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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90063	Irenicum; or, An essay towards a brotherly peace & union, between those of the congregational and presbyterian way; shewing out of the most learned and renowned divines of the congregational way, that their positions concerning 1. Church matters and members. 2. Church constitution and form. 3. Church state. 4. Church officers and ordination. 5. Church government and censures. 6. Church combinations and synods. 7. Communion with and separation from churches. are sufficient for the establishing a firme and lasting peace between them and the Presbyterians ... In pursuance of the good design begun at the Savoy, where it was agreed, and declared, that such reforming churches as consist of persons sound in the faith, and of conversation becoming the Gospel, ought not to refuse the communion of each other ... Drawn up and published by Discipulus de Tempore Junior.	Newcomen, Matthew, 1610?-1669.; D. T.	1659 (1659)	Wing N910; Thomason E978_1; ESTC R202985	58,516	89

not yet convinced though perhaps himself be nor admonished from these or like reasons to withdraw from publike communion in word or seals or censures is unlawful and sinful Platform of discipline cap. 13. sect 5. Quest 6. But what if there be many wicked and scandalous persons and the Church tolerate them in it ought not the godly to withdraw and depart from such a Church Answ 1. To separate from a Church for want of some Ordinances or to separate from the true worship of God Platforme of Discipline because of the sin of some worshippers is unlawful Mr. Hookers Survey of discipline Preface A. 3. 2. The suffering of profane and scandalous livers to continue in the Church and partake in the Sacrament is doubtless a great sin yet the godly are not presently to separate from it nor to ●bstain from communion with such a Church in the participation of the Sacrament Platforme of discipline chap. 14. sect 8 9. 3. The hypocrisie of sundry members of the Church and toleration of some open scandal doth not presently take away the nature of the Church nor is separation presently to be made from it Mr. Cotton of holiness of Church members pag. 2. line 8. 4. 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 never taught nor practised separation from the same though unworthy ones were permitted to be therein Platform of discipline chap. 14. sect 8. And the Apostles kept communion with the Jews as a Church notwithstanding their want of faith in Christ Mr. Cotton of Infant Bapt. pag. 56. line 28. And the faithful in the Church of Corinth wherein were many unworthy persons and practises are never commanded to absent themselves from the Sacrament because of the same therefore the godly in like causes are not presently to separate Platform of discipline chap. 14. sect 8. Quest 7. But if I can go to a Church that is more pure and where things are better ordered and more according to the minde of Christ why may I not leave communion with one Church and go to another As suppose I think the Congregational Churches purer then the Presbyterian may I not leave the Presbyterian and joyn to the Congregational Answ We do not judge it safe or meet for any member of a Presbyterian Church Platforme of Discipline forthwith to desert his relation to his Church and betake himself to the fellowship of a congregational Church though he may discern some defect in the estate and government of his own 1. For first Faithfulness of brotherly love in Church relation requires that the members of the Church should first convince their brethren of their sinful defects and duely wait for their reformation before they depart from them for if we must take such a course for the healing of a private brother by way of brotherly love with much meekness and patience how much more ought we to walk with like tenderness towards the whole Church 2. Secondly By the hasty departure of sound members from a defective Church reformation is not promoted but many times retarded and corruption increased whereas on the contrary when sincere members breathing after purity of reformation abide together they may by the blessing of God upon their faithful endeavors prevail much with their elders and neighbors towards a reformation it may be so much that their Elders in their own Church shall receive none to the seals but visible Saints and in the Classes shall put forth no authoritative act touching the members of other Churches but consultative onely nor touching their own but with the consent silent consent at least of their own Church which two things if they can obtain with any holy humble meek faithful endeavors we conceive they might by the grace of Christ find liberty of conscience to continue their relation to their own Presbyterian Churches without scruple Platform of discipline preface pag. 5. line I. Object But we scruple not onely