unto the end of the World This promised presence respects only the observance of his commands Some men are apt to look on this authority of Christ as that which hath the least influence into what they do If in any of his institutions they find any thing that is suited or agreeable unto the light of nature as Ecclesiastical societies government of the Church and the like they say are they suppose and contend that that is the ground on which they are to be attended unto and so are to be regulated accordingly The interposition of his authority they will allow only in the Sacraments which have no light in reason or nature so desirous are some to have as little to do with Christ as they can even in the things that concern the worship of God But it would be somewhat strange that if what the Lord Christ hath appointed in his Church to be observed in particular in an especial manner for especial ends of his own hath in the general nature of it an agreement with what in like cases the light of nature seems to direct unto that therefore his authority is not to be considered as the sole immediate reason of our performance of it But it is evident First That our Lord Jesus Christ being the King and Head of his Church the Lord over the house of God nothing is to be done therein but with respect unto his authority Matth. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him Ephes. 4.15 Speaking the truth in love grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplyeth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Eph. 2.20 21. Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the spirit Secondly And that therefore the suitableness of any thing to right reason or the light of nature is no ground for a Church observation of it unless it be also appointed and commanded in especial by Jesus Christ. Thirdly That being so appointed and commanded it becomes an especial institution of his and as such is to be observed so that in all things that are done or to be done with respect unto the worship of God in the Church the authority of Christ is alwayes principally to be considered and every thing to be observed as commanded by him without which consideration it hath no place in the Worship of God Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel Answ. A society of Persons called out of the World or their natural worldly state by the administration of the Word and Spirit unto the obedience of the Faith or the knowledge and Worship of God in Christ â—oyned together in an holy band or by special agreement for the exercise of the communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Ordinances of the Gospel Rom 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Heb. 3 1. James 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Peter 2.5 Ephes. 2.21.22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Explication The Church whose nature is here inquired after is not the Catholick Church of elect Believers of all ages and seasons from the beginning of the World unto the end thereof nor of any one age nor the universality of professors of the Gospel but a particular Church wherein by the appointment of Christ all the Ordinances of the Worship of God are to be observed and attended unto according to his Will For although it be required of them of whom a particular Church is constituted that they be true Believers seeing that unless a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God and so on that account they be members of the Church Catholick as also that they make visible profession of faith and obedience unto Jesus Christ yet moreover it is the will command and appointment of Christ that they should be joyned together in particular societies or Churches for the due observation of the Ordinances of the Gospel which can alone be done in such Assemblies For as the members of the Catholick Church are not known unto one another meerly on the account of that faith and union with Christ which makes them so whence the whole society of them is as such invisible to the World and themselves visible only on the account of their profession and therefore cannot meerly as such observe the Ordinances of the Gospel which observation is their profession so the visible Professors that are in the World in any age cannot at any time assemble together which from the nature of the thing it self and the institution of Christ is indispensably necessary for the celebration of sundry parts of that worship which he requires in his Church and therefore particular Churches are themselves an Ordinance of the New Testament as the National Church of the Jews was of old For when God of old erected his Worship and enjoyned the solemn observation of it he also appointed a Church as his institution for the due celebration of it That was the people of Israel solemnly taken into a Church relation with him by covenant wherein they took upon themselves to observe all the laws and ordinances and institutions of his worship Exod. 20.19 Speak thou with us and we will hear Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the People all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said we will do Deut. 5.27 All that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee we will hear it and do it And God accordingly appointed them Ordinances to be observed by the whole congregation of them together at the same time in the same place Exod. 23.17 Three times in the year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God Deut. 16.16 Three times in a year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose Neither would God allow any stranger any one not of the Church so instituted by him to celebrate any part of his instituted worship untill he was solemnly admitted into that Church as a member thereof Exod. 12.47 48. