as was uncontrollable and unquestionable and to which all Believers were bound to yield and obey And to these indeed were joyned both * Act. 15. 32. 21. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Eph. 4. 11 12. Prophets and Evangelists and Teachers and Pastors and other such like who also themselves used and bestowed their utmost diligence and pains either for the gathering of new Churches or Assemblies or afterward for the nourishing and feeding and further instructing of these that were already gathered by the Apostles 4. But when such Foundations and Their following success first beginnings had now been laid by these lest when they were either absent or dead those Congregations should be scattered and decay again or come to nought and so by this means this divine and saving Doctrine by little and little should vanish away and be lost they every-where in those places where Churches were already gathered appointed them their successors to wit †Act. 14. 23. 20. 28. Heb. 13. 7 17. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Tim. 4. 16. 5. 17. Bishops Elders and Deacons by whose help endeavour and care those Churches might continually be preserved and as much as might be also encreased in number and gave express advice and command that the same afterwards at all times and in all places should be done in all Congregations giving withal an | 1 Tim. 3. 1 c. Tit. 1. 5. 6 c. exact description what manner of persons they ought to be who were thenceforth to be set over the Congregations for this end 5. And they indeed therefore appointed Bishops and Elders * Act. 20. 28. 2 Tim. 2. 24 25. 4. 2 5. Tit. 1. 9 c. 2. 5 17. Bishops and Elders that both of them by preaching the Gospel by teaching wholesome or saving Truth by confuting errors contrary thereunto also by exhorting comforting reproving correcting ruling and lastly by going before others by †1 Tim. 4. 12. Ti◠2. 7. 1 Pet. 5. 3. their example c. might preserve or keep together the Churches already planted and by a continual succession to their utmost power might propagate the same And they ordained Deacons | Act. 6. 1 c. 1 Tim. 3. 9 10 c. that after they had been first proved or tryed they might diligently employ themselves in gathering and distributing alms and in pious and tender care-taking of the poor in the said Congregations From whence ariseth the perpetual necessity and manifold use of the whole Ministry of the Church 6. But because after the Apostles days The authority of those limited and those first Preachers of the Gospel or Founders of the Church when the doctrine of the Gospel had now already been fully enough proposed and in the judgment of God himself abundantly confirmed and lastly clearly committed to writing that immediate sending of Ministers ceased together with infallible instruction and the undoubted assistance of the Holy Spirit therefore an irrefragable Power or infallible Authority in teaching and ruling hath no more place also Which also even the Apostles themselves were minded to testify when they gave and left unto the Bishops and Elders a certain * 2. Tim. 3. 10 14. Act. 15. 24. 1 Cor. 14. 37 38. Tit. 1. 5. and perpetual rule of Doctrine and form of Discipline according unto which these were to teach and rule the Churches for the future by and expresly commanded them and seriously charged them that they should diligently keep the †2 Tim. 1. 13 14. pattern or form of sound words which they had heard of them and that they should remember and hold fast that | Tit. 1. 9. faithful doctrine which they had learned and therefore bade an * Gal. 1. 8 9. Anathema to those who brought any doctrine contrary to or differing from that which they themselves had delivered †Rom. 16. 17. and withal injoyned the Churches that they should receive or admit of no other doctrine besides that which they had received from the Apostles no although even an Angel from Heaven brought it 7. But since it is the Duty and Office Of degrees and order among them of all Bishops and Elders | 2 Tim. 1. 13. to teach and * 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. govern the Churches according to that form that is laid down by the Apostles it appears manifest enough that they have not by any divine right any †Mat. 20. 25 c. 23. 8. Command Power or Authority properly so called one over another And yet do we not therefore notwithstanding altogether disallow of much less proudly reject those degrees of Teachers and Rulers which have now long since been appointed and every where hitherto taken place in diverse Churches of Christ for order and decorum's sake or for preserving good order For indeed God is not the | 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Author of Confusion but of Order if so be they do not at length degenerate into Tyranny and make shew of some worldly Dignity and Power rather than of a spiritual Ministry and of that modesty and moderation which becometh the Disciples of Christ 8. But if any one shall abuse the pretence Against the manifold abuse thereof of this order unto pride haughtiness and in particular if any by these degrees shall not stick to climb so high as arrogantly to assume unto himself not only a supreme Right to determine in matters of Religion and to decide all Controversies of Faith * Mat. 24. 