of Government, which is onely in the 
 band ofChrift j and the delegated power,which he hath given 
 to his Minifters, to exercifc under himafubordinate and mi- 
 neftcriall Government. 
 
 Thefupreme Government which is in the hand of Chrift is 
 Monarchicall :For to him alone all power is given in heaven 
 and in earth, M4th. 28.18. and he is fit at Gods right hand,far 
 above all principalitie,and power, and might and dominion, and 
 every name that is named both in this world, and in that which 
 is to come. And God hath put all things under his feet, and gave 
 him to be head over all things to the Church which is his bo- 
 dy, Ephef 1.21.22. And this power of Government is proper 
 to him, and ne refcrves it to himfelf. But the fubordinateand 
 Mimfberiall power of Government, he gave to his ApofUcs and 
 to their Succcffours, MarJ^i6.i$. foh.io.n. where he faid, 
 As my father hath fent me : fo fend I you. Go into all the world, 
 and preach the Gcfpell to every Crearure. And promifedtobc 
 with them aiwayes to the end of the world, Ai4th. 28.20, 
 And left any mould thinke that this rule and Government of 
 the Church, was limited to the Apoftles, and was to dye, and 
 and to expire with them: The Scriptures do fully prove, and 
 plainly demonftrate,. that it was alio by Gods appointment 
 imparted ro others in the Apoftks dayes, as 1 Cor, .1.2.2 8* 
 where the A poftle writes, that God hath fet in his Church, not 
 onely Apoftles* Prophets and others of extraordinary gifts; but 
 alfo teachers > helps, and Governments. And Rom. 128. The 
 Church is compared to a naturall body, and the feverall mem- 
 bers thereof havine gifts differing according to the grace that 
 
W 
 
 is given them, are commanded to exercife their gifts, and to 
 waiton their feverall offices, as Prophets on prophefykig? 
 Minifters on miniftering ; Teachers on teachi ;g, and he , hat 
 ruleth on ruling with diligence. AndiTheJf. 5.1 2. the bre- 
 thren are intreated to know them that la'oour a.i;o ;^ them- 
 and are over them in theLord,and admonifh them,and to cltccm 
 them very highly in love For their wcrks fake : and 1 Tim. 517. 
 Let the Elders that rule well (faith the ApoftkJ bs 
 counted worthy of double honour ,cfpecially they chat labour 
 in the word and dodrine:and Heb. 1 3.7. He inioynes the bre- 
 thren ro remember them that have the rule over them : and verf. 
 17. to obey them and fubmit themfclves, becaufe they watch 
 for their fouIcs,as they that muft give account; and verf. 24, he 
 faith, Salute them that have the rule over you. All which- Scri- 
 ptures, and many others, wherein feverall a&s of Government 
 arc commanded to be done by Paftours and overfeers of the 
 Churcb,other ads of difcipline commended, when they were 
 done, and the neglect of them blamed, do prove a Mimftcriall. 
 Government in the hand of Church rulers Jure divino^ and by 
 the appointment of Chrifh 
 
 4. The fubordinatc and Mimftcriall Government which 
 Chrift hath fct up in bis Church, is not Monarch c^l, as that fu~ 
 prcmc Government is which he referves to himfelf ; Neither is 
 it Civil, left to Civil Magiftrates, who judge and rule over men? 
 in Civil ftates, and fecicties, and about temporal and worldly 
 affaires of this life, fuch judging and d.viding our Saviour d\ f- 
 claymcd,£*%. 12.14. faying,Who made me a judge or a divi- 
 der over you? when a man requited him to fpeak to his brother 
 to divide the inheritance with him. And he told PiUt 3 that his 
 kingdom was not of this world. John. 1 8.30*. They wro rule un- 
 der him in his Church muft meddle oncly with fpiritual things 
 whichconcerne mens fpirnualeiiatcs, and eternal life and the 
 lalvation of their foulcs. And they arc all equal intitlc,booour 
 and office, even Riders, ltcwa:"dsand d.fpenfersof holy things* 
 Thcrcisnooncchcif Lord above the rcltinthc whole Church 
 ©n earth, or in any -rut thereof) whetner N itional, Provinc'all 
 or ClaiTlcal Church B k of the Apoftlcs w 10 were the chid P • 
 flours and rulers in msoi.uicl 3 iciaid, Wiiofocvcr willbc great 
 
 B 3 among 
 
among you, let him be your miniQer. Matt. 20.26 zndLut 
 21.16, And as Peur received this kflbn from hsltnic? 
 gave charge to all Presbyters of the ChurT&^J 6 ^ 
 Presbytery w th himfelf,tbat they muft A^&ffc 
 flock,and not be as Lords over Gods inheritance h» f. . r 
 plcstotheflock, 1 -Pet. ^^Th ea atbSt?Sdthlcrf t T 
 our Saviour will have left to the Kings and Rukrs of ftl^ ^ 
 Kingdoms on earth, Luk, a 2. ay S ° ftates and 
 
 Nations,who had a charge and Commiflion ftm,af7™ ,n 
 ther and build up Churches in auThe WorW and ?J \°K 
 and inftrudt all people to obferve | f hi„"' u/° tcach 
 
 had commanded themes weS the ScriZeif f ° flVCr £ 
 
 ces,wherethe cxercife of the powercf the Cesofrh/l!;^ 
 
 reft, ^ i5.,p. IS alfo g.ven in common to them all a , »h£ 
 were the Church reprcfentative, and ftood in L„i' f X 
 Paftours and Teachers to the end of the world tfo^u *' 
 any two or three of them were gath'redreeth-r in M, v " * 
 hepromifed to be in the midft of them S 8 *, K 3 ™,' 
 Jot. 20.23.And as the LordChrift gave SSS °; and 
 lHes ; fo they exercifed it fometimef in common , \ P °" 
 thegencrail A ffemb.5 , of the ' D^^^g^ - 
 ^#. 1.1 y. m the election of an Apoftle in the lu? TtJ 
 and AH. 6.2. about the eleftion^and OdS of SL f ' 
 Deacons, and AH. 1 y 6. about the decSEf^ ? VCn 
 verfie concerning Circumcifion and o her Kjrgl^T 
 lmpofcd on the belicvina Gnitil« L? Jnolto bc 
 
 gclifls 
 
(7) 
 
 gelffts and Presbyters by them ordained, the fame uniforme go- 
 vernment, and the fame wayinChrill both for DocTrine and 
 Discipline. So the great ApofUeofthe Gentiles plainly teftifi- 
 eth, I Cor. 417- writing thus, fir this fau/e have 1 fent to jo* 
 Timotheut, who i* my beloved fonne and faithfull in the Lord y 
 Who Jball bring you into remembrance of mj W'aies which be 
 in ft ri ft* as I teach every where in every Churchy and I Cor.j. 
 17. So ordain J in all Churches. And he who had the care or' 
 all the Churches (as he faith,) 2 Cor. 11.28. keepsthem to 
 the lame cuftome,as is implied, 2 Cor, 1 1. 16. where fpeaking 
 ofnewfafhionsfor which fome are ready to contend , he faith, 
 If any man feem to be contentious y tt 7 * hone no fuch cuftome, 
 nor the Churches of god. 
 
