c. but also secondarily for the power whereby they are made c. Reply I grant that the Synods Directions and Determinations so farre as consonant to the Word of God are to be received with reverence and submission But what if the Members of Churches to which they are sent do not finde them consonant to the Word rightly understood and applied Are they nevertheless still bound to practise according to the Synods Directions and Determinations because the Synod coucludeth that they are consonant to the Word I suppose no Orthodox Synod in these times will arrogate to it self such infallible Assistance as the Apostles being assembled with the Church at Jerusalem had Acts 15. though they argued and concluded onely from Scripture yet that Council could not erre in their understanding and applying Scripture having such guides as the Apostles were but will confess that they may erre in their understanding and applying the Scriptures whereupon they seem to gâ—ound their Directions and Determinations And if so it is the duty of every Church and the Members thereof to examine by the Scriptures whatsoever Direction or Determination is propounded by the Synod If they finde that they are consonant to the Word of God they are bound by Gods Authority to receive them with reverence and submission If otherwise wrought to obey God rather then man Acts 5.29 2. This power of the Synod though they say it is but secondary and that it is for their agreement with the Word which is the principal ground thereof and without which their Directions and Determinations binde not at all yet they make so binding that if any Churches shall refuse to practise according to the Directions and Determinations of the Synod though they have strong grounds of dis-satisfaction about the Synods interpretation and application of the Scriptures alledged by them they will withdraw themselves from communion with them Whether such an authoritative urging their counsels upon Churches be warranted by Scripture let the Reader enquire and consider and Whether it will agree with what themselves before declared concerning the unlawfulness of a total Separation from a true Church and Whether there be need of it to cure emergent Church-difficulties and differences seeing all that are godly will readily close with such Directions and Determinations of Synods as are clearly consonant to the Word of God and if any obstinately will persist in their own wayes contrary to the Word held forth to them by the Synod the Civil Power is Gods Ordinance for punishment of such evil doers that the Churches may be kept pure and peaceable in the exercise of Church-communion among themselves in a Brotherly way Which yet is no impediment to the Churches and that by the declaratory Sentence of a Synod that is after due conviction of a Church that is Heretical Schismatical Apostatical or the like with due patience exercised to withdraw the right hand of fellowship from such as make themselves worthy by their obstinacy against the light clearly held forth from Scripture to be rejected as not true Churches of Christ Yet this they may not regularly do meerly for their Dissenting from the Determinations of the Synod upon conscientious grounds and in lesser matters What is before expressed in the fifth Proposition hath been already examined Propos 8. concerneth The manner of exercising and practising that Communion which this consent and agreement specially tendeth unto which they say may be by making use occasionally of Elders or able Brethren of other Churches or by the more solemn Meetings of both Elders and Messengers in lesser or greater Councils as the matter shall require Such Meetings for the end specified being rightly ordered and carried on in a Brotherly way by men sincerely affected to establish Truth with Peace in the Churches of the Saints according to the Rules given unto us by Jesus Christ our Lord and Law-giver I do fully approve as of profitable use by the Blessing of Christ for the good of the Churches The Reverend Author's POSTSCRIPT Christian Reader THese Lines and Labours of Love I trust to the King of Saints and his Subjects and Laws I leave with thee with the wise perusall and consideration of them The issue and success I commit unto the onely wise God and our Father in Jesus Christ desiring all those into whose hands it may come to receive nothing said by me further then they shall finde it consonant to the Word of God in the Scripture specially of the New Testament And that if they dissent in any particulars they will gratifie me with notice