him to his place but if they cannot then to report the matter charged with the Proofs to the Church that sent them and if that Congregation shall after a full Information c. be perswaded the Person was not orderly dealt with they may receive him into their Communion Of such that cause Divisions or Vnduely separate themselves from the Church THis I find is generally asserted by all Congregational Divines or worthy men i. e. That no person hath power to dismember himself i. e. He cannot without great Sin translate himself from one Church to another but ought to have a Dismission from that Church where he is a Member provided that Church is orderly constituted nothing being wanting as to any Essential of Salvation or of Church-Communion But if not yet he ought to indeavour to get his orderly Diâ—mission Nor is every small Differencâ— in some points of Religion oâ— Notions of little moment anâ— grounds for him to desire his Dismission That he cannot nor ought noâ— to Translate himself see what 〈◊〉 Reverend Writer saith He cannot saith he for many Reasons 1. It is not Decent much leâ— an Orderly going away but very unmannerly and a kind oâ— running away 2. Such a Departure is not approved of in Families or Civiâ— Societies 3. It destroys the Relation oâ— Pastor and People For whaâ— may be done by one individuaâ— Person may be done by all 4. What Liberty in this kinâ— belongs to the Sheep belongs tâ— the Shepherd much more he maâ— then also leave his Flock at hâ— Pleasure without giving notice oâ— reason thereof to the Church 5. It is breaking Covenant witâ— Christ and with the Congregation and therefore a great Immorality he being under Obligation to abide stedfastly with the Church i. e. till the Church judge he hath a lawful Call to go to another Congregation 6. It 's a Schism For if there be any such thing in the World it 's of particular Societies 7. It is a despising the Government of the Church 8. It is a particular Member's assuming to himself the use of the Keys or rather stealing of them 9. There is as much reason Persons should come into a Church when they please without asking Consent as depart when they please 10. It is very evil and unkind in another Church to receive such an one as not doing as they would or should be dealt with 11. Such Practices can issue in nothing else than the breach and confusion of all particular Churches and make them like Parishes 12. Such Departures cannot be pleaded for in the least but upon the notion of a Catholick visible Church wherein all Members and Officers are run into one Organized Church which will and must introduce a Co-ordinate if not a Subordinate Pastoral Government by combination of Elders over all the Churches and therefore by Synods and Classes 13. It is like a Leak in a Ship which if not speedily stopped will Sink at last 14. It tends to Anarchy putting an Arbitrary Power in ev'ry Member 15. It breaks all Bonds of Love and raiseth the greatest Animosities between Bretheren and Churches 16. It is a great Argument of some Guilt lying-on the Party Thus the Dr. Again he saith It is no more in the just Power of a particular Member to dissolve his Church-Relation than in a Man to kill himself but by his said withdrawment he doth Schismatically rend himself from his Communion and so Separate himself Sinfully Quest. What is the just Act of the Church that cloathes this irregular Separation with the Formality as it were of an Excomcommunication He Answers Calling this a mixt Excommunication i. e. Originally proceeding from and consists in the act of the Brother himself and is the Formality of his Offence upon which proceeds the just and unviolable act of the Church The Judgment of the Church publickly declared by the Elder of the Congregation as the Dr. words it viz. That A. B. having so and so irregularly and sinfully withdrawn himself from the Communion of the Congregation we do now adjudge him a Non-member and one that is not to Communicate with the Church in the special Ordinances of Communion till due Satisfaction is given by him Yet we believe as the Dr's Opinion is that a Church may if