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it and when a stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep the Passover to the Lord let all his Males be circumcised and then let him come near and keep it and he shall be as one that is born in the Land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof To the same end and purpose when the knowledge of God was to be diffused all the World over by the preaching of the Gospel
he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3.3 requiring regeneration as an indispensable condition in a Member of his Church a subject of his Kingdom For his Temple is now to be built of living stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Men spiritually and savingly quickened from their death in sin and by the Holy-Ghost whereof they are partakers made a meet habitation for God Eph. 2.21 22. 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16 which receiving vital supplyes from Christ its head increaseth in faith and holiness edifying it self in love Ephes. 4.15 16. And as the Apostles in their writings do ascribe unto all the Churches and the Members of them a participation in this effectual vocation affirming that they are Saints called sanctified justified and accepted with God in Christ Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 4.15 Heb. 3.1 Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 6.11 So many of the duties that are required of them in that relation and condition are such as none can perform unto the glory of God their own benefit and the edification of others the ends of all obedience unless they are partakers of this effectual calling 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 1 Cor. 12.12 Ephes. 4.16 Add hereunto that these Churches and the members of them are not only commanded to separate themselves as to their Worship of God from the World that is men in their worldly state and condition but are also required when any amongst them trasgress against the rules and laws of this holy calling above described to cast them out of their society and communion 1 Cor. 5.13 from all which it appears who are the subject matter of these Churches of Christ as also secondly the means whereby they come to be so namely the administration of the spirit and word of Christ and Thirdly the general ends of their calling which are all spoken to in this answer Quest. 20. By what means do persons so called become a Church of Christ Answ. They are constituted a Church and interested in the rights power and priviledges of a Gospel-Church by the will promise authority and law of Iesus Christ upon their own voluntary consent and engagement to walk together in the due subiection of their Souls and Consciences unto his authority as their King Priest and Prophet and in an holy observation of all his commands ordinances and appointments Matth. 18.20 Chap. 28.18 19. Acts 2.41 42. Exod. 24.3 Deut. 5.27 Psalm 110.3 Isa. 44.5 Chap. 59.21 Ephes. 4.7 8 9 10. 2. Cor. 8.5 Explication That the Lord Christ hath constituted such a Church-state as that which we enquire about hath been proved already Unto a Church so constituted he hath also by his word and promise annexed all those priviledges and powers which we find a Church to be entrusted withall This he hath done by the standing and unalterable Law of the Gospel which is the Charter of their spiritual society and incorporation Neither are nor can any persons be interested in the rights of a Church any otherwise but by virtue of this Law and constitution This therefore is first to be laid down that the sole moral foundation of that Church-state which we enquire after is laid in the Word Law and appointment of Christ. He alone hath authority to erect such a society he is the builder of this house as well as the Lord over it Heb. 3.3 6. neither without it can all the authority of men in the World appoint such a state or erect a Church and all acceptable actings of men herein are no other but acts of pure obedience unto Christ. Farthermore We have declared that the Lord Christ by the dispensation of his word and spirit doth prepare and fit men to be subjects of his Kingdom Members of his Church the work of sending forth the means of the conversion of the souls of men of translating them from the power of darkness into light he hath taken upon himself and doth effectually accomplish it in every generation And by this means he builds his Church Matth. 18.20 For unto all persons so called he gives command that they shall do and observe whatever he hath appointed them to do Mat. 28.20 in particular that they profess their subjection to him and their obedience in joyning themselves in that state wherein they may be enabled to observe all his other laws and institutions with the whole worship of God required therein Being converted unto God by his Word and Spirit they are to consider how they may now obey the Lord Christ in all things Amongst his commands this of joyning themselves in Church societies wherein he hath promised his presence with them Matth. 