thereof together with their Reasons whom they shall finde thankful for such help and ready to embrace any Truth that is yet hidden from me and that no man will suspect that I seek any thing in this Essay but Truth with Peace lest they become judges of evil thoughts Farewell in our Lord Jesus who is the Truth Let his good Spirit lead us and all his Churches and People into wayes of Truth and Peace and establish our goings in those wayes Amen Your assured Friend and Brother J. D. CONSIDERATIONS UPON THE SEVEN PROPOSITIONS Concluded by the SYNOD sitting at BOSTON June 10th 1662. By the Reverend Mr. NICHOLAS STREET Teacher of the Church of Christ at New-haven I. THis Phrase Members of the visible Church in the first Proposition I take to be explained in the second Proposition II. By this Phrase in the second Proposition Their Infant-seed I suppose is meant onely their legitimate infant-seed and is not to be extended to illegitimate children against which a strong Argument may be gathered from Deut. 23.2 III. The second Proposition doth seem to distinguish of Members in particular Churches Some are said to be Confederate visible Believers whereby I suppose is meant such as have immediately and personally taken hold of the Covenant themselves both for themselves and for their seed for it is manifest that it is spoken of such as are made contradistinct to an infant-seed that cannot thus do Some are said to be Their infant-seed i. children in minority c. And how come these to be Members The last words in the Proposition do shew which are Whose next Parents one or both are in Covenant which doth imply at least that they become Members in and by their next Parents covenanting for them Hence the ground of the distinction of Membership into Immediate and Mediate is very clear The Argument may be thus framed Such as is the ratio formaliâ— of the Membership such is the Membership so may it be distinguished and denominated But Confederation which is the ratio formaliâ— of the Membership is immediate in the Parent in the Childemediate Ergo. A difference in Membership is granted both in this second Proposition and some others after and if this distinction to express the difference be not proper let some better be laid down that doth more aptly and fully suit the nature of the thing and we shall receive it In the mean
2. Position 1 The Rules given of Christ Concerning the Communion of Christian Churches are 1. Concerning the Ground of it which is their Spiritual Union under one Head Christ Eph. 1.22 23. in one Body one Spirit one Hope of their calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all and they must endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4.3 4 5 6. As they have one common Faith Tit. 1.4 so they must contend earnestly for the faith once given to the Saints Jude ver 3. They have also one and the same Rule Gal. 6 16. The same Officers in all Churches Tit. 1.5 The same Ordinances and Decrees 1 Cor. 7.17 16.1 Acts 16.4 The same Order Col. 2.5 The same Doctrine 1 Cor. 4.17 15.11 Gal. 1.7 which all the Churches must hold fast Rev. 3.3 and renounce all other Doctrines Gal. 1.8 9. 1 Tim. 1.3 6.3.14 2. Concerning the Manner of it for as the Church generally considered is the Mother of all the faithful Gal 4.26 so particular Churches are Sisters each to other Cant. 8.8 and there is a Brotherhood of visible Saints throughout the World 1 Pet. 5.9 Hence the manner of their communion must be social as between equals none exercising jurisdiction and authority over another Par in parem non habet imperium The giving of Laws to the Churches is Christs Prerogative Iâ—m 4.12 who hath also committed the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven to each particular instituted Church to be exercised by each Church within it self without dependance upon the Authority of other Churches in re propriâ Mat. 16.19 1 Cor. 5.12 3. Concerning the Things wherein this communion must be exercised 1. In general in mutual Helpfulness according to God by mutual care one of and for another 1 Cor. 10.24 Phil. 2.20 21. 2. Particularly 1. By Spiritual Helpfulness and care exercised 1. In mutual Prayer and endeavours for their edification Cant. 8.8 9. 1 Cor. 12 7. 1 Pet. 4.10 11. and for their confirmation and establishment in the truth Acts 15.41 16.4 5. and for strengthning each other in the regular application of Church-censures to their delinquent Members 2 Thess 3.14 2 Tim. 4.15 2. By outward Supplies unto their Necessities Acts 11.29 Rom. 15.26 27. 