be leavened and that for such publick and scandalous sins by which God is so highly dishonored and the Church so greatly reproached The Church cannot be purged untill the guilty person be punished Christian Reader As touching this matter I will presume to take the place of a Moderator for I have heard the question debated among able men who in the main agree and design the self same thing there 's only a form of words betwixt them both agree the sinner shall be called into question The one admonishes him for his evill in the Name of the Lord The other passeth a sentence against him by the power of the same Lord both rebuke the person for the wickednesse done both bear their testimony against the crime in order to clear the Church of his Transgression both dis-priviledge the Transgressor of Communion untill he appears a truly humbled person and gives the Congregation full satisfaction so that in truth upon the whole matter there is no material substance that 's worthy to bear the name of a difference so that for my own part for peace sake I could consent either wayes provided the best care be taken by all that are concerned That Gods Honour be preserved all scandall be removed the Truths Innocency delivered and the Churches Reputation vindicated 3. What is to be understood and observed in the prrosecution of Discipline FIrst There is steps and Circumstances to be observed in reproving 1. Timely 2. Affectionately 3. A private fault privately 4. To design the restoring the sinner from iniquity Concerning Excommunication let this order be observed 1. Let it be done in Christs Name and Authority 2. See that sinner be convicted legally 3. Let the Counsell and Blessing of God be sought fervently 4. To the end the flesh may be destroyed and the spirit saved in the day of the Lord. Repentance consists of four parts 1. Contrition of the heart 2. Confession of the mouth 3. Reformation of the life 4. Restitution for the wrong done An order in forgiveness 1. It must be groundedly 2. Freely 3. Fully 4. Perpetually There is a method to be observed in Prayer as our Lord hath taught us saying when we pray pray after this manner When Duties want their Order and Circumstance they are oft-times rejected instead of being accepted for 't is evident God requires equal submission to order as he doth to the duty it self The Wise man Solomon saith He would put his Proverbs in order Eccles 12.9 In all Gods former services about the Ark Alter and Sanctuary the Lord precisely required all persons to attend respectively their Offices and places and that all things should exactly be set in order and appointed to their several uses and for the breach in Order 1 Chr. 19.13 the Lord in his anger caused some deeply to suffer The Apostle Paul speaking of Churchassembling and about Prophesying and touching the Lords Supper he sums up all with this charge Let all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14.40 The same Apostle beholds rejoyceth commends and praises the order of the Colossians Doubtless there ought to be some method in Preaching 'T is great pitty that divine and pure matter should want its beauty and ornament of form and order St. Paul commands Timothy to study to shew himself a workman rightly dividing the Word of truth There is a Rule to be observed in hearing 1. Preparation to hear 2. Attention in hearing 3. Meditation after hearing 4. Supplication before and after a blessing There are steps and degrees in believing 1. The faith of credence 2. The faith of adherence 3. The faith of endurance 4. Of stedfast reliance A Rule to be observed in suffering 1. To have a good cause 2. A right call 3. A good conscience 4. A pure end To be short there ought to be an order in all obedience in respect of matter manner end and circumstance for the righteous God as truely-punishes for the breach of order as he doth for neglect of services As order is the ornament of profession so I may call it the master-piece of Religion for both Gods precepts for it and punishments upon the neglect of it witness the same There ought to be a strict order in the commemoration of the Lords Supper even to hold and keep it with such observation 1 Cor. 11.28 as may answer to the first institution and in presuming to come to such holy Mysteries there ought to be great heart-preparations and self examinations 1. In unity of heart judgement and affection 2. In purity of life and conversation 3. Reverently as being at the Table and in the presence of the God of Heaven Psal 86.11 4 Having an eye to the end which is the victory Christ hath obtained for every Christian 5. To act in charity and freely because love was the first cause of our felicity 6. Rejoycingly as men having interest in the spirituall conquest over our souls adversary and as men purchased from everlasting misery 7. Thankfully humbly accepting reverently and chearfully embracing