THE GLORY OF A TRUE CHURCH And its Discipline display'd Wherein a true Gospel-Church is described Together with the Power of the Keys and who are to be let in and who to be shut out By BENJAMIN KEACH Mat. 18.18 Whatsoever ye shall bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven LONDON Printed in the Year 1697. To the Baptized Churches particularly to that under my Care My Brethren EVery House or Building consisteth both of Matter and Form And so doth the Church of Christ or House of the Living God The Matter or Materials with which it is built are Lively Stones â— e. Converted Persons Also the Matter and Form must be according to the Rule and Pattern shewed in â—he Mount I mean Christ's Institution and the Apostolical Churches Constitution and not after Mens Inventions Now some Men because the Tyâ—ical Church of the Jews was Naâ—ional and took in their Carnal Seed as such therefore the same Matâ—er and Form they would have under the Gospel But tho a Church be rightly built in both these respects i.e. of fit Matter and right Form yet without a regular and orderly Discipline it will soon lose its Beauty and be polluted Many Reverend Divines of thâ— Congregational way have written most excellently it is true upon thâ—â— Subject I mean on Church-Discipline but the Books are so voluminouâ— that the Poorer Sort can't purchasâ— them and many others have not Timâ— or Learning enough to improve them to their Profit and our Brethren thâ— Baptists have not written as I caâ— gather on this Subject by it selfâ— Therefore I have been earnestly desired by our Members and also by onâ— of our Pastors to write a small and plain Tract concerning the Rules 〈◊〉 the Discipline of a Gospel-Church that all Men may not only know our Faith but see our Order in this casâ— also True this tho plain is biâ— short but may be it may provoke somâ— other Person to do it more fully Certainly ignorance of the rules of Discipline causes no small trouble and disorders in our Churches and if this may be a Prevention or prove profit able to any let God have the Glory and I have my End Who am Yours Aug. â—â— 1697. Benj. Keach The Glory of a Gospel-Church and the true Orderly Discipline thereof explain'd Concerning a True and Orderly Gospel-Church BEfore there can be any Orderly Discipline among a Christian Assembly they must be orderly and regularly constituted into a Church-state according to the Institution of Christ in the Gospel 1. A Church of Christ according to the Gospel-Institution is a Congregation of Godly Christians who as a Stated-Assembly being first baptized upon the Profession of Faith do by mutual agreement and consent give themselves up to the Lord and one to another according to the Will of God and do ordinarily meet together in one Place for the Publick Service and Worship of God among whom the Word of God and Sacraments are duly administred according to Christ's Institution 2. The Beauty and Glory of which Congregation doth consist in their being all Converted Persons or lively Stones being by the Holy Spirit united to Jesus Christ the Precious Corner-Stone and only foundation of every Christian as well as of every particular Congregation and of the whole Catholick Church 3. That every Person before they are admitted Members in such a Church so constituted must declare to the Church or to such with the Pastor that they shall appoint what God hath done for their Souls or their Experiences of a Saving work of Grace upon their Hearts and also the Church should enquire after and take full satisfaction concerning their Holy Lives or Good Conversations And when admitted Members before the Church they must solemnly enter into a Covenant to walk in the Fellowship of that particular Congregation and submit themselves to the Care and Discipline thereof and to walk faithfully with God in all his Holy Ordinances and there to be fed and have Communion and worship God there when the Church meets if possible and give themselves up to the watch and charge of the Pastor and Ministry thereof the Pastor then also signifying in the name of the Church their acceptance of each Person and endeavour to take the care of them and to watch over them in the Lord the Members being first satisfied to receive them and to have Communion with them And so the Pastor to give them the right Hand of Fellowship of a Church or Church Organical A Church thus constituted ought forthwith to choose them a Pastor Elder or Elders and Deacons we reading of no other Officers or Offices abiding in the Church and what kind of Men they ought to be and how qualified is laid down by Paul to Timothy and to Titus Moreover they are to take special care that both Bishops Overseers or Elders as well as the Deacons have in some competent manner all those Qualifications and after in a Day of solemn Prayer and Fasting that they have elected them whether Pastor c. or Deacons and they accepting the Office must be ordained with Prayer and laying on of Hands of the Eldership being first prov'd and found meet and fit Persons for so Sacred an Office Therefore such are very disorderly Churches who have no Pastor or Pastors ordained they acting not according to the Rule of the Gospel having something wanting Of the work of a Pastor Bishop or Overseer 1. THe work of a Pastor is to preach the Word of Christ or to feed the Flock and to administer all the Ordinances of the Gospel which belong to his Sacred Office and to be faithful and laborious therein studying to shew himself approved unto God a Work-man that needeth not be ashamed rightly dividing the Word of Truth He is a Steward of the Mysteries of God therefore ought to be a Man of good Understanding and Experience being sound in the Faith and one that is acquainted with the Mysteries of the Gospel Because he is to feed the People with Knowledg and Vnderstanding He must be faithful and skilful to declare the Mind of God and diligent therein also to preach in season and out of season God having committed unto him the Ministry of Reconciliation a most choice and sacred Trust. What Interest hath God greater in the World which he hath committed unto Men than this Moreover he must make known the whole Counsel of God to the People 2. A Pastor is to visit his Flock to know their state and to watch over them to support the weak and to strengthen the feeble-minded and succour the tempted and to reprove them that are unruly 3. To pray for them at all times and with them also when sent for and desired and as Opportunity serves and to sympathize
