Thes 3.12 Ioh. 13.34 Rom. 12.9 7. All the Members should have a watchfull eye over each other that they may keep each other from sinne and if fallen into any sinne to hasten their deliverance 1 Thes 5.6 1 Cor 12.25 8. Not to speak evill or to backbite one another 2 Cor. 12.20 Jam. 4.15 9. They must be carefull not to declare the faults of one another to each other before they have lovingly and deliberately informed the Brother or Sister that hath offended of his or her faults and endeavoured to convince him and not then but in case of obstinacy Math. 18.17 2 Cor 12.20 10. They must not beare any grudge or envy in their hearts against any Member whether upon any evill reports of them or upon any wrong received from them 1 Pet. 2.1 Levit 19.18 Iam. 5.9 11 They must honour each other as God hath commanded them and that in syncerity and in truth Rom 12.10 12 That they provoke and exhort one another to the diligent practise of their duty toward God and all men Heb 10.24 25. Heb 3.13 13 That they informe reprove and admonish one another when there is occasion Rom 15.14 Col 3.16 Eph 5.11 14 To supply the wants of one another if any Member shall stand in need of subsistance according unto every Members abilities they ought to communicate unto him Rom 12.13 1 Tym 6.18 1 Pet 4.10 15 That none suffer sin to lye on his Brother and connive and wink at it but immediately if possible to discover it unto him Levit. 19.17 Math. 18.15 16. Gal. 6.1 2 3 4. 16. That every Member is commanded by God to Pray for each other and that frequently heartily and fervently especially for such as lye under any affliction or temptation either in Soule or Body Jam. 5.16 Act. 12.5 17. They ought to comfort each other with the comforts wherewith they have been comforted of God to comfort each other with their Fathers promises to them with the mediation of Jesus Christ the great honour that God hath put upon his people and the hopes of their future happinesse c. 1 Thes 4 18. 2 Thes 5.14 18. It is their duty to teach and to Instruct one another the eye may help the hand and the hand the eye the foot may and ought to be helpfull to the head 1 Cor 12.15 1 Thes 5.11 2 Col. 16. 19. To rejoyee with such as do rejoyce and weep with such as weep to have a fellow feeling of each others mercies and troubles to have a sympathizing heart hand and eye towards each other as fellow members of the same body Rom 12.15 20. That all such Members as have Families ought to set up the worship of God in them and not only the forme of Divine worship but the power and spirituallity of it to instruct those that are under their charge Gen 18.19 Deut 6.7 Iohn 24.15 Jer 10.25 Eph 5.4 Ioh 4.23 24. 21. That they ought constantly to attend on all the Ordinances of God at all times except some extraordinary occasions hinder both publickly and privately Prov. 8.34 Mal. 3.16 Heb 10.24 25. Rom. 14.19 22. That all ought to endeavour to walk inoffensively giving no offence to Jew nor Gentile nor to the Church of God labouring to walke wisely towards them that are without as that you may through the grace of God thereby possesse them with good thoughts of Iesus Christ of his wayes and People and also that every member endeavour to preserve the Peace and priviledges of the Church and of every member thereof Eph. 4.1 to 6. 1 Ioh 3.11 to end Col 3.12 15. Phil 2.1 6. Gal 6.1 23. That all ought quietly and patiently to submit to the Powers that God hath by his providence set over them and obey all their lawfull commands willingly the contrary is hatefull in the sight of God what ever men may pretend for railing against or opposing of them 2 Pet. 2.10 11 12. Iude 8.9 10. Act 23.5 Rom 13.1 2 3 4 5. 24. That all ought to avoid the company of erronrous persons as much as hey can especially such persons as hold any dangerous Tenents and make it their businesse to vent them unto others Rom. 16.17 1 Tim. 6.5 25. That they walk humbly and seriously before their fellow Members and before all men as much as in them lyeth Iam. 4.6 1 Pet. 5.5 Act. 20.19 Eph. 4.29 30. Eph. 5.4 26. That all endeavour to preserve the purity of the Church and not by any means to endeavour either privately or publiquely the admission of any unworthy person although their nearest relation 1 Tym. 5.26 1 Cor. 3.16 17. 1 Cor. 6.15.19 2 Cor. 6.14 15 16 17. 27. That if any Member of the said Church shall heere or know of any Scandall or ill report of a person desiring admission into the Church that then the said Member enquire into the truth of it and in case the said person be found guilty the said Member should informe the Pastor of it and the person should be suspended untill he hath repented and declared his repentance to the Church 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2. 