the ground of offence 4. It need not to be feared that all the best Hearers of the best Ministers no nor the most of them will depart from them upon point of Church-Government Those who have found the presence and Power of the Spirit of Christ breathing in their Ministers either to their conversion or edification will be slow to change such a Ministry of Faith and Holiness for the liberty of Church-Order Upon which ground and sundry other such like there be doubtless sundry godly and judicious Hearers in many Parishes in England that do and will prefer their Relation to their Ministers though in a Presbyterial way above the Congregational Confoederation 5. But if all or the most part of the best Hearers of the best Ministers of Parishes should depart from them as preferring in their judgments the Congregational way yet in case the Congregational way should prove to be of Christ it will never grieve the holy hearts of godly Ministers that their Hearers should follow after Christ yea many of themselves upon due deliberation will be ready to go along with them It never grieved nor troubled John Baptist that his best Disciples departed from him to follow after Christ John 3. But in case the Congregational way should prove to be not the institution of Christ as we take it but the invention of men then doubtless the Presbyterial Form if it be of God will swallow up the other as Moses rod devoured the rods of the Aegyptians Nor will this put a necessity upon both the opposite parties to shift for themselves and to seek to supplant one another but only it wil call upon them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to seek and to follow the Truth in Love to attend in faithfulness each unto his own Flock and to administer to them all the holy things of God and their portion of food in due season and as for others quietly to sorbear them yet to instruct them with meekness that are contrary minded leaving it to Christ in the use of al good means to reveal his own Truth in his own time and mean while endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Philippians chap. 3. verse 15 and 16. Ephesians 4.3 To the second Exception That we take no course for the gaining and healing and calling in of ignorant and erronious and scandalous persons whom we refuse to receive into our Churches and so exclude them from the remedy of Church-discipline We conceive the receiving of them into our Churches would rather loose and corrupt our Churches than gain and heale them A little Leaven layed in a lump of dough will sooner leaven the whole lump than the whole lump will sweeten it We therefore find it safer to square rough and unhewen stones before they be laid into the building rather than to hammer and hew them when they lie unevenly in the building And accordingly two meanes we use to gain and call in such as are ignorant or scandalous 1. The publick Ministry of the word Upon which they are invited by counsel and required by wholsom Laws to attend And the word it is which is the power of God to salvation to the calling and winning of soules 2. Private conference and conviction by the Elders and other able brethren of the Church whom they do the more respectively hearken unto when they see no hope of enjoying Church fellowship or participation in the Sacraments for themselves or their Children till they approve their judgments to be sound and orthodox and their lives subdued to some hope of a godly conversation What can Classical discipline or excommunication it self do more in this case The 3. Exception wrappeth up in it a three-fold domestical inconvenience and each of them meet to be eschewed 1. Disunion in Families between each relation 2. Disappointment of edification for want of opportunity in the Governors of Families to take account of things heard by their children and servants 3. Disbursments of chargable maintenance to the several Churches whereto the several Persons of their Families are joyned All which inconveniences either do not fall out in Congregational Churches or are easily redressed For none are so orderly admitted into Congregational Churches but such as are well approved by good testimony to be duly observant of Family relations Or if any otherwise disposed should creep in they are either orderly healed or duely removed in a way of Christ Nor are they admitted unless they can give some good account of their profiting by Ordinances before the Elders and Brethren of the Church and much more to their Parents and Masters Godly Tutors in the Vniversity can take an account of their Pupils and Godly Housholders in the City can take account of their Children and Servants how they profit by the Word they have heard in several Churches and that to the greater edification of the whol Family by the variety of such administrations Bees may bring the more Honey and Wax into the Hive when they are not limited to one Garden of Flowers but may fly abroad to many Nor is any charge expected from Wives Children or Servants to the maintenance of Congregational Churches further than they be furnished with Personal estates or Earnings which may enable them to contribute of such things as they have and not of such as they have not God accepteth not Robbery for a Sacrifice And though a godly Housholder may justly take himself bound in conscience to contribute to any such Church whereto his Wife or Children or Servants do stand in relation yet that will not aggravate the burden of his charge no more than if they were received Members of the same Church whereto himself is related But why do we stand thus long to plead exemptions from exceptions The Lord help all his faithful Servants whether Presbyterial or Congregational to judg and shame our selves before the Lord for all our former complyances to greater enormities in Church-Government than are to be found either in the Congregational or Presbyterial Way And then surely either the Lord will cleer up his own Will to us and so frame and subdue us all to one mind and one will Ezek. 43.10.11 or else we shall learn to bear one anothers burdens in a spirit of meekness It will then doubtless be far from us so to attest the Discipline of Christ as to detest the Disciples of Christ so to contend for the seamless coat of Christ as to crucifie the living Members of Christ so to divide our selves about Church-communion as through breaches to open a wide gap for a deluge of Antichristian and prophane malignity to swallow up both Church and Civil State What shall we say more is difference about Church-Order become the inlet of all the disorders in the Kingdom hath the Lord indeed left us to such hardness of heart that Church-Government shall become a snare to Zion as sometimes Moses was to Egypt Exod. 10.7 that we cannot leave contesting and
