A true description out of the VVorde of God of the visible church

A TRVE DESCRIPTION OVT OF THE WORDE of God ▪ of the visible Church .

AS there is but a a Genes 1. 1. Exo. 20 3 , one God and Father of all , one Lorde over all , and one Spirit : So is there but b b 1. Tim 2. 4. Phil. 2 , 25. Ephe ● . 18. Iohn 8. 4● one Trueth , one Faith , one Saluation , one Church , called in one hope , ioyned in one profession , guided by one c c Deut. 6. 25. Rom 10 , 8. ● , Tim. 3 , 15 Iohn 8 , 51 1. Iohn ● . 3. 4. &c. rule euen the Worde of the most high .

This Church as it is vniversallie vnderstood , conteyneth in it all the d d Gen. 17. 1 , Pet. 1. 2 , Revela . 7. 9. 1. Cor. 10 ● Iohn . 17 , 10. Elect of God that haue bin , are , or shal be : But being considered more particularlie , as it is seene in this present world , It consisteth of a companie and fellowship of e e Psal. 1 ● 1. 1. & 149 , 1. Isai , 62. 12. Ephe. 1. 1 , 1. Cor , 1. 2. Deut. 14. 2. faithful and f f Deut. 12 , 5. Iohn . 6 , 37 & 3. 14. & 12. 32. Luke 17 , 2. holie people gathered in the name of Christ Iesus their only g g Gen 44. 10. Psal. 45. 6. Zacha. ● . 9. Heb. 1 , 8. King , h h Rom 8. 34. Iohn . 17. Heb. 5. 9. & 8. 1. & 4. 14 Priest , and i i Deut 18 , 15. Mat. 17. 15 Hebr 1. 1. Gen 14. 18. Prophet , k k Exo. 20. 7. 8. Leuit 10. 5 Iohn 4. 23. worshiping him aright , being l l Mat 11. 29. 1. Cor , 11. 16 Mar , 13. 24. Reue 22. 8. peaceablie and quietlie governed by his Officers and lawes , m m Ephe 4. 3. 1. Cor. 1. 13 Mar. 9. 50. keeping the vnitie of faith in the bonde of peace & n n Iohn 13. 34. ● . Cor. 13. 4 1. Pet. 4. 22. 1. Ioh 3. 1● . loue vnfained . Most o o Psal. 87. 2. ioyful , excellent and glorious things are euerie where in the Scriptures spoken of this Church . It is called the p p Psal. 87. 2. Citie , q q 1. Tim. 3. ●5 . Heb 3. 6 House r r 1 , Cor. 3 , 17. Temple , and s s Isaiah ● . 2 , Micha , 4 , ● mountaine of the eternal God : the chosen generation , t t Zach 8 , 3. 1. Pet 2. 9. the holie nation , the peculiar people , the v v Isaiah 51. & 27. 11. Vineyarde , the x x Cant 4. 12. Isa. 51. ● . garden enclosed , the spring shut op , the sealed fountaine , the orchchyard of Pomgranades with sweete fruites , the y y Isaiah 9. 25. heritage , the z z Micha 3. 2. Iohn 3. 5. kingdome of Christ : yea his a a Can 5. 2. sister , his loue , his spouse , his b b Psal. 45. 9. Queene , & his c c 1. Cor. 12. 27. Ephe. ● . 2● bodie , the ioye of the whole earth To this societie is the d d Gal. 4. 28. couenant and all the promises made of e e Psal. 147. 14. 2 Thess. 3. 16 peace , of loue and of f f Isay. 46. 13. Zach. 14. 17 saluation , of the g g Isai 60. Ezec. 47. Zach. 4 12. presens of God , of his graces , of his power , and of his h h Eze. 48. 35. Mat. 28. 20. Isai. 6● . protection : And surelie if this Church be considered in her partes , it shal appeare most beautifull , yea most wonderfull , and even i i 〈◊〉 . 4. 9. . rauishing the sences to conceaue , much more to beholde , what then to enioy so blessed a communion . For b●hold her k k Isai. 62. 11. Ioh , 12. 15. H●h . 7. 8. King and Lord is the King of peace , & Lorde him selfe of all glorie . Shee enioyeth most holie and heauenlie l l Mat 11. 30. 1 Ioh. 53. lawes , most faithfull and vigilant m m Actes ●0 . Pastours , most syncere & pure n n Rom. 12. 7. Teachers , most careful and vpright o o Rom. 12. 8. Governours , most diligent and p p Actes 6. trustie Deacons , most louinge and sober q q Rom. 12. 8. Releeuers , and a most r r Mat. 5. 5. Ezech 36. 32. Isa. 〈◊〉 . 8. humble , meeke , obedient , faithfull and loving people , everie s s 1. King 7. 9. Zach. 14. 21 1. Pet , 2. 5. stone livinge , elect and precious , everie stone hath his beautie , his t t Gala. 6. ● . burden and his v v ● , Cor. 1● . Rom. 12. 3. order . All bound to x x Hebr. 10. 24. edifie one another , exhort , reproue & confort one another y y Deuit. 19. 17. 1. Thes , 2. 9 louinglie as to their owne me●bers , z z C●●os . 3. 2● . 1. Ioh , 〈…〉 faithfullie as in the eyes of God .

