of that Covenant 2 Tim 4.1.2 Tit. 1 9 unto the dispensation whereof they are alike called as also to execute the Censures being but a kind of application of the Word the preaching of which together with the application thereof they are alike charged withal 6. Eph. 4.11 12. chap. 1.22 23. And for as much as both Pastors and Teachers are given by Christ for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of his body which Saints and Body of Christ is his Church Therfore we account Pastors and Teachers to be both of them Church-officers and not the Pastor for the Church and the Teacher only for the Schools Though this we gladly acknowledg 1 Sam. 10.12 v 19 20 2 King 23 verse 15 that Schools are both lawful profitable and necessary for the training up of such in good Literature or Learning as may afterwards be called forth unto Office of Pastor or Teacher in the Church CHAP. VII Of Ruling Elders and Deacons THe Ruling Elders Office is distinct from the Office of Pastor and Teacher Rom 12 7 8 9 1 Tim 5 17. 1 Cor 12 28. The Ruling Elders are not so called to exclude the Pastors and Teachers from Ruling because Ruling and Governing is common to these with the other Heb 13 17 1 Tim 5 17 whereas attending to teach and preach the Word is peculiar unto the former 1 Tim 5 17 2. The Ruling Elders work is to joyn with the Pastor and Teacher in those acts of Spiritual Rule which are distinct from the ministry of the word and Sacraments committed to them of which sort these be as followeth I. 2 Chron. 23 19 Rev 21 12 1 Tim 4 14 Mat 18 17 2 Cor 2 7 8 Acts 2 6 To open and shut the dores of Gods house by the Admission of members approved by the Church by Ordination of officers chosen by the Church and by excommunication of notorious and obstinate offenders renounced by the Church and by restoring of penitents forgive by the Church II. To call the Church together when there is occasion Acts 21.18 22 23 and seasonably to dismiss them again III. To prepare matters in private that in publick they may be carried an end with less trouble and more speedy dispatch IV. Acts 6 2 3 c 13 v 15 2 Cor 8 10 Heb 13 7 7 2 Thes 2 10 11 12 To moderate the carriage of all matters in the Church assembled as to propound matters to the Church to Order the season of speech and silence and to pronounce sentence according to the minde of Christ with the consent of the Church V. To be Guides and leaders to the Church in all matters whatsoever pertaining to Church administrations and actions VI. To see that none in the Church live inordinately out of rank and place without a calling Acts 20 28 verse 32 1 Thes 5 12 Jam 5 14 Acts 20 20 or Idlely in their calling VII To prevent and heal such offences in life or in doctrin as might corrupt the Church VIII To feed the flock of God with a word of admonition IX And as they shall be sent for to visit and to pray over their sick brethren X. And at other times as opportunity shall serve therunto 3. Act 6 3 v 6 Phil 1 1 1 Tim 3 8 1 Cor 12 28 1 Tim 3 8 9 The office of a Deacon is Instituted in the Church by the Lord Jesus sometime they are called Helps The Scripture telleth us how they should be qualified Grave not double tongued not given to much wine not given to filthy lucre they must first be proved and then use the office of a Deacon being found Blameless The office and work of the Deacons is to receive the offrings of the Church gifts given to the Church Acts 4 35 chap. 6 2 3 chap 6 2 and to keep the treasury of the Church Rom 12 8 and therwith to serve the Tables which the Church is to provide for as the Lords Table the table of the ministers and of such as are in necessity to whom they are to distribute in simplicity 4. 1 Cor. 7 17 The office therefore being limited unto the care of the temporall good things of the Church it extends not unto the attendance upon and administration of the spirituall things thereof as the word and Sacraments or the like 5. The ordinance of the Apostle and practice of the Church 1 Cor 16 1 2 3 commends the Lords day as a fit time for the contributions of the Saints 6. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. â— 8 11. Acts 20.28 The Instituting of all these officers in the Church is the work of God himselfe of the Lord Jesus Christ of the holy Ghost And therefore such officers as he hath not appointed are altogether unlawfull either to be placed in the Church or to be retained therin and are to be looked at as humane creatures meer Inventions and appointments of man to the great dishonour of Christ Jesus the Lord of his house the King of his Church whether Popes Patriarkes Cardinals Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops Arch-Deacons Officials Commissaries Mat. 15.13 and the like These and the rest of that Hierarchy and Retinue not being plants of the Lords planting shall all be certeinly rooted out and cast forth 7. The Lord hath appointed ancient widdows where they may be had to minister in the Church 2 Tim. 5.9 10 in giving attendance to the sick and to give succour unto them and others in the like necessities CHAP. VIII Of the Election of Church-Officers NO man may take the honour of a Church-Officer unto himself Heb. 5.4 but he that was called of God as was Aaron 2. Calling unto Office is either Immediate by Christ himself such was the call of the Apostles Galat. 1 1 Acts 14.23 chap 6 3 and Prophets this manner of calling ended with them as hath been said or Mediate by the Church 3. It is meet that before any be ordained or chosen Officers they should first be Tryed and proved 1 Tim. 5.22 chap 7 10 Acts 16 2 chap. 6 3 because hands are not suddenly to be laid upon any and both Elders and Deacons must be of honest and good report 4. The things in respect of which they are to be Tryed are those gifts and virtues which the Scripture requireth in men that are to be elected into such places viz that Elders must be blameless sober apt to teach and endued with such other qualifications as are laid down 1 Tim. 3. and 2. Tit. 1.6 to 9. Deacons to be fitted as is directed Asts 6.3 1 Tim. 3.8 to 11. 5. Act 14 23 c. 1 23. c. 6 3 4 5. Officers are to be called by such Churches whereunto they are to minister Of such moment is the preservation of this power That the Churches excercised it in the presence of the Apostles 6. Gal. 5.13 A Church being free cannot become subject to any but by a free