A PLATFORM OF Church-Discipline Gathered out of the WORD of GOD and agreed upon by the ELDERS and Messengers of the CHURCHES assembled in the Synod at CAMBRIDGE IN NEW-ENGLAND To be presented to the Churches and General Court for their Consideration and Acceptance in the Lord. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts Psal 84.1 Lord I have loved the Habitation of thy House and place where Thine Honor dwelleth Psal 26.8 One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his Temple Psal 27.4 Printed in New-England and Reprinted in London for Peter Cole at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1653. To all that are Faithful in Christ Jesus especially to the Godly of the Common-Wealth of England and the Nations thereunto belonging Grace Mercy and Peace BEloved in our Lord and Savior being employed as an Agent from New-England these Six years past to the Right Honorabl the present Parliament of England upon some weighty occasions Amongst other Papers of concernment that came to my hands from thence I received sometime since this ensuing Treatise from divers of the Reverend Elders there with liberty to Re-print it as I saw occasion It being intituled A Platform of Church-Disciplin gathered out of the Word of God and agreed upon by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches Assembled in the Synod at Cambridge in New-England to be presented to the Churches and general Court for their Consideration and acceptance in the Lord. It would be too long for me to insert the many Things that have occasioned the Delay of Reprinting it But meeting of late with a Coppy thereof Re-printed not only in a disorderly way but very Falsly to the great prejudice of the Work the Proofs in the margent amongst other gross Errors not rightly placed and so not proving the matter against which they are set I made it therefore my work to Suppress that Impression and have gained a Promise They shall never come to publick sale This Impression I have carefully examined by a Coppy I received from that Known Reverend Painful and Faithful Minister of the Gospel Mr. John Cotton of Boston under his own Hand directed to my self for the end before mentioned and do find it to Answer the Coppy received some smal faults excepted the proofs in the margent being duly placed only sometimes a Figure is mistaken but for the most part in Texts so familiarly known to every studious Reader as I conceived it would need no Errata not doubting but the charitable Reader will bear with it and Correct it as he reades it it being Re-printed at so great a distance from the place where it was first Collected It would be but as a drop of water cast into the great Ocean for me to go about by my Praises to ad to the worth of this Work and therefore such as the said Elders and Church-Messengers from their Synod at Cambridge aforesaid presented to the Churches and general Court for their Consideration and Acceptance in the Lord Such and the same I Declare this to be and desire the Lord to make it useful to his Churches and People for the finding out and true Discovery of that Order and Government the Lord Jesus hath left in his House till his second Coming which is the Prayer of Yours in the Lord Jesus EDW. WINSLOW Books Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall London And are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil by the Exchange Seven Books of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs lately published As also the Texts of Scripture upon which they are grounded 1 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment on Phil. 4.11 Wherein is shewed 1. What Contentment is 2. It is an holy Art and Mystery 3. The Excellencies of it 4. The Evil of the contrary sin of Murmuring and the Aggravations of it 2 Gospel-Worship on Levit. 10.3 Wherein is shewed 1 The right manner of the Worship of God in general and particularly In Hearing the Word Receiving the Lords Supper and Prayer 3 Gospel-Conversation on Phil. 1.17 Wherein is shewed 1 That the Conversations of Beleevers must be above what could be by the light of Nature 2 Beyond those that lived under the Law 3 And sutable to what Truths the Gospel holds forth To which is added The Misery of those men that have their Portion in this Life only on Psal 17.14 4 A Treatise of Earthly-mindedness Wherein is shewed 1 What Earthly-mindedness is 2 The great Evil thereof on Phil. 3. part of the 19. vers Also to the same Book is joyned A Treatise of Heavenly-mindedness and walking with God on Gen. 5.24 and on Phil. 3.20 5 An Exposition on the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of the Prophesie of Hosea 6 An Exposition on the eighth ninth and tenth Chapters of Hosea 7 An Exposition on the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth Chapters of Hosea being now compleat Twelve several Books of Mr. William Bridge Collected into one Volumn Viz. 1 The great Gospel-Mystery of the Saints Comfort and Holiness opened and applied from Christs Priestly Office 2 Satans power to Tempt and Christs Love to and Care of his People under Temptation 3 Thankfulness required in every Condition 4 Grace for Grace or the Overflowings of Christs Fulness received by all Saints 5 The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities 6 Evangelical Repentance 7 The Spiritual-Life and In-being of Christ in all Beleevers 8 The Woman of Canaan 9 The Saints Hiding-Place in time of Gods Anger 10 Christs Coming is at our Midnight 11 A Vindication of Gospel Ordinances 12 Grace and Love beyond Gifts A Godly and Fruitful Exposition on the first Epistle of Peter By Mr. John Rogers Minister of the Word of God at Dedham in Essex Five several Books by Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrology 1 The Anatomy of the Body of Man Wherein is exactly Described the several parts of the Body of Man illustrated with very many large Brass Plates 2 A Translation of the New Dispensatory made by the Colledg of Physitians of London Wherunto is added The Key to Galen 's Method of Physick 3 A Directory for Midwives or a Guide for Women 4 Galen's Art of Physick with a large Comment 5 The English Physitian Being an Astrologa-Physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of this Nation wherin is shewed how to cure a mans self of most Diseases incident to mans Body with such things as grow in England and for three-pence charge Also in the same Book is shewed 1 The time of gathering all Herbs both vulgarly and Astrologically 2 The way of drying and keeping them and their Juyces 3 The way of making and keeping all manner of useful Compounds made of those Herbs 4 The way of mixing the Medicines according to cause and mixture of the Disease
with them in all the Doctrinals of Religion we hope it may appear to the world that as we are a remnant of the People of the same Nation with them so we are Professors of the same common Faith and fellow Heirs of the same common Salvation Yea moreover as this our Profession of the same faith with them will exempt us even in their judgments from suspicion of Heresie so we trust it may exempt us in like sort from suspicion of Schism that though we are forced to dessent from them in matters of Church-Discipline yet our dissent is not taken up out of arrogancy of spirit in our selves whom they see willingly condescend to learn of them neither is it carried with uncharitable censoriousness towards them both which are the proper and essential Characters of Schisem but in meekness of wisdom as we walk along with them and follow them as they follow Christ so where we conceive a different apprehension of the mind of Christ as it falleth out in some few points touching Church-order we still reserve due reverence to them whom we judg to be through Christ the glorious Lights of both Nations and only crave leave as in spirit we are bound to follow the Lamb whither soever be goeth and after the Apostles example as we beleeve so we speak And if the example of such poor outcasts as our selves