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his_o letter_n come_v from_o he_o in_o new-england_n to_o our_o hand_n in_o the_o very_a nick_n of_o time_n while_o this_o epistle_n lie_v under_o the_o press_n viz._n if_o you_o think_v the_o draught_n of_o church-discipline_n which_o be_v send_v over_o in_o your_o ship_n vari_v from_o that_o of_o the_o power_n of_o the_o keke_n send_v over_o the_o year_n after_o you_o may_v have_v some_o occasion_n so_o to_o conceive_v from_o some_o difference_n of_o expression_n in_o logical_a term_n but_o not_o a_o jote_n in_o any_o doctrine_n of_o divinity_n or_o church-practise_a so_o mr._n cotton_n in_o his_o letter_n to_o mr._n r._n m._n diverse_a objection_n former_o lay_v against_o the_o print_n of_o this_o book_n to_o the_o sad_n of_o the_o author_n some_z whereof_o be_v now_o answer_v by_o the_o late_a season_n of_o print_v it_o other_o by_o the_o necessity_n of_o they_o that_o conscientious_o and_o candid_o cry_v out_o for_o information_n other_o by_o the_o fore-printing_a of_o the_o key_n 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with_o how_o much_o gravity_n solidity_n and_o modesty_n have_v mr._n cotton_n the_o apologist_n the_o author_n of_o 32._o question_n or_o church_n covenant_n and_o other_o mild_a and_o judicious_a author_n write_v in_o our_o cause_n but_o with_o what_o a_o different_a spirit_n have_v the_o adverse_a part_n reply_v as_o if_o personal_a invective_n and_o imbittr_v a_o stile_n be_v god_n way_n of_o better_v a_o cause_n or_o batter_v a_o opinion_n here_o be_v a_o book_n so_o grave_a and_o solid_a that_o it_o can_v be_v just_o despise_v by_o ingenuous_a learned_a man_n so_o full_a of_o necessary_a case_n and_o truth_n that_o it_o can_v but_o be_v desire_v of_o those_o that_o will_v be_v know_v man_n and_o so_o mild_a and_o gentle_a that_o it_o can_v but_o be_v causeless_o quarrel_v if_o quarrel_v by_o choleric_a man_n have_v we_o not_o be_v persuade_v that_o it_o will_v prove_v a_o welcome_a tract_n on_o all_o hand_n for_o the_o reason_n afore-intimated_n we_o can_v with_o our_o 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church_n of_o christ_n in_o new-england_a measure_v by_o the_o golden_a reed_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n chapter_n i._o the_o order_n of_o gather_v disperse_v christian_n into_o a_o church_n proposition_n i._o section_n 1._o that_o the_o church_n which_o christ_n in_o his_o gospel_n have_v institute_v and_o to_o which_o he_o have_v commit_v the_o key_n of_o his_o kingdom_n the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v the_o table_n and_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n the_o officer_n and_o censure_n of_o his_o church_n the_o administration_n of_o all_o his_o public_a worship_n and_o ordinance_n be_v coetus_fw-la fidelium_fw-la a_o communion_n of_o saint_n a_o combination_n of_o faithful_a godly_a man_n meet_v for_o that_o end_n by_o common_a and_o joint_a consent_n into_o one_o congregation_n which_o be_v common_o call_v a_o particular_a visible_a church_n for_o the_o
the_o direction_n of_o the_o word_n elder_n according_a to_o 1_o tim._n 3.2_o to_o 7._o tit._n 1.6_o to_o 9_o deacon_n according_a to_o act_n 6.3_o 1_o tim._n 3.8_o to_o 12._o for_o the_o church_n have_v not_o absolute_a power_n to_o choose_v who_o they_o listen_v but_o ministerial_a power_n only_o to_o choose_v who_o christ_n have_v choose_v have_v gift_v and_o fit_v for_o they_o if_o the_o church_n can_v find_v out_o none_o such_o in_o their_o own_o body_n they_o send_v to_o any_o other_o church_n for_o fit_a supply_n and_o each_o church_n look_v at_o it_o as_o their_o duty_n to_o be_v mutual_o helpful_a one_o to_o another_o in_o yield_v what_o supply_n they_o may_v without_o too_o much_o prejudice_n to_o themselves_o according_a to_o cant._n 8.8_o 9_o such_o be_v recommend_v to_o they_o for_o such_o a_o work_n they_o take_v some_o time_n of_o trial_n of_o they_o partly_o by_o their_o own_o observation_n and_o communion_n with_o they_o partly_o by_o consultation_n with_o the_o 