be_v to_o snatch_v the_o sinner_n as_o a_o firebrand_n out_o of_o the_o fire_n wait_v for_o a_o well-grounded_n and_o try_a evidence_n of_o his_o unfeigned_a repentance_n under_o the_o censure_n the_o first_o and_o great_a end_n whereof_o be_v the_o sinner_n salvation_n not_o his_o destruction_n 5.5_o destruction_n 2_o cor._n 2.6_o 7_o 8._o 2_o cor._n 10.8_o 1_o cor._n 5.5_o §_o 12._o in_o case_n of_o sin_n not_o so_o notorious_a and_o more_o private_o commit_v the_o church_n proceed_v must_v be_v more_o gradual_a by_o all_o endeavour_n in_o the_o spirit_n of_o meekness_n to_o restore_v such_o a_o one_o to_o repentance_n 17_o repentance_n matt._n 18_o 15_o 16_o 17_o which_o be_v obtain_v there_o be_v no_o occasion_n for_o further_a proceed_v as_o to_o censure_n §_o 13._o and_o here_o admonition_n be_v of_o great_a use_n which_o be_v a_o holy_a tender_a and_o wise_a endeavour_n to_o convince_v the_o offend_a party_n of_o matter_n of_o fact_n and_o of_o the_o sin_n of_o it_o with_o the_o aggravate_v circumstance_n attend_v as_o also_o to_o lead_v he_o to_o his_o duty_n thereupon_o charge_v it_o upon_o his_o conscience_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n with_o due_a application_n of_o the_o word_n of_o god_n which_o concern_v his_o condition_n and_o this_o belong_v not_o to_o the_o elder_n in_o the_o first_o and_o second_o degree_n of_o proceed_v in_o this_o case_n but_o to_o all_o private_a member_n in_o their_o place_n as_o matter_n may_v concern_v they_o and_o be_v know_v unto_o they_o more_o or_o less_o 12.15_o less_o 1_o thes_n 5.12_o rom._n 15.14_o 2_o thes_n 5.14_o gal._n 6.1_o 2_o tim._n 9.25_o heb._n 12.15_o §_o 14._o there_o be_v three_o degree_n of_o admonition_n 18_o admonition_n matt._n 18_o first_o by_o a_o single_a brother_n or_o sister_n that_o be_v first_o acquaint_v with_o the_o sin_n commit_v the_o second_o be_v upon_o the_o non-repentance_n of_o the_o offend_a party_n whereupon_o the_o first_o admonisher_n take_v to_o he_o one_o or_o two_o more_o and_o admonish_v the_o offender_n the_o second_o time_n which_o admonition_n take_v no_o effect_n the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o offence_n and_o the_o church_n by_o the_o elder_n give_v a_o three_o admonition_n which_o if_o the_o sinner_n receive_v not_o but_o continue_v impenitent_a the_o church_n proceed_v to_o censure_n 17._o censure_n ibid._n v._o 15_o 16_o 17._o unless_o the_o church_n see_v reason_n to_o wait_v long_o and_o it_o follow_v from_o hence_o 1._o that_o every_o church_n member_n though_o of_o private_a capacity_n only_o have_v somewhat_o to_o do_v in_o his_o place_n as_o well_o as_o the_o elder_n 12.15_o elder_n heb._n 12.15_o 2._o that_o in_o case_n of_o private_a offence_n it_o be_v preposterous_a to_o publish_v they_o or_o acquaint_v the_o elder_n therewith_o before_o the_o two_o low_a degree_n of_o admonition_n be_v due_o proceed_v in_o and_o not_o hear_v by_o the_o offender_n 3._o that_o when_o matter_n come_v to_o the_o elder_n ear_n all_o private_a proceed_n cease_v and_o all_o thing_n be_v to_o be_v lay_v before_o the_o church_n 4._o when_o matter_n come_v before_o the_o church_n the_o offender_n reject_v the_o first_o and_o second_o public_a admonition_n at_o most_o be_v to_o be_v judge_v incorrigible_a 11._o incorrigible_a titus_n 3.10_o 11._o §_o 15._o this_o great_a censure_n be_v to_o be_v proceed_v to_o in_o this_o manner_n the_o question_n be_v put_v by_o a_o elder_a whether_o the_o church_n adjudge_v the_o person_n offend_v all_o due_a mean_n have_v be_v use_v according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o christ_n to_o be_v guilty_a of_o matter_n of_o fact_n as_o charge_v and_o remain_v incorrigible_a which_o be_v answer_v in_o the_o affirmative_a the_o judgement_n be_v fall_v into_o the_o pastor_n or_o elder_n be_v hand_n as_o after_o the_o verdict_n of_o a_o jury_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o judge_n and_o according_o he_o go_v