A PLATFORM OF Church-Discipline Gathered out of the WORD of GOD and agreed upon by the ELDERS and Messengers of the CHURCHES assembled in the Synod at CAMBRIDGE IN NEW-ENGLAND To be presented to the Churches and General Court for their Consideration and Acceptance in the Lord. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts Psal 84.1 Lord I have loved the Habitation of thy House and place where Thine Honor dwelleth Psal 26.8 One thing have I desired of the Lord that I will seek after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his Temple Psal 27.4 Printed in New-England and Reprinted in London for Peter Cole at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1653. To all that are Faithful in Christ Jesus especially to the Godly of the Common-Wealth of England and the Nations thereunto belonging Grace Mercy and Peace BEloved in our Lord and Savior being employed as an Agent from New-England these Six years past to the Right Honorabl the present Parliament of England upon some weighty occasions Amongst other Papers of concernment that came to my hands from thence I received sometime since this ensuing Treatise from divers of the Reverend Elders there with liberty to Re-print it as I saw occasion It being intituled A Platform of Church-Disciplin gathered out of the Word of God and agreed upon by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches Assembled in the Synod at Cambridge in New-England to be presented to the Churches and general Court for their Consideration and acceptance in the Lord. It would be too long for me to insert the many Things that have occasioned the Delay of Reprinting it But meeting of late with a Coppy thereof Re-printed not only in a disorderly way but very Falsly to the great prejudice of the Work the Proofs in the margent amongst other gross Errors not rightly placed and so not proving the matter against which they are set I made it therefore my work to Suppress that Impression and have gained a Promise They shall never come to publick sale This Impression I have carefully examined by a Coppy I received from that Known Reverend Painful and Faithful Minister of the Gospel Mr. John Cotton of Boston under his own Hand directed to my self for the end before mentioned and do find it to Answer the Coppy received some smal faults excepted the proofs in the margent being duly placed only sometimes a Figure is mistaken but for the most part in Texts so familiarly known to every studious Reader as I conceived it would need no Errata not doubting but the charitable Reader will bear with it and Correct it as he reades it it being Re-printed at so great a distance from the place where it was first Collected It would be but as a drop of water cast into the great Ocean for me to go about by my Praises to ad to the worth of this Work and therefore such as the said Elders and Church-Messengers from their Synod at Cambridge aforesaid presented to the Churches and general Court for their Consideration and Acceptance in the Lord Such and the same I Declare this to be and desire the Lord to make it useful to his Churches and People for the finding out and true Discovery of that Order and Government the Lord Jesus hath left in his House till his second Coming which is the Prayer of Yours in the Lord Jesus EDW. WINSLOW Books Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall London And are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil by the Exchange Seven Books of Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs lately published As also the Texts of Scripture upon which they are grounded 1 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment on Phil. 4.11 Wherein is shewed 1. What Contentment is 2. It is an holy Art and Mystery 3. The Excellencies of it 4. The Evil of the contrary sin of Murmuring and the Aggravations of it 2 Gospel-Worship on Levit. 10.3 Wherein is shewed 1 The right manner of the Worship of God in general and particularly In Hearing the Word Receiving the Lords Supper and Prayer 3 Gospel-Conversation on Phil. 1.17 Wherein is shewed 1 That the Conversations of Beleevers must be above what could be by the light of Nature 2 Beyond those that lived under the Law 3 And sutable to what Truths the Gospel holds forth To which is added The Misery of those men that have their Portion in this Life only on Psal 17.14 4 A Treatise of Earthly-mindedness Wherein is shewed 1 What Earthly-mindedness is 2 The great Evil thereof on Phil. 3. part of the 19. vers Also to the same Book is joyned A Treatise of Heavenly-mindedness and walking with God on Gen. 5.24 and on Phil. 3.20 5 An Exposition on the fourth fifth sixth and seventh Chapters of the Prophesie of Hosea 6 An Exposition on the eighth ninth and tenth Chapters of Hosea 7 An Exposition on the eleventh twelfth and thirteenth Chapters of Hosea being now compleat Twelve several Books of Mr. William Bridge Collected into one Volumn Viz. 1 The great Gospel-Mystery of the Saints Comfort and Holiness opened and applied from Christs Priestly Office 2 Satans power to Tempt and Christs Love to and Care of his People under Temptation 3 Thankfulness required in every Condition 4 Grace for Grace or the Overflowings of Christs Fulness received by all Saints 5 The Spiritual Actings of Faith through Natural Impossibilities 6 Evangelical Repentance 7 The Spiritual-Life and In-being of Christ in all Beleevers 8 The Woman of Canaan 9 The Saints Hiding-Place in time of Gods Anger 10 Christs Coming is at our Midnight 11 A Vindication of Gospel Ordinances 12 Grace and Love beyond Gifts A Godly and Fruitful Exposition on the first Epistle of Peter By Mr. John Rogers Minister of the Word of God at Dedham in Essex Five several Books by Nich. Culpeper Gent. Student in Physick and Astrology 1 The Anatomy of the Body of Man Wherein is exactly Described the several parts of the Body of Man illustrated with very many large Brass Plates 2 A Translation of the New Dispensatory made by the Colledg of Physitians of London Wherunto is added The Key to Galen 's Method of Physick 3 A Directory for Midwives or a Guide for Women 4 Galen's Art of Physick with a large Comment 5 The English Physitian Being an Astrologa-Physical Discourse of the Vulgar Herbs of this Nation wherin is shewed how to cure a mans self of most Diseases incident to mans Body with such things as grow in England and for three-pence charge Also in the same Book is shewed 1 The time of gathering all Herbs both vulgarly and Astrologically 2 The way of drying and keeping them and their Juyces 3 The way of making and keeping all manner of useful Compounds made of those Herbs 4 The way of mixing the Medicines according to cause and mixture of the Disease
