church IIX To feed the flock of God with a word of admonition IX And as they shall be sent for to visit to pray over their sick brethren X at other times as opportunity shall serve therunto 3 The office of a Deacon is Instituted in the church by the Lord Jesus somtime they are called Helps The Scripture telleth us how they should be qualified Grave not double tougued not given to much wine not given to filthy lucre they must first be proved 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 to keep the treasury of the church therewith to serve the Tables which the church is to provide for as the Lords Table the table of the ministers of such as are in necessitie to whom they are to distribute in simplicity 4 The office therefore being limited unto the care of the temporall good things of the church it extends not unto the attendance upon administration of the spirituall things thereof as the word and Sacraments or the like 5 The ordinance of the Apostle practice of the church commends the Lords day as a fit time for the contributions of the Saints 6 The Instituting of all these officers in the Church is the work of God himselfe of the Lord Iesus Christ of the holy Ghost therefore such officers 〈◊〉 he hath not appointed are altogether unlawfull either to be placed in the church or to be retained therin are to be looked at as humane creatures meer Inventions 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 〈◊〉 Arch-â—…eacons Officials Commissaries the like These the rest of that Hierarchy Retinue not being plants of the Lords planting shall all be certeinly be rooted out cast forth 7 The Lord hath appointed ancient widdows where they may be had to minister in the church in giving attendance to the sick to give succour unto them others in the like necessities CHAP IIX Of the Electon of Church-Officers NO man may take the honour of a Church-Officer unto himself 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 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 〈◊〉 proveâ—… because hands are nâ—…t suddenly to be laid upon any both Elders Deacons must be of honest good repoâ—…t 4 The things in respect of which they are to be Tryed are those gifâ—…s virtues which the Scripture requireth in men that are to be elected into such places viz that Elders must be blamelesâ—… sober apt to teach endued with such other qualifications as are layd downe 1 Tim: 3 2. Tâ—…t 1. 6 to 9. Deacons to be fitted as is directed Acts. 6 3. 1 Tim: 3. 8 to 11. 5 Officers are to be called by such Churches whereunto they are to minâ—…ster of such moment is the preservation of this power that the churches excercised it in the presence of the Apostles 6 A Church being free cannot become subject to any but by a free election Yet when such a people do chuse any to be over them in the Lord then do they becomâ—… subject most willingly submit to their ministry in the Lord whom they have so chosen 7 And if the church have powr to chuse their officers ministers then in case of manifest unworthyness delinquency they have powr also to depose them For to open shut to chuse refuse to constitute in office remove from office are acts belonging unto the same powr 8 Wee judge it much conducing to the wel-being communion of churches that where it may conveniently be done neighbour-churches be advâ—…sed withall their help made use of in the triall of church-officers in order to their choyce 9 The choyce of such Church-officers belongeth not to the civil-magistrates as such or diocesan-bishops or patrones for of these or any such like the Scripture is wholly silent as having any power therin CHAP IX Of Ordination Imposition of hands CHurch-officers are not only to be chosen by the Church but also to be ordeyned by Imposition of hands prayer with which at the ordination of Elders fasting also is to be joyned 2 This ordination wee account nothing else but the solemn putting of a man into his place office in the Church wher-unto he had right before by election being like the installing of a magistrat in the common wealth Ordination therefore is not to go before but to follow election the essence substance of the outward calling of an ordinary officer in the Church doth not consist in his ordination but in his voluntary free election by the Church in his accepting of that election wher-upon is founded the relation between Pastor flock between such a minister such a people Ordination doth not constitute an officer nor give him the essentials of his office The Apostles were elders without Imposition of hands by men Paul Barnabas were officers before that Imposition of hands Acts. 13. 3. The posterity of Levi were Priests the Church that had powr to receive him into their fellowship hath also the same powr to cast him out that they have concerning any other member 7 Church-government or Rule is placed by Christ in the officers of the church who are therefore called Rulers while they rule with God yet in case of mal-administration they are subject to the power of the church according as hath been said before the Holy Ghost frequently yea alwayes where it mentioneth Church-Rule church-government ascribeth it to Elders wheras the work duty of the people is expressed in the phrase of obeying their Elders submiting themselves unto them in the Lord so as it is manifest that an organick or compleat church is a body politick consisting of some that are Governors some that are governed in the Lord 8 The powr which Christ hath committed to the Elders is to feed rule the church of God accordingly to call the church together upon any weighty occasion when the members so called without just cause may not refuse to come nor when they are come depart before they are dismissed nor speak in the church before they have leave from the elders nor continue so doing when they require silence nor may they oppose nor contradict the judgment or sentence of the Elders without sufficient weighty cause becaus such practices are manifestly contrary unto