28 That in case any member of the said Church shall be cast out of the Church for Scandall and the said person shall repent afterward and manifest so much to the satisfaction of the Church and shall desire to be admitted againe into the Church he ought to be received againe into Communion with all love and tendernesse 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8 9. 1 Cor. 5. 29. That all such as sin openly should be openly speedily and severely reproved and proceeded against according unto the word of Christ 1 Tym 5.20 25. 1 Cor. 5. Math 18.15 16. 30. That as the Church increases need requires and persons are found fit other Officers be chosen by the Pastor and all the members of the Church then present when any Officer is to be chosen Act. 6.2 3 4. 1 Cor. 12.28 31. That all the members ought to be diligent in some honest calling that so they may be usefull in their generations and not chargeable to others and that they may stoppe the mouths of their Adversaries in case the said members shall be able Eph. 4.28 1 Tim. 5.10 2 Thess 3.6.10.16 32. That all in a speciall manner do discharge the duties that they owe unto their Relations which God hath commanded to be carefully performed by all both superiours and inferiours as husba ds to their wives Eph. 5.25 Wives to their Husbands Eph. 5.33 Parents to Children Eph. 6.4 Children to Parents Eph. 6.1 2. Magistrates to the People Rom. 13.4 People to their Magistrates Rom. 13.4 Masters to their Servants Col. 4.1 Servants to their Masters Eph. 6.5 33. That all should really and heatily intend what they shall at any time professe to each other or any that are without whither Saints or Sinners as expressions of their Love to them by their words to take heed that their hears and tongues go together without all dissimulation or
repentance that then the said Member is to be suspended or cast out of the Church and that all the Members present should give their consent thereunto Math 18 17. Num. 15.30 31. Num. 19.13 20. Ezra 10.8 1 Cor. 5.4 5. 2 Cor. 2.6 but in case some few Members should refuse to give their consent to the suspending or excommunicating the said offendor without giving the Church convincâ—ng reasons for their refusall the major part may suspend or cast him out 24. That in case any person fearing God shall desire to joyne with the Church but through weaknesse of judgement and want of light in these things cannot be fully satisfied in some circumstance used and practised in the Church and yet the said person be willing to walk in Gospell Fellowship with them in all other things he ought to be admitted into the Church provided it may not apparently tond to make a breach in the said Church Rom. 14.1 2 3 4 5 6. Rom. 15. 1 Cor. 8. More Particular Practicall Rules For walking in Church fellowship THat all endeavour to the utmost of their power and abilities especially by their practice to set up and maintain all the ordinances of Christ that he hath given to his Church for his own Glory and his Churches edification and comfort Zach. 14.17 18. Jos 24.15 Deut. 6 7. Eph. 6. Geâ— 18 19. 1. Publique and Private prayer which are Gods holy appointments for to convey Grace into the hearts of his Saints Luke 21.36 Acts 1.24 Acts 4 41. Mark 6 6. 2. Preaâ—hing and hearing the word publiquely or privately these are Gods Ordinances Prov. 8.34 Act. 18 28 Act. 20.20 Isa 55.3 3. Singing of Psolmes and Hymes and Spirituall Songs Math. 26 30. Eph. 5.19 Coll. 3 16 Jam. 5.13 4. Conferences one with another is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ 1 Thes 5.11 Heb. 10.24 25. Jude 20. 5. That Jesus Christ will have particular Churches untill his second coming and therefore 't is the duty of all Saints in their places and capacities to help to set up and uphold this Ordinance and appointment of Jesus Christ Rom. 16.4 16. 1 Cor. 7.17 1 Cor. 11.16 Gal. 1.2 Rev. 1.11 Rev. 2.7 Rev. 22.16 6. Baptisme and the Lords Supper are Gods Ordinances and they are appointed to be signes and Seales of the Covenant of Grace between God the Father Son and Believers Math. 28.19 1 Cor. 11.23 7. The Ministry is an Ordinance of Jesus Christ and to continue in the Church unto the end of the World and therefore all should endeavour to set up and to vindicate Christs Ministers and their Ministry as much as they can Eph. 4.11 12 13. 