49. Luk. 12. 42. c. 3. Joh. 9. 2 Thess 2. 4 c. 2 Pet. 2. 1 c. 2 Cor. 11. 20. Rev. 11. 7. 13. per tot Gal. 4. 29. but also to usurp Lordship over the Lords Heritage and over his fellow-servants yea over Kings and Princes yea further whether directly or indirectly to usurp a coactive power that is armed with outward force or upheld by the secular arm to punish others yea to punish them with the Sword and with Death who cannot out of Conscience attribute this Authority unto him or who refuse to subscribe to his Determinations Decrees and Statutes though in all other respects they be good and loyal subjects to the Common-wealth if any we say shall under this pretence usurp such a power in the Church of Christ or any other whatsoever like it or at least attribute to himself the same in words or suffer it to be attributed to him by others truly he seemeth unto us to recede very far from the Office of a true Bishop CHAP. XXII Of the Church of Jesus Christ and its marks or notes 1. FUrthermore those Congregations The Church of Christ and the Communion thereof or Assemblies which either by the publick pains or labour of these Ministers or otherwise by the word of the Gospel any ways whatsoever preached read or heard are gathered as it were into one body all and every of whose members have
now long since once offered by Christ himself our only and alone high Priest for our sins from being to be believed to be really repeated and daily performed or done over again anew herein And 5. in the last place so far are the Symbols or the Signs themselves from being religiously to be adored and worshippped by us and for this very end from being either to be shewed publickly in Churches or from being inclosed in coffers or pixes or from being carryed about in processions c. Of other Sacred Rites but yet such as are indifferent 6. Besides these there are also other Other Sacred rites Sacred Rites generally so called which although they be not to be observed by Believers by vertue of any express command of Christ perpetually and necessarily yet for good orders sake and for outward discipline's sake have been now long since commonly observed by the Apostles and their Disciples and may without impiety at least and superstition be also even freely observed now and indeed profitably enough for example's sake imposition or laying on of hands * Act. 6. 6. 13. 3. 1 Tim. 4. 14. 2 Tim. 1. 6. and that upon divers accounts to wit in ordaining of Ministers in †Act. 8. 17 c. 19. 5 6. Heb. 6. 2. examining and confirming of new Converts or of those that are Catechized | 1 Tim. 5. 22. in the publick receiving again or reconciling of Penitents who had formerly grevously fallen also the solemn joyning of persons in Marriage and the blessing of the same in the Assembly of the Church c. So that there be no Superstition in the case or opinion of divine Worship also of absolute necessity c. and on the contrary there be only a regard had of order and decency and publick edification and finally a true liberty in such things * Rom. 14. per tot and Christian Charity and consequently also a true moderation and mutual toleration between dissenters be always preserv'd inviolate and safe and the peace of the Church for the sake of such outward Rites and of themselves indifferent be not rashly disturbed 7. Hereunto also may be referred those Another sort Ecclesiastical or Liturgical observations being indeed indifferent in themselves but yet which notwithstanding the outward and publick Assemblies of Believers can hardly want or be without about the publick order and manner in Churches of reading praying †1 Cor. 11. 2 c. 14. per tot 16. 1. singing prophesying gathering the alms also | Act. 20. 36. 21. 5. Eph. 3. 4. Mat. 26. 39. Mar. 14. 34 35. Luk. 22. 41. kneeling in time of Prayer c. also about publick * Act. 12. 12. 13. 3. 14. 23. Fasts and solemn days of Supplication or Prayers and other outward things of that kind merely of themselves ritual but yet pious exercises not indeed prescribed of God in particular much less meritorious of the Grace of God or of eternal Life but yet profitably serving for the outward good order †1 Cor. 14 33 40 11. 