Ecclesiasticall Polity or Church Government or discipline is nothing els but that Forme order that is to be observed in the Church of Christ vpon earth both for the Constitution of it all the Administrations that therein are to bee performed 2 Church-Government is Considered in a double respect either in regard of the parts of Government themselves or necessary Circumstances thereof The parts of Government are prescribed in the word because the Lord Iesus Christ the King and Law-giver of his Church is no less faithfull in the house of God then was Moses who from the Lord delivered a form pattern of Government to the Children of Israel in the old Testament And the holy Scriptures are now also soe perfect as they are able to make the man of God perfect throughly furnished vnto euery good work therefore doubtless â—…o the well ordering of the house of God 3 The partes 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 therefore to continue one the same vnto the apearing of our Lord Iesus Christ as a kingdom that cannot be shaken untill hee shall deliver it up unto God euen the Father Soe that it is not left in the power of men officers Churches or any state in the world to add or diminish or alter any thing in the least measure therâ—…in 4 The necessary circumstances as time place c belonging unto order and decency are not soe left unto men as that under pretence of them they may thrust their own Inventions upon the Churches Being Circumscribed in the word with many Generall â—…imitations where they are determined in respect of the matter to be neither worship it self nor Circumstances seperable from worship in respect of their end they must be done vnto edification in respect of the manner decently and in order according to the nature of the things them selves Civill Church Custom doth not euen nature it selfe teach you yeâ—… 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 bee no errour 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 Generall in speciall of a particular visible Church THe Catholick Church is the whole company of those that are elected redeemed in time effectually called from the state of sin death vnto a state of Grace salvation in Iesus Christ 2 This church is either Triumphant or Militant Triumphant the number of them who are Gloryfied in heaven Militant the number of them who are conflicting with their enemies vpon earth 3. This Militant Church is to bee considered as Invisible Visible Invisible in respect of their relation wherin they stand to Christ as a body unto the head being united unto him by the spirit of God faith in their hearts Visible in respect of the profession of their faith in their persons in particuler Churches so there may be acknowledged an universall visible Church 4 The members of the Militant visible Church considered either as not yet in church-order or as walking according to the church-order of the Gospel In order so besides the spiritual union communion common to all belivers they injoy more over an union communion ecclesiasticall-Politicall so wee deny an universall visible church 5 The state of the members of the Militant visible church walking in order was either before the law Oeconomical that is in families or under the law National or since the comming of Christ only congregational The term Independent wee approve not Therfore neither national provincial not classical 6 A Congregational-church is by the instâ—…titution of Christ a part of the Militant-visible-church consistinâ—… of a company oâ—… Saints by calling unâ—…ed into one body by 〈◊〉 holy covenant for the publick worship of God thâ—… mutuall edification one of another in the Fellowship oâ—… the Lord Iesus CHAP III. Of the matter of the visible Church Both inrâ—…spect of Quality and Quantity THe matter of a visible church are Saints by calling 2 By Saints wee understand 1 Such as haue not only attained the knowledge of the principles of Religion are free from grâ—…s open scandâ—…ls but also do together with the profession of their faith Repentance walk iâ—… blameles obedience to the word so as that in charitable discretion they may be accounted Saints by calling though perhaps some or more of them be unsound hypocrites inwardlyâ—… becâ—…se the members of such particular churches are commonly by the holy ghost called Saints faithfull brethren in Christ and sundry câ—…ch es haue been reproued for receiving suffering such persons to câ—…ntinu in fellowship amongst them as have been offensive scandalous the name of God also by this means is Blasphemed the holy things of God defiled Prophaned the hearts of godly griâ—…ved the wicked themselves hardned holpen forward to â—…nation the