11

    office, who only are to act & exercise this power.

    (a) Rom.12.4 to 8. (b) Act.1.23. & 6.3,4. &14.23. [struck through]

    (c) 1 Cor.12.29,30.

         ¶ Chapt. 6. of the officers of ye church and

         especially of Pastors & Teachers.

    1

      A church being a company of people combined

    togeather by covenant for the worship of god, it

    appreareth thereby that there may be a church

    the essence & being of a church wthout any

    officers, seeing there is both the forme and

    matter of a church. wch also is implied by when

    it is sayed the Apostles ordayned Elders

    in every church Act 14.23.

    2

      Neverthelesse though officers be not abso=

    lutely necessary to the simple being of churches,

    when they be called, yet ordinaryly to their

    calling(a) and to their wellbeing they are. And

    therefore ye Lord Jesus out of his tender compassion hath

    appointed and ordayned officers(*), wch he would not

    have done if they had not bene usefull & needful

    for ye church. Yea being ascended into heaven he

    recd gifts for men(b), & gave gifts to men(c), whereof

    officers for ye church are justly accounted no small

    parts(d), they beinge to continue to the end of the

    world & for the pfecting of all the saints(e).  (a) Rom.

    10.14,15,17. (*) Eph.4.11.  1 Cor.12.28.  (b) psal.68.18.  (c) Eph.4.8.

    (d) Eph.4.11.  (e) Eph.4.13.

    3

      These officers were either extraordinary or ordinary.

    Extraordinary as (a) Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, ordinary

    as Elders & deacons.   The Apostles, Prophets and