A BRIEF NARRATION OF THE PRACTICES OF THE Churches in New-England Written in private to one that desired information therein by an Inhabitant there a Friend to Truth and Peace Published according to Order LONDON Printed by Matth. Simmons for John Rothwell and are to be sold at his Shop at the signe of the Sunne in Pauls Church-yard 1645. A BRIEFE NARRATION of the practises of the Churches in NEW-ENGLAND PREFACE Mr scope in this Declaration is onely to answer your owne desire and cleere our way from some misapprehensions which I plainly see have been suggested to you against our proceedings what weaknesse may fall from my pen in this relation impute it to my own slendernesse not to the cause in our hands Dirige corrige Jesu benignissime OUr practise in Discipline consists in these six heads especially 1. In gathering or founding our Churches 2. In calling Officers as Pastors Teachers Ruling Elders Deacons 3. In solemne Church-worship 4. In admitting of members 5. In recommendations and dismissions of members to other Churches 6. In censuring delinquent members by Admonition Excommunication For the first such as do intend to gather into Church-followship 1. Gathering the Church doe often in private meete together and seriously examine the spirituall conditions one of another even untill they be mutually satisfied in the judgement of charity of the truth of grace of each other of all such as they intend to make the foundationalls of that Church Which done they certifie the Magistrates and all neere adjoyning Churches of their intentions to erect a Church and the day when they purpose to meet in publique for that end and this is done 1. To shew they are not ashamed of the light 2. To crave the help of their prayers and the assistance of their counsell in so weighty a work being better experienced in those wayes of Christ then themselves as yet are 3. To cleere their own proceedings in their Brethrens consciences that they seeing their entrance to be according to the Rule may accept of them more comfortably into communion as any occasion shall require When the day appointed is come and some deputed persons sent from all the neighbour Churches which usually are the teaching and ruling Elders there present and most part of that day solemnly spent in fasting and praying for a blessing upon that enterprise Then one of them chosen to order the work of the day stands up and speaks to the other of the Brethren that they may now begin to act what they met that day for which is to joyn together into holy fellowship if the will and pleasure of the Lord be so and withall desires then that whereas they have manifested already Gods gracious workings upon their hearts to each other in private now they would do the same again before the Churches in publike Then himself begins Confession and makes confession of his faith in all the principles of Religon and then a declaration of his effectuall calling to Christ and how God hath carryed on the work of grace viz. Repentance from dead works and faith towards God both of which they insist upon in his soule to that day Then all the rest do the like which done to the satisfaction of the Brethren present they give testimony of the godly and approved life and conversation of each other After this Covenant they enter into a sacred and solemne Covenant engagement profession call it what you please whereby they protest and promise by the help of Christ to walk together as becomes a Church of God See Cottons Way in New-England p. 8. in all duties of holinesse before the Lord and in all brotherly love and faithfulnesse to each other according unto God withall producing their Covenant agreed on before amongst themselves then read it before the Assembly and then either subscribe their hands to it or testifie by word of mouth their agreement thereto Then the Brethren of other Churches some in the name of the rest reaching forth the right hand of fellowship unto them beare witnesse to their proceedings to be according to God testifie their acceptance of them into brotherly fellowship and do exhort them also in the Lord to proceed according to those beginnings and so prayers made and praises given unto God and a Psalme sung the blessing is pronounced and the Congregation dissolved The Churches thus gathered 2. Calling of Officers Acts 6.3 they look out from among themselves such who are fit for office and if none among them be so though usually those that joyn into a Church have one amongst them upon whom their eye is for such imployment they seek to the Lord of the Harvest to direct them elsewhere Matth. 