Chapter I. Of the form of Church-Government; and that it is one, immutable, and prescribed in the Word of God.

CHAPTER I.

Of the form of Church-Government; and that it is one, immutable, and prescribed in the Word of God.

      Ecclesiasticall Polity or Church Government (1), or discipline is nothing els, but that Forme & order that is to be observed in the Church of Christ vpon earth, both for the Constitution of it, & all the Administrations that therein are to bee performed.
      2 Church-Government is Considered in a double respect either in regard of the parts of Government themselves, or necessary Circumstances thereof. The parts of Government are prescribed in the word, (2) because the Lord Iesus Christ the King and Law-giver of his Church, is no less faithfull in the house of God then was Moses, (3)who from the Lord delivered a form & pattern (4) of Government to the Children of Israel in the old Testament: And the holy Scriptures are now also soe perfect, as they are able to make the man of God perfect & thorough-ly furnished vnto euery good work; and therefore doubtless; to the well ordering of the house of God.
      3 The partes of Church-Government are all of them exactly described in the word of God (5) being parts or means of Instituted worship according to the second Commandement: & therefore to continue one & the same, vnto the apearing of our Lord Iesus Christ as a kingdom that cannot be shaken, untill hee shall deliver it up unto God, enen the Father. Soe that it is not left in the power of men, (6) officers, Churches, or any state in the world to add, or diminish, or alter any thing in the least measure therein.
      4 The necessary circumstances, (7) as time & place &c belonging unto order and decency, are not soe left unto men as that under pretence (8) [2] of them, they may thrust their own Inventions vpon the Churches: Being Circumscribed in the word with many Generall limitations; where they are determined in respect of the matter to be neither worship it self, (9) nor Circumstances seperable from worship: in respect of their end, they must be done vnto edification: in respect of the manner, decently, and in order, according to the nature of the things them selves, & Civill, & Church Custom. (10) doth not euen nature it selfe teach you ? yea they, are in some sort determined particularly, namely that they be done in such a manner, as all Circumstances considered, is most expedient for edification: so, as if there bee no errour of man concerning their determination, the determining of them is to be accounted as if it were divine.

Notes

1. Ezek. 43, 11 Col 2, 5 I Tim. 3, 15
2. Hebr 3, 5, 6
3. Exod 25 40
4. 2 Tim 3 16
5. I Tim 3 15 I Chron 15 13 Ex 20 4 I im 6 13 v 16 Heb 12 27 28 I Cor, 15 22
6. Deut 12 32. Ezek 43 8. I Kings 12. 31 32 33
7. I Kings 12 v: 28 29 Isai 29 13.
8. Col 2 22 23 Acts 15 28
9. Matt 15 9 I Cor 11 23 c 8 34.
10. I Cor 14 26 I Cor 14 40 I Cor 11 14 I Cor 11 16 I Cor 14 12 19 Acts 15 28.

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