they find the Case to be warranted by the Word of God or as it may be circumstanced give a dismission to a Member when insisted on to another regular Church tho not in every case of small Offence or dissent in some small points of different Notions or from Prejudice for that may tend soon to dissolve any Church For what Church is it where every Member is of one mind in every particular case and thing about Notions of Religion And such that make Divisions and cause Schisms or Discord among Brethren to disturb the Peace of the Church if they cannot be reclaimed must be marked and dealt with as great Offenders It being one of those things that God hates and is an abomination to him Quest. What is a full and lawful Dismission of a Member to another Church upon his removing his Habitation or on other warranted Cases Answ. VVe answer a Letter Testimonial or Recommendation of the Person and if he intends to abide there wholly to give him up to that Communion and Fellowship to be watched over in the Lord. Of Disorders or causes of Discords and how to be prevented corrected and removed I. ONE cause of Discord is through the Ignorance in some Members of the Rules of Discipline and right Government particularly when that Rule in Matth. 18. is not followed But one Person â—â—kes up an Offence against another and speaks of it to this or that Person before he hath told the Brother offending of it which is a paspable Sin and a direct violation of Christ's holy Precept and such must as Offenders themselves be in a Gospel way dealt with To prevent this the Discipline of the Church should be taught and the Members informed of their Duties II Another thing that causes Trouble and Disorder in a Church is want of Love and tender Affections to one another as also not having a full sight and sense of the great evil of breaking the Bonds of Peace and Vnity O that all would lay this abominable Evil to Heart how base a thing it is to break the Peace of a private Family or Neighbourhood but much more sinful to disturb the Peace of the Church of the living God and break the bonds of the Vnity thereof Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Vnity But O how ugly and hateful is the contrary III. Another disorderly Practice is this When one Member or another knows of some sinful act or evils done by one or more Members and they conceal it or do not act according to the
Rule pretending they would not be lookt upon as Contentious Persons but hereby they may become guilty of other Mens Sins and also suffer the Name of God and the Church to lye under Reproach and all thro their neglect This is a great Iniquity IV. When an Elder or Church shall know that some persons are Scandalous in their Lives or Hereretical in Judgment and yet shall bear or connive with them V. When Members take liberty to hear at other Places when the Church is assembled to worship God this is nothing less than a breaking their Covenant with the Church and may soon dissolve any Church For by the same Rule one may take that liberty another nay every Member may Moreover it casts a Contempt upon the Ministery of the Church and tends to cause such who are Hearers to draw off and to be Disaffected with the Doctrine taught in the Church they knowing these Dissenters do belong unto it I exhort therefore in the Name of Christ this may be prevented And any of you that know who they are that take this Liberty pray discover them to the Church We lay no restraint upon our Members from hearing such who are sound in the Faith at other times VI. The Liberty that some take to hear Men that are corrupt in their Judgments and so take in unsound Notions and also strive to distil them into the Minds of others as if they were of great Importance Alas how many are Corrupted in these days with Arminianism Socinianism and what not This causes great trouble and disorder VII When one Church shall receive a Member or Members of another Congregation without their Consent or Knowledge Nay such that are Disorderly and may be loose Livers or cast out for Immorality or Persons filled with Prejudice without cause This is enough