9.38 and because Apostles Prophets Evangelists have no successors appointed in Scripture the ordinary officers we use to call Ephes 4.10 are Elders Teaching Pastors Teachers Ruling Deacons The Pastors office properly is to bend himself to exhortation Pastors Teachers Rom. 12.7 8. The Teachers office to give himself to instruction in points of doctrine explication of Scripture confutation of error c. The ruling Elder to order the Assemblies Ruling-Elders to look to the life and conversation of the whole Church and to visit from house to house to see how all thrive in godlinesse while the other give themselves to the Word and Doctrine and all of them together to govern the House of God and also to prepare in private all matters for Church and to survey the estates and ripen all such as are to be admitted in the Church before they produce them in publike c. The Deacons office is to have a diligent eye to look into the necessities of the Church and with a tender heart Deacons and carefull hand supply them from the Church Treasury with such things as they need for necessity conveniency and comfort and to see that none want but honourably to supply them even before they fall into any extremity or be forced to crave help from the Church and therefore he is To Collect diligently To Keep faithfully To Distribute carefully the Churches treasure Acts 6.2 that so hee may serve the Tables which is the proper work the Lords Table Ministers table and the poores table To the Deacons office Deacon 1 Tim. 5.3 we would adde Deaconesses where such may be had according to which should be widowes of the Church faithfull approved and full of good works who may give themselves to works of mercy cheerfully and to be serviceable also to those that are sick when the Deacon so conveniently cannot and sometime so modestly may not send their help as that sex may And here behold by the way the faithfull and tender care of our blessed Lord that fully provides in those officers for the necessities of all his Saints Ephes 4.12 viz. By Pastors Teacher Elders Deacons Widowes and hath given them their names works and titles in his House which are
fully sufficient for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edification of the body of Christ lesse then which would be too little more then which would be too much for if the minde and judgement of his Saints be well informed and instructed in what they ought to know believe and do which is the work and office of the Teacher and if the conscience be convinced the will bowed to holy obedience the affections rectified and set upon their object which is the office and work of the Pastor if the life and conversation be well ordered also which is the proper imployment of the ruling Elder and if all things be beautifully ordered and governed in the House of God in all the administration hereof which is the joynt work of them all together there and then also if the outward man be provided for convenienly comfortably and timely that no lack be there no crying and complaining in our streets for want of supply which is the office of the Deacons and if the sick be helped refreshed comforted which is the office of the Deaconesse then there is full provision for the necessity of the Saints all which Christ hath given us here these we have and more then these we are like six fingers to an hand now these we say and no others being the officers which are in our eyes to call wee proceed to election and then to ordination in this manner following First the men that wee are to call to office are our own members 1. Election Acts 6. or if members of other Churches they joyn with the Church which calls them before they have any propriety in them or power in the Lord over them to call them to office in that body then they are well known and approved by some convenient space of triall seeing we must lay hands suddenly on no man 1 Tim. 5.22 and we discern that not only his gifts graces and frame of spirit are in themselves desireable and commendable but in some good measure also sutable and fit for that people For every worthy man is not fit for every godly people no more then every glove is fit for every hand nor every key fit to open every lock though happily it be a key of gold another of Iron which is fit may be better They being thus approved the Church her self over which he is to be an overseer calls him and none other for them as Acts 16.3 those I say whose soules hee is to take the charge of call him and submit themselves to his administration in the Lord and not some of the Church as the officers only if there be any or the people only but all of us with joynt consent as one man or at least the greater part elect an officer over us So wee reade that the Primitive Church was carried in all their votes and elections Acts 1.23.26 14.23 Acts 23. All things thus ripened for election when wee are to elect a Pastor Teacher or ruling Elder wee give notice thereof to the Magistrate and all the next adjoyning Churches who and when and to what office we ordain him unto and intreat their presence and company with us for their brotherly counsell and assistance when the day is come and well spent in preaching fasting and prayer as Acts 13.2 3. then one of themselves appointed to oversee the work of the day stands up and is inquired of the Church if none after this solemn seeking of God for his counsell and direction in that weighty work they still resolve to proceed in the seeking such a one to be Pastor or Teacher as before they resolved to do Then having taken their silence for a testimony of their purpose hee tells them now hee sees all is cleer for his Call hee desires the Brethren to testifie their votes in calling such a one to such an office by holding up their hands which being done hee desires of the party to know if hee accepts of the Call to the office which the Brethren in the name of Christ hath given him to exercise