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if_o now_o after_o this_o solemn_a seek_v of_o god_n for_o his_o counsel_n and_o direction_n in_o this_o weighty_a work_n they_o still_o continue_v in_o their_o purpose_n to_o elect_v such_o a_o one_o for_o their_o own_o pastor_n or_o teacher_n or_o rule_v elder_a who_o before_o they_o agree_v upon_o then_o have_v take_v their_o silence_n for_o a_o consent_n to_o their_o purpose_n he_o proceed_v to_o inquire_v into_o the_o approbation_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o assembly_n not_o only_o the_o messenger_n and_o brethren_n of_o other_o church_n present_a but_o of_o all_o that_o stand_v by_o because_o and_o elder_n be_v to_o be_v a_o man_n of_o good_a report_n of_o they_o that_o be_v without_o 1_o tim._n 3.7_o how_o much_o more_o well_o approve_v of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n he_o demand_v therefore_o of_o the_o church_n first_o and_o then_o of_o the_o rest_n whether_o any_o of_o they_o have_v know_v of_o any_o evil_n in_o the_o man_n present_v before_o they_o either_o in_o judgement_n or_o practice_n which_o may_v give_v they_o just_a cause_n to_o forbear_v his_o election_n if_o all_o keep_v silence_n as_o usual_o they_o do_v for_o if_o any_o have_v any_o just_a exception_n against_o the_o man_n he_o be_v wont_a to_o acquaint_v some_o or_o other_o of_o the_o church_n with_o it_o before_o the_o day_n he_o turn_v himself_o to_o the_o church_n again_o now_o see_v all_o be_v clear_a for_o their_o free_a election_n of_o he_o to_o such_o a_o office_n he_o desire_v all_o the_o brethren_n of_o that_o church_n to_o declare_v their_o election_n of_o he_o with_o one_o accord_n by_o lift_v up_o their_o hand_n which_o be_v do_v he_o desire_v to_o know_v of_o the_o party_n choose_v whether_o he_o do_v accept_v of_o that_o call_n which_o the_o church_n have_v give_v he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n unto_o that_o office_n he_o have_v express_v his_o acceptance_n upon_o such_o ground_n as_o wherein_o he_o have_v chief_o see_v the_o hand_n of_o god_n lead_v he_o thereunto_o the_o elder_a do_v then_o admonish_v the_o church_n what_o duty_n the_o lord_n require_v of_o they_o all_o in_o his_o word_n towards_o he_o who_o they_o have_v thus_o choose_v and_o afterward_o advertise_v he_o what_o duty_n the_o lord_n require_v of_o he_o in_o that_o place_n towards_o the_o church_n and_o have_v take_v the_o acknowledgement_n of_o they_o both_o of_o their_o mutual_a duty_n towards_o one_o another_o he_o then_o with_o the_o presbytery_n of_o that_o church_n if_o they_o have_v any_o if_o not_o two_o or_o three_o other_o of_o the_o grave_a christian_n among_o the_o brethren_n of_o that_o church_n be_v depute_v by_o the_o body_n do_v in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n ordain_v he_o unto_o that_o office_n with_o imposition_n of_o hand_n call_v upon_o the_o lord_n who_o have_v furnish_v he_o with_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o bow_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o church_n to_o call_v he_o to_o that_o office_n to_o accept_v and_o own_v he_o therein_o to_o enlarge_v his_o heart_n and_o spirit_n according_a to_o all_o the_o duty_n thereof_o to_o breath_n in_o all_o his_o administration_n and_o to_o guide_v and_o bless_v all_o his_o go_v out_o and_o come_n in_o before_o they_o and_o so_o turn_v his_o speech_n upon_o the_o person_n on_o who_o their_o hand_n be_v impose_v he_o as_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o presbytery_n express_v their_o ordination_n of_o he_o to_o that_o office_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n and_o put_v a_o solemn_a charge_n upon_o he_o to_o look_v well_o to_o himself_o and_o to_o the_o whole_a flock_n over_o which_o the_o holy_a ghost_n have_v make_v he_o a_o overseer_n as_o one_o that_o must_v give_v account_n of_o all_o their_o soul_n unto_o the_o great_a shepherd_n of_o the_o sheep_n at_o the_o day_n of_o his_o appear_v after_o this_o the_o elder_n of_o their_o church_n present_a observe_v the_o presence_n of_o god_n