Part 27 (2/2)

_Ans_. When all the parts thereof are agreeable to Scripture precepts; to approved Scripture examples; or are deducible by fair Scripture consequences.

_Quest_. How does it appear, that Scripture consequences are to be admitted to prove any particular truth or doctrine?

_Ans_. Because G.o.d has formed man a rational intelligent creature, capable of searching out the plain meaning and import, and also the necessary consequences of his express declarations. We find Christ reasoning by a deduction of consequences, when he showed that the doctrine of the resurrection was revealed to Moses at the burning bush; that the sixth commandment forbids angry words; and the seventh lascivious looks, Luke xx. 37, 38; Matt. v. 21, 28. And a great part of the inspired epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews consists in such a deduction of consequences. And as all Scripture is said to be profitable ”for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,” 2 Tim. iii. 16, without a rational deduction of consequences, every portion of Scripture cannot answer each of these valuable ends.

_Quest_. What particular form of church government may lay the only proper claim to a divine right, according to the Holy Scriptures?

_Ans_. The true presbyterian form, without that lordly dominion and tyrannical power, which has too often been exercised by courts, bearing this name. This government claimeth no power over men's bodies or estates. It does not inflict civil pains or corporal punishments. But it is a government purely spiritual, dealing with the consciences of men, and exercising the keys of the kingdom of heaven, doing all things according to the word of G.o.d.

_Quest_. What are the parts of presbyterial church government?

_Ans_. It consists of a people, having the qualifications which the Scriptures require; of certain rulers, who are to perform the duties of their respective offices; and of certain courts, in which these rulers sit and act in matters of judgment.

_Quest_. What are the qualifications of persons who const.i.tute the private members of the visible church?

_Ans_. They ought to be true believers in Christ, to have a competent knowledge of the doctrines of the gospel, to make a sound profession of their faith, and to maintain a holy conversation.

_Quest_. What rulers are there in the presbyterian church?

_Ans_. Preaching elders, ruling elders, and deacons.

_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for the preaching elder?

_Ans_. In the Holy Scriptures we find that G.o.d hath set some in the Church, TEACHERS: that our ascended Redeemer hath given her PASTORS and TEACHERS: that the Holy Ghost had made some BISHOPS, OVERSEERS, to feed her; and qualifies some for _prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation_, 1 Cor. xii. 28; Eph. iv. 11; Acts xx. 28; Rom. xii. 6-8.

_Quest_. What are the duties of preaching elders?

_Ans_. To preach the word; to dispense the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper; to administer church discipline; and to rule and govern the church, 2 Tim. iv. 2; Matt. xxviii. 19; 1 Cor. xi. 23-29; 1 Tim. v.

20; t.i.t. ii. 15, and iii. 10; Heb. xiii. 17; 1 Pet. v. 2, 3. _Quest_.

Is the office of the gospel minister inst.i.tuted by G.o.d to continue to the end of time?

_Ans_. Yes; the ends of it are of a permanent nature, the converting and confirming of the elect, and the silencing of gain-savers, Acts xxvi.

18; t.i.t. i. 9, 11.

_Quest_. Where is the divine warrant for the office of the ruling elder?

_Ans_. From the three following pa.s.sages of sacred Scripture: 1. From Rom. xii. 5 to 8: ”We being many are one body in Christ, and members one of another. Having then gifts, differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence,” &c. Here we have a list of the ordinary officers of Christ, one body, the church. Here is the teacher: _he that teacheth_. Here is the pastor: _he that exhorteth_. Here is the deacon: _he that giveth_.

And here is another officer distinct from all them, _he that ruleth_.

His description attests, that _ruling_ is, if not his only, yet his princ.i.p.al work. He that _ruleth_ is here marked by a distinct character, as having a different _gift_, and a distinct work from his fellow-officers. This office therefore must be _distinct_. 2. From 1 Cor. xii. 28, where the _Spirit of G.o.d_ informs us, that G.o.d hath set some in the Church, GOVERNMENTS. These must be understood of _governors_, as _miracles_ are afterwards explained of _workers of miracles_. These governments and governors are said to be _set_ in the church, not in the state; by G.o.d, not by men: they are declared to be distinct officers by themselves. Their t.i.tle, government, implies, that _ruling_ is their princ.i.p.al work. 3. From 1 Tim. v. 17, where the divine warrant for ruling elders s.h.i.+nes with more peculiar brightness than anywhere in the book of G.o.d: ”Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor; especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” The ruling elders here mentioned necessarily pertain to the church. Two sorts of ruling elders are here plainly distinguished: some that only rule well; others that also labor in word and doctrine. There is not one place in the New Testament, nor perhaps in any Greek author, where the word here translated ESPECIALLY does not distinguish between different persons or things, Gal. vi. 10; Phil. iv. 22; 1 Tim. iv. 10; 2 Tim. iv. 13; and it would be absurd to suppose, that it does not distinguish here also. Therefore this single text shows the divine right of both the teaching and ruling elder.

_Quest_. What are the duties of ruling elders?

_Ans_. To exercise ecclesiastical rule in church courts with the same authority as the preaching elder; to watch over the flock; impartially to receive or exclude members; to warn and censure the unruly; and to visit and pray with the sick.

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