and with thankfulness partaking of those soul-benefits conveyed and received in that Administration SABBATH SOme brief Rules for the better order and observation of the Lords Day or First Day Sabbath Or if I may not call it a Sabbath I know no reason Deut. 5.15 Col. 1.12 13. But if the Jews were obliged to keep a Sabbath in remembrance of a temporall deliverance from temporall bondage Christians should be much more bound to observe a day as strict as a Sabbath in memoriall and remembrance of their spirituall and eternall deliverance from spirituall and eternall bondage For doubtless Christians are at great losses because of so much remisness and want of strictness in the First Dayes service First Then let the Lords People be stirring betimes upon the Lords Day called so by way of Eminency having a greater work to do than on other days a work attended either with greater blessings if religiously performed or with greater damages if neglected or misimproved Secondly Let them make serious preparation remembring whose service it is and into whose presence they come considering well what they go about and how nearly it respects their eternall Estate Eccles 5.1 Thirdly When they come into the Church Assembly let them attend diligently and behave themselves reverently and that before the Lord with due and humble respect to the administration and Majesty of the Word Fourthly Let them with all watchfulness and holy indignation strive to avoid those unseemly and uncomely behaviours tempers and gestures of lukewarmness coldness drowsie heavy and dull and sleepy carriages in Gods Divine services which is dishonourable to their persons and also unprofitable to their souls Fifthly Let them Meditate upon what they have heard For although the Lords People of the Congregationall way are necessitated to take the most pains to hear the Word in respect of distance of place yet they have one priviledge being improved may yeeld
and Doctrine waiting with patience the restoring offenders Not to keep company but refuse to associate with such persons which are Excommunicate alwayes observing the Tempers of Persons the nature of Offences and seasonable times some save with fear and some with compassion some with softnesse and others with sharpnesse let all be done in Justice and Charity without demurs delays or partiality let all be done freely and in order without exercising Lordship or having respect to Lucre but to adde to their performance of duty themselves patterns of Order Humility and Piety Thus I have shewed in part what that Ancient Spiritual Apostolical Government is which being rightly ordered and truely executed will answer to my first Intent and amount to the aforesard Account even to hold forth Christ's Glory the Gospel's Honour and the Churches Ornament 3. The Reasons for and necessity of Church Governors and Governments 1. BEcause Christ's Congregation is a Spiritual Common-wealth and holy Nation where Spiritual Traffique is free Ephes 2.12 1 Pet. 2.9 where Gifts Graces and Priviledges are common It consists of Spiritual Fathers Children Young men and strong men and hath many Cities much Treasures and many Enemies Now Order and Government is the strength of a Nation and as walls to a City to preserve heavenly Treasure from the Spiritual Enemy all which bespeak the need the Church hath of Officers and Governors for indeed what is a Church Family or Nation without Government but disorder and confusion If the glorious Sun should retire his light and stay his course and the Moon and Stars forbear their shining in the way of their Circuit and place which the Lord hath appointed Rulers over day and night Times and Seasons Light and Darknesse would fall together then all would be in a disorderly confused mixture So in truth take away Governours and Government from the Church of Christ and ye take away the Prop and Pillar of this Spiritual Structure and lay aside it 's Instrumental Defence and Security and so lay it open to be taken and carried Captive by the Spiritual Adversary In all which appears the Reason and Necessity 2. The Church of Christ is an Ecclesiastical Court or Spiritual Chancery where all proceedings are to be Consonant to the prime Rules of Justice Psal 65.4 Psal 84.2 and 10. and pure Principles of Equity and Charity where all offences and injuries committed and all Offices and Duties neglected are to be examined and determined according to that ancient Law Of doing as man would be done by Now how can Matters in a Court be Regulated and Executed without Orders and Officers Therefore our Soveraign Lord hath Commissionated his Ministers to be as Judgers and Stewards impowered by him to Act for him in his stead and absence to hold forth the Majesty of his Presence by Personating him Representing his Authority and holding forth his Glory in respect of Dignity Mercy Purity and Severity precisely to