Chap. XXVI. — Of Particular Churches.

Q. 1. What are particular churches?

A. Peculiar ^aassemblies¹⁰³¹⁰³   Every corruption doth not presently unchurch a people. ¹⁰⁴¹⁰⁴   Unholiness of fellow-worshippers defileth not God’s ordinances. 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,¹⁰⁵¹⁰⁵   Ministers are the bishops of the Lord; lord-bishops came from Rome. 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.