removal of Habitations in case of changing Church-Relations provided that it may be done without too much detriment to their outward estate and we for our parts have done the same But to put a necessity of removal of Habitation in such a case it is to foment and cherish a corrupt principle of making Civil Cohabitation if not a formal cause yet at least a proper Adjunct of Church-Relation which the Truth of the Gospel doth not acknowledg Now to foment an Error to the prejudice of the Truth of the Gospel is not to walk with a right foot according to the Truth of the Gospel as Paul judgeth Galat. 2.14 4. We do not think it meet or safe for a Member of a Presbyterial Church forthwith to desert his relation to his Church betake himself to the Fellowship of a Congregational Church though he may discern some defect in the Estate or Government of his own For first Faithfulness of Brotherly Love in Church-Relation requireth that the Members of the Church should first convince their Brethren of their sinful defects and duly wait for their reformation before they depart from them For if we must take such a course for the healing of a private Brother in a way of Brotherly Love with much meekness and patience how much more ought we so to walk with like tenderness towards a whol Church Again secondly By the hasty departure of sound Members from a defective Church Reformation is not promoted but many times retarded and corruption increased Whereas on the contrary while sincere Members breathing after purity of Reformation abide together they may by the blessing of God upon their faithful endeavors prevail much with their Elders and Neighbors towards a Reformation it may be so much as that their Elders in their own Church shall receive none to the Lords Table but visible Saints and in the Classis shall put forth no Authoritive Act but Consultative only touching the Members of other Churches nor touching their own but with the consent silent consent at least of their own Church which two things if they can obtain with any humble meek holy faithful endeavors we conceive they might by the grace of Christ find liberty of conscience to continue their Relation with their own Presbyterial Church without scruple 5. But to ad a word further touching the gathering of Churches out of Churches What if there were no express example of such a thing extant in the Scriptures that which we are wont to answer the Antipaedobaptists may suffice here it is enough if any evidence thereof may be gathered from just consequence of Scripture-Light Doctor Ames his Judgment concerning this case passeth for ought we know without exception which he gave in his fourth Book of Conscience in Answer to 2. Quest C. 14. Num. 16. If any saith he wronged with unjust vexation or providing for his own edification or in testimony against sin depart from a Church where some evils are tolerated and joyn himself to another more pure yet without condemning of the Church he leaveth he is not therefore to be held as a Schismatick or as guilty of any other sin Where the Tripartite disjunction which the judicious Doctor putteth declareth the Lawfulness of the departure of a Church-Member from his Church when either through weariness of unjust vexation or in way of provision for his own edification or in testimony against sin he joyneth himself to another Congregation more Reformed Any one of these he judgeth a just and lawful cause of departure though all of them do not concur together Neither will such a practice dispoil the best Ministers of the Parishes of their best Hearers For 1. Sometimes the Ministers themselves are willing to joyn with their better sort of Hearers in this way of Reformation and then they and their Hearers continue still their Church-Relation together yea and confirm it more straitly and strongly by an express renewed Covenant though the Ministers may stil continue their wonted preaching to the whol Parish 2. If the Ministers do dislike the way of those whom they otherwise count their best Members and so refuse to joyn with them therein yet if those Members can procure some other Minister to joyn with them in their own way and still continue their dwelling together in the same Town they may easily order the times of the publick Assembly as to attend constantly upon the Ministry of their former Church and either after or before the publick Assembly of the Parish take an opportunity to gather together for the administration of Sacraments and Censures and other Church-Ordinances amongst themselves The first Apostolick Church assembled to hear the Word with the Jewish Church in the open Courts of the Temple but afterwards gathered together for breaking of Bread and other Acts of Church-Order from house to house 3. Suppose Presbyterial Churches should communicate some of their best gifted Members towards the erecting and gathering of another Church it would not forthwith be their detriment but may be their inlargement It is the most noble and perfect work of a living Creature both in Nature and Grace to propagate and multiply his Kind and it is the honor of the faithful Spouse of Christ to set forward the Work of Christ as well abroad as at home The Church in Cant. 8.8 to help forward her little sister Church was willing to part with her choyce materials even beams of Cedar and such precious living stones as were fit to build a silver Pallace In the same Book the Church is compared sometime to a Garden sometime to an Orchard Cant. 4.12 13. No man Planteth a Garden or Orchard but seeketh to get the choysest Herbs and Plants of his Neighbors and they freely impart them nor do they account it a spoyl to their Gardens and Orchards but rather a glory Nevertheless we go not so far we neither seek nor ask the choyce Members of the Parishes but accept them being offered If it be said they are not offered by the Ministers nor by the Parish Churches who have most right in them but only by themselves It may justly be demanded what Right or what Power have either the Ministers or Parish-Church over them Not by solemn Church-Covenant for that though it be the firmest engagement is not owned but rejected If it be by their joyning with the Parish in the calling and election of a Minister to such a Congregation at his first coming there is indeed just weight in such an Engagement nor do we judg it safe for such to remove from such a Minister unless it be upon such grounds as may justly give him due satisfaction But if the union of such Members to a Parish Church and to the Ministry thereof be only by cohabitation within the Precincts of the Parish that union as it was founded upon humane Law so by humane Law it may easily be released Or otherwise if a man remove his Habitation he removeth also the bond of his relation and