2 Cor. 8.2 c. throughout that Chapter 3. By their mutual care to avoid Offences 1 Cor. 10.32 4. That when a Church findeth need in respect of want of light or of competent consent within it self it is their duty to seek help by the counsel of some other Church or Churches and the other Church or Churches ought to give it in a brotherly way from the Word of God not by the Elders apart but in the presence and with concurrence of the Brethren Acts 15.4 22 23. nor may they bind such a Câ—urch to rest in their determination further then the same shall be found upon searching the Scriptures to seem gâ—od to the Holy Ghost as well as to them Acts 15.28 or if Neighbour-Churchâ—s finde it neâ—essary to offer their helpfulness to a Church in case of the Officers Male-administration or of Errours and Scandals and Schisms and the like cases to prevent the infection of themselves or to remove corruption from such a Church which being obstinate in their way seeketh not for help the Neighbour-Churches ought to exercise the Commâ—nion of Churches by enquiring to finde out the truth and by admonishing the offending Church in a brotherly way whereunto that Church ought to submit according to God Râ—m 16.17 Gâ—l 2 11-14 And if it obstinately persisteth in scandalous Evils after convincing light held forth the offended Churches may renounce communion with them to avoid fellowship in their sin Eph. 5.11 1 Tim. 5.22 Position 12 The Rules given by Christ to Christiâ—n Churche in the Premises and the lâ—ke are to be Received by all the Churches and the Members of them and to be obeyed as his Laws and Commandments who is our â—ne Law-giver In observing whereof and not otherwise the Purity and Peace of Christian Churches will â—e preserved by the blessing of Câ—rist Iam 4.12 Mat 28.20 1 Câ—â— 14.37 1 Tim. 6 13. Gal 6 16. These and the like being general Principles of Truth the particular Determinations of the Synod in the Two Questionâ— are to be Examined by them and so far and no further to be Approved and Receâ—ved as a consent and harmony of them with these may be cleared to the consciences of men rightly informed which may be manifested by a right application and compariâ—g them together 2. The Application of the former Theses or Posiâ—ions to the Questiâ—ns and Answerâ— as they are stated and expressâ—d by the Reverend Elders in their Printed Book followeth The first Quâ—stion propounded to them by the Honoured General Court was Quest 1. Who are the Subjects of Baptism Answ The Answer may be given in the following Propositions Which are seven in number Propos 1 They that according to Scripture are Members of the visib e Church are the Subjects of Baptism Propos 2. The Members of the visible Church according to Scripture are Confederate visible Believers in particulâ—r Churches and their infant-seed i. e. children in mâ—nority whose nexâ— Parents one or both are in Covenant Reply I cannot approve the two first Propositions without some change of the terms In the first thus they that accordâ—ng to Christ's Oâ—dâ—nance are regular and actual Membâ—â— c. The second thus The actual and regular Members of thâ— visible Câ—urch accoâ—ding to Christs Ordinance arâ— c. The necâ—ssity of this alteration will appear if either the p emised Positions be duely co sidered wherewith these Proposit onâ— wâ—ll not otherwâ—se agree or if the Proofs alledged by them from Scripture for coâ—firmation of these two Propositions be duely exâ—mined oâ— if what is hereafter to be Replied unto the following Propâ—sitions shall be duely weighed Propos 3. Thâ— infant-seed f confederate visible believers are Members of the same Church with their Parentâ— and when grown up are person lly under the Watcâ— Discipline and Government of the Churâ—h This Proposition câ—nsisteth of two parts both which they endeavour to prove distinctly 1 Thâ—t â—hey are Members of the same Church wiâ—h heir Parent This may pass in a rig t sense being understood of Mediâ—te Member in and by thâ—ir Parents covenantiâ—g for them in their infancy or minority I shall no oppose it 2 That when hâ—y are g own uâ— hey are pe sâ—n lly under the Wâ—â—ch D scipline aâ—d Government of the Churâ—â— This expressiâ—n câ—llâ— for serious consideration and the Proofs of it â—eâ—uiâ—e due exâ—â—inaâ—ion 1. F r the Expâ—â—ssion the meaning of â—t â—â—â—ms to be this That when the childâ—en that were baptized in their minority are grown up to years of discretion or become men they are Members or as they speak afterwâ—rd 〈◊〉 Membeâ— and by that membership are under the Watch Discipline and Government of the Church But what
