THE DOCTRINE of the Church, to which is committed the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. Wherein is Demonstrated by way of Question and Answer, what a Visible Church is, according to the order of the gospel: and what Officers, Members, Worship and Government, Christ hath ordained in the New TESTAMENT. By that Reverend and Learned Divine, Master JOHN COTTON, B. D. and Teacher of Church in Boston in New England. JEREMY 50.5. They shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant, that shall not be forgotten. LONDON: Printed for Samuel Satterthwaite, at the sign of the black Bull in Budge Row. 1642. To the Reader. COurteous Reader, if the Reverend Author( who many yeares ago did handle these things more fully, and thus set down the sum and pith thereof) had had a late perusal of them, and had overseen the press: there should not have escaped( through the copy or Printer) these or the like faults, which now thou art entreated to Correct with thy Pen, before thy perusal hereof, both for thine own and others benefit: which else in part may bee hindered. The Errata. page. 1. line 10. members and Saints, red members, Saints. p. 2. l. 4. throne r. Church? p. 3. l. 10. without. r. in l. 31 brave. r grave. p. 5. l. 4. committing r submitt●ng. l. 13, 14 worship and administration ( 1) and r. pointing it thus. worship, and ministration ( 1): and l. ( 31.) worship. r. prayer. bring the 6. line from the end. p. 6. l. 24. or any. r. or others. p. 8. l. 9 performed by. r. performed, p. 10. l. 30. is to be r. if he bee. p. 11. l. 12.: r. it,: for if he resuseth it, the p. 12. l. 6. from the end. subordinate. r. as subordinate. p. 13. l. 6. the Church. r. the other Church. And in the margin Correct it thus: page. 2. The 12. first lines, Should be in the end of page. 1 p. 2. The two list lines, Should be in the beginning of p. 3. p. 5. The 6 last lines there, Should be in the beginning of p 6. P. 2. l. 5. 1 Cor. 4.17. r. 1. l 11. Rom. 11. 3. r. 13. l. 15. Rom. 16.3. r 23. l 16. & 19. Phil 2.2. r. 1.1. ●22. 1.17 2 to 7. r. 1 Tim 3.2. to 7. p. 3 l. 1. Rom. 1. r. 12. P. ●. l. 9. Mat. 23, r. 3. l. 15. Mat. 6. r 3.6. l 5. from the end. Eph. 4.33. r 32. p 5 l 18 Psa. 121.12.3. r 1, 2, 3. p. 7. l. 4. from the end Chr. 19. r. 29 p. 8. l 8. 1 King. 8.15. r. 14. p. 8 l 9. put our ( 3) being misplaced. l. 11. Numb 6. r. ( 3) Numb. 6. l. last save one, 1 Cor. 16.2. r.( 1 Cor. 16.2.) p. 8. l 15. jo. 4 26. r. 24. the 5, 6, 7. l. from the end, put out. and p. 10. l. 11. last 14 33. r. 14.23. THE true Constitution of a Particular visible Church proved by Scripture. Quest. WHat is the Church? Ans. The Church is a mystical body (1) Eph. 5.30, 31, 32. Rom. 12.4, 5. 1 Cor 12.28. whereof Christ is the Head (2) Eph. 2.22. & 5.23. the members and Saints (3) 1 Cor. 2.12 Col. 1.2. called our of the World (4) 1 Cor. 2.2.9. and united together into one Congregation (5) 1 Cor. 11.18. & 14.23. by an holy Covenant (6) Exo. 19 5. & 24.3.7. Deu. 5.2.27. and 29.2.9. to 15. to worship the Lord, and to edify one another in all his holy Ordinances (7) 1 Cor. 5.4. 1 Cor. 14.26. Quest. What sort of Members hath God set in his Church? Ans. Some that are Ministers (1) 1 Cor 4 17 Eph. 4.12. Col 4.17. Rom. 12 7 or Officers (2) 1 Tim. 3.2.10.13. Rom. 11.3. Psal. 109.8. in the Church, others commonly called by the general name that belongeth, to all the members, Brethren, (3) Act. 15.22 23. Rom. 16 13. and Saints. (4) Phil. 4.4 Quest. What sorts of Ministers or Officers hath God set in his Throne? Ans. Some extraordinary, as Apostles, Prophets, and Evangelists (1) Eph. 4.11 1 Cor 12.28. some ordinary and perpetual, as Bishops and Deacons. (2) Phil. 2 2. 1 Tim. 3.1, 2.3 Quest. What manner of men are to be called to these Offices, to be Bishops, or Elders in the Church? Ans. A Bishop or Elder in the Church, must be in himself a blameless man for Holinesse, and righteousness, and for freedom from passions and lusts, also a vigilant man, and of good behaviour. Moreover, he must bee in his Family a man of good Government, and of good Hospitality; in his Name a man of good Report even of those that are without; in his Profession not a young Plant, but holding fast the faithful Word, apt to teach it, and able to maintain it (1) 1 Tim. 2.2 to 7. Tit. 1.6. to 9. Quest. What sorts of Bishops or Elders hath God ordained in his Church? Ans. Of Bishops who are also called Elders, God hath ordained two sorts; Ruling Elders, and such as labour in word and in Doctrine (1) 1 Tim. 5 17 1 Cor. 12.28. Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. Acts 20.28. Tit. 1.5.7. commonly called Pastors and Teachers (2) Eph. 4.11. all of them to watch over one certain flock, the Church of a particular Congregation. (3) Act. 14 23 and 20.17. with 28. Phil. 1.1. Tit. 1.5. Quest. What is the Office, or work of the Pastors or Teachers? Ans. The Pastors work is to attend upon Exhortation, and therein to dispense a word of wisdom; the Teacher is to attend upon Doctrine, and therein to dispense a word of knowledge. (1) Rom, 12.7, 8 1 Cor. 12.28. Quest. What is the Office of the Ruling Elders? Ans. Seeing the kingdom of Christ is not of this World, but Heavenly and spiritual (1) joh 18 36 and the Government of his kingdom is not Lordly, (2) Luk 12 42 but Stewardly, and ministerial (2) Luk 12 42 and to labour in the ministry of Exhortation, and Doctrine is the proper work of the Pastor and Teacher (3) 1 Tim. 5.17. it remaineth therefore to bee the part, and Office of the ruling Elders, to assist the Pastor and Teacher in all other Acts of Rule besides, as becometh good Stewards of the household of God (4) Rom. 1 8. as first to open, and shut the doors of Gods House (5) Math. 16.19. by admission of Members (6) Acts 20.28 29. by ordination of Officers (7) 1 Tim. 4.14, by excommunication of notorious and obstinate offenders (8) Math. 18.17, 18. Secondly, to see that none without the Church live either inordinately without a calling, or Idly in their calling (9) 2 Thes. 3.10, 11, 12. thirdly to prevent and heal such offences in life, and Doctrine as might corrupt either their own Church (10) Rev. 22 14, 15.20. or other Churches if their Counsel be required (11) Act. 15.2.6. Fourthly, to prepare matters before hand for the Churches consideration (12) Acts 21 18. and to moderate the carriage of all matters in the Church assembled (13) Act. 6 2. as to propound matters to the Church (14) Act. 6 2 3 and to order the season of speech and silence in the Church (15) Acts 13 15. Fifthly, to feed the flock of God with a word of admonition (16) 1 Thes. 5.12. Acts 20.31. and as they shall be called for to visit & pray over their sick brethren (17) Iam. 5.14. Quest. What manner of men hath God appointed to be called to the Deacons Office? Answ. Men of gravity and of good report not given to dissembling, nor to Wine, nor to coverousnesse, 1 Tim. 3.8: to 12. Act 6.3. full of the holy Ghost and wisdom, holding forth the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience, keeping their household in good Rule and enjoying such wives as may neither dishonour nor corrupt their Office, not standerers( but) grave and sober and faithful in all things( 1) Quest. What is the office of the Deacons? Answ. To receive the offerings of the Church brought unto them and laid down before them (1) Acts 4 34 35. and therewith to serve Tables (2) Acts 6.2. distributing with simplicity (3) Rom. 12.8. not onely to the Ministers of the Church (4) Gal. 6.6. but to any other of the brethren as they shall have need (5) Act. 4 35 Quest. But is it not the Office of the Deacons to show mercy with cheerfulness? Answ. Yes verily, to their Brethren in misery (1) Rom 12.8 but that part of their office they do chiefly perform by the hand of the widows, chosen into their number, who are therefore called the Deacons or servants of the Church (2) Rom. 16 1 Quest. What manner of widows hath God allowed, to be taken into this number? Answ. Ancient women, well reported of for good works, for nursing her children, for lodging of Strangers, for washing the Saints feet, for relieving the afflicted, for following diligently every good work (3) 1 Tim, ●. 9 10, Quest. What manner of men hath God appointed, to be received as Brethren and members of his Church: Answ. Such as are called of God out of this world to the fellowship of Christ (1) Rom 1.6.7 1 Cor. ●. 9. Acts 2.38, 39, 40. Math. 33 11.12 and do willingly offer and join themselves, first to the Lord (2) Act. 2 41. Psal 110 3. Esay 56.6, 7 and then to the Church (3) Act. 24 47 & 8.36, 37, 38. by confession of their sins (4) Math 3.6. Acts 19.18. by profession of their faith (5) Act 8 36.37. and by taking or laying hold of his Covenant (6) Esa 56.6, 7 Quest. What is the Office or duty which God calleth the Brethren unto, the members of the Church? Answ. To brotherly love (1) 1 Pet. 2.17 & 3.8. Col 3.14. 1 Thes. 4 9. Heb 13.1. and the fruits therof brotherly unity (2) Eohes. 4.3 Psal. 1, 31. Col. 3.15. Acts 7.26. brotherly equality (3) 1 Cor. 8 14. Math. 23.8. Deut 17 20. & brotherly communion (4) Act 2.42. & 4.32. 1 Cor. 1.10 Quest. Wherein standeth brotherly unity which we are to hold one with another? Answ. To be perfectly joined together in one mind and one judgement in one truth (1) Phil. 2.1, 2. Ephes. 