contending about it till the Kindom be destroyed did not the Lord Jesus when he dedicated his sufferings for his Church and his Church also unto his Father make it his earnest and only Prayer for us in this world that we all might be one in him John 17.20 21 22 23. And is it possible that He whom the Father heard alwaies John 11.42 should not have this last most solemn Prayer heard and granted or shall it be granted for all the Saints elsewhere and not for the Saints in England so that amongst them disunion shall grow even about Church-union and communion If it be possible for a little faith so much as a grain of Mustard-seed to remove a mountain is it not possible for so much strength of faith as is to be found in all the the godly in the Kingdom to remove those Images of jealousie and to cast those stumbling blocks out of the way which may hinder the free passage of brotherly love amongst Brethren It is true indeed the National Covenant doth justly ingage both Parties faithfully to endeavor the utter extirpation of the Antichristian Hierarchy and much more of all Blasphemies Heresies and damnable Errors Certainly if Congregational Discipline be Independant from the inventions of men is it not much more independant from the delusions of Satan what fellowship hath Christ with Belial Light with Darkness Truth with Error The faithful Jews needed not the help of the Samaritans to Re-edifie the Temple of God yea they rejected their help when it was offered Ezra 4.1 2 3. And if the Congregational way be a way of Truth as we beleeve and if the Brethren that walk in it be zealous of the Truth and hate every false way as by the Rule of their holy Discipline they are instructed 2 John 10.11 then verily there is no branch in the National Covenant that ingageth the Covenanters to abhor either Congregational Churches or their way which being duly administred do no less effectually extirpate the Antichristian Hierarchy and all Blasphemies Heresies and pernitious Errors than other way of Discipline doth which is more generally and publickly received and ratified But the Lord Jesus commune with our hearts in secret and he who is the King of his Church let him be pleased to exercise his Kingly Power in our Spirits that so his Kingdom may come into our Churches in Purity and Peace Amen Amen CHAPTER I. Of the Form of Church-Government and that it is one immutable and prescribed in the Word of God 1 ECclesiastical Polity or Church-Government or Discipline is nothing else Ezek 43.11 Col. 2 5 1 Tim 3 15 but that Form and Order that is to be observed in the Church of Christ upon Earth both for the Constitution of it and all the Administrations that therein are to be performed 2. Church-Government is considered in a double respect either in regard of the Parts of Government themselves or necessary circumstances thereof Heb 3 5 6 The Parts of Government are prescribed in the Word because the Lord Jesus Christ the King and Law-giver of his Church is no less faithful in the House of God than was Moses Exod 25 40 who from the Lord delivered a Form and Pattern of Government to the children of Israel in the old Testament 2 Tim 3 16 And the holy Scriptures are now also so perfect as they are able to make the man of God perfect and throughly furnished unto every good Work and therefore doubtless to the well ordering of the House of God 3. 1 Tim 3.15 1 Chron 15 13. Ex. 20 4 1 Tim 6 13 v 16 Heb 12 27 28 1 Cor 15 24 The Parts of Church-Government are all of them exactly described in the Word of God being parts or means of Instituted Worship according to the second Commandement and therfore to continue one and the same unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ as a Kingdom that cannot be shaken until he shal deliver it up unto God even the Father So that it is not left in the Power of Men Officers Deut 12 32 Ezek 43 8 1 Kings 12 31 32 33 Churches or any State in the World to add or diminish or alter any thing in the least measure therein 4. The necessary circumstances as time and place c. 1 Kings 12 v 28 29 belonging unto order and decency are not so left unto men as that under pretence of them they may thrust their own inventions upon the Churches Isay 29 13 Col 2 22 23. Acts 15 28 Being circumscribed in the Word with many general limitations where they are determined in respect of the matter to be neither worship it self Mat 15 9 1 Cor 11 23 c 8 34 nor circumstances seperable from Worship in respect of their end they must be done unto edification in respect of the manner 1 Cor 14 26 1 Cor 14 40 1 Cor 11 14 1 Cor 11 16 1 Cor 14 12 19. Acts 15 28 decently and in order according to the Nature of the things themselves and Civil and Church Custom doth not even Nature it self teach you yea they are in some sort determined particularly namely that they be done in such a manner as all circumstances considered is most expedient for edification so as if there be no error of man concerning their determination the determining of them is to be accounted as if it were Divine CHAP. II. Of the Nature of the Catholick Church in general and in special of a particular visible Church THe Catholick Church Ephes 1 22 23 5 25 26 30. Heb. 22 23 is the whol Company of those that are Elected Redeemed and in time effectually called from the state of sin and death unto a state of Grace and Salvation in Jesus Christ 2. Rom 4 17 2 Tim 2 12 c 4 8 Eph 6 12 13 This Church is either Triumphant or Militant Triumphant the number of them who are glorified in Heaven Militant the number of them who are conflicting with their enemies upon Earth 3. 2 Tim 2 19 Rev 2 17 1 Cor 6 17 Eph 3 17 Rom 1 8 1 Thes 1 8 Isay 2 2 1 Tim 6 12 This Militant Church is to be considered as Invisible and Visible Invisible in respect of their relation wherein they stand to Christ as a Body unto the Head being united unto him by the Spirit of God and Faith in their hearts Visible in respect of the Profession of their Faith in their Persons and in particular Churches and so there may be acknowledged an universal Visible Church 4. The Members of the Militant Visible Church considered either as not yet in Church-order Acts 19 1 Colos 2 5 Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 12 or as walking according to the Church-order of the Gospel In order and so besides the Spiritual union and communion common to all Beleevers they injoy moreover an union and communion Ecclesiastical-Political so we deny an universal Visible Church