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13 17. as an ordinance of Christ 2. that all doe endeavour to grow in grace and to be spirituall Saints such as may worship God in Spirit and in Truth and walk spiritually before Saints and sinners that they may commend Religion unto others by their spirituality for God hath promised that such as are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish and goe from strength to strength in Sion Psal 92.13 Psal 84.7 you should labour to be spirituall in all places in all companies and in all businesses in your words and deportments Ioh. 4.24 1 Cor. 3.1 2.3 Gal. 6.2 3. It is the duty of all to labour and endeavour to obtain so much wisdome and spirituall understanding as is possible in spirituall things that so they may be able to serve God and worship him according unto his will that they may not be soon shaken in mind and tossed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine but that they may be perfectly joyned together in the same mind and in the same judgement in the truth Coll. 1.9 Eph. 4.12 13. Eph. 3 18.19 4. That all doe labour after a great measure of Faith that they may be able to trust God in times of triall and not dispond and be dejected at every providence that thwarts sense and reason but to be able to cast themselves on the free grace mercy faithfullnesse wisdome power and Love of God in Christ and to give him all the glory of his dispensations the contrary renders Religion odious and unpleasant 2 Pet. 3 18. Eph. 6.9 to 18 Eph. 4.15 5. That all the members of the said Church do endeavour faithfully according to their abilities and opportunities to performe such duties as they owe to each other in their relations whether as Saints and members of Christs body or aâ— Men and so as Parents or Children or Husbands c. Rom. 13.8 or as Offiâ—ers that teach or rule or as private members that are taught and ruled 1. A Pastâ—r is to attend upon Preaching the word in season and out of season and to administer the Sacraments to answer objections doubts and scruples to the study of the word to maintain and defend the Truths he Preaches to waiâ—h over the flock to protect them from wrong as much as he can all which he iâ— to doe as a Pastor of his own flock only and he is to manage matters in the Church that concernes the well ordering of it 1 Cor. 12.28 Rom 12.6 7 8 Luk 22. Act. 20.11 2 Cor. 1.4 Mal. 2.7 1 Tâ—m 4.13 14. 2 Tim. 2.15 T it 1.9 1 Pet. 5.2 2. The duâ—y of the Members to their Pastor first to provide for him for his subsistance and comfortable being that he may not be entangled with the affaires of this life but that he may wholly give up himselfe to the work of the Lord 1 Tim. 4.15 and discharge the trust committed to him Gal. 6 6 7 8. Rom 15.27 1 Cor. 9.7 to 15. 2. Not to receive an accusation against him under two or thre with nesses 1 Tim. 5.1 19. 3. To give him that Love and respect that is due to him and no more to be carefull not to give him that honour that is due only to God or to refuse to give him that which God commands them freely to give unto him 1 Thes 5.12 13. 1 Tim 5.17 Heb 13 17. 4. To attend upon his Ministry as they have opportunity both in private and publick Act 2.42 5. And in a speciall manner to pray for him that God may blesse him in his studies that God may direct him to Preach such truths as may by the blessing of God be most advantagious and profitable to Saints and sinners and that God may give him the door of utterance that he may speak the Word with boldnesse and clearnesse that he may give to every one his portion that he may be able to divide the word aright that he may be led into all truth that he may be very successefull in the turning of many sinners to God 1 Thes 5.25 Heb. 13.18 Act. 12.5 2 Cor. 1.11 Phil. 1.19 Rom. 15.30 Eph. 6.18 19. The duties of Members to each other and towards all men 6. The Members are commanded to Love each other truly and heartily without dissimulation in deed and in truth Eph. 5.2 1
the worlds complements Rom 12.9 Coll. 3.23 1 Pet. 1.22 Eph. 6.5 Rom. 9.2 2 Cor. 5.12 34 That all the members be carefull to avoyd as much as they can the Company of wicked men especially in any thing that is not of good report or may be an offence unto any godly person 2 Chron. 18.1 3. 1 Cor. 5.17 Psal 110.7 35. That all endeavour to hold forth the power and life of Godlinesse before others to manifest the Spirituality of their profession to take heed and beware of a formall dead saplesse profession which may predice the mindes of men against the waies of God Phill. chap. 1. v. 27. 