The Rules given by Christ for The Ordering of Christian Churches, are,1 1. In general; that all Gospel Ordinances be dispensed and administered according to Gospel-Precepts and Patterns, Col 2.5,6. 2. In particular; 1. That fit persons be orderly admitted into this holy Fellowship, by the Door, which is Christ believed on and professed, •oh. 10.7,9. 2. That Officers appointed ⟨p. 5⟩by Christ be regularly chosen and ordained, and that the Elder, both Teaching and Ruling, especially Teaching, be singularly loved, and honoured with double honour, and obeyed, 1 Tim. 3. […] Phil. 1. 1. Act. 6.6. & 14.23. 1 Thess. 5.12,13. 1 Tim. 4.17,18. Heb. 13.17. 2. That the Members exercise mutual Watchfulness one over another, Heb. 10.24,25. with mutual Submission of one to another, and of every one to the whole Body 1 […] 5.5. 3. That the visible Seals, instituted by Christ for Gospel-Churches, which are only two, Baptism, and the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 12. 13. be administered by the Teaching Officers, according to Christs Institution, M•t. 28.19. 1. Baptism is to be administered by Christs Ordinance to Disciples, ibid. Viz. 1. To grown persons not before baptized, after their holding forth their Repentance and Faith in Christ, and voluntary taking hold of the Covenant for themselves and their seed, Mat. 3.6. Luke 3. 3. Acts 8 37,38. & 2. 38,39. 1 Cor. 12.12,13. These, for distinction sake, I call Immediate Members. 2. To their infant-seed or children in minority, who also are members in the right of their Parents covenanting for them, Acts 2.39. 1 Cor. 7.14. these I call Mediate Members; because the membership which they have is Mediante Parent•m foedere: therefore, these being grown up, must be admitted into immediate fellowship, and full communion with the Church, by their personal faith held forth to satisfaction of the Churches charitable discretion, and by their taking hold of the Covenant for themselves and their seed, as their Parents before them did; as it is prophesied of Gospel-Churches in Isa. 56.6,7. & 62 5. 2. The Lords Supper is to be administered according to Christ's Institution, in reference both to the Ordinance it self, 1 Cor. 11.23, to 27 and to the Communicants, ver. 27 to 32. 4. That Church-censures be applied to delinquent Members, in private offences, according to Mat. 18 15 to 18. and in public criminous Scandals▪ according to 1 Cor 5. 11. Rev. 22.15.
The Rules given by Christ for The Ordering of Christian Churches, are,1 1. In general; that all Gospel Ordinances be dispensed and administred according to Gospel-Precepts and Patterns, Col 2.5,6. 2. In particular; 1. That fit persons be orderly admitted into this holy Fellowship, by the Door, which is Christ believed on and professed, •oh. 10.7,9. 2. That Officers appointed ⟨p. 5⟩by Christ be regularly chosen and ordained, and that the Elder, both Teaching and Ruling, especially Teaching, be singularly loved, and honoured with double honour, and obeyed, 1 Tim. 3. 〈…〉 Phil. 1. 1. Act. 6.6. & 14.23. 1 Thess. 5.12,13. 1 Tim. 4.17,18. Heb. 13.17. 2. That the Members exercise mutual Watchfulness one over another, Heb. 10.24,25. with mutual Submission of one to another, and of every one to the whole Body 1 〈…〉 5.5. 3. That the visible Seals, instituted by Christ for Gospel-Churches, which are onely two, Baptism, and the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 12. 13. be administred by the Teaching Officers, according to Christs Institution, M•t. 28.19. 1. Baptism is to be administred by Christs Ordinance to Disciples, ibid. Viz. 1. To grown persons not before baptized, after their holding forth their Repentance and Faith in Christ, and voluntary taking hold of the Covenant for themselves and their seed, Mat. 3.6. Luke 3. 3. Acts 8 37,38
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