Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/84

2. Organization of the Church.

(1) Diversity of ranks. 1 Cor. xii. Eph. iv. 4–12. Rom. xii. 4–8. 1 Pet. iv. 10, 11.

(2) Governors. Matt. xxviii. 19. Mark xvi. 15, 16. John xx. 22, 23. Luke xxii. 19, 20. Gal. ii. 9, &c.

(3) Gifts. Luke xii. 42, 43. John xx. 22, 23. Matt. xviii. 18.

(4) Order. Acts viii. 5, 6, 12, 14, 15, 17. xi. 22. 23. xi. 2, 4. ix. 27. xv. 2, 4, 6, 25. xvi. 4. xviii. 22. xxi. 17–19. conf. Gal. i. 1, 12. 1 Cor. xiv. 40. 1 Thes. v. 14.

(5) Ordination. Acts vi. 6. 1 Tim. iv. 14. v. 22. 2 Tim. i. 6. Tit. i. 5. Acts xiii. 3. cf. Gal. i. 1, 12.

(6) Ecclesiastical obedience. 1 Thes. v. 12, 13. Heb. xiii. 17. Tim. v. 17.

(7) Rules and discipline. Matt. xxviii. 19. Matt. xviii. 17. 1 Cor. v. 4–7. Gal. v. 12. &c. 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2. 1 Cor. xi. 2, 16, &c.

(8) Unity. Rom. xvi. 17. 1 Cor. i. 10. iii. 3. xiv. 26. Col. ii. 5. 1 Thes. v. 14. 2 Thes. iii. 6.

II. That the Visible Church, thus instituted by the Apostles, was intended to continue.

1. Why should it not? The onus probandi lies with those who deny this position. If the doctrines and precepts already cited are obsolete at this day, why should not the following texts? e. g. 1 Pet. ii. 13. or, e.g. Matt. vii. 14. John iii. 3.

2. Is it likely so elaborate a system should be framed, yet with no purpose of its continuing?

3. The objects to be obtained by it are as necessary now as then. (1.) Preservation of the faith. (2.) Purity of doctrine. (3.) Edification of Christians. (4.) Unity of operation. Vid. Epists. to Tim. & Tit. passim.

4. If system were necessary in a time of miracles, much more is it now.

5. 2 Tim. ii. 2. Matt. xxviii. 20, &c.

Take these remarks, as they are meant, as mere suggestions for your private consideration, and believe me, &c. &c.

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