might prevail if not with all for that were too great a blessing to hope for yet with some or other of our Brethren in England so far as they are come to mind and speak the same thing with such as dissent from them we hope in Christ it would not only moderate the harsh judging and condemning of one another in such differences of judgment as may be found in the choycest Saints 3 but also prevent by the mercy of Christ the peril of the distraction and distruction of all the Churches in both Kingdoms Otherwise if Brethren shall go on to bite and devour one another the Apostle fears as we also with sadness of heart do it will tend to the consuming of them and us all which the Lord prevent We are not ignorant that besides these aspersions of Heresie and Schism other exceptions also are taken at our way of Church-Government but as we conceive upon as little ground As 1. That by admitting none into the fellowship of our Church but Saints by calling we rob many Parish-Churches of their best Members to make up one of our Congregations which is not only to gather Churches out of Churches a thing not heard of in Scripture but also to weaken the hearts and hands of the best Ministers in the Parishes by dispoyling them of their best Hearers 2. That we provide no course for the gaining and calling in of ignorant and erronious and scandalous persons whom we refuse to receive into our Churches and so exclude from the wholsom remedy of Church-Discipline 3. That in our way we sow seeds of division and hindrance of edification in every Family whilst admitting into our Churches only Voluntaries the Husband will be of one Church the Wife of another the Parents of one Church the Children of another the Master of one Church the Servants of another and so the Parents and Masters being of different Churches from their Children and Servants they cannot take a just account of their profiting by what they hear yea by this means the Husbands Parents and Masters shall be chargable to the maintenance of many other Churches and Church-Officers besides their own which will prove a charge and burden unsupportable But for Answer as to the first For gathering Churches out of Churches we cannot say that it is a thing unheard of in Scripture The first Christian Church was gathered out of the Jewish Church and out of many Synagogues in that Church and consisted partly of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem partly of the Galileans who though they kept some communion in some parts of publick Worship with the Temple yet neither did they frequent the Sacrifices nor repair to the Sanedrim for the determining of their Church-causes but kept entire and constant communion with the Apostles Church in al the Ordinances of the Gospel And for the first Christian Church of the Gentiles at Antioch it appeareth to have been gathered and constituted partly of the dispersed Brethren of the Church at Jerusalem whereof some were men of Cyprus and Cyren and partly of the beleeving Gentiles Acts 11.20 21. If it be said the first Christian Church at Jerusalem and that at Antioch were gathered not out of any Christian Church but out of the Jewish Temple and Synagogues which were shortly after to be abolished and their gathering to Antioch was upon occasion of dispersion in time of Persecution We desire it may be considered 1. That the Members of the Jewish Church were more strongly and straitly tyed by express holy Covenant to keep fellowship with the Jewish Church till it was abolished than any Members of Christian Parish-churches are wont to be tied to keep fellowship with their Parish-churches The Episcopal Canons which bind them to attend on their Parish Church it is likely they are now abolished with the Episcopacy The common Law of the Land is satisfied as we conceive if they attend upon the Worship of God in any other Church though not within their own Parish But no such like Covenant of God nor any other Religious Tye lieth upon them to attend the Worship of God in their own Parish Church as did lie upon the Jews to attend upon the Worship of God in their Temple and Synagogues 2. Though the Jewish Temple Church at Jerusalem was to be abolished yet that doth not make the desertion of it by the Members to be Lawful till it was abolished Future abolition is no warrant for present desertion unless it be Lawful in some case whilst the Church is yet in present standing to desert it to wit either for avoiding of present polutions or for hope of greater edification and so for better satisfaction to conscience in either future events or foresight of them do not desolve present relation Else Wives Children Servants might desert their Husbands Parents Masters when they be mortally sick 3. What the Members of the Jewish Church did in joyning to the Church at Antioch in time of persecution it may well be conceived the Members of any Christian Church may do the like for satisfaction of conscience Peace of conscience is more desirable than the peace of the outward Man and freedom from scruples of conscience is more comfortable to a sincere heart than freedom from persecution If it be said these Members of the Christian Church at Jerusalem that joyned to the Church at Antioch removed their habitations together with their Relations which if the Brethren of the Congregational way would do it would much abate the grievance of their departure from their Presbyterial Churches We verily could wish them so to do as well approving the like
5. The state of the Members of the Militant Visible Church walking in Order Gen 18 19 was either before the Law Oeconomical that is in Families Exod 19 6 or under the Law National or since the coming of Christ 1 Cor 14 23 only Congregational The term Independant we approve not Therefore neither national provincial nor classical 1 Cor 14 36 1 Cor 1 2 1 Cor 12 27 Exod 19 56 Deut 29 9 to 15 Acts 2 42 1 Cor 14 26 6. A Congregational-Church is by the institution of Christ a part of the Militant-visible-Church consisting of a company of Saints by calling united into one body by a holy covenaut for the publick worship of God and the mutuall edification one of another in the Fellowship of the Lord Jesus CHAP. III. Of the matter of the visible Church both in respect of Quality and Quantity 1 Cor 1 2 Ephes 1 1 THe matter of a visible Church are Saints by calling 2. By Saints we understand Heb 6 1 1 Cor 1 5 Rom 15 14 Psal 50 16 17. Act 8 37 Mat 3 6 Rom 6 17 1 Cor 1 2 Phil 1.1 Col 1 2 1. Such as have not only attained the knowledge of the principles of Religion and are free from gross and open scandals but also do together with the profession of their faith and Repentance walk in blameless obedience to the word so as that in charitable discretion they may be accounted Saints by calling though perhaps some or more of them be unsound and hypocrites inwardly because the members of such particular Churches are commonly by the holy Ghost called Saints and faithful brethren in Christ Eph 1.1 1 Cor 5.2.13 Rev 21 15 20. Ezek 44 7 9 chap 23 36 39 Num 29 20 Hagg 2 13 14 1 Cor 11.27 29 Psal 37 21 1 Cor 5 6 1 Cor 7 14 Jer 2 21 1 Cor 5 12 Jer 1.4 Gal 5 4 2 Cor 12 21 Rev 2.14 15 21 21. and sundry churches have been reproved for receiving and suffering such persons to continue in fellowship amongst them as have been offensive and scandalous the name of God also by this means is Blasphemed and the holy things of God defiled and Prophaned the hearts of godly grieved and the wicked themselves hardned holpen forward to damnation the example of such doth endanger the sanctity of others A little Leaven Leaveneth the whole lump 2. The children of such who are also holy 3. The members of Churches though orderly constituted may in time degenerate and grow corrupt and scandalous which though they ought not to be tolerated in the Church yet their continuance therein through the defect of the execution of discipline and just censures doth not immediately dissolve the being of the Church as appeares in the Church of Israell and the Churches of Galatia and Corinth Pergamus and Thyatira 4. 