EIGHTH ENQUIRY.

CONCERNING PUBLIC WORSHIP.

Enquirer.In what manner are the disciples of Christ to attend the public worship of God?

Christian.---The first thing concerning public worship, is assembling together. This is enjoined in Heb. x. 25, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as we see the day approaching." The design of meeting together, is-.. 1. To glorify God---2. To edify each other---3. To benefit those who do not believe. This is to be done by preaching, praying, singing, exhorting, reproving, rebuking, and admonishing one another.

Enquirer.Is there not some particular form laid down in the New Testament, to be attended to in every public meeting?

Christian..--No. The order is this, to do that which is most to edification when we come together. If it is most to edification to have all praying, or preaching, or singing, or exhorting, or

some of all these; this is the order of the meeting. All are allowed to speak one by one, when it is to edification. Paul says, 1 Cor. xiv. 26, "How is it then, brethren, when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done unto edifying."

The

Enquirer.---How are churches gathered according to the New Testament? Christian.---They are gathered by Christ. When any number are born again, whether two or more, and are united in love, they are a church, according to the New Testament. minister's duty is to baptize them, acknowledge them a church of Christ, and they to consider themselves so, and as such to walk according to the New Testament, and as many as walk according to this rule, peace to them and the Israel of God. Having a council to constitute a church, giving them articles of faith, and making them a church, is a part of mystery Babylon, there is not one word for the practice in the New Testament.

NINTH ENQUIRY.

CONCERNING THE MEANING OF THE WORD BISHOP.

Enquirer.---WHAT is the meaning of the word BISHOP in the New Testament?

He

Christian.--This word signifies an overseer, or one appointed to attend to what belongs to another. It is applied, First, TO CHRIST. 2d. To his ministers. Christ is called the BISHOP in 1 Pet. ii.25, "For we were as sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your souls." Christ as man, is an overseer or bishop under his father, "Head over all things." has the whole command of the church, and all orders respecting the church comes from him as the BISHOP of Souls. Under this great bishop are other bishops appointed by him, to oversee what belongs to the universal BISHOP Jesus Christ. The word bishop when applied to men means the same as an elder. All elders are bishops, no one is above another, all are brethren. This name given to the ministers of Christ, is to shew, that their work is to watch over,

care for, and instruct their brethren. The New Testament does not admit any to this office except he be blameless, the husband of one wife, if married at all, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre, but patient, not a brawler, nor covetous." 1 Tim. iii. Titus i. The office of bishop is not above that of a pastor, but in the three first centuries every pastor was considered a bishop.

Enquirer.---How are we to consider Christ as BISHOP, and his ministers bishops under?

Christian.---The universal BISHOP, Jesus, has the whole command, and as such, has given directions to his ministers and the saints in the New Testament. This book contains all he requires of all his followers. The bishops are there directed what to preach, what to tell the world, and the saints; and are commanded not to add any thing to it, nor keep back any part of what is there enjoined.

Enquirer.Will you illustrate this by a similitude?

Christian.---Yes. The government of the bishop of Rome, the bishop of England, or the government of the bishop of the Methodists, will serve as a similitude, for they are all antichristian governments, being exactly in opposition to that of the great BISHOP Jesus Christ. As the government of the Methodist bishop is more known in this country than any of the others, I will use this as a similitude. In this government the bishop is over all the methodist ministers, and all the methodist people---he gives the ministers their orders, and the orders for the people to attend to---the people are accountable to the bishop, so are the ministers. The bishop is accountable to that authority which made him so---the ministers receive from the bishop, a book of rules, called a discipline, for themselves and the people; if a minister, or any of the people, refuse to comply with what is required there, the bishop turns them out of the gov

ernment.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is