election Yet when such a people do chuse any to be over them in the Lord Heb. 13.17 then do they become subject and most willingly submit to their Ministry in the Lord whom they have so chosen 7. Rom. 16 17 And if the Church have power to chuse their Officers and Ministers then in case of manifest unworthiness and delinquency they have power also to depose them For to open and shut to chuse and refuse to constitute in Office and remove from Office are acts belonging unto the same Power 8. Cant. 8.8 9 We judg it much conducing to the well-being and communion of Churches that where it may conveniently be done Neighbor-Churches be advised withal and their help made use of in the tryal of Church-officers in order to their choise 9. The choise of such Church-officers belongeth not to the civil Magistrates as such or Diocesan-Bishops or Patrons for of these or any such like the Scripture is wholly silent as having any power therein CHAP. IX Of Ordination and Imposition of hands CHurch-Officers are not only to be chosen by the Church Acts. 13 32. cap. 14.23 1 Tim. 5.22 but also to be ordained by Imposition of hands and prayer with which at the ordination of Elders fasting also is to be joyned 2. Num. 8.10 Acts 6.5 6 cap. 13.2.3 This Ordination we account nothing else but the solemn putting of a man into his place and Office in the Church whereunto he had right before by election being like the installing of a Magistrate in the common-wealth Ordination therefore is not to go before but to follow Election Acts 6.5 6. cap. 14.23 The essence and substance of the outward calling of an ordinary Officer in the Church doth not consist in his Ordination but in his voluntary and free Election by the Church and in his accepting of that Election Whereupon is founded the relation between Pastor and Flock between such a Minister and such a People Ordination doth not constitute an Officer nor give him the essentials of his Office The Apostles were Elders without Imposition of hands by men Paul and Barnabas were Officers before that Imposition of Hands Acts 13.3 The Posterity of Levi were Priests and Levits before hands were laid on them by the Children of Israel 3. 1 Tim 4 14 Acts 13 3 1 Tim 5 22. In such Churches where there are Elders Imposition of hands in ordination is to be performed by those Elders 4. In such Churches where there are no Elders Imposition of hands may be performed by some of the Brethren orderly chosen by the Church therunto Numb 8 10 For if the people may elect officers which is the greater and wherin the substance of the Office consists they may much more occasion and need so requiring impose hands in ordination which is the less and but the accomplishment of the other 5. Nevertheless in such Churches where there are no Elders and the Church so desire we see not why Imposition of hands may not be performed by the Elders of other Churches Ordinary officers laid hands upon the officers of many Churches The presbytery at Ephesus layd hands upon Timothy an Evangelist 1 Tim 4 14 Acts 13 3 The presbytery at Antioch laid hands upon Paul and Barnabas 6. 1 Pet 5 2 Acts 20 18 Church Officers are officers to one Church even that particular over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers Insomuch as Elders are commanded to feed not all flocks but that flock which is commited to their faith and trust and dependeth upon them Nor can constant residence at one congregation be necessary for a minister no nor yet lawful if he be not a minister to one congregation only Acts 20 28 but to the Church universall because he may not attend one part only of the Church wherto he is a minister but he is called to attend unto all the flock 7. Hee that is clearly loosed from his office-relation unto that Church wherof he was a minister cannot be looked at as an officer nor perform any act of Office in any other Church unless he be again orderly called unto Office which when it shall be wee know nothing to hinder but Imposition of hands also in his Ordination ought to be used towards him again For so Paul the Apostle received Imposition of hands twice at least from Ananias Acts. 9.17 and Acts. 13.3 CHAP. X. Of the power of the Church and its Presbytery SUpream and Lordly power over all the Churches upon earth Psal 2 6 Eph 1 21 22 Isay 9 6 Mat 28 18 doth only belong unto Jesus Christ who is King of the Church and the head therof He hath the Government upon his shoulders and hath al power given to him both in heaven and earth 2. A Company of professed believers Ecclesiastically Confederat as they are a Church before they have officers without them Acts 1 23 c 14 23 c 6 3 4 Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 4 5 so even in that estate subordinate Church-power under Christ deligated to them by him doth belong to them in such a manner as is before expressed C. 5. S. 2. and as flowing from the very nature and Essence of a Church It being natural to al bodyes and so unto a Church body to be furnished with sufficient power for its own preservatiō and subsistance 3. This Government of the Church is a mixt Government and so hath been acknowledged long before the term of Independency was heard of In respect of Christ the head and King of the Church Rev 3 7 1 Cor 5 12 the Sovereign power residing in him and exercised by him it is a Monarchy In respect of the body or Brotherhood of the Church 1 Tim 5 17 and power from Christ granted unto them it resembles a Democracy In respect of the Presbytery and power comited to them it is an Aristocracy 4. The Sovereign power which is peculiar unto Christ is exercised I. Gal 1 4 Rev 5 8 9 Mat 28 20. Eph 4 8 11 Jam 4 12 Isai 33 22 1 Tim ◠15 2 Cor 10 4 5. Isai 32 2 Luke 1 71 In calling the Church out of the world unto holy fellowship with himselfe II. In instituting the ordinances of his worship and appointing his ministers and officers for the dispensing of them III. In giving lawes for the ordering of all our wayes and the wayes of his house IV. In giving power and life to all his Institutions and to his people by them V. In protecting and delivering his Church against from all the enemies of their peace 5. The power graunted by Christ unto the body of the Church and Brotherhood is a prerogative or priviledge which the Church doth exercise I. In Choosing their own officers whether Elders or Deacons II. In admission of their own members Acts 6 3 5 c 14 23 c 9 26 and therfore there is great reason they should have power to Remove any