 6. Now this minifteriall uniforme government fetled by 
 Chrift and his Apoftles in all Churches,Nationall,and Provinci- 
 al', and Clafficall in every Circuir, as it was in the hands of the 
 Paftours, Presbyters and ovcrfeers,foit was Ariftccraticall. But 
 as the whole Church and multitude cf believets bad liberty in 
 clc&ions to nominate fuch as they found meft fit to be ovcr- 
 fcers and officers, and orderly to give their approbation cf the 
 Ads of the Elderfhips, fiitis in fome part Democraticall. As 
 we fee in the election of the feven D^cons, Aft. 6. The twelve 
 Afoftlcs appointed that feven men of honeft report, and full 
 the holy GhoA fhould be ordained. The multitude chofc them, 
 and fet them before the Apofiles, who ordained them with 
 prayer and impofition of hands. So alfo A[l. 15. The ApolUcs 
 and Llderscame together, to confid v rcfamatter,and to decide 
 a Controverfie brought unto them from the Church of Anti- 
 och,verf 6. Peter and lames debated the bufinefc and gave 
 thcfentcncc,rogethcr with the Eiders, and all thcbrcthrcn,e- 
 ven the whole Church approved thsfentence given by lames, 
 and thereupon a decree was framed in the name of 'them all, 
 verf. 25. And in the ordaining or Presbyters in eveiie Church, 
 Acl y i^.t ?.As the Apofiles TauL^oi V.arnabas with SiLu p. , 
 cd and layd on their hands, fothc people holding up their 
 hands, approved the election and ordination. Thefc examples, 
 and thefe practices of Church government in Synods and great- 
 er Presbyteries performed by men who had received inltt uni- 
 ons- 
 
(8) 
 
 ens from Chrifts ownc mouth, and were inf pired and moved 
 there nnto by the holy Ghoft, and the rcafon of them (till (land- 
 ing in force jthey do (hew thatfuch Synods and ads of Church- 
 Government arc according to the will and appointment of 
 Chrift and are ufefull and ncceflary to the end of the world. 
 And ail Churches ought to conformc unto this fpeciall Govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Ob. But Come do objecl,that the Apoftlcs were men of ex- 
 traordinary gifts and calling, and had an infallible aflillanceof 
 the holy Ghoft,wbich did lead them into all truth, and could 
 do in their Synods and A ffcmblies things, which ordinaric Pa- 
 ftours and teachers cannot do, they could fayjt kerned good 
 to the holy Ghoft and to us, and could take upon them the care 
 and overflght of all Churches. But now it is well if one or two 
 of the wifeft Minifters can teach or rule one particular Con- 
 gregation^ is too much for them to meddle with the common 
 Government of many particular Churches. And therefore the 
 examples of the Apoftolicall Churches do not binde the Church- 
 es of thefe times. 
 
 Anf. To this I anfwer, Firft,that it was nccefla y, that the 
 Apoftlesand Evangelifts mould be extraordinarily called, infpi- 
 red and affifted by the holy Ghoft, that he might lead them in- 
 to all truth, and call to their remembrance all things whatfoe- 
 ver Chrift had taught them, and commanded them to be obser- 
 ved in all Churches to the end of the world; othcrwif- they 
 couU not have been the infallible penmen of the Scriptures, 
 which arc the certain rule both of Dcclrine, and D.Tcipline, 
 Neither could their example and practice have been an heavenly 
 pateme of Divine Authority, to all fucceding ages. But after 
 the publishing of the Gofpell by them to all the world, and 
 their writing of the holy Scripturef, and leaving them recorded 
 for a fure rule of teaching and ruling to all Chriftian Churches, 
 there is no more need of any fuch extraordinary calling and 
 gifts in their Succe{Iours,but ordinary Piftours, and Teachers, 
 by the ordinary light and direction of the holy Ghoft, who 
 hath made them Overfeers over the Church, may be as able to 
 cxercife Difcipline and cenfures, as to preach and propound 
 iound and ftviDg Doftrinc in the Church, out of the holy Scri- 
 ptures 
 
(9) 
 
 pturesofthe Apoftles,which are as phin a rule,and as certain a 
 diredion for ruling as they are for preaching. And to confirm 
 us in this aflurance, we have the promife of Chrift, that he will 
 be with his Minifters in all ages to the end of che world, as he 
 was with his Apofties, not only in teaching and Baptizing peo- 
 ple, but alfo making chem obiervers of all things whatlotver he 
 had commanded, Matth.i% t io m 
 
 Secondly, This objedion is of no more force againft the imi- 
 tation of the Apofties in their pradice, and ads of Church Go- 
 vernment in Synods, and greater- r resbyteries : then it is a- 
 gainft preaching their dodrine contained in their writings. For 
 they were men of extraordinary calling and gifts, in teaching 
 as well as in ruling. And if that be a good reaton againft ruling 
 after their example : I 1 is fo alio againft preaching of the fame 
 word and doctrine which they wrote and preached. 
 
 Thirdly, Although the Paftours and Teachers which CuzcQtd 
 the Apofties, are unable to work miracles, and to write infalli- 
 ble Scriptures, and give unchangeable rules to all Churches, as 
 the Apofties did, becaule they have not (uch extraordinary gifts 
 and calling: Vet in things which are in the power of ordinary 
 Presbyters and Paftours, as meeting many together in Synods 
 and Presbyteriall Allemblies, to decide and determine contro- 
 verfies,according to che Scriptures, it is a thing as eaiy and ordi- 
 nary for them wherein to imitate them : as for many Lords 
 and Commons to meet in a Parliament, to remove grievances 
 in the Common- wealth. And certainly fofarre as God makes 
 us able, we are bound to follow their pradice and exam- 
 ples. 
 
 fourthly, The more extraordinary gifts that the Apofties 
 ha i, the lefle need they had to meet in Synods and Ailcmblus, 
 either all, or divers of them together. T*nl and BArnabas 
 hid an infallible (pirit, and did dilpute againft the errour at An- 
 tiochymd condemned i;l>y as infallible a fcntence,asthe Apo- 
 fties did at Jcrstfalem, And yet for a paterne to all (ucceedipg 
 Churches, and to make the judgement and determination pf 
 more authority in all Churches of btleeving Jews and t i 
 and to lhew the unity of Ipirit and uniformity of dodrioc and 
 discipline among them all, an appeal was made to a generall 
 
 C 
 
(ro) 
 
 Synod, of all the Apoftles and Elders at Jgrttfalem. And 
 therefore ( the neceflary ufe and reafon of fuch Synods and 
 Claflicall Presbyteries, being ftill the fame in all ages; And 
 ordinary Minifters of Chrift having more need of common help 
 and afliftance, becaufe many eies fee more then one, and many 
 heads confuking together, will better fearchouc the truth and 
 true fenfe of Scripture in doubtful! matters, and of great con- 
 cernment) Theobje&ion doth make more for the confirmation 
 of the doftrine, to wit, that the practice and examples of the 
 Apoftles in the manner of governing the Church, is of divine 
 authority, and ought to be eftcemed the will and appointment 
 ©f Chrift. 
 
 7. Now cut of thefe points plainly proved by cteer texts of 
 holy Scripture ; We may eafily raife a perfeft definition or de- 
 scription of that Government partly Ecclefiafticall,which Chrift 
 as King of his Church, hath fet up therein, namely this, That 
 it is the exercife of power and authority in matters fpirituall, 
 which concern the iaivation of foulg • given by Chrift to the 
 Faftours and Elders of his Church, for the gathering, building 
 up, and well ordering of it, and for the perf efting of the Saints, 
 the members thereof. For the confirmation of this definition in 
 every part and member of it, we have expreffis words of holy 
 Scripture. 
 