Isay 49.23 and nursing Mothers and stand charged with the custody of both Tables because it is better to prevent a scandal that it may not come and easier also than to remove it when it is given 2 Cor. 8.13 14. It s most sutable to Rule that by the Churches care each man should know his proportion according to Rule wha1t he should do before he do it that so his judgment and heart may be satisfied in what he doth and just offence prevented in what is done CHAP. XII Of Admission of Members into the Church THe Doors of the Churches of Christ upon Earth 2 Chron. 23 19. Mat. 13.25 22.12 do not by Gods appointment stand so wide open that all sorts of people good or bad may freely enter therein at their pleasure but such as are admitted thereto as Members ought to be examined and tried first whether they be fit and meet to be received into Church-society Acts 8.37 or not The Eunuch of Aethiopia before his admission was examined by Philip Rev. 2.2 whether he did beleeve on Jesus Christ with all his heart the Angel of the Church at Ephesus is commended for trying such as said they were Apostles and were not Acts 9.26 There is like reason for trying of them that profess themselves to be Beleevers The Officers are charged with the keeping of the doors of the Church Rev. 21.12 2 Chron. 23 19. and therefore are in a special manner to make tryal of the fitness of such who enter Twelve Angels are set at the gates of the Temple Act. 2.38 to 41. c. 8. 37. lest such as were ceremonially unclean should enter thereinto 2. The things which are requisite to be found in all Church-Members are Repentance from sin and Faith in Jesus Christ And therefore these are the things wherof men are to be examined at their admission into the Church and which then they must profess and hold forthin such sort Matth. 3.6 as may satisfie rational charity that the things are there indeed John Baptist admitted men to Baptism confessing and bewailing their sins and of others it is said that they came Acts 19.18 and confessed and shewed their deeds 3. The weakest measure of Faith is to be accepted in those that desire to be admitted into the Church Rom. 14.1 because weak Christians if sincere have the substance of that faith repentance and holiness which is required in Church-Members and such have most need of the Ordinances for their confirmation and growth in grace Mat. 12.20 The Lord Jesus would not quench the smoaking flax nor break the bruised reed Isay 40.11 but gather the tender Lambs in his arms and carry them gently in his bosom Such charity and tenderness is to be used as the weakest Christian if sincere may not be excluded nor discouraged Severity of examination is to be avoided 4. In case any through excessive fear or other infirmity be unable to make their personal relation of their spiritual estate in publick 't is sufficient that the Elders having received private satisfaction make relation thereof in publick before the Church they testifying their assents thereunto this being the way that tendeth most to edification But whereas persons are of better abilities there it is most expedient that they make their relations and confessions personally with their own mouth as David professeth of himself Psal 66.16 5. A personal and publick confession and declaring of Gods manner of working upon the soul is both lawful expedient and useful in sundry respects and upon sundry grounds Those three thousand Acts 2.37.41 before they were admitted by the Apostles did manifest that they were pricked in their hearts at Peters Sermon together with earnest desire to be delivered from their sins which now wounded their consciences and their ready receiving of the Word of Promise and Exhortation 1 Pet. 3.15 We are to be ready to render a reason of the hope that is in us to every one that asketh us therfore we must be able and ready upon any occasion to declare and shew our repentance for sin faith unfeigned and effectual calling Heb. 11.1 Ephes 1.18 because these are the reasons of a well grounded Hope I have not hidden thy righteousness from the great Congregaaion Psal 40.10 6. This profession of Faith and Repentance as it must be made by such at their admission that were never in Church-society before so nothing hindreth but the same may also be performed by such as have formerly been Members of some other Church and the Church to which they now joyn themselves as Members may lawfully require the same Those three thousand Acts 2. which made their confession Mat. 3.5 6. Galat. 2.4 1 Tim. 5.24 were Members of the Church of the Jews before so were they that were baptized by John Churches may err in their admission and Persons regularly admitted may fall into offence Otherwise if Churches might obtrude their Members or if Church-members might obtrude themselves upon other Churches without due tryal the matter so requiring both the liberty of Churches would hereby be infringed in that they might not examin those concerning whose fitness for Communion they were unsatisfied and besides the infringing of their liberty Cant. 8.8 the Churches themselves would unavoidably be corrupted and the Ordinances defiled whilst they might not refuse but must receive the unworthy which is contrary unto the Scripture teaching that all Churches are Sisters and therefore equal 7. The like tryal is to be required from such Members of the Church as were born in the same or received their Membership and were baptized in their infancy or minority by vertue of the Covenant of their Parents when being grown up unto years of discretion they shall desire to be made partakers of the Lords Supper unto which because Holy things must not be given unto the unworthy Matth. 7.6 1 Cor. 11.27 therefore it is requisite that these as well as others should come to their tryal and examination and manifest their Faith and Repentance by an open profession thereof before they are received to the Lords Supper and otherwise not to be admitted thereunto Yet these Church-members that were so born or received in their Child-hood before they are capable of being made partakers of full cōmunion have many priviledges which others not Church-members have not they are in Covenant with God have the seal thereof upon them viz. Baptism and so if not regenerated yet are in a more hopeful way of attaining regenerating grace and al the spiritual Blessings both of the Covenant and Seal they are also under Church-watch and consequently subject to the reprehensions admonitions and censures thereof for their healing and amendment as need shall require CHAP. XIII Of Church-members their removal from one Church to another and of Letters of recommendation and dismission CHurch-members may not remove or depart from the Church Heb. 10.25 and so one
