soon as the same shall be ratified, without any substantial alteration, by an ordinance of the honourable Houses of the Parliament of England; which ratification shall be timely intimate and made known by the Commissioners of this kirk, residing at London. Provided always, That this act be no ways prejudicial to the further discussion and examination of that article which holds forth, That the doctor or teacher hath power of the administration of the sacraments, as well as the pastor ; as also of the distinct rights and interests of presbyteries and people in the calling of ministers ; but that it shall be free to debate and discuss these points, as God shall be pleased to give further light.

THE Preface.

Of the Power in common of all these Of the Church.

Assemblies. Of the Officers of the Church.

Of Congregational Assemblies, that is, Pastors.

the Meeting of the ruling Officers Other Church-governors.

of a particular Congregation, for the Deacons.

government thereof. Of particular. Congregations.

Of Classical Assemblies. Of the Officers of a particular Congre. Of Synodical Assemblies. gation

Of Ordination of Ministers. Of the Orlinances in a particular Con- Touching the Doctrine of Ordination. gregation.

Touching the Power of Ordination. Of Church-government, and the geve- Concerning the Doctrinal Part of the ral sorts of Assemblies for the Ordination of Ministers.

The Directory for the Ordination of

Ministers.

same.

THE

FORM OF PRESBYTERIAL CHURCH-GOVERNMENT.

THE PREFACE.

ESUS CHRIST, upon whose shoulders the government is, whose name is

called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peacea; of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end ; who sits upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice, from henceforth, even for ever ; having all power given unto him in heaven and in earth by the fa. ther, who raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principalities and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his bodly, the fulness of him that filleth all in all; he being ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, received gifts for his church, and gave officers necessary for the edification of his church, and perfecting of his saints

a isa. ix. 6,7. b Matt. xxviii, 18, 19, 20, Eph. i. 20, 21, 22, 23. Compared with Eph. iv. 8, 11. and Psal. Ixviii. 38.

Of the Church.
HERE is one general church visible, held forth in the

Thew Testament".

The ministry, oracles, and ordinances of the New Testament, are given by Jesus Christ to the general church vi

a 1 Cor. xii. 12. For as the body is drink into one Spirit. Ver. 28. And one, and hath many members, and all God hath set some in the Church ; the members of that one body, being first, apostles ; secondarily, prophets ; muny, are one body; so also is Christ. thirdly, teachers; after that miracles ; Ver. 13. For by one Spirit are we all then gifts of healings, helps, governbaptized into one body, whether we bc ments, diversities of tongues. [TogeJews or Gentiles, whether we be bonch ther with the rest of the Chapier) or free ; and have been all made to

sible, for the gathering and perfecting of it in this life, until his second coming

Particular visible churches, members of the generat church, are also held forth in the New Testament Particular churches in the primitive times were made up of vi. şible saints, viz. of such as, being of age, professed faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according to the rules of faith and life, taught by Christ and his apostles, and of their children,

6 1 Cor. xii. 28. (See before.) Eph. candlesticks which thou sawest are the iv. 4. There is one body and one Spi- seven churches. Rev. ii. 1. Unto the rit, even as ye are called in one hope angel of the church of Ephesus write; of your calling: Ver. 5. One Lord, These things saith he that holdeth the one faith, one baptism. Compared with seven stars in his right hand, who Ver. 10. He that descended is the walketh in the midst of the seven gol. same also that ascended up far above den candlesticks. all heavens, that he might fill all things. d Acts ii. 38. Then Peter said unto Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, them, Repent, and be baptized every and some prophets, and some evange. one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, liats, and some pastors and teachers; for the remission of sins, and ye shali Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. for the work of the ministry, for the edi. Ver. 41. Then they that gladly receix. fying of the body of Christ : Ver. 13. ed his word were baptized; and the Till we all come in the unity of the same day there were added unto them faith, and of the knowledge of the Son about three thousand souls. Ver. 47. of God, unto a perfect man, unto the Praising God, and having favour with ineasure of the stature of the fulness all the people. And the Lord added to of Christ. Ver. 15. But speaking the the church daily such as should be truth in love, may grow up unto him saved. Compared with Acts v. 14. And in all things, which is the head, even believers were the more added to the Christ: Ver. 16. From whom the Lord, multitudes both of men and wowhole body, fitly joined together, and men. 1 Cor. i. 2. Unto the church of compacted by that which every joint God which is at Corinth, to them that supplieth, aecording to the effectual are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called working in the measure of every part, to be saints, with all that in every muketh increase of the body, unto the place call upon the name of Jesus edifying of itself in love.

Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. cGal. i. 21. Afterwards 1 came in- Compared with 2 Cor. ix. 13. Whiles to the regions of Syria and Cilicia; by the experiment of this ministration * Ver. 22. Ånd was unknown by face they glorify God for your professed unto the churehes of Jadea which subjection unto the gospel of Christ, were in Christ. Rev. i. 4. John to the and for your liberal distribution unto seven Churches which are in Asia: them, and unto all men Acts i, 39. Grace be unto you, and peace, from For the promise is unto you, and to him which is, and which was, and your children, and to all that are afar which is to come; and from the seven oft, even as many as the Lord our God Spirits which are before his throne. shall call. 1 Cor. vii. 14. For the un. Ver. 20. The mystery of the seven believing husband is sanctified by the stars which thou sawest in my right wife, and the unbelieving wife is sancband, and the seven golden candle- tified by the husband ; else were sticks. The seven stars are the angels your children unclean, but now are of the seven churches; and the seven they boly. Rom. xi. 16. For if the

Of the Officers of the Church.
HE officers which Christ hath appointed for the edifi-

cation of his church, and the perfecting of the saints, are, some extraordinary, as apostles, evangelists, and prophets, which are, ceased. 1. Others ordinary and perpetual, as pastors, teachers, and other church-governors, and deacons.