on_o to_o pass_v sentence_n as_o the_o duty_n of_o his_o place_n require_v and_o first_o with_o much_o solemnity_n after_o he_o have_v lay_v open_a the_o sin_n with_o several_a aggravation_n he_o show_v likewise_o the_o awful_a nature_n of_o this_o great_a censure_n and_o the_o main_a end_n thereof_o for_o the_o salvation_n and_o not_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o sinner_n and_o according_o call_v upon_o god_n for_o his_o gracious_a presence_n and_o blessing_n upon_o this_o sacred_a ordinance_n that_o the_o great_a end_n thereof_o may_v be_v obtain_v still_o express_v the_o deep_a sense_n the_o church_n have_v of_o the_o fall_n of_o this_o brother_n with_o great_a humiliation_n of_o the_o church_n with_o remorse_n for_o the_o sin_n thus_o commit_v and_o persist_v in_o last_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n before_o the_o congregation_n whether_o the_o offend_a brother_n be_v present_a or_o withdraw_v the_o elder_a cut_v off_o and_o seclude_v such_o a_o one_o by_o name_n from_o the_o union_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n declare_v the_o say_a exclusion_n carry_v in_o it_o the_o sense_n of_o our_o saviour_n 1.10_o see_v mat._n 18.17_o etc._n etc._n 1_o cor._n 5.4_o 5_o 6._o 2_o thes_n 3.14_o 1_o tim._n 1.10_o in_o say_v he_o shall_v be_v as_o a_o heathen_a man_n and_o a_o publican_n and_o the_o full_a sense_n of_o the_o apostle_n charge_n to_o the_o corinthian_n to_o deliver_v up_o such_o a_o one_o to_o satan_n etc._n etc._n which_o be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o put_v he_o out_o of_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n into_o the_o world_n the_o kingdom_n of_o satan_n for_o the_o humble_v and_o break_v of_o he_o in_o the_o sight_n and_o sense_n of_o his_o sin_n which_o be_v all_o that_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n §_o 16_o a_o member_n thus_o judicial_o cast_v out_o may_v through_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n blessing_n this_o ordinance_n be_v bring_v to_o a_o great_a sight_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o remorse_n for_o it_o with_o great_a long_a desire_n to_o return_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n again_o in_o this_o case_n christ_n key_n be_v to_o be_v use_v to_o open_v the_o door_n and_o receive_v the_o exclude_v party_n into_o the_o church_n again_o for_o after_o a_o full_a proof_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o sinner_n repentance_n he_o be_v bring_v by_o the_o elder_n to_o make_v his_o public_a and_o solemn_a manifestation_n of_o his_o deep_a remorse_n etc._n etc._n which_o acknowledgement_n be_v receive_v by_o the_o church_n with_o satisfaction_n and_o tender_a compassion_n towards_o he_o he_o be_v by_o a_o elder_a absolve_v from_o the_o aforesaid_a censure_n 18.18_o see_v mat._n 16.19_o &_o 18.18_o and_o readmit_v into_o full_a communion_n with_o the_o great_a joy_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o expression_n of_o thankfulness_n unto_o god_n thus_o he_o that_o be_v bind_v be_v now_o loose_v §_o 17._o beside_o this_o direct_a way_n of_o proceed_v against_o a_o offend_a member_n there_o be_v another_o much_o of_o the_o like_a nature_n which_o we_o call_v indirect_a because_o the_o church_n put_v not_o the_o party_n out_o of_o its_o communion_n before_o the_o party_n have_v seclude_v himself_o and_o not_o by_o any_o regular_a way_n but_o indirect_o and_o contrary_a to_o all_o rule_n of_o order_n for_o it_o be_v when_o a_o church-member_n by_o reason_n of_o some_o offence_n take_v at_o the_o church_n or_o some_o member_n thereof_o not_o discharge_v his_o own_o duty_n withdraw_v himself_o and_o separate_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n a_o person_n have_v thus_o excommunicate_v himself_o as_o it_o be_v the_o church_n ought_v to_o consider_v what_o be_v their_o duty_n and_o though_o a_o particular_a member_n or_o more_o have_v usurp_v to_o