to make Men Atheists or contemn all Church Authority and Religion For hath not one regular Church as great Authority from Christ as another VIII Another disorder is when Members are received without the general Consent of the Church or before good Satisfaction is taken of their Godly Lives and Conversations Or when a Church is too remiss in the reception of her Members IX Another disorder is when a Church shall receive a charge against a Member it being an Offence between Brother and Brother before an orderly proceed has been made by the offended Person X. When Judgment passes with Partiality some are connived at out of favour or affection Levi was not to know his Father or Mother in Judgment XI When Members do not constantly and early attend our publick Assemblies and the worship of God on the Lord's-day especially but are remiss in that matter This is a great Evil. XII When part of a Church shall meet together as dissatisfied to consult Church-matters without the knowledge or consent of the Church or Pastor This is disorderly and tends to division and such should be marked XIII Another thing that tends to disquiet the Peace of the Church is when there are any undue heats of Spirit or Passion shewed in the Pastor or others in managing the Discipline of the Church Have we not found by experience the sad effect of this Therefore things must be always managed with coolness and sweetness of Spirit and moderation every Brother having liberty to speak his mind and not to be interrupted until he has done nor above one speak at once XIV When one Brother or more Dissents in the sentiments of their Minds from the Church in any matters circumstantial either in repect of Faith Practice or Discipline and will not submit to the Majority but raise Feuds nay will rend themselves from the Church rather than consent I Quaery what reason or ground hath any Man to refuse Communion with a Church that Christ hath not left but hath Communion with XV. When any Member shall divulge or make known to Persons not of the Congregation nor being concerned in those matters what is done in Church-meetings the Church in this respect as well as in others is to be as a Garden inclosed a Spring shut up a Fountain sealed This oft times occasions great Grief and the disorderly Person should be detected Is it not a shame to any of a private Family to divulge the Secrets of the Family But far greater shame do these expose themselves unto XVI Another disorderly Practice is this viz. When a Member shall suggest and seem â—o insinuate into the minds of other Members some evil against their Pastor yet will not declare what it is and may only be evil Surmisings out of Prejudice and yet refuses to acquaint the Pastor with what it is This is very abominable and a palpable violation of the Rule of the Gospel and Duty of Members to their Minister Such a person ought to be severely rebuk'd and if he confess not his Evils and manifesteth unfeigned Repentance to be dealt with farther Moreover it is a great evil in another to hear such base Insinuations and neither rebuke the Accuser and so discharge his Duty nor take two or three more to bring the Person to Repentance If he deal thus by a private Brother it is a great Evil but far worse to an Elder whose Name and Honour ought with all Care and Justice to be kept up as being more Sacred XVII Another disorderly Practice is which causes much trouble When the publick Charges of a Church are not equally born but some too much burdened when others do but little or nothing And also when every one does not Contribute to the Poor as God has blessed them on every Lord's day or first day of the Week as he hath Commanded XVIII Another disorder is this When Members refuse to communicate with the Church at the Lord's table because some person or persons they think are guilty of Evil and yet they have not proceeded with them according to Rule These either Excommunicate the Church or themselves or those Persons at least they censure unwarrantably I beseech you for Christ's sake that this may never be any more among you You ought not to deal thus with them or