Pastors.

T
HE pastor is an ordinary and perpetual officer in the

churche, prophesying of the time of the gospel f. First it belongs to his office, To pray for and with his flock, as the mouth of the people unto God 6, Acts vi. 2, 3, 4. and XX. 36. where

first-fruit be holy, the lump is also ho- any more. Ver. 17. At that time they ly; and if the root be holy, so are the shall call Jerusalem the throne of the branches. Mark. x. 14. But when Je- Lord, and all the nations shall be gasus saw it, he was much displeased, thered unto it, to the name of the Lord, and said unto them, Suffer little chil. to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk dren to come unto me, and forbid them any more after the imagination of their not: for of such is the kingdom of God. evil heart. Compared with Matt, xix. 13. Then f 1 Pet. v. 2. Feed the flock of God were there brought unto him little which is among you, taking the overchildren, that he should put his hands sight thereof, not by constraint, but on them, and pray : and the disciples willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of

Tebuked them. Ver. 14. But Jesus a ready mind. Ver. 3. Neither as be. said, Suffer little children, and forbid ing lords over God's heritage, but bethem not, to come unto me: for of such ing ensamples to the flock. Ver. 4. is the kingdom of heaven. Luke xviii. And when the chief Shepherd shall ap. 15. And they brought unto him also pear, ye shall receive a crown of glory infants, that he would touch them: that fadeth not away. Eph. iv. 11. And but when his disciples saw it, they re- he gave some apostles, and some probaked them. Ver. 16. But Jesus call. phets, and some evangelists, and some Sed them unto him, and said, Suffer pastors and teachers, Ver. 12. For the little children to come unto me, and perfecting of the saints, for the work of forbid them not: for of such is the the ministry, for theedifying ofthe body kingdom of God.

of Christ; Ver. 13. Till we all come in e Jer. ii. 15. And I will give you the unity of the faith, and of the knowpastors according to mine heart, which ledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect shall feed you with knowledge and un- man, unto the measure of the stature "derstanding. Ver. 16. And it shall of the fulness of Christ. come to pass, when ye be multiplied 5 Acts vi. 2. Then the twelve call: and increased in the land, in those days, ed the multitude of the disciples unto saith the Lord, they shall say no more, them, and said, It is not reason that The ark of the covenant of the Lord; we should leave the word of God, and neither shall it come to mind, neither serve tables. Ver. 3. Wherefore, shall they remember it, neither shall brethren, look ye out among you seven they visit it, neither shall that be done « men of honest report, full of the II

a

preaching and prayer are joined as several parts of the same office & The office of the elder (that is, the pastor) is to pray for the sick, even in private, to which a blessing is especially promised; much more therefore ought he to perform this in the publick execution of his office, as a part thereoft,

To read the scriptures publickly ; for the proof of which,

1. That the priests and Levites in the Jewish church were trusted with the publick reading of the word is proved k. *

2. That the ministers of the gospel have as ample a charge and commission to dispense the word, as well as other ordinances, as the priests and Levites had under the law, proved, Isa. lsvi. 21. Matt. xxiii. 34. where our Saviour entitleth the officers of the New Testament, whom he will send forth, by the same names of the teachers of the Old!

Which propositions prove, that therefore (the duty being of a moral nature) it followeth, by just consequence, that the Ghost and wisdom, whom we may ap- the solemnity of the year of release, in point over this business. Ver. 4. But the feast of tabernacles. Ver. 11. When we will give ourselves continually to all Israel is come to appear before the prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Lord thy God, in the place which bie Acts xx. 36. And when he had thus shall choose, thou shalt read this law suken, he kneeled down, and prayed before all Israel in their hearing. Neh: with them all.

viii. 1. And all the people gathered h James v. 14. Is any man sick a- themselves together as one man, into mong you? let him call for the elders the street that was before the water of the church, and let them pray over gate, and they spake unto Ezra the him, anointing him with oil in the name scribe to bring the book of the law of of the Lord. Ver. 15. And the prayer Moses,

which the Lord had commandof faith shall save the sick, and the ed to Israel. Ver. 2. And Ezra the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have priest brought the law before the con. committed sins, they shall be forgiven gregation, both of men and women, and kim.

all that could hear with understanding, i 1 Cor. xiv. 15. What is it then? I upon the first day of the seventh month. will pray with the spirit, and I will - Ver. 3. And he read therein.--Ver. 13. pray with the understanding also : I And on the second day were gathered will sing with the spirit, and I will sing together the chief of the fathers of all with the understanding also. Ver. 16. the people, the priests and the Levitės, Else, when thou shalt bless with the unto Ezra the scribe, even to under spirit, how shall he that occupieth the stand the words of the law. room of the unlearned say Amen at thy 1 Isa. lxvi. 21. And I will also take giving of thanks, seeing he under of them for priests, and for Levites; standeth not what thou sayest? saith the Lord. Mat. xxiii. 34. Where

k Deut. xxxi. 9. And Moses wrote fore, behold, I send unto you propbets, this law, and delivered it unto the and wise men, and scribes; and some priests, the sons of Levi, which bare of them ye shall kill and crucify, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord, some of them shall ye scourge in your and unto all the elders of Israel. Ver. synagogues, and persecute them from 10. And Moses commanded them, sav- city to city. ing, At the end of every seven years is