1 Cor 14 21. The matter of the Church in respect of it's quantity ought not to be of greater number then may ordinarily meet together conveniently in one place Mat 18 17 nor ordinarily fewer then may conveniently carry on Church-work Hence when the holy Scripture maketh mention of the Saints combined into a Church-estate Rom 16 1 1 Thes 1 1 Rev 2 8 c 3 7 in a Town or City where was but one Congregation it usually calleth those Saints the Church in the singular number as the Church of the Thessalonians the Church of Smyrna Philadelphia and the like But when it speaketh of the Saints in a Nation or Province wherein there were sundry Congregations 1 Cor 16 1 19 Gal 1 2 2 Cor 8 1 1 Thes 2 14 It frequently and usually calleth them by the name of Churches in the plurall number as the Churches of Asia Galatia Maccdonia and the like which is further confirmed by what is written of sundry of those Churches in particular how they were Assembled and met together the whole Church in one place Acts 2 46 c 5 12 c 6 2 Acts 14 27 s 15 38 1 Cor 5 4 c 14 23 Rom 16 1 as the Church at Jerusalem the Church at Antioch the Church at Corinth and Cenchrea though it were more neer to Corinth it being the port thereof and answerable to a Village yet being a distinct Congregation from Corinth it had a Church of its owne as well as Corinth had 5. Nor can it with reason be thought but that every Chuch appointed and ordained by Christ had a ministrie ordained and appointed for the same and yet plain it is that there were no ordinary officers appointed by Christ for any other then Congregational Churches Acts 20 28 Elders being appointed to feed not all flocks but that particular flock of God over which the holy Ghost had made them overseers and that flock they must attend even the whole flock and one Congregation being as much as any ordinary Elders can attend therefore there is no greater Church then a Congregation which may rodinarily meet in one place CHAP. IV. Of the From of A Visible Church and of Church Covenant SAints by Calling 1 Cor 12 27 1 Tim 3 15 must have a Visible-Political-Union amongst themselves or else they are not yet a particular Church as those similitudes hold forth which the Scripture makes use of to shew the nature of particular Churches As a Body A building or House Hands Eyes Feet and other members must be united or else remaining seperate are not a Body Stones Timber though squared hewen and pollished are not an house untill they are compacted and united so Saints or believers in judgment of charity are not a Church unless Orderly knit together 2. Particular Churches cannot be distinguished one from another but by their formes Ephesus is not Smyrna Revel 1 and Pergamus Thyatira but each one a distinct society of it self having officers of their owne which had not the charge of others Vertues of their own for which others are not praysed Corruptions of their owne for which others are not blamed 3. This Form is the Visible Covenant Agreement Exod 19 5 verse 8 Deut 29 12 13 Zach. 11 14 c 9 11 or consent wherby they give up themselves unto the Lord to the observing of the ordinances of Christ together in the same society which is usually called the Church-Covenant For we see not otherwise how members can have Church-power one over another mutually The comparing of each particular Church unto a City Ephes 2 19 2 Cor 12 2 and unto a Spouse seemeth to conclude not only a Form but that that Form is by way of Covenant The Covenant Gen 17 7 Deut 29 12 13 Ephes 2 12 19 as it was that which made the Family of Abraham and children of Israel to be a Church and people unot God so is it that which now makes the several societyes of Gentil-believers to be Churches in these dayes 4. This Voluntary Agreement
of that Covenant 2 Tim 4.1.2 Tit. 1 9 unto the dispensation whereof they are alike called as also to execute the Censures being but a kind of application of the Word the preaching of which together with the application thereof they are alike charged withal 6. Eph. 4.11 12. chap. 1.22 23. And for as much as both Pastors and Teachers are given by Christ for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of his body which Saints and Body of Christ is his Church Therfore we account Pastors and Teachers to be both of them Church-officers and not the Pastor for the Church and the Teacher only for the Schools Though this we gladly acknowledg 1 Sam. 10.12 v 19 20 2 King 23 verse 15 that Schools are both lawful profitable and necessary for the training up of such in good Literature or Learning as may afterwards be called forth unto Office of Pastor or Teacher in the Church CHAP. VII Of Ruling Elders and Deacons THe Ruling Elders Office is distinct from the Office of Pastor and Teacher Rom 12 7 8 9 1 Tim 5 17. 1 Cor 12 28. The Ruling Elders are not so called to exclude the Pastors and Teachers from Ruling because Ruling and Governing is common to these with the other Heb 13 17 1 Tim 5 17 whereas attending to teach and preach the Word is peculiar unto the former 1 Tim 5 17 2. The Ruling Elders work is to joyn with the Pastor and Teacher in those acts of Spiritual Rule which are distinct from the ministry of the word and Sacraments committed to them of which sort these be as followeth I. 2 Chron. 23 19 Rev 21 12 1 Tim 4 14 Mat 18 17 2 Cor 2 7 8 Acts 2 6 To open and shut the dores of Gods house by the Admission of members approved by the Church by Ordination of officers chosen by the Church and by excommunication of notorious and obstinate offenders renounced by the Church and by restoring of penitents forgive by the Church II. To call the Church together when there is occasion Acts 21.18 22 23 and seasonably to dismiss them again III. To prepare matters in private that in publick they may be carried an end with less trouble and more speedy dispatch IV. Acts 6 2 3 c 13 v 15 2 Cor 8 10 Heb 13 7 7 2 Thes 2 10 11 12 To moderate the carriage of all matters in the Church assembled as to propound matters to the Church to Order the season of speech and silence and to pronounce sentence according to the minde of Christ with the consent of the Church V. To be Guides and leaders to the Church in all matters whatsoever pertaining to Church administrations and actions VI. To see that none in the Church live inordinately out of rank and place without a calling Acts 20 28 verse 32 1 Thes 5 12 Jam 5 14 Acts 20 20 or Idlely in their calling VII To prevent and heal such offences in life or in doctrin as might corrupt the Church VIII To feed the flock of God with a word of admonition IX And as they shall be sent for to visit and to pray over their sick brethren X. And at other times as opportunity shall serve therunto 3. Act 6 3 v 6 Phil 1 1 1 Tim 3 8 1 Cor 12 28 1 Tim 3 8 9 The office of a Deacon is Instituted in the Church by the Lord Jesus sometime they are called Helps The Scripture telleth us how they should be qualified Grave not double tongued not given to much wine not given to filthy lucre they must first be proved and then use the office of a Deacon being found Blameless The office and work of the Deacons is to receive the offrings of the Church gifts given to the Church Acts 4 35 chap. 6 2 3 chap 6 2 and to keep the treasury of the Church Rom 12 8 and therwith to serve the Tables which the Church is to provide for as the Lords Table the table of the ministers and of such as are in necessity to whom they are to distribute in simplicity 4. 