suitably tâ— hâ—ir membersh p the first in and under their Parents the sâ—cond in and by th mselves being in full communâ—on with the Church Yet I do not finde any where in Sâ—riptâ—re that such adult pâ—rso s as they call meer Members are styled Disciple or accounted Membâ—â—s The adult persons in Mâ—â— 8 20. must observe and do all Chrâ—st commandmentâ— thâ—râ—fore the Disciples there intended with reference to adult persons are members in full communâ—on Arg 4. They are in Church-covenant thâ—râ—fore subject to Church-power Gen. 17.7 with 18.19 Reply They are not in covenant â—e fuâ—â— beâ—ng adâ—lt and not admitted into Câ—urch-communion in â—ll the Oâ—d n nces therefore are not subject to Church power That â—ext in â—en 17.7 hath respâ—ct especially to Isaac vâ—r â—9 for in Is â—c was Abrâ—hams seed to be called Geâ— 2â— 12 So the châ—ldren of the flâ—sh are not the children of God but th children of the promâ—sâ— are accounted for the seed Rom. 9.8 and The Gentiles are adopted through faith in Christ Gal. 3.26 for it is in Christ either apprehended by pe sonal fâ—ith as in adult p rsons or coâ—prehending châ—ldren in tâ—eir Parents Covenant that the Covenant is everlastiâ—g and so to be perpetuâ—lly continued in the substance of it though by mutable siâ—ns Jâ—â— us The Covenant of Grace is eternal though it was to be vâ—sibly sealed by circumcâ—siâ—n tâ—ll the coming of Câ—râ—st and after the comiâ—g of Christ by Baptism perptâ—ally unto tâ—e end of the World There is no difference between us concerning the infant-seed but onely concerning adult peâ—sons who arâ— by age in a capacity of covenant ng for themsâ—lves and theirs Let these approve thâ—n faith in Christ to the charitable discretion of the Church and so be râ—ceived into Covenant and Church-communion personally and then and not othâ—rwise they are râ—gularly subject to Châ—rch-power Their second proof from Gen 18.19 hath been spoken to before when I examined their fiâ—st Aâ—gument for this third Propositiâ—â— Aâ—g 5. They aâ—e Subjects of the Kingdome â—f Christ and thâ—â—eforâ— under the Laws and Government of his â—ingdome Ezek. 3 25 26 Reply This Aâ—gâ—ment may justly be retorted against themselves and â—he Pro f of it For th Subjects of Christs Kingdome there meant are voluntary Subjâ—cts according to that Prophesie in â—sal 110 3. and such Subjects have full communion in all pâ—iviledgâ—s of Christs Kingdome and so under the Government of â—t But they deny that the meer Mem erâ— of whom they speâ—k have communion in all the priviledges of Christs Kingdome Therefore they are not under the Laws and Government of it and by Consâ—qâ—ence they are not Subjects of it Arg. 7. Baptism leaves the bâ—ptized of which number these châ—ldren are iâ— a state of subjection to the authoritaâ—ive teaching of Christs Minâ—â—â—ers and to the observation of all his commandments Mat. 28.19 20 and therefore in a state of subjection unto D cipâ—ine Reâ—l This is not another Argumenâ— but tâ—e sâ—me witâ— the third Argument thou h clothed with other words Thâ—â— fâ—re the same Answer may serve for this also Arg. 7. Elders are châ—rged o take hâ—ed â—nto â—nd to feed i. e. bâ—â—h to Teach and Rule compâ—râ— Ezek 34.34 all the Flock r Church over which the Holy Ghâ—st â—a h mâ—dâ— them Oâ—e s ers Acts 20.28 Thâ—t childâ—en are a part of the â—lâ—â—k was pâ—oved bef re anâ— sâ— Pâ—ul â—ccoâ—nts then writing to the same Flâ—ck or Church of Ephesus Ep. 6.1 Repâ—â— Be it so that children are part of the Flock which is all that I finde bâ—fâ—re proved and thaâ— Elders are chaâ—â—ed to tâ—ke heed and to feed â— e. bâ—th Tâ—ach and Râ—lâ— all thâ— Flâ—ck suitably to their different capacities yet all this concernâ—th no such gâ—own persons to whom they deny full Câ—urcâ— commâ—nion For they that are of competent age and understanding must be orderly joyned to tâ—e Church by holding forth their calling and faith in Christ to the satisfaction of the Chuâ—ch accâ—rdâ—ng to tâ—e Rule and so to be received into fâ—llowshâ—p of the Covenant and Communion by their peâ—sonal right without whâ—ch they are not to be accounted â—f the Flock or Church Nor did Pâ—â—â— so accâ—unt such But tâ—ose children noted in Epâ— 6 1 were eitâ—er in their minority and so he puts in their duty in that Epistle as part of their Catechetical iâ—struction or if they were adult they were personally joâ—ned to the â—hurch in communion and so were under the teaching and dâ—scipline of the Câ—uâ—ch Arg. 8 â—t eâ—wise Iâ—â—eligion and Apostacy would inevitably