both_o in_o the_o duty_n of_o that_o day_n perform_v by_o the_o officer_n then_o choose_v and_o ordain_v and_o in_o the_o orderly_a proceed_n of_o the_o church_n to_o his_o election_n and_o ordination_n one_o of_o they_o in_o the_o name_n of_o all_o the_o rest_n do_v give_v unto_o he_o the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o all_o the_o assembly_n testify_v their_o brotherly_a acceptance_n of_o he_o and_o their_o thankfulness_n to_o god_n for_o his_o gracious_a gift_n bestow_v on_o he_o and_o do_v exhort_v he_o in_o the_o lord_n to_o fulfil_v the_o ministry_n which_o he_o have_v receive_v of_o the_o lord_n and_o so_o after_o public_a praise_n give_v to_o god_n by_o he_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o church_n he_o dissolve_v the_o assembly_n with_o a_o blessing_n sect_n v._o for_o our_o call_n of_o deacon_n we_o hold_v it_o not_o necessary_a to_o ordain_v they_o with_o like_a solemnity_n of_o fast_v and_o prayer_n as_o be_v use_v in_o the_o ordination_n of_o elder_n because_o we_o do_v not_o read_v the_o apostle_n give_v any_o precedent_n thereof_o in_o the_o ordination_n of_o the_o first_o deacon_n at_o jerusalem_n act._n 6._o but_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n have_v look_v out_o among_o themselves_o man_n fit_o qualify_v for_o that_o call_n according_a to_o the_o scripture_n former_o mention_v and_o have_v make_v some_o proof_n of_o they_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n 1_o tim._n 3.10_o the_o elder_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o church_n upon_o some_o lord_n day_n or_o other_o public_a holy_a meeting_n do_v ordain_v they_o to_o the_o office_n and_o appoint_v they_o over_o that_o business_n with_o prayer_n and_o imposition_n of_o hand_n sect_n vi_o object_n two_o thing_n be_v here_o demand_v first_o by_o what_o warrant_v the_o people_n choose_v their_o officer_n answ_n from_o the_o precedent_n
a_o precise_a quotient_n a_o number_n of_o hundred_o and_o thousand_o be_v not_o limit_v to_o every_o church_n yet_o such_o a_o number_n be_v limit_v as_o fall_v not_o below_o seven_o nor_o rise_v above_o the_o bulk_n of_o one_o congregation_n and_o such_o a_o congregation_n wherein_o all_o may_v meet_v and_o all_o may_v hear_v and_o all_o may_v partake_v and_o all_o may_v be_v edify_v together_o sect_n ii_o they_o that_o desire_v to_o be_v add_v &_o join_v to_o such_o a_o body_n they_o first_o make_v know_v their_o desire_n to_o the_o elder_n of_o the_o church_n who_o take_v trial_n of_o their_o knowledge_n in_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n &_o of_o their_o experience_n in_o the_o way_n of_o grace_n and_o of_o their_o godly_a conversation_n among_o man_n that_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v find_v ignorant_a and_o graceless_a or_o scandalous_a he_o may_v not_o be_v present_o present_v to_o the_o church_n till_o these_o evil_n be_v remove_v the_o stone_n that_o be_v to_o be_v lay_v in_o solomon_n temple_n be_v square_v and_o make_v ready_a before_o they_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o build_n neither_o iron_n nor_o axe_n nor_o any_o iron_n tool_n be_v hear_v in_o the_o house_n while_o it_o be_v a_o building_n 1_o king_n 6.7_o and_o wherefore_o so_o if_o not_o to_o hold_v forth_o that_o no_o member_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v into_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n but_o such_o as_o be_v rough-hewen_a and_o square_v and_o fit_v to_o lie_v close_o and_o level_v to_o christ_n and_o to_o his_o member_n but_o when_o such_o as_o offer_v themselves_o be_v approve_v of_o the_o elder_n they_o be_v propound_v by_o one_o of_o the_o rule_v elder_n to_o the_o church_n with_o a_o motion_n to_o the_o brethren_n to_o make_v inquiry_n after_o they_o and_o if_o they_o shall_v hear_v of_o any_o just_a exception_n against_o they_o to_o give_v notice_n of_o it_o to_o one_o of_o the_o elder_n but_o if_o no_o exception_n be_v hear_v of_o they_o be_v call_v forth_o before_o the_o church_n after_o other_o holy_a duty_n be_v perform_v