16. or decent policie i. e. Government of the Church yea also in some respect either stirring up or cherishing pious devotion in our minds and therefore not lightly to be contemned of themselves nor where they are publickly received rashly and with the scandal of those that are godly to be abrogated 8. For in all these as in the whole Order Peace Edification are chiefly to be minded Sacred Liturgie and the whole outward Government of the Church that only is to be minded that all things | 1 Cor. 14. 33. 40 in the House of the Lord be done decently and in order and that they always * 1 Cor. 14. 26. serve unto the edification of all especially †Rom. 14. 13 15 19 â—â— 15. 1. 2. of the weak but yet of such as are studious of true piety and not cast a | 1 Cor. 6. 12. 10. 23 24 29. snare upon any one or infringe * Gal. 5. 1â— c. Col. 2. 8 16 18 20. Christian Liberty or finally give any †Rom. 4. 13. 1 Cor. 8. 13. scandal or offence to the weak For the better and more easy attaining of which end there is every where an exact regard to be had of the outward and the order | Rom. 12. 17. Phil. 4. 8. gravity and decorum which have been already long since received also of divers places times and other circumstances and in particular the Authority of the Christian Magistrate wheresoever it may be had is for the publick tranquillity and quiet of the Church always to be heeded or attended to in such cases CHAP. XXIV Of Church Discipline 1. BUt because no Society although The use and necessity of Discipline never so well established furnished and provided with good Laws can long subsist unless it be governed by certain Reason Counsel or Advice and Discipline whereby even they who belong thereunto may be continually kept in or hold to their duty hence it is that in the visible Church of God which is the * 1 Tim. 3. 15. Eph. 2. 19 20 21. House the †Luk. 12. 40 c. Houshold the | Heb. 12. 22. Rev. 21. 2 3. City and * Luk. 1. 33. Kingdom of God we judg it both most profitable and most meet or just that such a discipline as hath been prescribed by our Lord and †Mat. 28. 20. A description thereof King should flourish and be exercised therein 2. And it consisteth in brotherly and mutual admonition in reproving and correcting of those | Mat. 18. 15 c. 1 Cor. 5. tot who have fallen into any sin which shall come to our knowledg but especially into any enormous crime or wickedness to the end indeed that they may speedily repent and amend or if having been admonished they nevertheless obstinately go on and refuse to repent in shunning or avoiding of them and withdrawing our selves from * 1 Thess 5. 14. 2 Thess 3. 6 14 15. 1 Tim. 5. 19 20. all brotherly fellowship with them as those indeed who have now rendred themselves unworthy of the lovely name of Brethren or of those who call upon the most holy name of Christ and profess themselves the Scholars or Nurse-Children of Piety and Sanctity and all this to this end that the Religion of Christ and his Church may not be evil spoken of and receive any detriment by reason of their Society but rather that the health and safety of all the members thereof be procured and provided for 3. And this Discipline concerns and 1. The kinds of discipline about or concerning the Ministers takes hold of both Pastors and Governours of Churches and also the Sheep themselves or Hearers The †Act. 20. 28. Rom. 12. 6 7 8. 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Col. 4. 17. Pastors and Rulers if in ministring or
| Rom. 16. 17 18. 2 Thess 3. 6 14. Tit. 3. 10 11. 3. Joh. 10 11. voluntary departing or separating from him with whom they may no longer live or converse as with a Disciple of Jesus Christ So that the Rulers or Governors of the Church do not so properly nor so much sever and separate the said person from themselves as they sever and separate themselves together with their people from him and that by the command of Jesus Christ himself their Lord and cannot nor will not otherwise converse with him than with * Mat. 18. 17. an Heathen and Publican or with any publick and profane sinner so long indeed as he shall continue impenitent 9. Wherefore they who exercise this A confutation of a pernicious error same discipline not only with a fleshly power and coactive force but who do also extend it unto bodily and capital punishments especially under pretence and colour of Heresie commonly so called they do arrogate and assume to themselves too great a power yea altogether unmeet and †Mat. 13. 28 29 30. Gal. 4. 29. Luk. 9. 55. unlawful yea further they do in deed and truth | 1 Thess 5. 20 21. 1 Cor. 14. per tot oppress the liberty of Mens Consciences and of Prophesie and do change this saving and wholesome remedy in Wisdom appointed by our Saviour for the amendment of Sinners into a most deadly poyson and that which was designed for their health and safety these Men turn to their subversion and ruine wherefore also those who any ways patronize or defend the killing of Hereticks or any the like * 2 Cor. 10. 