1 Cor. 7 17 The office therefore being limited unto the care of the temporall good things of the Church it extends not unto the attendance upon and administration of the spirituall things thereof as the word and Sacraments or the like 5. The ordinance of the Apostle and practice of the Church 1 Cor 16 1 2 3 commends the Lords day as a fit time for the contributions of the Saints 6. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. â— 8 11. Acts 20.28 The Instituting of all these officers in the Church is the work of God himselfe of the Lord Jesus Christ of the holy Ghost And therefore such officers as he hath not appointed are altogether unlawfull either to be placed in the Church or to be retained therin and are to be looked at as humane creatures meer Inventions and appointments of man to the great dishonour of Christ Jesus the Lord of his house the King of his Church whether Popes Patriarkes Cardinals Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops Arch-Deacons Officials Commissaries Mat. 15.13 and the like These and the rest of that Hierarchy and Retinue not being plants of the Lords planting shall all be certeinly rooted out and cast forth 7. The Lord hath appointed ancient widdows where they may be had to minister in the Church 2 Tim. 5.9 10 in giving attendance to the sick and to give succour unto them and others in the like necessities CHAP. VIII Of the Election of Church-Officers NO man may take the honour of a Church-Officer unto himself Heb. 5.4 but he that was called of God as was Aaron 2. Calling unto Office is either Immediate by Christ himself such was the call of the Apostles Galat. 1 1 Acts 14.23 chap 6 3 and Prophets this manner of calling ended with them as hath been said or Mediate by the Church 3. It is meet that before any be ordained or chosen Officers they should first be Tryed and proved 1 Tim. 5.22 chap 7 10 Acts 16 2 chap. 6 3 because hands are not suddenly to be laid upon any and both Elders and Deacons must be of honest and good report 4. The things in respect of which they are to be Tryed are those gifts and virtues which the Scripture requireth in men that are to be elected into such places viz that Elders must be blameless sober apt to teach and endued with such other qualifications as are laid down 1 Tim. 3. and 2. Tit. 1.6 to 9. Deacons to be fitted as is directed Asts 6.3 1 Tim. 3.8 to 11. 5. Act 14 23 c. 1 23. c. 6 3 4 5. Officers are to be called by such Churches whereunto they are to minister Of such moment is the preservation of this power That the Churches excercised it in the presence of the Apostles 6. Gal. 5.13 A Church being free cannot become subject to any but by a free
election Yet when such a people do chuse any to be over them in the Lord Heb. 13.17 then do they become subject and most willingly submit to their Ministry in the Lord whom they have so chosen 7. Rom. 16 17 And if the Church have power to chuse their Officers and Ministers then in case of manifest unworthiness and delinquency they have power also to depose them For to open and shut to chuse and refuse to constitute in Office and remove from Office are acts belonging unto the same Power 8. Cant. 8.8 9 We judg it much conducing to the well-being and communion of Churches that where it may conveniently be done Neighbor-Churches be advised withal and their help made use of in the tryal of Church-officers in order to their choise 9. The choise of such Church-officers belongeth not to the civil Magistrates as such or Diocesan-Bishops or Patrons for of these or any such like the Scripture is wholly silent as having any power therein CHAP. IX Of Ordination and Imposition of hands CHurch-Officers are not only to be chosen by the Church Acts. 13 32. cap. 14.23 1 Tim. 5.22 but also to be ordained by Imposition of hands and prayer with which at the ordination of Elders fasting also is to be joyned 2. Num. 8.10 Acts 6.5 6 cap. 13.2.3 This Ordination we account nothing else but the solemn putting of a man into his place and Office in the Church whereunto he had right before by election being like the installing of a Magistrate in the common-wealth Ordination therefore is not to go before but to follow Election Acts 6.5 6. cap. 14.23 The essence and substance of the outward calling of an ordinary Officer in the Church doth not consist in his Ordination but in his voluntary and free Election by the Church and in his accepting of that Election Whereupon is founded the relation between Pastor and Flock between such a Minister and such a People Ordination doth not constitute an Officer nor give him the essentials of his Office The Apostles were Elders without Imposition of hands by men Paul and Barnabas were Officers before that Imposition of Hands Acts 13.3 The Posterity of Levi were Priests and Levits before hands were laid on them by the Children of Israel 3. 1 Tim 4 14 Acts 13 3 1 Tim 5 22. In such Churches where there are Elders Imposition of hands in ordination is to be performed by those Elders 4. In such Churches where there are no Elders Imposition of hands may be performed by some of the Brethren orderly chosen by the Church therunto Numb 8 10 For if the people may elect officers which is the greater and wherin the substance of the Office consists they may much more occasion and need so requiring impose hands in ordination which is the less and but the accomplishment of the other 5. Nevertheless in such Churches where there are no Elders and the Church so desire we see not why Imposition of hands may not be performed by the Elders of other Churches Ordinary officers laid hands upon the officers of many Churches The presbytery at Ephesus layd hands upon Timothy an Evangelist 1 Tim 4 14 Acts 13 3 The presbytery at Antioch laid hands upon Paul and Barnabas 6. 