An Inquiry into the Original, Nature, Institution, Power, Order,
and Communion of Evangelical Churches
1. Prefatory note.2. To the reader.Preface.Chapter I. Of the original of churches.Chapter II. The especial original of the evangelical church-state.Chapter III. The continuation of a church-state and of churches unto the end of the world.Chapter IV. The especial nature of the gospel church-state appointed by Christ.Chapter V. The state of the first churches after the apostles, to the end of the second century.Chapter VI. Congregational churches alone suited unto the ends of Christ in the institution of his church.Chapter VII. No other church-state of divine institution.Chapter VIII. The duty of believers to join themselves in church-order.Chapter IX. The continuation of a church-state and of the administration of evangelical ordinances of worship briefly vindicated.Chapter X. What sort of churches the disciples of Christ may and ought to join themselves unto as unto entire communion.Chapter XI. Of conformity and communion in parochial assemblies.Chapter XII. Of schism.Section I.Section II.Section III.19. Prefatory note.20. The preface to the reader.Chapter I. The subject-matter of the church.Chapter II. Of the formal cause of a particular church.Chapter III. Of the polity, rule, or discipline of the church in general.Chapter IV. The officers of the church.Chapter V. The especial duty of pastors of churches.Chapter VI. Of the office of teachers in the church, or an inquiry into the state, condition, and work of those called teachers in the scripture.Chapter VII. Of the rule of the church, or of ruling elders.Chapter VIII. The nature of church polity or rule, with the duty of elders.Chapter IX. Of deacons.Chapter X. Of excommunication.Chapter XI. Of the communion of churches.