look to his Rights and Priviledges Dues and Duties and to inflict due punishments upon all Offenders and against all Offences To have an eye to his Spiritual Rolls and Holy Writings and in the exercise of Government to produce Commissions from the Lord and give some charge according as Gods Spirit hath given charge in the Word and so all things to be done justly without partiality 3. Christ's Church is a Church Militant and must manage a Warfare with the Prince of this World the Old Serpent who is the most grand Politician 1 Tim. 1.18 Ephes 6.11 13. and cruell Enemy whose design is chiefly against the Spiritual Generation and Holy City who joyns in league with the World the lusts of the flesh and all wicked Instruments is furnished with fiery darts strong snares subtill wiles and secret policy to invade the borders and betray the souls of such as professe Christianity indeavouring to divide them from the Armour and Weapons of the Word and to disarm them of their defence by the spiritual sword sometimes in fury storming the Castle of our bodies to rob us of the Treasure of our souls even to steal away our spiritual Evidence to deprive us of our everlasting Inheritance Is not here Reason enough to shew the necessity of being provided with all Spirituall Artillery and to exercise all Christian policy to put our selves into best Postures and holy Orders furnished with all Officers and the exactest Discipline and Formality with courage and constancy to maintain the cause of Religion and Piety with diligence and sobriety and with great watchfulnesse and fidelity 4. The Church of God is fitly compared to a Vineyard which is to be separated from other ground Mat. 20.1 1 Cor. 9.7 which is to be choisely Planted timely Watered duly Pruned and well Fenced Now Christ's Ministers are Planters Waterers and Pruners and Government is as the Fence to the Churches It 's good to see the Vine when it flourishes but let it alone and in a short time it will ruine it self by superfluous Branches Even so for want of Spiritual Vine-dressers Decays and Ruines suddenly befall flourishing Churches The Lord hath therefore appointed Labourers in his Vineyard to dresse it and secure it This similitude teacheth us that things will soon be at a loss in Christ's Vineyard unless there be some Governour to over-see it order and preserve it which shewes the Reason for it and Necessity of it 5. The People of God are compared to a Flock of Sheep and Lambs and wicked men to Foxes and devouring Wolves Now Christians are too much like sheep Acts 20.28 29. Joh. 21.15.16 in respect of careless feeding and without fear of devouring sheep will feed in such unwholsome Pastures without guides that instead of feeding they infect themselves to the loss of their lives besides where there is no Shepheard to lead and defend them then comes the Wolves and Foxes and scatters and worries them We may say by sad experience we have known the same among Christians all which Conditions and Expressions manifest clearly there is a Necessity of Pastors and Shepherds in Christ's Congregation to watch over them feed them govern them and defend them from all such destructive Creatures as seek to devour them 6. Because the Saints are fitly compared to Merchant-men and the Voyage of Christianity to a Ship passing through the Sea Mat. 13.45 their Traffick and Merchandice is the Treasures of Knowledge Gifts and Graces 1 Tim. 1.19 Isa 51.20 Themselves are like Merchant-Venturers the Wicked like the troubled-Sea the Saints hope an Anchor the broken in Faith to Shipwrack Now how should the Ships be guided in the Seas without Pilats and Governors because of the force of Storms and Tempest the violence of the Waves and roughnesse of the Waters and the great difficulty of getting to Harbours Now a good Minister and Governour is like a skilfull Pilot that takes the shortest and safest Course who foresees Dangers and so orders his Affairs that Rocks may
true Discipline 2 Cor. 2.7 8 9 10 11. and Right Government It is the most effectual means and soveraign help under God against the grand Enemy of our Souls who hath fiery darts and makes desperate Attempts and sets his Ambushments and with policy and cruelty designs against the Saints to betray them by secret insinuation or to fright them out of their Faith and Profession and to weaken their hands for Christian Resolution to break their bands of Union and Charity and to cut the cords of Love and Unity Prov. 6.19 endeavouring to disorder them by sowing Discord among them First to divide them to make way for an advantage to destroy them Now Order is the Life and Strength of any Cause and the most advantage to any People for when a People are freely united and well Disciplined it is the greatest offence and dread to the enemy So 't is when Christians have faith in Gods promises and keep order in his Services it tends to their