himself_o the_o power_n of_o the_o key_n 3.6_o see_v rom._n 16.17_o 2_o thes_n 3.6_o the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o acquiesce_v therein_o but_o maintain_v that_o power_n which_o christ_n have_v commit_v to_o it_o and_o though_o it_o can_v hinder_v the_o inordinateness_n of_o a_o brother_n unruly_a passion_n and_o ungovernable_a temper_n when_o god_n leave_v he_o to_o it_o but_o that_o he_o will_v run_v away_o from_o the_o church_n rend_v himself_o off_o break_v all_o order_n and_o covenant_n obligation_n in_o opposition_n to_o all_o fraternal_a endeavour_n to_o stay_v he_o in_o the_o place_n that_o christ_n have_v set_v he_o in_o the_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o show_v and_o assert_v the_o power_n of_o christ_n which_o he_o have_v entrust_v it_o with_o and_o judicial_o shut_v the_o door_n and_o turn_v the_o key_n upon_o so_o sinful_a and_o disorderly_a a_o departer_n from_o they_o declare_v that_o he_o have_v sinful_o depart_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o that_o congregation_n he_o be_v no_o long_o under_o its_o care_n and_o watch_n and_o be_v not_o to_o return_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n as_o before_o
till_o he_o have_v give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o church_n §_o 18._o some_o speak_v much_o of_o and_o practice_n a_o censure_n of_o suspension_n when_o a_o offend_a brother_n be_v forbid_v by_o the_o church_n to_o come_v to_o its_o communion_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n till_o it_o appear_v whether_o he_o be_v guilty_a or_o no_o of_o the_o sin_n charge_v on_o he_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n have_v give_v no_o such_o rule_n to_o church_n to_o walk_v by_o for_o till_o a_o brother_n be_v full_o convict_v before_o the_o church_n the_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o deprive_v he_o of_o any_o church-priviledge_n that_o belong_v to_o he_o by_o reason_n of_o his_o membership_n and_o while_o the_o church_n be_v in_o the_o way_n of_o its_o duty_n it_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o the_o sin_n of_o a_o particular_a member_n hence_o brethren_n sin_v great_o in_o withdraw_v from_o a_o church_n communion_n because_o a_o brother_n or_o more_o lie_v under_o the_o charge_n of_o some_o sin_n which_o they_o have_v not_o yet_o convince_v he_o of_o before_o the_o church_n either_o for_o the_o matter_n or_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n till_o both_o which_o be_v do_v in_o the_o judgement_n of_o the_o church_n he_o be_v not_o convict_v nor_o can_v be_v exclude_v from_o ordinance_n but_o be_v convict_v and_o incorrigible_a he_o be_v full_o ripe_a for_o the_o censure_n of_o excommunication_n and_o there_o be_v no_o room_n for_o suspension_n therefore_o suspension_n before_o conviction_n be_v unjust_a and_o suspension_n after_o be_v needless_a and_o come_v short_a of_o christ_n institution_n but_o if_o to_o gratify_v some_o through_o weakness_n startle_v at_o the_o presence_n of_o a_o suspect_v un-convict_a person_n at_o the_o lord_n supper_n who_o be_v under_o the_o church_n deal_n in_o order_n to_o conviction_n the_o suspect_a brother_n will_v forbear_v communion_n it_o be_v to_o be_v look_v on_o as_o a_o act_n of_o his_o own_o but_o no_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n chap._n fourteen_o of_o communion_n of_o church_n that_o there_o be_v communion_n between_o church_n some_o thing_n incommunicable_a in_o church_n some_o communicable_a and_o what_o wherein_o communion_n of_o church_n consist_v in_o case_n of_o difficulty_n and_o difference_n what_o be_v to_o be_v do_v §_o 1._o visible_a communion_n be_v of_o member_n in_o particular_a in_o a_o visible_a church_n a_o body_n politic_a or_o corporate_a which_o we_o have_v speak_v unto_o it_o remain_v that_o something_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o communion_n of_o those_o body_n viz._n church_n