Repentance or if he repent not then c. But says he deliver such a one to Satan c. Saith the Lord if her Father had but spit in her Face should she not be ashamed seven Days Let her be shut out from the Camp seven Day speaking of Miriam and after that let her be received in again Of dealing with Hereticks and Blasphemers AS touching Hereticks or Heresy the same Censure when they are convicted ought to pass against them Heresy is commonly restrained to signify any perverse Opinion or Error in a fundamental Point of Religion as to deny the Being of God or the Deity of Christ or his Satisfaction and Justification alone by his Righteousness or to deny the Resurrection of the Body or eternal Judgment or the like Yet our Annotators say the Word signifies the same thing with Schism and Divisions which if so such that are guilty of Schism or Divisions in the Church ought to be excommunicated also Heresies are called Damnable by the Apostle Peter without Repentance such cannot be saved as bring in Damnable Heresies denying the Lord that bought them Two things render a Man an Heretick according to the common signification of the Word 1. An Error in matters of Faith Fundamental or Essential to Salvation 2. Stubbornness and Contumacy in holding and maintaining it A Man that is an Heretick after the first and second Admonition reject Now that this Rejection is all one with Excommunication appears by what Paul speaks 1 Tim. 1.20 Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander whom I have delivered unto Satan that they may learn not to Blaspheme Their Heresy or Blasphemy was in saying the Resurrection was past Some would have none be counted an Heretick but he who is convicted and condemned so to be in his own Conscience mistaking Paul's Words Knowing that he that is such is subverted being condemned of himself He may be condemned of himself tho not for his Heresy yet for his spending his Time about Questions and strife of Words to the disquieting the Peace of the Church or tho not condemned of himself directly yet indirectly according to the Purport of his own Notion or what he grants about the Point in Debate c. Else the Apostle refers to some notable and notorious self-condemned Heretick It is a great question whether Hymeneus and Alexander weâ—â— condemned in their own Consciences about that Heresy charged upon them and yet were delivered up to Satan However the Rule is plain respecting any that are subverted and resolutely maintain any Heretical Notion i. e. after he hath been twice or oftner admonished that is after all due means used and pains taken with him to convince him of his abominable Error and yet if he remains obstinate he must be delivered up to Satan that is the righteous censure of the Church must pass upon him as in the case of other notorious Crimes Heresy is a Work of the Flesh and hence some conceive such ought to be punished by the Civil Magistrate Quest. What is an Admonition Answ. It is a faithful endeavour to convict a Person of a Fault both as to matter of Fact and his Duty thereupon charging it on his Conscience in the Name of the Lord Jesus with all Wisdom and Authority Quest. What is a Church Admonition Answ. When an offending Brother rejecting private Admonition by one or by two or three Persons the complaint being brought to the Church by the Elder the offending Member is rebuked and exhorted in the Name of the Lord Jesus to due Repentance and if convicted and he repents the Church forgives him otherwise casts him out as I before shewed Quest. May a Church admit a Member of another Congregation to have Communion with them without an orderly receiving him as a Member Answ. If the Person is well known by some of the Church and that he is an orderly Member of 〈◊〉 Church of the same Faith he being occasionally cast among them they may admit him to transieâ—â— Communion for that time but iâ— he abides in that Town or City remote to the Church to whom he belongs he ought to have his regular dismission and so be delivered up to the care and watch of the Church where he desires to communicate Quest. If an Excommunicated Person hath obtained of God true Repentance and desires to be restored to the Church what is the manner of his Reception Answ. Upon his serious solemn and publick Acknowledgment thereof before the Church and due Satisfaction according to the nature of his Offence being given the Elder solemnly proceeds and declares in the Name of the Lord Jesus that the sentence which A.B. was laid under upon his unfeigned Repentance is taken off and that he is received again a as Member c. To the Praise and Glory of God Q. How ought a Pastor to be â—â—â—lt withal if he to the knowledge of the Church or any Memâ—ers thereof walketh disorderly â—nd unworthily of his Sacred Ofâ—ice and Membership Take the Answer of another Author here Answ. ' Those Members to whom this is