example of such doeth endanger the sanctity of others A litle Leaven Leaveneth the whole lump 2 The children of such who are also holy 3 The members of churches though orderly constituted may in time degenerate grow corrupt scandalous which though they ought not to be â—…olerated in the church yet their continuâ—…ce â—…erein through the defect of the execution of discipline Juâ—… 〈◊〉 doth not immediately dâ—…ssolv the being of the church as appeares in the church of Israell the churches of Gâ—…latia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet wee conceive the substance of it is kept where there is 〈◊〉 real Agreement consent of a company of faithful persons to meet constantly together in one Congregation for the publick worship of God their mutuall edification which real agreement consent they doe express by their constant practise in comming together for the publick worship of God by their religious subjection unto the ordinances of God theâ—…e the rather if wee doe consider how Scripture covenants have been entred into not only expressly by word of mouth but by sâ—…crifice by hand writing seal also somtimes by silent coâ—…sent without any writing or expression of words at all 5 This forme then being by mutuall covenant it followeth it is not faith in the heart nor the profession of that faith nor cohabitation nor Baptisme 1 Not faith in the heart becaus that is invisible 2 not a bare profession because that declareth them no more to be members of one church then of another 3 not Cohabitation Athiests or Infidels may dwell together with beleivers 4 not Baptism because it presupposseth a church estate as circumcision in the old
ordinance in their watch as Phoebe a servaÌ„t of the church at Cencâ—…ea had letters writteÌ„ for her to the church of Rome that shee might be received as becoÌ„â—…eth saints 9 Such letters of Recommendation 〈◊〉 were written for Apollos For Marcus to the Colâ—…siaÌ„ for Phoebe to the RomaÌ„eâ—… for suÌ„dry others to other churches the Apostle telleth uâ—… that some persons not sufficiently known otherwise have special need of such letterâ—… though he for his part had no need therof The uâ—…e of them â—…s to be a benefit help to the party for whom they are writteÌ„ for the furthering of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amongst the Saints in the plâ—… wheâ—…to 〈◊〉 goeth the dâ—…e satâ—…faction of them in their receiving of hâ—…m CHAP XIV Of excommunication other Censures THe Censures of the church are appointed by Christ for the preventâ—…ng removing healing of offences in the Church for the reclayming gayning of offending brethren for the deterring of others from the like oâ—…eces for purging out the leaven which may infect the whole lump for vindicating the honour of Christ of his church the holy profession of the gospel for preventing of the wrath of God that may justly fall upon the church if they should suffer his covenant the sâ—…ales therof to be prophaned by notorious obstinate offenders 2 If an offence be privâ—… one brother offending another the offender is to goe acknowledg his repentaÌ„ce for it unto his offended brother who is then to forgive him but if the â—…ffender neglect or refuâ—…e to doe it the brother offeÌ„ded is to goe coÌ„vince admonish him of it between themselves privatly â—…f therupon the offender bee brought to repent of his offeÌ„ce the admonisher hath won his brother but if the offender heare not his brother the brother offended is to take with him one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witneses every word may be established whether the word of admonition if the offender receive it or the word of complaint if he refuse it for if hè refuse it the offeÌ„ded brother is by the mouth of the Elders to tell the church if he heare the church declare the same by peâ—…teÌ„t confession he is recovered gayned if the church discern him to be willing to hear yet not fully coÌ„vâ—…ced of his offence as in case â—…f heresy They are to dispeÌ„ce to him a publick admonition which declaring the offeÌ„der to ly under the publâ—…ck offence of the church doth tâ—…e by with-hold or suspend him from the holy fellowshâ—…p of the Lords sâ—…pper till his offence be removed by penitent coÌ„fession If he â—…ll 〈◊〉 obstinate they are to call him out by excoÌ„n unicâ—…tion 3 But if the offeÌ„ce be more 〈◊〉 at first of a more â—…ous 〈◊〉 to wit such as are condeÌ„â—…ed by the light of nature then the church wâ—…thout such graduall proceeding is to cast out the offender from therâ—… holy coÌ„munior for the further mortifying of his 〈◊〉 the healing of his soule in the day of the Lord Jesus 4 In dealing with an offeÌ„der great care is to be takeÌ„ that wee be neither overstrict or rigorous nor too indulgent or remiss our proceeding hereâ—… ouâ—…ht to be with a spirit of â—…ekness considering our selves lâ—…st wee also be teÌ„pted that the best of us have need of much forg 〈◊〉 from the Lord Yet the winiÌ„g healiÌ„g of the offeÌ„ders soul being the end of theâ—…e eÌ„deavours wee must not daub with uÌ„tempered morter nor heal the wounds of our brethren sleightly on some have compâ—…oÌ„ others save with fear 5 While the offender remayns excoÌ„municate the Church is to refrayn from all member-like communion with him in spirituall things also from all familiar coÌ„munioÌ„ with him in