between_o who_o there_o be_v a_o visible_a communion_n and_o it_o be_v such_o a_o common_a participation_n of_o visible_a privilege_n of_o the_o mean_n of_o grace_n in_o the_o institute_v ordinance_n of_o christ_n and_o a_o mutual_a communication_n of_o benefit_n as_o occasion_n may_v serve_v as_o be_v between_o coordinate_a body_n politic_a without_o infringement_n of_o their_o particular_a and_o appropriate_a privilege_n limit_v to_o and_o bound_v within_o themselves_o only_o §_o 2._o the_o privilege_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o communion_n of_o church_n as_o incommunicable_a and_o as_o communicable_a they_o that_o be_v incommunicable_a be_v such_o as_o one_o church_n can_v hand_n over_o to_o or_o communicate_v to_o another_o without_o break_v the_o charter_n and_o overthrow_v their_o own_o constitution_n and_o they_o be_v such_o as_o these_o 1._o a_o church_n choose_v its_o own_o elder_n and_o deacon_n but_o can_v choose_v either_o for_o another_o church_n 2._o such_o ministerial_a officer_n be_v choose_v the_o relation_n stand_v firm_a between_o they_o in_o the_o church_n which_o choose_v they_o and_o they_o be_v not_o elder_n or_o deacon_n to_o another_o church_n the_o pastor_n and_o deacon_n to_o the_o church_n at_o coloss_n be_v not_o pastor_n and_o deacon_n to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n 3._o the_o do_v of_o any_o act_n which_o be_v inseparable_o distinguish_v to_o that_o office_n relation_n in_o the_o execution_n thereof_o can_v be_v communicate_v or_o carry_v from_o church_n to_o church_n as_o for_o example_n the_o administration_n of_o seal_n or_o use_v of_o the_o key_n be_v such_o act_n therefore_o a_o minister_n to_o one_o church_n can_v dispense_v they_o in_o another_o because_o they_o be_v perform_v by_o virtue_n of_o his_o office_n that_o be_v limit_v to_o one_o church_n nor_o can_v he_o transfer_v his_o relation_n or_o the_o proper_a adjunct_n thereof_o 4._o there_o be_v also_o a_o peculiar_a corporation-relation_n and_o privilege_n that_o a_o brother_n have_v in_o the_o church_n of_o which_o he_o be_v a_o member_n and_o can_v have_v neither_o in_o any_o other_o where_o he_o be_v not_o a_o actual_a member_n as_o membership_n in_o state_v fellowship_n under_o the_o watch_n and_o government_n of_o the_o say_a church_n this_o he_o have_v no_o where_o else_o likewise_o he_o can_v vote_n and_o give_v his_o suffrage_n in_o any_o church_n act_n which_o he_o can_v do_v elsewhere_o wherefore_o one_o church_n can_v have_v communion_n with_o another_o in_o choose_v or_o ordain_v elder_n or_o deacon_n any_o further_a than_o to_o look_v on_o and_o be_v eye-witness_n of_o what_o they_o do_v nor_o in_o admit_v or_o cast_v out_o of_o member_n 5._o there_o can_v be_v no_o communion_n by_o way_n of_o mix_v or_o conjoin_v power_n as_o there_o can_v be_v of_o transfer_v any_o more_o than_o the_o corporation_n of_o bristol_n and_o gloucester_n can_v mix_v and_o conjoin_v their_o juridical_a power_n §_o 3._o but_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n wherein_o communion_n of_o church_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o they_o do_v consist_v as_o in_o natural_a body_n there_o be_v thing_n and_o action_n wherein_o they_o can_v communicate_v to_o each_o other_o so_o far_o as_o be_v consistent_a with_o their_o nature_n to_o commix_v or_o conjoin_v but_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n wherein_o its_o impossible_a they_o shall_v as_o in_o sensation_n or_o in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o sense_n we_o may_v hear_v see_v taste_n etc._n etc._n with_o one_o another_o but_o can_v transfer_v our_o hear_n taste_v smell_a or_o see_v to_o one_o another_o so_o in_o body_n politic_a there_o be_v some_o thing_n we_o can_v enjoy_v or_o participate_v of_o together_o and_o can_v communicate_v to_o each_o other_o but_o there_o be_v other_o that_o we_o can_v so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o