manifestly known ought to go to him privately and unknown to any others and with the Spirit of Meekness in great Humility lay his Evil before him and intreat him as a Father and not rebuke him as there Equal much less as their Inferiour and if they gain upon him then to receive him into their former Affection and Esteem for ever hiding it from all others But if after all tender intreaties he prove Refractory and Obstinate then to bring him before the Church and there to deal with him they having Two or Three Witnesses in the face of the Church to testify matter of Fact against him to their personal Knowledge 2. But before he be dealt with they must appoint one from among themselves qualifyd for the workâ—â— a Pastor to execute the Church Censure against him c. Yet nâ— doubt the Church may Suspend him from his Communion exercisinâ— of his Office presently upon hiâ— being fully Convicted But seeing in the multitude of Counsel there iâ— safety sure no Church would so proceed without the advice of the Presbytery or of a Sister Church at least Q. Suppose a Member should think himself Oppressed by the Church or should be Unjustly dealt with either Withdrawn from or Excommunicated has he no Relief left him Answ. We believe he hath Relief and also that there is no Church infallible but may Eâ—â— in some points of Faith as welâ— as in Discipline And the way proposed and agreed to in a general Assembly held in London 1692. of the Elders Ministers and Messengers of our Churches we approve of which is this viz. The grieved or injured Person may make his Application to a Sister Church for Communion and that Church may send some Brethren in their names to that Congregation that have dealt with him and they to see if they can possibly restore
Jesus Christ hath born for thee 2. What a Burden thou hast to bear of thine own 3. Mayst not thou in some things be a Burden to thy Brethren 4. Wouldst thou not have others bear thy Burden 5. May not God cause thee to bear a more heavy Burden because thou canst not bear thy Brother's 6. 'T is a fulfilling the Law of Love nay the Law of Christ. XV. The Glory and Beauty of a Congregation is the more manifest when the Authority of the Church and the Dignity of the Pastoral Office is maintained How great was the Evil of the gain-saying of Corah The Apostles speaks of some that are Selfwilled Presumptious who are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities God has put a Glory and high Dignity upon the Church and in it's Authority and Power Whom ye bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven Moreover the Pastoral Office is an Office of Dignity they are called Rulers Angels Fathers For any therefore to cast contempt on the Church or Pastor is a great evil and a reproach to Christ and tends to Disorder and Confusion Lastly When Holiness Righteousness Charity Humility and all true Piety is prest upon the Consciences of every Member and appears in the Minister also that all strive to excell therein with their uttermost Care and Diligences The Conclusion KNow my Brethren That God loves the Gates of Sion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob Therefore the publick Worship of God ought to be preferred before private 1. This supposeth there must be a visible Church 2. And that they frequently meet together to worship God 3. That they have an orderly Ministery and one ordained Elder at least to administer all Publick Ordinances 4. Moreover that all Persons have free liberty to assemble with the Church and to partake of all Ordinances save those which peculiarly belong to the Church as the Lord's Supper holy Discipline and days of Prayer and Fasting Then the Church of Old separated themselves from all Strangers Yet others may attend on all other publick Ordinances with the Church as publick Prayer Reading and Preaching the Word and in Singing God's Praises as hath formerly been proved May others my Brethren join in Prayer with us and not praise God with us But O my Brethren let me beseech you to shew your high Value and Estimation for the publick Worship of God Motives hereunto 1. Since God prefers it thus Or has so great Esteem of his publick Worship 2. Because he is said to dwell in Sion It is his Habitation for ever The place where his Honour dwells 3. Here God is most Glorified In his Temple every one speaks of his Glory My Praise shall be in the great Congregation 4. Here is most of God's gracious presence as one observes it 1. His effectual Presence in all Places Where I record my Name thither will I come and there will I bless thee 2. Here is More of his intimate presence Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them He walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks 5. Here are the clearest manifestations of God's Beauty which made holy David desire to dwell there for ever See the appearance of Christ to the Churches Rev 2. cap. 3. 6. In that it is said that those that should be Saved in the Apostles days God added unto the Church 7. Here is most Spiritual Advantage to be got Here the Dews of Hermon fall they descend upon the Mountain of Sion Here God commands the Blessing even Life for evermore I will abundantly bless her Provision and satisfie her Poor with Bread Here David's Doubt was resolved 8. Here you received your first spiritual Breath or Life many Souls are daily Born to Christ. That good which is most Diffusive is to be Preferred but that good which most partake of is most Diffusive O magnifie the Lord with me let us exalt his Name together Live Coals separated soon die 9. Brethren as a worthy Divine observes the Church in her publick Worship is the nearest Resemblance of Heaven especially in Singing God's Praises What Esteem also had God's Worthies of old for God's publick VVorship My Soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of the Lord. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts 10. See how the Promises of God run to Sion or to his Church He will bless thee out of Sion O let nothing discourage you in your waiting at the Posts of Christ's Door David desired Rather to be a Door-Keeper in the House of God than to Dwell in the Tents of Wickedness Yet nevertheless do not neglect for the Lord's sake private Devotion viz. Secret and Family-Prayer O pray to be fitted for publick Worship Come out of your Closets to the Church What signifies all you do in Publick if you are not such that keep up the Worship of God in your own Families O neglect not Prayer Reading and Meditation And take care also to Educate and Catechise your Children and live as Men and Women that are dead to this World and walk for the Lord's sake as becomes the Gospel See that Zeal and Knowledge go together a good Conversation and a good Doctrine go together These Two together are better than One. Brethren he that makes the VVord of God his Rule in whatsoever he doth and the Glory of God his end in what he doth shall have the Spirit of God to be his strength This is like Solomon's Three-fold Cord that will be One or it will be Three it can't be Two not can it be broken The Solemn Covenant of the Church of Christ meeting in White-street at it's Constitution June 5. 1696. WE who desire to walk together in the Fear of the Lord do through the Assistance of his Holy Spirit profess our deep and serious Humiliation for all our Transgressions And we do also solemnly in the Presence of God of each other in the Sense of our own Vnworthiness give up our selves to the Lord in a Church state according to the Apostolical Constitution that he may be our God and we may be his People through the Everlasting Covenant of his Free grace in which alone we hope to be accepted by him through his blessed Son Jesus Christ whom we take to be our High Priest to justify and sanctify us and our Prophet to teach us and to subject to him as our Law-giver and the King of Saints and to conform to all his Holy Laws and Ordinances for our growth Establishment and Consolation that we may be as a Holy Spouse unto him and serve him in our Generation and wait for his second Appearance as our glorious Bridegroom Being fully satisfied in the way oâ— Church-Communion and the Trutâ— of Grace in some good measure upon one anothers
under Sin God is the God of Order and not of Confusion in all the Churches of the Saints And how severely did God deal of old with such that meddled with the Priests Work and Office who were not of the Priesthood nor called by him to administer in holy things Of the reception of Members Quest. WHat is the Order of receiving Members into the Church that were no Members any where before Answ. 1. The Person must give an account of his Faith and of the Work of Grace upon his Soul before the Church and also a strict Enquiry must be made about his Life and Conversation but if through Bashfulness the Party cannot speak before the Congregation the Elder and two or three more Persons may receive an account of his or her Faith and report it to the Church But if full Satisfaction by the Testimony of good and credible Persons is not given of the Party's Life and Conversation he must be put by until Satisfaction is obtained in that respect Moreover when the Majority are satisfied and yet one or two Persons are not the Church and Elder will do well to wait a little time and endeavour to satisfy such Persons especially if the Reasons of their dissent seem weighty Quest. What is to be done when a Person offers himself for Communion from a Church that is corrupt or erroneous in Principles Answ. 1. The Church ought to take an account of his Faith in all Fundamental Points and of the Work of Grace upon his Heart 2. And if satisfied then to send also to that corrupt People to know whether they have any thing or not against his Life and Conversation If satisfied in both these respects the Church may receive him Quest. To whom is it Members â—oin themselves is it to the Elder or to the Church Answ. They are joined to the whole Community of the Church being incorporated as Members thereof and thereto abide tho the Pastor be removed by Death The Power of the Keys with Church Discipline and Members Duties one to another 1. WE judg it necessary that a Day monthly be appointed particularly for Discipline and not to manage such Affairs on the Lord's-day which should be spent â—n the publick Worship of God of â— different nature besides such â—hings may on the account of Discipline come before the Church which may not be expedient to be â—eard on the Lord's-day lest it â—isturb the Spirits of any Members and hinder their Meditation â—n the Word which they have â—ewly heard tho in small Congregations perhaps a day in two or three Months may be sufficient 2. The Power of the Keys or to receive in and shut out of the Congregation is committed unto the Church The Political Power of Christ saith Dr. Chauncy is in the Church whereby it is exercised in the Name of Christ having all lawful Rule and Government within it self which he thus proves viz. 1. The Church essential is the first Subject of the Keys 2. They must of necessity to their Preservation purge themselves from all pernicious Members 3. They have Power to organize themselves with Officers Yet I humbly conceive I may add that the Concurrence of the Presbytery is needful hereunto 4. If need be that they call an Officer from without or one of another Church they must first admit him a Member that they may ordain