espousal_n without_o a_o covenant_n and_o therefore_o they_o that_o will_v take_v hold_n of_o their_o espousage_n must_v take_v hold_v of_o their_o covenant_n 3._o the_o mutual_a relation_n wherein_o all_o the_o member_n in_o the_o church_n stand_v one_o to_o another_o member_n to_o member_n and_o all_o of_o they_o to_o their_o officer_n and_o their_o officer_n to_o they_o together_o with_o their_o mutual_a interest_n one_o in_o another_o and_o mutual_a power_n one_o over_o another_o do_v all_o of_o they_o necessary_o imply_v a_o mutual_a confederacy_n one_o with_o another_o and_o that_o whosoever_o will_v partake_v herein_o must_v partake_v in_o their_o confederacy_n suppose_v a_o godly_a christian_a come_v over_o into_o these_o part_n as_o every_o year_n some_o or_o other_o do_v there_o be_v not_o any_o minister_n of_o any_o of_o our_o church_n can_v usurp_v pastoral_a authority_n over_o he_o unless_o that_o christian_a call_v he_o thereunto_o or_o profess_v his_o subjection_n to_o his_o ministration_n according_a to_o god_n nor_o can_v such_o a_o man_n expect_v any_o minister_n watchfulness_n over_o he_o as_o his_o minister_n unless_o the_o minister_n see_v just_a cause_n to_o accept_v such_o a_o charge_n and_o profess_v so_o much_o no_o church_n in_o the_o country_n nor_o all_o the_o member_n of_o any_o church_n can_v take_v upon_o they_o to_o censure_v any_o stranger_n though_o a_o inhabitant_n among_o they_o unless_o he_o give_v up_o himself_o to_o they_o and_o profess_v his_o subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n among_o they_o nor_o can_v he_o challenge_v such_o watchfulness_n from_o they_o unless_o he_o have_v give_v they_o a_o just_a call_v to_o take_v upon_o they_o that_o care_v over_o he_o that_o christian_a liberty_n which_o the_o lord_n jesus_n by_o his_o blood_n have_v purchase_v for_o his_o church_n and_o for_o all_o his_o child_n give_v they_o all_o liberty_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n and_o their_o own_o fellow-member_n unto_o who_o to_o commit_v the_o care_n of_o their_o soul_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o speak_v not_o of_o infant_n who_o make_v choice_n in_o their_o parent_n but_o of_o such_o who_o know_v their_o liberty_n and_o be_v call_v to_o stand_v fast_o in_o it_o till_o than_o that_o a_o man_n tender_a and_o offer_v himself_o to_o the_o church_n to_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o it_o they_o have_v no_o power_n to_o receive_v he_o for_o the_o church_n receive_v a_o believer_n which_o be_v the_o apostle_n word_n rom._n 14.1_o impli_v and_o presuppose_v his_o offering_n and_o give_v up_o of_o himself_o unto_o they_o in_o a_o profess_a subjection_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o unto_o they_o according_a to_o the_o will_n of_o god_n and_o their_o receive_n of_o he_o impli_v and_o hold_v forth_o no_o less_o than_o their_o profess_a acceptance_n of_o he_o unto_o all_o those_o holy_a liberty_n with_o they_o and_o performance_n of_o all_o such_o spiritual_a duty_n to_o he_o which_o belong_v to_o all_o the_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n and_o let_v man_n call_v this_o expression_n of_o mutual_a agreement_n by_o what_o name_n they_o please_v this_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o we_o call_v church-covenant_n sect_n v._o let_v we_o proceed_v then_o to_o give_v account_n of_o the_o three_o point_n why_o we_o communicate_v so_o much_o power_n to_o the_o people_n as_o to_o propound_v receive_v of_o member_n unto_o their_o approbation_n and_o consent_n our_o reason_n be_v these_o 1._o from_o the_o like_a power_n give_v unto_o they_o by_o christ_n for_o the_o cast_v out_o of_o scandalous_a and_o corrupt_a member_n matth._n 18.17_o 1_o cor._n 5.5_o if_o the_o church_n must_v be_v tell_v of_o every_o member_n that_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o and_o when_o he_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o they_o be_v