communion_n of_o church_n 1._o we_o may_v benefit_v by_o each_o other_o gift_n and_o grace_n the_o exercise_n whereof_o be_v separable_a from_o any_o particular_a relation_n that_o any_o one_o have_v to_o a_o church_n such_o thing_n belong_v to_o general_a communion_n as_o to_o expound_v preach_v and_o pray_v etc._n etc._n these_o the_o pastor_n of_o one_o congregation_n may_v exercise_v in_o another_o without_o any_o consideration_n of_o his_o pastoral_a relation_n only_o as_o one_o that_o be_v gift_v for_o such_o service_n to_o common_a advantage_n 2._o there_o be_v communion_n in_o counsel_n and_o advice_n and_o such_o there_o be_v between_o the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o that_o at_o antioch_n 15._o antioch_n act_n 15._o 3._o there_o be_v communion_n between_o church_n in_o give_v and_o in_o receive_v 4.15_o receive_v phil._n 4.15_o 4._o there_o be_v communion_n in_o respect_n of_o member_n so_o as_o one_o may_v recommend_v or_o dismiss_v member_n to_o another_o but_o this_o can_v be_v in_o officer_n one_o church_n can_v dismiss_v a_o elder_a or_o deacon_n as_o such_o to_z another_z whatever_o office_n a_o man_n bear_v in_o a_o church_n it_o be_v so_o in_o all_o civil_a corporation_n he_o can_v be_v dismiss_v with_o his_o office_n but_o only_o as_o to_o his_o membership_n the_o mayor_n of_o gloucester_n may_v be_v transfer_v to_o bristol_n and_o take_v in_o a_o common_a member_n but_o can_v be_v transfer_v as_o mayor_n to_o the_o mayoralty_n of_o bristol_n no_o not_o for_o one_o session_n day_n or_o hour_n 5._o they_o may_v communicate_v with_o each_o other_o as_o to_o fraternal_a entertainment_n in_o spiritual_a feast_n so_o far_o as_o to_o give_v each_o other_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n as_o to_o the_o member_n of_o true_a church_n of_o christ_n and_o hence_o the_o member_n of_o one_o church_n as_o occasion_n be_v do_v partake_v in_o ordinance_n with_o another_o so_o far_o as_o office-relation_n be_v not_o concern_v so_o the_o member_n of_o one_o congregation_n partake_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n with_o another_o or_o bring_v his_o child_n to_o be_v there_o baptize_v where_o the_o pastor_n be_v administer_a in_o his_o proper_a place_n and_o relation_n but_o the_o pastor_n can_v come_v and_o administer_v either_o seal_n in_o a_o congregation_n to_o which_o he_o have_v no_o pastoral_a relation_n nor_o can_v be_v own_v in_o any_o pastoral_n act_n there_o the_o pastor_n himself_o may_v receive_v in_o a_o neighbour_a church_n as_o a_o brother_n
be_v add_v to_o a_o visible_a church_n aught_o to_o be_v such_o as_o be_v judge_v by_o their_o profession_n to_o be_v such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v 2.5_o save_v act_n 2._o ult_n rom._n 12.1_o 2_o 3_o 4._o 1_o pet._n 2.5_o the_o judgement_n of_o infallibility_n be_v peculiar_a to_o god_n 29.29_o god_n joh._n 6.64_o deu._n 29.29_o §_o 12._o without_o a_o competency_n of_o knowledge_n for_o all_o have_v not_o the_o same_o degree_n the_o heart_n can_v be_v good_a 19.2_o good_a pro._n 19.2_o therefore_o without_o some_o knowledge_n of_o god_n in_o his_o glorious_a attribute_n of_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o trinity_n the_o person_n and_o nature_n of_o christ_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o law_n of_o the_o fall_n by_o sin_n and_o the_o curse_n man_n state_n by_o nature_n in_o the_o gild_n and_o pollution_n of_o sin_n original_a and_o actual_a and_o his_o miserable_a undo_v estate_n thereby_o a_o child_n of_o wrath_n the_o nature_n of_o the_o redemption_n wrought_v by_o christ_n in_o satisfaction_n to_o god_n justice_n reconciliation_n of_o sinner_n to_o god_n and_o purchase_v of_o eternal_a life_n for_o they_o that_o our_o sin_n be_v impute_v to_o christ_n and_o his_o righteousness_n alone_o to_o we_o unto_o justification_n receive_v by_o faith_n alone_o etc._n etc._n likewise_o to_o know_v how_o these_o mystery_n