in the Church after his acceptance expressed the Elder requires of the Church to promise solemnly by Christs help to do the duties of a Church to him as to a Pastor or Teacher viz. to submit to him in the Lord to be obedient to his doctrine to love him to give that respect to him that Christ commands and requires also that the same ingagement from him to do all the duties of a Pastor or Teacher to them The Election being finished Ordination they proceed to Ordination which is nothing but a setting apart for and putting him into that office to which be is elected and committing the whole charge into his hands or laying it on his shoulders before the Lord and this is done by imposition of hands and prayer The Elders of the same Church if there be any do impose their hands if there be none but himself is the first then two or three of the principall and most grave and eminent Christians being required by the body do in the name of Christ and the Church and this is no unusuall thing in Scripture as wee conceive Numb 8.10 Moses must bring the Levites to be consecrated before the Lord and the children of Israel must lay their hands on them and then Aaron shall offer them to the Lord so also Zadock the Priest was consecrated 1 Chro. 29.22 and Solomon anointed by the Congregation In time of which imposition of hands 1. They pray over them for all needfull gifts and graces fit for that great place to which he is called 2. They speak the words themselves of Ordination of him in Christs name and the name of that Church to that very office 3. Put a solemn charge upon him as in the sight of Almighty God 2 Cor. 5.10 before whom hee must shortly appeare to give an account of all those soules committed to his charge by the great Shepheard Christ Jesus himselfe Num. 27.20 that hee be diligent faithfull carefull and constant in a full discharge of that great charge laid upon him After this the Elders of the Church some in the name of the rest Gal. 2.9 do give him the right hand of fellowship in the sight of all the Assembly and testifie their brotherly respect unto him and after thankfulnesse to God for his gracious gifts bestowed on him do exhort him in the Lord to fulfill his ministration received from the Lord and so after praises given to God by him in the name of the Church hee dissolves the Assembly with a blessing For our calling of Deacons Deacons wee judge it not necessary because we want a rule to effect it with fasting and prayer as in the Ordination of other Officers but the Brethren look out from among themselves men fitly qualified according to the rule of the Word Acts 6.3 1 Tim. 3.8 9. and after due approose made
he is wont to acquaint the Elders whither he goes and the occasions of it withall to desire them to propound to the Church for their Letters recommendatory Rom. 16.1 1 Cor. 3.1 which being done the Church grants it the scope whereof is to testifie of the godlinesse of the man and to desire them to receive him as becommeth a Saint and to be helpfull to him in any thing that may need their assistance watchfulnesse communion and edification in the Lord during the time of his abode with them The Letter is subscribed by the hands of the Elders in the name of the Church and delivered unto them but if any member hath a desire to remove wholly from the Church to which he belongs and to live elsewhere he useth to make knowne his desire to the Elders and by their hands to the Church and where he desires to live as also the grounds which lead him to such a removall which if upon examining they prove weake or sinfull savouring of selfe-will covetousnesse schisme or c. more then of sound reason and such as are like to cast him upon eminent dangers spirituall or temporall then according to their covenant of love and faithfulness they with tendernesse shew him his weaknesse and disswade him from his purpose so prejudiciall to his peace and comfort to which counsell God usually bows his heart to submit and stoope But if after all the disswasions and brotherly advice they should see the bent of his spirit stand towards a removall that he cannot comfortably and fully be poysed by their judgements In such a case if his sinne be not apparent his danger eminent they use some indulgence not willing to imprison the spirits of any and they leave him to his liberty and permit him to depart and this we observe that when men thus depart God followes them with the crosse till they are driven to repent of such unadvised proceedings and desire to returne to the place which they left But if they see his grounds be good and sound and God leading him by the hand from themselves to another place where he may sit downe comfortably and be edified they use to say no more but as they did to Paul when Gods minde appeared Acts 21.14 to have him leave them and goe to Jerusalem the will of the Lord be done and so they write from that Church to the other Letters of dismission which so wee call for distinctions sake which indeed are all one with Letters of Recommendation spoken of before onely those were for a time these for ever wherein they doe use to give testimoniall of the brother and intreat them to receive him in all bowells of brotherly love as their owne in the Lord and be faithfull to his soule