A TREATISE ON CHURCH GOVERNMENT. FORMERLY CALLED ANARCHY OF THE RANTERS, &c. FOR THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE OF GOD, WHEREIN They are vindicated from those that accuse them of disorder and BY ROBERT BARCLAY. Phil. 2. 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but Heb. 13. 7. Remember them that have the rule over you, who TO WHICH IS ADDED AN EPISTLE TO THE NATIONAL MEETING CONCERNING Good Order and Discipline in the Church. BY JOSEPH PIKE. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SOLOMON W. CONRAD. THE CONTENTS. SECT. I. The Introduction and method of this SECT. II. Concerning the ground and cause of SECT. III. Whether there be any order or go- vernment in the Church of Christ. SECT. IV. Of the order and government we SECT. V. In what cases, and how far, this go SECT. VI. How far this government extends in matters spiritual, and purely conscien- tious. SECT. VII. Concerning the power of decision. SECT. VIII. How this government altogether differeth from the oppressing and persecut. TREATISE ON CHURCH GOVERNMENT. SECTION I. The Introduction and Method of this Treatise. AFTER that the Lord God in his own appointed time had seen meet to put an end to the dispensation of the law, which was delivered to the children of Israel, by the ministry of Moses; through and by whom he did communicate unto them in the wilderness from Mount Sinai, divers commandments, ordinances, appointments and observations, according as they are testified in the writings of the law; it pleased him to send his own Son the Lord Jesus Christ in the fulness of time; who having perfectly fulfilled the law, and the righteousness thereof, gave witness to the dispensation of the gospel. And having approved himself, and the excellency of his doctrine, by many great and wonderful signs and miracles, he sealed it with his blood; and triumphing over death (of which it was impossible for him to be held) he cherished and encouraged his despised witnesses, who had believed in him, in that he appeared to them, after he was raised from the dead; comforting them with the hope and assurance of the pouring forth of his Spirit, by which A |