18.20 that is to dwell amongst them by his word and spirit Isa. 59.21 is the very first This by virtue of that command and promise of his they are warranted and enabled to do nor do they need any other warrant The authority of Christ is sufficient to beare men out in the discharge of their duty to him Being then made willing and ready in the day of his power Psalm 110.3 they consent choose and agree to walk together in the observation of all his commands And hereby do they become a Church For their becoming a Church is an act of their willing obedience unto Christ. This obedience is an act of their wills guided by rule for this also is necessary that they proceed herein according to the rules of his appointment afterwards to be unfolded And herein upon their obedience unto the commands of Christ and faith in his promises do Believers by virtue of his Law and constitution become a Gospel Church and are really and truly interested in all the power rights and priviledges that are granted unto any Church of Christ. For in this obedience they do these two things which alone he requires in any persons for the obtaining of an interest in these priviledges First They confess him his person his authority his law his grace Secondly They take upon themselves the observance of all his commands Thus did God take the children of Israel into a Church-state of old He proposed unto them the Church obedience that he required of them and they voluntarily and freely took upon themselves the performance of it Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said will we do So Deut. 5.7 and hereby they had their solemn admission into their Church-state and relation unto God And the like course they took when ever there was need of renewing their engagements Josh. 24.18 21 22. And the people said we will serve the Lord for he is our God and Joshua said unto the people ye are witnesses against your selves that ye have chosen the Lord to serve him and they said we are witnesses This was the covenant that was between God and that people which was solemnly renewed so often as the
it is to be exercised Thus the Brethren at Jerusalem joyned in the consideration of the observation of Mosaical ceremonies with the Apostles and Elders Act. 15.23 And the multitude of them to whom letters were sent about it likewise did the same Verse the 30 31 32. And this they thought it their duty and concernment to do Chap. 21 22. And they are blamed who applyed not themselves unto this duty 1 Cor. 5.4 5 6. Thence are the Epistles of Paul to the Churches to instruct them in their duties and priviledges in Christ and how they ought to behave themselves in the ordering of all things amongst them according to his mind And these are directed unto the Churches themselves either joyntly with their Elders or distinctly from them Phil. 1.1 And the whole preservation of Church-order is on the account of this duty recommended unto them Neither can what they do in complyance with their Guides and Rulers be any part of their obedience unto the Lord Christ unless they make previously thereunto a rational consideration and judgement by the rule of what is to be done Neither is the Church of Christ to be ruled without its knowledge or against its will nor in any thing is blind obedience acceptable to God Secondly The Brethren of the Church are intrusted with the priviledge of giving and testifying their consent unto all acts of Church power which though it belong not formally unto the authority of them it is necessary unto their validity and efficacy and that so far forth as that they are said to do and act what is done and effected thereby 1 Cor. 5.4 13. 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. And they who have this priviledge of consent which hath so great an influence into the action and validity of it have also the liberty of dissent when any thing is proposed to be done the warrant whereof from the Word and the rule of its performance is not evident unto them Qu. 43. Wherein doth the exercise of the authority for discipline committed unto the Elders of the Church consist An. 1 In personal private admonition of any member or members of the Church in case of sin errour or any miscarriage known unto themselves 2 In publick admonition in case of offences persisted in and brought orderly to the knowledge and consideration of the Church 3 In the ejection of obstinate offenders from the society and communion of the Church 4 In exhorting comforting and restoring to the enjoyment and exercise of Church priviledges such as are recovered from the error of their wayes all according to the lawes rules and directions of the Gospel 1 Matth. 18.15 1 Thess. 5.14 1 Cor. 4.14 Titus 1.13 Chap. 2.15 2 Tim. 4.2 2 1 Tim. 5.19.20 Matth. 18.16 17. 3 Titus 3.10 1 Tim. 1.20 Matth. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.5 Gal. 5.12 4 2 Cor. 2.7 Gal. 6.1 2 Thess. 