break into Churches and no wâ—y lâ—fâ— by Chrâ—sâ— to prevent or heal the sâ—me which wâ—uâ—d also bring maâ—y Câ—â—rch-members under â—hat dreadfulâ— jâ—dgement of being let alone in their wickedness Hos 4 16 17. R â—ly 1. There is no cause of fear that Irreligion and Apostacy will break into Churches if tâ—e Poâ—ter look well unto the D ors of the Lords Housâ— that no adult persons be râ—ceâ—ved into peâ—sâ—nal Membership but such as regâ—larly approve their personal fi nes for all Church-communion Oâ— if such evâ—ls break into the Church thâ—ough the hypocrisiâ— of such aâ— creep in uâ— awares Jâ—de ve 4. yet then Christ â—ath lâ—ft a clear and plain way to prevent and heal the same by suâ—jecting such uâ—dâ—r â—he Wâ—tch and D scipl ne and Gâ—vernment of the Chuâ—câ— But the admitting of such adult persons as are not qualâ—fied for Church communion in all O dinances will be found in the â—ssâ—e the cause of the breaking in of Irreligion and Apostacy into Churches by the fault of men who gaâ—heâ— wi hout Chrâ—st and â—â—â—ive suâ—h as he rej ctâ—tâ— Nor w ll the Churcâ—es censuring of such prevent or heal those evâ—ls sâ—eing â—e blâ—ssâ—th onely his own Instâ—tutions not mens Devices Humane Inventions usually cause the Evils wh ch they pretend to cure as we see in the Lov-feasts which brake love among the Coâ—inâ—hians 1 Cor. 11 18-22 2 Though no Chuâ—ch-way is left by Chrâ—st for preventing or healing such evils in men that should not be of the Chuâ—ch yet if they were kept out of the Church till their fitness of communion should appear as these evils and the like would not inevitably break into Churches so neither need any Church-members be let alone in their wickedness sâ—eing Christ hath delegated the Keys of the Kingdome of Heaven to binde and â—â—sâ— and Diâ—ections how tâ— manage them toward delinquent Members that are orderly admitted into Church-communion Mat. 16.17 18 19. Nor need they who are not thus joyned to the Church be let alonâ— if the Authority in Familâ—es and in the Common-wealth be wisely aâ—d faithfâ—lly managed by the Rulers of both to restrain tâ—ose under their power f om evil companies and courses and to constrain them to a constant reverent attendance to all Family duties of Relig on and to the Word publickly Preachâ—d in Church-Assemblâ—es and to the Sanct fâ—i g of the Christian Sabbâ—th
become a Classical or Presbyterian Church and the Members by consenting thereunto become Members of a Classical Church and under the power of it so as to be Excommunicated by it And is not this Consociation to be looked at as a Snare to the Churches which 1. Transforms them from Congregational Churches into a Classical Church And 2. Subjects them under the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of that Classical Church And 3. Without any warrant of Christs Institution Let us see if there be more in their second Proof 2. Paul an Apostle sought with much labour the conference concurrence and right hand of fellowship of other Apostles and ordinary Elders and Churches have not less need each of other to prevent their running in vain Gal. 2.2 6 9. Reply 1. This necessity was proper to Paul's case who did not converse with Christ on earth as the other Apostles did but was as one born out of due time 1 Cor. 15.8 and so was more liable to be objected and excepted against then the other Apostles and therefore had more need to be countenanced among men by them then they by him Whence he wisely sought approbation from them But this is not the case of the Churches in New-England each of them having been approved by the right hand of fellowship given to them by other Churches at their first gathering and at the Ordination of their Teaching and Ruling-Elders 2. Paul did thus not by reason of such a consociation of Churches as is here described but for other Reasons 3. The running in vain of any Elders and Churches hath been hitherto prevented by the communion of Churches regularly exercised and still may be 3. Those general Rules touching the need and use of counsel and help in weighty cases concern all Societies and Polities Ecclesiastical as well as Civil Prov. 11.14 15.22 c. R ply It is true and it is their duty to make use of them in obedience and with thankfulness to God as need requires when they want light or consent within themselves by virtue of the communion of Churches without such a Consociation as they describe 4. The pattern in Acts 15. holds forth a warrant for Councils which may be greater or lesser as the matter shall require Reply But 1. Not with