of_o life_n and_o salvation_n be_v hold_v forth_o to_o a_o believer_n in_o the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n 11.29_o covenant_n 1_o cor._n 11.29_o and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o these_o thing_n be_v the_o more_o particular_o to_o be_v inquire_v after_o by_o the_o elder_n of_o church_n because_o many_o professor_n build_v their_o conversion_n upon_o mere_a common_a conviction_n and_o only_o some_o general_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n when_o indeed_o they_o be_v very_a stranger_n unto_o and_o ignorant_a of_o the_o great_a mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n 15.34_o gospel_n &_o 15.34_o yet_o such_o as_o these_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v discourage_v nor_o the_o smoke_a flax_n quench_v 12.20_o quench_v isa_n 42.3_o mat._n 12.20_o but_o to_o be_v lead_v on_o with_o gentle_a instruction_n to_o a_o further_a knowledge_n of_o divine_a truth_n 4.2_o truth_n eph._n 4.2_o which_o if_o there_o be_v any_o beginning_n of_o true_a grace_n in_o the_o heart_n they_o will_v with_o a_o great_a and_o sincere_a spiritual_a appetite_n receive_v as_o newborn_a babe_n 2.2_o babe_n 1_o pet._n 2.2_o and_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v careful_a not_o to_o reject_v any_o that_o they_o judge_v have_v the_o least_o degree_n of_o save_a grace_n wrought_v in_o they_o 14.1_o they_o rom._n 14.1_o §_o 13._o such_o a_o conversation_n be_v to_o be_v look_v after_o as_o become_v the_o gospel_n 1.27_o gospel_n phil._n 1.27_o which_o show_v the_o professor_n faith_n by_o his_o work_n 18._o work_n james_n 2_o 18._o and_o blameless_a demeanour_n in_o the_o world_n as_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n that_o bring_v salvation_n teach_v 12._o teach_v titus_n 2.11_o 12._o the_o aforementioned_a course_n be_v not_o often_o take_v and_o therefore_o there_o be_v so_o many_o corrupt_a member_n in_o church_n though_o the_o exact_a may_v be_v deceive_v 3.5_o deceive_v 2_o tim._n 3.5_o yet_o the_o carelessness_n 10._o carelessness_n eze._n 34.7_o 8_o 10._o and_o carnal_a mind_n of_o church_n and_o their_o elder_n ambition_n to_o increase_v their_o church_n into_o great_a number_n for_o the_o external_a pomp_n thereof_o and_o for_o worldly_a advantage_n be_v the_o great_a prevail_a cause_n of_o the_o corruption_n and_o apostasy_n of_o church_n 5.2_o church_n 1_o tim._n 6_o 5._o 1_o pet._n 5.2_o §_o 14._o the_o pastor_n or_o elder_n thus_o receive_v satisfaction_n that_o the_o person_n offer_v himself_o be_v a_o fit_a stone_n for_o christ_n building_n 2.5_o building_n 1_o pet._n 2.5_o he_o be_v in_o a_o church-meeting_a to_o be_v propound_v to_o the_o church_n 23._o church_n 1_o cor._n 14_o 23._o and_o a_o competent_a time_n allot_v to_o the_o church_n for_o converse_v with_o the_o say_a person_n 27._o person_n act_n 9.26_o 27._o and_o enquiry_n after_o his_o christian_a deportment_n that_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o congregation_n may_v be_v satisfy_v in_o a_o person_n who_o they_o admit_v to_o so_o holy_a a_o communion_n with_o they_o which_o time_n be_v expire_v and_o nothing_o object_v against_o the_o say_a person_n the_o elder_n bring_v he_o before_o the_o church_n to_o give_v the_o reason_n of_o his_o hope_n either_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n or_o by_o write_v if_o bashfulness_n hinder_v he_o or_o she_o from_o speak_a 2._o speak_a rom._n 14.16_o 19_o 20._o &_o 15.1_o 2._o which_o the_o elder_a or_o pastor_n read_v and_o if_o any_o brother_n desire_v any_o further_a question_n shall_v be_v ask_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v the_o person_n own_v the_o declaration_n read_v and_o no_o objection_n make_v the_o elder_a put_v the_o question_n whether_o the_o church_n be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o party_n propound_v and_o do_v consent_n to_o his_o admission_n 2.2_o admission_n phil._n 2.2_o desire_v