civil things farther then the necessity of natural or domestical or civil relatioÌ„s doe require are therfore to for bear to eat drike with him that he may be 〈◊〉 6 ExcoÌ„munication being a spirituall punishment it doth not prejudice the excoÌ„municate in nor deprive him of his civil rights therfore toucheth not princes or other magistrates in point of their civil dignity or authority And the excoÌ„municate being but as a publican a heathen heathens being lawfully permitted to come to hear the word in church assemblyes 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 he doth testifie his repentance with humble coÌ„fession of his sinn judging of himselfe giving glory unto God the Church is then to forgive him to comfort him to restore him to the wonted brotherly communion which formerly he injoyed with them 8 The suffring of prophane or scandalous livers to continue in fellowship partake in the sacraments is doubtless a great sinn in those that have power in their hands to redress it doe it not Nevertheless inasmuch as Christ his Apostles in their times the Prophets other godly in theirs did lawfully partake of the Lords commanded ordinances in the Jewish church neyther taught nor practised seperation from the same though unworthy ones were permitted therin inasmuch as the faithfull in the church of Corinth wherin were many unworthy persons practises are never commanded to absent themselves from the SacrameÌ„ts because of the same therfore the godly in like cases are not presently to seperate 9 As seperation from such a Church wherin prâ—…phaÌ„e scandalous livers are tolerated is not presently necessary so for the members therof otherwise worthy hereupon to abstaâ—…n from communicating with such a church in the participation of the Sacraments is unlawfull For as it were unreasonable for an inÌ„ocent person to be punished for the faults of other wherin he hath no hand wherunto he gave no consent soe is it more unreasonable that a godly man should neglect duty punish himselfe in not coÌ„ming for his portion in the blessing of the seales as he ought because others are suffered to come that ought not especially considering that himselfe doth neyther consent to their sinn nor to their approching to the ordinance in their sinn nor to the neglect of others who should put them away doe not but on the contrary doth heartily mourn for these things modestly seasonably stirr up others to doe their duty If the Church câ—…nnot be reformed 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 indeavour according to his powr
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 OF CAMBRIDGE IN NEW ENGLAND To be presented to the Churches and Generall Court for their consideration and acceptance in the Lord The Eight Moneth Anno 1649 Psal 84 1. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts Psal 26. 8. Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house the place where thâ—…ne honour dwelleth Psal 27. 4. One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after â—…hat I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the Beauty of the Lord to inquire in his Temple Printed by S G at Cambridge in New England and are to be sold at Cambridge and Boston Anno Dom 1649. THE PREFACE THE setting forth of the Publick Confâ—…ssion of the Faith of Churchâ—… atâ—… a 〈◊〉 â—…d 〈◊〉 bâ—…h tenâ—…ing to puplic 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the faâ—…h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seâ—…f secondly thâ—… holding 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Unâ—…ty Harmâ—… both amongst with other Churches Our Chuâ—…es hâ—…e as â—…y the grace of Chrâ—…st wee beleive profess the samâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…e 〈◊〉 â—…f â—…he Gospell which generally is received in â—…ll the reformed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…st in â—…rope so 〈◊〉 wee desire not to vary fâ—…om the â—…octrine of fâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…eld foâ—… by â—…he churches of our natâ—…ve country For though it be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that can breed vs 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 minâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wâ—…e for to havâ—… the glorâ—…ous faâ—…h of our Lord Iesus wâ—…th respect of persons yet as Pâ—…ul who waâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…rofessed to hold forth the doctrine of justâ—…fication by faith of thâ—… 〈◊〉 of the deâ—… 〈◊〉 as he know his godly countrymen did who were â—…wes by nature Galaâ—… 2. 15. Acts 26. 