to_o deliver_v he_o to_o satan_n then_o the_o church_n must_v be_v tell_v of_o every_o member_n that_o be_v receive_v and_o when_o he_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v they_o be_v to_o receive_v he_o into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o of_o his_o church_n but_o the_o former_a be_v clear_a from_o those_o scripture_n and_o consequent_o the_o latter_a it_o be_v a_o receive_a maxim_n ejusdem_fw-la est_fw-la potestatis_fw-la aperire_fw-la &_o claudere_fw-la instituere_fw-la &_o destituere_fw-la as_o they_o call_v it_o they_o that_o have_v power_n to_o shut_v the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n by_o excommunication_n they_o have_v power_n to_o open_v the_o door_n of_o the_o church_n by_o admit_v to_o communion_n 2._o from_o the_o example_n of_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 9.26_o who_o when_o paul_n assay_v to_o join_v himself_o unto_o they_o do_v not_o at_o first_o receive_v he_o because_o the_o disciple_n be_v not_o satisfy_v in_o his_o spiritual_a good_a estate_n until_o barnabas_n by_o his_o testimony_n of_o he_o have_v remove_v their_o scruple_n which_o argue_v the_o private_a brethren_n in_o a_o church_n as_o well_o as_o public_a officer_n must_v be_v satisfy_v in_o he_o who_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o communion_n with_o they_o 3._o from_o the_o church_n power_n in_o elect_v and_o call_v minister_n to_o office_n it_o have_v be_v show_v above_o that_o it_o belong_v to_o the_o people_n the_o body_n of_o the_o church_n to_o choose_v and_o call_v their_o own_o officer_n according_a to_o the_o speech_n of_o cyprian_a lib._n 1._o epist_n 41._o plebs_fw-la maxim_n potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la vel_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la dignos_fw-la eligendi_fw-la velindignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la and_o if_o they_o have_v such_o power_n of_o choose_v worthy_a minister_n and_o refuse_v the_o unworthy_a how_o much_o more_o of_o receive_v worthy_a christian_n and_o refuse_v of_o unworthy_a yea_o in_o the_o epistle_n go_v before_o he_o speak_v express_o he_o have_v much_o ado_n to_o persuade_v the_o people_n to_o receive_v some_o who_o repentance_n be_v not_o so_o clear_a to_o they_o which_o argue_v evident_o their_o power_n in_o receive_v member_n chap._n iu._n concern_v our_o order_n and_o form_n in_o administration_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n sect_n i._o the_o church_n be_v gather_v and_o furnish_v with_o able_a help_n officer_n and_o brethren_n they_o proceed_v to_o the_o administration_n of_o all_o the_o public_a ordinance_n in_o public_a assembly_n especial_o on_o every_o lord_n day_n wherein_o our_o principal_a care_n and_o desire_n be_v to_o administer_v and_o partake_v in_o all_o and_o no_o more_o than_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n himself_o and_o in_o all_o those_o so_o far_o as_o the_o lord_n have_v lend_v we_o light_n in_o their_o native_a purity_n and_o simplicity_n without_o any_o dress_n or_o paint_v of_o humane_a invention_n for_o as_o the_o first_o commandment_n require_v we_o to_o worship_v he_o with_o his_o own_o only_a true_a worship_n as_o he_o have_v appoint_v in_o his_o word_n without_o add_v aught_o thereto_o or_o take_v aught_o therefrom_o isa_n 29.13_o deut._n 12.32_o so_o we_o believe_v it_o to_o be_v unlawful_a for_o any_o church_n to_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o observe_v much_o less_o for_o the_o officer_n of_o their_o own_o or_o other_o church_n to_o impose_v upon_o they_o any_o institution_n of_o their_o own_o whether_o in_o doctrine_n or_o worship_n or_o government_n but_o what_o the_o lord_n have_v appoint_v in_o his_o word_n our_o reason_n hereof_o one_o in_o stead_n of_o many_o be_v take_v from_o the_o extent_n of_o the_o commission_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n give_v to_o his_o apostle_n which_o be_v as_o