 Firft, the Commifiion which Chnft the fupream Lord gave 
 to his Apoftles, and to their fucceftbuts in ail ages to the end cf 
 the world, was not only by preaching the Gofpel to make men 
 Diicipks, but alfotc open the kingdom of Heaven, andbyBa- 
 ptifme to admit beleevers and Difciples into it, and to teach 
 them toobferve all things, whatsoever he had commanded them, 
 Matth.i%.i9io. But tofhut ©ut unbdeevers as being under 
 damnation, and in the kingdom of Satan, Mark. 16. 16 '. And 
 that by this Commiflion not only power and authority was gi- 
 ven them to propound the word by way of doft rine ; but alio to 
 ufe the rod of ditcipline, and tosorrtct and ceniureall fuch as 
 were offenders, untraceable and puffed up: the Apoftle Paul 
 foeweth, 1 Cor. 4.20,11. Where he faith, that when he cometh 
 to Corinth he will know, not the fpeech of them that are puffed 
 wpi but the power, For the kingdom of God u not in rrord^ but 
 
 in 
 
C") 
 
 infower'i even to ufe trie rod of correction, and fiiarp cenfure, 
 as the next words (hew, viz,. What will you ? Shall I come to 
 you with a rod? or in love, and in thefpiritof meeknes^ And 
 what this rod is,the next chapter immediatly declares ; in which 
 he gives them a charge, In the name of the Lord Jeius Chrift, to 
 excommunicate in their (olemne Adembly the mcefluous per- 
 fon. And 2 Cor.10.%. and Cbap.13.10. He doth plainly af- 
 firm, thattohimandhisfellow-Miniilers, the Lord hath given 
 power and authority even to ufe marpnelle. 
 
 Secondly, That this power is not carnall, nor exercifed a- 
 bcut worldly matters :but is fpirituall and mighty through God, 
 exercifed in pulling down the ftrong holds of fin and Satan, caft- 
 ing down imaginations, and every high thing which exaltethic 
 felr againft the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity 
 every thought, to the obedience of Chrift ; The Apoftle arrirms, 
 2^,10,4,5. 
 
 Thirdly, This power and authority is given to be exercifed 
 for edification, not for deftrucTion, as the Apoftle teacheth, 
 2 CV.IO.& & 13.IO. even for the ferfeti'wg of the Saints, 
 andftr the edifying of the body of Chrift, Ephef.4. l 2 » 
 
 Fourthly, The cxercile of this power and authority is uni- 
 form, and the waies of ic the fame in all Churches : No fupteme 
 Magistrate hath power to alter it, it is not to be ufurped, nor 
 contended for by any to whom God hath not given abilities, nor 
 called ti^ieumo. It belongs to the Paftours and Teachers who 
 have a call.ii^ to expound publikely the Word and law of Chrift, 
 and to tteir aihfting Elders who are fit to judge accordingly. Tor 
 fuch the Apoftlcb appointed to be their fucceflours ; and not civill 
 Magistrates which were not known in the Church, tiil many 
 years after trie days of the Apoftles. And to the Apofties and 
 their fucceflouis the Loid Chrift gave tins power to rule his 
 Church, ana it conunucd in their hands in all the Apoftolicall 
 Churches : The lame waies which the great Apoltle or the Gen- 
 tiles cblcrvedhimleifheuugiit in every Church, every wuere, 
 I Cor 4 17. ana tu he ordained in all Cr.uches, 1 GV.7.17. 
 And when any iwerved from the inttitution of Chnlt mthc ule 
 of the ordinances, and cone nded for forms and faihions, differ- 
 ing from the Common rule lud cultom ; ] he Apoltle reproved 
 
 C 2 and 
 
(12) 
 
 and blamed them, as appears, tfir.tl.l6 f ij4 The Paftours, 
 Elders, and Teachers who labour in the Word and Dodrine, 
 and watch for the louls of the people, and by the holy Ghoft are 
 made overfeers over the flock, are the Governours, and rule over 
 them in the Lord, and they ought to fubmit themfelves to be ru- 
 led and guided by them, as being the ftewards of Gods houfe, 
 his Church, and difpenfers of the myfteries of Chrift, as thefe 
 places following do fheW; Ad, 20. 28. Take hesd to jour 
 felves, and to all theftockjver the which the holy Ghoft hath 
 mads you overfeers, to feed the Church of God, And I Cor.4.1. 
 Let a man fo account of us, as of the Ministers of Chrift, and 
 flewards of the myfteries of God, And 1 Thef.5.1 2, We befeeck 
 you, brethren, to know them that labour among you, and are 
 over yon in the Lord, and admonifh you : And to efteem them 
 very highly in love for their worlds fake* And 1 Tim. 5.17. 
 Let the Elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double ho* 
 nour, c facially they who labour in the word and doElrin?, And 
 Heb.13.7. Remember them Who have the rule over you, Vvho 
 have sjtoken to you the Wordof God:2X\& verf. 17. Obey them 
 that have the rule over you, and fubmit your f elves, for they 
 -watch for your fouls, as they that muft give account, Thefe 
 and divers other Scriptures do clearly fhew what that Govern- 
 ment is, which Chrift hath appointed in his Church. 
 
 8. The next part to be considered is, to whom Chrift Jcfus 
 firft committed this Government, and where he firft f ctled if, 
 and in what Church, from whence it is derived, propagated 
 and communicated to all other Churches which Qiall be 
 in all ages. And in this the Gofpeil is very clear. For it tells us* 
 that he firft and immediately committed it to his Apoftlesas 
 they were to teach all Nations, and to be the Paftours of the 
 'jnivcrfall vifible Church In their hands and in that Church he 
 firftfet3edit,fortheufeorallthe members thereof, evenaliNa- 
 tionall, Provinciall, Cktficall and particular Churches, gather- 
 ed by the Gofpeil preached in every Nation,Countrey, State, 
 City, and Circuit. That the Lord Chrift, having all power in 
 Heaven, and earth given unto him, did give Authority to the 
 Apofiks to preach the Gofpeil to all Nations, to baptize them, 
 and to teseh them to obfervc all things, whatsoever he had 
 
 commanded 
 
(u) 
 
