The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

LET Men advance any other Church Order in the room of that here declared; so suited unto the principles of Natural Light, Operations and Duties of diverse natures, being distributed and assigned to such distinct Gifts; acted in distinct Offices, as renders those unto whom they are prescribed meet and able for them; so correspondent to all Institutions, Rules and Examples of Church-Order in other places of Scripture; so suited unto the Edification of the Church, wherein nothing which is necessary thereunto is omitted, nor any thing added above what is necessary; and it shall be cheerfully embraced.

THE Truth is, the ground of the different Interpretations and Applications of this Context of the Apostle, ariseth merely from the prejudicate▪ Apprehensions, that Men have concerning the State of the Church and its Rule. For if the State of it be National or Diocesan, if the Rule of it be by Arbitrary Rules and Canons, from an Authority exerting it self in Courts Ecclesiastical, Legal or Illegal, the Order of things here described by the Apostle, doth no way belong, nor can be accommodated thereunto. To suppose that we have a full Description and Account in these Words of all the Offices and Officers of the Church, of their Duty and Authority, of all they have to do, and the manner how they are to do it, is altogether unreasonable and senseless unto them, who have another Idea of Church-Affairs and Rule, conceived in their Minds, or received by Tradition, and riveted by Interest. And on the other hand; those who know little or nothing of what belongs unto the due Edification of the Church, beyond Preaching the Word and reaping the Advantage that is obtained thereby, cannot see any necessity of the distribution of these several Works and Duties unto several Officers; but suppose all may be done well enough by One or Two in the same Office. Wherefore, it will be necessary, that we treat briefly of the Nature of the Rule of the Church in particular, and what is required thereunto, which shall be done in the close of this Discourse.

THE Truth is, the ground of the different Interpretations and Applications of this Context of the Apostle, ariseth meerly from the prejudicate▪ Apprehensions, that Men have concerning the State of the Church and its Rule. For if the State of it be National or Diocesan, if the Rule of it be by Arbitrary Rules and Canons, from an Authority exerting it self in Courts Ecclesiastical, Legal or Illegal, the Order of things here described by the Apostle, doth no way belong, nor can be accommodated thereunto. To suppose that we have a full Description and Account in these Words of all the Offices and Officers of the Church, of their Duty and Authority, of all they have to do, and the manner how they are to do it, is altogether unreasonable and senceless unto them, who have another Idea of Church-Affairs and Rule, conceived in their Minds, or received by Tradition, and riveted by Interest. And on the other hand; those who know little or nothing of what belongs unto the due Edification of the Church, beyond Preaching the Word and reaping the Advantage that is obtained thereby, cannot see any necessity of the distribution of these several Works and Duties unto several Officers; but suppose all may be done well enough by One or Two in the same Office. Wherefore, it will be necessary, that we treat briefly of the Nature of the Rule of the Church in particular, and what is required thereunto, which shall be done in the close of this Discourse.