1 Pet 5 2 Acts 20 18 Church Officers are officers to one Church even that particular over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers Insomuch as Elders are commanded to feed not all flocks but that flock which is commited to their faith and trust and dependeth upon them Nor can constant residence at one congregation be necessary for a minister no nor yet lawful if he be not a minister to one congregation only Acts 20 28 but to the Church universall because he may not attend one part only of the Church wherto he is a minister but he is called to attend unto all the flock 7. Hee that is clearly loosed from his office-relation unto that Church wherof he was a minister cannot be looked at as an officer nor perform any act of Office in any other Church unless he be again orderly called unto Office which when it shall be wee know nothing to hinder but Imposition of hands also in his Ordination ought to be used towards him again For so Paul the Apostle received Imposition of hands twice at least from Ananias Acts. 9.17 and Acts. 13.3 CHAP. X. Of the power of the Church and its Presbytery SUpream and Lordly power over all the Churches upon earth Psal 2 6 Eph 1 21 22 Isay 9 6 Mat 28 18 doth only belong unto Jesus Christ who is King of the Church and the head therof He hath the Government upon his shoulders and hath al power given to him both in heaven and earth 2. A Company of professed believers Ecclesiastically Confederat as they are a Church before they have officers without them Acts 1 23 c 14 23 c 6 3 4 Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 4 5 so even in that estate subordinate Church-power under Christ deligated to them by him doth belong to them in such a manner as is before expressed C. 5. S. 2. and as flowing from the very nature and Essence of a Church It being natural to al bodyes and so unto a Church body to be furnished with sufficient power for its own preservatiō and subsistance 3. This Government of the Church is a mixt Government and so hath been acknowledged long before the term of Independency was heard of In respect of Christ the head and King of the Church Rev 3 7 1 Cor 5 12 the Sovereign power residing in him and exercised by him it is a Monarchy In respect of the body or Brotherhood of the Church 1 Tim 5 17 and power from Christ granted unto them it resembles a Democracy In respect of the Presbytery and power comited to them it is an Aristocracy 4. The Sovereign power which is peculiar unto Christ is exercised I. Gal 1 4 Rev 5 8 9 Mat 28 20. Eph 4 8 11 Jam 4 12 Isai 33 22 1 Tim ◠15 2 Cor 10 4 5. Isai 32 2 Luke 1 71 In calling the Church out of the world unto holy fellowship with himselfe II. In instituting the ordinances of his worship and appointing his ministers and officers for the dispensing of them III. In giving lawes for the ordering of all our wayes and the wayes of his house IV. In giving power and life to all his Institutions and to his people by them V. In protecting and delivering his Church against from all the enemies of their peace 5. The power graunted by Christ unto the body of the Church and Brotherhood is a prerogative or priviledge which the Church doth exercise I. In Choosing their own officers whether Elders or Deacons II. In admission of their own members Acts 6 3 5 c 14 23 c 9 26 and therfore there is great reason they should have power to Remove any
from another as they pleas nor without just weighty cause but ought to live and dwell together for as much as they are commanded not to forsake the assembling of themselves together Such departure tends to the dissolution and ruine of the body as the pulling of stones and pieces of timber from the building and of members from the naturall body tend to the destruction of the whole 2. It is therfore the duty of Church-members in such times and places when counsell may be had Prov. 11.14 to consult with the Church wherof they are members about their removal that accordingly they having their approbation may be incouraged or otherwise desist They who are joyned with consent should not depart without consent except forced therunto 3. If a members departure be manifestly unsafe and sinfull Rom. 14.23 1 Tim. 5.22 Acts 21.14 the Church may not consent therunto for in so doing they should not act in faith and should pertake with him in his sinn If the case be doubtfull and the person not to be perswaded it seemeth best to leave the matter unto God and not forcibly to detayn him 4. Just reasons for a members removal of himself from the Church are 1 If a man cannot continue without partaking in sin 11. Ephes 5.11 Acts 9.25 and ver 29 30. c. 8.1 In case of personal persecution so Paul departed from the Desciples at Damascus Also in case of general persecution when all are scattered 111. In case of real and not only pretended Neh. 13.10 want of competent subsistance a door being opened for better supply in another place together with the meanes of spiritual edification In these or like cases a member may lawfully remove and the Church cannot lawfully detaine him 5. To separate from a Church 2 Tim 4 10. either out of contempt of their holy fellowship or out of covetousness or for greater inlargements with just greife to the Church or out of Schism or want of love Rom 16 17. Jude 10 and out of a spirit of contention in respect of some unkindness or some evil only conceived or indeed Eph. 4.2 3. Col 3 13 Galio 1 2 in the Church which might and should be tolerated healed with a spirit of meekness of which evil the Church is not yet cōvinced though perhaps himselfe bee nor admonished for these or like reasons to withdraw from publick communion in word or seales or censures is unlawfull and sinfull 6. Isai 56 8 Acts 9 26 Such members as have orderly removed their habitation ought to joyn themselves unto the Church in order where they doe inhabit if it may bee otherwise they can neyther perform the dutyes nor receive the priviledges of members such an example tolerated in some 1 Cor 14 33 is apt to corrupt others which if many should follow would threaten the dissolution and confusion of Churches contrary to the Scripture 7. Acts 18 27 Order requires that a member thus removing have letters testimonial and of dismission from the Church wherof he yet is unto the Church wherunto he desireth to be joyned lest the Church should be deluded that the Chuch may receive him in faith and not be corrupted by receiving deceivers and false brethren Untill the person dismissed be received into another Church he ceaseth not by his letters of dismission to be a member of the Church wherof he was The Church cannot make a member no member but by excommunication 8. Rom 16 1 2 2 Cor 3 1 If a member be called to remove only for a time where a Church is letters of Recommendation are requisite and sufficient for communion with that Church in the ordinances in their watch as Phoebe a servant of the Church at Cenchrea had letters written for her to the church of Rome that shee might be received as becometh saints 9. Such letters of Recommendation and dismission were written for Apollos Acts 18 27 Col 4 10 Rom 16 1 For Marcus to the Colosians for Phoebe to the Romans for sūdry others to other Churches the Apostle telleth us that some persons not sufficiently known otherwise have special need of such letters 2 Cor 3 1 though he for his part had no need therof The use of them is to be a benefit help to the party for whom they are written for the furthering of his receiving amongst the Saints in the place wherto he goeth and the due satisfaction of them in their receiving of him CHAP. XIV Of excommunication and other Censures THe Censures of the Church 1 Tim 5 20 Deut 17 12 13 are appointed by Christ for the preventing removing and healing of offences in the Church Jude 29 Deut 13 11 1 Cor 5 6 Rom 2 24 for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethen for the deterring of others from the like offences for purging out the leaven which may infect the whole lump for vindicating the honor of Christ and of his Church Rev 2 14 15 16 20 the holy profession of the Gospel and for preventing of the wrath of God that may justly fall upon the Church if they should suffer his covenant and the seales therof to be prophaned by notorious and obstinate offenders 2. Mat 5 23 24 Luk 17 3 4 If