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
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
election Yet when such a people do chuse any to be over them in the Lord Heb. 13.17 then do they become subject and most willingly submit to their Ministry in the Lord whom they have so chosen 7. Rom. 16 17 And if the Church have power to chuse their Officers and Ministers then in case of manifest unworthiness and delinquency they have power also to depose them For to open and shut to chuse and refuse to constitute in Office and remove from Office are acts belonging unto the same Power 8. Cant. 8.8 9 We judg it much conducing to the well-being and communion of Churches that where it may conveniently be done Neighbor-Churches be advised withal and their help made use of in the tryal of Church-officers in order to their choise 9. The choise of such Church-officers belongeth not to the civil Magistrates as such or Diocesan-Bishops or Patrons for of these or any such like the Scripture is wholly silent as having any power therein CHAP. IX Of Ordination and Imposition of hands CHurch-Officers are not only to be chosen by the Church Acts. 13 32. cap. 14.23 1 Tim. 5.22 but also to be ordained by Imposition of hands and prayer with which at the ordination of Elders fasting also is to be joyned 2. Num. 8.10 Acts 6.5 6 cap. 13.2.3 This Ordination we account nothing else but the solemn putting of a man into his place and Office in the Church whereunto he had right before by election being like the installing of a Magistrate in the common-wealth Ordination therefore is not to go before but to follow Election Acts 6.5 6. cap. 14.23 The essence and substance of the outward calling of an ordinary Officer in the Church doth not consist in his Ordination but in his voluntary and free Election by the Church and in his accepting of that Election Whereupon is founded the relation between Pastor and Flock between such a Minister and 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 and Barnabas were Officers before that Imposition of Hands Acts 13.3 The Posterity of Levi were Priests and Levits before hands were laid on them by the Children of Israel 3. 1 Tim 4 14 Acts 13 3 1 Tim 5 22. In such Churches where there are Elders Imposition of hands in ordination is to be performed by those Elders 4. In such Churches where there are no Elders Imposition of hands may be performed by some of the Brethren orderly chosen by the Church therunto Numb 8 10 For if the people may elect officers which is the greater and wherin the substance of the Office consists they may much more occasion and need so requiring impose hands in ordination which is the less and but the accomplishment of the other 5. Nevertheless in such Churches where there are no Elders and the Church so desire we see not why Imposition of hands may not be performed by the Elders of other Churches Ordinary officers laid hands upon the officers of many Churches The presbytery at Ephesus layd hands upon Timothy an Evangelist 1 Tim 4 14 Acts 13 3 The presbytery at Antioch laid hands upon Paul and Barnabas 6. 1 Pet 5 2 Acts 20 18 Church Officers are officers to one Church even that particular over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers Insomuch as Elders are commanded to feed not all flocks but that flock which is commited to their faith and trust and dependeth upon them Nor can constant residence at one congregation be necessary for a minister no nor yet lawful if he be not a minister to one congregation only Acts 20 28 but to the Church universall because he may not attend one part only of the Church wherto he is a minister but he is called to attend unto all the flock 7. Hee that is clearly loosed from his office-relation unto that Church wherof he was a minister cannot be looked at as an officer nor perform any act of Office in any other Church unless he be again orderly called unto Office which when it shall be wee know nothing to hinder but Imposition of hands also in his Ordination ought to be used towards him again For so Paul the Apostle received Imposition of hands twice at least from Ananias Acts. 9.17 and Acts. 13.3 CHAP. X. Of the power of the Church and its Presbytery SUpream and Lordly power over all the Churches upon earth Psal 2 6 Eph 1 21 22 Isay 9 6 Mat 28 18 doth only belong unto Jesus Christ who is King of the Church and the head therof He hath the Government upon his shoulders and hath al power given to him both in heaven and earth 2. A Company of professed believers Ecclesiastically Confederat as they are a Church before they have officers without them Acts 1 23 c 14 23 c 6 3 4 Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 4 5 so even in that estate subordinate Church-power under Christ deligated to them by him doth belong to them in such a manner as is before expressed C. 5. S. 2. and as flowing from the very nature and Essence of a Church It being natural to al bodyes and so unto a Church body to be furnished with sufficient power for its own preservatiō and subsistance 3. This