these but many other things As first Your Ministers many of them had their Ordination from the Bishops and they theirs from Rome and so your Ministery is Antichristian and those that are not ordained by Bishops are Ordained by a Classis or Presbytery which is a power forreign and extrinsecal to the Church whose Ministers they are Answ First For the Ministers that were ordained by Bishops take it thus Mr. Cotton The power whereby the Ministers in England do administer the Word and Sacraments is either spiritual and proper essential to their calling or adventitious or accidental The former they have received from Christ by a twofold act of his First He hath furnished many of them with ministerial gifts Secondly He hath enclined the hearts of his people to choose them and call them as in many Parishes in the City and in sundry Market-Towns and elsewhere or at least to accept them and submit to them being commended to them by the Patron The latter power which is adventitious and accidental that which they receive from the Patron who presents them to the Bishop and from the Bishop who ordains and licenseth them to Minister to Christ and to his people This power though it hath been established by the Law of the Land yet it is both adventitious and accidental for the Ministers power is compleat without it and it is also usurped For neither had the law lawful power from Christ to give such power to the Patron and Bishop neither had the Bishop or Patron lawful power to receive it neither could the people then choose their Minister without the leave of their Patron nor induct him into the Church without the ordination or leave of the Bishop Thus when Pyrates have invaded a ship no man in it neither Officer nor Passenger can come by his own goods but by leave of the Pyrate who upon their submission will give them their keyes of their own vessels and chests this power to come to their own goods received from the Pyrate it is not that which gives them true and proper right to enter upon the possession and use of their own goods for that right they had by a former just title which Pyrates cannot disannull Mr. Cotton but it is onely adventitious and accidenttal I need not apply it to the case in hand the application is obvious Mr. Cotton of Infant Bapt. pag. 181. line 25. And as for those Ministers that are ordained by Classes or Presbyteries as you call them I answer first Ordination is a work of rule and pertains to Presbyters Mr. Cotton way of the Churches pag. 49. line 4. And secondly In such Churches where there are no Elders and the Church so desires we see not why imposition of hands may not be performed by the Elders of other Churches Platform of Discipline from N.E. chap. 9. sect 5. Quest 8. May then we who are members of gathered or constituted

Peace That this his undertaking might be the more successeful he produceth and improveth the judgement of those Divines onely whose parts and piety have rendred them eminent who also have published to the world their apprehensions in this Controversie viz. Mr. Cotton Mr. Hooker Mr. Norton Mr. Shepherd together with the Platform of Church-Government in N. Engl. which was attested by all the Elders convened in a National Assembly there and because the names of Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hooker are superlatively famous in the Churches of Christ therefore their judgement is most frequently insisted upon During their abode in old England they were of one mind heart and way with the good old Non conformists who were real Presbyterians so far as the Brethren of their most intimate acquaintance did conceive and it is strongly believed that they would not have left their native Country for conscience sake in case they might have been freed from the unsupportable yoak of Episcopal subscription and conformity whereof this may be a probable evidence that very few if any Non-conformists of special note who stayed in England ever turned Independents As for the most if not all of our English Independents they did at once step over the heads of Non-conformists from conformity unto Independency or as reverend Mr. Ball was wont with dislike to express it they did at one jump leap out of the Surplice and Church Assemblies also Our brethren of the Savoy Assembly are too lavish in nominating some worthy men as favorites of their cause for no other reason yet appearing but because they were known Non-conformists Dr. Reynolds by appearing at the Hampton-court conference discovered himself a friend unto Non-conformity but he was ever opposite to them who made a Schism in or from the Church of England Dr. Chadderton also a known Non-conformist did dislike separation from the Church of England Dr. Whittaker and Mr. Perkins also were of his judgement And it would be no hard task to undertake the nomination of many Non-conformists who publikely in print have witnessed their hearty dislike of all wayes of