one Apostle had over another yet as one Apostle might admonish another so may one Church admonish another and yet without usurpation In which case if the Church that lyeth under offence Mat. 18.15 16 17. by proportion do not hearken to the Church which doth admonish her the Church is to acquaint other neighbor-churches with that offence which the offending Church still lieth under together with their neglect of the brotherly admonition given unto them whereupon those other Churches are to joyn in seconding the admonition formerly given and if stil the offending Church continue in obstinacy and impenitency they may forbear cōmunion with them and are to proceed to make use of the help of a Synod or counsel of neighbor churches walking orderly if a greater cannot conveniently be had for their conviction If they hear not the Synod the Synod having declared them to be obstinate particular Churches approving and accepting of the judgment of the Synod are to declare the sentence of non-communion respectively concerning them and thereupon out of a religious care to keep their own communion pure they may justly withdraw themselves from participation with them at the Lords Table and from such other Acts of Holy communion as the communion of Churches doth otherwise allow and require Nevertheless if any Members of such a Church as lieth under publick offence do not consent to the offence of the Church but do in due sort bear witnels against it Gen. 18.25 they are stil to be received to wonted communion for it is not equal that the innocent should suffer with the offensive Yea furthermore if such innocent Members after due waiting in the use of all good means for the healing of the offence of their own Church shal at last with the allowance of the counsel of neighbor Churches withdraw from the fellowship of their own Church and offer themselves to the fellowship of another we judg it lawfull for the other Church to receive them being otherwise fit as if they had been orderly dismissed to them from their own Church IV. A fourth way of communion of Churches is by way of Participation the Members of one Church occasionally coming unto another we willingly admit them to partake with us at the Lords Table it being the seal of our communion not only with Christ nor only with the Members of our own Church 1 Cor 12.13 but also with all the Churches of the Saints in which regard we refuse not to baptize their children presented to us if either their own Minister be absent or such a fruit of holy fellowship be desired with us In like case such Churches as are furnished with more Ministers than one do willingly afford one of their own Ministers to supply the place of an absent or sick Minister of another Church for a needful season V. A fifth way of Church-communion is Rom. 16.3 by way of Recommendation when a Member of one Church hath occasion to reside in another Church if but for a season we commend him to their watchful fellowship by letters of recommendation but if he be called to settle his abode there we commit him according to his desire Acts 18.27 to the fellowship of their Covenant by letters of dismission VI. A sixt way of Church-communion is in case of Need to Minister relief and succor one unto another Acts 11.22 either of able Members to furnish them with Officers vers 29. Rom. 13.26 27. or of outward support to the necessities of poorer Churches as did the Churches of the Gentiles contribute liberally to the poor Saints at Jerusalem 3. When a company of Beleevers purpose to gather into Church-fellowship it is requisite for their safer proceeding the maintaining of the communion of Churches Gal. 2.1 2. and 9. by proportion that they signifie their intent unto the neighbor Churches walking according unto the order of the Gospel and desire their presence and help and right hand of fellowship which they ought readily to give unto them when there is no just cause of excepting against their proceedings 4. Besides these several waies of communion there is also a way of propagation of Churches when a Church shal grow too numerous it is a way Isay 40.20 Cant 8 8 9 fit season to propogate one Church out of another by sending forth such of their mēbers as are willing to remove and to procure some Officers to them as may enter with them into Church-estate a mongst themselves as Bees when the hive is too ful issue forth by swarms and are gathered into other hives so the Churches of Christ may do the same upon like necessity and therin hold forth to them the right hand of fellowship both in their gathering into a Church and in the ordination of their Officers CHAP. XVI Of Synods SYnods orderly assembled and rightly proceeding according to the pattern Acts 15.2 to 15. Acts 15. we acknowledg as the ordinance of Christ and though not absolutely necessary to the being yet many times through the iniquity of men and perversness of times necessary to the wel-being of Churches for the establishment of truth and peace therein 2. Synods being Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Assemblyes are therfore made up of Spiritual and Ecclesiastical causes The next efficient cause of them under Christ is the power of the Churches sending forth their Elders Acts 15.2 3 other Messengers who being met together in the Name of Christ Verse 6. are the matter of the Synod and they in arguing debating and determining matters of Religion according to the Word ver 7. to 23 and publishing the same to the Churches whom it concerneth do put forth the proper and formal acts of a Synod verse 31. Acts 16.4.15 to the conviction of errors and heresies and the establishment of truth and peace in the Churches which is the end of a Synod 3. Magistrates have power to call a Synod by calling to the Churches to send forth their Elders and other Messengers 1 Chron. 