refuse your Communion tho faulty until the Church has dismember'd or withdrawn from them or at least Suspended them XIX When one Member shall believe or receive a report against another before he knows the truth of the matter XX. When an Accusation is brought against an Elder contrary to the Rule which ought not be without two or three Witnesses as to the matter of Fact XXI When the word of God is not carefully attended upon on Week or Lecture-days by the Members generally tho the said Meeting being appointed by the whole Church XXII VVhen Days of Prayer and Fasting and of publick Thanksgiving or when days of Disciplining are not generally attended upon Lastly VVhen Gifted Brethren are not duely encouraged
Spirits we do solemnly join our selves together in a Holy Vnion and Fellowship humbly submitting to the Discipline of the Gospel and all Holy Duties required of â— People in such a spiritual Relation 1. We do promise and ingage to walk in all Holiness Godliness Humility and Brotherly Love as much as in us lieth to render our Communion delightful to God comfortable to our selves and lovely to the resâ— of the Lord's People 2. We do promise to watch over each others Conversations and not to suffer Sin upon one another so far â— God shall discover it to us or any â— us and to stir up one another to Lâ—â—â— and good Works to warn rebuke aâ—â— admonish one another with Meekness according to the Rules left to us of Christ in that Behalf 3. We do promise in an especial manner to pray for one another and for the Glory and Increase of this Church and for the Presence of God in it and the pouring forth of his Spirit on it and his Protection over it to his Glory 4. We do promise to bear one anothers Burdens to cleave to one another and to have a Fellow-feeling with one another in all Conditions both outward and inward as God in his Providence shall cast any of us into 5. We do promise to bear with one anothers Weakeness Failings and Infirmities with much Tenderness not discovering to any without the Church nor any within unless according to Christ's Rule and the Order of the Gospel provided in that case 6. We do promise to strive together for the Truths of the Gospel and Purity of God's Ways and Ordinances to avoid Causes and Causers of Division endeavouring to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Ephes. 4 3. 7 We do promise to meet together on Lord's Days and â—â—â—ther times as the Lord shall giâ—◠〈◊〉 Opportunities to serve and glorify God in the 〈◊〉 his Worship to edify one 〈…〉 and to contrive the gâ—â—◠〈…〉 Church 8. We do promise according to our Ability or as God shall bless us with the good things of this World to Communicate to our Pastor of Minister God having ordained that they that Preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel And now can any thing lay a greater obligation upon the Conscience than this Covenant what then is the Sin of such who violate it These and all other Gospel-Duties we humbly submit unto promising and purposing to perform not in our own Strength being consciouâ— of our own Weakness but in thâ— Power and Strength of the Blessed God whose we are and whom we desire to serve To whom be Glory now and for evermore Amen FINIS Act. 2.41 42 43 44. Act. 8.14 Act. 19.4 5 6. Eph. â— 1 2. and â— 12 13 19. Col. 1.2 4 12. 1 Pet. 2.5 Act. 5.13 14. Rom. 6.17 Heb. 6.1 2. Rom. 6.3 4 5. 1 Pet. 2.4 5 6. Eph. 2.20 21. Col. 2.19 Psa. 66.16 Act. 11.4 5 6 c. 23 24. 1 Pet. 3.15 2 Cor. 8.5 Jer. 50.5 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 5.1 2. Of an Organical Church 1 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5 6 7. Tit. 1.5 6 7 8 9 10. Tit. 1.7 Act. 6.6 2 Tim. 5.22 1 Cor. 9.16 17. Act. 20.31 35. 2 Tim. 2.15 2 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 3. Jer. 3.15 2 Tim. 4.2 2 Cor. 5.19 Act. 20.20 27. Pro. 27.23 1 Thess. 5.15 1 Tim. 4.12 Jam. 2.4 1 Tim. 5.21 1 Pet. 5.3 and 5.6 The Deacons Work Act. 6.1 2 3 5 7 8 9 10. Acts 5.7 8 9 10. 1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 6.1 1 Thess. â— 25 Heb. 13.18 2 Cor. 2.16 1 Cor. 16.9 1 Tim. 4.3 4 5. 2 Cor. 3.19 20. 1 Thess. 