then the Church without such graduall proceeding is to cast out the offender from their holy communion for the further mortifying of his sinn and the healing of his soule in the day of the Lord Jesus 4. In dealing with an offender great care is to be taken that wee be neither overstrict or rigorous nor too indulgent or remiss Galat 6 1 our proceeding herein ought to be with a spirit of meekness considering our selves lest wee also be tempted Mat 18 34 23 c 6 14.35 Ezek 13 10 Jer 6 14 that the best of us have need of much forgivnes from the Lord. Yet the wining healing of the offēders soul being the end of these endeavors wee must not daub with untempered morter nor heal the wounds of our brethren slightly On some have compassion others save with fear 5. Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 11 2 Thes 3 6 14 While the offender remains excommunicate the Church is to refrarn from all member-like communion with him in spirituall things and also from al familiar cōmuniō with him in civil things farther then the necessity of natural or domestical or civil relations do require and are therfore to forbear to eat drink with him that he may be ashamed 6. Excommunication being a spirituall punishment it doth not prejudice the excommunicat in nor deprive him of his civil rights and therfore toucheth not Princes or other Magistrates in point of their civil dignity or auothority 1 Cor 14 24 25 And the excommunicate being but as a publican and a heathen heathens being lawfully permitted to come to hear the word in Church assemblyes 2 Thes 3 14 wee acknowledg therfore the like liberty of hearing the word may be permitted to persons excommunicate that is permitted unto heathen And because wee are not without hope of his recovery wee are not to account him as an enemy but to admonish him as a brother 7. If the Lord sanctifie the censure to the offender so as by the grace of Christ 2 Cor 2 7 8 he doth testifie his repentance with humble confession of his sin and judging of himself giving glory unto God the Church is then to forgive him and to comfort him and to restore him to the wonted brotherly communion which formerly he injoyed with them 8. The suffering of prophane or scandalous Livers to continue in fellowship Rev 2 14 15 vers 20 and partake in the Sacrament is doubtless a great sin in those that have power in their hands to redress it and do it not Nevertheless Mat 23 3 Acts 3 1 in as much as Christ and his Apostles in their times and the Prophets and other godly in theirs did lawfully partake of the Lords commanded Ordinances in the Jewish Church and neither taught nor practised separation from the same though unworthy ones were permitted therin and inasmuch as the faithfull in the Church of Corinth wherin were many unworthy persons 2 Cor 6 chap 15 12 and practises are never commanded to absent themselves from the Sacraments because of the same therfore the godly in like cases are not presently to separate 9. As separation from such a Church wherin profane and scandalous Livers are tolerated is not presently necessary so for the members therof otherwise worthy hereupon to abstain from communicating with such a Church 2 Chron 30 18 Gen 18 25 in the participation of the Sacraments is unlawfull For as it were unreasonable for an innocent person to be punished for the faults of others wherin he hath no hand and wherunto he gave no consent so is it more unreasonable that a godly man should neglect duty and punish himself in not coming for his portion in the blessing of the seals as he ought because others are suffered to come that ought not especially considering that himself doth neither consent to their sin nor to their approaching to the Ordinance in their sin Ezek. 9.10 nor to the neglect of others who should put them away and do not but on the contrary doth heartily mourn for these things modestly and seasonably stir up others to do their duty If the Church cannot be refermed they may use their liberty as is specified chap. 13. Sect. 4. But this all the Godly are bound unto even every one to do his endeavor according to his power and place that the unworthy may be duely proceeded against by the Church to whom this matter doth appertain CHAP. XV. Of the Communion of Churches one with another ALthough Churches be distinct Rev. 1.4 Cant. 8.8 Rom. 16.16 1 Cor 16.19 Acts 15.23 Rev. 2.1 and therefore may not be confounded one with another and equal and therefore have not dominion one over another yet all the Churches ought to preserve Church-communion one with another because they are all united unto Christ not only as a Mystical but as a Political Head whence is derived a communion suitable thereunto 2. The communion of Churches is exercised sundry ways 1. Cant. 8.8 By way of mutual care in taking thought for one anothers welfare II. By way of consultation one with another when we have occasion to require the judgment and counsel of other Churches touching any person or cause wherewith they may be better acquainted than our selves As the Church of Antioch consulted with the Apostles and Elders of the Church at Jerusalem Acts 15 2 about the question of circumcision of the Gentils and about the false Teachers that broached that Doctrin In which case Acts 15 6 when any Church wanteth light or peace amongst themselvs it is a way of communion of Churches according to the Word to meet together by their Elders and other Messengers in a Synod to consider argue the points in doubt or difference Vers 22 23 and having found out he way of truth and peace to commend the same by their Letters and Messengers to the Churches whom the same may concern But if a church be rent with divisions amongst themselves or lie under any open scandal yet refuse to consult with other Churches for healing or removing of the same it is a matter of just offence both to the Lord Jesus and to other Churches as bewraying too much want of mercy and faithfulness Ezck. 34.4 not to seek to bind up the breaches and wounds of the Church and Brethren and therefore the state of such a Church calleth aloud upon other Churches to exercise a fuller act of brotherly communion to wit by way of Admonition III. A third way then of communion of Churches is by way of admonition to wit In case any publick offence be found in a Church which they either discern not Gal. 2.11 to 14. or are slow in proceeding to use the means for the removing and healing of Paul had no authority over Peter yet when he saw Peter not walking with a right foot he publickly rebuked him before the Church though Churches have no more authority one over another than
one Apostle had over another yet as one Apostle might admonish another so may one Church admonish another and yet without usurpation In which case if the Church that lyeth under offence Mat. 18.15 16 17. by proportion do not hearken to the Church which doth admonish her the Church is to acquaint other neighbor-churches with that offence which the offending Church still lieth under together with their neglect of the brotherly admonition given unto them whereupon those other Churches are to joyn in seconding the admonition formerly given and if stil the offending Church continue in obstinacy and impenitency they may forbear cōmunion with them and are to proceed to make use of the help of a Synod or counsel of neighbor churches walking orderly if a greater cannot conveniently be had for their conviction If they hear not the Synod the Synod having declared them to be obstinate particular Churches approving and accepting of the judgment of the Synod are to declare the sentence of non-communion respectively concerning them and thereupon out of a religious care to keep their own communion pure they may justly withdraw themselves from participation with