4.15. and where wee cannot bee of one judgement yet still to be of one heart (2) Phil. 4.2. Act. 4.32. not provoking nor envying one another (3) Gal. 5.26. but for bearing and forgiving (4) Ep. 4.2.33 not judging nor despising one another in differences of weakness (5) Ro. 14.1, 3. but so far as we are come to walk together by the same Rule (6) Phil. 3.16. To teach and learn one of another the way of God more perfectly (7) Act. 8 26. Till we all grow up in the unity of the faith, unto a perfect man in Christ Iesus (8) Ephes. 4.13. Quest. Wherein standeth brotherly equality which we are to hold one with another? Answ. In ●… mitting a like unto all Gods Ordinances, and enjoying alike all Christian Liberties (1) Gal. 3.28. ●am. 1.9 10. Deut. 17.20. Ezek. 46.10. In preferring others before ourselves (2) Phil. 2, 3. Rom. 12.10. and seeeking one anothers welfare (3) 1 Co. 10.24 Phillip. 2.4. Gal 5.13. and feeling their estates, as our own (4) Heb. 1.3: Rom. 12, 15. in bearing the burdens one of another imposing no burdens, but in equal proportion (6) 2 Cor 8.13, 14. Quest. Wherein standeth brotherly communion which we are to hold one with another? Answ. In our steadfast and continual fellowship in the Apostles Doctrine and worship: and ministration (1) Act. 2.42. & 6 1. and for this end to dwell together (2) Psal. 133.1 & 122.12 3. and to watch over one another (3) Heb. 10.24 3.12, 13. to resort together to the public assembly (4) Heb. 10.25. Psal 110.3. & ●22. 1. Isay 60.8. and there to join in all holy duties with one accord (5) Act. 1.14. & 4.24. 1 Cor. 14.16.26. 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. 2 Cor. 9, 12. and every Lords day to lay up in store for the supply of the Saints( 6) Quest. How is the public worship of God to bee ordered, and administered in the Church? Answ. All the Members of the Church being met together as one man (1) Ezek. 46.10 1 Cor. 11 33. in the sight of God (2) Act. 10 33. are to join together in holy duties with one accord (3) Deut. 4 24. 1 Cor. 14.16. 1 Cor 11.4. to 6 the men with their heads uncovered the women covered( 4) Quest. What part of public worship is first to bee administered? Answ. The Apostle exhorteth that first of all: All manner of prayers be made for all men, for Kings, and all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and a peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty (1) 1 Tim. 2.12 Ezra 6.10. Quest. Whither are set forms of public worship, devised and ordained by men an acceptable worship unto the Lord? Answ. If such set forms had been an ordinance of the Lord, and a worship acceptable to him, the Lord himself, or at least some of the Apostles, or Prophets, would not have held back that part of Gods counsel, from the Church (1) Act. 20.26 27. Besides, public prayer is as well a part of public Ministry, as prophesy is (2) Gen. 20.7. Neh. 8.6. 1 Cor. 14.16. and the forms of one might as justly be taught, by the precepts of men as the other (3) Isay. 29 13 and both of them are alike the gifts of the Holy Ghost, to whom it belongeth as well to teach us what to pray, as how to pray (4) Rom. 8.26 nor will it well stand with the holy gesture of Prayer, which is to lift up our eyes to Heaven (5) joh. 11.41 and 17.1. to cast down our eyes upon a book (6) s. 121.1. and 123.1. Quest. What part of public worship is next to be administered? Answ. Before prophesying it will bee seasonable to sing a psalm (1) 2 Kin. 3.15. Coll. 3 16. and by some of the Teachers of the Church to read the Word, and therewith to Preach it, by giving the sense, and applying the use (2) Neh 8.8. Act. 15.21. Luk. 4.21 23. to 28. In dispensing whereof the Minister was wont to stand above all the people in a Pulpit of wood and the Elders on both sides (3) Neh. 8.4.5 while the people hearkened unto them with Reverence and Attention (4) Neh. 8 5. Luke 2.29. where there be more Prophets, 〈◇〉 Pastors and Teachers, they may prophesy two or three (5) Neh. 8.7. 1 Cor. 14.29. and if the time permit, the Elders may call any ●… er of the Brethren, whither of the same Church or any, to speak a word of Exhortation to the people (6) Act. 13 15. 1 Cor. 14.31. and for the better edifying of a mans self or others, it may be lawful for any( young or old) save onely for Women to ask questions at the mouth of the Prophets (7) Luk. 2.46. 1 Cor. 14.35. Quest. After the Ministry of the Word, what part of Gods public worship is next to be administered? Ans. After the Word( which is the Covenant of God) the seals of the Covenant are next to bee administered; baptism, and the Lords Supper (1) Act. 16. 24.1●.31, 32, 33. and as for baptism, it is to bee dispensed by a Minister of the Word (2) Mat. 28.19 unto a believer professing his Repentance, and his Faith (3) Acts. 8.36 37. Mat. 3.6. being a member of the same Church (4) 1 Cor. 12.13. (5) Gen 17.23 A●… 8.36 37.