their Officer from among themselves 5. They have Power to reject a scandalous Pastor from Office and Membership ' This Power of Christ is exerted as committed to them by the Hands of the Elder appointed by Christ the due management whereof is in and with the Church to be his Care and Trust as a Steward whereof he is accountable to Christ and the Church not lording it over God's Heritage And that the Power of the Keys is in the Church appears to me from Mat. 18. If he will not hear the Church it is not said if he will not hear the Elder or Elders As also that of the Apostle in directing the Church to cast out the Incestuous Person he doth not give this Counsel to the Elder or Elders of the Church but to the Church so he commands the Church to withdraw from every Brother that walks disorderly Purge out the old Leaven that you may be a new Lump Of Church-Censures NOW as to Church-Censures I understand but two besides Suspension viz. 1. Withdrawing from a Member that walks disorderly 2. Casting out oâ— Excommunicating such that are eâ—ther guilty of notorious or scandaâ—lous Crimes of Heresy c. oâ— of contemning the Authority oâ— the Church Briefly to each of these 1. Suspension is to be when'â— Member falls under Sin and thâ— Church wants time fully to heaâ— the matter and so can't withdraw from him or cast him out 2. If any Member walks disorderly tho not guilty of gross scandalous Sins he or she as soon as it is taken notice of ought to be admonished and endeavours to be used to bring him to Repentance For we hear that there are some which walk disorderly not working at all but are busy-bodies Such as meddle with Matters that concern them not it may be instead of following their Trade and Business they go about from one Member's House to another telling or carrying of Tales and Stories of this Brother or of that Brother or Sister which perhaps may be true or perhaps false and may be too to the Reproach or Scandal of some Member or Members which if so it is back-biting and that is so notorious a Crime that without Repentance they shall not ascend God's holy Hill Back-biting is a diminishing our Neighbours or Brother's good Name either by denying him his due Praise or by saying any thing to his Charge falsely or irregularly or without sufficient cause or evidence Thus our Annotators But this of disorderly walking does not amount to such a Crime but Evils not so notorious Now them â—â—at are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own Bread They must be admonished 1. An Admonition is a faithful Endeavour to convict a Person of a Fault both as to Matter of Fact and Circumstance and this Admonition must be given first if it be private by that Brother that knows or has knowledg of the Fault or Evil of the Person offending whether the Elder or Member for any private Brother ought to admonish such with all care and faithfulness before he proceeds farther But if it be publick thâ— Church ought to send for the Offender and the Pastor must admonish him before all 2. But if after all due Endeavours used he is not reclaimed buâ— continues a disorderly Person the Church must withdraw from him Now we command you Brethren is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you withdraw from every Bâ—â—ther that walketh disorderly
and not after the Traditions he received from us This is not a delivering up to Satan Excommunicating of dismembring the Person for this sort are still to be owned as Members tho disorderly ones the Church must note him so as not to have Communion or Company with him in that sense yet court him not as an Enemy but exhort him as a Brother if any Man obey not our Word note that Man It appears that such who refuse to adhere to what the Pastor commands and exhorts to in the Name of Christ are to be deemed disorderly Persons as such are who meet â—ot with the Church when assembled together to worship God or â—hat neglect private or family Prayer or neglect their attendance on the Lord's-Supper or to contribute to the necessary Charges of the Church or suffer any Evils unreproved in their Children all such may be lookt upon disorderly Walkers and ought to be proceeded against according to this Rule or divulge the private Resolves of the Church as well as in many like cases Of private Offences of one Brother against another 1. AS touching private Offences the Rule Mat. 18. is to be observed only this by the way must be premised viz. if but one Brother or two have the knowledg of some Members Crime yet if it be publickly known to the World and the Name of God be reproached it being an immoral Act 〈◊〉 private Brother is not to proceed with such an Offender according to Mat. 18. but forthwith to brinâ— it to the Church that the publicâ— Scandal may be taken off 2. But if it be a private Offencâ— or Injury done to a Brother 〈◊〉 Sister in particular and not beiâ—â— a notorious scandalous Sin thaâ— Brother must not mention it to one Soul either within or without the Church until he hath proceeded according to the Rule 1. He must tell his Brother his Fault Moreover if thy Brother shall trespass against thee go and tell him his fault betwixt thee and him alone if he shall hear thee thou hast gained thy Brother Thou must labour in Love and all Affections to convince him oâ— his Fault but if he will not heaâ— thee 2. Thou must take one or two more but be sure see they are discreet Persons and such that arâ— most likely to gain upon him and they with thee are to labour with all Wisdom to bring him to the sense of his Fault 't is not iust to speak to him as if that were enough no no but to take all due Pains and to strive to convince him that so the matter may be issued and the Church not troubled