separation from the Congregations in England notwithstanding the sinful mixtures in them vid. Mr. Cartwright Mr. Travers Mr. Hildersam Master Dorrel Master Bradshaw Master * Vide Mr. Balls answer to Mr. Cans book intituled Necessity of Separation from Non-conformists groun●s Ball and Mr. Rathband Mr. Hildersam did much grieve when he understood that the Brethren in New England did depart from the Presbyterian Government and he said This mischief had been prevented if my counsel at Mr. Higginsons going over had been taken which was that brethren driven thither by Episcopal persecution should agree upon the Church Government before they depart from hence And it is well known that many Presbyterian non-conformists did by a letter sent unto New England bewaile their departing in practice as they heard from the way of Church government which they owned here As heretofore Mr. Parker Mr. Knew-stubs Mr. Udall Mr. Sherwood Mr. Fen Mr. Egerton Mr. Balmford Mr. Baines Mr. Foord and the many scores suspended in Q. Eliz. and K. James's reign so of later times Mr. Dod Mr. Cleaver Mr. Wight Mr. Bourne Mr. Pierson as also Mr. Hinde Mr. Nicolds Mr. Langley whom Bishop Morton mentioneth in his Defence of Ceremonies as Non-conformists Were Presbyterians and utterly against even Semi-separation Unto these might be added Mr. John Paget Mr. Pot Ministers of the Reformed English Church at Amsterdam and Mr. Hering with Mr. Thomas Paget their Successors The godly Ministers of Scotland are generally Non-conformists but the world knoweth that they are Antagonists to Independency And is it not probable that if Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hooker had stayed in their Native Countrey they would not have been at such a distance from Church-fellowship with their Presbyterian Brethren as old England Independents are For doubtless their conscientious tendernesse would have wrought them to practices answerable unto their judgement held forth in this book These two Worthies all their life long were studious and laborious in the Work of the Ministry they were Patterns of Humility Meeknesse Love self-denial and all pious practices in their Families Relations and whole Conversation By them Gods Ordinances publickly Administred were highly prized constantly frequented and the Sabbath strictly observed as holy to the Lord. They neither covetously nor vain-gloriously sought great things in the world by ingrossing places of Honor command and profit for themselvs The life of faith and the power of godlinesse shined most gloriously in them all their dayes and how few in old England who boast of these Worthies as their Predecessors in wayes of Independency do merit such a character of commendation let them determin who are best acquainted with their conversation in their several stations and capacities And when this book hath been seriously perused let the Judicious Reader give sentence whether in their Church-administrations they be not so unlike unto them that they must either disclaim their Patronage or change their present practices It is a high commendation given of learned Mr. Calvine that in his Institutions Commentaries and other works he doth sibi constare always agree with himself whereas many others especially such who are much versed in Polemical debates do often cross shins with themselves through inconsiderateness or forgetfulness This is not spoken to cast reproach upon any good man but to give an Item unto all wisely to weigh what they Puhlish and what they Practice The Peace-makers are blessed but those that sowe discord amongst brethren are an abomination to the Lord. M●● 5.9 Prov. 6.19 The wisdom which is from above is first pure then peaceable gentle easie to be intreated Therefore follow peace and holinesse L●● 3.17 Love the truth and peace Consider what is said Heb. 12.14 ●ath 8.19 and what may be suggested in this ensuing Treatise and the Lord give a right understanding in all things An Advertisement to the READER LEt the Reader take notice that these words in the second line of the fourth page Nations holy by Covenant therefore Churches and these words in the fifteenth line of the same page and according to this sense may we not say Saint Saul Saint Demas Saint Judas and that a Church made up of such as these is a Church of Saints Both these sentences should have been put in the margent being not the words of the Reverend Author there cited but Observations which the Collector conceived he might justly make upon his words IRENICVM OR AN ESSAY Towards a Brotherly PEACE and UNION CHAP. I. Of the matter of a Church under the New Testament and who are fit to be Church-members Question I. WHat is the matter of a Church now in the New Testament Answ The Church of the Old Testament consisted of no other matter than of such as professed the faith of the God of Israel and of their seed and the Church of the New Testament consisteth of the like Mr.