Government of the Church is a mixt Government and so hath been acknowledged long before the term of Independency was heard of In respect of Christ the head and King of the Church Rev 3 7 1 Cor 5 12 the Sovereign power residing in him and exercised by him it is a Monarchy In respect of the body or Brotherhood of the Church 1 Tim 5 17 and power from Christ granted unto them it resembles a Democracy In respect of the Presbytery and power comited to them it is an Aristocracy 4. The Sovereign power which is peculiar unto Christ is exercised I. Gal 1 4 Rev 5 8 9 Mat 28 20. Eph 4 8 11 Jam 4 12 Isai 33 22 1 Tim ◠15 2 Cor 10 4 5. Isai 32 2 Luke 1 71 In calling the Church out of the world unto holy fellowship with himselfe II. In instituting the ordinances of his worship and appointing his ministers and officers for the dispensing of them III. In giving lawes for the ordering of all our wayes and the wayes of his house IV. In giving power and life to all his Institutions and to his people by them V. In protecting and delivering his Church against from all the enemies of their peace 5. The power graunted by Christ unto the body of the Church and Brotherhood is a prerogative or priviledge which the Church doth exercise I. In Choosing their own officers whether Elders or Deacons II. In admission of their own members Acts 6 3 5 c 14 23 c 9 26 and therfore there is great reason they should have power to Remove any
from their fellowship again Hence in case of offence any one brother hath power to convince admonish an offending brother Mat 18.15 16 17 and in case of not hearing him to take one or two more to set on the Admonition and in case of not hearing them to proceed to tell the Church T it 3 10 Col 4 17 Mat 18 17 2 Cor 2 7 8 and as his offence may require the whole Church hath power to proceed to the publick Censure of him whether by Admonition or Excommunication upon his repentance to restore him again unto his fromer communion 6. In case an Elder offend incorrigibly the matter so requiring as the Church had power to cal him to office Col 4 17 Rom 16 17. so they have powr according to order the counsell of other Churches where it may be had directing therto to remove him from his office being now but a member in case he add contumacy to his sin the Church that had power to receive him into their fellowship Mat. 18.17 hath also the same power to cast him out that they have concerning any other member 7. 1 Tim. 5.17 Heb. 13.17 1 Thes 5 12 Church-government or Rule is placed by Christ in the Officers of the Church who are therfore called Rulers while they rule with God yet in case of mal-administration they are subject to the power of the Church Rom 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17 1 Cor. 12 28 29. Heb. 13.7 17 according as hath been said before the Holy Ghost frequently yea alwayes where it mentioneth Church-Rule and Curch-government ascribeth it to Elders wheras the work and duty of the people is expressed in the phrase of obeying their Elders and submitting themselves unto them in the Lord so as it is manifest that an organick or compleat Chuch is a body politick consisting of some that are Governors and some that are governed in the Lord. 8. The power which Christ hath committed to the Elders is to feed and rule the Church of God Acts 20 28 chap 6 2 Num 16 12 Ezek. 46 10 Acts 13 15 and 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 Hosea 4 4 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 and weighty cause because such practices are manifestly contrary unto order and government and in-lets of disturbance and tend to confusion 9. Rev. 2.2 1 Tim. 5 19 Acts 21 18 22 23 1 Cor. 5.4 5 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 and to prepare them for the Churches hearing In handling of offences and other matters before the Church they have power to declare and pubilsh the Counsel and wil of God touching the same Num. 6.23 to 26 and to pronounce sentence with consent of the Church Lastly they have power when they dismiss the people to bless them in the name of the Lord. 10 This power of Government in the Elders doth not any wise prejudice the power of priviledg in the brotherhood as neither the power of priviledg in the brethren doth prejudice the power of government in the Elders Acts 14.15 v. 23. c 6.2 1 Cor. 5.4 2 Cor. 2.6 7 but they may sweetly agree together as wee may see in the example of the Apostles furnished with the greatest Church-power who took in the concurrence and consent of the brethren in Church-administrations Also that Scripture 2 Cor. 2.9 and chap. 10.6 do declare that what the Churches were to act and do in these matters Heb 13 17 they were to do in a way of obedience and that not only to the direction of the Apostles but also of their ordinary Elders 11. From the Premises namely that the ordinary power of Government belonging only to the Elders power of priviledg remaineth with the brotherhood as power of judgment in matters of censure and power of liberty in matters of liberty It followeth that in an organick Church