3.13 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13.5 17. Jer. 20.10 Zeph. 2.8 2 Cor. 11.21 23. Gal. 6.6 1 Cor. 9.7 8. ver 14. ver 11. Mat. 10.9 10. See Dr. Owen ' s Eshod p. 21 22. 2 Tim. 4.16 17 18. Eshod pag. 27. Act. 14.27 Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1.5 6 7. Act. 20.17 27 28. Tit. 1.5 1 Cor. 14.40 1 Tim. 3. 1 Cor. 14.33 38. Of the reception of Members into the Church Psal. 66.16 Acts 9.26 27. 3 Joh. 9 10. Rom. 14.17 19. 1 Pet. 3.15 1 Cor. 14.40 Rom. 15.1 2. Acts 11.2 3 4 5 6. To whom Members join themselves Act. 2.47 5.11 15. A monthly day to be appointed for Discipline The Power of the Keys committed to the Church Acts 16.5 2 Thess. 1.3 6. Dr. Chauncy on the Power of the Keys p. 335. 1 Cor. 5.4 5. 2 Thess. 3.6 14. 1 Cor. 5.7 Of Church-Censures 2 Thess. 3.11 12. Psa. 15.1 3. 2 Thess. 3.12 2 Thess. 2.6 Disorderly Members only to be withdrawn from 2 Thess. 2.14 15. Heb. 12.25 Of private Offences between Brother and Brother Mat. 18.15 Mat. 18.16 Dr. Chauncy p. 345. The Sisters are not to vote in the Church The Act of Excommunication or Church-Censure 1 Cor. 5. Pag. 345. Mat. 18.17 Of Scandalous Crimes or Evils The Church Censure on notorious Offenders is the same with that in Mat. 18. Pag. 343. 1. Tim. 5.24 Act. 5.11 Jud. 23. 1. Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 7.11 Numb 12.14 Of dealing with Hereticks See Pool's Annot. on 1 Cor. 11.19 2 Pet. 2.1 Who is an Heretick Tit. 3.10 1 Tim. 1.19 20. What an admonition is The manner of the Reception of a communicate Person Mat. 13.18 2 Cor. 2.6 7. 1 Tim. 5. How to proceed against a Scandalous Pastor â— see not if they have none fitly qualified but the Church may cast him out Relief for a Member unjustly dealt with The cause of Disorders in the Church Rom 6 17. Heb 6 2 3 Dr. Chauncy pag. 337. Phil. 1.27 Tit. 2.10 The great Danger of making a Rent in a Church Rom. 1.31 Acts 2.42 1 Cor. 12.6 14.7.5.1.20 21 25. Heb. 10.25 Jude 19. ☞ ★ Jude 19. 1 Cor. 1.10 3.3 11.18 Heb. 10.22.23 25. Mixt Excommunication Rom. 19.17 18. 2 Thess. 3.6.14 15. Jude 12. Let none call the Church a Prison since all do voluntarily Covenant with it and 't is dangerous to break Christ's bonds 2 Timo. 2.23 2 Thess. 3.14 Prov. 6.16 Of a Letâ—er of Reâ—ommendaâ—ion Rom 16.1.2 Acts 18.27 Mat. 18.15 Disorders Corrected Removed Iohn 13.12 17 Eph. 4.3 Heb. 13.1 Eph. 4.31 32. cap. 5.2 Psal. 132.1 Jam. 3.16 Acts 5.3.8 Levit. 19.17 Acts 4.23 Pet. 2.2 Acts 9.27 Mat. 18.15 Psal. 63.1 Cant. 7.12 Mark 16.1 1 Cor. 1â— 25. Romans 16.17 2 Tim. 2.25 Jude 19. Jam. 3.14.16 Cant. 4.12 Rom. 1.29 1 Tim. 6.4 Zech. 7.10 1 Tim. 5.19 1 Timo. 5.19 1 Cor. 8.14 â— Cor. 16.2 Math. 18. Ier. 20.10 1 Tim. 5.19 Isa. 55. â— Acts 2 1 2. Acts 10 33. Ioel 2 1â— What tends to the Glory of a Church of Christ. 1 Cor. 3 4. Isa. 28.16 Isa. 28.16 1 Pet. 2 5 6. 1 Kings 6 7. Eph. 2.19 20 21. 1 Pet 1 16 Psalm 93.5 Cant. 1.9 Eph. 4.3 Exod. 20.24 Mat 18 20 1 Cor. 5.5 6.7 2 Cor. 8.14 Tit. 3.2 Eccl. 19.8 Apoc. 3 Iohn 9 1â— Gen. 9.22 Gal. 6.2 2 Gal. â— â— Rom. 3.10 Iude 11. Numb 22.7 21. 2 Pet. â— 10 Rev. 2.1 1 Tim. 3.5 Act. 23 5. Psal. 110.3 1 Pet. 1.25 Psal. 87.2 Neh. 1.2 How should Sinners else be Converted and the Church increased Psal. 132.13 Psal. 26.8 Psal. 29.9 Exod. 20.24 Mat. 18.20 Rev. 1.13 Psal. 27.4 Acts 2.47 Psal. 132.3 Psal. 130.15 Psal. 73.16 â—7 Psal. 87.5 Psal. 34.3 Psal. 84.1 2. Isaiah 35. Psal. 128.3 Isai. 51.3 Prov. 8.34 Psal. 26.14 Psal. 87.4 Mat. 6.6 Jer. 10.25 Eph. 6.4 Phil. 1.27 Eccl. 4.9.10.11.12.13 Ezek. 16.6 8. 2 Cor. 8.5 Hos. 2.23 2 Cor. 6.16 Church-Communion proved Exod. 26.3.4 6. Isa. 62.5 Psal. 122.3 Eph. 2.23 Eph. 4.16 1 Pet. 2.5 Psal. 93.5 Isa. 55.8 Luke 1.74.75 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Tim. 6.11 2 Pet. â— 6 7. Act. 20.19 Phil. 2.3 Ioh 13 34 and 15 12 1 Pet 1 22 Lev. 19 17 Heb 10 24 25 1 Thess 5 14 15 Rom 15 Eph. 6.18 Iam. 5.16 Col 4 12. Gal 6 2 Heb 12 12 Heb 13 31 Rom 12 15 2 Cor 11 29 1 Iohn 3.17 18 Gal 6 1 1 Thess 5 14 Rom 15 12 Eph 4 31 32 Iude v 3 Gal 5 1 Tit 3 9 10 2 Iohn v 10 Heb 3 10 and 10 25 Mal 3 16 Rom 14 18 and 15 16 〈…〉 26 â— Cor 9 7 â— 9 -12 13 Gal 6 6