and_o each_o one_o make_v confession_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o confession_n of_o his_o sin_n that_o it_o may_v appear_v to_o be_v a_o penitent_a confession_n he_o declare_v also_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n to_o his_o soul_n draw_v he_o out_o of_o his_o sinful_a estate_n into_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n in_o the_o profession_n of_o his_o faith_n he_o declare_v not_o only_o his_o good_a knowledge_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n but_o also_o his_o profess_a subjection_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n with_o his_o desire_n of_o walk_v therein_o with_o the_o fellowship_n of_o that_o church_n now_o before_o or_o after_o such_o his_o profession_n or_o confession_n those_o of_o the_o brethren_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v of_o his_o acquaintance_n do_v give_v some_o good_a testimony_n if_o need_v be_v of_o his_o life_n and_o conversation_n either_o according_a to_o their_o own_o knowledge_n of_o he_o or_o according_a to_o the_o credible_a report_n or_o letter_n which_o they_o have_v receive_v concern_v he_o which_o do_v the_o rule_v elder_a or_o one_o of_o the_o preach_a elder_n propound_v it_o to_o the_o church_n whether_o from_o all_o that_o they_o have_v hear_v and_o see_v they_o find_v any_o just_a exception_n against_o he_o if_o so_o it_o be_v clear_v and_o remove_v before_o any_o further_a proceed_n if_o no_o just_a exception_n appear_v the_o rule_v elder_a then_o move_v the_o church_n to_o express_v their_o acceptance_n of_o he_o into_o fellowship_n with_o they_o by_o lift_v up_o their_o hand_n which_o do_v and_o the_o like_a course_n take_v with_o two_o or_o three_o more_o as_o the_o time_n will_v permit_v the_o elder_a propound_v to_o they_o the_o head_n of_o the_o covenant_n which_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v with_o his_o church_n what_o promise_v of_o grace_n he_o have_v make_v to_o they_o as_o also_o what_o duty_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n he_o do_v require_v of_o they_o as_o to_o take_v the_o lord_n jesus_n for_o their_o only_a priest_n and_o atonement_n their_o only_a prophet_n and_o guide_n their_o only_a king_n and_o lawgiver_n and_o to_o walk_v in_o profess_a subjection_n unto_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n as_o also_o to_o walk_v in_o brotherly_a love_n with_o the_o brethren_n of_o this_o church_n unto_o mutual_a edification_n and_o succour_n according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o new_a receive_v member_n acknowledge_v this_o to_o be_v their_o duty_n and_o profess_v their_o consent_n unto_o it_o in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n the_o elder_n do_v further_a acquaint_v they_o with_o what_o duty_n of_o holy_a watchfulness_n over_o they_o they_o may_v expect_v from_o the_o church_n and_o so_o shut_v up_o his_o work_n with_o some_o short_a prayer_n unto_o the_o lord_n who_o keep_v covenant_n and_o mercy_n with_o thousand_o of_o his_o people_n to_o make_v we_o all_o faithful_a to_o he_o and_o one_o to_o another_o according_a to_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o holy_a gospel_n in_o christ_n jesus_n the_o mediator_n and_o surety_n of_o his_o covenant_n between_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n sect_n iii_o now_o what_o offence_n be_v there_o in_o all_o this_o or_o what_o scruple_n may_v arise_v in_o a_o godly_a mind_n against_o these_o thing_n two_o or_o three_o thing_n seem_v herein_o offensive_a but_o be_v not_o first_o that_o we_o require_v gracious_a qualification_n in_o such_o as_o we_o receive_v to_o church-fellowship_n whereas_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v say_v to_o consist_v of_o all_o sort_n good_a and_o bad_a and_o to_o be_v a_o garner_n contain_v chaff_n and_o wheat_n as_o a_o field_n wherein_o wheat_n and_o tare_n grow_v up_o together_o second_o that_o we_o receive_v such_o into_o the_o church_n by_o a_o covenant_n three_o that_o we_o communicate_v too_o much_o power_n