A briefe catechisme concerning church-governemnt. By that Reverend Divine Mr. Iohn Robinson, and may fitly be adjoyned to Mr. Perkins six Principles as an appendix thereto. Robinson, John, 1575?-1625. 1642 Approx. 29 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 8 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A91890 Wing R1693 Thomason E1105_1 ESTC R208369 99867326 99867326 119633

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A91890) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 119633) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 163:E1105[1]) A briefe catechisme concerning church-governemnt. By that Reverend Divine Mr. Iohn Robinson, and may fitly be adjoyned to Mr. Perkins six Principles as an appendix thereto. Robinson, John, 1575?-1625. Perkins, William, 1558-1602. Foundation of Christian religion. [16] p. [s.n.], London : Printed in the yeare, 1642. Signatures: A. Annotation on Thomason copy: an "x" above Robinson in title; "x a separatist at Leyden" written beneath the author statement. Reproduction of the original in the British Library.

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A BRIEFE CATECHISME CONCERNING CHVRCH-GOVERNMENT BY That Reverend Divine Mr. IOHN ROBINSON, and may fitly be adjoyned to Mr. PERKINS ſix Principles as an Appendix thereto.

1 TIM. 3. 14.Theſe things I write hoping to come unto thee ſhortly. 1 TIM. 3. 15.But if I tarry long, that thou mayſt know how thou oughteſt to behave thy ſelfe in the houſe of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

LONDON, Printed in the yeare, 1642.
AN APPENDIX TO Mr. PERKINS HIS SIX PRINCIPLES Of Chriſtian Religion.

VNTO the former Principles publiſhed by that Reverend man Mr. William Perkins, fully containing what every Chriſtian is to beleeve touching God and himſelfe, I have thought it fit for the good, eſpecially of thoſe over whom I am ſet, (the younger ſort of whom I have formerly catechiſed in private, according to the ſame Principles) to annex a few other, touching the more ſolemne fellowſhip of Chriſtians, Rev. 2. 7. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Rom. 9. 4. Act. 2. 47. Mat. 18. 17. 18. 20. 2 Cor. 6. 16. the Church of God, as being a divine inſtitution, the ſpirituall Paradiſe and Temple of the living God; in which his moſt ſolemne Services are to bee performed: and to which he addeth daily ſuch as ſhall be ſaved; promiſing to dwell in the middeſt of them by his moſt powerfull and gracious preſence.

VVHat is a Church?

A company of faithfull and holy people (with their ſeed) called by the Word of God into publick covenant with Chriſt, and amongſt themthemſelves for mutuall fellowſhip in the uſe of all the meanes of Gods glory and their ſalvation.

Of what ſort or number of people muſt this company conſiſt?

It is all one whether they be high or low, few or many, ſo as they exceed not ſuch a number, as may ordinarily meet together in M. 3. 28. Matth. 28. 17. 19. one place for the worſhipping of God, and ſanctification of the Lords day.

What are the reaſons why the Church muſt conſiſt of faithfull and holy perſons?

1. Firſt the 1 Cor. 11. 17. 18. 20. &c. 14. 23. Act. 20. 7. Scriptures every where ſo teach.

2. The Levit. 20. 26. Rom. 17. 8. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Phil. 1. 1. to verſ. 9. • h Eoh. 1 22. • col. 1. 18. Church is the body of Chriſt, all whoſe members therefore ſhould be conformable in ſome meaſure to him their head.

3 Onely ſuch Iohn 4. 23 Prov. 15. 5. Hob, 8. 8. 10. &c. worſhippers pleaſe God as are accepted of him and have right to the covenant of grace and ſeales thereof.

But are not hypocrites mingled with the faithfull in the Church?

None ought to bee by the word of God: and where ſuch are they are not truly added by the Lord to the Church, but doe Iude. v. 2. Eze. 44. 7. creepe in through their owne hypocriſie, and not without the Churches ſin alſo, if they may bee diſcerned to be ſuch.

By what meanes is the Church gathered?

Mat. 28 19. 20. Act 2. 14. &c. & cap. 11. 19. 20. 21. Rom. 1. 5. 1 Cor. 15. 1. By the word preached and by faith received of them that heare it.

Is every beleever a member of the viſible Church?

Act. 19. 1. and 5. 13 14. No Act. 2. 21. 47. & Cap. 8. 37. & 19. 1. 9. 16. & 9. 26 27. Act. 17. 1, 2, 3, 4. with 1 Theſ. 1. 1., but he muſt alſo by his perſonall and publick profeſſion adjoyne himſelfe to ſome particular fellowſhip and ſocietie of Saints.

