Strict Discipline must be kept up in Christ's Family. Every Member ought to know his Place, and to strive to behave himself well. To this very end Paul wrote to Timothy, 1That thou mayest (saith he) know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the House of God, &c. All the Saints should live in perfect Peace, Unity, and sweet Concord together, as Children of the same Father, and Heirs of the same Crown and Kingdom. Hence the Apostle exhorteth the Saints,2 to endeavour to keep the Unity of the Spirit, in the Bond of Peace. Nothing is at this Day more grievous to a sincere Soul, than to see the great Divisions, and Want of Love, that is amongst us; nor doth any thing more encourage our Popish Adversaries. Jovianus the Emperor, was much troubled at the Divisions that were amongst Christians in his Time, and showed his Dislike at their Contentions, in these Words: I tell you truly, I cannot bear with Contention, but such as are for Concord and Unity I willingly honour and embrace; and certain I am, that such as strive for Truth and Peace, Christ will embrace, Discord amongst Brethren being one of those things he chiefly hates.3
⟨p. 130⟩VIII. There is, and ought to be, some special Order and Discipline kept up in a Family, that every one may know his Place, Work, and Business. |
VIII. So in the Church, or spiritual Family, there is a special Order and Discipline to be learned and kept up, and every one is to know his Place, Work, and Business, some of which we shall briefly hint in this place.
The first thing that I shall mind is, the Choice of Officers, viz. Elders and Deacons: They should be chosen according to the Rules and Directions God hath left in his Word, viz. Men fitly qualified: A Bishop must not be soon angry, 4not given to Wine, no Striker, not self-willed, not a Brawler, not Covetous, not a Novice. He must be blameless, one that rules well his own House, apt to teach, a Lover of good Men, sober, just, temperate, able by sound Doctrine to convince Gainsayers. There are Directions also given about their Wives.
2. Every Member hath his peculiar Vote in choosing of their Officers; after Election, they are to be ordained, by Prayer, and laying on of Hands.5
3. The Pastor or Bishop is to feed the Flock, to be faithful and laborious in preaching the Word of Life, exhorting, reproving, comforting,6 according as he finds occasion.
4.
Strict Discipline must be kept up in Christ's Family. Every Member ought to know his Place, and to strive to behave himself well. To this very end Paul wrote to Timothy, 1That thou mayest (saith he) know how thou oughtest to behave thy self in the House of God, &c. All the Saints should live in perfect Peace, Unity, and sweet Concord together, as Children of the same Father, and Heirs of the same Crown and Kingdom. Hence the Apostle exhorteth the Saints,2 to endeavour to keep the Ʋnity of the Spirit, in the Bond of Peace. Nothing is at this Day more grievous to a sincere Soul, than to see the great Divisions, and Want of Love, that is amongst us; nor doth any thing more encourage our Popish Adversaries. Jovianus the Emperor, was much troubled at the Divisions that were amongst Christians in his Time, and shewed his Dislike at their Contentions, in these Words: I tell you truly, I cannot bear with Contention, but such as are for Concord and Unity I willingly honour and embrace; and certain I am, that such as strive for Truth and Peace, Christ will embrace, Discord amongst Brethren being one of those things he chiefly hates.3
⟨p. 130⟩VIII. There is, and ought to be, some special Order and Discipline kept up in a Family, that every one may know his Place, Work, and Business. |
VIII. So in the Church, or spiritual Family, there is a special Order and Discipline to be learned and kept up, and every one is to know his Place, Work, and Business, some of which we shall briefly hint in this place.
The first thing that I shall mind is, the Choice of Officers, viz. Elders and Deacons: They should be chosen according to the Rules and Directions God hath left in his Word, viz. Men fitly qualified: A Bishop must not be soon angry, 4not given to Wine, no Striker, not self-willed, not a Brawler, not Covetous, not a Novice. He must be blameless, one that rules well his own House, apt to teach, a Lover of good Men, sober, just, temperate, able by sound Doctrine to convince Gainsayers. There are Directions also given about their Wives.
2. Every Member hath his peculiar Vote in chusing of their Officers; after Election, they are to be ordained, by Prayer, and laying on of Hands.5
3. The Pastor or Bishop is to feed the Flock, to be faithful and laborious in preaching the Word of Life, exhorting, reproving, comforting,
- 11 Tim. 3.15.
- 2Eph. 4.3.
- 3Prov. 6.16
- 41 Tim. 3.2, to 8. Tit 1 5, 6, 7.
- 5Acts 6.6. & 13.3.
- 61 Tim. 4.12, 16.