safety and security When the Souldiers are disordered the Victory is hazarded and he 's no good Christian-souldier that observes not Place and Order 7. Right Government which consist Principally in the execution of Justice and Judgement Isa 32.1 Isa 6.7 It may have the same commendation as was once given to Circumcision for 't is usefull and beneficial every way and when Persons shall see it in it's Beauty and how it brings in profit and themselves being partakers of the benefit of it It will ingage and oblige the hearts of those that live under it peaceably and chearfully to conform themselves to it and not only to approve of it but in their several Duties and Respective Places with Freedome and Affection help to preserve and support it For God himself is the Author of it the Holy Ghost appoints overseer of it God dwels with it and will certainly blesse it for in truth Order duly kept and Government truly ordered is of that Fame Glory it would invite strangers out of the Country As once the Order and Fame of Solomon's House invited the Queen of Sheba If our Spiritual Solomon's House were but wisely governed and the things therein rightly ordered and all Matters and Mannors prudently managed and all Discipline truly executed Strangers would be more invited dissenting friends and differing perswasions would be more ingaged and Christs Church more Renowned Thus I have shewed in part the benefit that comes to Christ's Church by means of Ecclesiastical Government 5. Some Rules tendred how to Effect and Accomplish a right Government THe First thing that I shall propound unto the Church in order to this great end is Their choise of Officers and herein to bespeak and exhort them that they neglect not their duty and care and so the blame to lye at their door None of the Saints and Brotherhood ought to consult for private Interest but for a general and publick good that whosoever among them the Lord hath suitably gifted and fitly qualifi'd for the conversion of sinners the constituting of Churches and the well being and better governing of Christ's Congregations they stand bound in duty legally to elect and orderly to appoint such to the work of the Ministry Acts 13.3 even to Separate and Ordain them according to their several Parts and Abilities to more general and particular places even to follow the Lord to put them into such places as he hath gifted for that purpose Even such who come orderly into and are tutered and brought up in the School of Christs Church and learning there untill they come to good degrees of Knowledge rightly qualified and considerably gifted by Gods Spirit amongst such some are to be freely Elected by the Church and Ordained by Fasting and Prayer and laying on of hands by the Eldership such so Ordained and abiding Faithful we own as Ministers of the Gospell and let them first be proved whether they have such qualifications as the holy Scriptures gives directions This being a principall case towards the obtaining right Government Take therefore advice of both old and New Testament ye may please so far to view Moses Counsel in the Old Testament as to see what kind of Persons was then chosen to be Rulers Provide saith he Wise men Understanding men and known men in your Tribes Men of courage men fearing God men of truth and hating Coveteousness I offer this of Moses not so much for Rule as for the good agreement it bears with the Rules of the New Testament But give heed to St. Pauls Counsell in the general qualifications mentioned Recorded for our directions 1 Tim. 3.8 Tit. 1. c. which the Apostle sets down both Negative and affirmative First What they must not be Not soon angry not given to Wine no striker not self-willed not a brawler not covetous not a Novice Secondly What they must be Blamelesse one that rules well his own house apt to teach a lover of good men sober just temperate holding fast the faithfull Word as he hath been taught that they may improve and convince Gain-sayers and if it can be obtained let them have the Principles of Order and spirit of Government in and about this great Office and Duty We are to look at a mans personal sufficiency the Gravity of his Yoke-fellow the Fidelity of his Posterity and also the good report of his Neighbour-hood and Country For if we would have Church-Government rightly ordered there must be suitable Governours and fit Instruments to accomplish it These Rules that follow touching this point are chiefly imposed upon the Eldership By Election Direction Protection Supplication and Exclusion 2. By Election As there is a great charge lies upon Churches concerning the Election of Officers Mat. 3.8 So there is a special care lies upon Officers touching the receiving and admitting Members into the Congregation To see some Fruits of Repentance Regeneration renewed in the spirit of the mind born again for ye know Churches under the Gospell are