they_o to_o answer_v in_o the_o affirmative_a by_o their_o suffrage_n in_o lift_v up_o their_o hand_n and_o than_o if_o any_o be_v otherwise_o mind_v to_o speak_v or_o show_v their_o disagreement_n by_o the_o same_o sign_n which_o agree_v the_o pastor_n or_o elder_n do_v ask_v the_o party_n thus_o approve_v whether_o he_o do_v in_o the_o strength_n of_o christ_n yield_v profess_v subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n 11.23_o gospel_n 2_o cor._n 9.14_o act_n 11.23_o and_o promise_v to_o walk_v with_o that_o church_n in_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o faith_n and_o order_n thereof_o 2.5_o thereof_o col._n 2.5_o give_v up_o himself_o and_o his_o seed_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o congregation_n 8.5_o congregation_n ro._n 12.1_o 2_o cor._n 8.5_o according_a to_o the_o tenor_n of_o abraham_n '_o s_o covenant_n 9_o covenant_n rom._n 15.7_o 8_o 9_o or_o word_n of_o a_o foederal_a obligation_n to_o christ_n and_o the_o church_n to_o the_o same_o purpose_n which_o he_o promise_v solemn_o to_o do_v by_o the_o help_n of_o god_n whereupon_o the_o elder_a do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n receive_v he_o into_o church-fellowship_n promise_v on_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o church_n and_o himself_o to_o watch_v over_o he_o in_o the_o lord_n 13.17_o lord_n heb._n 13.17_o and_o discharge_v towards_o he_o those_o incumbent_a duty_n which_o may_v promote_v his_o edification_n in_o the_o way_n of_o god_n 8._o god_n 2_o cor._n 1.24_o &_o ch_z 10.8_o 8._o or_o word_n to_o that_o purpose_n §_o 15._o a_o person_n thus_o join_v to_o a_o congregation_n be_v join_v to_o and_o become_v a_o member_n of_o a_o spiritual_a corporation_n 12.5_o corporation_n 1_o cor._n 12_o 27._o isa_n 56.3_o act_n 5.36_o rom._n 12.5_o to_o the_o whole_a body_n not_o to_o the_o pastor_n or_o elder_a only_o as_o some_o ignorant_a people_n think_v and_o therefore_o run_v away_o when_o the_o pastor_n or_o elder_a disgust_n they_o or_o die_v but_o be_v by_o covenant_n unite_v to_o the_o church_n and_o be_v not_o discharge_v while_o that_o last_v without_o the_o church_n leave_n though_o all_o the_o officer_n die_v moreover_o he_o be_v now_o oblige_v by_o his_o covenant_n relation_n to_o attend_v ordinary_o upon_o the_o ministry_n and_o ordinance_n administer_v in_o that_o church_n 10.25_o church_n act_n 2.42_o heb._n 10.25_o and_o seek_v the_o prosperity_n thereof_o for_o if_o a_o join_a member_n to_o one_o church_n ordinary_o attend_v the_o ministry_n of_o another_o upon_o pretence_n of_o better_a edification_n or_o upon_o any_o other_o pretence_n he_o 1_o hereby_o condemn_v his_o own_o choice_n 2.18_o choice_n gal._n 2.18_o 2._o he_o can_v expect_v better_a edification_n where_o god_n have_v not_o place_v he_o 92.13_o he_o 1_o cor._n 7.24_o psal_n 92.13_o 3._o if_o he_o can_v edify_v at_o home_n he_o shall_v ask_v his_o dismission_n and_o not_o feed_v abroad_o every_o day_n 4._o there_o be_v ordinary_o some_o corruption_n lie_v under_o that_o plea_n 5._o it_o be_v a_o live_n in_o continual_a breach_n of_o a_o solemn_a covenant_n 6._o it_o be_v quite_o contrary_a to_o the_o primitive_a practice_n 7._o it_o destroy_v the_o end_n of_o church_n which_o be_v that_o brethren_n shall_v walk_v together_o in_o unity_n unanimity_n and_o fellowship_n 133.1_o fellowship_n ps_n 133.1_o 8._o it_o discourage_v and_o break_v the_o heart_n of_o faithful_a pastor_n and_o elder_n 9_o it_o be_v a_o practice_n that_o christ_n will_v not_o bless_v because_o it_o so_o direct_o strike_v at_o his_o glory_n in_o his_o church_n 10._o the_o apostle_n make_v such_o deserter_n to_o be_v in_o the_o highway_n to_o apostasy_n 26._o apostasy_n heb._n 10.25_o 26._o 11._o god_n be_v most_o glorify_a in_o every_o one_o keep_v his_o own_o vineyard_n and_o not_o other_o §_o 16._o as_o a_o church-member_n have_v covenant_v to_o walk_v in_o communion_n of_o all_o ordinance_n with_o hat_n