engaging of the people to reformation by Edward the sixth and Queen Elizabeth had the vertue of a covenant to constitute the Church See Chapter second answer to question the fourth Therefore much more the late solemn league and covenant 6. Peoples ordinary and fixed attending together upon one Ministery and joyning ordinarily together in the duties of publike worship hath the nature and vertue of a Church covenant See chap. 2. answ to quest 4. And therefore they who most urge the necessity of a covenant cannot condemn our Parochial assemblies as no Churches for want of such a covenant 7. The work now to do in England is not to make Churches where none are but to reduce them to their primitive institution See chap. 2. answ to quest 5. Therefore they who have troubled themselves and the Church so much with constituting and gathering new Churches have troubled themselves and others with a work they have nothing to do withall and so have cause to fear that the Lord Christ will say unto them another day Who hath required this at your hands CHAP. III. Of Church State Question 1. WHat think you of the Assemblies and Congregations of England Answ The faithful Congregations in England are true Churches of Christ Mr. Hooker Survey of discipline preface a 3. Mr. Hooker Quest 2. But what is meant by faithful congregations Answ 1. There is the nature of a true visible Church where the word of God is purely preached Mr. Cotton the Sacraments duely administred with discipline also according to the word of God But then the Sacrament must not be administred to undue persons such as are the ignorant and scandalous nor the ignorant and scandalous must not be admitted into the Church if discipline be rightly administred yea though all these do not concur joyntly yet the essence of a true Church may be found though defective for integrity Mr. Cotton Holinesse of church-members pag. 10. line 17. 2. For where there hath been a Church that hath yeelded professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ then in case a settled Ministry be continued there God still continues a true visible Church there Mr. Cotton holiness of Church-members pag. 5. line 12. And the essence of a true visible Church is preserved though there be found in it some hypocrites and some notoriously scandalous both in judgement and practice Mr. Cotton holiness of Church-members p. 19. l. 1. 3. Neither doth the hypocrisie of sundry members of the Church and the toleration of some open scandals presently take away the nature of the Church Mr. Cotton holiness of Church-members pag. 2. line 8. 4. For the members of the Church though orderly constituted may in time grow corrupt which though they ought not to be tolerated in the Church yet their continuance therein through the defect of the execution of discipline and Church-censures doth not immediately dissolve the being of the Church as appears in the Church of Israel and in the Churches of Galatia Corinth Pergamus and Thyatira Platform of discipline from New England chap. 3. sect 3. 5. Yea if all the members of the Church should make but an hypocritical ignorant and verbal profession of Christ and faith in him yet I will not deny but such a society may have the name of a Church and thus far the nature of it that the actions thereof are not null Mr. Cotton holiness of Church-members p. 62. l. 33. Quest 3. But there are many precious promises made to and many glorious things spoke of the Church of Christ and can they be truely applied to such a Church as this Answ Look what promises are made to the invisible Church Mr. Cotton they are for their sakes offered to all the members of the visible whereof the lively are the chief Mr. Cotton of infant baptisme p. 6. l. 9. 2. It is one thing to prophesie of the transcendent glorious happiness of an exact pure Church in some age of it another to command and foretell the perpetual continuance of it in such a degree of purity Mr. Cotton of infant bapt p. 134. l. 20. Quest 4. But were it not better therefore to gather the Saints those that are really gracious and holy into bodies by themselves separate from the rest that are corrupt members Answ This were upon the point to cast them upon supposal that these corrupt members be such as receive her membership in their infancy out of the Church Mr. Cotton and the Lord hath allowed but two causes for the casting off any person out of the Church first obstinacy persisted in after the admonition fo● an offence first private Mat. 18.17 Secondly breaking ou● into some heinous crime against the light of nature 1 Cor. 5.11 Mr. Cotton holiness of Church-members p. 56. l. 21. Quest But if such members as these are be not to be cast out nor withdrawn from what is to be done Answ Such as are born of Christian parents and baptized in their infancy into the fellowship of the Church Mr. Cotton are initiated members of the same Church though destitute of spiritual grace untill they justly deprive themselves of the priviledge of that fellowship for even of such is the Kingdom of God Mark 10.14 Mr. Cotton holiness of Church-members pag. 1. line 16. 