How prove you the Seed of the faithfull to be of the Church with them?

By the Gen. 17. 7. &c. Luk. 1. 72. 73. Gal. 3. 8. 16, 17. covenant which God made with Abraham and his ſeed: which was the covenant of the Goſpell and confirmed in Chriſt; the Rom 4. 11 ſeale thereof circumciſion, being the ſeale of the righteouſneſſe of Faith.

What are the eſſentiall markes of the Church?

Col. 2. 5, 6. 1 Pet. 2. 5. with 5. 1. 2. Faith and Order, as the Church in them may be ſcene and beheld to walke in Chriſt Ieſus whom ſhee hath received: Faith profeſſed in word and deed, ſhewing the Matter to bee true: and Order in the holy things of God, ſhewing the Forme to bee true, which are the two eſſentiall parts of the Church. As true matter and Forme, or two eſſentiall parts of other things. As of a houſe, Temple, Tabernacle. Exod. 2. 6. 1. to 7.

Are not the preaching of the word and adminiſtring of the Sacraments certain marks of the true Church?

No: for the word may (and that rightly) be preached to aſſemblies of unbeleevers for their converſion Mat. 28. 19. Mar. 16. 15. Act. 14. 7. 14. & 17. 22. &c. : as may the Sacraments alſo (though unjuſtly) bee adminiſtred unto them Gen. 34. 24. Sichemites. 2 Kings 17. 25. 27. &c. Hoſ. 1. 9. with Pſal. 50. 16. Rom. 9. 4. 5., and ſo be made ſying ſignes. Beſides, the true Church may for a time want the uſe of divers ordinances of God, but hath alwayes right unto them; as may alſo the falſe Church uſurpe and abuſe them but without right.

What are the meanes in and by which Chriſt and the Church have fellowſhip together?

1 Cor. 12. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. In the gifts of the Spirit of Chriſt. 2. In the offices of miniſtery given to the Church. 3. In the workes done in and by thoſe gifts and offices.

Wherein ſtandeth this communion of the Spirit?

Eph. 2. 12. & chap. 4. 15. 16. Col. 3. 19. In the in-dwelling and operation of the gifts and graces thereof conveyed from Chriſt as the head, unto the Church as his body, and members one of another: Whence ariſeth that moſt ſtreit and divine conjunction, by which, as by the civill bond of marriage, the man and wife are one fleſh: ſo they who are thus joyned to Chriſt are one ſpirit 1 Cor. 6. 17. Eph. 5. 23. to 30, 31, 32..

How many are the offices of miniſtery in the Church?

Five: (beſides the extraordinary offices of Apoſtles, Prophets and Evangeliſts, for the firſt planting of the Churches, which are ceaſed, with their extraordinary gifts.)

How is that proved?

Partly by the Rom. 12 7. 8. 1 Ti. 3. 1. 8 with 5. 3. 9. 17. Scriptures, which both mention them expreſly, and deſcribe them by their principall gifts, and workes: and partly by Reaſon agreeable to the Scriptures.

Shew me which thoſe officers bee, with their anſwerable gifts and workes.

1. Eph. 4. 11. Or the Exhorter. Rom. 12. 8. Or the Exhorter. 1 Cor. 12. 8 Rom. 12. 7. 1 Tim. 5. 17. The Paſtor, to whom is given the gift of wiſedome for exhortation. 2. The Teacher, to whom is given the gift of knowledge for doctrine. 3. The governing Elder, who is to rule with diligence. 4. The Deacon, who is to adminiſter the holy treaſure with ſimplicitie. 5. The Widow, or Deaconeſſe, who is to attend the ſick and impotent, with compaſſion and cheerefulneſſe. Act. 6. 1. 3 1 Tim. 3. 8. • 0. & cap. 5. 3. 9. 10. Rom. 16. 1.

What is the Reaſon for the proving of theſe miniſteries?

Becauſe all theſe are uſefull and neceſſary, and theſe alone ſufficient for the Church; as being the moſt perfect ſocietie and 1 Cor. 12. 27. Eph. 12. 12. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 verſ. 19. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . body of Chriſt, which neither faileth in that which is neceſſary, nor exceedeth in any thing ſuperfluous.

Whence ariſeth the uſefulneſſe and ſufficiency of theſe miniſteries in the Church?

From the condition partly of the ſoules, and partly of the bodies of the members.

How doth that appeare?

