Isa. Ixvi. 21. where, under the names of Priests and Levites to be continued under the gospel, are meant evangelical pastors, who therefore are by office to bless the people'. To take care of the poor. And he hath also a ruling power over the flock as a pastor'. Teacher for priests, and for Levites, saith the Wherefore, brethren, look ye out Lord. Deut. x. 8. At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. 2 Cor. xii. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. Eph. i. 2. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts xi. 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts iv. 34. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, Ver. 35. And laid them down at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made unto every man, according as he had need. Ver. 36. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Ver. 37. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Ver. 3. among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Ver. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 1 Cor. xvi. 1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Ver. 2. Upon the first day of the week, let every. one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Ver. 3. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your li berality unto Jerusalem. Ver. 4. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me. Gal. ii. 9. And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Ver. 10. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do. t1 Tim. v. 17. Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doc trine. Acts xx. 17. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Ver. 28. Take Teacher or Doctor. HE scripture doth hold out the name and title of teacher, as well as of the pastor". Who is also a minister of the word, as well as the pastor, and hath power of administration of the sacraments. The Lord having given different gifts, and divers exercises according to these gifts, in the ministry of the word "; though these different gifts may meet in, and accordingly be exercised by, one and the same minister*; yet, where be several ministers in the same congregation, they may be designed to several employments, according to the different Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Thess. v. 12. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. Heb. xiii. 7. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Ver. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you. set 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath some in the church; first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Eph. iv. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. gifts w Rom. xii. 6. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the pro portion of faith; Ver. 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; Ver. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Cor. xii. 1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ver. 4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. Ver. 5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. Ver. 6. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which worketh all in all. Ver. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 1 Cor. xiv. 3. But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exbort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. gifts in which each of them doth most excel. And he that doth more excel in exposition of scriptures, in teaching sound doctrine, and in convincing gainsayers, than he doth in application, and is accordingly employed therein, may be called a teacher, or doctor, (the places alleged by the notation of the word do prove the proposition.) Nevertheless, where is but one minister in a particular congregation, he is to perform, so far as he is able, the whole work of the ministry 2. A teacher, or doctor, is of most excellent use in schools and universities; as of old in the schools of the prophets, and at Jerusalem, where Gamaliel and others taught as doctors. Other Church-Governors. As there were in the Jewish church elders of the people joined with the priests and Levites in the government of the church; so Christ, who hath instituted government, doctrine. Tit. i. 9. Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Y [See in letter W immediately preceding.] 1 Pet. iv. 10. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Ver. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 2 2 Tim. iv. 2. Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. Tit. i. 9. Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers, and 1 Tim. vi, 2. And they that have believing masters, let them not de. spise them, because they are brethren: but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort, a 2 Chron. xix. 8. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. Ver. 9. And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. Ver. 10. And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, and statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them, that they trespass not against the Lord, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren : this do, and ye shall not trespass. b Rom and governors ecclesiastical in the church, hath furnished some in his church, beside the ministers of the word, with gifts for government, and with commission to execute the same when called thereunto, who are to join with the minister in the government of the church. Which officers reformed churches commonly call Elders. Deacons. THE HE scripture doth hold out deacons as distinct officers in the church ". Whose office is perpetual. To whose office it belongs not to preach the word, or administer the sacraments, but to take special care in distributing to the necessities of the poor *. Of particular Congregations. IT T is lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregations, that is, a certain company of Christians to meet in one assembly ordinarily for publick worship. When believers Rom. xii. 7. Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; Ver. 8. Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. 1 Cor. xii. 28. And God hath set some in the church; first, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. C Phil. i. 1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. 1 Tim. iii. 8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre. d 1 Tim. iii. 8. Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greed of filthy lucre. [See in the Bible to Ver. 15.] Acts vi. 1. And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a niurmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Ver. 2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Ver. 3. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Ver. 4. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. ← Acts vi. 1,—4. [See before in letter d f 1 Cor. believers multiply to such a number, that they cannot conveniently meet in one place, it is lawful and expedient that they should be divided into distinct and fixed congregations, for the better administration of such ordinances as belong unto them, and the discharge of mutual duties £. The ordinary way of dividing Christians into distinct congregations, and most expedient for edification, is by the respective bounds of their dwellings. First, Because they who dwell together, being bound to all kind of moral duties one to another, have the better opportunity thereby to discharge them; which moral tye is perpetual; for Christ came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it ". Secondly, The communion of saints must be so ordered, as may stand with the most convenient use of the ordinances, and discharge of moral duties, without respect of persons". Thirdly, The pastor and people must so nearly cohabit together, as that they may mutually perform their duties each to other with most conveniency. In this company some must be set apart to bear office. f 1 Cor. xiv. 26.-Let all things be done to edifying. Ver. 33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Ver. 40. Let all things be done decently, and in order. Deut. xv. 7. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother. Ver. 11. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor and to thy needy in thy land. Mat. xxii. 39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. of Mat. v. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. h 1 Cor. xiv. 26.-Let all things be done to edifying. Heb. x. 24. And let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works: Ver. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. James ii. 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our. Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. Ver. 2. For if there come into your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment. |