29 4 5. to 11. to counsel and assist them in matters of Religion but yet the constituting of a Synod Acts 15. is a Church act and may be transacted by the Churches even when civil Magistrates may be enemies to Churches and to Church-Assemblyes 4. It belongeth unto Synods and Counsels to debate and determin controversies of faith Acts 17.1.2.6.7 1 Chron. 15 23. and cases of conscience to clear from the Word holy directions for the holy Worship of God good government of the Church to bear witness against mis-administration and Corruption in doctrine or maners in any particular Church 2 Chron. 29.6 7 Acts 15 24. vers 28 29 to give directions for the reformation therof Not to exercise Church-censures in way of discipline nor any other act of church authority or jurisdiction which that presidentiall Synod did forbeare 5. The Synods directions and determinations so farr as consonant to the
word of God are to be received with reverence submission not only for their agreement therwith which is the principal ground therof and without which they bind not at all but also secondarily for the power wherby they are made Acts 15 as being an ordinance of God appointed therunto in his word 6. Because it is difficult if not impossible for many churches to com al together in one place in al their members universaly therfore they may assemble by their delegates or messengers as the church of Antioch went not all to Jerusalem Acts 15 2 but some select men for that purpose Because none are or should be more fit to know the state of the churches nor to advise of wayes for the good thereof than Elders therfore it is fit that in the choyce of the messengers for such assemblies they have special respect unto such Acts 15 2. vers 22 23 Yet in as much as not only Paul Barnabas but certayn others also were sent to Ierusalem from Antioch Acts 15. and when they were come to Jerusalem not only the Apostles Elders but other brethren also doe assemble meet about the matter therfore Synods are to consist both of Elders other church-members endued with gifts sent by the churches not excluding the presence of any brethren in the churches CHAP. XVII Of the Civil Magistrates power in matters Ecclesiastical IT is lawfull profitable And necessary for Christians to gather themselves into Church estate and therin to exercise all the ordinanaces of Christ accoridng unto the word Acts 2 41 47 c 4 1 2 3 although consent of the Magistrate could not be had therunto because the Apostles Christians in their time did frequently thus practise when the Magistrates being all of them Jewish or pagan and mostly persecuting enemies would give no countenance or consent to such matters 2. Church-government stands in no opposition to civil government of common-wealths John 18 36 nor any way intrencheth upon the authority of Civil Magistrates in their jurisdictions John 18.36 Acts 25.8 nor any whit weakneth their hands in governing but rather strengthneth them and furthereth the people in yielding more hearty conscionable obedience unto them whatsoever some ill affected persons to the wayes of Christ have suggested to alienate the affections of Kings and Princes form the ordinances of Christ as if the Kingdom of Christ in his church could not rise stand without the falling weakning of their government which is also of Christ Isay 49.23 wheras the contrary is most true that they may both stand together and flourish the one being helpfull unto the other in their distinct and due administrations 3. The power and authority of Magistrates is not for the restraiing of churches Rom. 13.4 1 Tim. 2.2 or any other good workes but for helping in furthering therof therfore the consent countenance of Magistrates when it may be had is not to be slighted or lightly esteemed but on the contrary it is part of that honour due to christian Magistrates to desire crave their consent approbation therin which being obtayned the churches may then proceed in their way with much more encouragement and comfort 4. It is not in the power of Magistrates to compell their subjects to become church-members and to partake at the Lords table for the priests are reproved Ezek. 44.7.9 1 Cor. 5.11 that brought ūworthy ones into the sanctuarie then as it was unlawful for the preists so it is as unlawful to be done by civil Magistrates Those whom the church is to cast out if they were in the Magistrate ought not to thrust into the church nor to hold them therin 5. As it is unlawfull for church-officers to meddle with the sword of the Magistrate Matth. 20.25.26 so is it ūlawfull for the Magistrate to meddle with the work proper to church officers the Acts of Moses David who were not only Princes 2 Chron. 26 16 17. but Prophets were extraordnary therfore not imitable Against such usurpation the Lord witnessed by smiting Uzziah with leprosie for presuming to offer incense 6. It is the duty of the Magistrate to take care of matters of religion and to improve his civil authority for the observing of the duties commanded in the first Psal 82.2 as well as for observing of the duties commanded in the second table They are called Gods The end of the Magistrates office 1 Tim. 2.1.2 is not only the quiet peaceable life of the subject in matters of righteousness and honesty but also in matters of godliness yea of all godliness Moses Joshua David Solomon Asa Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Josiah 1 Kings 15.14 c. 22.43 2 King 12.3 c. 14.4 c 15 35. 