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CHRiS2'IAN SELLOWSHIP,
[SERM.IX,
afford
it,
to
contribute
of
their earthly
substance toward
the
common expences
of
the sóciety;"
that
is,
for
the
provision
of
the
place'
a
worship,
the maintenance
of
the
minister,
the
support of
the poor,
and
for every
thing
that
relates
to
the outward preservation and interests
of
the church
:
And
each
one should
give
according to
his
ability
:
This is
but
apiece
of
common
justice, and
it
is
sometimes'
fit
to tell them
so.
7.
Shall
I
add
in
the last place,
"
That
every thing
of
church
affairs
ought
to
be managed with
decency
and
order,
with
harmony- and
peace
?
So
the apostle directs
the
Córinthians;
1
Cor.
xiv.
46.
and
chapter
xvi. 14.
Let
all
things
be
done decently and
in
order
:
Let
all
your
affairs be
doné
with
charity
:"
So
in my
text,
"
with
one
mind,
as
well
as with
one
mouth
glorify
God."
It
is
true indeed, every man
has
a
will,
and
particular
sen
'timents and inclinations
of
his own
;
but
the most com-
mon
and
peaceful
way
of
determining public
affairs, is
by
the
will
and
inclination of the
-major
part
manifested
by
a vote
:
And
in
matters of
lesser moment it
is
gener-
ally wisest
and
safest to submit to
such
a determination
of
the majority, where
it
may be done
without
sin
:
But
it
is
a
very desirable
thing,
if
possible,
to do
nothing
with-
out
the unanimous
approbation of
those
that
are
con-
cerned.
If
there are
differences arising,
those
who
dissent from the major part, ought
to be
treated
with
all
tenderness
in
order
to convince and
persuade
them
to
consent. But
if
any
thing
be
determined
by
the majo-
rity,
which they
cannot
comply
with,
they may peaceably
make
their remonstrances; and
if
they
please, be
dis-
missed from
that
society,
or depart.
The
fifth
.general leads me to
enquire
"
who
are
the
officers which
Christ
bath appointed
in his
churches
The
names
of
the
officers
are
these
two,
which
probably
include
all
the
rest,
"
bishops
and
deacons
;" so
they
are
called
;
Phil.
i.
1.
Bishops
and elders
in
primitive
times
are
both
called
'overseers
in
the
Greek,,and
seem
to
be
the same
officers,
for
St.
Paul'
gives
Titus
the several
characters
of
a
bishop,
in
order
to
direct
what
sort
of
persons
should
be
chosen
for
elders.
Their
business
is
to
teach
and instruct, to
go
before the people
in
performing
acts
of
worship,
to
give themselves
up
to
the
ministry
of
the word
and
5