and right administration all Church acts proceed after the manner of a mixt administration so as no Church act can be consumated or perfected without the consent of both CHAP. XI Of the Maintenance of Church-Officers THe Apostle concludes 1 Cor 9 9 v 15 Mat 9 38 c 10 1â— 1 Tim 5 18 that necessary and sufficient maintenance is due unto the Ministers of the Word from the law of Nature and Nations from the Law of Moses the equity thereof as also the Rule of common Reason Moreover the Scripture doth not only cal Elders Laborers and Workmen but also speaking of them doth say Galat 6 6 That the Laborer is worthy of his Hire 1 Cor 9 9 verse 14 1 Tim 5 18 and requires that he which is taught in the Word should communicate to him in all good things and mentions it as an Ordinance of the Lord that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel and forbiddeth the muzling of the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn. 2. The Scriptures alledged requiring this maintenance as a bounden duty and due debt and not as a matter of alms and free gift therefore people are not at liberty to do or not to do what and when they please in this matter no more than in any other commanded Duty and Ordinance of the Lord but ought of Duty Rom 15 20 1 Cor. 9 11 to minister of their carnal things to them that labor amongst them in the Word and Doctrine as well as they ought to pay any other Workmen their wages or to discharge and 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 Galat 6 6 communicate to him that teacheth in all good things doth not leave it arbitrary what or how much a man shall give or in what proportion but even the later 1 Cor. 16.2 as well as the former is prescribed and appointed by the Lord. 4. Not only Members of Churches but all that are taught in the Word Galat. 6 6. 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 do their duty Acts 6.3 4. if their call suffiseth not the Church by her Power is to require it of their Members and where Church-power through the corruption of men doth not or cannot attain the end Neh. 13.11 the Magistrate is to see the Ministry duely provided for as appears from the commended example of Nehemiah The Magistrates are nursing Fathers
the ground of offence 4. It need not to be feared that all the best Hearers of the best Ministers no nor the most of them will depart from them upon point of Church-Government Those who have found the presence and Power of the Spirit of Christ breathing in their Ministers either to their conversion or edification will be slow to change such a Ministry of Faith and Holiness for the liberty of Church-Order Upon which ground and sundry other such like there be doubtless sundry godly and judicious Hearers in many Parishes in England that do and will prefer their Relation to their Ministers though in a Presbyterial way above the Congregational Confoederation 5. But if all or the most part of the best Hearers of the best Ministers of Parishes should depart from them as preferring in their judgments the Congregational way yet in case the Congregational way should prove to be of Christ it will never grieve the holy hearts of godly Ministers that their Hearers should follow after Christ yea many of themselves upon due deliberation will be ready to go along with them It never grieved nor troubled John Baptist that his best Disciples departed from him to follow after Christ John 3. But in case the Congregational way should prove to be not the institution of Christ as we take it but the invention of men then doubtless the Presbyterial Form if it be of God will swallow up the other as Moses rod devoured the rods of the Aegyptians Nor will this put a necessity upon both the opposite parties to shift for themselves and to seek to supplant one another but only it wil call upon them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to seek and to follow the Truth in Love to attend in faithfulness each unto his own Flock and to administer to them all the holy things of God and their portion of food in due season and as for others quietly to sorbear them yet to instruct them with meekness that are contrary minded leaving it to Christ in the use of al good means to reveal his own Truth in his own time and mean while endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Philippians chap. 3. verse 15 and 16. Ephesians 4.3 To the second Exception That we take no course for the gaining and healing and calling in of ignorant and erronious and scandalous persons whom we refuse to receive into our Churches and so exclude them from the remedy of Church-discipline We conceive the receiving of them into our Churches would rather loose and corrupt our Churches than gain and heale them A little Leaven layed in a lump of dough will sooner leaven the whole lump than the whole lump will sweeten it We therefore find it safer to square rough and unhewen stones before they be laid into the building rather than to hammer and hew them when they lie unevenly in the building And accordingly two meanes we use to gain and call