untill they shall present him blamelesse to the great Shepheard the Lord Jesus Christ and so after godly counsell given him to walke worthy of the Lord in the place where he is to live Acts 15.40 20.22 This we have added out of Mr Cotton they commend him by prayer to the blessing of the word of grace The Church to whom he is commended if they know not the person make triall of him as above before they admit him knowing Churches may erre in persons as well as doctrines c. So long as the Churches members walke blamelesse and holy wee encourage them and comfort them in their godly proceedings Censuring delinquents Gal. 6.1 but in case any be fallen by temptation as who is exempted if corruption presse in and the Lord withdraw we pitty him and labour to regaine him by such meanes as Christ hath prescribed as if his sinne be private and knowne but to one onely wee dare not unlesse the necessitie of the case requireth communicate it to a second but use to deale in secret with himselfe and cure him of it but if this will not serve but either he remaine unconvinced of the evill of it Heb. 3.13 and so is like to be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne then the other takes himselfe bound in conscience if the evill be apparent to observe the rule of Christ Matth. 18.15 16. and gradually to proceed further with him that is takes one or two more with him such as are most able and likely to prevaile with the delinquent brother and after prayer made to God to bow his heart and boare his eare to attend to their admonition they endeavour to gaine him to the Lord from his sinne if this meanes prevaile his soule is healed the offence removed their love renewed But if yet he remaines impenitent they enforme the Elders and they tell the Church the delinquent is convented in publique and his sinne laid open they endeavour to regaine him by opening his sinne together with the uneffectualnesse of the former meanes witnessed by which very particular his former sinne is much aggravated upon his conscience before the Lord from the Word applyed and pressed all which if even then it shall worke kindly to the melting of his heart into godly sorrow and humble confession it is acceptable and no further proceeding attempted against hâ—â— But if none of all these worketh effectually upon him 1 Thes 5.19 Mat. 18.19 then a solemne admonition by the vote of the whole Church in the name of the Lord Jesus by the hand of the Pastor or Ruling Elder is sadly laid upon him wherein his sinne being set home with ground from the Word is left upon him as stronger physicke to purge out the distemper which more private and gentle meanes would not effect All the while the Church imitating the patience of our blessed Lord unto our selves is willing to waite to see 2 Tim. 2.25 if God at any time by any meanes will grant him repentance which if it so be and he come forth and declare it publiquely for the plaster must be as broad as the soare to the satisfaction of the Church and glory of God and shame of himselfe by the humble acknowledgement of the evill of his sinne and his former impenitency in withstanding so many precious meanes so patiently used towards him with promise by the helpe of Christ for better indeavours for the time to come the Church proceeds no further but is satisfied comforted and renders praises to the God of all grace that hath given us such free use of such precious Ordinances and hath crowned our poore indeavours with such a blessing on the soule of his poore servant But if he be so farre shut up under an hard heart that he departs away impenitent the Church accounts it as indeed it is a sore blow from the hand of the Lord not onely upon the soule of the poore brother but upon them all who are so neerely united unto him Josh 7.25 to 11 12. Num. 16.22 and may justly make them sinart as he did all Israel for the sinne of Achan As the Church useth these meanes towards him in publique so
them the Elders upon some Lords day or other publique meeting do ordain him to the office and appoint him over that businesse by prayer and imposition of hands The Church thus gathered and furnished with able helpers for edification proceeds to all publike administrations in the body 3. Solemn worship wherein our desire and care above all things is to have all and no more then all the Ordinances of Christ himself Deut. 12.32 and all those as far as God is pleased to lend light in the native purity and simplicity without any dressings or paintings of humane inventions Wee use not to reade in the publique Assemblies Reading Records or Writings of men but that alone which is able to make the man of God perfectly and throughly furnished to all good works the pure Word of God it self and that all things may be done to best edification Exposition wee use to expound and apply the Word unto the people as occasion permits and because we desire to sing as well as to reade the pure Word of God it being an Ordinance of God as sacred as the other wee have endeavoured Nehem. 