large_a as_o ever_o be_v give_v to_o any_o church-governors_n and_o yet_o reach_v no_o further_a than_o to_o teach_v the_o people_n to_o observe_v all_o thing_n whatsoever_o i_o have_v command_v you_o mat._n 28.20_o if_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o teach_v the_o church_n to_o observe_v more_o than_o he_o have_v command_v they_o they_o go_v beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o commission_n the_o apostle_n in_o the_o synod_n in_o jerusalem_n lay_v upon_o the_o church_n no_o other_o burden_n then_o necessary_a thing_n act_n 15.29_o necessary_a they_o be_v some_o of_o they_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n other_o for_o the_o present_a estate_n of_o thing_n to_o avoid_v offence_n and_o when_o they_o cease_v to_o be_v offensive_a the_o prohibition_n of_o they_o cease_v to_o bind_v object_n if_o any_o shall_v say_v the_o apostle_n commission_n reach_v only_o to_o matter_n of_o substance_n not_o circumstance_n of_o worship_n and_o form_n of_o necessity_n not_o indifferency_n we_o answer_v let_v they_o show_v we_o another_o commission_n to_o authorise_v they_o to_o put_v law_n upon_o the_o church_n for_o matter_n of_o circumstance_n of_o form_n and_o of_o indifferency_n and_o we_o shall_v submit_v but_o the_o scripture_n hold_v forth_o no_o such_o commission_n give_v to_o any_o of_o the_o son_n of_o man_n since_o the_o world_n begin_v that_o much_o urge_a place_n 1_o
offence_n from_o the_o spirit_n of_o their_o brethren_n but_o if_o it_o do_v appear_v that_o the_o dissent_n whether_o of_o one_o or_o more_o brethren_n do_v arise_v from_o such_o darkness_n and_o intricacie_n of_o the_o matter_n in_o hand_n as_o that_o the_o officer_n and_o member_n of_o the_o church_n do_v find_v themselves_o either_o unable_a to_o clear_v the_o matter_n full_o or_o at_o least_o unfit_a in_o regard_n of_o some_o prejudice_n which_o may_v be_v conceive_v against_o they_o which_o sometime_o do_v fall_v out_o though_o very_o seldom_o in_o such_o a_o case_n when_o the_o matter_n be_v weighty_a and_o the_o doubt_v great_a on_o both_o side_n than_o with_o common_a consent_n we_o call_v in_o for_o light_n from_o other_o church_n and_o entreat_v they_o to_o send_v over_o to_o we_o such_o of_o their_o elder_n or_o brethren_n as_o may_v be_v fit_a to_o judge_v in_o such_o a_o cause_n upon_o their_o come_n the_o church_n meet_v together_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n the_o whole_a cause_n and_o all_o the_o proceed_n in_o it_o be_v lay_v open_a to_o they_o who_o by_o the_o help_n of_o christ_n ponder_v and_o study_v all_o thing_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n the_o truth_n be_v clear_v a_o right_a way_n of_o peace_n and_o concord_n discover_v and_o advise_v and_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o brethren_n on_o all_o part_n comfortable_o satisfy_v sect_n iv_o in_o these_o transaction_n we_o know_v not_o what_o may_v be_v subject_a to_o exception_n or_o controversy_n but_o only_o that_o we_o allow_v to_o the_o people_n so_o much_o power_n in_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n both_o in_o bind_v a_o offender_n to_o admonition_n and_o excommunication_n and_o in_o lose_v of_o penitent_n from_o the_o same_o but_o the_o reason_n that_o prevail_v with_o we_o to_o take_v this_o course_n seem_v to_o we_o to_o have_v evident_a ground_n from_o scripture-light_n and_o therefore_o may_v excuse_v we_o from_o follow_v the_o pattern_n of_o such_o church_n as_o rather_o consult_v with_o humane_a wisdom_n then_o divine_a institution_n in_o this_o case_n our_o first_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o the_o royal_a rule_n of_o love_n and_o wisdom_n in_o heal_a offence_n give_v by_o our_o saviour_n matth._n 18.17_o where_o he_o direct_v a_o brother_n offend_v for_o the_o heal_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o a_o offender_n final_o to_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o