them at the Lords Table and from such other Acts of Holy communion as the communion of Churches doth otherwise allow and require Nevertheless if any Members of such a Church as lieth under publick offence do not consent to the offence of the Church but do in due sort bear witnels against it Gen. 18.25 they are stil to be received to wonted communion for it is not equal that the innocent should suffer with the offensive Yea furthermore if such innocent Members after due waiting in the use of all good means for the healing of the offence of their own Church shal at last with the allowance of the counsel of neighbor Churches withdraw from the fellowship of their own Church and offer themselves to the fellowship of another we judg it lawfull for the other Church to receive them being otherwise fit as if they had been orderly dismissed to them from their own Church IV. A fourth way of communion of Churches is by way of Participation the Members of one Church occasionally coming unto another we willingly admit them to partake with us at the Lords Table it being the seal of our communion not only with Christ nor only with the Members of our own Church 1 Cor 12.13 but also with all the Churches of the Saints in which regard we refuse not to baptize their children presented to us if either their own Minister be absent or such a fruit of holy fellowship be desired with us In like case such Churches as are furnished with more Ministers than one do willingly afford one of their own Ministers to supply the place of an absent or sick Minister of another Church for a needful season V. A fifth way of Church-communion is Rom. 16.3 by way of Recommendation when a Member of one Church hath occasion to reside in another Church if but for a season we commend him to their watchful fellowship by letters of recommendation but if he be called to settle his abode there we commit him according to his desire Acts 18.27 to the fellowship of their Covenant by letters of dismission VI. A sixt way of Church-communion is in case of Need to Minister relief and succor one unto another Acts 11.22 either of able Members to furnish them with Officers vers 29. Rom. 13.26 27. or of outward support to the necessities of poorer Churches as did the Churches of the Gentiles contribute liberally to the poor Saints at Jerusalem 3. When a company of Beleevers purpose to gather into Church-fellowship it is requisite for their safer proceeding the maintaining of the communion of Churches Gal. 2.1 2. and 9. by proportion that they signifie their intent unto the neighbor Churches walking according unto the order of the Gospel and desire their presence and help and right hand of fellowship which they ought readily to give unto them when there is no just cause of excepting against their proceedings 4. Besides these several waies of communion there is also a way of propagation of Churches when a Church shal grow too numerous it is a way Isay 40.20 Cant 8 8 9 fit season to propogate one Church out of another by sending forth such of their mēbers as are willing to remove and to procure some Officers to them as may enter with them into Church-estate a mongst themselves as Bees when the hive is too ful issue forth by swarms and are gathered into other hives so the Churches of Christ may do the same upon like necessity and therin hold forth to them the right hand of fellowship both in their gathering into a Church and in the ordination of their Officers CHAP. XVI Of Synods SYnods orderly assembled and rightly proceeding according to the pattern Acts 15.2 to 15. Acts 15. we acknowledg as the ordinance of Christ and though not absolutely necessary to the being yet many times through the iniquity of men and perversness of times necessary to the wel-being of Churches for the establishment of truth and peace therein 2. Synods being Spiritual and Ecclesiastical Assemblyes are therfore made up of Spiritual and Ecclesiastical causes The next efficient cause of them under Christ is the power of the Churches sending forth their Elders Acts 15.2 3 other Messengers who being met together in the Name of Christ Verse 6. are the matter of the Synod and they in arguing debating and determining matters of Religion according to the Word ver 7. to 23 and publishing the same to the Churches whom it concerneth do put forth the proper and formal acts of a Synod verse 31. Acts 16.4.15 to the conviction of errors and heresies and the establishment of truth and peace in the Churches which is the end of a Synod 3. Magistrates have power to call a Synod by calling to the Churches to send forth their Elders and other Messengers 1 Chron. 29 4 5. to 11. to counsel and assist them in matters of Religion but yet the constituting of a Synod Acts 15. is a Church act and may be transacted by the Churches even when civil Magistrates may be enemies to Churches and to Church-Assemblyes 4. It belongeth unto Synods and Counsels to debate and determin controversies of faith Acts 17.1.2.6.7 1 Chron. 15 23. and cases of conscience to clear from the Word holy directions for the holy Worship of God good government of the Church to bear witness against mis-administration and Corruption in doctrine or maners in any particular Church 2 Chron. 29.6 7 Acts 15 24. vers 28 29 to give directions for the reformation therof Not to exercise Church-censures in way of discipline nor any other act of church authority or jurisdiction which that presidentiall Synod did forbeare 5. The Synods directions and determinations so farr as consonant to the
word of God are to be received with reverence submission not only for their agreement therwith which is the principal ground therof and without which they bind not at all but also secondarily for the power wherby they are made Acts 15 as being an ordinance of God appointed therunto in his word 6. Because it is difficult if not impossible for many churches to com al together in one place in al their members universaly therfore they may assemble by their delegates or messengers as the church of Antioch went not all to Jerusalem Acts 15 2 but some select men for that purpose Because none are or should be more fit to know the state of the churches nor to advise of wayes for the good thereof than Elders therfore it is fit that in the choyce of the messengers for such assemblies they have special respect unto such Acts 15 2. vers 22 23 Yet in as much as not only Paul Barnabas but certayn others also were sent to Ierusalem from Antioch Acts 15. and when they were come to Jerusalem not only the Apostles Elders but other brethren also doe assemble meet about the matter therfore Synods are to consist both of Elders other church-members endued with gifts sent by the churches not excluding the presence of any brethren in the churches CHAP. XVII Of the Civil Magistrates