8.8 according to our light and time to retranslate the Psalmes as neer the originall as wee could into meeter Singing of Psalmes because the former translation was very defective and sing them in the Churches according thereunto For Prayer we use not any prescribed formes or stinted Liturgies but seeing the Ministers of Christ are called as well to give themselves to prayer as to the ministry of the Word Prayer Acts 6.4 wee pray as that blessed inditer of our Prayers who teacheth what to pray as wee ought helping our insirmities according to the peoples necessities the present occasion and the work of Christ in our hands requireth Rom. 8.26 We administer the seals of the Covenant not to all but only to believers or their seed which are either in covenant with our selves or with some other Church of Christ for though wee verily believe there are many precious Saints amongst us who with their children are under the Covenant of Grace through faith in Christ whom we tenderly embrace and esteem deare unto us because they are so to Christ Jesus himself and are ready to give to such approved ones the right hand of fellowship in case they shall desire it yet seeing such are not liable and subject to the Churches censure it is not meet they should partake of the Churches priviledges therefore wee have hitherto for born it untill further light shall appeare For the administration of the Supper Sacrament of Supper 1 Cor. 11.25 because Christ bids us do it often we commonly have it monethly though wee tie not our selves to any set time but alter it as often as good reason appeares and for better remembrance of the duty and preparation thereunto the Elders give notice the Lords day afore and stirs them to an holy preparation for so holy a duty When the time of solemn action is come the Pastor sets apart the Elements for so sacred employment he blesseth the bread he breaketh it in the sight of all the people declaring withall and applying the signification of those holy Rites and Actions He distributes it to those who be neer about him Acts 6.2 and gives the rest to the Deacons hands who stand ready according to their office attending on the Table to give unto all the people not bowing or kneeling which are forms of worship that never came into Christs minde Matth. 26.20 Luke 22.27 to 30. so far as wee know to appoint nor any way sutable to a Table-gesture but in that posture of body in which Christ himself gave it unto his Disciples After the bread hee taketh the cup and blesseth it distinctly by it self for so our Lord Christ did Matth. 26.26.27.29 hee powres out the wine and distributes it this done a Psalme is sung Prayers returned and the congregation dissolved Mat. 26.30 Wee also take our liberty to solemnize holy feastings and fasting dayes as God gives occasion by his extraordinary hand of providence of speciall mercy or judgement either to our selves or native countrey or other churches For the admitting of additionall members to those that are the fundamentalls 4. Addition of members we proceed in this manner Such as desire to joyn to the church do make known their desire to the Eldership who take a survey of their spirituall estates both of the knowledge in the principles of Religion 1 King 6.7 and of the work of Grace in their hearts as also their blamelesse and godly conversation among men in any of which if they finde any wounded they plainly declare it to the parties themselves labouring by love and patience to heal them and ripen them where all things are cleer to themselves they propound them to the church and intreat them as opportunity may serve to take some time to deal with them about their spirituall condition and inquire of the godly approved which know them that nothing may hinder when they are called to admission After some due space the ruling-Elders call them before the church in publike Confession of faith who heare them confesse their faith in the grounds of Religion then their effectuall Vocation to Christ First in their sound repentance from dead works Secondly their unfeigned faith toward the Lord Jesus Matth. 3.7 Luke 3.7 Acts 8.37 Then if they be satisfied in both these as where they discern the least true breathing of Christ though but as sinoaking slax they are they call if need be for testification of their godly conversation which being done they rest and testifie all their consents to their admission by holding up their hands after that the Pastor or Elder propounds to them the covenant which they are to make before God and his people the summe of which is to this effect Covenant To give up one selves to the Lord in all duties of holinesse 2 Cor. 8.5 then to the Church and the Officers in all love and submission according to the will of God and this they doe not trusting in their owne strength See Cottons way of the Churches in New-England pag. 55. more fully expressing the Covenant but in the name and by the grace of Christ himselfe To this Covenant when they have given their consent the Elders in their own name and the Churches reciprocally doe covenant also with them to performe the like duties backe againe unto them Then after prayers made by the whole Church for his gracious assistance in performing these mutuall duties each to other and all of them to God they depart away with a blessing If any member thus admitted hath afterward any speciall occasion to reside for any considerable space of time Of recōmendation and dismission of members in some other Church that wee may the better know according to our charge received of them what becomes of our members