unto_o the_o people_n and_o do_v not_o rather_o refer_v all_o power_n in_o this_o case_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o elder_n to_o give_v therefore_o some_o account_n of_o these_o as_o the_o lord_n shall_v assist_v for_o the_o first_o though_o we_o willing_o admit_v all_o comer_n to_o the_o hear_n of_o the_o word_n with_o we_o as_o the_o corinthian_n admit_v infidel_n 1_o cor._n 14.24_o 25._o yet_o we_o receive_v none_o as_o member_n into_o the_o church_n but_o such_o as_o according_a to_o the_o judgement_n of_o charitable_a christian_n may_v be_v conceive_v to_o be_v receive_v of_o god_n into_o fellowship_n with_o christ_n the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n our_o reason_n be_v first_o from_o the_o near_a relation_n between_o christ_n jesus_n and_o the_o church_n as_o also_o between_o the_o church_n and_o the_o other_o person_n in_o the_o trinity_n the_o lord_n jesus_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n even_o of_o the_o visible_a church_n and_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n jesus_n 1_o cor._n 12.27_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o habitation_n of_o god_n by_o the_o spirit_n eph._n 2.22_o to_o be_v the_o temple_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n to_o dwell_v in_o they_o 1_o cor._n 3.16_o 17._o to_o be_v espouse_v to_o christ_n as_o a_o chaste_a virgin_n 2_o cor._n 11.2_o the_o member_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n be_v say_v to_o be_v the_o son_n and_o daughter_n of_o the_o lord_n god_n almighty_a 2_o cor._n 6.18_o and_o be_v exhort_v to_o be_v follower_n of_o he_o as_o dear_a child_n eph._n 4.1_o now_o how_o can_v the_o visible_a church_n be_v the_o member_n of_o the_o body_n or_o the_o spouse_n of_o christ_n or_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n or_o the_o son_n and_o daughter_n of_o the_o heavenly_a father_n except_o the_o member_n in_o charitable_a discretion_n be_v as_o indeed_o the_o holy_a ghost_n describe_v they_o to_o be_v saint_n by_o calling_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o and_o faithful_a brethren_n gal._n 1.2_o and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o external_a profession_n for_o these_o be_v too_o high_a style_n for_o hypocrite_n but_o in_o some_o measure_n of_o sincerity_n and_o truth_n second_o we_o read_v act._n 2.47_o that_o the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v and_o how_o then_o shall_v we_o add_v to_o the_o church_n such_o as_o god_n add_v not_o such_o as_o have_v no_o show_n of_o any_o save_a work_n upon_o they_o to_o any_o spiritual_a discern_v aught_o not_o the_o lord_n steward_n to_o be_v faithful_a in_o god_n house_n and_o to_o do_v nothing_o therein_o but_o as_o they_o see_v the_o lord_n go_v before_o they_o receive_n who_o he_o receive_v and_o refuse_v who_o he_o refuse_v cast_v out_o who_o he_o cast_v out_o do_v not_o the_o apostle_n paul_n upon_o this_o ground_n direct_v the_o roman_n to_o receive_v a_o
murder_n rail_a extortion_n and_o the_o like_a or_o such_o as_o be_v general_o account_v damnable_a and_o detestable_a among_o christian_n as_o idolatry_n blasphemy_n profaneness_n etc._n etc._n we_o take_v ourselves_o bind_v to_o proceed_v more_o roundly_o against_o such_o for_o in_o such_o case_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o direct_v we_o to_o such_o gradual_a proceed_n by_o private_a admonition_n but_o if_o any_o brother_n say_v he_o be_v a_o fornicator_n or_o covetous_a or_o a_o idolater_n or_o a_o railer_n or_o a_o drunkard_n or_o a_o extortioner_n with_o such_o a_o one_o no_v not_o to_o eat_v for_o it_o do_v not_o stand_v with_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n or_o honour_n of_o his_o church_n to_o accept_v a_o acknowledgement_n of_o such_o gross_a and_o scandalous_a crime_n without_o further_a censure_n but_o it_o become_v the_o church_n be_v a_o communion_n of_o saint_n rather_o to_o free_v themselves_o from_o the_o guilt_n and_o fellowship_n of_o such_o notorious_a wickedness_n by_o expression_n of_o their_o zeal_n