in such as are ignorant or scandalous 1. The publick Ministry of the word Upon which they are invited by counsel and required by wholsom Laws to attend And the word it is which is the power of God to salvation to the calling and winning of soules 2. Private conference and conviction by the Elders and other able brethren of the Church whom they do the more respectively hearken unto when they see no hope of enjoying Church fellowship or participation in the Sacraments for themselves or their Children till they approve their judgments to be sound and orthodox and their lives subdued to some hope of a godly conversation What can Classical discipline or excommunication it self do more in this case The 3. Exception wrappeth up in it a three-fold domestical inconvenience and each of them meet to be eschewed 1. Disunion in Families between each relation 2. Disappointment of edification for want of opportunity in the Governors of Families to take account of things heard by their children and servants 3. Disbursments of chargable maintenance to the several Churches whereto the several Persons of their Families are joyned All which inconveniences either do not fall out in Congregational Churches or are easily redressed For none are so orderly admitted into Congregational Churches but such as are well approved by good testimony to be duly observant of Family relations Or if any otherwise disposed should creep in they are either orderly healed or duely removed in a way of Christ Nor are they admitted unless they can give some good account of their profiting by Ordinances before the Elders and Brethren of the Church and much more to their Parents and Masters Godly Tutors in the Vniversity can take an account of their Pupils and Godly Housholders in the City can take account of their Children and Servants how they profit by the Word they have heard in several Churches and that to the greater edification of the whol Family by the variety of such administrations Bees may bring the more Honey and Wax into the Hive when they are not limited to one Garden of Flowers but may fly abroad to many Nor is any charge expected from Wives Children or Servants to the maintenance of Congregational Churches further than they be furnished with Personal estates or Earnings which may enable them to contribute of such things as they have and not of such as they have not God accepteth not Robbery for a Sacrifice And though a godly Housholder may justly take himself bound in conscience to contribute to any such Church whereto his Wife or Children or Servants do stand in relation yet that will not aggravate the burden of his charge no more than if they were received Members of the same Church whereto himself is related But why do we stand thus long to plead exemptions from exceptions The Lord help all his faithful Servants whether Presbyterial or Congregational to judg and shame our selves before the Lord for all our former complyances to greater enormities in Church-Government than are to be found either in the Congregational or Presbyterial Way And then surely either the Lord will cleer up his own Will to us and so frame and subdue us all to one mind and one will Ezek. 43.10.11 or else we shall learn to bear one anothers burdens in a spirit of meekness It will then doubtless be far from us so to attest the Discipline of Christ as to detest the Disciples of Christ so to contend for the seamless coat of Christ as to crucifie the living Members of Christ so to divide our selves about Church-communion as through breaches to open a wide gap for a deluge of Antichristian and prophane malignity to swallow up both Church and Civil State What shall we say more is difference about Church-Order become the inlet of all the disorders in the Kingdom hath the Lord indeed left us to such hardness of heart that Church-Government shall become a snare to Zion as sometimes Moses was to Egypt Exod. 10.7 that we cannot leave contesting and
5. The state of the Members of the Militant Visible Church walking in Order Gen 18 19 was either before the Law Oeconomical that is in Families Exod 19 6 or under the Law National or since the coming of Christ 1 Cor 14 23 only Congregational The term Independant we approve not Therefore neither national provincial nor classical 1 Cor 14 36 1 Cor 1 2 1 Cor 12 27 Exod 19 56 Deut 29 9 to 15 Acts 2 42 1 Cor 14 26 6. A Congregational-Church is by the institution of Christ a part of the Militant-visible-Church consisting of a company of Saints by calling united into one body by a holy covenaut for the publick worship of God and the mutuall edification one of another in the Fellowship of the Lord Jesus CHAP. III. Of the matter of the visible Church both in respect of Quality and Quantity 1 Cor 1 2 Ephes 1 1 THe matter of a visible Church are Saints by calling 2. By Saints we understand Heb 6 1 1 Cor 1 5 Rom 15 14 Psal 50 16 17. Act 8 37 Mat 3 6 Rom 6 17 1 Cor 1 2 Phil 1.1 Col 1 2 1. Such as have not only attained the knowledge of the principles of Religion and are free from gross and open scandals