with it But if he will not hear thee take one or two more that in the mouth of two or three Witnesses every word may be established 3. But if he will not hear them after all due Means and Admonitions used then it must be brought to the Church and if he will not hear the Church he must be cast out The Elder is to put the Question whether the offending Brother be in their Judgments incorrigible and refuseth to hear the Church which passing in the Affirmative by the Vote of the Congregation or the Majority of the Brethren by the lifting up of their Hands or by their Silence the Pastor after calling upon God and opening the nature of the Offence and the Justness of their Proceedings in the Name and by the Authority of Christ pronounces the Sentence of Eâ— communication to this effect That A. B. being guilty of great Iniquity and not manifesting â—â—feigned Repentance but refusing to hear the Church I do in the Name and by the Authority of Christ committed unto me as Pastor of this his Church pronounce and declare that he is to be and is hereby excommunicated excluded or cast out of the Congregation and no longer to be owned a Brother or a Member of this Church and this for the destruction of the Flesh that his Spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus And this we believe is the substance of that which the Apostle calls a delivering up to Satan he being cast into the World which is called the Kingdom of Satan where he rules and reigns The delivery unto Satan saith Dr. Chauncy signifies only the solemn Exclusion of a Person from the Communion of the Church the visible Kingdom of Christ and disinfranchizing him or divesting him of all visible Right to Church Privileges casting him into the Kingdom of the World where the Prince of Darkness rules in the Children of disobedience And this being done he is to be esteemed to be no better than an Heathen Man or Publican or as an evil Person and not to have so much as intimate civil Communion withal Of Scandalous Persons guilty of gross Acts of Immorality IF any Member fall into any gross Acts of Sin as Swearing Lying Drunkenness Fornication Covetousness Extortion or the like and it is known and publickly spread abroad to the great scandal and reproach of Religion and of the Holy Name of God his Church and People the said Offender so charged the Church must send one or two Brethren to him to come before the Congregation if he will not come but doth slight and contemn the Authority of the Church that will bring farther Guilt upon him for which Offence he incurs the Censure before mentioned But if he doth appear his Charge is to be laid before him and the Witnesses called and after he haâ— made his Defence and said all he hath to say and the Congregation finds him Guilty then the same Censure is to pass upon him to the end he may be brought to unfeigned Repentance and the Name of God cleared and some time must be taken to make it appear that he hath true Repentance by the Reformation of his Life and holy walking afterwards before he be received again and the Censure of the Church in a solemn manner be taken off Dr. Chauncy puts this Question Quest. How is a Church to proceed in case of open and notorious Scandals The Answer is ' the matter of Fact as such being beyond all question the Church is to proceed immediately to censure to vindicate the Honour of Christ and his Church and to manifest to the World their just Indignation against such Notorious Offenders and wait for a well-grounded and tryed Evidence of his true Repentance under that Ordinance of Christ which is appointed to that end Observe It is the opinion of the Doctor that tho the Person be penitent yet because his Sin is open and scandalous he ought to be cast out to vindicate the Honour of Christ and the Church as part of his just Punishment that being one reason of the Ordinance of Excommunication as well as to bring the Person to thorow Repentance and we are of his Mind Paul takes no notice in the case of the Incestuous Person of his immediate
him to his place but if they cannot then to report the matter charged with the Proofs to the Church that sent them and if that Congregation shall after a full Information c. be perswaded the Person was not orderly dealt with they may receive him into their Communion Of such that cause Divisions or Vnduely separate themselves from the Church THis I find is generally asserted by all Congregational Divines or worthy men i. e. That no person hath power to dismember himself i. e. He cannot without great Sin translate himself from one Church to another but ought to have a Dismission from that Church where he is a Member provided that Church is orderly constituted nothing being wanting as to any Essential of Salvation or of Church-Communion But if not yet he ought to indeavour to get his orderly Diâ—mission Nor is every small Differencâ— in some points of Religion oâ— Notions of little moment anâ— grounds for him to desire his Dismission That he cannot nor ought noâ— to Translate himself see what 〈◊〉 Reverend Writer saith He cannot saith he for many Reasons 1. It is not Decent much leâ— an Orderly going away but very unmannerly and a kind oâ— running away 2. Such a Departure is not approved of in Families or Civiâ— Societies 3. It destroys the Relation oâ— Pastor and People For whaâ— may be done by one individuaâ— Person may be done by all 4. What Liberty in this kinâ— belongs to the Sheep belongs tâ— the Shepherd much more he maâ— then also leave his Flock at hâ— Pleasure without giving notice oâ— reason thereof to the Church 5. It is breaking Covenant witâ— Christ and with the Congregation and therefore a great Immorality he being under Obligation to