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doctrine_n	church_n	faith_n	unity_n	4,187	5	9.2413	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90750	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 Nevv-England: to be presented to the churches and General Court for their consideration and acceptance in the Lord.	Congregational Churches in New England. Cambridge Synod.; Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.; Winslow, Edward, 1595-1655.	1653 (1653)	Wing P2398; Thomason E692_7; ESTC R206993	39,996	45

and the part of the Body afflicted Six Sermons Preached by Dr. Hill viz. 1 The Beauty and Sweetness of an Olive Branch of Peace and Brotherly Accommodation budding 2 Truth and Love happily married in the Saints and in the Churches of Christ 3 The Spring of Strengthning Grace in the Rock of Ages Christ Jesus 4 The strength of the Saints to make Jesus Christ their strength 5 The Best and Worst of Paul 6 Gods eternal Preparations for his dying Saints The wonders of the Load-stone by Mr. Samuel Ward of Ipswich An Exposition on the Gospel of the Evangelist St. Matthew by Mr. Ward Clows Chyrurgery Marks of Salvation Christians Engagement for the Gospel by John Goodwin Great Church Ordinance of Baptism Mr. Love's Case containing his Petitions Narative and Speech Vox Pacifica or a Perswasive to Peace Dr. Prestons Saints Submission and Satans Overthrow Pious mans Practice in Parliament Time The Bishop of Canterburies Speech on the Scaffold The King's Speech on the Scaffold A Treatise of the Rickets being a Disease common to Children wherein is shewed 1 The Essence 2 The Cause 3 The Signs 4 The Remedies of the Disease Published in Latin by Dr. Glisson Dr. Bate and Dr. Regemorter now translated into English Mr. Sympsons Sermon at Westminster Mr. Feaks Sermon before the Lord Major Mr. Phillips Treatise of Hell of Christ Geneology A Congregational Church is a Catholick Visible Church By Samuel Stone in New-England A Treatise of Politick Power wherein 7. Questions are Answered 1 Wherof Power is made and for what obtained 2 Whether Kings and Governors have an absolute Power over the People 3 Whether Kings and Governors be subject to the Law of God or the Laws of their Countries 4 How far the People are to obey their Governors 5 Whether all the People have be their Governors 6 Whether it be lawful to Depose an evil Governor 7 What Confidence is to be given to Princes The compassionate Samaritan Dr. Sibbs on the Philippians The Best and Worst Magistrate by Obadiab Sedgwick The Craft and Cruelty of the Churches Adversaries by Matthew Newcomin A Sacred Panygrick by Stephen Martial Barriff's Military Discipline The Immortality of Mans Soul The Anatomist Anatomized King Charls his Case or an Apeal to all rational men concerning his Tryal Mr. Owens Stedfastness of the Promises Mr. Owen against Mr. Baxter A Vindication of Free-Grace Endeavoring to prove 1 That we are not Elected as Holy but that we should be Holy and that Election is not of Kinds but Persons 2 That Christ did not by his Death intend to save All men and touching those whom he intended to save that he did not Die for them only if they would Beleeve but that they might Beleeve 3 That we are not justified properly by our Beleeving in Christ but by our Christs beleeved in 4 That that which differences one man from another is not the approvement of a common ability restored through Christ to all men in general but a Principle of Grace wrought by the Spirit of God in the Elect. By John Pawson The Preface THE setting forth of the publick Confession of the Faith of Churches hath a double end and both tending to publick edification First the maintenance of the Faith entire within it self Secondly the holding forth of Vnity and Harmony both amongst our selves and with other Churches Our Churches here as by the Grace of Christ we beleeve and profess the same Doctrine of the Truth of the Gospel which generally is received in all the reformed Churches of Christ in Europe so especially we desire not to vary from the Doctrine of Faith and Truth held forth by the Churches of our Native Country For though it be not one Native Country that can breed us all of one mind nor ought we for to have the glorious Faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons yet as Paul who was himself a Jew professed to hold forth the Doctrine of Justification by Faith and of the resurrection of the dead according as he knew his godly Country-men did who were Jews by Nature Galat. 2.15 Acts 26.6 7. so we who are by Nature English-men do desire to hold forth the same Doctrine of Religion especially in Fundamentals which we see and know to be held by the Churches of England according to the Truth of the Gospel The more we discern that which we do and have cause to do with incessant mourning and trembling the unkind and unbrotherly and unchristian contentions of our godly Brethren and Country-men in matters of Church-Government the more earnestly do we desire to see them joyned together in one common Faith and our selves with them For this end having perused the publick confession of Faith agreed upon by the Reverend Assembly of Divines at Westminster and finding the Sum and Substance thereof in matters of Doctrine to express not their own Judgments only but ours also and being likewise called upon by our Godly Magistrates to draw up a publick confession of that Faith which is constantly taught and generally professed amongst us we thought good to present unto them and with them to our Churches and with them to all the Churches of Christ abroad our professed and hearty assent and attestation to the whol confession of Faith for substance of Doctrine which the Reverend Assembly presented to the Religious and Honorable Parliament of England Excepting only some Sections in the 25.30 and 31. Chapters of their Confession which concern Points of Controversie in Church-Discipline Touching which we refer our selves to the draught of Church-Discipline in the ensuing Treatise The truth of what we here declare may appear by the unanimous vote of the Synod of the Elders and Messengers of our Churches assembled at Cambridg the last of the sixth Month 1648. which joyntly passed in these words This Synod having perused and considered with much gladness of heart and thankfulness to God the confession of Faith published of late by the Reverend Assembly in England do judg it to be very holy orthodox and judicious in all matters of Faith and do therefore freely and fully consent thereunto for the substance thereof Only in those things which have respect to Church-Government and Discipline we refer our selves to the Platform of Church-Discipline agreed upon by this present Assembly and do therefore think it meet that this confession of faith should be commended to the Churches of Christ amongst us and to the Honored Court as worthy of their due Consideration and Acceptance Howbeit we may not conceal that the Doctrine of Vocation expressed in Chap 10. Sect. 1. and summarily repeated Chap. 13. and 1. passed not without some debate Yet considering that the term of Vocation and others by which it is described are capable of a large or more strict sense and use and that it is not intended to bind apprehensions precisely in point of Order or Method there hath been a general condescendency thereunto Now by this our professed consent and free concurrence

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

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. ● 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