and_o just_a indignation_n against_o such_o sin_n by_o cast_v out_o the_o committer_n thereof_o from_o fellowship_n among_o they_o for_o though_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n and_o the_o repentance_n of_o a_o offender_n do_v remove_v any_o offence_n though_o never_o so_o heinous_a in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n and_o man_n yet_o god_n be_v jealous_a of_o his_o own_o glory_n and_o of_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o church_n be_v not_o wont_v ordinary_o to_o grant_v repentance_n unto_o such_o notorious_a sinner_n until_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n have_v pass_v upon_o they_o while_o the_o offender_n lie_v under_o the_o censure_n of_o excommunication_n though_o he_o be_v exclude_v from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o from_o the_o lord_n table_n and_o from_o all_o other_o liberty_n of_o church-fellowship_n as_o vote_v in_o election_n admission_n of_o member_n censure_n etc._n etc._n yet_o we_o do_v not_o debar_v he_o from_o entrance_n into_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n in_o time_n of_o preach_v the_o word_n or_o prayer_n or_o such_o other_o worship_n of_o god_n as_o be_v not_o peculiar_a to_o the_o church_n for_o this_o liberty_n we_o do_v not_o forbid_v to_o heathen_n and_o indian_n and_o person_n excommunicate_a be_v but_o as_o heathen_n in_o respect_n of_o worship_n although_o worse_a than_o heathen_n even_o as_o publican_n in_o respect_n of_o familiar_a private_a communion_n for_o though_o we_o may_v eat_v with_o a_o heathen_a 1_o cor._n 10.27_o yet_o with_o a_o publican_n the_o jew_n will_v not_o eat_v mat._n 9.11_o no_o more_o may_v we_o with_o excommunicate_a person_n 2_o cor._n 5.11_o but_o we_o do_v not_o read_v that_o a_o heathen_a be_v forbid_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n in_o the_o synagogue_n though_o they_o be_v not_o permit_v to_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n which_o be_v to_o they_o of_o a_o sacramental_a nature_n act._n 21.28_o 29._o nor_o may_v they_o enter_v as_o member_n into_o the_o congregation_n deut._n 13.13_o to_o 8._o but_o suppose_v heathen_n be_v forbid_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n even_o in_o the_o synagogue_n yet_o see_v that_o wall_n of_o partition_n between_o jew_n and_o heathen_n be_v now_o break_v down_o as_o in_o other_o respect_n so_o in_o this_o that_o it_o be_v not_o now_o unlawful_a for_o a_o infidel_n or_o heathen_a to_o come_v into_o the_o assembly_n of_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14.23_o 24_o 25._o as_o therefore_o we_o do_v not_o deny_v the_o like_a liberty_n either_o to_o indian_n or_o negars_n so_o not_o to_o excommunicate_v person_n moreover_o this_o further_a compassion_n and_o succour_n we_o afford_v to_o a_o excommunicate_a person_n that_o though_o we_o have_v cast_v he_o out_o of_o our_o liberty_n and_o privilege_n peculiar_a to_o church-fellowship_n yet_o we_o have_v not_o cast_v he_o out_o also_o of_o our_o heart_n nor_o out_o of_o our_o prayer_n nor_o out_o of_o our_o care_n to_o recover_v such_o a_o lose_a sheep_n into_o christ_n fold_n again_o and_o therefore_o still_o though_o we_o forbear_v all_o familiar_a fellowship_n with_o he_o and_o countenance_n towards_o he_o that_o he_o may_v be_v ashamed_a yet_o we_o account_v he_o not_o as_o a_o enemy_n but_o still_o take_v opportunity_n to_o admonish_v he_o as_o a_o brother_n 2_o thes_n 3.14_o 15._o and_o if_o we_o find_v by_o the_o blessing_n of_o god_n and_o christ_n upon_o the_o censure_n or_o by_o the_o rebuke_n of_o many_o minister_v unto_o he_o that_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o excommunicate_a person_n be_v humble_v as_o it_o be_v the_o case_n of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a 2_o cor._n 2.6_o the_o elder_n discover_v the_o same_o do_v call_v he_o forth_o before_o the_o church_n where_o he_o give_v glory_n to_o god_n and_o confess_v his_o sin_n and_o the_o justice_n of_o god_n against_o he_o and_o hold_v forth_o a_o repent_a frame_n