3.15 Qu. 44. May the Church cast any Person out of its communion without previous admonition An. It may in some cases where the offence is notorious and the scandal grievous so that nothing be done against other general rules 1 Cor. 4. Qu. 45. Wherein doth the liberty and duty of the whole brotherhood in the exercise of discipline in the Church in perticular consist An. 1 In a meek consideration of the condition and temptations of offenders with the nature of their offences when orderly proposed unto the Church 2 In judging with the Elders according to rule what in all cases of offence is necessary to be done for the good of the offenders themselves and for the edification and vindication of the whole Church 3 In their consent unto and concurrence in the admonition ejection pardoning and restoring of offenders as the matter shall require Gal. 6.1 2. 1 Cor. 5.2 4 5 12. 1 Cor. 6.2 2 Cor. 2 6 7 8. Qu. 46. What is the duty of private Members in reference unto the discipline appointed by Christ in his Church An. It is their duty in their mutual watch over one another to exhort each other unto holiness and perseverance and if they observe any thing in the wayes and walkings of of any of their fellow Members not according unto the rule and the duty of their profession which therefore gives them offence to admonish them thereof in private with love meekness and wisdom and in case they prevail not unto their amendment to take the assistance of some other Brethren in the same work and if they fail in success therein also to report the matter by the Elders direction unto the whole Church Matth. 18.16 17 18. 1 Thess. 5.14 Explication In these questions an enquirie is made after the exercise of discipline in the Church as to that part of it which belongs unto the reproof and correction of miscarriages according to the distribution of right power and priviledge before explained The first act hereof consists in private admonition for so hath our Lord ordained that in case any Brother or member of the Church do in any thing wâ—lk disorderly and not according to the rule of the Gospel that he or they unto whom it is observed and who are thereby offended may and ought to admonish the person or persons so offending of their miscarriage and offence concerning which is to be observed First what is previously required thereunto and that is First that in all the members of the Church there ought to be love without dissimulation They are to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love Rom. 12.9 10. which as they are taught of God so they are greatly exhorted thereunto Heb. 13.1 This love is the bond of perfection the most excellent way and means of preserving Church order and farthering the edification thereof 1 Cor. 13. Without which well seated and confirmed in the hearts and minds of Church members no duty of their Relation can ever be performed in a due manner Secondly this love is to exert and put forth it self in tender care and watchfulness for the good of each other which are to work by mutual exhortations informations instructions according as opportunities do offer themselves or as the necessities of any do seem to require Heb. 3.13 Chap. 10.24 Secondly this duty of admonishing offenders privately and personally is common to the Elders with all the members of the Church neither doth it belong properly unto the Elders as such but as Brethren of the same society And yet by virtue of their office the Elders are enabled to do it with more Authority morally though office power properly be not exercised therein By virtue also of their constant general watch over the whole flock in the discharge of their office they are enabled to take notice of and discern miscarriages in any of the members sooner than others But as to the exercise of the discipline of the Church in this matter this duty is equally incumbent on every member of it according as the obligation on them to watch over one another and to exercise especial love
case there be not the success aimed at obtained in these several degrees of private admonition it is then the will of our Lord Jesus Christ that the matter be reported unto the Church that the offender may be publickly admonished thereby and brought to repentance wherein is to be observed First That the persons who have endeavoured in vain to reclaim their offending Brother by private admonition are to acquaint the Elders of the Church with the case and crime as also what they have done according to rule for the rectifying of it who upon that information are obliged to communicate the knowledge of the whole matter to the Church This is to be done by the Elders as to whom the preservation of order in the Church and the rule of its proceeding do belong as we have shewed before Secondly The report made to the Church by the Elders is to be 1. Of the crime guilt or offence 2. Of the Testimony given unto the truth of it 3. Of the means used to bring the offender to acknowledgement and repentance 4. Of his deportment under the private previous admonitions either as to his rejecting of them or as to any satisfaction tendred all in order love meekness and tenderness Thirdly Things being proposed unto the Church and the offender heard upon the whole of the offence and former proceeding the whole Church or multitude of the Brethren are with the Elders to consider the nature of the offence with the condition and temptations of the offenders with such a spirit of meekness as our Lord Jesus Christ in his own person set them an example of in his dealing with sinners and which is required in them as his Disciples Gal. 6.1 2. 