church_n tell_v say_v he_o the_o church_n now_o we_o can_v find_v throughout_o the_o new_a testament_n that_o ever_o the_o word_n church_n be_v take_v any_o otherwise_o then_o for_o the_o society_n and_o congregation_n of_o the_o faithful_a unless_o it_o be_v once_o where_o it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o civil_a assembly_n act._n 19.41_o but_o never_o for_o one_o bishop_n or_o counsellor_n or_o archdeacon_n for_o neither_o do_v the_o scripture_n acknowledge_v any_o of_o these_o office_n in_o the_o church_n at_o all_o as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o take_v a_o bishop_n as_o now_o they_o stand_v nor_o can_v the_o church_n which_o be_v a_o word_n of_o multitude_n hold_v forth_o a_o bishop_n or_o his_o commissary_n who_o be_v but_o one_o person_n for_o though_o one_o person_n may_v represent_v a_o whole_a church_n when_o he_o be_v send_v forth_o in_o the_o church_n name_n with_o instruction_n from_o the_o church_n yet_o such_o be_v not_o the_o case_n here_o the_o bishop_n come_v in_o his_o own_o name_n and_o the_o commissary_n in_o the_o bishop_n name_n but_o neither_o of_o they_o in_o the_o church_n name_n nor_o with_o instruction_n from_o the_o church_n but_o rather_o with_o destruction_n or_o at_o least_o with_o disturbance_n to_o the_o church_n neither_o be_v the_o word_n church_n take_v throughout_o the_o new_a testament_n for_o a_o assembly_n of_o presbyter_n the_o consistory_n be_v a_o word_n unheard_a of_o there_o nor_o be_v any_o complaint_n direct_v thither_o unless_o it_o be_v to_o prepare_v they_o for_o the_o hear_n &_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n as_o all_o the_o elder_n be_v say_v to_o be_v assemble_v in_o the_o house_n of_o james_n to_o prepare_v and_o instruct_v paul_n for_o the_o carriage_n of_o his_o matter_n before_o the_o church_n nor_o be_v any_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n commit_v to_o the_o presbyter_n alone_o to_o be_v administer_v by_o they_o though_o they_o be_v to_o be_v administer_v by_o they_o in_o the_o presence_n and_o with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o when_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n in_o asia_n be_v blame_v for_o neglect_n of_o proceed_v against_o offender_n whether_o balaam_n or_o jezabel_n or_o the_o nicholaitan_n the_o charge_n be_v give_v not_o to_o the_o angel_n of_o the_o church_n only_o but_o to_o the_o church_n also_o themselves_o let_v he_o that_o have_v a_o ear_n hear_v what_o the_o spirit_n say_v unto_o the_o church_n rev._n 2.17.29_o and_o though_o the_o word_n congregation_n which_o be_v all_o one_o with_o church_n be_v sometime_o put_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o elder_n or_o judge_n of_o the_o congregation_n yet_o 1._o it_o be_v far_o more_o frequent_o put_v for_o the_o elder_n and_o body_n of_o the_o people_n meet_v together_o as_o he_o that_o observe_v the_o several_a place_n shall_v find_v it_o 2._o when_o it_o be_v put_v for_o the_o elder_n and_o judge_n of_o the_o congregation_n as_o numb_a 35.12.24_o 25._o it_o be_v never_o understand_v of_o they_o sit_v in_o a_o consistory_n by_o themselves_o apart_o from_o the_o people_n but_o in_o the_o presence_n of_o the_o public_a assembly_n of_o the_o people_n who_o also_o have_v liberty_n in_o such_o case_n to_o rescue_v a_o innocent_a from_o unjust_a punishment_n 1_o sam._n 14.45_o object_n in_o mat._n 18.17_o when_o christ_n direct_v the_o brother_n offend_v to_o tell_v the_o church_n he_o speak_v of_o such_o a_o church_n to_o who_o we_o may_v orderly_o and_o ordinary_o complain_v now_o this_o we_o can_v do_v to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n answ_n we_o willing_o grant_v it_o will_v be_v orderly_o to_o tell_v any_o offence_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n before_o it_o be_v present_v to_o the_o multitude_n of_o the_o church_n both_o because_o they_o be_v the_o mouth_n and_o guide_n of_o the_o church_n and_o