6 7. soe wee who are by nature Engâ—…sh mâ—…n dâ—… dâ—…sire to hold forth the sâ—…me 〈◊〉 of religion especially 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whâ—… wee see knâ—…w to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by thâ—… churches of England accorâ—…g to the truth of the Gospell The more wee 〈◊〉 that which wee doe have cause to doe with incessant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉 unbrâ—…therly unchristian contentions of our godly brethrâ—…n countrymen â—…n matters of church-government he more ernâ—…stly doâ—… wee desire to see thâ—…m joyned together in one common faith our selves wâ—… 〈◊〉 For thâ—…s â—…nd hâ—…ng perused the publâ—…k confession of faith agreed uponly the Reverend assembly of Dâ—…ines at 〈◊〉 findâ—…ng the sumâ—… suâ—…stance therof in matters of doctrine to express not thâ—… own judgements oâ—…ly 〈◊〉 oâ—…rs also and being likewise called upon by our godly Magâ—…strates to dâ—…w up a publick 〈◊〉 of that fâ—…ith which is constanâ—…ly taught generaâ—…y 〈◊〉 amongst us wee thought good to pâ—…esent â—…nto them with them to our 〈◊〉 wâ—…h them to all the churchâ—…s of Christ abroad our profâ—…ssed hearty 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to thâ—… whole 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 faith fâ—…r 〈◊〉 of dâ—…ctrine which 〈◊〉 Reverend 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hâ—…nourable 〈◊〉 of Englâ—… Excepâ—…ing only some 〈◊〉 in the 25 30 31. Câ—…apters of their confâ—…ssion whicâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of conâ—…roversie in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whiâ—… wee refâ—…re our selves to the draught of church-discpline in the ensueing treatise The truth of what we here declare may appear by the unanimous voâ—…e of the Synod of the Elders messengers of our churches assembled at Cambridg the last of the sixth month 1648 woâ—…ch ioyntly passed in these words This Synod having perused considered with much gladness of heart thankfullness to God the coÌ„fession of faith published â—…f late by the Reverend Assembly in England doe judge it to be very holy orthodox judicious in all matters of faith doe therfore freely fully consent therunto for the substance therof Only in those things which have respect to church government discipline wee refer our selves to the platform of church-discipline agreed upon by this present asseÌ„â—…ly doe therfore think it meet that this confession of faith should be coÌ„mended to the churces of Christ amongst us to the Honoured Court as worthy of their due consideration acceptance Howbeâ—… wee may not conceal that the doctrine of vocation expressed in Chap 10. S 1. summarily repeated Chap 13. 1. passed not without some debate Yet considering that the term of vocation others by which it is described are capable of a larg or more strict sense use and that it is not intended to bind apprehensions precisely in poâ—…t of order or method there hath been a generall condescendency therunto Now by this our professed consent free concurrence with them in all the doctrinalls of religion wee hope it may appear to the world that as wee are a remnant of the people of the same nation with them so wee are professors of the same common faith fellow heyres of the same common salvation Yea moreover as this our profession of the same faith with them will exempt us even in their judgmeÌ„ts from suspicion of heresy so wee trust it may exempt us in the like sort from suspicion of schism that though wee are forced to dissent from them in matters of church-discipline Yet our dissent is not taken up out of arrogancy of spirit in our selves whom they see willingly condescend to learn of them neither is it carryed with uncharitable censoriousness towards them both which are the proper essentiall charracters of schism but in meekness of wâ—…sdom as wee walk along wâ—…th them follow them as they follow Christ so where wee 〈◊〉 a â—…fferent apprehention of the mind of Christ as it faileth out in some few points 〈◊〉 church-order wee still reserve due reverence to them whom wee judge to be thâ—…ough Chrâ—…st the glorious lâ—…ghts of both nations only crave leave as in spirit wee are bound to follow the Lamb wâ—…thersoever he goeth after the Apostles example as wee beleâ—…ve so wee speak And if the example of such poor outcasts as our selves might prevaile if not with all for that were too great a blessing to hope foâ—… yet with some or other of our brethren in England so farr as they are come to â—…ind speake the same thing with such as dissent from them wee hope in Christ it would not onely moderate the harsh judging and condemning of one another in such differences of judgment as may be found in 〈◊〉 châ—…ysest saâ—…nts but also preven â—…y the mercy of 〈◊〉 the perill of the distraction 〈◊〉 of all the churches 〈◊〉 both kâ—…ngdoms Otherwise if brethren shall goe on to bite devoure one another the Apoâ—… feareâ—… as wee alsâ—… â—…th sâ—…dness of 〈◊〉 aâ—… 〈◊〉 will tend to the 〈◊〉 of them 〈◊〉 whâ—…ch tâ—…e Loâ—…d prevent Wee are not ignorant that besides these 〈◊〉 of Heresy Schisâ—… other exceptions also are takâ—…n at our wâ—…y of church governâ—… 〈◊〉 as wee conceâ—… uâ—…
order government in-lets of disturbance tend to confusion 9 It belongs also unto the Elders to examine any officers or members before they be received of the church to receive the accusations brought to the Church to prepare them for the churches hearing In handling of offences other matters before the Church they have powr to declare publish the Counsell will of God touching the same to pronounce sentence with consent of the Church Lastly they have powr when they dismiss the people to bless them in the name of the Lord 10 This powr of Government in the Elders doth not any wise prejudice the powr of priviledg in the brotherhood as neither the powr of priviledg in the brethren doth prejudice the power of government in the Elders but they may sweetly agree together as wee may see in the example of the Apostles furnished with the greatest church-powr who took in the concurrence consent of the brethren in church-administrations Also that Scripture 2 Cor 2. 