2. Such members of the Church as were born in the same and received their membership in their infancy by vertue of the covenant of their parents when growing to years of discretion they desire to be made partakers of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper unto which because holy things are not to be given to the unworthy therefore it is requisite that these as well as others should come to their tryal and examination and manifest their faith and repentance by an open profession thereof before they be received to the Lords Supper or otherwise not to be admitted thereto Platform of discipline from New England chap. 12. sect 7. 3. Yet these Church members that were so born or received in their child-hood before they are capable of being made partakers of full communion have many priviledges which others not Church-members have not they are in covenant with God have the seal thereof upon them to wit baptisme and so if not regenerate are in a more hopeful way of attaining regenerating grace and all the spiritual blessings both of the covenant and seal they are also under Church-watch and so consequently subject to the reprehensions admonitions and censures thereof for their healing and amendment as need shall require Platform of discipline chap. 12. sect 7. Infants though born in the Church yet if when they grow up to years they shall degeenrate into a prophane or scandalous course they shall not be tolerated to abide in the Church yea if they shall not take hold of the covenant of their fathers but content themselves in an ignorant civil worldly course of life they shall not be allowed to enter into the holy communion with the sincere members

in the persons that dispense partly in the Ordinances that are dispensed Ibid. p. line 20. Quest 4. What is essential in the persons that dispense the Ordinances Answ In the persons that dispense the kinds of officers appointed to that work the nature bounds and limits of their offices all these are essentials Mr. Hooker ibid. line 22. Quest 5. What are the Ordinances that these are to disperse Answ The Ordinances that these are to dispense are Preaching Prayer Seals Church censures c. These all are to be found in the Word an fetched from the Word and now under the Gospel they are and ought to be the same in all places amongst all people at all times in all succeeding generations untill the coming of Christ Ibid. line 25. Quest 6. May there then be no alteration in these things which you call essentials Answ It is not left in the power of persons Officers Churches nor all the States in the world to add or diminish or alter any thing in the least measure But as God did appoint all in the old Testament and those Institutions did endure there ever as Scripture speaks untill the coming of Christ when the same power which appointed changed them So in the new Testament where are to expect no alteration Christ the Law-giver he onely appoints none but he can and he hath made known his will that he will not change them Mr. Hookers Survey part 1. p. 5. l. 32. Quest 7. What are the circumstantials of government Answ The circumstantials of discipline as time place the carrying on of these dispensation in civil decencies suitable to the quality of the things and conditions of the time as peace and persecution the general rules of these are in the Word delivered but the particular application admits varieties mutabilities and alterations according as necessities or conveniencies shall appear by emergent occasions Mr. Hookers Survey part 1 page 6. line 3. Quest 8. You have spoken already of most of the essentials of Church government namely Officers and Ordinances of worship but what say you of Church censures are they necessary Answ The censures of the Church are appointed by Christ for the preventing removing and healing of offences in the Church for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren for the deterring 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 and the holy profession of his Gospel and for preventing the wrath of God which may justly fall upon the Church if they should suffer his Covenant and the seals thereof to be prophaned by notorious and obstinate offenders Platform of discipline from New England chap. 14. sect 1. Quest 9. How many censures are there in the Church Answ Three the first admonition the second suspension the third excommunication Quest 10. What is admonition Answ Admonition is of two sorts the first more private when the offended brother admonisheth the offender of his offence according to the rule of Christ between him and the offender alone The second lesse private and yet not publike when he takes one or two with him Platform of discipline chap. 14. sect 2. Mr. Cottons way pag. 89. Quest 11. But what if the offending party be not gained by either of these admonitions Answ The offended brother tells the Church of it to wit in Gods way Mr. Cotton of the way pag. 90. line 