No a a 2. Cor. ● . 17. 2. Iohn g. Office here is ambitiouslie affected , no b b ● . Tim. 4. 2. 3. Gal. 6. 12 lawe wrongfullie wrested or c c 1. C●r . 5. wilfully neglected , no d d ●ere 23. 28. 1. Tim. 3. 15 trueth hid or perverted , e e 1. Co●. ● . & 14. 30. Col● 4 7. everie one here hath fredome and power ( not disturbing the peaceable order of the Church ) to 〈◊〉 his complaintes and griefes , and freely to reprooue the transgresions and errours of an●e without exceptions of persons .

Here is no f f Iohn . 10. 1. intrusion or cli●ing vp an other way into the sheepefolde , then g g Actes . 1. 23. & 6. 3. & 14 23. by the holy & free election of the Lordes holie and free people , and that according to the Lordes holie and free people , and that according to the Lorde Ordinance , humbling them selves by fasting● and prayer before the Lorde , crauing the direction of his holy Spirit , for the triall and approving of his Giftes , &c.

Thus they orderlie proceede to ordination by fastinge and prayer , in which h h 1. Tim. 4. 14. & ● . 22. action the Apostles vsed layinge on of handes . Thus hath euerie one of the people interest in the election and ordination of their officers , as also in the administration of their offices vpon i i Luke 17. 3. Rom. 16. 17 Col. 4. 17. transgression , offence , abuse , &c. hauing an especiall care vnto the inviolable order of the Church , as is aforesaid .

Likewise in this Church they haue holy k k Mat. 5. 19 1. Ti. 1. 18. lawes , as limits & bondes , which , it is lawfull at no hande to transgresse . They haue lawes to direct them in the choise of euerie officer , wat kinde of men the Lorde will haue . Their Pastour must be apte to l l Deut ●3 . 10 Mal. 2. 7. 1. Tim. 3. ● . teach , no yong Scholler , m m 2. Ti. 2. 15 able to diuide the worde aright , n n T it 1. 9. 2. Tim. 4. 2 holding faste that faithful worde , according to doctrine , that he may be able also to exhorte , rebuke , improoue , with wholesome doctrine , & to conuince them that saye against it : He must be a man that loueth goodnes : he must be wise , righteous , holie ▪ temperate : hee must be of life o o Tit. 1. 7. 8 on reproueable , as Gods Stewarde : hee must be generalie well reported of , & one that ruleth his owne housholde vnder obedience with al-honestie : he must be modest , humble , meeke , gentle , & louing : hee must be a man of great p p Numb. 1● . 7. Isay. 50. 4. Iere 3. 15. Eze. ●● . 18. Actes 20. patience , compassion , labour and diligence : hee must alwaies be carefull and watchfull over the flocke whereof the Lorde hath made him overseer with all willingnes & chearefulnes , 1. Pet. 5. 1. 2 ● 3 ▪ 4 , not holding his office in respect of persons , but doing his duetie to everie soule , as he will aunswere before the chief Shepheard , 1. Tim. 2. 20 1. Tim. 3. &c.

