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¶ Chapt. 1. Of the Forme of church govmt
in general, & that it is one, Immutable,
& prscribed in the word of god.
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Ecclesiasticall politie, church govmt, or discipline
is nothing els but that Forme ^(a) & order that
is to be observed in the church of cht upon
earth, both for the constitution of it, & all
the Administrations that therein are to
be pfourmed. (a) Ezek. 43.11 Col. 2.5 1 Tim. 3.15.
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church govmt is considered in a double respect,
either in respect of the parts of govmt them
selves, or necessary Circumstances thereof. The pts
of govmt are prscribed in the word, because
the Lord Jesus Cht, ye King & Lawgiver of
his church is no lesse faithfull in the house
of God then was Moses, ^(b) who from ye Lord
delivered a Forme & patterne of govnmt to
ye children of Israel in ye old Testamt. ^(c) And
the holy Scriptures are now also so pfect, as
yt they are able to make the man of God
pfect & thoroughly furnished to every good
worke, ^(d) & therefore doubtlesse to the well=
ordering of the house of god. (b) Heb. 3. 5, 6.
(c) Exod. 25. 40. (d) 2 Tim. 3. 16, 17.
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The parts of church govnmt are all of them
exactly described, being pts or meanes of