1. In the ſoule is the facultie of underſtanding, about which the Teacher is to be exerciſed Rom. 12. 7. 8. for information by doctrine. 2. The will and affections: upon which the Or Exhorter, Ibidem. Paſtor is eſpecially to work by exhortation and comfort. 3. Becauſe that doctrine and exhortation without obedience, are unprofitable, the diligence of the ruling Elder is requiſite for that purpoſe.

How are the other two Miniſteries to be exerciſed?

As the Church conſiſteth of men, and Act. 6. 1. 3 and 4. 35. Gal. 6. 6. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . 1 Tim. 5. 18. they of ſoules and bodies, ſo are the Deacons out of the Churches treaſure, and contribution to provide for the common uſes of the Church, reliefe of the poore, and maintenance of the Officers; as are the widowes to afford unto the ſick and impotent in body (not able otherwiſe 1 Tim. 5. 3. 9. to help themſelves) their cheerefull and comfortable ſervice.

Wherefore call you thoſe Offices by the name of Miniſteries, or Services?

For two cauſes: 1. For that they are no Lordſhips, but ſervices of Chriſt, and of the Mat. 20. 25, 26, 27. 2 Cor. 4. 5. 1 Cor. 4. 1. & cap. 3. 21, 22, 23. Church.

2. Becauſe they conſiſt in adminiſtring only of thoſe things which are Chriſts, and the Churches under him.

By whom are theſe Officers to have their outward calling?

By the Church whereof they are members for the preſent, and to which they are to adminiſter.

How doth that appeare?

1. The Apoſtles who taught onely Chriſts Commandements, ſo directed the Churches Act. 1. 15. 23. & cap. 6. 1. 2. 3. 5. & cap. 14. 23. Greek. Act. 1. 21. & 6. 3. 1 Tim. 3. 2, 3, 4, 5..

2. The people amongſt whom they have been converſant can beſt judge of their fitneſſe, both in reſpect of their Perſons and families.

3 It furthereth much the diligence and ſaithfulneſſe of the Miniſter, that they whoſe Miniſter hee is have freely choſen him, as unto whom under Chriſt they commit the moſt pretious treaſure of their ſoule: as alſo it binds Heb. 13. 17. the people to greater love and conſcience of obedience of him and his miniſtry, whom themſelves have made choyce of.

4. The Church being a moſt free Corporation ſpirituall under Chriſt the Lord, is in Eph. 2. 12. 19. all reaſon and equity to chuſe her miniſters and 1 Co. 12. 27. 2 Cor. 4, 5. 1 Tim. 5. 17 18. 1 Cor. 9. 7. 9. Heb. 5. 4, 5 ſervants under him unto whom alſo ſhee is to give wages for their ſervice and labour.

Is this outward calling of ſimple neceſſity for a true Church officer?

Yea, as for the Magiſtrate in the City and Common-wealth; or ſteward in the family: without which they uſurp their places, how excellent ſoever, whether in their gifts or workes.

What if the Officer bee found unfaithfull in his place?

He is by the Church to bee warned to take heed to his miniſtery hee hath received, to fulfill it; which if he neglect to doe, by the ſame power which ſet him up, he is to be Col. 4. 17 put downe and depoſed. Being dealt with as a Brother, Math. 18. 15. 17.

VVhat are the outward workes of the Churches communion with Chriſt

Theſe ſix: 1. Prayer. 2. the reading and opening of the VVord. 3. the Sacraments. 4. ſinging of Pſalmes. 5. Cenſures. 6. contribution to the neceſſity of the Saints.

Wherefore put you prayer in the firſt place?

Becauſe by it all the reſt are ſanctified to the faithfull. For prayer ſee the end of the 1. Tim. 2. 1. & 4, 5. fifth Principle with the expoſition: onely adde this, that in the act of our ſpeaking unto God by prayer, wee are not to uſe the helpe of Iude verſ. 20. Zach. 12. 10. Rom. 8. 15. 26. any booke, beades, crucifixes or the like, to teach or provoke us, but onely the helpe of the ſpirit of adoption, and prayer, working in our hearts effectually, and teaching us both what and how to pray as we ought.

What believe you touching the word?

Beſides the things obſerved in the fifth Principle and Expoſition; that the whole written Word, and it alone is to be read and opened in the Church.

Wherefore are the whole Scriptures to be read and opened?

Prov. 30. 5. Rom. 15. 4. 2 Tim. 3. 16 Becauſe the whole Word of God is pure, written for our learning and comfort, given by divine inſpiration, and is profitable for doctrine, reproofe, correction and inſtruction, and from which nothing may be Deut. 4. 2. Rev. 21. 19. diminiſhed,

How prove you that the Scriptures only are to be read, and opened in the Church?