2 Cor. 2.8 Fourthly The Elders and Brethren are to judge of the offence and the carriage of the offender according to rule and if the offence be evident and persisted in then Fifthly The offender is to be publickly admonished by the Elders with the consent and concurrence of the Church 1 Thes. 5.14 1 Tim. 5.20 Matth. 18.16 17. And this admonition consists of Five parts 1. A declaration of the crime or offence as it is evidenced unto the Church 2. A conviction of the evil of it from the rule or rules transgressed against 3. A declaration of the authority and duty of the Church in such cases 4. A rebuke of the offender in the name of Christ answering the nature and circumstances of the offence 5. An Exhortation unto humiliation and repentance and acknowledgement Eleventhly In case the offender despise this admonition of the Church and come not upon it unto repentance it is the will and appointment of our Lord Jesus Christ that he be cut off from all the priviledges of the Church and cast out from the society thereof or be excommunicated wherein consists the last act of the discipline of the Church for the correction of offenders and herein may be considered First The nature of it that it is an authoritative act and so principally belongs unto the Elders of the Church who therein exert the power that they have received from the Lord Christ by and with the consent of the Church according to his appointment Matth. 16.19 John 20.23 Matth. 18.18 1 Cor. 5.4 Titus 3.10 1 Tim. 1.20 2 Cor. 2.6 And both these the Authority of the Eldership and the consent of the Brethren are necessary to the validity of the sentence and that according to the appointment of Christ and the practice of the first Churches Secondly The effect of it which is the cutting off or casting out of the person offending from the communion of the Church in the priviledges of the Gospel as consequently from that of all the visible Churches of Christ in the earth by virtue of their communion one with another whereby he is left unto the visible kingdom of Satan in the World Matth. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.2 5 13. 1 Tim. 1.20 Titus 3.10 Gal. 5.12 Thirdly The ends of it which are 1. The gaining of the party offending by bringing him to repentance humiliation and acknowledgement of his offence 2 Cor. 2.6 7. 2 Cor. 13.10 2. The warning of others not to do so presumptuously 3. The preserving of the Church in its purity and order 1 Cor. 5.6 7. all to the glory of Jesus Christ. Fourthly The causes of it or the grounds and reasons on which the Church may proceed unto sentence against any offending persons Now these are no other but such as they judge according to the Gospel that the Lord Christ will proceed upon in his finall judgement at the last day For the Church judgeth in the name and authority of Christ and are to exclude none from its communion but those whom they find by the rule that he himself excludes from his Kingdom and so that which they bind on earth is bound by him in Heaven Matth. 18.18 And their sentence herein is to be declared as the declaration of the sentence which the Head of the Church and Judge of all will pronounce at the last day only with this difference that it is also made known that this sentence of theirs is not final or decretory but in order to the prevention of that which will be so unless the evil be repented of Now although the particular evils sins or offences that may render a person obnoxious unto this censure and sentence are not to be enumerated by reason of the variety of circumstances which change the nature of actions yet they may in general be referred unto these heads First Moral evils contrary to the light of nature and express commands or prohibitions of the moral law direct rules of the Gospel or of evil report in the world amongst men walking according to the rule and light of reason And in cases of this nature the Church may proceed unto the sentence whereof we speak without previous admonition in case the matter of fact be notorious publickly and unquestionably known to be true and no general rule which is not to be impeached by particular instances lye against their proceedure 1 Cor. 5.3 4. 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. Secondly Offences against that mutual love which is the bond of perfection in the Church if pertinaciously persisted in Matth. 18.16 17. Thirdly false doctrines against the fundamentals in faith or worship especially if maintained with contention to the trouble and disturbance of the peace of the Church Gal. 5.12 Titus 3.9 10 11. 1 Tim. 6.3 4 5. Revel 2.14 15. Fourthly Blasphemy or evil speaking of the wayes and worship of God in the Church especially if joyned with an intention to hinder the prosperity of the Church or to expose it to persecution 1 Tim. 1.20 Fifthly Desertion or total causeless relinquishment of the society and communion of the Church for such are self-condemned having broken and renounced the covenant of God that they made at their entrance into the Church Heb. 10.25 26 27 28 29. Sixthly The time or season of the putting forth