 commanded them, I have before (lie wed out oftheGofpelf, 
 Math. 28. 19. c. That he gavetothem the kcy:s ofthe King- 
 dom ofHeaven,and power to open and (hur,to bindc and lofe, 
 to remit and rctaine (ins, it is mamfeft, Math. 6.19. Whera 
 he faid to Pw,(when he anfwered in the name, and as the 
 mouth of all the reft, Thou art Chriit the Son of the living 
 God.)/ will oive to thee the ^ejes of the Kingdome of Heaven, and 
 Vehatfocver thon bindeji one earth, flail be bound in heaven , and 
 whatfoezer thou Jhtit lofe on earth fhall be lofed in heaven : and 
 Math. 18.18. where he gave the fame power to them all a- 
 gainc:and John. 20 23. whofefoever Jins ye remit, they are re- 
 mitted to them , and whofefoever fins je retaine y they are retained. 
 And that they ordained Presbyters, Bifhops, Paftours and 
 Teachers in the name of Chrift, and by the Authority which he 
 gave them, it appeares. Aft. 14-23. where it is written that 
 Paul mi Barnabas ordained Presbyters in every Church of the 
 converted Gentiles : and Aft. 20.28. where Taut admo.niihcth 
 the Presbyters whom he had ordained in the Church ofEphc- 
 fw, to take heed to the flock over which the holy Ghoft had 
 made them Bifhops, that is overfeers. And tbey appointed the 
 fame order and forme of Government in all Nationalland Pro- 
 vinciall Churches, and in every Claflis and particular Congre- 
 gation, as in Iudea and Ierufalem % fo in Corinth,' Ephefus, *stfi* % 
 ga/aria, ^Macedonia, Creet and the reft, as divers Scriptures, 
 ( befides thofe before named, 1 Cor. 4.17. and 2 Cor. 10,8. 
 and 1 3.10.) do abundantly teftifie, as Ephef. 4.12. where Pa- 
 ftours and Teachers,as well as Apoftlcs, are fiid to be given by 
 Chriit, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work: of the 
 Miniitery,and for the edifying of the body of Chriit: and 
 1 Theff. 5 .1 2. where he men'ioneth fjmc who laboured amen^ 
 them, and were over them in the Lord, and Aft. 15.6. where 
 we read of a generali aflemblic of Apoftles and Presbyter 
 thcredto confidera great matter and to dcci lc a controvcr'ie, 
 and fend out their decree to all Churches, and 1 Tim. 3.1.2. &c. 
 where the orhec of a Bifhop, that is a Paftour or ovv.r(ccr^s 
 commended for a good workc, and the qualification and ordi- 
 nation of fuch after triall and examination is dcicribcd,asalfo 
 of Deacons, and 1 Tim, 5.17. where mention is made of ruling 
 
 C 3 by 
 
(H) 
 
 by Elders, and by them who labour in the Word and Doftrine: 
 and verf. 22. of ordaining by laying on of hands :and alfo Chap*. 
 4,14. And Tit. 1 ?.and iTet. 5.1.2. and lames 5.14. where 
 Elders of the Church and their workc and behaviour is pre- 
 fcribed. In all thefc places we have Chrch Government fet 
 forth in Fresbytcnes, and in the hands of Presbyters, and Prcf- 
 byteriallBi-hops, Paftnurs and Teachers lawfully cailed, and 
 upon due triall ordained by impofitionof hands, as being that 
 Government appointed by Chrift,and obferved in all Churches. 
 But of no other forme of Government do we read in any wri- 
 tings cf the Apoftles and Evaugeiifts in the New Teftament. 
 For as there is but one God and Father of all, and one Lordje- 
 fus Chrift, and one fat'eh, one Biptifmc and one whjle univcr- 
 fall Church, which is but one body, moved and informed by one 
 Spirit, 1 Cor. 8.5. and £>£<?/: 4 4 ?• So every member of this 
 one body in every Nation, City and Countrey, an J every Con- 
 gregation of Cbriftians,whcthcr J ewes or Gentiles, h intorin- 
 cd,moved and guided by that on?. f^trit,as the Apoftle teftificth, 
 Row.12.^ and 1 Cor. 12. 12. 13. as Paftours and Teachers: 
 fo alfo governments are ftt in the Church by God, andthefpi- 
 rit diftnbuteth gifts to them as hehimfclfe will, 1 £Vii,rj. 
 and 28. And there is but one law to all, which is the word of 
 God, which is called the law of Chrift, gal. 6.2, and the law of 
 thefpiritoflife,Rom. 8.2.becaufe thsfpirit ipeakes to none,rt:i- 
 therdcth move or guide any Chriftian but by this word* and 
 law of Chrift, John. 1 6. 1 3 .14. ( as was before (hewed ) What 
 Church focver doth fwerve or decline in any materiall or fub- 
 ftamhll point of Do&rineor Difcipline from that one law* and 
 rule of Chrift, which is the heavenly oaterne (hewed to us in 
 theScriptures,asthe Paterae of the Tabernacle was (hewed to 
 Mofes in the mount, Exod. 25.40. That Church comes fo 
 much (hortof Apoftolicall perfedion, and hath i D it too much 
 mixture of humans policy and infirmity. Whatfocver n w 
 light, proud, vaioe, foolifh and fanaticall perfons may pretend : 
 all found and liable Chriftians both ougbr, sni willlooketo 
 the law, and to the teftimony of Chrift; and if any fpeake not 
 according to tku word jt is tecanfe there is no light in them, 1% 8 
 ao. In refpea of this our uniforme Government by one law the 
 
 Word 
 
{IS) 
 
 WordofChri(r,andone fpirit, the foule and life of Ac whole 
 vifible Church, it is a body unibtmc^cmo^eaS and CimiJar. And 
 as in all naturall unfformc bodies, every part hath the' fame name 
 with the whole, as every particular part of aire is called aire, 
 and every rivet, fountaine and drop of water i$,watcr and is fo 
 caUed,aswellas the whole clement : Even fo every National], 
 Provinciall,Claflicall and particular congregation in every Na- 
 tion, City, and circuit, is a Church and is fo called, as the 
 Churchof ?*<&*, AEl. II. 22.26. the Church of iAntioch,AZl. 
 1 3 . 1 . the Church of Corinth, 1 Cor. r . 3 . and of Thefit/onica, 
 1 r&jf.i.i.andthc Churches of Ga/atia, Gd. 1.2. yea and the 
 particular Congregation in the honfe of tsfcjuiU, andTrifcU- 
 U s Rom. 1^,15. and 1 C or - *6.*9- and in the houfcof Njm- 
 floM, Colofi 4.1 5. and of Philemon,vcvC 2. are every one called 
 the Church, as well as the uni verfail body is called the Church, 
 Math. 16.1%. Epbef. 1.21. £o/oJ[. I. 24. and j Tim. 3. 15. 
 
 9. The principall parts of this Government of Chrift which 
 allwaycs ought to go together, and arc infeparablc in every 
 well ordered and constituted Church, arc twc. Firlt,Doflrine, 
 which the Apoftle calls fite**.**!*.*. Secondly ,Difciplinc, 
 Which he calls ^yy^^Vc^M" *& v&cTiziav. % Tim. 3.1 6. 
 which cur Saviour in allufion to other Scriptures, calls tie kejes 
 if the Kingdome of beaver,, Math. 1 6.1*?. For as kcyes do open 
 and (hut the doore of an houfe : fo do both Djctrine, and Dis- 
 cipline open and fliut the Kingdomcof heaven, Chrift his true 
 Church. They open it to believers, and to humble and peni- 
 tent pcrfons ; and (hut it againft unbeliever?, and fcsndalous 
 obftinat linners,who continue in their impcniccncy after con- 
 viction. And for this caufe our Saviour calls Do&rinc and 
 Teaching by expounding that word and law aright, the key cf 
 knowledge, Math. 25.i3.and Difcipline he calls the key of c D.x- 
 vid $ /tcvel. 3.7. alluding to the words of the prophet Jja. 22.22. 
 where the Lord faith, that he Will by the kg of the honfe of I)** 
 vid upon tl>e fioulder of £ Hakim, fo he (hall open, an i none fiatl ftut, 
 an J hi Jhalljhut, ami none fall open, that is, I will commit the 
 Government into his hands ( as the words before Oi^w ) to 
 lulcthc houfcof Juda as a Father. The preachers ci th^ word 
 by convincing DoCtnne do wound the wicked, and arefaid to- 
 