Their Doctor or Teacher must be a man apt to teach , able to diuide the worde of God aright , Titus . 1. 2. Tim. 2 15. and to deliuer sound and wholesom doctrine from the same , still building vpon that sounde ground worke , he must be mightie in the Scriptures , 1. Cor. 1 , 17 & 2 , 4. 〈…〉 . able to conuince them gainsayers , & carefullie to deliuer his doctrine pure , 〈…〉 sound & plaine , not with curiositie or affection , but so that it may edisie the most simple , approuing it to euerie mans conscience , he must be of life vnreproueable , one that can governe his owne housholde , he must be of manners sober , temperate , modest , gentle and louing , &c.

Their Elders must be of wisedome and iudgement : endued with the Spirit of GOD , able to discerne betweene cause and cause , Numb. 11. 24 betweene plea and plea , 2. Chro 19. 8 Actes 15. 1. Tim. 5. and accordinglie to preuent and redres euilles , alwayes vigilant and intending to see the statutes , ordinances and lawes of God kept in the Church , and that not onelie by the people in obedience , but to see the officers doe their dueties . These men must bee of life likewise vnreproueable , governing their owne families orderlie , they must be also of maners sober , gentle , modest , louing , temperate , etc.

Their Deacons must be men of honest report , hauing the misterie of the faith in a pure conscience , Actes . 6. 2. 1. Tim. 3. & . 9 endued with the holy ghost : they must be graue , temperate , not giuen to excesse , nor to filthie lucre .

Their Releeuers or Widowes must be women of 60 , yeares of age at the least , 1. Tim 5. 9. 10. for auoydinge of inconueniences : they must be well reported of for good workes , such as haue nourished their children , such as haue bin harberous to straungers : diligent and seruiceable to the Saintes , compassionate and helpeful to them in aduersitie , giuen to euerie good worke , continuing in supplications and prayers night and daye .

These Officers must firste be duelie proued , then if they be founde blameles , ● . Tim. 3. 10 administer , etc.

Nowe as the persons , giftes , conditions , manners , life and proofe of these officers , ● . Cor. 1● . 12 1● . is set downe by the holie Ghoste : So are their offices limitted , seuered , and diuers :

The Pastours office is , Leuit. 10. 10 11. to feede the sheep of Christ in greene and wholesome pastures of his worde , and leade them to the still waters , Num. 1● . ● . euen to the pure fountaine and riuer of life . Ezek 44. 23. and ●4 . 33. Hee must guyde and keepe those sheepe by that heauenlie sheephooke and pastorall staffe of the worde , Psal. 23. Iohn ●1. 15. thereby drawing them to him , thereby lookinge into their soules , euen into their most secrete thoughtes : Thereby discerning their diseases , and thereby curinge them : applying to euerie disease a fit and conuenient medicine , according to the qualitie and danger of the disease , Actes 20. 1 Pet. 5. 1. and giue warning to the Church , Zacha , 11. 7 that they may orderlie proceede to excommunication . Reuel. 2● . 2. Further , he must by this his sheepehooke watch over and defend his flock from rauenous beastes and the Wolfe , Luke 12. 42. and take the litle foxes , 2. Cor 10. 4. 5 Heb. 8. 12. etc.

The Doctours office is alreadie sett downe in his description : Ezech 33. 1. His speciall care must bee , 1. Cor. 11. 19 to builde vppon the onely true grounde-worke , Ioh. 10. 11. 22 golde , silver , and pretious stones , Leuit. 10. 10 that his worke may endure the triall of the fire , and by the light of the same fire , Ezech 44. 24. reueale the Tymber , Hay , Mal. 2. 6 , and Stubble of false Teachers : hee must take diligent heede to keepe the Church from errours . ● . Cor. 3. 11 And further hee must deliver his doctrine so playnlie , 1. Cor 1. 7. simplie , 2. Tim. 4. 16 and 6. 20. and purelie , that the church may increase with the increasing of God , Ephe. 2. 20. & grouwe vp vnto him which is the head Christ Iesus . Heb. 6. 1.