not gathered by Generation but by Regeneration Joh. 3.3.5 6. Except a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdome of Heaven For if they have not the birth of New Creatures how can we expect the life of well ordered Christians 2 Cor. 5.17 that they should naturally learn the true Doctrine and really observe and duly submit to the true methods of Discipline which so much concerns and adorneth every Gospel Congregation Every one had need understand Gods Ordinances and their own Duties and to be able to demonstrate something of the authority Matter Manner and End of every Principle and practice For Ignorance is the Mother of much mischief for some by their behaviours discover and also their Actions determine that they never past the new birth Neither is their descent from Heaven for they act and walk as not becoming the Royall Family and such as pertain to the Heavenly Posterity For many act so unnatural towards the Lord as if
he was never their Father and so untaught in his word and Oracles that they are no whit like his Disciples and Scholars neither respecting Principles nor Orders and some are already departed being never well grounded nor really and truly converted 3. By Direction By a due and seasonable instructing and directing such as are admitted into Membership 2 Tim. 4.2 to acquaint and educate them in the knowledge of God and the Affairs of the Gospel to learn them to know the Principles of Order true Forms of Government which are to be exercis'd under the New Testament to keep close to the direct Rules of Discipline and right orders of Governing and to beget in them a Respect and Honour to the Truth with all it's Oracles and it 's due Circumstances and to second and seal this with a holy and well ordered and a right governed Conversation admonishing them to observe the true Methods of proceedings towards all differing dissenting weak faln and offending Brerhren Mat. 18.15 To admonish the offending Brother timely before sin hath hardened him Secondly If it be a private Offence to tell him of it privately between thee and him alone which is the ready way to gain him Thirdly To do it in Charity wherein a man most resembles the God of Piety Fourthly the end must be to restore the sinner but to destroy his iniquity alwayes remembring them to perform duty that relates to each other with Compassion and Piety as children of the Father of Mercy Even consonant to their Heavenly Parentage Spiritual Pedegree of the Select number chosen Generation Royall Priest hood peculiar People holy Nation like men of the new Creation such as are redeem'd from a vain Conversation being as dead men to sin buried with Christ in Baptisme risen with him to Newness of life so to exercise a spiritual Dominion and give no place or subjection unto Sathan but to endeavor to raign over the body of flesh and sin But alas how oft is this general and known Rule abused and broken wanting Charity to the person offending or Fidelity to the Rule directing The truth is much of the Churches grief and care breaks in among them at this door but let Christs Ministers lead and guide the Members into Rules of Piety and Orders of Decency and to second their Exhortation by going before them as a pattern and by good Counsel and by good Example to establish the Believers in Doctrine Discipline and other Gospell orders 4. By impartial Admonition and due Correction for as the Scripture saith in another case in a Church-sence we may say in this that Christ's Rulers bear not the spiritual sword in vain but to turn the edge of the Word against all vice iniquity 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Thes 5.12 and to be a defence to all acts of Vertue and Piety waiting all approaches watching all designs of Sathan and all motions and appearances of the flesh For many times the greatest disturbances are brought about by the least beginnings for 't is Sathans policy to carry on his designs by entring them in by the smallest appearances Gal. 5.20 Beware therefore of the works of the Flesh as Hatred Variance Emulation Wrath Strife Seditions Heresies and the like which war against the Soul which actings cause breaches and disorders unto which Officers and Over-seers are to have a fore-sight of preventing and a ready hand of suppressing such things as disturb the peace of the Churches and break orders without regard to Causes or respect to Person by a diligent and severe hand against all Tale-bearers Evill surmisers Back-biters Rule-breakers Devision-makers secret Censurers and private Judges of others who in their Court of Confusion condemn their Brethren and cast them upon their Reputation These and such like are all Disquieters of Churches Wounders and Underminers of Governments and for the better discovering and removing all-such disturbances let all diligence be exercised all Circumstances of Reprehension and Correction