also_o meet_v it_o be_v all_o thing_n be_v prepare_v by_o they_o for_o the_o church_n cognizance_n that_o so_o the_o church_n be_v not_o cumber_v as_o sometime_o it_o may_v with_o unnecessary_a and_o frivolous_a agitation_n but_o though_o the_o elder_n in_o such_o a_o case_n have_v power_n to_o direct_v and_o persuade_v what_o be_v best_a to_o be_v do_v yet_o not_o power_n to_o judge_v and_o determine_v public_a case_n without_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o the_o brother_n offend_v be_v satisfy_v in_o their_o advice_n answ_n 2._o when_o a_o whole_a multitude_n be_v assemble_v in_o a_o body_n any_o offence_n may_v be_v orderly_a and_o ordinary_o tell_v unto_o they_o by_o a_o complainant_n especial_o in_o case_n any_o officer_n among_o they_o shall_v call_v he_o forth_o to_o tell_v his_o complaint_n as_o the_o levite_n orderly_o tell_v his_o complaint_n to_o the_o whole_a multitude_n of_o the_o congregation_n of_o israel_n assemble_v at_o mispah_n judg._n 20.3_o 4_o etc._n etc._n object_n 2._o the_o church_n christ_n direct_v unto_o he_o presuppose_v to_o be_v the_o ordinary_a executioner_n of_o all_o discipline_n and_o censure_n which_o the_o multitude_n be_v not_o and_o the_o reason_n ratify_v the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n do_v show_v the_o number_n of_o they_o to_o be_v small_a mat._n 18.20_o where_o two_o or_o three_o etc._n etc._n answ_n the_o multitude_n of_o the_o church_n do_v ordinary_o execute_v all_o discipline_n and_o censure_n by_o the_o presbyter_n and_o the_o presbyter_n by_o their_o consent_n the_o promise_n make_v to_o two_o or_o three_o ver_fw-la 20._o respect_v not_o the_o judge_n of_o the_o cause_n when_o it_o be_v bring_v to_o the_o church_n but_o the_o two_o or_o three_o brethren_n who_o deal_v in_o the_o cause_n before_o it_o come_v to_o the_o church_n as_o in_o like_a sort_n the_o promise_n of_o bind_v in_o heaven_n what_o the_o church_n bind_v in_o earth_n ver_fw-la 19_o pertain_v to_o the_o ratify_n of_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o whole_a church_n mention_v in_o the_o verse_n before_o to_o wit_n in_o vers_fw-la 17._o a_o second_o reason_n why_o we_o allow_v such_o power_n to_o the_o people_n in_o church-censure_n be_v take_v from_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o incestuous_a person_n and_o that_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n direction_n for_o in_o the_o 1_o cor._n 5.4_o 5._o he_o direct_v the_o whole_a church_n of_o corinth_n to_o who_o he_o write_v that_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n when_o say_v he_o you_o be_v gather_v together_o
as_o cyprian_n say_v lib._n 1._o ep._n 4._o maximè_fw-la potestatem_fw-la habet_fw-la dignos_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la eligendi_fw-la then_o as_o he_o say_v there_o also_o potestatem_fw-la etiam_fw-la babet_fw-la sacerdotes_fw-la indignos_fw-la recusandi_fw-la &_o abdicandi_fw-la on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o elder_n have_v rule_v over_o the_o church_n and_o do_v express_v it_o in_o sundry_a act_n of_o authority_n as_o 1._o in_o call_v the_o church_n together_o upon_o any_o weighty_a occasion_n act_v 6.2_o 2._o in_o open_v the_o door_n of_o speech_n and_o silence_n to_o any_o of_o the_o assembly_n act_v 13.15_o unless_o it_o be_v where_o the_o elder_n themselves_o lie_v under_o offence_n or_o suspicion_n of_o offence_n and_o the_o offend_a party_n may_v begin_v with_o they_o act_v 11.2_o yet_o with_o due_a reverence_n observe_v as_o to_o their_o year_n so_o to_o their_o place_n 1_o tim._n 5.1_o 3._o in_o preach_v the_o word_n the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o teach_v and_o exhort_v to_o charge_v command_n to_o reprove_v and_o rebuke_v with_o all_o authority_n 1_o tim._n 5.7_o &_o 6.17_o 2_o thes_n 3.6_o tit._n 2.15_o 4._o in_o dispense_n all_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o their_o own_o cause_n for_o though_o they_o