12. Quest 12. What do you mean by telling the Church in Gods way Answ The offended brother is by the mouth of the Elders to tell it the Church Platform of discipline from N. E. chap. sect 2. That is he telleth the Elders who are the mouth of the Church that by them it may be presented before the Church Mr. Cottons way pag. 90. line 13. The matter must first be brought to the Elders and by them debated and delivered to the Church Mr. Hookers Survey part 3. p. 36 l. 2. Quest 13. But why must the mattor be first brought to the Elders and debated by them Answ 1. For that they are guides and leaders of the Church Heb. 13.17 the watchmen and overseers of it and therefore they must know the causes and controversies to the full in all circumstances difficulties windings and turnings thereof that they may be able to lead the Congregation in the way of peace and truth which they cannot do unlesse they know the way themselves Mr. Hookers Survey part 3. pag. 36. line 3. 2. To them it appertains to judge whether the things be of weight and worth and so need and require the presence and assistance of the body to expresse their judgement against them and the party guilty of them or no for if they be petty businesses and altogether unfit and unworthy to trouble the Congregation withall it is in their power to prevent such causeless and needless disturbance and therefore to suppresse any further proceeding therein Mr. Hooker part 3. pag. 36. line 10. Object But by this means if the Elders be corrupt in judgement or partial in affections they may silence the weightest cause that can be and so prejudice the innocency of those they are not friendly to and hinder the reformation of those whom in a corrupt and partial way they sinfully favour Answ Therefore as it is in their power to suppresse such petty occasions as are not worthy the times pains and disturbances that must be spent upon them So yet to prevent injustice and partiality in such cases the party who takes himself wronged may complain of the Elders in that behalf and if the Congregation see apparently that they have dealt unjustly and partially it is in their power to rectifie but if the complaints prove unjust and unreasonable be it at the peril of him that complains for he is to be censured sharply and severely as out of pride and perversenesse refusing to listen to the seasonable advice and counsel of those who were set over him by the Lord as also because he had needlesly disturbed the peace of the Congregation as much as in him lies Hookers Survey of discipline part 3. pag. 6. line 26. Thirdly the preparation is to be made by the Elders because if the body of the people be numerous they will be unable with any comely conveniency to weigh all the circumstances and difficulties which will certainly and necessarily occur in such agitation nor can in reason bestow their times and pains upon them as the intricacy and perplexity of the work will sometimes require Ibid. Quest 14. But what is the work or power of the Members then in order unto censures Answ As the Brethren have a power of order and the priviledge to expostulate with their Brethren in case of private scandal according to the rule Matth. 18.15 16. So in case of publick scandal the whole Church of Brethren have power and priviledge to joyne with the Elders in enquiring hearing judging of publick scandals so as to

be preferred before obedience to an affirmative precept that is not fundamental though therefore a hoof of truth is to be preferred before the liberties and lives of the ten thousands of Israel yet when the whole community is more endangered by the want of publick order than by the present not observing of some affirmative command not fundamental we ought to have more regard to publick order than to the present obedience of such a command 5. Therefore the particular Church in this case may and ought to submit it self to such order but yet without sin Mr. Nortons answ to Apollonius pag. 118.119 Quest 18. But how can that been done Answ 1. The truth is not to be dissembled Mr. Norton but the Church is modestly and peaceably to bear witnesse to the truth 2. Effor is never to be approved though for awhile in regard of the iniquity of the time it is to be tolerated 3. Wisely and patiently we must wait in our stations in the due use of means till God in his own proper season shall reveal the truth Mr. Norton against Apollonius page 119. line 30. Quest 19. Have all the Members of a Synod equal power Answ A Synod consisting Mr. Cotton as we have heard it doth of Elders and Brethren their power is not the same but distinct the power which the Brethren have it is a power of liberty the power which the Elders have it is a power of authority The Brethren have first liberty to dispute their doubts modestly and Christianly among the Elders so in that Synod at Jerusalem Acts 15.7 12. Secondly they had liberty to joyne with the Apostles and Elders in determining the same as the common sense of them all Thirdly they had liberty to joyn with the