Chap. XXVI. -- Of Particular Churches.

Q. 1. What is the communion of saints?

A. An holy conjunction [102] between all God's people, wrought by their participation of the same Spirit, whereby we are all made members of that one body whereof Christ is the head. Cant. vi. 9; Jer. xxxii. 39; John xvii. 22; 1 Cor. xii. 12; Eph iv. 3-6, 13; 1 John i. 3, 6, 7.

Q. 2. Of what sort is this union?

A. First, ^aspiritual and internal, in the enjoyment of the same spirit and graces, -- which is the union of the church catholic; secondly, ^bexternal and ecclesiastical, in the same outward ordinances, -- which is the union of particular congregations. ^a1 Cor. xii. 12, 13; Eph ii. 16, 19-22; 1 Cor. x. 17; John xvii. 11, 21, 22; John x. 16; Heb. ii. 11. ^b1 Cor. i. 10, 11; Rom. xii. 5; 1 Cor. xii. 27, 28; Eph iv. 11-13; Phil. ii. 2; Col. iii. 15; 1 Pet. iii. 8.

[102] By virtue of this, we partake in all the good and evil of the people of God throughout the world.

Q. 1. What are particular churches?

A. Peculiar ^aassemblies [103] [104] of professors in one place, ^bunder officers of Christ's institution, ^cenjoying the ordinances of God, ^dand leading lives beseeming their holy calling. ^aActs xi. 26; 1 Cor. iv. 17, xi. 22; 2 Cor. i. 1. ^bActs xx. 17, 28, xiv. 23; 2 Cor. viii. 23; Heb. xiii. 17. ^c1 Cor. iii. 5; Rev. ii. 1-3. ^d2 Thess. iii. 5, 6, 11; Gal. vi. 16; Phil. iii. 17; 1 Thess. ii. 12.

Q. 2. What are the ordinary officers of such churches?

A. First, ^apastors or doctors, [105] to teach and exhort; secondly, ^belders, to assist in rule and government; thirdly, ^cdeacons, to provide for the poor. ^aRom. xii. 7, 8; Eph. iv. 11; 1 Cor. xii. 28. ^bRom. xii. 8; 1 Tim. v.
17. ^cActs vi. 2, 3.

Q. 3. What is required of these officers, especially the chiefest, or ministers?

A. ^aThat they be faithful in the ministry committed unto them; ^bsedulous in dispensing the Word; ^cwatching for the good of the souls committed to them; ^dgoing before them in an example of all godliness and holiness of life. ^a1 Cor. iv. 2; Acts xx. 18-20. ^b2 Tim. ii. 15, iv. 1-5. ^cTit. i. 13; 1 Tim. iv. 15, 16. ^dTit. ii. 7; 1 Tim. iv. 12; Matt. v. 16; Acts xxiv. 16.

Q. 4. What is required in the people unto them?

A. Obedience ^ato their message and ministry; ^bhonour and love to their persons; ^cmaintenance to them and their families. ^a2 Cor. v. 20; Rom. vi. 17; Heb. xiii. 17; 2 Thess. iii. 14; Rom. xvi. 19; 2 Cor. x. 4-6. ^b1 Cor. iv. 1; Gal. iv. 14; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18. ^cLuke x. 7; James v. 4; 1 Tim. v. 17, 18; 1 Cor. ix. 9-13.

[103] Every corruption doth not presently unchurch a people.

[104] Unholiness of fellow-worshippers defileth not God's ordinances.

[105] Ministers are the bishops of the Lord; lord-bishops came from Rome.