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INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURES.

* Acts xv. 22, 23, to God his word,* and the practice of 26, 32; and other Churches, that other by their

xiii. 15.

33.

1 Thes. v. 20.

Luke ii. 46, 47.

1 Cor. xiv. 26, order may speak, that so some of them may be ripened to the Ministry; provided that none of them preach or speak out of the place appointed for it, nor administer the Sacraments, without a full calling to the Ministry.

1 Sam. xix. 22.

OF CHURCH OFFICERS.

The ordinary Officers of the Church, by the word of God, are these four: Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons.

Rom. xii.
1 Tim. v.

Acts vi.

1 Cor. xii.

OF THE PASTORS; THEIR OFFICE, ELECTION, AND ORDINATION.

What things are chiefly required in the Pastors.

a

2 Tim. ii; iv.
Ezek. xxxiii.
Jer. iii.

John xxi.
Isa. lxii.

THE Church that is destitute of a Pastor, is first diligently to consider, that he Acts i; xiii. which is to be chosen Pastor be not found culpable of any such faults as St. Paul repre- 1 Tim. iii. hendeth in a man of that vocation; but, contrariwise, endued with such virtues, that he may be able to undertake his charge, and diligently execute the same. Secondly, that he ought bute faithfully the word of God, and minister the Sacraments sincerely, ever d careful not only to teach his flock publicly, but also upon cause privately & Acts xx. to admonish them: remembering always,

d

1 Cor. ix.

to distri2 Tim. ii.

1 Cor. iv. Matt. xxv. 1 Cor. i.

2 Tim. iv.

. Ezek. iii.

2 Cor. ii.

his hand.

e

that if any thing perish through his

default, the Lord will require it at

And because the charge of the word The Pastor's of God is of greater £ im- Duty.

f 1 Cor. ix.

Acts vi.

g 1 Cor. iv. 2 Cor. iv. h 1 Pet. v. 2 Cor. i.

Matt. xx.

portance, than that any man is able to dispense therewith: and St. Paul exhorteth to g esteem them as ministers of Christ, and disposers of God's mysteries: (not b lords or rulers, as St. Peter saith, over the flock:) the Church is therefore to consider, that the Pastor's chief office standeth in i preaching the word of God, and ministering the Sacraments: so that in consultations, judgments, elections, and other ecclesiastical affairs, his counsel,

i Matt. xxvi.
Mal. ii.
1 Pet. iv.

Acts iii; xvi.

1 Cor. i; xv.

k Acts xx.

2 Cor. iv.

rather than authority, taketh place. And if so be the congregation, by the advice of the elders, upon just cause agree to excommunicate, then it belongeth to the Minister, according to their 11 Cor. v. 1 general determination, to pronounce the sentence, to the end that all things may be done 1 Cor. xiv. orderly, and without confusion.

m

m

and Ordination

And therefore the elders of the vacant The Election congregation, and certain Pastors ap- of Pastors.

pointed by the next Conference to it, (whose assistance the said elders are to seek and desire of that Conference,) at such time are to assemble the congregation, (having before appointed a day for fasting and prayer,) to exhort them to pray that God would direct the election to be made, as may be most agreeable to his will, and most profitable for that Church. Then after they are to meet by themselves, and to advise of one fit for the place that is vacant; whom that assembly of the elders and such pastors are to prove and examine.

Tit. i.

First, as touching "doctrine, whether - 1 Tim. v. he that should be Pastor have good and sound knowledge in the holy scriptures, and fit and apt gifts to communicate the same to the edification of the people. For the trial whereof they are to propose him a theme or text to be treated privately, and to take such other trial, whereby his ability may the more manifestly appear unto them. Secondly, they are to enquire of his life and conversation, if he have in times past lived without slander, and governed himself in such sort as the word of God hath not heard evil, or

Rom. i.

Jas. i.

1 Sam. ii.

been slandered through his occasion.
Which being severally done, they signify 1 Tim. v.

to the congregation that they find his gifts meet and profitable for that ministry: appointing also by a general consent twenty days, that every man may diligently enquire of his life and manners; with warning that if in that time no just exception be taken, their silence shall be accounted as their free consent in which time he is to preach in the congregation, that they may also discern of his fitness to communicate his gifts with them. And if in the mean season any thing be brought against him, whereby he may be found unworthy by lawful proof, then is he to be dismissed, and some other presented. If no sufficient matter be alleged against him within the time appointed, then one of the ministers afore the morning sermon, declaring no just exception to be taken against the presented, and therefore the party as chosen with free consent of the ministers, elders, and the whole congregation to be ordained, is to frame his sermon, or some part thereof, to the setting forth of the duty of the minister and the Church: and so giveth P thanks to God, with request of such things as shall be necessary for his office.

P 1 Thes. v.

Col. iv.
Ephes. v.

Phil. i.

After that, he is to be ordained by the laying on