1 Kings 20.42 Job 29.25 c. 31 26.28 Neh. 14. Jonah 3 7. Ezra 7. Dan. 3.29 are much commended by the Holy Ghost for the putting forth their authority in matters of religion on the contrary such Kings as have been fayling this way are frequently taxed reproved by the Lord. And not only the Kings of judah but also Job Nehemiah the King of Niniveh Darius Artaxerxes Nebucadnezar whom none looked at as types of Christ though were it so there were no place for any just objection are cōmended in the book of God for exercising their authority this way 7 The object of the power of the Magistrate are not things meerly inward and so not subject to his cognisance view as unbeleif hardness of heart erronious opinions not vented but only such things as are acted by the outward man neither is their power to be exercised in commanding such acts of the outward man 1 Kings 20.28 vers 11 and punishing the neglect therof as are but meer inventions devices of men but about such acts as are commanded forbidden in the word yea such as the word doth clearly determine though not alwayes clearly to the judgment of the Magistrate or others yet clearly in it slfe In these he of right ought to putt forth his authority Deut. 13. 1 Kings 20.28 vers 42 Dan. 3.29 Zach. 13.3 Neh. 13.21 1 Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.4 though oft-times actually he doth it not 8 Idolatry Blasphemy Heresy venting corrupt and pernicious opinions that destroy the foundation open contempt of the word preached prophanation of the Lords day disturbing the peaceable administration exercise of the worship holy things of God and the like are to be restrayned and punished by civil authority 9 If any church one or more shall grow schismaticall rending it self from the communion of other churches or shall walke incorrigibly or obstinately in any corrupt way of their own contrary to the rule of the word in such case the Magistrate is to put forth his coercive power as the matter shall require Joshua 22 The tribes on this side jordan intended to make warr against the other tribes for building the alter of witness whom they suspected to have turned away therin from follwing of the Lord. FINIS A Table of the Contents of the Chapters in this Platform of Church-Discipline Chap. I. Of the Form of Church-government in general and that it is one immutable and prescribed in the Word of God Page 1 Chap. II. Of the Nature of the Catholick Church in general and in special of a particular visible Church Page 2 Chap. III. Of the matter of the visible Church both in respect of quality and quantity Page 3 Chap. IV. Of the Form of a visible Church and of Church-Covenant Page 4 Chap. V. Of the first subject of Church-power or to whom Church-power doth first belong Page 7 Chap. VI. Of the Officers of the Church and especially of Pastors and Teachers Page 7 Chap. VII Of Ruling Elders and Deacons Page 8 Chap. VIII Of Election of Church-Officers Page 10 Chap. IX Of Ordination and Impositionof hands Page 11 Chap. X. Of the Power of the Church and its Presbitery Page 12 Chap. XI Of the maintenance of Church-Officers Page 15 Chap. XII Of the Admission of Members into the Church Page 16 Chap. XIII Of Church-Members their removal from one Church to another and Letters of Recommendation and Dismission Page 19 Chap. XIV Of Excommunication and other Church-Censures Page 20 Chap. XV. Of the Communion of Churches one with another Page 23 Chap. XVI Of Synods Page 27 Chap. XVII Of the civil Magistrates Power in matters Ecclesiastical Page 28
A PLATFORM OF Church-Discipline Gathered out of the WORD of GOD and agreed upon by the ELDERS and Messengers of the CHURCHES assembled in the Synod at CAMBRIDGE IN NEW-ENGLAND To be presented to the Churches and General Court for their Consideration and Acceptance in the Lord. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts Psal 84.1 Lord I have loved the Habitation of thy House and place where Thine Honor dwelleth Psal 26.8 One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his Temple Psal 27.4 Printed in New-England and Reprinted in London for Peter Cole at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1653. To all that are Faithful in Christ Jesus especially to the Godly of the Common-Wealth of England and the Nations thereunto belonging Grace Mercy and Peace BEloved in our Lord and Savior being employed as an Agent from New-England these Six years past to the Right Honorabl the present Parliament of England upon some weighty occasions Amongst other Papers of concernment that came to my hands from thence I received sometime since this ensuing Treatise from divers of the Reverend Elders there with liberty to Re-print it as I saw occasion It being intituled A Platform of Church-Disciplin gathered out of the Word of God and agreed upon by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches Assembled in the Synod at Cambridge in New-England to be presented to the Churches and general Court for their Consideration and acceptance in the Lord. It would be too long for me to insert the many Things that have occasioned the Delay of Reprinting it But meeting of late with a Coppy thereof Re-printed not only in a disorderly way but very Falsly to the great prejudice of the Work the Proofs in the margent amongst other gross Errors not rightly placed and so not proving the matter against which they are set I made it therefore my work to Suppress that Impression and have gained a Promise They shall never come to publick sale This Impression I have carefully examined by a Coppy I received from that Known Reverend Painful and Faithful Minister of the Gospel Mr. John Cotton of Boston under his own Hand directed to my self for the end before mentioned and do find it to Answer the Coppy received some smal faults excepted the proofs in the margent being duly placed only sometimes a Figure is mistaken but for the most part in Texts so familiarly known to every studious Reader as I conceived it would need no Errata not doubting but the charitable Reader will bear with it and Correct it