The office of the Auncientes is expressed in their description : Numb. 11. 16 Their especiall care must bee , Deus . 16. 18 to see the ordinaunces of God truely taught and practized , 2. Chro. 19. 8 asweell by the officers in dooing their duetie vprightlie , Exod. 39. 42 as to see that the people obey willinglie and redilie . 1. Tim. 3. 15 It is their duetie to see the Congregation holilie and quietlie ordered , 2. Tim. 1. 13 and no way disturbed , 1. Cor. 11. 16 and 14. 33. by the contentious and ▪ disobedient , frowarde and obstinate : Gal 2. 5. 5. not taking away the libertie of the least , Colos 1. 16. but vpholding the right of all , wiselie iudgginge of times and circumstances : Actes 20. They must bee readie assistauntes to the Pastour and Teachers , 1. Pet. 5. 1. helpinge to beare their burden , Rom. 1● . 8. but not intruding into their office .

The Deacons office is , Actes 6. faithfullie to gather , and collect by the ordinance of the Church , the goodes and be●euolence of the faithfull , and by the same direction , diligentlie and trustilie to distribute them according to the necessitie of the Sainctes . Rom. 12. 8. Further they must enquire and consider of the proportion of the wantes both , of the Officers and other poore , and accordinglie relate vnto the Church that provision may be made .

The Relieuers & Widowes office is , 1. Tim. 5. 9. to minister to the sicke , lame , wearie , & diseased , such helpefull comforts as they neede , by watching , tending and helping them . Further , Rom. 12 , 8 they must shewe goode example to the yonger Women , in sober , modest , & godlie conuersation , avoyding idlenes , vaine talke , & light behauiour .

These Officers , though they be diuers and seuerall , yet are they not seuered , Luke . 9 , 46. least their should be a diuision in the bodle , Iohn . 13. 12 , but they are as members of the bodie , hauing the same care one of another , ● . Cor. 12. 12 ● 25. ●8 . ioyntlie doing their seuerall dueties to the seruice of the Sainctes ▪ and to the edification of the Bodie of Christ , Ephe , 4. 11. 12. 13. 16. till wee all meete togither in the perfect measure of the fullnes of Christe , by whom all the bodie being in the meane whyle , thus coupled and knit togither by everie ioynt for the furniture thereof , according to the effectuall power which is in the measure of everie parte , receyueth increase of the bodie , vnto the edifing of it self in loue : neyther can anie of these Offices be wanting , without grieuous lamenes , & apparant deformitie of the bodie , yea violent injurie to the Head Christ Iesus .

Thus this holie armie of sainctes , is marshalled here in earth by these Officers , Rom. 12 , vnder the conduct of their glorious Emperour CHRIST , 1. Cor. 12. that victorious Michaell . Thus it marcheth in this most heavenlie order , Reuel . 14. ● . 2 & gratious araye , against all Enimies both bodelie and ghostlie . Reuel. 12. 11 , ● Peaceable in it self as Ierusalem , terrible vnto them as ▪ Cant. 6. ● . an Armie with banners , triumphing over their tyraimie with patience , their crueltie with meekenes , and over Death it self without ing . Thus through the blood of that spotles Lambe , and that Worde of their testimonie , they are more then Conquerours , Rom. 8 , 38 , 39. brusing the Head of the Serpent : yea through the power of his Worde , they haue power to cast downe Sathan like lightning : Luke 10. 18. 19. to treade vpon Serpents and Scorpions : to cast downe strong holds , and everie thing that exalteth it self against GOD . Mat. ●6 , 18. The Gates of Hell and all the Principalities and powers of the worlde , Rom 1. ●3 . 39. shall not prevayle against it .

Further , Mat. 16. 19. hee hath giuen them the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen , That whatsoever they binde in earth by his worde , Iohn . 10 , 〈◊〉 . shal be bounde in heaven : and whatsoever they loose on earth , Mat. 18. 18. shal be loosed in heaven .

Nowe this power which Christ hath given vnto his Church , Iohn . 20. 23. and to everie member of his Church , to keepe it in order , Mat. 16. 16. and 18. 18. hee hath not lefte it to their discretions and lustes to be vsed or neglected as they will , Deut 12. 32 but in his last Will and Testament , Revel. 22. 18. he hath sett downe both an order of proceeding , and an end to which it is vsed .