special respect to the vicinity of Churches for Paul and Barnabas and the Messengers fâ—om the Church of Antioch passed through other Churches nearer to go to Jerusalem for counsel 2. Nor by virtue of such a Consociation of the Church at Antioch with that at Jerusalem but of the communion of Churches 5. Concurrence and communion of Churches in Gospel-times is not obscurely held forth in Isa 19 23 24 25. Zeph. 3.9 1 Cor. 11.16 14.32 36. R ply Some of those Texts note onely a communion of Saints in one and the same Church 2. None of them hold forth a Consociation of Churches as they describe 6. There hath constantly been in these Churches a profession of Communion in giving the right hand of fellowship at the gathering of Churches and Ordination of Elders which importeth a Consociation and obligeth to the practice thereof Reply Together with the profession of communion hath been the practice of it in these Churches But that this communion importeth such a Consociation as they describe and obligation to the practice thereof was not expressed nor understood Worthy Mr. Cotton whose Name ought to be honourable among the Saints both in Old England and New in that Book which he entituled The Way of the Churches in New-England the sixth chapter speaketh of the Communion of Churches and sheweth seven wayes whereby it ought to be and is in these Churches exercised They do as I apprehend reach all the Duties to be performed by virtue of Church-communion mutually by each other But of this Consociation as it is here described he speaketh not a word nor I believe did apprehend any Necessity of it or Rule in Scripture for it Therefore when they say Without this we shall want an expedient and sufficient cure for emergent Church-difficulties and differences the constant experience of these Churches from their beginning to this day evinceth the contrary And though our Way is charged with the want hereof yet it is unjustly and by such as would bring us into their Way of Classical Churches which is not proved to be the Ordinance of Christ as this of the Communion of Churches is and hath been found effectual by the blessing of Christ and so will be still And though this part of the Doctrine of the Church as they call it concerning such a consociation it being not proved to be the Doctrine of Christ was never practised in these Churches For without it the Churches either have been or might have been and may be hereafter kept in purity and peace with Brotherly love among themselves mutually by the regular improving the communion of Churches which is manifested to be the Ordinance of Christ who hath given us perfect Rules in the New Testament for the ordering of the communion of Christian Churches which are sufficient for attainment of the ends for which Christ hath appointed it according to the second third fourth eleventh and twelfth Positions premised With which if this way of Consociation of Churches shall be clearly proved to agree which I do not finde to be yet done I shall readily and heartily close with it and submit unto it For it is onely the Truth that I search for and desire to bear witness unto that when my time shall come to lay down this earthly tabernacle which I expect daily I may give up my account with joy 2. And if any Church be refractory we have the help of the Civil Power which is ordained of God for the just punishment of those that do evil whether in Church or Common-wealth Rom. 13. Every Oâ—dinance of God hath Gods blessing annexed which we cannot expect in this way till it be proved to be Gods Ordinance which yet is not done Propos 7. The manner of the Churches agreement herein may be by the Churches open consenting unto the things here declared in Answer to this second Question as also to what is said thereabout in Chap. 15 16. of the Platform of Discipline with reference to what is before expressed in Proposition 5th Reply If the Churches do express their Agreement herein openly they do voluntarily engage themselves and covenant to practise according to the things declared not onely in the point of Church-communion but also of such consociation as is here expressed which they have need to see to be warranted by the Word if they will act accordingly in faith knowing that whatsoever is not of faith is sin Rom. 14.23 What is said in the Platform chap. 15 hath been in part examined before in chap. 16.5 They say The Synods Directions and Determinations so farre as consonant to the Word of God are to be received with reverence and submission not onely for their agreement therewith