power in matters Ecclesiastical IT is lawfull profitable And necessary for Christians to gather themselves into Church estate and therin to exercise all the ordinanaces of Christ accoridng unto the word Acts 2 41 47 c 4 1 2 3 although consent of the Magistrate could not be had therunto because the Apostles Christians in their time did frequently thus practise when the Magistrates being all of them Jewish or pagan and mostly persecuting enemies would give no countenance or consent to such matters 2. Church-government stands in no opposition to civil government of common-wealths John 18 36 nor any way intrencheth upon the authority of Civil Magistrates in their jurisdictions John 18.36 Acts 25.8 nor any whit weakneth their hands in governing but rather strengthneth them and furthereth the people in yielding more hearty conscionable obedience unto them whatsoever some ill affected persons to the wayes of Christ have suggested to alienate the affections of Kings and Princes form the ordinances of Christ as if the Kingdom of Christ in his church could not rise stand without the falling weakning of their government which is also of Christ Isay 49.23 wheras the contrary is most true that they may both stand together and flourish the one being helpfull unto the other in their distinct and due administrations 3. The power and authority of Magistrates is not for the restraiing of churches Rom. 13.4 1 Tim. 2.2 or any other good workes but for helping in furthering therof therfore the consent countenance of Magistrates when it may be had is not to be slighted or lightly esteemed but on the contrary it is part of that honour due to christian Magistrates to desire crave their consent approbation therin which being obtayned the churches may then proceed in their way with much more encouragement and comfort 4. It is not in the power of Magistrates to compell their subjects to become church-members and to partake at the Lords table for the priests are reproved Ezek. 44.7.9 1 Cor. 5.11 that brought ūworthy ones into the sanctuarie then as it was unlawful for the preists so it is as unlawful to be done by civil Magistrates Those whom the church is to cast out if they were in the Magistrate ought not to thrust into the church nor to hold them therin 5. As it is unlawfull for church-officers to meddle with the sword of the Magistrate Matth. 20.25.26 so is it ūlawfull for the Magistrate to meddle with the work proper to church officers the Acts of Moses David who were not only Princes 2 Chron. 26 16 17. but Prophets were extraordnary therfore not imitable Against such usurpation the Lord witnessed by smiting Uzziah with leprosie for presuming to offer incense 6. It is the duty of the Magistrate to take care of matters of religion and to improve his civil authority for the observing of the duties commanded in the first Psal 82.2 as well as for observing of the duties commanded in the second table They are called Gods The end of the Magistrates office 1 Tim. 2.1.2 is not only the quiet peaceable life of the subject in matters of righteousness and honesty but also in matters of godliness yea of all godliness Moses Joshua David Solomon Asa Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Josiah 1 Kings 15.14 c. 22.43 2 King 12.3 c. 14.4 c 15 35. 1 Kings 20.42 Job 29.25 c. 31 26.28 Neh. 14. Jonah 3 7. Ezra 7. Dan. 3.29 are much commended by the Holy Ghost for the putting forth their authority in matters of religion on the contrary such Kings as have been fayling this way are frequently taxed reproved by the Lord. And not only the Kings of judah but also Job Nehemiah the King of Niniveh Darius Artaxerxes Nebucadnezar whom none looked at as types of Christ though were it so there were no place for any just objection are cōmended in the book of God for exercising their authority this way 7 The object of the power of the Magistrate are not things meerly inward and so not subject to his cognisance view as unbeleif hardness of heart erronious opinions not vented but only such things as are acted by the outward man neither is their power to be exercised in commanding such acts of the outward man 1 Kings 20.28 vers 11 and punishing the neglect therof as are but meer inventions devices of men but about such acts as are commanded forbidden in the word yea such as the word doth clearly determine though not alwayes clearly to the judgment of the Magistrate or others yet clearly in it slfe In these he of right ought to putt forth his authority Deut. 13. 1 Kings 20.28 vers 42 Dan. 3.29 Zach. 13.3 Neh. 13.21 1 Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.4 though oft-times actually he doth it not 8 Idolatry Blasphemy Heresy venting corrupt and pernicious opinions that destroy the foundation open contempt of the word preached prophanation of the Lords day disturbing the peaceable administration exercise of the worship holy things of God and the like are to be restrayned and punished by civil authority 9 If any church one or more shall grow schismaticall rending it self from the communion of other churches or shall walke incorrigibly or obstinately in any corrupt way of their own contrary to the rule of the word in such case the Magistrate is to put forth his coercive power as the matter shall require Joshua 22 The tribes on this side jordan intended to make warr against the other tribes for building the alter of witness whom they suspected to have turned away therin from follwing of the Lord. FINIS A Table of the Contents of the Chapters in this Platform of Church-Discipline Chap. I. Of the Form of Church-government in general and that it is one immutable and prescribed in the Word of God Page 1 Chap. II. Of the Nature of the Catholick Church in general and in special of a particular visible Church Page 2 Chap. III. Of the matter of the visible Church both in respect of quality and quantity Page 3 Chap. IV. Of the Form of a visible Church and of Church-Covenant Page 4 Chap. V. Of the first subject of Church-power or to whom Church-power doth first belong Page 7 Chap. VI. Of the Officers of the Church and especially of Pastors and Teachers Page 7 Chap. VII Of Ruling Elders and Deacons Page 8 Chap. VIII Of Election of Church-Officers Page 10 Chap. IX Of Ordination and Impositionof hands Page 11 Chap. X. Of the Power of the Church and its Presbitery Page 12 Chap. XI Of the maintenance of Church-Officers Page 15 Chap. XII Of the Admission of Members into the Church Page 16 Chap. XIII Of Church-Members their removal from one Church to another and Letters of Recommendation and Dismission Page 19 Chap. XIV Of Excommunication and other Church-Censures Page 20 Chap. XV. Of the Communion of Churches one with another Page 23 Chap. XVI Of Synods Page 27 Chap. XVII Of the civil Magistrates Power in matters Ecclesiastical Page 28