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had in reverence of all them that are about him.-Ps. lxxxix. 7.

Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.-Matt. xviii. 20. Christ said, the Scribes and Pharisees, &c. love the chief seats in the synagogues, &c. but he that is greatest among you shall be your servant, &c. -Matt. xxiii. 6. 11, 12. 17.

These all continued, with one accord, in prayer and supplication, &c. Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, &c. the number of the names together were about one hundred and twenty, &c.-Acts i. 1315.

They were all with one accord in one place, &c. and they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, &c. And all that believed were together, &c. and they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, &c.-Acts ii. 1. 42. 44. 46.

The apostles being let go, they went to their own company, &c. and they lifted up their voice to God with one accord; and said, Lord, &c.Acts iv. 23, &c.

The church, &c. and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. -Acts v. 11, 12.

Barnabas and Saul a whole year assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people.-Acts xi. 25, 26.

Prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him, &c. many were met together, praying.— Acts xii. 5. 12.

Ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. When ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions, &c. When ye come together into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's Supper, &c. wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.-1 Cor. xi. 17, 18. 20. 33.

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, &c.

If

all prophesy, &c. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, &c. let all things be done to edifying, &c. for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace; as in all churches of the saints.-1 Cor. xiv. 23-26. 31. 33.

I am with you in the Spirit, joying, and beholding your order.-Col. ii. 5. Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another: even as also ye do.-1 Thess. v. 11.

Let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is: but exhorting one another.-Heb. x. 24, 25.

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons: for if there come unto your assembly (or synagogue) a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel; and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place: and say to the poor man, Stand thou there; or, Sit here under my footstool; are ye not then partial? &c. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom? &c. If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin.James ii. 1-10.

SEVENTHLY. Of miraculous Gifts: Of Prayer, Prophesying, Psalms, Tongues, &c. and how they did use them in the Church-Assemblies, and elsewhere; for the Edification of one another, and Instruction of others: the order how they should be used, directed: such Gifts to be desired for this end.

ELDAD and Medad prophesied in the camp: and there ran a young man, and told Moses; and Joshua, &c. said,

My lord Moses, forbid them: and Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them!- Numb. xi. 26-29; Mark xi. 27, 28.

Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation, and spread forth his hands toward heaven; and he said, Lord God of Israel, &c.-1 Kings viii. 22, &c.

Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation, &c. in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? &c.-2 Chron. xx. 4, &c. Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, &c. They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, &c. Mal. iii. 16, 17.

John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us, and we forbad him but Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me: for he that is not against us, is on our part.-Mark ix. 38-40; Luke ix. 50.

The Jews used to have such to speak in their synagogues, who were either priests, or other officers, as appears in these instances. - Luke iv. 16-22; Acts xiii. 14-19; xvii. 1-3.

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There was great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad, &c. except the apostles, &c. therefore they that were scattered abroad, went every where preaching the word. Acts viii. 1. 4.

Now they which were scattered, &c. when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus; and the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. Acts xi. 19-21.

Apollos, &c. an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, &c. he spake

and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John, &c. whom when Aquila and Priscilla had taught the way of God more perfectly, he did mightily convince the Jews, and that publickly; shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.-Acts xviii. 24-28.

Think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office so we, being many, are one body, &c. Having then gifts differing, according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith, &c. Or he that teacheth, on teaching or he that exhorteth, on exhortation, &c. he that ruleth, with diligence.-Rom. xii. 3-9.

I myself am also persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.Rom. xv. 14.

I thank my God, &c. that in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge.1 Cor. i. 4, 5.

Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit, &c. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge, &c. to another faith, &c. to another prophecy, &c. But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally, as he will, &c. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, &c. God hath set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him, &c. Are all apostles? &c. Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? &c. But covet earnestly the best gifts.-1 Cor. xii. 4. 7-11. 15. 18. 28-31.

Desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy, &c. He that

prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort, &c. He edifieth the church, &c. Forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church, &c. If all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, &c. he is convinced of all, &c. he will report that God is in you of a truth. How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, &c. Let all things be done to edifying, &c. Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the other judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God, &c. Let your women keep silence in the churches, &c. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, &c. Let all things be done decently, and in order.1 Cor. xiv. 1. 3—5. 12. 23–26. 2934. 37. 39, 40.

We also believe, and therefore speak.-2 Cor. iv. 13.

As ye abound in every thing, in faith, in utterance, and knowledge, &c.-2 Cor. viii. 7.

Be ye filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms, &c. ing, &c.-Eph. v. 18, 19.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God.— Heb. v. 12.

Let us consider one another, &c. not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, &c.-Heb. x. 24, 25.