as he reades it it being Re-printed at so great a distance from the place where it was first Collected It would be but as a drop of water cast into the great Ocean for me to go about by my Praises to ad to the worth of this Work and therefore such as the said Elders and Church-Messengers from their Synod at Cambridge aforesaid presented to the Churches and general Court for their Consideration and Acceptance in the Lord Such and the same I Declare this to be and desire the Lord to make it useful to his Churches and People for the finding out and true Discovery of that Order and Government the Lord Jesus hath left in his House till his second Coming which is the Prayer of Yours in the Lord Jesus EDW. WINSLOW Books Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall London And are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil by the Exchange Seven Books of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs lately published As also the Texts of Scripture upon which they are grounded 1 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment on Phil. 4.11 Wherein is shewed 1. What Contentment is 2. It is an holy Art and Mystery 3. The Excellencies of it 4. The Evil of the contrary sin of Murmuring and the Aggravations of it 2 Gospel-Worship on Levit. 10.3 Wherein is shewed 1 The right manner of the Worship of God in general and particularly In Hearing the Word Receiving the Lords Supper and Prayer 3 Gospel-Conversation on Phil. 1.17 Wherein is shewed 1 That the Conversations of Beleevers must be above what could be by the light of Nature 2 Beyond those that lived under the Law 3 And sutable to what Truths the Gospel holds forth To which is added The Misery of those men that have their Portion in this Life only on Psal 17.14 4 A Treatise of Earthly-mindedness Wherein is shewed 1 What Earthly-mindedness is 2 The great Evil thereof on Phil. 3. part of the 19. vers Also to the same Book is joyned A Treatise of Heavenly-mindedness and walking with God on Gen. 5.24 and on Phil. 3.20 5 An Exposition on the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of the Prophesie of Hosea 6 An Exposition on the eighth ninth and tenth Chapters of Hosea 7 An Exposition on the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth Chapters of Hosea being now compleat Twelve several Books of Mr. William Bridge Collected into one Volumn Viz. 1 The great Gospel-Mystery of the Saints Comfort and Holiness opened and applied from Christs Priestly Office 2 Satans power to Tempt and Christs Love to and Care of his People under Temptation 3 Thankfulness required in every Condition 4 Grace for Grace or the Overflowings of Christs Fulness received by all Saints 5 The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities 6 Evangelical Repentance 7 The Spiritual-Life and In-being of Christ in all Beleevers 8 The Woman of Canaan 9 The Saints Hiding-Place in time of Gods Anger 10 Christs Coming is at our Midnight 11 A Vindication of Gospel Ordinances 12 Grace and Love beyond Gifts A Godly and Fruitful Exposition on the first Epistle of Peter By Mr. John Rogers Minister of the Word of God at Dedham in Essex Five several Books by Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrology 1 The Anatomy of the Body of Man Wherein is exactly Described the several parts of the Body of Man illustrated with very many large Brass Plates 2 A Translation of the New Dispensatory made by the Colledg of Physitians of London Wherunto is added The Key to Galen 's Method of Physick 3 A Directory for Midwives or a Guide for Women 4 Galen's Art of Physick with a large Comment 5 The English Physitian Being an Astrologa-Physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of this Nation wherin is shewed how to cure a mans self of most Diseases incident to mans Body with such things as grow in England and for three-pence charge Also in the same Book is shewed 1 The time of gathering all Herbs both vulgarly and Astrologically 2 The way of drying and keeping them and their Juyces 3 The way of making and keeping all manner of useful Compounds made of those Herbs 4 The way of mixing the Medicines according to cause and mixture of the Disease
with them in all the Doctrinals of Religion we hope it may appear to the world that as we are a remnant of the People of the same Nation with them so we are Professors of the same common Faith and fellow Heirs of the same common Salvation Yea moreover as this our Profession of the same faith with them will exempt us even in their judgments from suspicion of Heresie so we trust it may exempt us in like sort from suspicion of Schism that though we are forced to dessent from them in matters of Church-Discipline yet our dissent is not taken up out of arrogancy of spirit in our selves whom they see willingly condescend to learn of them neither is it carried with uncharitable censoriousness towards them both which are the proper and essential Characters of Schisem but in meekness of wisdom as we walk along with them and follow them as they follow Christ so where we conceive a different apprehension of the mind of Christ as it falleth out in some few points touching Church-order we still reserve due reverence to them whom we judg to be through Christ the glorious Lights of both Nations and only crave leave as in spirit we are bound to follow the Lamb whither soever be goeth and after the Apostles example as we beleeve so we speak And if the example of such poor outcasts as our selves might prevail if not with all for that were too great a blessing to hope for yet with some or other of our Brethren in England so far as they are come to mind and speak the same thing with such as dissent from them we hope in Christ it would not only moderate the harsh judging and condemning of one another in such differences of judgment as may be found in the choycest Saints 3 but also prevent by the mercy of Christ the peril of the distraction and distruction of all the