the Elders and the godly ablest brethren also are wont all this time to repaire to him in private if it may be to set on the Churches censure and to further the working thereof and the Church also before they proceed to further censure doe call him before them once and againe usually to see if the Ordinance in any measure be effectuall upon him All the while that brother and so any other delinquent member though not so fame proceeded against by the Church as he is stands thus offensive in the Churches eyes he presumes not to communicate * Though he be admitted to hearing and prayer Cotton way of Churches pag. 93. 1 Chron. 28. 1 Cor. 11.28 Hag. 2.13 14. Levit. 22.3 4. Agreeably to Mat. 5.23 24. or if he does presume he is dehorted and prohibited to eate of the holy bread amongst the prepared and invited guests of Christ as not having by examination prepared himselfe as all such are commanded to doe and for feare he should defile it as the uncleane under the Law did such holy flesh as they touched for looke as the Priest that was uncleane though he was not degraded from his Priesthood yet suspended during the time of his uncleannesse from medling with the holy sacrifice so we deale and that according to God with this uncleane member and this also wee use as a further meanes to procure his humiliation when he shall see himselfe through his owne fault barred from the enjoyment of this holy priviledge and must now fit and mourne as the Leper under defilement being barred from communicating at the Table of Christ among the holy Saints of God which he was wont to enjoy with freedome and comfort But if neither the one nor the other publique or private meanes are able no not at last to overcome his hard heart and bring him to sound humiliation for his sinne then we judge it full time to use the last and forest meanes of cure that Christ hath ordained in his Church even to out off the gangren'd member 1 Cor. 5.6 7. Gal. 5.9 that the whole body be not infected by it and to purge away the leaven lest the whole lumpe be thereby leavened and for this wee doe not send to any externall authoritie out of that particular Church whereof the offender is whether Bishop or Classis because wee conceive it more then Paul himselfe 1 Cor. 5.4 See Willets Synopsis edit 1634. p. 286. 1 Cor. 5.3 4. 1 Tim. 5.21 who had more authoritie from Christ then all the Bishops Presbyters in the world dare undertake who did but informe direct and stirre up the Churches to doe it but did not doe it himselfe but wee freely use the libertie and authoritie which the Lord himselfe hath given us and doth charge us to use in such cases as these namely all the Churches doe solemnly meet together and if it be an open and knowne sinne all the Congregation that they may see the Churches impartiall severitie against sin in her own members and having set the delinquent before us and having set out his â—inne in the latitude and aggravations of it the Pastor or Elder having propounded it to the Church and they having testified their consents as before for his admission so now for his expulsion he solemnly in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the whole Church delivers up that man unto Satan 1 Cor. 5.4 for the destruction of the flesh and the saving of his spirit in the day of the Lord Jesus Which dreadfull sentence being with much feare and trembling and yet with much power and dread denounced against him hee labours to set home the terrors of it upon his conscience and doth charge him though hee hath abused all other ordinances yet to make use of this as being the last means which Christ will use towards him for his recovery and withall warnes him to depart from the Assembly and the fellowship of the people of God 2 Thes 3.14 and withall directs and charges the Brethren that they so walk towards him that hee may be ashamed and humbled that what in them lies they should not hinder but further the working of that ordinance upon his soule And though our proceedings in censure be thus slow and graduall as we have expressed See Cottons Way of churches in New-England p. 92. 1 Cor. 5.11 Matth. 18.15 against sins of a lesser nature and lesse notorious were not so much the nature and quality of sin it self as the impenitency of the delinquent hath called for the sharpe censure according to the rule of Christ Matth. 18.15 16. yet for sins very scandalous and notorious wee go more quick and roundly to work against the offender and stay not to admonish once and again and then pause to see how the plaster works before we use the salve but unlesse speedy and very eminent repentance which is early stept in to prevent which possibly may call to us as a voyce from heaven to Abraham Gen. 22.10 11 12. to stay our hand wee presently without any more ado meet together and give up that man to Satan according to that other rule of Paul 1 Cor. 5.45.7.11 When we have thus cast him out of the church wee have not withall cast him out of our hearts and care but still attend the cure of his soule Matth. 