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God: if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified.-1 Pet. iv. 10, 11.

EIGHTHLY. Of other Acts done in, and by these particular Churches, in sending Messengers to other Churches; and, upon occasion, determining Controversies in religious Matters; writing, and sending Epistles, and ordering other Affairs. Of their meeting together, in order hereto, and receiving, and hearing such Epistles: the Epistles directed to the whole Body.

WHEN tidings of the Gentiles resing-ceiving the gospel came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem, they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch, &c. When the dearth came which was prophesied of, the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea. Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.Acts xi. 22. 28–30.

Many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some, indeed, preach Christ out of envy, &c. What then? &c. Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, &c.-Phil. i. 14-18.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another.-Col. iii. 16. Comfort (or exhort) one another with these words.-1 Thess. v. 11. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, &c. But exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day; lest

any

of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.-Heb. iii. 12, 13.

Paul and Barnabas coming to Antioch, gathered the church together, and rehearsed all that God had done for them, and how, &c.-Acts xiv. 26, 27.

When the matter of circumcision was in dispute in the church at Antioch, they determined that Paul and

I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.-1 Thess. v. 27.

Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints.-Heb. xiii. 24.

Peter, having written at large to the saints, speaks distinctly to the elders thus: The elders which are among you, I exhort, &c. to feed the flock of God, &c.-1 Pet. V. 1-3.

Barnabas, and certain others of them, | received in the Lord, that thou fulfil should go up to Jerusalem unto the it.-Col. iv. 16, 17. apostles and elders, about this question. And being brought on their way by the church, &c. when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles, &c. All the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, &c. Then James spake, &c. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch, &c. and wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles, and elders, and brethren, send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles, &c. It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, &c. it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, &c. They came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.-Acts xv. 1-4. 6. 12, 13. 22, 23. 25. 27, 28. 30.

If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.-1 Cor. vi. 4.

When I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.-1 Cor. xvi. 3.

We have sent with him the brother, &c. who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us, with this grace, (or gift,) &c. Whether any do inquire, &c. of our brethren, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.-2 Cor. viii. 18, 19. 23.

I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, &c. your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Phil. ii. 25.

When this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast

I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not: wherefore if I come, I will remember his deeds, &c. and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil.-3 John 9-11.

John wrote to the seven churches in Asia distinctly, though they were in one country, and charges each church with its own guilt, and commends each church by itself: takes no notice of any power that any had over other. He directs his epistles to the angel of the church; but the matter he speaks to the whole church: and concludes, Hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.-Rev. i. 4; ii; iii.

See more of Church Acts in Discipline.

NINTHLY. Of the ending of Contro-
versies arising between the Mem-
bers of the Church to avoid going
to Law before the Infidels.
DARE any of you, having a matter
against another, go to law before the
unjust, and not before the saints?
Do ye not know, that the saints shall
judge the world? and if the world
shall be judged by you, are ye un-
worthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know ye not, that we shall judge
angels? how much more things that
pertain to this life? &c. Set them to

judge, who are least esteemed in the
church. I speak to your shame: Is
it so that there is not a wise man
among you? no, not one that shall
be able to judge between his bre-
thren: but brother goeth to law with
brother, and that before the unbe-
lievers. Now, therefore, there is ut-
terly a fault among you, because ye
go to law one with another: why do
ye not rather take wrong? &c.
1 Cor. vi. 1-8.

TENTHLY. Of the Relief of the Poor of the Churches; and their Contributions to the Necessity of other Churches, and the Order of it.

AND the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul: neither said any of them, that ought of the things which he possessed was his own: but they had all things common, &c. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands, or houses, sold them, and brought the prices, &c. and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.-Acts iv. 32. 34, 35.

ought to support the weak; and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.-Acts xx. 34, 35.

It hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.-Rom. xv. 25, 26.

Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye; upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when Í come.-1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2.

By occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love: for ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, &c. Not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: but by an equality, &c.-2 Cor. viii. 8, 9. 13, 14.

Every man, according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver, &c. The administration of this service not only supplieth the wants of the saints, but it is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God, &c. They glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ.-2 Cor. ix. 12, 13.

The price of the land? While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou? &c.-7. Acts v. 1-4.

When the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Whereupon the church chose deacons to look to this matter.-Acts vi. 16.

The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren, &c.-Acts xi. 28-30.

These hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that, so labouring, ye

If any would not work, neither should he eat, &c. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing, &c.2 Thess. iii. 10-13.

If any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents, &c. If any provide not for his own, &c. If any man or woman that believeth, have widows, let them relieve them; and let not the church be charged, that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.-1 Tim. v. 4. 8. 16.

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