Churches in both Kingdoms Otherwise if Brethren shall go on to bite and devour one another the Apostle fears as we also with sadness of heart do it will tend to the consuming of them and us all which the Lord prevent We are not ignorant that besides these aspersions of Heresie and Schism other exceptions also are taken at our way of Church-Government but as we conceive upon as little ground As 1. That by admitting none into the fellowship of our Church but Saints by calling we rob many Parish-Churches of their best Members to make up one of our Congregations which is not only to gather Churches out of Churches a thing not heard of in Scripture but also to weaken the hearts and hands of the best Ministers in the Parishes by dispoyling them of their best Hearers 2. That we provide no course for the gaining and calling in of ignorant and erronious and scandalous persons whom we refuse to receive into our Churches and so exclude from the wholsom remedy of Church-Discipline 3. That in our way we sow seeds of division and hindrance of edification in every Family whilst admitting into our Churches only Voluntaries the Husband will be of one Church the Wife of another the Parents of one Church the Children of another the Master of one Church the Servants of another and so the Parents and Masters being of different Churches from their Children and Servants they cannot take a just account of their profiting by what they hear yea by this means the Husbands Parents and Masters shall be chargable to the maintenance of many other Churches and Church-Officers besides their own which will prove a charge and burden unsupportable But for Answer as to the first For gathering Churches out of Churches we cannot say that it is a thing unheard of in Scripture The first Christian Church was gathered out of the Jewish Church and out of many Synagogues in that Church and consisted partly of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem partly of the Galileans who though they kept some communion in some parts of publick Worship with the Temple yet neither did they frequent the Sacrifices nor repair to the Sanedrim for the determining of their Church-causes but kept entire and constant communion with the Apostles Church in al the Ordinances of the Gospel And for the first Christian Church of the Gentiles at Antioch it appeareth to have been gathered and constituted partly of the dispersed Brethren of the Church at Jerusalem whereof some were men of Cyprus and Cyren and partly of the beleeving Gentiles Acts 11.20 21. If it be said the first Christian Church at Jerusalem and that at Antioch were gathered not out of any Christian Church but out of the Jewish Temple and Synagogues which were shortly after to be abolished and their gathering to Antioch was upon occasion of dispersion in time of Persecution We desire it may be considered 1. That the Members of the Jewish Church were more strongly and straitly tyed by express holy Covenant to keep fellowship with the Jewish Church till it was abolished than any Members of Christian Parish-churches are wont to be tied to keep fellowship with their Parish-churches The Episcopal Canons which bind them to attend on their Parish Church it is likely they are now abolished with the Episcopacy The common Law of the Land is satisfied as we conceive if they attend upon the Worship of God in any other Church though not within their own Parish But no such like Covenant of God nor any other Religious Tye lieth upon them to attend the Worship of God in their own Parish Church as did lie upon the Jews to attend upon the Worship of God in their Temple and Synagogues 2. Though the Jewish Temple Church at Jerusalem was to be abolished yet that doth not make the desertion of it by the Members to be Lawful till it was abolished Future abolition is no warrant for present desertion unless it be Lawful in some case whilst the Church is yet in present standing to desert it to wit either for avoiding of present polutions or for hope of greater edification and so for better satisfaction to conscience in either future events or foresight of them do not desolve present relation Else Wives Children Servants might desert their Husbands Parents Masters when they be mortally sick 3. What the Members of the Jewish Church did in joyning to the Church at Antioch in time of persecution it may well be conceived the Members of any Christian Church may do the like for satisfaction of conscience Peace of conscience is more desirable than the peace of the outward Man and freedom from scruples of conscience is more comfortable to a sincere heart than freedom from persecution If it be said these Members of the Christian Church at Jerusalem that joyned to the Church at Antioch removed their habitations together with their Relations which if the Brethren of the Congregational way would do it would much abate the grievance of their departure from their Presbyterial Churches We verily could wish them so to do as well approving the like
of that Covenant 2 Tim 4.1.2 Tit. 1 9 unto the dispensation whereof they are alike called as also to execute the Censures being but a kind of application of the Word the preaching of which together with the application thereof they are alike charged withal 6. Eph. 4.11 12. chap. 1.22 23. And for as much as both Pastors and Teachers are given by Christ for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of his body which Saints and Body of Christ is his Church Therfore we account Pastors and Teachers to be both of them Church-officers and not the Pastor for the Church and the Teacher only for the Schools Though this we gladly acknowledg 1 Sam. 10.12 v 19 20 2 King 23 verse 15 that Schools are both lawful profitable and necessary for the training up of such in good Literature or Learning as may afterwards be called forth unto Office of Pastor or Teacher in the Church CHAP. VII Of Ruling Elders and Deacons THe Ruling Elders Office is distinct from the Office of Pastor and Teacher Rom 12 7 8 9 1 Tim 5 17. 