take_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n in_o dispense_n a_o censure_n yet_o they_o set_v it_o on_o with_o great_a authority_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n yea_o it_o be_v no_o small_a power_n they_o put_v forth_o in_o direct_v the_o church_n what_o censure_n be_v due_a according_a to_o the_o word_n as_o in_o our_o native_a country_n though_o the_o judge_n dispense_v no_o sentence_n but_o according_a to_o the_o verdict_n of_o the_o jury_n yet_o his_o authority_n be_v great_a both_o in_o direct_v the_o jury_n to_o give_v in_o their_o verdict_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o in_o pronounce_v sentence_n with_o power_n and_o terror_n according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o their_o verdict_n the_o like_a do_v the_o elder_n in_o dispense_n church-censure_n 5._o the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o dismiss_v the_o church_n and_o that_o with_o a_o blessing_n numb_a 6.23_o to_o 26._o which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o superiority_n heb._n 7.7_o 6._o in_o case_n of_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o other_o notorious_a scandal_n commit_v by_o they_o and_o their_o obstinacy_n therein_o the_o elder_n have_v power_n to_o denounce_v the_o judgement_n of_o god_n against_o the_o church_n and_o to_o withdraw_v themselves_o from_o it_o as_o upon_o the_o idolatry_n of_o the_o israelite_n moses_n take_v the_o tabernacle_n and_o pitch_v it_o without_o the_o camp_n exod._n 33.7_o and_o paul_n with_o barnabas_n reject_v the_o jew_n for_o their_o blaspemy_n and_o turn_v to_o the_o gentile_n act._n 13.45_o 46._o chapter_n vi._n sect_n i._o we_o come_v now_o to_o that_o last_o part_n of_o our_o order_n which_o stand_v in_o our_o communion_n with_o other_o church_n among_o ourselves_o though_o one_o church_n claim_v no_o power_n either_o of_o ordination_n or_o jurisdiction_n over_o another_o for_o we_o know_v of_o none_o such_o give_v we_o by_o christ_n yet_o we_o maintain_v brotherly_a communion_n one_o with_o another_o so_o far_o as_o we_o may_v also_o help_v forward_o our_o mutual_a communion_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o communion_n of_o saint_n be_v account_v a_o article_n of_o the_o creed_n and_o communion_n of_o church_n be_v but_o a_o branch_n thereof_o seven_o way_n there_o be_v wherein_o we_o exercise_v holy_a communion_n one_o with_o another_o which_o for_o distinction_n and_o memory_n sake_n we_o may_v sum_n up_o in_o so_o many_o short_a name_n first_o by_o way_n of_o participation_n second_o of_o recommendation_n three_o of_o consultation_n fourthly_a of_o congregation_n five_o of_o contribution_n sixthly_a of_o admonition_n seventh_o of_o propagation_n or_o multiplication_n of_o church_n 1._o for_o participation_n we_o have_v occasional_o speak_v of_o it_o before_o it_o be_v allow_v by_o the_o consent_n of_o our_o church_n that_o when_o the_o member_n of_o any_o other_o church_n be_v occasion_v to_o rest_n with_o we_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n when_o the_o supper_n come_v to_o be_v administer_v and_o neither_o the_o person_n themselves_o nor_o the_o church_n they_o come_v from_o lie_v under_o any_o public_a offence_n we_o do_v admit_v they_o to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n table_n with_o we_o for_o we_o look_v at_o the_o lord_n supper_n not_o only_o as_o a_o seal_n of_o our_o communion_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n but_o also_o of_o our_o communion_n with_o his_o member_n and_o that_o not_o only_o with_o the_o member_n of_o our_o own_o church_n but_o of_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n sect_n ii_o by_o way_n of_o recommendation_n we_o communicate_v one_o with_o another_o in_o this_o wise_a when_o any_o of_o our_o member_n by_o occasion_n of_o business_n be_v call_v to_o reside_v and_o continue_v for_o any_o time_n in_o another_o town_n we_o give_v he_o letter_n