root cut, to full, and throw down, and to deftrojy Jet". 1. 10. 
 Yea and to torment the world, to finite the earth witri plagues, 
 , and to {hut heaven, Revel, n. <5, 10. And by the converting 
 word of the Gofpel, and the mimftery of reconciliation, to heal 
 the broken in heart, to open theprifons, and to fee captives at 
 liberty, J ft. 6 1, i. Andto build and to pUnt, Jer. i.io. And to 
 of en the right way into the Jheepfold, Joh.io.i 6\ The key of dis- 
 cipline alto doth by cenfures, which are according to the infalli- 
 ble Word of God, (hut cu: ignorant and fcandalous perfons from 
 Communion with the children of the Kingdom, purgethout the 
 old leaven, and fo bindeth the obftinate, that they are bound in 
 heaven, Matth. 18.18 & 1 CV.5.7,1 ?. But by declaring in the 
 name and word of Chrift abfolu.ion and remiffion of fins to 
 perfons penitent, it opens the door of the Kingdom, and re- 
 ceives into Chrift s (heepfold fuch as are brought back from go- 
 ing aftray, and lofeth fuch as are bound, 2^r.2.io.The ex- 
 ercife of the power of thefe two keys, confifts in divers publike 
 acts done with authority, by commiflion from Chrift. Firft, 
 the main ad: of do&rine is preaching the Word, as the mouth of 
 God to the people, and applying it fitly to all forts of perfons, 
 inftrucling the ignorant, dilcovering ro them the cotrupcion of 
 their nature by which they are Children of wrath, Epb.i. 1,2,3, 
 and fo humbling them in their own eyes, driving them out of 
 themfelves, drawing them to Chrift by the promiies or the Gc- 
 fpel, wooing them, and as AmbaiTadours for Chrift, praying 
 them in Chnftsftead to be reconciled unto God, 2 Cor. 5. 20. 
 and elpcufing them to Chrift, 2 Cor. 11.2. And on the other 
 (lde,reprovipg, rebuking, and admonifhing with authority, as 
 meftengers of God, all hnners and tranfgreflfours, 2 T;w. 4. 2, 
 & Tit. i.i$. Threatning and denouncing judgements, heU,and 
 damnation againft all that are hardhearted and impenitent, as 
 the A potties did, ^^8.23. and 13.10. Rom. 2.*, 2, 5. 1 Cor. 
 6 9> Heb. 20.26,29. lam.^.j. 2 Pet. 2.13. Iude verf^il, 
 14 15. 
 
 Thefe acts of doctrine private Chriftians may perform mu- 
 tually among themfelves, and according to the mealure of grace, 
 which God hath deftributed to every one, they are in brotherly 
 duty, and in Chriftianzeai and charity, bound to perform them 
 
 privately. 
 
if?) 
 
 privately. But publike Minifters only, called of God, and fent 
 to preach,can do them with power and authority ,as Gods mouth, 
 and Chrifts Ambafladours : and their word is to be received as 
 the Word of God, I Thef.2. 13. and as a meflage from heaven , 
 with fear, reverence, and trembling, Ifa.66.%. 
 
 The ads of discipline which are to be performed by Gods Mi- 
 nifters alio, not as preachers in the pulpit before all the Congre- 
 gation, buc as Presbyters in the Confillory,are divers. 
 Firft,recciving accufations before witneflfes, 1 T/w.5.19. 
 Secondly, publike admonition, and perfonall reproof, and 
 rebuke offuch as are convi&ed of offence and icandall, by two 
 or three witneiles, iTVw.5,20. TVr.3.10. 
 
 Thirdly, after admonition condemned and fcorned, and che 
 authority of the Elderfhip defpifed and (leighted, thefe fcorners 
 are to be refufed and re/e&ed, Tit % 3. 10. which cannot be, if 
 they be admitted to the holy Communion. The Apoftie in/oins 
 every f aithf ull Minifter to withdraw himfelf from pcrverfe per- 
 fons of corrupt mindes, 1 Tim.6.5. And he commands the bre- 
 thren in the name of the Lord Jefus Chrift, that they withdraw 
 themfelves, from every brother that walketh diforderly, 2 Thef. 
 3.6. Certainly he is blinde, and hath the eye ofhisreafon put 
 out, who doth not in thefe forenamed places fee and underftand, 
 that all fcandalous,perverfe and ftubbom perfons are by the 
 Commandement of Chrift,which is Jhs divinum, to be refufed, 
 and not admitted into holy Communion, which is Excommuni- 
 catio minor, that is,lefler excommunication. 
 
 The fourth acl: of diicipline is,the cenfure of the greater Ex- 
 communication,whichisthcutmoft cenfure of a Church mem- 
 ber, even calling him out of Church communion for his obfti- 
 nacy inhisfcandalous fins, and refuting to hear, and obey the 
 Church. After this fentence given againll any perfon, he is hi 
 our Saviours phrafe to be efteemed as an heathen man, who is 
 no member of the Church for the prefent, but (hut out of Gods 
 Kingdom, and in the Apoftles phraie he is delivered to Satan, 
 and taken captive by the Devil, and held in his (narc, iTim. 
 1. 26, 
 
 This cenfure is according to the will,and by the appointment 
 ofJ?lusChnft,U*f<ir;£.i8.i7. Wherehelaithofhim who will 
 
 D nor 
 
OS) 
 
 got heat nor obey the Church. Let him be to thee as an heathen 
 and as a Publican. The Apoftle iache name of the Lord Jefus 
 Chrift, commanded the Eiders of the Church of Corinth by 
 this cenf ure, and with the power of the Lord Jefus Chrift to pro- 
 ceed againft the inctftuous perfon,to put him away from among 
 them, and todiliver him unto Satan x C*r.«,j^i|. And he 
 himfeif delivered unto Satan Hymen*** and Alexander i Tim*. 
 i. 2o» And thele ads of discipline are not panifliments of re- 
 venge, not execution of juftice in a rigid fenfe; but Medicinal! 
 corrections of mercy, and fatherly chaftifements laid on the 
 perfon cenfured, not in hatred to hurt him, nor in rigour to fa- 
 tisfiethelaw: But in love, hope, defire, and godly zeal for a 
 three- fold end and ufe. 
 
 Firft, For the mortification, humiliation, and repentance o£ 
 the obftinate firmer, that he may be made fenfible of his danger, 
 and aftumed of his (in, and heartily forrowfull for it, and full 
 of contrition: this is intimated by the Apoftle, where he faith, 
 that delivering unto Satan, is for the deftrudion of the flefh, 
 (thatisfleQily corruption by mortification) that the fpirit may 
 befavedin thedayof the Lord Jefus, i CV.5.5. &i TVzw.i.jo. 
 he faith that he delivered unto Satan Hymenem and Alexander, 
 that they might learn not to blafpheme, and 2 Thefi.ia.* 
 
 Secondly, For the preferving of the body and the reft of the 
 members from infedion, for obftinate fcandalous finners will 
 infed others 5 this the Apoftle fheweth, 1 Cor. 5.5,7. Sayings 
 Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump ? : 
 f#rge out therefore the old leaven*. 
 
 Thirdly, For vindicating the Church and Chriftian Religion 
 from reproach and fcandall, and all fhew and appearance o£ 
 countenancing and cherifhing vile fin and wickedncs, which 
 will raife an ill report commonly, that Chriftian Religion is 
 worle then Gentihtme,and tolerats fins, the names of wnich are 
 loathed among civil! heathen. This the Apoftle implies, 1 Cor. 
 5. 1. faying, It u commonly reported, that there ts fornication 
 among yoti,&fuch fornication as is not Jo much as named among 
 i )e Gentiles* And certainly the Jews who were, according to 
 to their law, fo ftrid in keeping from the PaiTeover, ail fuch as 
 had any uacleannes on them, might juftly reproach Chrift ians.* 
 
 i£ 
 
Op) 
 
 ff they fliould admit fcandalous finners fpiritually leprous and 
 unclean to the Lords Supper, and into holy communion with 
 them, and not caft them out. 
 