9.2 2 Thes 3.6.14 by looking to the God of all grace and mercy on his behalf doing by him as they did by the Palsie-man carry him to Christ when happily hee wants strength to go of himself by following him with private admonition to help the physick the better to work Lev. 26.39.40 And if we discern his uncircumcised heart is humbled and that hee accept of the punishment of his iniquity and confesse that as God hath walked contrary to him so hee hath walked contrary to God and is ready to judge himself before the Lord and his people 2 Cor. 1.7.8 2.6 to 9. taking shame to himself and giving glory to God in a word when we see Gods end is attained and the cure of his soule effected then as before wee called for no externall power from Bishops or other Presbyters to bind him so now wee need no licence nor commission from any to loose him but the church her self only 2 Cor. 2.6 to 9 as shee had liberty according to the rule of the Gospel to take him in and to cast him out so now to absolve and release him from all the censure who all being met in Christs name and perswading themselves that as Christ unloosed him in heaven 2 Cor. 2.7 8. so it is their duty to unloose on earth and so their vote being called for by the Pastor or Elder and testified by themselves hee is as the Leper by the Priest of old in the Law pronounced clean and so they as Paul exhorts the Corinthians to do they forgive him they comfort him they renue their
love unto him and now not only their Temple doores but their armes and hearts are ready to receive him As the church hath power from Christ over a delinquent member to reject him from their societies so also over a scandalous officer to deprive him of his office among them though this wee speak de jure non de facto for blessed be God we never had any accasion to put this in practice and wee desire wee never may for as they and they only had power from Christ to call one to administer unto them so they have the same power upon just cause given and he making himself unworthy and unfit to perform that work they called him to and to administer holy things with his impure hands that when they shall see one just ground that Christ himself hath discarded from ministring unto them then they also may be Christs Instruments to depose him from the office they called him unto In all these church-administrations spoken in this Discourse Acts 2.46 4.25 5.12 our great desire and care is to carry all things with joynt consent of all the members which was the practice and honour of the Primitive times which Paul so much desired 2 Cor. 2.10 should be in the church of Corinth and through Gods great goodnesse we have obtained that mercy that usuually in all our admissions dismissions elections and censures it hath been so with us to our great comfort But in case there should any difference arise as possibly they may through the remaining darknesse of our mindes all not being able to see alike then such as dissent from their Brethren and propound their grounds which are either weighty from the Word and then it is the voyce not of the Brethren only but of Christ speaking in thee to which the rest submit and yeeld or else their reasons have little or no strength in them which the Brethren are able with ease to answer and then either the rest see it and yeeld or if they are not convinced of the invalidity of their reasons and the strength of their Brethrens answers it is either through the weaknesse of their judgement or the stiffnesse of their will if the former be the cause the rest lovingly inform them and patiently beare with them till things be in some sort cleered up that they are content wholly to submit and consent to make no further trouble which they are frequently taught to do in cases of such nature but if stiffnesse of will plainly appeare or a spirit of contradiction if they will not by loving information lay down themselves they think it meet to admonish them of pride and wilfulness and leave them under it till they shall repent whereby the liberty of their voyce is taken from them till they have removed the offence But if the cause should be weighty and dark Cottons Way of Churches pag. 95. Acts 15. and the doubtigreat on both sides wee call in light from other churches to whom by agreement they repaire and crave their counsell This being faithfully done by Gods ordinary blessing and presence to our comfort we speak it we have found it conclusive and availe That which follows is added out of Mr Cottons late booke of the way of the Churches in New-England that this Narration might be compleat HItherto of their practice in regard of each Church by it selfe and the members of it in the next place is to be related what the course is in respect of many Churches in communion and fellowship and this omitting that was said before in their mutuall assistance about the constitution of particular Churches and recommendation of members c. consists in two points generally for wee will name onely the chiefe first the combination into Synods or Assemblies Secondly Dealing with Delinquent Congregations For the first When either corrupt opinions or suspicious practices are scattered so as they cannot well be healed by any Church alone Assemblies the Elders of the Churches desirous to maintaine verity and unity of judgement in matters of doctrine and integrity of life throughout the Churches doe both acquaint the Magistrate being