of_o recommendation_n unto_o the_o church_n in_o that_o place_n giving_z testimony_n of_o he_o as_o of_o a_o brother_n approve_v and_o entreat_v they_o to_o receive_v he_o in_o the_o lord_n as_o become_v saint_n unto_o holy_a communion_n with_o they_o and_o to_o watch_v over_o he_o in_o brotherly_a love_n to_o his_o build_n up_o in_o fellowship_n with_o the_o lord_n jesus_n the_o pattern_n whereof_o we_o take_v from_o paul_n recommendation_n of_o phebe_n a_o deaconesse_n of_o the_o church_n of_o cenchrea_n unto_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n rom._n 16.1_o 2._o of_o which_o letter_n he_o make_v mention_n also_o to_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n though_o not_o as_o needful_a for_o himself_o but_o for_o other_o 2_o cor._n 3.1_o but_o if_o a_o brother_n have_v necessary_a occasion_n to_o remove_v himself_o and_o his_o family_n for_o all_o together_o unto_o another_o church_n and_o there_o to_o take_v up_o his_o settle_a habitation_n for_o the_o necessary_a employment_n of_o his_o call_n or_o for_o other_o just_a end_n he_o acquaint_v the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n and_o some_o of_o his_o intimate_a friend_n and_o brethren_n and_o it_o may_v be_v if_o conveniency_n permit_v the_o whole_a church_n with_o the_o ground_n of_o his_o removal_n which_o if_o they_o do_v appear_v to_o they_o to_o be_v just_a and_o weighty_a they_o then_o write_v more_o ample_a letter_n of_o recommendation_n unto_o that_o church_n in_o his_o behalf_n wherein_o they_o do_v recommend_v he_o whole_o to_o their_o charge_n now_o not_o as_o one_o of_o themselves_o but_o as_o one_o of_o they_o to_o who_o they_o do_v resign_v he_o and_o entreat_v they_o to_o receive_v he_o as_o a_o brother_n belove_v in_o the_o lord_n unto_o all_o those_o christian_a liberty_n and_o holy_a duty_n wherein_o they_o be_v wont_v to_o communicate_v with_o their_o own_o member_n unto_o all_o spiritual_a growth_n in_o christ_n jesus_n which_o letter_n because_o they_o do_v so_o full_o recommend_v a_o brother_n unto_o another_o church_n be_v to_o dismiss_v he_o from_o his_o own_o we_o therefore_o for_o distinction_n sake_n call_v they_o letter_n of_o dismission_n which_o indeed_o do_v not_o differ_v from_o the_o other_o but_o that_o the_o former_a recommend_v he_o to_o another_o church_n for_o a_o time_n these_o for_o ever_o the_o brother_n thus_o dismiss_v to_o another_o church_n bring_v his_o letter_n to_o the_o elder_a of_o that_o church_n who_o read_v they_o before_o the_o church_n demand_v the_o church_n consent_n for_o his_o acceptance_n if_o he_o be_v well_o know_v and_o approve_v of_o they_o they_o express_v their_o consent_n either_o by_o lift_v up_o of_o hand_n or_o by_o silence_n but_o if_o the_o man_n be_v whole_o unknown_a and_o doubt_v of_o by_o they_o though_o they_o reserve_v due_a honour_n to_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o church_n which_o send_v they_o yet_o for_o as_o much_o as_o church_n may_v err_v sometime_o as_o well_o in_o judgement_n of_o person_n as_o of_o doctrine_n hanc_fw-la veniam_fw-la perimusque_fw-la damusque_fw-la vicissim_fw-la we_o take_v liberty_n to_o take_v some_o trial_n of_o his_o spirit_n and_o gift_n and_o then_o either_o upon_o his_o just_a approbation_n of_o he_o we_o receive_v he_o or_o if_o we_o see_v just_a occasion_n of_o offence_n in_o he_o we_o return_v he_o with_o the_o cause_n back_o again_o to_o his_o own_o church_n who_o receive_v he_o again_o into_o her_o own_o fellowship_n and_o take_v care_n for_o his_o heal_n for_o we_o look_v at_o our_o church-covenant_n as_o a_o everlasting_a covenant_n jer._n 50.51_o and_o therefore_o though_o it_o may_v be_v translate_v or_o resign_v from_o one_o church_n to_o another_o as_o god_n hand_n shall_v direct_v yet_o it_o be_v not_o to_o be_v reject_v or_o violate_v by_o we_o but_o only_o by_o the_o member_n cut_v off_o himself_o from_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n by_o such_o