1 Pet. 3.1 26 That no member withdraw Communion from the said Church untill the said member hath given convincing reasons for his or her withdrawing why he cannot hold communion with the said Church Heb. 10.24 25. Heb 3.13 37 That if at any time any member or members of other true Churches that walke in Gospell order shall be recommended to the said church by the Pastor or other Officers of the said Churches and the said persons so recommended shall desire to pertake of all Gods Ordinannces with the Church that then the said Church ought to admit them into Communion provided they be not scandalous or ignorant Rom 16.1 38 That if any member shall desire a dismission from the said Church to joyn with another Church of Christ walking in Gospell order and it shall upon tryall appeare to be for the advantage of his soule or the conveniency of its habitation as being nearer that Church that he is to be a member of that then the said person ought to have a free dismission 39 That every member endeavour to avoid bitternesse of Spirit or bitter railing words towards such persons as doe not walke in the same way and order with them waiting for and endeavouring by all good means Loving and wining deportments and arguments to convince them of their errours provided they be holy serious persons in appearance at least Eph chap 4. v. 31. 2 Tim. 2.25 Phill. 3.15 40 That every member in his place and capacity doe endeavour to promote the interest of Christ in the world by praying or by any other lawfull meanes Math 6.10 41 That all should be very sparing in judging such persons as doe differ from them or the way wherein the said Church walkes to be no true Saints knowing that they stand or fall to their own master and that they must give an account of themselves to God provided they are otherwise sober Spirituall and humble men Rom 14.10 Math 7.1 42 That every particular member should seek the weal and happinesse of his fellow member as his own all should look at one anothers wealth Phil. 2.4 5 6. 1 Pet. 4.10 11. 1 Cor. 10.24 43. That every member should patiently submit unto and receive with thankfullnesse all Reproofs Instructions Councell Admonition or exhortations from any member of the said Church Heb. 13.17 Coll. 3.16 Tit. 3.10 44. That all endeavour to improve all their priviledges for the Glory of God and to peforme every duty to God with the more Strength wisedome and comfort and also for the Comfort and edification of each other Eph. 1.12 1 Cor. 10.31 1 Cor. 14.31 45. That all Children that shall be baptized in the Church are to be accounted members of the same Church untill they shall justly deprive themselves by scandall or otherwise for of such is the Kingdome of God Mark. 10.14 15 16. 46. That so long as the said Children shall continue members of the said Church the Church ought to take care of them as fellow members to pray for them and to further by all good meanes their eternall Salvation in an especiall manner Gol. 6.10 47. That Rich and Poore walke together as fellow members of Christ as brethren and sisters without patiality and having respect to some persons because they are rich or disrespecting others because they are poor Jam. 2.1 6. 48. That all should greatly humble themselves and mourn before the Lord for their upholding of corruption and complying with the abominable practices of men for the worship of God and so have thereby prophaned the Lords holy Ordinances and exposed them to contempt and caused many to desert and cast them off as vaine things because they saw no distinction made between the precious and the vile but doggs and children eate together as fellow heires of Heaven and God being thereby greatly dishonoured was pleased to withdraw his presence from them in so much that many gracious hearts have said that they never meet with any soule comforting or soule quickning presence of God in receiving the Lords supper with a mixt multitude but as soone as they came out from among them their herats were filled with his presence Ezechiel 22.26 Ezechiel 44.5 10. Jerem. 15.19 2 Cor. 6.17 49. That all endeavour to performe all their lawfull promises that they shall at any time make to Believers or unbelievers and so to do to and deale with others as they would have others do to them or deale with them Psal 15.4 Math. 7.12 50. That all labour and endeavour to present sin in themselves and in others to keep each other from the commitment of sin to endeavour the destruction of each others Lusts and to study wherein they may be furtherers of one anothers joy and when they have found out their duty accordingly to practise it Heb. 3.12 13. Heb. 10.24 25 26. Phil. 4.3 FINIS REader I entreat thee to mend these few Erratas pag. 4. lin 24. read since l. 26. r. for l. 37. r. breaking p. 7. l. 25. r. the l. 39. r. thy pag. 9. l. r. insensibly p. 18. l. 16. r. with hearts that p. 23. l. 19. r. he should give p. 24. l. r. for it they p. 27. l. 2. leave out to l. 19. r. you p. 32. l. 20. this l. 24. r. the.