be truly observed and all such offenders timely restrained and duly punished 5. By Countenancing and Protecting good orders and giving incouragement to orderly Walkers Psal 15.4 To look with a sowre face upon evill doers and a severe countenance against Evill workers but to honour the Pious and to praise the truly Religious to cherish them in their Duties and incourage them in Gods services Now Gospel-order is not only Beautiful and Honourable but acceptable to God and profitable to men for the Lord himself is Author of it and his Peoples experience prove the great benefit by it Let the Lords Overseers approve themselves prevalent instruments to effect and keep 1 Cor. 14. good Government by good Exhortation and Provocation study to maintain good order For the Lord strictly charges precisely enjoyns Order in all his Services and Sacrifices Typical and Ceremonial more especially then in the Worship and Service of the Gospel where Duties are more rarely blessed and Defaults more sorely punished Let Rulers know their places and do their Offices even cherish good people promote good Causes to assist good Consciences and to endeavour to preserve Christiansin their Liberties and Priviledges suitng and sorting their Counsels and Instructions observing and taking advantages of seasons and the Peoples conditions improving all abilities and the best faculties to defend them from deceivers giving timely admonition to Church-disturbers Succour the Tempted incourage the Faint-hearted to take off yoaks and remove oppressions that may lye upon mens consciences watching diligently over them carefully to govern them gently leading such as be with young to keep them from decaying to support them from fainting to restore them from erring and like good Shepherds to feed and rule them to defend and secure them from all those Poxes and Wolves that seek to scatter them and endeavour to destroy them 6. By sincere and fervent Supplication and Prayer because all things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer a duty never out of date 1 Tim. 4.5 Phi. 4.6 1 Thes 5.17 but in season and more especially upon such weighty Concernments and eminent occasions as the elections of Officers the admission of Members and in the great duties of Direction Correction Protection and Exclusion To acknowledge Gods grace to be the efficient Cause in all such Matters and to beg his Blessing upon all endeavours without which all labour is nothing pray to be directed aright to use the means and then pray that the means may be sanctified may be successeful and effectual praying and waiting upon the great Counsellor the prime Director and God of Order that he would be graciously pleased to give Governing Principles to right gathered Churches and he would please so far to own and honour them as to bestow upon them the precious gifts of Discerning Discretion and Moderation towards all Persons upon all occasions and in all conditions and more particular for the Spirit of Judgement and the spirit of
evills are both of Omission and Commission In the execution of Discipline we are to endeavour the destruction of all sin and for our better knowledge and prosecution of this design we may enquire how many wayes a man may sin A man may sin severall ways in the Commission of sin and several wayes touching the punishment of sin 1. In the commission of sin a man may actually sin in his own person 2. A man may sin by counselling and abetting with another in sin 3. A man may sin by countenancing and incouraging one that hath sinned 4. A man may sin by not restoring his brother that 's overtaken in sin 5. A man may hate his brother and have fellowship with sin by not reproving his sin 6. In a compact body all are guilty of another mans sin that refuse to joyn in the punishment of a sinner 7. And the Church may contract iniquity in doing Justice and not doing it throughly 2. How may a man be guilty and sin in punishing of sin Answ In the branches of in justice and Oppression 1. To punish a man as an offender without the breach of some Law is Injustice and Oppression 2. To neglect to punish an Offender that transgresses the Law is a branch of Injustice 3. To wrest Judgement out of it's true Channell and to turn Justice out of it's legall course is another branch of Injustice 4. To respect Persons and regard Causes so as to condemn the innocent and clear the guilty 't is Oppession In juffice and an abomination 5. To impose a lesse penalty upon an offender then his offence deserves is another branch of Injustice 6. To inffict a greater punishment upon a Trespasser than the Law requires is another branch of Injustice and Oppession 7. Not timely to relieve the Oppressed and duly to acquit and discharge the Innocent man is another high branch of Injustice and Oppression To conclude this point in question this shews us what Justice is by the rule of a contrary