1 Cor 12 28. The Ruling Elders are not so called to exclude the Pastors and Teachers from Ruling because Ruling and Governing is common to these with the other Heb 13 17 1 Tim 5 17 whereas attending to teach and preach the Word is peculiar unto the former 1 Tim 5 17 2. The Ruling Elders work is to joyn with the Pastor and Teacher in those acts of Spiritual Rule which are distinct from the ministry of the word and Sacraments committed to them of which sort these be as followeth I. 2 Chron. 23 19 Rev 21 12 1 Tim 4 14 Mat 18 17 2 Cor 2 7 8 Acts 2 6 To open and shut the dores of Gods house by the Admission of members approved by the Church by Ordination of officers chosen by the Church and by excommunication of notorious and obstinate offenders renounced by the Church and by restoring of penitents forgive by the Church II. To call the Church together when there is occasion Acts 21.18 22 23 and seasonably to dismiss them again III. To prepare matters in private that in publick they may be carried an end with less trouble and more speedy dispatch IV. Acts 6 2 3 c 13 v 15 2 Cor 8 10 Heb 13 7 7 2 Thes 2 10 11 12 To moderate the carriage of all matters in the Church assembled as to propound matters to the Church to Order the season of speech and silence and to pronounce sentence according to the minde of Christ with the consent of the Church V. To be Guides and leaders to the Church in all matters whatsoever pertaining to Church administrations and actions VI. To see that none in the Church live inordinately out of rank and place without a calling Acts 20 28 verse 32 1 Thes 5 12 Jam 5 14 Acts 20 20 or Idlely in their calling VII To prevent and heal such offences in life or in doctrin as might corrupt the Church VIII To feed the flock of God with a word of admonition IX And as they shall be sent for to visit and to pray over their sick brethren X. And at other times as opportunity shall serve therunto 3. Act 6 3 v 6 Phil 1 1 1 Tim 3 8 1 Cor 12 28 1 Tim 3 8 9 The office of a Deacon is Instituted in the Church by the Lord Jesus sometime they are called Helps The Scripture telleth us how they should be qualified Grave not double tongued not given to much wine not given to filthy lucre they must first be proved and then use the office of a Deacon being found Blameless The office and work of the Deacons is to receive the offrings of the Church gifts given to the Church Acts 4 35 chap. 6 2 3 chap 6 2 and to keep the treasury of the Church Rom 12 8 and therwith to serve the Tables which the Church is to provide for as the Lords Table the table of the ministers and of such as are in necessity to whom they are to distribute in simplicity 4. 1 Cor. 7 17 The office therefore being limited unto the care of the temporall good things of the Church it extends not unto the attendance upon and administration of the spirituall things thereof as the word and Sacraments or the like 5. The ordinance of the Apostle and practice of the Church 1 Cor 16 1 2 3 commends the Lords day as a fit time for the contributions of the Saints 6. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. â— 8 11. Acts 20.28 The Instituting of all these officers in the Church is the work of God himselfe of the Lord Jesus Christ of the holy Ghost And therefore such officers as he hath not appointed are altogether unlawfull either to be placed in the Church or to be retained therin and are to be looked at as humane creatures meer Inventions and appointments of man to the great dishonour of Christ Jesus the Lord of his house the King of his Church whether Popes Patriarkes Cardinals Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops Arch-Deacons Officials Commissaries Mat. 15.13 and the like These and the rest of that Hierarchy and Retinue not being plants of the Lords planting shall all be certeinly rooted out and cast forth 7. The Lord hath appointed ancient widdows where they may be had to minister in the Church 2 Tim. 5.9 10 in giving attendance to the sick and to give succour unto them and others in the like necessities CHAP. VIII Of the Election of Church-Officers NO man may take the honour of a Church-Officer unto himself Heb. 5.4 but he that was called of God as was Aaron 2. Calling unto Office is either Immediate by Christ himself such was the call of the Apostles Galat. 1 1 Acts 14.23 chap 6 3 and Prophets this manner of calling ended with them as hath been said or Mediate by the Church 3. It is meet that before any be ordained or chosen Officers they should first be Tryed and proved 1 Tim. 5.22 chap 7 10 Acts 16 2 chap. 6 3 because hands are not suddenly to be laid upon any and both Elders and Deacons must be of honest and good report 4. The things in respect of which they are to be Tryed are those gifts and virtues which the Scripture requireth in men that are to be elected into such places viz that Elders must be blameless sober apt to teach and endued with such other qualifications as are laid down 1 Tim. 3. and 2. Tit. 1.6 to 9. Deacons to be fitted as is directed Asts 6.3 1 Tim. 3.8 to 11. 5. Act 14 23 c. 1 23. c. 6 3 4 5. Officers are to be called by such Churches whereunto they are to minister Of such moment is the preservation of this power That the Churches excercised it in the presence of the Apostles 6. Gal. 5.13 A Church being free cannot become subject to any but by a free