ſ Becauſe they alone are ſufficient for faith, 2 Rom. 16, 17. Heb. 11. 6. Ioh. 20. 31. 2. Tim. 3. 16, 17. and the obedience which is of Faith, and able to make the man of God perfit, throughly furniſhed unto all good workes, and unto which nothing may Prov. 30. 6. Deut. 4. 3. Rev. 21. 19. be added.

Who are to open and apply the Scriptures in the Church?

Principally the Biſhops or Act. 20 17, 28. Tit 1. 5, 7. Elders, who by the Word of life are to feed the flock, both in teaching and government. Secondly, ſuch as are out of office, in the exerciſe of Propheſie.

How is that exerciſe proved in the Scriptures?

By Luke 2: 42. 46, 47, & cap. 4. 16, 17, 18. Act. 8, 4, & cap. 11. 19, 20, 21, & cap. 13, 14, 15, 16. & cap. 18. 24, 25, 26. examples in the Iewiſh Church, where men though in no office, either in Temple or Synagogue, had liberty publiquely to uſe their gifts.

2 Luke 9. 1. & cap. 10. 1. g Rom. 2. 6. 1, Pet. 4. 10, 11. 1. Cor. 14. 1. By the Commandement of Chriſt and his Apoſtles.

3 By the prohibiting of 1. Tim. 2. 11, 12, 1, Cor, 14. 34, 35. 11. Pet. 4. 10, 11. women (not extraordinarily inſpired) to teach in the Church: herein liberty being given unto men their huſbands, or others.

4 By the excellent ends, which by this meanes are to be obtained: as 1 Theſ. 5. 19. 1 Tim. 3. 2. 1 Cor. 14. 35. The glory of God in the manifeſtation of his manifold graces. 2. That the gifts of the ſpirit in men be not quenched. 3. For the fitting and triall of men for the Miniſtery. 4. For the preſerving pure of the doctrine of the Church, which is more endangered, if ſome one or two alone may onely be heard, and ſpeake. 5. For debating and ſatisfying of doubts, if any doe ariſe. 6. For the edifying of the Church, and converſion of others.

VVho is a Prophet in this ſence?

He that hath the gift of the ſpirit to ſpeake Act. 2, 42. Luke 4. 22, 23. 1. Cor. 14. 4. 24, 25. 1 Cor. 14. 3. 37. Act. 13. 15. unto edification, exhortation and comfort.

VVhat is the order of this exerciſe?

That it be performed af • er the publique Miniſtery by the teachers, and under their direction and moderation: whoſe duty it is, if any thing be obſcure to open it: if doubtfull to cleare it: if unſound to refuſe it: if unperfit to ſupply what is wanting, as they are able.

What believe you touching the Sacraments further then is obſerved in the former Principles?

That they are to be diſpenſed according to the tenure of the Covenant of grace, whereof they are ſeales: in reſpect both of the perſons to whom, and of the ends for which they are to be adminiſtred.

VVhich are thoſe perſons?

Gen. 17. 7. 1 Cor. 7, 14. The faithfull and their ſeed.

May all the faithfull partake in the Sacraments?

Act, 2, 41, 42. 47. Act. 5. 13. 14, Rom, 9. 4, Deut. 12, 5, 13. No, except they be alſo added to ſome particular congregation, unto which the publique ordinances and Miniſtery doth appertaine.

VVhich are the ends and uſes of the Sacraments?

The firſt is from God to the Church, opened in the expoſition of the fifth Principle, where it is ſhewed what a Sacrament is. The Gen. 17, 9, 10. ſecond is from the Church to God, in which it teſtifieth the acceptance of the Covenant, and bindeth it ſelfe to the performance of the conditions. The third is in reſpect of the members themſelves mutually, as being badges 1 Cor, 12, 13. Iudg. 14. 4. of their aſſociation. The fourth in reſpect of all other Aſſemblies, Iudg. 14. 4. betweene whom and the Churches, they are notes of diſtinction.

VVhat is required touching ſinging of Pſalmes in • he Church?

That they be ſuch as are parts of the word of God, formed by the Holy Ghoſt into Math, 26, 30. Eph. 5, 19. Col. 3. 16. Pſalmes or Songs, which many may conveniently ſing together, exhorting and admoniſhing themſelves mutually with grace in their hearts.

VVhat believe you touching the cenſure of excommunication?

That it is to be uſed by every particular Church, according to the rules of Chriſt.

How prove you this power to be in every particular congregation?