an offence be private one brother offending another the offender is to goe acknowledg his repentance for it unto his offended brother who is then to forgive him but if the offender neglect or refuse to do it the brother offended is to goe Mat 18 15 convince admonish him of it between themselves privatly if therupon the offender be brought to repent of his offēce the admonisher hath won his brother but if the offender hear not his brother Verse 16 the brother offended is to take with him one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established whether the word of admonition if the offender receive it or the word of complaint if he refuse it Verse 17. for if he refuse it the offended brother is by the mouth of the Elders to tel the Church and if he hear the Church and declare the same by penitēt confession he is recovered and gayned and if the Church discern him to be willing to hear yet not fully convinced of his offence Tit 3 10 as in case of heresy they are to dispence to him a publick admonition which declaring the offender to ly under the publick offence of the Church doth therby with-hold or suspend him from the holy fellowship of the Lords supper till his offence be removed by penitent confession Mat 18 17 If he still continue obstinate they are to cast him out by excommunication 3. But if the offence be more publick at first 1 Cor 5 4 5 verse 18. and of a more heynous and criminal nature to wit such as are condened by the light of nature
then the Church without such graduall proceeding is to cast out the offender from their holy communion for the further mortifying of his sinn and the healing of his soule in the day of the Lord Jesus 4. In dealing with an offender great care is to be taken that wee be neither overstrict or rigorous nor too indulgent or remiss Galat 6 1 our proceeding herein ought to be with a spirit of meekness considering our selves lest wee also be tempted Mat 18 34 23 c 6 14.35 Ezek 13 10 Jer 6 14 that the best of us have need of much forgivnes from the Lord. Yet the wining healing of the offēders soul being the end of these endeavors wee must not daub with untempered morter nor heal the wounds of our brethren slightly On some have compassion others save with fear 5. Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 11 2 Thes 3 6 14 While the offender remains excommunicate the Church is to refrarn from all member-like communion with him in spirituall things and also from al familiar cōmuniō with him in civil things farther then the necessity of natural or domestical or civil relations do require and are therfore to forbear to eat drink with him that he may be ashamed 6. Excommunication being a spirituall punishment it doth not prejudice the excommunicat in nor deprive him of his civil rights and therfore toucheth not Princes or other Magistrates in point of their civil dignity or auothority 1 Cor 14 24 25 And the excommunicate being but as a publican and a heathen heathens being lawfully permitted to come to hear the word in Church assemblyes 2 Thes 3 14 wee acknowledg therfore the like liberty of hearing the word may be permitted to persons excommunicate that is permitted unto heathen And because wee are not without hope of his recovery wee are not to account him as an enemy but to admonish him as a brother 7. If the Lord sanctifie the censure to the offender so as by the grace of Christ 2 Cor 2 7 8 he doth testifie his repentance with humble confession of his sin and judging of himself giving glory unto God the Church is then to forgive him and to comfort him and to restore him to the wonted brotherly communion which formerly he injoyed with them 8. The suffering of prophane or scandalous Livers to continue in fellowship Rev 2 14 15 vers 20 and partake in the Sacrament is doubtless a great sin in those that have power in their hands to redress it and do it not Nevertheless Mat 23 3 Acts 3 1 in as much as Christ and his Apostles in their times and the Prophets and other godly in theirs did lawfully partake of the Lords commanded Ordinances in the Jewish Church and neither taught nor practised separation from the same though unworthy ones were permitted therin and inasmuch as the faithfull in the Church of Corinth wherin were many unworthy persons 2 Cor 6 chap 15 12 and practises are never commanded to absent themselves from the Sacraments because of the same therfore the godly in like cases are not presently to separate 9. As separation from such a Church wherin profane and scandalous Livers are tolerated is not presently necessary so for the members therof otherwise worthy hereupon to abstain from communicating with such a Church 2 Chron 30 18 Gen 18 25 in the participation of the Sacraments is unlawfull For as it were unreasonable for an innocent person to be punished for the faults of others wherin he hath no hand and wherunto he gave no consent so is it more unreasonable that a godly man should neglect duty and punish himself in not coming for his portion in the blessing of the seals as he ought because others are suffered to come that ought not especially considering that himself doth neither consent to their sin nor to their approaching to the Ordinance in their sin Ezek. 9.10 nor to the neglect of others who should put them away and do not but on the contrary doth heartily mourn for these things modestly and seasonably stir up others to do their duty If the Church cannot be refermed they may use their liberty as is specified chap. 13. Sect. 4. But this all the Godly are bound unto even every one to do his endeavor according to his power and place that the unworthy may be duely proceeded against by the Church to whom this matter doth appertain CHAP. XV. Of the Communion of Churches one with another ALthough Churches be distinct Rev. 1.4 Cant. 8.8 Rom. 16.16 1 Cor 16.19 Acts 15.23 Rev. 2.1 and therefore may not be confounded one with another and equal and therefore have not dominion one over another yet all the Churches ought to preserve Church-communion one with another because they are all united unto Christ not only as a Mystical but as a Political Head whence is derived a communion suitable thereunto 2. The communion of Churches is exercised sundry ways 1. Cant. 8.8 By way of mutual care in taking thought for one anothers welfare II. By way of consultation one with another when we have occasion to require the judgment and counsel of other Churches touching any person or cause wherewith they may be better acquainted than our selves As the Church of Antioch consulted with the Apostles and Elders of the Church at Jerusalem Acts 15 2 about the question of circumcision of the Gentils and about the false Teachers that broached that Doctrin In which case Acts 15 6 when any Church wanteth light or peace amongst themselvs it is a way of communion of Churches according to the Word to meet together by their Elders and other Messengers in a Synod to consider argue the points in doubt or difference Vers 22 23 and having found out he way of truth and peace to commend the same by their Letters and Messengers to the Churches whom the same may concern But if a church be rent with divisions amongst themselves or lie under any open scandal yet refuse to consult with other Churches for healing or removing of the same it is a matter of just offence both to the Lord Jesus and to other Churches as bewraying too much want of mercy and faithfulness Ezck. 34.4 not to seek to bind up the breaches and wounds of the Church and Brethren and therefore the state of such a Church calleth aloud upon other Churches to exercise a fuller act of brotherly communion to wit by way of Admonition III. A third way then of communion of Churches is by way of admonition to wit In case any publick offence be found in a Church which they either discern not Gal. 2.11 to 14. or are slow in proceeding to use the means for the removing and healing of Paul had no authority over Peter yet when he saw Peter not walking with a right foot he publickly rebuked him before the Church though Churches have no more authority one over another than