3 4 c. 13. 10. Eph. 6. 11 c. Tyranny or persecution for Conscience sake we hold and judg that they are altogether estranged from and contrary to that most meek or mild Spirit of Christ and do also fight with unmeet and preposterous weapons against heresies and consequently do bring themselves under the guilt of a most heinous sin in the sight of God CHAP. XXV Of Synods or Councels and of their manner and use 1. ANd thus indeed all particular The use and end of Synods Curches being taken severally or apart are to be govern'd by their own Ministers that is by their own Bishops and Elders But if in the mean while any thing more hard then ordinary in Doctrine or Manners or Rites proper and peculiar to the Church which may either concern all or at least many Churches shall happen or fall out to be disputed and debated then may Synods or Ecclesiastical Assemblies profitably be appointed and held and sometimes ought and that after the example of the Apostles themselves and they either greater or lesser as the necessity of the case shall seem to require They may we say profitably be appointed and held if indeed a right and lawful order and manner be observed in them and chiefly if these following Articles or Heads be diligently attended to and kept Act. 15. 1. c. 2. I. If in them both the truth and Their conditions or the manner and order to be observed in them profitableness and necessity of all Opinions or Doctrines be nor examined and tryed by any humane †Gal. 1. 8 9. Act. 17. 11 c. square or factitious i. e. made or devised rule whatsoever it be but only by the Word of God II. If a full and plenary liberty be granted | 1 Thess 5 21. 1 Joh. 4. 1. Act. 17. 2 3. 1 Cor. 14. per tot to every one to speak his own Opinion or Judgment without scruple or fear of danger and to enquire into the Opinions of others and duly to examine the whole matter that is in Controversie III. If there be none admitted in them but fit and meet Men that is Men skilful in divine things * 1 Tim. 4. 12 c. 6. 3 4 11 c. 2 Tim. 2. 2 14 24 25. 3. 8 16. 4. 3 4 5. Heb. 4. 14. Jam. 3. 13 c. and who are mighty in the Scriptures and have their Senses exercised to discern between what is true what is false especially Men pious prudent grave moderate studious or lovers of Truth as well as of Peace as also truly free and during the time of the examination of the Controversie simply tyed to none either Person or Church or Confession c. but only to God and Christ and his sacred Word Lastly men free from all corrupt or perverse affections as wrath hatred partiality or abetting of parties IV. If in them it be not precisely or chiefly urged that Controversies of Faith be by any means at least whatsoever it matters not what right or wrong taken away or removed or decided against one party or the other and that only for this end either to procure or preserve the outward quiet and tranquillity of the Common-wealth but that it may be chiefly endeavoured that †2 Tim. 2. 2â— Mat. 7. 15. 16. 12. Rom. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 11. 13. Gal. 5. 11 12 c. Heresies Schisms and other such like publick miscarriages and scandals be first and foremost kept out of the Churches or that being already brought in and so by that means Piety and Truth as also liberty and Christian Charity may be always consulted and provided for in them and therefore V. If plain saving and necessary Truth be straitly and closely held and retained in them and yet so as that for those that dissent and who are yet ignorant of the Truth there be no danger created for them upon that account * 2 Cor. 4. 1 2. 10. 4. Jam 4. 11 12 13. 2 Tim. 2. 22. 1 Pet. 5. 3. Col. 3. 12 13. Eph. 4. 1 c. nor any force or violence done or offered to their Consciences but that saving Truth be only prest upon them by perswasions and reaonss and that with the greatest gentleness and meekness of mind and spirit imaginable and in other things that a moderate Liberty of dissenting upon certain terms and conditions may remain safe inviolate and the Remedies of muâ—ual peace and concord commodiously sought out VI. Finally if what is determined in them be always left liable †1 Joh. 4. 1 c. 1 Thess 5. 19 20 21. to a free examination and a further review afterwards yea if it be seriously will'd and commanded that all their Decrees be diligently examined and weighed by the Word of God and that no Man be envied and maligned or at any time endangered for so doing 3. And in those Synods next to or The duty of the pâ—ous Magistrate about them after the Supreme Authority of God and of Christ there ought also to intervene the Authority of the Christian Magistrate as of a nursing Father * Isa 49. 23 c. 60. 1 c. of the Church if so be there be any such in the Church as of one indeed whose duty