If the fault bee priuate , Leuit , 19. 17. 18 , private holy & loving admonition & reproofe is to be vsed , with an inwarde desire & earnest care to winne their brother : Mat. 18. 15. But if hee wil not heare , Deut. 19. 15 yet to take two or three other brethren with him , whom he knoweth most meete for that purpose , Mat. 18. 16. that by the mouth of two or thre witnesses , euerie word may be confirmed : And if he refuse to heare them , then to declare the matter to the Church , which ought seuerelie and sharpelie to reprehende , grauelie to admonishe , and louinglie to perswade ●he partie offending : shewing him the heynousnes of his offence , and the daunger of his obstinacie , and the fearefull judgements of the Lorde .

All this notwithstanding the Church is not to holde him as an enimie , ● , Thess. 3 , 15. but to admonishe him and praye for him as a Brother , proouinge if at anie time the Lorde will giue him repentaunce . For this power is not given them to the destruction of anie , 2. Cor. 10. ● and 1● . 10. but to the edification and preseruation of all .

If this preuaile not to drawe him to repentance , Mat. 18. 16. Then are they in ●he Name and power of the Lorde IESVS , with the whole Congregationn , reve●entlie in prayer to proceede to excommunication , casting him out of the couenaunt and protection of the Lorde , for his disobedience and obstinacie , 1. Cor. 5. 5. and committing him to Sathan for the destruction of the fleshe , that the Spirit may bee saued in the day of the Lorde Iesus , if such bee his good wil and pleasure .

Further , Mat. 18. 17. they are to warne the whole Congregation and all other Faithfull , 1 , Cor. 5. 1● . to holde him as a Heathen and a Publicane , and to abstaine them selues from his societie as not to eate or drinke with him , &c. vnles it bee such as of necessitie must needes , as his Wife , his Children and Familie : yet these ( if they be Members of the Church ) are not to joyne to him in anie Spirituall exercise .

If the Offence bee publike , 1. Tim. 5. 20 the partie is publiquelie to bee reproued , Gal , 2. 14. and admonished : if hee then repent not , Io●●●7 19. to proceede to excommunication , vt supra . 2 , Cor. 7. 9.

The repentance of the partie must bee proportionable to the Offence , Leuit. 19 18 , viz. Pro. ●0 . 12. If the Offence bee publique publique : Rom. 12. 19. & 〈◊〉 . 10 and 14. 1. If priuate , priuate : humbled , submisiue , sorrowfull vnfained , giving glorie to the Lord . Gal. 6. 1. 2. Mark 9. 50 , Ephe. 4 , 29. Mat. 18. 15. Lam 5. 15. 19. ●0 .

There must great care be had of Admonitions , that they bee not captious , or curious finding faulte where none is . Neyther yet in bitternes or reproche , for that were to destroye and not to saue our brother : but they must bee carefullie done , with prayer going before , they must bee seazoned with trueth , grauitie , love & peace .

Moreover in this Church is an especiall care had by euerie Member thereof , Luke . 1● . ● . of Offences : The Stronge ought not to offend the Weake , Pro. 10. 12. nor the weake to iudge the Stronge : Rom. 14. 12. ●●9 . but all graces here are given to the service and edification of eache other in loue and longe sufferinge . Gal. ● . 2.

In this Church is the Trueth purelie taught , and surelie kept : Gen , 1● . heere is the Couenaunte , the Sacramentes , and promisses , Isay , 44. 3. the graces , the glorie , the presence , the worship of God , Gal. ● 23. &c. ●nd ● . 1● . Isay. 60. 15. Deut , 4. 13 Isay. 56. 7 1. Tim. ● 15. Isay. 5● . ● .

Into this Temple entreth no vncleane thinge , Isay 52. 1 neither what so ever worketh Abhominations or lyes , Ezek 44. 9. but they which are written in the Lambes Booke of life . Isay. 35. 8. Zach 14. ●1. 〈◊〉 , 21. 27.

But without this CHVRCH shal bee dogges and En●haunters , Rom. ● . 9. & Whoremongers , Reuel. 22. 19. & Murderers , and Idolatours and who so euer loueth & maketh lyes .

FINIS .