then the Church without such graduall proceeding is to cast out the offender from their holy communion for the further mortifying of his sinn and the healing of his soule in the day of the Lord Jesus 4. In dealing with an offender great care is to be taken that wee be neither overstrict or rigorous nor too indulgent or remiss Galat 6 1 our proceeding herein ought to be with a spirit of meekness considering our selves lest wee also be tempted Mat 18 34 23 c 6 14.35 Ezek 13 10 Jer 6 14 that the best of us have need of much forgivnes from the Lord. Yet the wining healing of the offēders soul being the end of these endeavors wee must not daub with untempered morter nor heal the wounds of our brethren slightly On some have compassion others save with fear 5. Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 11 2 Thes 3 6 14 While the offender remains excommunicate the Church is to refrarn from all member-like communion with him in spirituall things and also from al familiar cōmuniō with him in civil things farther then the necessity of natural or domestical or civil relations do require and are therfore to forbear to eat drink with him that he may be ashamed 6. Excommunication being a spirituall punishment it doth not prejudice the excommunicat in nor deprive him of his civil rights and therfore toucheth not Princes or other Magistrates in point of their civil dignity or auothority 1 Cor 14 24 25 And the excommunicate being but as a publican and a heathen heathens being lawfully permitted to come to hear the word in Church assemblyes 2 Thes 3 14 wee acknowledg therfore the like liberty of hearing the word may be permitted to persons excommunicate that is permitted unto heathen And because wee are not without hope of his recovery wee are not to account him as an enemy but to admonish him as a brother 7. If the Lord sanctifie the censure to the offender so as by the grace of Christ 2 Cor 2 7 8 he doth testifie his repentance with humble confession of his sin and judging of himself giving glory unto God the Church is then to forgive him and to comfort him and to restore him to the wonted brotherly communion which formerly he injoyed with them 8. The suffering of prophane or scandalous Livers to continue in fellowship Rev 2 14 15 vers 20 and partake in the Sacrament is doubtless a great sin in those that have power in their hands to redress it and do it not Nevertheless Mat 23 3 Acts 3 1 in as much as 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 neither taught nor practised separation from the same though unworthy ones were permitted therin and inasmuch as the faithfull in the Church of Corinth wherin were many unworthy persons 2 Cor 6 chap 15 12 and practises are never commanded to absent themselves from the Sacraments because of the same therfore the godly in like cases are not presently to separate 9. As separation from such a Church wherin profane and scandalous Livers are tolerated is not presently necessary so for the members therof otherwise worthy hereupon to abstain from communicating with such a Church 2 Chron 30 18 Gen 18 25 in the participation of the Sacraments is unlawfull For as it were unreasonable for an innocent person to be punished for the faults of others wherin he hath no hand and wherunto he gave no consent so is it more unreasonable that a godly man should neglect duty and punish himself in not coming for his portion in the blessing of the seals as he ought because others are suffered to come that ought not especially considering that himself doth neither consent to their sin nor to their approaching to the Ordinance in their sin Ezek. 9.10 nor to the neglect of others who should put them away and do not but on the contrary doth heartily mourn for these things modestly and seasonably stir up others to do their duty If the Church cannot be refermed they may use their liberty as is specified chap. 13. Sect. 4. But this all the Godly are bound unto even every one to do his endeavor according to his power and place that the unworthy may be duely proceeded against by the Church to whom this matter doth appertain CHAP. XV. Of the Communion of Churches one with another ALthough Churches be distinct Rev. 1.4 Cant. 8.8 Rom. 16.16 1 Cor 16.19 Acts 15.23 Rev. 2.1 and therefore may not be confounded one with another and equal and therefore have not dominion one over another yet all the Churches ought to preserve Church-communion one with another because they are all united unto Christ not only as a Mystical but as a Political Head whence is derived a communion suitable thereunto 2. The communion of Churches is exercised sundry ways 1. Cant. 8.8 By way of mutual care in taking thought for one anothers welfare II. By way of consultation one with another when we have occasion to require the judgment and counsel of other Churches touching any person or cause wherewith they may be better acquainted than our selves As the Church of Antioch consulted with the Apostles and Elders of the Church at Jerusalem Acts 15 2 about the question of circumcision of the Gentils and about the false Teachers that broached that Doctrin In which case Acts 15 6 when any Church wanteth light or peace amongst themselvs it is a way of communion of Churches according to the Word to meet together by their Elders and other Messengers in a Synod to consider argue the points in doubt or difference Vers 22 23 and having found out he way of truth and peace to commend the same by their Letters and Messengers to the Churches whom the same may concern But if a church be rent with divisions amongst themselves or lie under any open scandal yet refuse to consult with other Churches for healing or removing of the same it is a matter of just offence both to the Lord Jesus and to other Churches as bewraying too much want of mercy and faithfulness Ezck. 34.4 not to seek to bind up the breaches and wounds of the Church and Brethren and therefore the state of such a Church calleth aloud upon other Churches to exercise a fuller act of brotherly communion to wit by way of Admonition III. A third way then of communion of Churches is by way of admonition to wit In case any publick offence be found in a Church which they either discern not Gal. 2.11 to 14. or are slow in proceeding to use the means for the removing and healing of Paul had no authority over Peter yet when he saw Peter not walking with a right foot he publickly rebuked him before the Church though Churches have no more authority one over another than