of_o spirit_n to_o the_o satisfaction_n of_o the_o church_n they_o do_v with_o common_a consent_n forgive_v he_o and_o comfort_v he_o and_o confirm_v their_o love_n to_o he_o by_o receive_v he_o again_o into_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n and_o into_o all_o the_o liberty_n of_o god_n house_n as_o before_z sect_n iii_o in_o all_o these_o transaction_n of_o church_n proceed_n when_o we_o say_v we_o do_v this_o or_o that_o with_o common_a consent_n our_o meaning_n be_v we_o do_v not_o carry_v on_o matter_n either_o by_o the_o overrule_a power_n of_o the_o presbytery_n or_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o major_a part_n of_o the_o church_n but_o by_o the_o general_a and_o joint_a consent_n of_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n for_o we_o read_v in_o the_o act_n of_o the_o apostle_n the_o primitive_a church_n which_o be_v a_o pattern_n for_o succeed_a age_n carry_v all_o their_o administration_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d that_o be_v with_o one_o accord_n act_v 2.46_o as_o become_v the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v of_o one_o heart_n and_o one_o soul_n of_o one_o mind_n and_o one_o judgement_n and_o all_o to_o speak_v the_o same_o thing_n act._n 4.32_o 1_o cor._n 1.10_o phil._n 2.2_o 3._o but_o if_o it_o so_o fall_v out_o that_o any_o difference_n do_v arise_v as_o sometime_o there_o do_v through_o the_o remain_a darkness_n of_o our_o mind_n see_v we_o all_o know_v but_o in_o part_n than_o such_o as_o do_v dissent_n from_o their_o brethren_n be_v require_v to_o propound_v the_o ground_n of_o their_o dissent_n which_o if_o they_o be_v weighty_a and_o hold_v forth_o from_o the_o light_n of_o the_o word_n all_o the_o rest_n do_v submit_v and_o yield_v thereunto_o not_o as_o to_o the_o voice_n of_o their_o brethren_n only_o but_o as_o to_o the_o voice_n of_o christ_n who_o voice_n alone_o must_v rule_v in_o the_o church_n and_o all_o the_o sheep_n of_o christ_n will_v hear_v it_o and_o all_o the_o upright_a in_o heart_n will_v follow_v it_o thus_o paphnutius_fw-la be_v say_v to_o turn_v about_o the_o whole_a general_a council_n of_o nice_a in_o the_o point_n of_o minister_n marriage_n but_o if_o the_o ground_n of_o such_o as_o do_v dissent_n do_v upon_o due_a consideration_n appear_v to_o have_v little_a or_o no_o weight_n in_o they_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n or_o some_o other_o of_o the_o brethren_n do_v declare_v unto_o they_o the_o invalidity_n thereof_o if_o they_o be_v satisfy_v the_o matter_n in_o hand_n do_v then_o proceed_v with_o the_o common_a consent_n of_o all_o if_o they_o be_v not_o satisfy_v yet_o it_o be_v either_o through_o want_n of_o light_n and_o so_o through_o weakness_n of_o judgement_n or_o through_o strength_n of_o pride_n and_o so_o through_o stiffness_n of_o will_n if_o the_o former_a be_v the_o let_v they_o take_v further_a pain_n love_o to_o inform_v they_o and_o patient_o bear_v with_o they_o till_o matter_n be_v further_o clear_v so_o that_o at_o length_n they_o come_v either_o to_o consent_v to_o go_v along_o with_o their_o brethren_n or_o at_o least_o to_o be_v content_a to_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o the_o judgement_n of_o their_o brethren_n and_o for_o their_o part_n to_o sit_v still_o and_o to_o make_v no_o further_a deal_n with_o the_o church_n proceed_n but_o if_o through_o partialty_n or_o prejudice_n their_o dissent_n do_v appear_v to_o spring_v from_o stiffness_n of_o will_n or_o from_o a_o spirit_n of_o contradiction_n which_o yet_o fall_v out_o very_o rare_o in_o so_o much_o that_o they_o will_v not_o be_v bring_v by_o love_v and_o brotherly_a information_n to_o give_v way_n to_o the_o better_a judgement_n of_o their_o brethren_n the_o church_n do_v proceed_v with_o common_a consent_n to_o admonish_v they_o of_o their_o pride_n and_o self-willednesse_a and_o so_o leave_v they_o under_o the_o censure_n of_o admonition_n whereby_o the_o liberty_n of_o their_o voice_n be_v take_v from_o they_o till_o they_o have_v remove_v this_o