Before there can be any orderly discipline among a Christian Assembly, they
must be orderly and regularly constituted into a church-state, according
to the institution of Christ in the Gospel.
1. A church of Christ, according to the Gospel-institution, is a congregation
of godly Christians, who as a stated assembly (being first baptized upon
profession of faith) do by mutual agreement and consent give themselves
unto the Lord, and to one another, according to the will of God; and do
ordinarily meet together in one place, for the public service and worship
of God; among whom the Word of God and Sacraments are duly administered,
according to Christ's institution.
2. The beauty and glory of which congregation doth consist in their being
all converted persons, or lively stones; being by the Holy Spirit, united
to Jesus Christ the precious cornerstone, and only foundation of every Christian,
as well as of every particular congregation, and the whole catholic church.
3. That every person before they are admitted members, in such a church
constituted, must declare to the church (or to such as the pastor, that
they shall appoint) what God hath done for their souls, or their experiences
of a saving work of grace upon their hearts; and also the church should
enquire after, and take full satisfaction concerning their holy lives, or
good conversations. And when admitted members, before the church they must
solemnly enter into a covenant, to walk in the fellowship of that particular
congregation, and to submit themselves to the care and discipline thereof,
and to walk faithfully with God in all his holy ordinances, and there to
be fed and have communion, and worship God there, when the church meets
(if possible) and give themselves up to the watch and charge of the pastor
and the ministry thereof: the pastor then also signifying in the name of
the church their acceptance of each person, and endeavor to take care of
them; and to watch over them in the Lord, (the members being first satisfied
to receive them, and to have communion with them.) And so the pastor to
give them the right hand of fellowship of a church, or church organical.
A church thus constituted ought forthwith to choose them a pastor, elder
or elders, and deacons, (we reading of no other officers or offices abiding
in the church) and what kind of men they ought to be, and how qualified,
is laid down by Paul to Timothy, and to Titus. Moreover, they are to take
special care, that both bishops, overseers or elders, as well as the deacons,
have some competent manner all those qualifications; and after in a day
of solemn prayer and fasting, that they have elected them, (whether pastor,
etc. or deacons) and accepting the office, must be ordained with prayer,
and laying on of hands of the eldership; being first proved, and found meet
and fit persons for so sacred an office: Therefore such are very disorderly
churches who have no pastor or pastors ordained, they acting not according
to the rule of the gospel, having something wanting.