abide stedfastly with the Church i. e. till the Church judge he hath a lawful Call to go to another Congregation 6. It 's a Schism For if there be any such thing in the World it 's of particular Societies 7. It is a despising the Government of the Church 8. It is a particular Member's assuming to himself the use of the Keys or rather stealing of them 9. There is as much reason Persons should come into a Church when they please without asking Consent as depart when they please 10. It is very evil and unkind in another Church to receive such an one as not doing as they would or should be dealt with 11. Such Practices can issue in nothing else than the breach and confusion of all particular Churches and make them like Parishes 12. Such Departures cannot be pleaded for in the least but upon the notion of a Catholick visible Church wherein all Members and Officers are run into one Organized Church which will and must introduce a Co-ordinate if not a Subordinate Pastoral Government by combination of Elders over all the Churches and therefore by Synods and Classes 13. It is like a Leak in a Ship which if not speedily stopped will Sink at last 14. It tends to Anarchy putting an Arbitrary Power in ev'ry Member 15. It breaks all Bonds of Love and raiseth the greatest Animosities between Bretheren and Churches 16. It is a great Argument of some Guilt lying-on the Party Thus the Dr. Again he saith It is no more in the just Power of a particular Member to dissolve his Church-Relation than in a Man to kill himself but by his said withdrawment he doth Schismatically rend himself from his Communion and so Separate himself Sinfully Quest. What is the just Act of the Church that cloathes this irregular Separation with the Formality as it were of an Excomcommunication He Answers Calling this a mixt Excommunication i. e. Originally proceeding from and consists in the act of the Brother himself and is the Formality of his Offence upon which proceeds the just and unviolable act of the Church The Judgment of the Church publickly declared by the Elder of the Congregation as the Dr. words it viz. That A. B. having so and so irregularly and sinfully withdrawn himself from the Communion of the Congregation we do now adjudge him a Non-member and one that is not to Communicate with the Church in the special Ordinances of Communion till due Satisfaction is given by him Yet we believe as the Dr's Opinion is that a Church may if they find the Case to be warranted by the Word of God or as it may be circumstanced give a dismission to a Member when insisted on to another regular Church tho not in every case of small Offence or dissent in some small points of different Notions or from Prejudice for that may tend soon to dissolve any Church For what Church is it where every Member is of one mind in every particular case and thing about Notions of Religion And such that make Divisions and cause Schisms or Discord among Brethren to disturb the Peace of the Church if they cannot be reclaimed must be marked and dealt with as great Offenders It being one of those things that God hates and is an abomination to him Quest. What is a full and lawful Dismission of a Member to another Church upon his removing his Habitation or on other warranted Cases Answ. VVe answer a Letter Testimonial or Recommendation of the Person and if he intends to abide there wholly to give him up to that Communion and Fellowship to be watched over in the Lord. Of Disorders or causes of Discords and how to be prevented corrected and removed I. ONE cause of Discord is through the Ignorance in some Members of the Rules of Discipline and right Government particularly when that Rule in Matth. 18. is not followed But one Person â—â—kes up an Offence against another and speaks of it to this or that Person before he hath told the Brother offending of it which is a paspable Sin and a direct violation of Christ's holy Precept and such must as Offenders themselves be in a Gospel way dealt with To prevent this the Discipline of the Church should be taught and the Members informed of their Duties II Another thing that causes Trouble and Disorder in a Church is want of Love and tender Affections to one another as also not having a full sight and sense of the great evil of breaking the Bonds of Peace and Vnity O that all would lay this abominable Evil to Heart how base a thing it is to break the Peace of a private Family or Neighbourhood but much more sinful to disturb the Peace of the Church of the living God and break the bonds of the Vnity thereof Behold how good and how pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Vnity But O how ugly and hateful is the contrary III. Another disorderly Practice is this When one Member or another knows of some sinful act or evils done by one or more Members and they conceal it or do not act according to the