9. chap 10 6. doe declare that what the churches were to act doe in these matters they were to doe in a way of obedience that not only to the direction of the Apostles but also of their ordinary Elders 11 From the premisses namely that the ordinary powr of Government belonging only to the elders powr of priviledg remaineth with the brotherhood as powr of judgment in masters of censure powr of liberty in matters of liberty It followeth that in an organick Church right administration all church acts proceed after the manner of a mixt administration so as no church act can be consummated or perfected without the consent of both CHAP XI Of the maintenance of Church Officers THe Apostle concludes that necessary sufficient maintenance is due unto the ministers of the word from the law of nature nations from the law of Moses the equity thereof as also the rule of common reason moreover the scripture doth not only call Elders labourers workmen but also speaking o◅ them doth say that the labourer is worthy of his hire requires that he which is taught in the word should communicate to him in all good things mentions it as an ordinance of the Lord that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel forbideth the muzl◅ng of the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn 2 The Scriptures alledged requiring this maintenance as a bounden duty du◅◅eci not as a matter of almes free gift therefore people are not at liberty to doe or not to doe what when they pleas in this matter no more then in any other commanded duty ordinance of the Lord but ought of duty to minister of their ca◅ail ◅ngs to them that labour amongst them in the word doctrine as well as they ought to pay any other work men their wages or to discharge satisfie their other debts or to submit themselves to observe any other ordinance of the Lord 3 The Apostle Gal 6 6. injoyning that he which is taught communicate to him that teacheth ◅ad good things doth not leave it arbitrary what or how much a man shall give or in what prop◅on but even the later as well as the former is prescribed appointed by the Lord 4 Not only members of Churches but all that are taught in in the word are to contribute unto him that teacheth in all good things In case that Congregations are defective in their contributions the Deacons are to call upon them to doe their duty if their call sufficeth not the church by her powr is to require it of their members where church-powr through the corruption of men doth not or can̄ot attaine the end the Magistrate is to see ministry be duely provided for as appeares from the commended example of Nehemiah The Magistrates are nursing fathers nursing mothers stand charged with the custody of both Tables because it is better to prevent a scandal that it may not come easier also then to remove it when it is given It s most suitable to Rule that by the churches care each man should know his proportion according to rule what he should doe before he doe it that so his iudgment heart may be satisfied in what he doeth 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 doe 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 therto as members ought to be examined tryed first whether they be fit meet to be received into church-society or not The Evnuch of Aethiopia before his admission was examined by Philip whether he did beleive on Jesus Christ with all his heart the Auged of the church at Ephesus is commended for trying such as said they were Apostles were not There is like reason for trying of them that profess themselves to be beleivers The officers are charged with the keeping of the doors of the Church therfore are in a special man̄er to make try all of the fitnes of such who enter Twelve Angels are set at the gates of the Tem ple lest such as were Ceremonially unclean should enter therinto 2 The things which are requisite to be found in all church members are Repentance from sin saith in Jesus Christ And therfore these are the things wherof men are to be examined at their admission into the church which then they must profess hold forth in such sort as may satisfie rationall charity that the things are there indeed Iohn Baptist admitted men to Baptism confessing bewayling their sinns of other it is said that they came confessed shewed their deeds 3 The weakest measure of faith is to be accepted in t◅ose that desire to be admitted into the church becaus weak christians if sincere have the substance of that faith repentance holiness which is required in church members such have most need of the ordinances for their confirmation growth in grace The Lord Jesus would not quench the smoaking flax nor breake the bruised reed but gather the tender lambes in his arms carry them gently in his bosome Such charity tenderness is to be used as the weakest christian if sincere may not be excluded nor discouraged Severity of examination is to be avoyded 4 In case any through excessive fear or other infirmity be unable to make their personal relation of their spirituall estate in publick it is sufficient that the Elders having received private satisfaction make relation therof in publick before the church they testifying their assents therunto this being the way that tendeth most to edification But