1. By the donation and gift of Chriſt the Lord. 2. The particular Church of Corinth Math. 18. 17, 18, 19. 1 Cor. 5. Rev. 2, & 3. had this power, for the neglect whereof it is reproved by the Apoſtle. 3. Every particular Church hath right to the VVord, Sacraments and Prayer, within it ſelfe, which are greater, and therfore to this which is leſſer then they.

VVhat are the rules of Chriſt for excommunication?

1. The ſin thus to be cenſured muſt be Math. 18. 15. 1 Cor. 5. 11. Math. 18. 15, 16, 17. 19. 1 Cor, 5. 4. 5. 11. ſcandalous, and the perſon obſtinate after due conviction and patience uſed.

2. The Church excommunicating muſt bee that particular congregation gathered together in the name of Chriſt, whereof the ſinner is a member.

How prove you that by the Church Math. 18. is not meant the Biſhop, or Presbytery repreſenting the body?

1. One man cannot be a Church, which as Chriſt teacheth, verſ. 19. 20. muſt be a company, how ſmall ſoever, gathered together in his name.

2. The word there uſed never ſignifieth in the Scriptures, an Officer or Officers, excluding the people.

3. The Apoſtle 1. Cor. 5. expounds Chriſts meaning to be of the whole body come together.

4. The Elders being publique Officers, are to exerciſe the ſolemne workes of their Office, and particularly the worke of rebuking them that ſinne, openly and before the Church, both that others may feare, and the Church of Faith 1 Tim. 5. 20. conſent to the excommunication: and therefore cannot repreſent the Church being actually preſent.

5. A Repreſentative Church in a caſe of faith and conſcience without the conſent of the repreſented in the particular decree eſtabliſheth the Popiſh doctrine of implicit Faith.

What is the order of proceeding in this Cenſure?

That the Brother offending privately be admon • ſhed privately, and after (without his Mat. 18. 15. repentance) with a witneſſe or two who may give teſtimony both of the offence and admonition and laſtly, that by the brother admoniſhing with his witneſſes, the ſinner (remaining obſtinate,) complaint be made to the Church: which laſt complaint alone is ſufficient in publike offences.

VVhat Order is to be obſerved after complaint thus made?

The Elders as the govenours of the Church, are by the Scriptures clearely to convince, and ſeriouſly to admoniſh and exhort the offender: and upon his impenitency (with due conviction and patience:) to decree againſt him the ſentence of Excommunication: and laſtly, with the peoples free conſent to pronounce and execute the ſame.

How appeareth the neceſſity of this ordinance?

Many wayes. 1. By the commandement of Chriſt, and practiſe of the Apoſtolicall Mar. 18. 15 1 Cor. 5. 4. Churches.

2. For the glory of Chriſt, which is much impeached by the prophaneſſe of thoſe who profeſle Rom. 2. 24. his ſervice.

3. For the humbling of the ſinner, and for the ſalvation of his ſoule. 1 Cor. 5. 5. verſ. 7. 8.

4. To prevent the infection of others. Heb. 12. 15.

5. That by the zeale and holineſſe of the Church, they without may be gayned to the Goſpell.

How is the Church to walke towards a perſon excommunicated?

So as they may make him aſhamed by 2 Theſ. 3. 6. 11. withdrawing from him in all ſpirituall Communion, and ciuill familiarity alſo, ſo farre as may be, without the violation of any naturall 1 Cor. 5. 11 or civill bond.

What is to be obſerved for the Churches contribution?

That in their publique meeting every 1 Cor. 16. 1. firſt day of the week, they contribute, as God hath proſpered them, to the publique Treaſury, by the Deacons to be received and diſtributed, as there is need, to the reliefe of the poore, maintenance Act. 5. 1. Gal. 6. 10. Rom. 15. 26. of the Miniſtery, and other neceſſary uſes of the Church firſt, and after of others alſo, as need requireth.

And whoſoever will walke according to this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God, Galath. 6. 16. 1. CANT. 6, 7, 8. Looke not upon me becauſe I am black, becauſe the Sun hath looked upon me: my mothers Children were angry with me, they made me the keeper of the vineyards, but mine owne vineyard have I not kept. Tell me (O thou whom my ſoule loveth) where thou feedeſt, where thou makeſt thy flock to reſt at noone: for why ſhould I be as one that turneth aſide by the flocks of thy companions? If thou know not (O thou faireſt amongſt women) go thy way forth by the footſteps of the flocke, and feed thy kids beſide the ſhepheards tents. Iſa. 60. 12, 13. The Nation and Kingdome that will not ſerve thee, ſhall periſh. I will beautify the place of my ſanctuary, and will make the place of my feet glorious. Pſal. 27. 4. One thing I asked, &c.
I. ROBINSON.