observation To execute Justice timely impartially and thoroughly is true Justice according to Gods Law having thus sorted our materials and made our division I proceed to Justice it self in it's Execution 7. Tho true Order of the Execution of Justice and Discipline EXecution is the life of Governing when Laws and Rules lye unexecuted 't is like Ingagements unperformed Right Discipline in it's execution carrieth a good Reputation It beats down evill designs it gives Countenance to the best things it disturbs the Nocent and rejoyceth the innocent It displeaseth the Righteous God when such as are placed and be trusted Prov. 17.15 with the weighty imployment of Church-Government and shall either not judge at all or else in judgement are unjust and partial To punish the Innocent that ought to be cleared or to clear the Guilty that ought to be punished A man had need be just in discharging Conscience in punishing sins lest he be found guilty of the bloud of perishing souls and when the Church of God shall assemble themselves upon this solemn occasion 1. Let the Word be sounded like a Trumpet that the people may be warned and informed into whose all-seeing presence they come and that God is present with them and judgeth among them to beget the people in an awfull fear and holy reverence of his sacred Majesty and Presence To remember the people by improving some words by way of charge and to produce Commissions from Gods holy writing and to let the people know they are properly concerned legally returned and solemnly ingaged to take their places and humbly to attend upon Gods services and to tell them the Lord hath betrusted us with Offices and Priviledges and furnished us with such authority that we should act like a holy Nation and spiritual Court in all Justice and Fidelity 2. Because all things are sanctified by the Word and Prayer let humble and fervent supplications be made to the God of Heaven to be counsell for you and to prepare sanctifie and direct you in that serious matter undertaken by you and that your part may be so done and performed on earth That whatsoever ye bind or loose may be done and confirmed in Heaven Mat. 18.18 and as in all other Religious services there ought to be good advice taken sufficient tryal made before the exercise of action much more in this case wherein we act for God and must give an account to God in this matter there had need to precede a Judgement of preparation before the judgement of Execution 1. To consider we must act in Christs Name and by vertue of his Authority and that this action ought as it were to type out the last judgement and to hold forth Christs Righteous Government 2. To examine whether the matter be brought orderly and the parties have proceeded legally 3. To consider the capacity of the person offending whether a member or a Officer for although the Lord respects not Persons yet he allows some priviledge to Offices 4. To enquire of the nature of the Offence whether more directly against God or man whether publick or private 5. To examine what provocations the offender had to it and what design he had in it whether ignorantly or wilfully Seventhly Having found out the nature of the sin then to have recourse to the law that makes it a transgression Let the Law and the Offence be equally compared and the penalty justly imposed 7. Let all proceedings be mixed with compassion that it may answer to the design of Heaven the end to destroy the flesh and to restore the offender out of transgression Having thus made preparation proceed to probation and to the act of Execution also remembring God is with you and Judges of the judgement passed by you Psal 83.1 and that in a subordinate humble sence ye ought to hold forth the glory of his Presence and that with all justnesse humblenesse and gravity representing his dignity mercy purity and severity and so to passe sentence according as in Justice ye shall see cause without delay or partiality purged of all favour prejudice and hypocrisie without regard to causes knowing faces or repecting persons as acting for God uprightly Deut. 1.17 that it may be received and approved in the Court of Eternity Secondly Some further circumstances to be observed in the prosecution of Church-Discipline let be done and executed speedily not to suffer sin to lye upon thy brother Lev. 19.17 or to infect the spiritual body A green sore is soonest healed a disease taken new is easiest cured in like manner trespasses or contentions amongst Church-members taken timely are best purged appeased and reconciled Thirdly Them that are Judges of others in the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction are to be Counsellors to the offenders especially if they be ignorant persons not to daunt or surprize them or take quick advantages against them but as we ought to act in the Lords Name so to act in the Lords fear towards