Apostles and Elders in choosing and sending Messengers and in writing Synodal letters in the name of all for the publishing of the sentence of the Synod Acts 13. ver 22 23. to 29. But the authority of the decrees lay chiefly if not only in the Apostles and Elders as appears Acts 16.4 So then it will be most safe to preserve to the Church of Brethren their due liberty and to the Church of the Elders their due authority Mr. Cotton of the Keyes page 26. line 1. Quest 20. Whether may a person or persons wronged by particular Churches appeal to a Synod or no for redress Answ There is a right of appeals in weighty causes from an inferior to a superior sentence Mr. Norton And seeing that in Ecclesiastical causes and among Ecclesiastical persons many differences do arise who can deny but that this right of appeals must be granted there Appeals are of divine and natural right and necessary in all societies because of the ignorance and unrighteousnesse of many who are Judges Mr. Nortons answer to Apoll. 3. pag. 112. line antepenult page 114. Hitherto of the Combination or Consociation of Churches and of Synods and their power Now from these particulars that have been delivered let us draw some positions with their inferences First it is lawful for particular Churches to joyne together in a holy Covenant and communion amongst themselves to administer all Church Affairs of weight and difficulty and common concernment not without common consultation and consent about them See answer to quest 1. Hence it follows 1. That if an expresse consent and Covenant be the formalis ratio and constitutive of a Church then these particular Churches thus joyned together make up one Church not representativè impropriè but truly and properly having the true formale of a Church and that which dat essentiam 2. If they have thus covenanted together to transact things by common consent then every Church of the Consociation hath the same power in all matters that the fraternity of a particular Church hath to wit of consenting or of dissenting 3. If they Covenant to administer all their affairs not without common consent then quere whether every particular Church hath not a negative voice which is more then the Presbyterians contend for 4. If they Covenant to administer all matters of weight and common concernment NOT without common consent then the excommunication of any person being a matter of weight as doubtlesse the delivering up of a soul to Satan is and also a matter of common concernment he that is cast out of one Church being cast out of all will it not from the concession follow that no particular Church can excommunicate a Member without the consent of the associated Churches 2. This Consociation of Churches is safe useful and wholesome and in some case necessary See answ to quest 2.3 5 8. they therefore who refuse to associate with other Churches when it is offered let these consider whether they do not forsake their own mercies 3. Even the strongest and best Churches have need of Association first that they may help the weak for all Churches are not in a like athletick plight and secondly for themselves for the best may soon degenerate and for want of Association may sink and fall into deep Apostasie See answ to quest 4. therefore 1. These Associations ought not to be elective for then the strong and athletick Churches may combine together and exclude the weaker and lesse athletick saying we have no need of you which would frustrate the end of combination and therefore the best way is for Churches that are in vicinity to combine together 2. If the strongest Church may need Consociation to prevent degeneration and Apostasie then the best way is to have these Consociations fixed and stated not occasional only pro re nata Sero med cina paratur Quum mala per long as invaluere moras 4. Combination of Churches is an holy Ordinance of Christ See answ to quest 6. Therefore let them consider how they will answer it to Jesus Christ who not only live without this Ordinance but despise it and speak evil of it and yet have covenanted to walk in all the Ordinances of Christ and would be thought so to do 5. Combination of Churches is no more destructive to the power of particular Churches than the Consociation of the Apostles was to their Apostolical power See answer to quest 6. 6. As the Apostles giving the right hand of fellowship one to another strengthened their hands in the work of the Ministery so the Elders of Churches giving the right hand of fellowship one to another upon any fit occasion cannot but strengthen the heart and hands of one another in the Lords work See answ to quest 7. Therefore for the Elders of Congregational Churches to refuse to associate with their brethren of another judgment and to refuse to give them the right hand of fellowship what doth it declare but this that either they do not think we in our Ministery work the work of the Lord or else that they are resolved to weaken our hands and hinder our work as much as they can because though we do Gods work