 There is befides thofe cenfures before named, another mod 
 dreadf ull cenfure mentioned in Scripture,and called by the name 
 of Anathema Maranatha, that is, the curfed untill the Lord 
 Cometh, i CV.i6.22. This is a curfe which the Church denoun- 
 ceth againft defperate back* Aiders, andApoftates, whoafterii- 
 ltunination, profeflion of love to Chrift, and a tafte of the good 
 Word of God, and of the power of the world do come, do (in 
 againft: the holy Ghoft, and fall away into hatred and defpight 
 againft the truth, of which the fpirit hath convinced their con- 
 fciences, into malignant perfecution of all true godlines, and in- 
 to an impoflibility of being renewed by repentance, EebC.^ 
 This cenfure (to fpeakno more of it) is a fentence and judgement 
 of the Church, declaring and pronouncing, that fuch perlons 
 are reprobates and defperate enemies of God, finally accurfed, 
 paft hope of recovery ,given up to the judgement of the laft day, 
 when the Lord (hall come to render vengeance in flaming fire, to 
 all them that hate him, and that they are tobeftiunned and ab- 
 horred as fire- brands of hell. Of this curfe we have divers ex- 
 amples in Scripture, as that which God laid upon Cain, G tf.4. 
 That which Enoch denounced againft the old world, of which 
 fude in his Epiftie makes mention, verf.i^ That of Davidi- 
 gainftD<?f£ and other cncmies,and againft the traitour fudas, 
 P/4/.icp/and that wherewith the Lord curfed the reprobate 
 Jews, when he forbad the Prophet feremy 3 zo pray for them fsr. 
 7.16. & 11. 14. & 1 4.1 1. For there is a fin unto death, namely 
 the fin of Apoftafy, and rebellion againft the light, not to be 
 prayed for, asS. John (aith,i Ioh. 5.16. 
 
 Bifides thefe acTs of Government before named, we read of 
 three others. 
 
 Thefitftis,Ordinationof]vtinifters, which properly belongs 
 to the preaching Presbyters,who arc to examine them, try their 
 gifts, and inquire into their lives firft, andafcer proof made of 
 their abilities, and godly converlacion, to ordain them with 
 praierand'inpolicionof hands; of this we read, eWff. 13.2,3. 
 lTim.}.% } $><\,&c, & I 77/0.4.14. 6C5.22. 77m. 5. 
 
 D 2 The 
 
(to) 
 
 The fccond is,Choofing and appointing of Church Offkers,this 
 is the common ad of the whole Elderftiip, together with the 
 people,as appears, A8>6.$rf* & ^#.14.23. 
 
 The third is,Setting of things in good order, and appointing 
 that all things be done decently and in order in the Church : this: 
 PWinjoined the Eiders of Corinth to do, 1 Cor. 14 40. and 
 hepromifed to aflift them therein, 1 Or.11.34* and Laid this 
 charge on Titus , Tit 1.5. 
 
 From this difcourfe framed out of the infallible Word of God, 
 and expreffe testimonies of holy Scriptures, divers Corollaries 
 and neceffary conclufions do iffue,which remove the doubts, and 
 anfvver the queftions, which doubting fcrupulous perfons (halL 
 propound concerning Church-Government, whether it be in 
 whole, or yvct Jure divino, and by the will and appointment 
 of Jcfus Chrift. 
 
 1, Concluf. That there is one uniform Government in the 
 whole univerfali Church, and in every part thereof furedivino % 
 and by the will and appointment of Jefus Chrift, which ought 
 to beobferved in all National J'rovinciallXlaflicall and Congre- 
 gational! Churches,as they are parts and members of the Church 
 univerfali, which is the myfticall body of Chrift. Proved, Se- 
 ction 3. and 5. and 6. and 8. 
 
 2. As there is but one law to all Chriftians,even the Word of 
 God, which is the perfeft rule of Government in all Orthodox* 
 and well conftituted Churches v So ought the Government to be 
 one, and the fame in them all among themselves, and in every 
 particular Congregation. Proved Sett* 8. 
 
 3. The fupream Magift racy in every Nation, Countrey, and 
 State, being Chriftians,is in doty bound to be as a nurfing father 
 to the Church of Chrift, to fet up and maintain Preachers, who 
 may by preaching the Gofpel, gather their people and fubjefts in- 
 to Congregations, and let up Elders in every one according to 
 she Word of God ; And parochially or particular Congregati- 
 ons fo gathered, and Elderihips let up in them by the diftatc 
 and diredion or Chrift are Jure divino: The appointment of the 
 Civil! Magiftrate is onely a civill fandion, it doth BOt make 
 tbem to be lure divino. Proved Sett. 3, and 4. 
 
 4. Though all National! Churches rightly conftituted, and, 
 
 formed 
 
formed according to the Scriptures, are of equall authority, noc 
 any one (uperiour to another ; and likewife all Provinciall, Claf- 
 ; ficall and Parochiall Churches alike well formed, are equall : 
 No Provinciall (uperiour to another Provinciall : Nor any Claf- 
 ficall Elderfhip to another Claflicall ; Yet the deciding of a con- 
 troverty in point of Doclrine, or any fentence, or cenfure ifTu- 
 ing out, and publifhed from a greater Aflembly or Elderfhip,as 
 from a Nationall, Provinciall, or Claflicall, is generally of 
 more authority, andmoretoberefpedted in all Churches, then 
 the fame (entenceand determination proceeding from the Elder- 
 (hip of a letter or particular Congregation, as we fee, ^#.15. 
 Where the decree of the Apoftles and Elders in a Nationall, or 
 rather Oecumenicall Synod at Ierufalem y was of more authori- 
 ty in all Chriftian Churches, then if it had proceeded from the 
 Elderfhipof^tf^cfc, in which were ?atd and Barnabas , the 
 two great Apoftles of the Gentiles, who were able to decree in- 
 fallibly the fame things, and appealed to lerufaUm^ox. to learn, 
 but to make their dodrine of more authority, as appears, GaL 2. 
 2.6. Proved Sett.5. 6. 
 
 $. All Elderfhips confiding of preaching Presbyters and o- 
 tber Elders who do rule well, and all the members offuch El- 
 dcrfhips are Jure Divi»o t and by the will and appointment o£ 
 Jcfus Chrift, 1 Tim. 5. 1 7. and the a<fte of Govern mem done 
 by aflifting Eidc:s,togcthcr with preaching Prcsbytcrs^whoby 
 their office and calling have authority and ability to expound 
 the word and law, the infallible rule of Government, arc cer- 
 tainly according to the will and appointment of Chrift, 
 and being ^conformed to the rule , are ratified in heaven. 
 Math. 18.18-. 
 