nursing Fathers amongst us to the Church with the necessary occasions and ends of a generall Assembly and doe also sollicite the Churches to send some fit persons at such a time place where the Assembly is to be held to consider and discerne of the matters in question The Assembly being met in the name of Christ and his presence called for by humble and earnest prayer the matters to be discussed are propounded by one of the Elders of that Church where we meet or by some other appointed by them and consented to by the Assembly The matters propounded the Elders do declare their judgement together with their reasons from the Word All which time it is free for any man present and all may be present if they will as well the Messengers of the Churches as others after leave orderly craved and obtained Acts 15.7 to propound their doubts without offence whence disputation doth arise as Act. 15.7 till all parties be either satisfied or convinced In points which are not so fully cleared and agreed upon or the nature of them such as may admit further discussion ☜ difference of apprehension without disunion of affection or disturbance of the Churches peace is permitted and each man is left to his Christian libertie so farre as they all attaine they judge and minde one thing if any be otherwise minded who in simplicitie of heart seeketh the truth and in meeknesse of wisdome and love holdeth forth the same wee hope God will in time reveale the same unto him in the meane time Rom. 14.2 3. all agreeing in this one Not to condemne nor to despise one another in differences of weaknesse For the second viz. the dealing with or admonishing of offending Churches When a scandall ariseth in a Church Admonition of delinquent Churches whether by corruption of doctrine or in manners if upon diligent search it prove true the Church hearing thereof sendeth Letters or Messengers or both unto the Elders of that Church and exhorteth them to take a speedy course to the redresse thereof But if the Elders prove remisse therein or be faulty themselves they then certifie the whole Church thereof ☜ to call upon their Officers as Paul sent to the Church of Colosse to call upon Archippus Col. 4.11 Col. 4.11 If the Church heare them not the Church offended taketh in the helpe of two or three Churches more to joyne with them If still the offending Church persist in the neglect of their duty and of the counsell of their brethren either the matter would be referred to a Congregation of many or all the Churches together if need should require or els if the offence be evident and weightie and of ill though not of generall consequence the Churches offended would as justly they might withdraw themselves from the right hand of fellowship and so forbeare all such exercises of mutuall brotherly communion with them which all the Churches of Christ are wont to walke in one towards another as mutuall 1. Participation of Ordinances See Cottons Way of churches cap. 6. Sect 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. 2. Recommendation of members 3. Consultation in matters of weight 4. Joyning in Assemblies 5. Contribution to their outward wants 6. and helping to propagate such Churches which are with this 7. of admonition the severall acts of communion which wee hold as Churches one with another And though we have never been put to the utmost extent of this duty because the Lord hath so prevented that no church hath stood out so long yet if it should so fall out as God forbid wee look at it as our duty by proportion as one brother is bound to be faithfull to another and by example of the Church Song 8 8. who lookes for her little sister that had no breasts and of the Apostle 2 Cor. 11.28 who took care of all the Churches which publike spirit of grace and love is not dead with them all the Churches of Christ ought to have a care and watchfull eye over the publike good one of another though not virtute officii yet intuitu charitatis Now let all godly minded judge what errour or iniquity is in our Practice so much cryed out upon by the sons of men and some of our deare Brethren Psal 81.5 11.3 who cry us down for Separatists Schismamaticks Anabaptists and what not The foundations are cast down and what hath the righteous done Oh let men shew us from the blessed Word of truth where our errour lies let them set down a purer pattern before us and wee hope God will not so far leave us but that he will open our eyes and bow our hearts to entertain it but if upon mature thoughts they judge this to be the very Way of God 1 Cor. 11.1 Acts 26.9.29.4 2 Pet. 5.10 James 1.17 Isa 13.12 45.4 Lam. 4.2 Psal 2.15 Phil. 2.10.15 as we believe verily God is now about to cleer it so to be to all the world let them in the name of God lay away all prejudice against our persons and practices and follow us so far as we follow Christ So wee could wish that all men were as we are saving our meanness Now the God of all truth and the Father of all lights perswade the spirits of all his precious ones duly to prise those wayes of Christ and bow their hearts to stoop to the simplicity of the Gospel of our blessed Lord and common head Jesus Christ in whose blessed bosome of love and care I leave them and you ever resting Their and your loving Brother FINIS