Rule pretending they would not be lookt upon as Contentious Persons but hereby they may become guilty of other Mens Sins and also suffer the Name of God and the Church to lye under Reproach and all thro their neglect This is a great Iniquity IV. When an Elder or Church shall know that some persons are Scandalous in their Lives or Hereretical in Judgment and yet shall bear or connive with them V. When Members take liberty to hear at other Places when the Church is assembled to worship God this is nothing less than a breaking their Covenant with the Church and may soon dissolve any Church For by the same Rule one may take that liberty another nay every Member may Moreover it casts a Contempt upon the Ministery of the Church and tends to cause such who are Hearers to draw off and to be Disaffected with the Doctrine taught in the Church they knowing these Dissenters do belong unto it I exhort therefore in the Name of Christ this may be prevented And any of you that know who they are that take this Liberty pray discover them to the Church We lay no restraint upon our Members from hearing such who are sound in the Faith at other times VI. The Liberty that some take to hear Men that are corrupt in their Judgments and so take in unsound Notions and also strive to distil them into the Minds of others as if they were of great Importance Alas how many are Corrupted in these days with Arminianism Socinianism and what not This causes great trouble and disorder VII When one Church shall receive a Member or Members of another Congregation without their Consent or Knowledge Nay such that are Disorderly and may be loose Livers or cast out for Immorality or Persons filled with Prejudice without cause This is enough to make Men Atheists or contemn all Church Authority and Religion For hath not one regular Church as great Authority from Christ as another VIII Another disorder is when Members are received without the general Consent of the Church or before good Satisfaction is taken of their Godly Lives and Conversations Or when a Church is too remiss in the reception of her Members IX Another disorder is when a Church shall receive a charge against a Member it being an Offence between Brother and Brother before an orderly proceed has been made by the offended Person X. When Judgment passes with Partiality some are connived at out of favour or affection Levi was not to know his Father or Mother in Judgment XI When Members do not constantly and early attend our publick Assemblies and the worship of God on the Lord's-day especially but are remiss in that matter This is a great Evil. XII When part of a Church shall meet together as dissatisfied to consult Church-matters without the knowledge or consent of the Church or Pastor This is disorderly and tends to division and such should be marked XIII Another thing that tends to disquiet the Peace of the Church is when there are any undue heats of Spirit or Passion shewed in the Pastor or others in managing the Discipline of the Church Have we not found by experience the sad effect of this Therefore things must be always managed with coolness and sweetness of Spirit and moderation every Brother having liberty to speak his mind and not to be interrupted until he has done nor above one speak at once XIV When one Brother or more Dissents in the sentiments of their Minds from the Church in any matters circumstantial either in repect of Faith Practice or Discipline and will not submit to the Majority but raise Feuds nay will rend themselves from the Church rather than consent I Quaery what reason or ground hath any Man to refuse Communion with a Church that Christ hath not left but hath Communion with XV. When any Member shall divulge or make known to Persons not of the Congregation nor being concerned in those matters what is done in Church-meetings the Church in this respect as well as in others is to be as a Garden inclosed a Spring shut up a Fountain sealed This oft times occasions great Grief and the disorderly Person should be detected Is it not a shame to any of a private Family to divulge the Secrets of the Family But far greater shame do these expose themselves unto XVI Another disorderly Practice is this viz. When a Member shall suggest and seem â—o insinuate into the minds of other Members some evil against their Pastor yet will not declare what it is and may only be evil Surmisings out of Prejudice and yet refuses to acquaint the Pastor with what it is This is very abominable and a palpable violation of the Rule of the Gospel and Duty of Members to their Minister Such a person ought to be severely rebuk'd and if he confess not his Evils and manifesteth unfeigned Repentance to be dealt with farther Moreover it is a great evil in another to hear such base Insinuations and neither rebuke the Accuser and so discharge his Duty nor take two or three more to bring the Person to Repentance If he deal thus by a private Brother it is a great Evil but far worse to an Elder whose Name and Honour ought with all Care and Justice to be kept up as being more Sacred XVII Another disorderly Practice is which causes much trouble When the publick Charges of a Church are not equally born but some too much burdened when others do but little or nothing And also when every one does not Contribute to the Poor as God has blessed them on every Lord's day or first day of the Week as he hath Commanded XVIII Another disorder is this When Members refuse to communicate with the Church at the Lord's table because some person or persons they think are guilty of Evil and yet they have not proceeded with them according to Rule These either Excommunicate the Church or themselves or those Persons at least they censure unwarrantably I beseech you for Christ's sake that this may never be any more among you You ought not to deal thus with them or refuse your Communion tho faulty until the Church has dismember'd or withdrawn from them or at least Suspended them XIX When one Member shall believe or receive a report against another before he knows the truth of the matter XX. When an Accusation is brought against an Elder contrary to the Rule which ought not be without two or three Witnesses as to the matter of Fact XXI When the word of God is not carefully attended upon on Week or Lecture-days by the Members generally tho the said Meeting being appointed by the whole Church XXII VVhen Days of Prayer and Fasting and of publick Thanksgiving or when days of Disciplining are not generally attended upon Lastly VVhen Gifted Brethren are not duely encouraged