 6. All (uperiour Elder (hips and greater AffembJies, whether 
 Nationall, Provinciall or Claflicall, confiding of preaching 
 Frcsbytcrs>fuccciTours of the Apoftles and Evangelifts, and of 
 other aflifting Church Elders, who arc chofen members of the 
 umvcrfall Church, unto the common Paftours, whereof the 
 Apoftles,Chrift immediatly committed the Government of the 
 whole Church, and by them to the Presbyters, who do fiiccecd 
 them in fevcrall Nations, Provinces Cities and circuits , are by 
 the (uperiour Affcmblies and Synods held by the Apoftles and 
 
 D 3 Elder* 
 
(«) 
 
 Elders gathered together at Jerufalem about matter of neater 
 concernment AU.-6*. and 1 j.6\ and 21.18. warrant^ .„5 
 declared tobe^-Z)^ and by the will and aS m e„t 
 or Jefus Chnft. Proved Seel. 8. rt""»micirc 
 
 7. The Appeals from Congregationall ElderfhinstoClaC 
 ficall, and from Clafficall to Provincial! and N a iona II »S» 
 the Appeal'of theChurch Presbyters, and thV5£&?£ 
 poftles 7W and ftirtMf* at *S«»ci to the hieh Svnorl J 
 In^dtm, warranted and demonftrated to be W©«L «3 
 So appomtment of Jefus Chrift; and their p\> w - 
 
 8. Occumenicall or univerfall Affemblicj, confiding of Pa 
 flours and Elders chofen out of all true Orthodox Kftian 
 Churches, and fent as delegates from every Nationall C mZh 
 are warranted by that Synod at ImMam Ml T< il ,u-i L* 
 
 flours of all the Churches of the to*/**/** 9W anrl 4 , 
 and the Elders in /^/^ an ^ 4*£*^%£& 
 Sjna and ^™, were aflembled to decide a CoroS ' 
 which concerned the univerfall Church of Chrift 5 And cannot 
 with any good reafon be denyed tobcAr, 7^^^ 
 Will and appointment of Jefus Chrift. y 
 
 9. Though notorious fcandalous offences, for which perfons 
 thereof guilty, are to be kept from the Sacrament ofthElS 
 fupper, unt.ll they profefle repentance, and promife arntrd. 
 rnent.areeafietobedifcerned, and noted by the gcncraTmi 
 rft- W v m3y P™^ judge them to befuch: Yet t^Lo rd 
 Chnft in his word, gives power and authority to none bwer 
 tuecftheir office and calling, to judge, and declare bypiK 
 fentence, what fcandalous offences are worthy of &£?«£ 
 fare, and to kecpe perfons guilty of them from the holy Com. 
 munionj But onely Eldcrfh.ps Congregational! Ci2£mT 
 others meercly Ecclefiafticalll in whether" ar pSiZ 
 Presbyters, who are able, and have a publike calhWfrnJ 
 Chrift, to expound the word of God, which is The X JL T 
 by which fcandalous finnes muft beuljdVndccnfl?-^ 
 and executed. For on their perfon S /and wnfccoc^SL^ 
 ** and guilt will lye heavy, if they profane rt?fiy W 
 
 ment 
 
»ent by giving it wittingly to fuch as will cat and drtnkc un- 
 worthily, and be guilty of the body and blood of Chrift. i Cor. 
 11.17. Proved fed. 3» and 5. 
 
 10. There are certain particular rules (as the Scriptures ci- 
 ted in this foregoing difcourfc, and divers others do (hew) 
 feme openly expreffed in the word of God ; others by neceffary 
 confequencc from thence didu&ed, which fufficiendy direel 
 all Elderships, and all perfons, who arc Elders in them, in the 
 cxercifc of the power Ecclefiaflicall before mentioned, and in 
 performing all neceffary afts of Church Government, as recei- 
 ving accufations, publike admonition ,reproofe, rebuke, refuting 
 to communicate with, or to admit to the holy Commanion (in- 
 ncrs convi&ed of fcandaious fins, and perfifting therein without 
 repentance, Excommunication, and cafting out of the Church 
 them who refufe to be afhamed and reclaimed by the former 
 meancsufed ; and continue in contumacie, difobedience, (cornc 
 and contempt of the Churches iudgement, and proceeding 
 with them in the Name, and by the Power of the Lord Jefus 
 Chrilt. Proved Scd. 9. 
 
 11. Although the Scriptures give great power to Chriftian 
 Kings, and Supreme Magiltratesover the Church of God in 
 their dominions, and the civil! Government thereof is in their 
 hands. And all Christians, and EcclcfiaiHcall perfons of all or- 
 ders, and degrees are bound in Civill matters to be fubje&to 
 them, and to obey and honour them, Rom. I 5.1. Tit. 3. 1. and Pet. 
 3. 1 3. And as nurjing fathers to the Church, Ifai. 49.23. they 
 have the power which David, Solomon, t/?fa y lebofi.iplut , Hr» 
 zxkiah, and Iofiab cxercifed in purging and reforming the 
 Church, in commanding Miniftcrs of the word, and Church 
 officers to execute their offices faithfully ; in punifhing with 
 Civill cenfurcs, and depofing fuch as arc fcandaious and incor- 
 rigible; in providing maintenance and letting up able Mini- 
 ftcrs to teach, and in(tru& their fjbj:dxs, ind allotting Gods 
 portion to maintain his worfhip, and iervicc in his Church ; in 
 granting liberty to all to profeff: true Chriftian religion, and 
 to make lawes for the punifhing and retraining of wicked pro- 
 fane perfons from diQurbing their people in the holy fcrviccof 
 God: Yet feeing the cxercifc of Govcrnmcut mcerly Ecclefi- 
 
 aQicalb 
 
(*4) 
 
 afticall,and the adminiftration of holy ordinances is by Chrift 
 committed to the Apoftlcs, and their fucceflburs, Paftours, 
 Teachers, and Church officers, with promifc to be with them 
 to the end of the world: And the office and authority of ex- 
 pounding the word, which is the law and rule of Ecclefiafti- 
 call Government, is left in their hands, wi hout mention of Ci- 
 vill magiftracie, which neither then was Chhftian, nor for ma- 
 ny ages after, and yet the Church was well Governed, encrca- 
 fed mightily and flouriflied in all piety, religion and godlineffe. 
 Therefore the fupreme Magiftracic is not allowed, nor war- 
 ranted by Scripture, but excluded from intruding into the ad* 
 miniftration of holy Church ordinances, and mull leave the 
 power of judging and determining of all things which con- 
 cerne the publike worftrip and fervice of God to the infallible 
 word of Chrift, the holy Scriptures, and to thofe who arc by 
 Godfct apart, and furnifhed with gifts, and abilities, and or- 
 dained according to Chrifts inftitution unto the office of ex- 
 pounding th3 word and miniftring in all holy things in the 
 Church the hdufe of God, of which they arc ftc wards, officers 
 and Minifters, Proved Seel, $. and 5. 
 
 12. Church Difcipline without found Doctrine is a body 
 without a foule. The key of Do&rinc is the foul, life, guid, and 
 direction of Difciplin?,and thofe two keys of the Kingdomc of 
 Heaven are infeparably tyed together, and committed by 
 Chrift to the fame hands. Difcipline bath no power, nor au- 
 thority over the confcience,but from the word rightly appl/ed. 
 They who arc bound and loofed on earth, according to the in- 
 fallible word, are alfo bound and loofed in -heaven: AndCen- 
 furcs erring from the word arc void in heaven. Seel. 9. 
 