but also do together with the profession of their faith and Repentance walk in blameless 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 and hypocrites inwardly because the members of such particular Churches are commonly by the holy Ghost called Saints and faithful brethren in Christ Eph 1.1 1 Cor 5.2.13 Rev 21 15 20. Ezek 44 7 9 chap 23 36 39 Num 29 20 Hagg 2 13 14 1 Cor 11.27 29 Psal 37 21 1 Cor 5 6 1 Cor 7 14 Jer 2 21 1 Cor 5 12 Jer 1.4 Gal 5 4 2 Cor 12 21 Rev 2.14 15 21 21. and sundry churches have been reproved for receiving and suffering such persons to continue in fellowship amongst them as have been offensive and scandalous the name of God also by this means is Blasphemed and the holy things of God defiled and Prophaned the hearts of godly grieved and the wicked themselves hardned holpen forward to damnation the example of such doth endanger the sanctity of others A little 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 and grow corrupt and scandalous which though they ought not to be tolerated in the Church yet their continuance therein through the defect of the execution of discipline and just censures doth not immediately dissolve the being of the Church as appeares in the Church of Israell and the Churches of Galatia and Corinth Pergamus and Thyatira 4. 1 Cor 14 21. The matter of the Church in respect of it's quantity ought not to be of greater number then may ordinarily meet together conveniently in one place Mat 18 17 nor ordinarily fewer then may conveniently carry on Church-work Hence when the holy Scripture maketh mention of the Saints combined into a Church-estate Rom 16 1 1 Thes 1 1 Rev 2 8 c 3 7 in a Town or City where was but one Congregation it usually calleth those Saints the Church in the singular number as the Church of the Thessalonians the Church of Smyrna Philadelphia and the like But when it speaketh of the Saints in a Nation or Province wherein there were sundry Congregations 1 Cor 16 1 19 Gal 1 2 2 Cor 8 1 1 Thes 2 14 It frequently and usually calleth them by the name of Churches in the plurall number as the Churches of Asia Galatia Maccdonia and the like which is further confirmed by what is written of sundry of those Churches in particular how they were Assembled and met together the whole Church in one place Acts 2 46 c 5 12 c 6 2 Acts 14 27 s 15 38 1 Cor 5 4 c 14 23 Rom 16 1 as the Church at Jerusalem the Church at Antioch the Church at Corinth and Cenchrea though it were more neer to Corinth it being the port thereof and answerable to a Village yet being a distinct Congregation from Corinth it had a Church of its owne as well as Corinth had 5. Nor can it with reason be thought but that every Chuch appointed and ordained by Christ had a ministrie ordained and appointed for the same and yet plain it is that there were no ordinary officers appointed by Christ for any other then Congregational Churches Acts 20 28 Elders being appointed to feed not all flocks but that particular flock of God over which the holy Ghost had made them overseers and that flock they must attend even the whole flock and one Congregation being as much as any ordinary Elders can attend therefore there is no greater Church then a Congregation which may rodinarily meet in one place CHAP. IV. Of the From of A Visible Church and of Church Covenant SAints by Calling 1 Cor 12 27 1 Tim 3 15 must have a Visible-Political-Union amongst themselves or else they are not yet a particular Church as those similitudes hold forth which the Scripture makes use of to shew the nature of particular Churches As a Body A building or House Hands Eyes Feet and other members must be united or else remaining seperate are not a Body Stones Timber though squared hewen and pollished are not an house untill they are compacted and united so Saints or believers in judgment of charity are not a Church unless Orderly knit together 2. Particular Churches cannot be distinguished one from another but by their formes Ephesus is not Smyrna Revel 1 and Pergamus Thyatira but each one a distinct society of it self having officers of their owne which had not the charge of others Vertues of their own for which others are not praysed Corruptions of their owne for which others are not blamed 3. This Form is the Visible Covenant Agreement Exod 19 5 verse 8 Deut 29 12 13 Zach. 11 14 c 9 11 or consent wherby they give up themselves unto the Lord to the observing of the ordinances of Christ together in the same society which is usually called the Church-Covenant For we see not otherwise how members can have church-Church-power one over another mutually The comparing of each particular Church unto a City Ephes 2 19 2 Cor 12 2 and unto a Spouse seemeth to conclude not only a Form but that that Form is by way of Covenant The Covenant Gen 17 7 Deut 29 12 13 Ephes 2 12 19 as it was that which made the Family of Abraham and children of Israel to be a Church and people unot God so is it that which now makes the several societyes of Gentil-believers to be Churches in these dayes 4. This Voluntary Agreement