one Apostle had over another yet as one Apostle might admonish another so may one Church admonish another and yet without usurpation In which case if the Church that lyeth under offence Mat. 18.15 16 17. by proportion do not hearken to the Church which doth admonish her the Church is to acquaint other neighbor-churches with that offence which the offending Church still lieth under together with their neglect of the brotherly admonition given unto them whereupon those other Churches are to joyn in seconding the admonition formerly given and if stil the offending Church continue in obstinacy and impenitency they may forbear cōmunion with them and are to proceed to make use of the help of a Synod or counsel of neighbor churches walking orderly if a greater cannot conveniently be had for their conviction If they hear not the Synod the Synod having declared them to be obstinate particular Churches approving and accepting of the judgment of the Synod are to declare the sentence of non-communion respectively concerning them and thereupon out of a religious care to keep their own communion pure they may justly withdraw themselves from participation with them at the Lords Table and from such other Acts of Holy communion as the communion of Churches doth otherwise allow and require Nevertheless if any Members of such a Church as lieth under publick offence do not consent to the offence of the Church but do in due sort bear witnels against it Gen. 18.25 they are stil to be received to wonted communion for it is not equal that the innocent should suffer with the offensive Yea furthermore if such innocent Members after due waiting in the use of all good means for the healing of the offence of their own Church shal at last with the allowance of the counsel of neighbor Churches withdraw from the fellowship of their own Church and offer themselves to the fellowship of another we judg it lawfull for the other Church to receive them being otherwise fit as if they had been orderly dismissed to them from their own Church IV. A fourth way of communion of Churches is by way of Participation the Members of one Church occasionally coming unto another we willingly admit them to partake with us at the Lords Table it being the seal of our communion not only with Christ nor only with the Members of our own Church 1 Cor 12.13 but also with all the Churches of the Saints in which regard we refuse not to baptize their children presented to us if either their own Minister be absent or such a fruit of holy fellowship be desired with us In like case such Churches as are furnished with more Ministers than one do willingly afford one of their own Ministers to supply the place of an absent or sick Minister of another Church for a needful season V. A fifth way of Church-communion is Rom. 16.3 by way of Recommendation when a Member of one Church hath occasion to reside in another Church if but for a season we commend him to their watchful fellowship by letters of recommendation but if he be called to settle his abode there we commit him according to his desire Acts 18.27 to the fellowship of their Covenant by letters of dismission VI. A sixt way of Church-communion is in case of Need to Minister relief and succor one unto another Acts 11.22 either of able Members to furnish them with Officers vers 29. Rom. 13.26 27. or of outward support to the necessities of poorer Churches as did the Churches of the Gentiles contribute liberally to the poor Saints at Jerusalem 3. When a company of Beleevers purpose to gather into Church-fellowship it is requisite for their safer proceeding the maintaining of the communion of Churches Gal. 2.1 2. and 9. by proportion that they signifie their intent unto the neighbor Churches walking according unto the order of the Gospel and desire their presence and help and right hand of fellowship which they ought readily to give unto them when there is no just cause of excepting against their proceedings 4. Besides these several waies of communion there is also a way of propagation of Churches when a Church shal grow too numerous it is a way Isay 40.20 Cant 8 8 9 fit season to propogate one Church out of another by sending forth such of their mēbers as are willing to remove and to procure some Officers to them as may enter with them into Church-estate a mongst themselves as Bees when the hive is too ful issue forth by swarms and are gathered into other hives so the Churches of Christ may do the same upon like necessity and therin hold forth to them the right hand of fellowship both in their gathering into a Church and in the ordination of their Officers CHAP. XVI Of Synods SYnods orderly assembled and rightly proceeding according to the pattern Acts 15.2 to 15. Acts 15. we acknowledg as the ordinance of Christ and though not absolutely necessary to the being yet many times through the iniquity of men and perversness of times necessary to the wel-being of Churches for the establishment of truth and peace therein 2. Synods being Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Assemblyes are therfore made up of Spiritual and Ecclesiastical causes The next efficient cause of them under Christ is the power of the Churches sending forth their Elders Acts 15.2 3 other Messengers who being met together in the Name of Christ Verse 6. are the matter of the Synod and they in arguing debating and determining matters of Religion according to the Word ver 7. to 23 and publishing the same to the Churches whom it concerneth do put forth the proper and formal acts of a Synod verse 31. Acts 16.4.15 to the conviction of errors and heresies and the establishment of truth and peace in the Churches which is the end of a Synod 3. Magistrates have power to call a Synod by calling to the Churches to send forth their Elders and other Messengers 1 Chron. 29 4 5. to 11. to counsel and assist them in matters of Religion but yet the constituting of a Synod Acts 15. is a Church act and may be transacted by the Churches even when civil Magistrates may be enemies to Churches and to Church-Assemblyes 4. It belongeth unto Synods and Counsels to debate and determin controversies of faith Acts 17.1.2.6.7 1 Chron. 15 23. and cases of conscience to clear from the Word holy directions for the holy Worship of God good government of the Church to bear witness against mis-administration and Corruption in doctrine or maners in any particular Church 2 Chron. 29.6 7 Acts 15 24. vers 28 29 to give directions for the reformation therof Not to exercise Church-censures in way of discipline nor any other act of church authority or jurisdiction which that presidentiall Synod did forbeare 5. The Synods directions and determinations so farr as consonant to the