 1 3. Civil! Magiftrates,& other grave, godly ,wife and difcrcet 
 men,arc not excluded, but may be chofen aififhngChurchEldcrf, 
 and together with preaching Presbyters may rule and Govern 
 in thofe ElderChips, whereof they are Elders, and have power 
 and authority by the word of God to judge and determine in 
 the Presbytery together with the Paftours ( and not othcrwifc ) 
 who are fcandalous oi£ndcrs,un worthy for the preknt to be ad- 
 mitted to the Lords table. For the word expounded by Mi- 
 nifters thereunto lawfully called, is the law and perfect 
 
 rule 
 
on 
 
 rule of all afts of Church Gevernment and Ccnfures. 
 
 14. ProviffonofCommifiioners whoare no Church Elders, 
 and who arc authorifed oncly by the Civill Magiftracy to judge 
 who are fcandalous offenders, not fit to receire the holy Sacra- 
 mento's in the judgement of the beft Divines of the reformed 
 Churches, and appcares by Scriptures before alledgcd, to be a 
 mcere invention of humane policie, which hath no example 
 or warrant in Gods word, and a manikft ufurpation, and gi- 
 ving of that power to others, which Chrift hath appropriated 
 to the Apoftles and Presbyters of his Church, and fo is contra- 
 ry to the will and appointment of Jcfus Chrift. Godly mini- 
 fters generally arc cf this judgement, that their approving and 
 yecldmg to the pra&icc thereof, is a breach of the Nationall 
 league and Covenant. King Vzziah was plagued by God with 
 an incurable leprofie, for medling in the adminiftration of holy 
 ordinances, and in fo doing his heart was lifted up to his de- 
 ftrudion,andhetranfgrc{fcdagainftthe Lord his God 2 Chr§». 
 26.16 . In many men, who highly applaud, extol 1 , ind vehe- 
 mently urge this new device and practice, it favours too much 
 of fcornc, contempt, envy and a moft uncharitable opinion 
 conceived againft the godly, learned, faithfull Mioifters of 
 Chrift, and watchful! Paftoursofhis Church, and brands both 
 them and all thofe who are to be (ct up hereafter in all places 
 ofthcland,(ifthe godly reformation defired,bc really inten- 
 ded, and finccrcly profecuted ) with infurhciency, and want 
 ofgnceto do the workc unto which God hath called them. 
 Itfcemes to call in queftion the faithfullncfle of Chrift, who 
 hathpromif'd tobc wi'h them allwayesevcn unxotheendof 
 the w.QvldyMatb. 28.20. Many wifc and godly people hold it 
 a tpcrverfe imagination, and a thing inrcafonablcto thinke, that 
 Wife, difcreet and godly men, being chof>n Eid:rs of the 
 Church, and joyned in Eldcrfhips with learned aid faithfull 
 Minifters, who can expound the word, and give them the 
 kruefenfe of the law of Chrift, fhall or will not be moreableto 
 j of'kcindalis and what pcrfms arc fie or unfit to bead- 
 in rtcd to the Lords Supper, then the fame perfons being co n- 
 mifilonersby thcn.fclvcs. As if Chrift were not able, ready, 
 and willing to give grace and afliftanccto them which ar: 
 chofen fervants, andmin.ftcrs cf ins Church in things fpiritu- 
 
 E ul 
 
(.8) 
 
 the fole power thereof into the hands of thofe who commonly 
 hated true godlines, and either carelcflTdy, or corruptly, and of 
 purpofe admitted vile unworthy perfons into the holy calling 
 of the Miniftry, who were cither unlearned and not gifted ; or 
 if learned, and men of parts, were vicious, men of corrupt minde, 
 
 proneandftrongtodomifcheif? 
 
 Thirdly, the fupreme Magiftracy by robbing the greateft 
 part of par ifh Churches, and idling away all impropriat Bene- 
 fices to'the Nobility and Gentrie, and they covetoufly retain- 
 ing them in their potfrffion, have made the Churches and Mi- 
 niftery bafe, contemptible, and beggcrly. And 
 
 Laftly it feemes to reflect upon the fupreme Magiftracy in 
 tIicfcdaycs,Thatthcreisfachafcarcity of profitable preachers, 
 and that many Congregations are wholly unprovided, and o- 
 thersareout of neceflity forced to content themfelves with 
 foulc-ftarving /liepberds, and many young men, of learning, and 
 of hopcfullgiffs, finding no lawfull way of entering into the 
 Miniltery,and terrified with the intolerable taxes, and other 
 creat grievances, and difcouragments under which many Mi- 
 nisters ofgreat worth do lye groaning, are moved to withdraw 
 their mindes from the ftudy of Divinity, and betake themfelves 
 to other callings. This certainly is not the fault cf the learned 
 Presbyters of this time*, whoearneftly defire, and have petiti- 
 oned for liberty by the civill fanftion, to joyne together in ^ 
 Claflicall Presbyteries, and to ordaine Miniifcrs, according to 
 the advice of the Reverend AC'mbly, and the rules by th#in ga- 
 ther^ out of Gods holy word. It rcmaines therefore, that i 
 and all the godly in the land, do cry mightily unto God in d\ - 
 ly prayer, that he would pour out his fpirit upon thehig^S 
 Court of Parliament, and incline the heart of the fupreme Ma-! 
 giftracy toyeeldcothe petitions and importunity of the City, 
 oftbe A(fcmbly,andofthcMinifters of the Countrey;and tobej 
 ir treated info neceflary, pious, profitable and religious a requeft,i 
 foeafily granted, to fatisfie the longing defires, and hungringj 
 andthitftingfoulesofall godly people, that they and we may , 
 re Joyce together in the Lord, and may blcffe his holy name, for 1 
 the abundance of pc:ce extended to us like a river, and the] 
 Lord C Drift may be oar King, and his Nunc one in all the three! 
 
 Kingdomes. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
we will bear thee again of this matter. Howbeit certain men 
 clave unto hm^ and believed, &c. We doubt not but 
 there arc many within the Province ; whofe hearts the 
 Lord will open,to attend to what is here [aid. Our defirc is 
 to do good unco all, even unto thofe that are our grea- 
 teft ad verfaries^and not to be overcome of evil 7 but to over- 
 come tvil with good. If they mock at us ( as they did at 
 * A9 + Paul)yet furely, Our Judgment is with the Lord, andoAr 
 work with our God-Me. that is filthy let him be filthy Hill - 
 and he that is unjuft,let him be Hn)ufiftiU : But we hope 
 better things of you, tbat have Submitted to the Pref- 
 byterian-Governrnent. For whom we pray, That the 
 Godofpeace,that brought again from the dead our L ord Jc- 
 fusChriftj that great Shepherd ofhkfteep, through the 
 .I*- 1 ?,* - bloud of the everlafting Covenant, would make you perfect 
 in every good work, to do his Will ; working in you, that 
 which is well-pleafngin his fight, through Jefus Chrilt^ 
 to whom be glory Jor ever and ever * 5 Amen. 
 
 Subfcribed in the Narae,and by the Appointment of 
 the Aflembly, 
 
 George Walker, Moderator. Roger Itrakf, Scriba. 
 
 Arthur 7 action, ? -• Elldad r B/ac^e/I i Scnbi. 
 
 \ •' EdmmdCaUmy, fAffeffors. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 iinauon. «.othep 
 ID Eader,bepleafed tflfif unwilling t^~ -*J^ 
 AV/tf every one/ir'c- - jn ' r ? the*; V^IcPi^^ 
 
 vfiQtij^'/ ltrsnciW ncicnt ™™ ^ ' -ft 5 fc /' 
 
 —ii ■ - i ■ -J* — 
 
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