contending about it till the Kindom be destroyed did not the Lord Jesus when he dedicated his sufferings for his Church and his Church also unto his Father make it his earnest and only Prayer for us in this world that we all might be one in him John 17.20 21 22 23. And is it possible that He whom the Father heard alwaies John 11.42 should not have this last most solemn Prayer heard and granted or shall it be granted for all the Saints elsewhere and not for the Saints in England so that amongst them disunion shall grow even about Church-union and communion If it be possible for a little faith so much as a grain of Mustard-seed to remove a mountain is it not possible for so much strength of faith as is to be found in all the the godly in the Kingdom to remove those Images of jealousie and to cast those stumbling blocks out of the way which may hinder the free passage of brotherly love amongst Brethren It is true indeed the National Covenant doth justly ingage both Parties faithfully to endeavor the utter extirpation of the Antichristian Hierarchy and much more of all Blasphemies Heresies and damnable Errors Certainly if Congregational Discipline be Independant from the inventions of men is it not much more independant from the delusions of Satan what fellowship hath Christ with Belial Light with Darkness Truth with Error The faithful Jews needed not the help of the Samaritans to Re-edifie the Temple of God yea they rejected their help when it was offered Ezra 4.1 2 3. And if the Congregational way be a way of Truth as we beleeve and if the Brethren that walk in it be zealous of the Truth and hate every false way as by the Rule of their holy Discipline they are instructed 2 John 10.11 then verily there is no branch in the National Covenant that ingageth the Covenanters to abhor either Congregational Churches or their way which being duly administred do no less effectually extirpate the Antichristian Hierarchy and all Blasphemies Heresies and pernitious Errors than other way of Discipline doth which is more generally and publickly received and ratified But the Lord Jesus commune with our hearts in secret and he who is the King of his Church let him be pleased to exercise his Kingly Power in our Spirits that so his Kingdom may come into our Churches in Purity and Peace Amen Amen CHAPTER I. Of the Form of Church-Government and that it is one immutable and prescribed in the Word of God 1 ECclesiastical Polity or Church-Government or Discipline is nothing else Ezek 43.11 Col. 2 5 1 Tim 3 15 but that Form and Order that is to be observed in the Church of Christ upon Earth both for the Constitution of it and all the Administrations that therein are to be performed 2. Church-Government is considered in a double respect either in regard of the Parts of Government themselves or necessary circumstances thereof Heb 3 5 6 The Parts of Government are prescribed in the Word because the Lord Jesus Christ the King and Law-giver of his Church is no less faithful in the House of God than was Moses Exod 25 40 who from the Lord delivered a Form and Pattern of Government to the children of Israel in the old Testament 2 Tim 3 16 And the holy Scriptures are now also so perfect as they are able to make the man of God perfect and throughly furnished unto every good Work and therefore doubtless to the well ordering of the House of God 3. 1 Tim 3.15 1 Chron 15 13. Ex. 20 4 1 Tim 6 13 v 16 Heb 12 27 28 1 Cor 15 24 The Parts of Church-Government are all of them exactly described in the Word of God being parts or means of Instituted Worship according to the second Commandement and therfore to continue one and the same unto the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ as a Kingdom that cannot be shaken until he shal deliver it up unto God even the Father So that it is not left in the Power of Men Officers Deut 12 32 Ezek 43 8 1 Kings 12 31 32 33 Churches or any State in the World to add or diminish or alter any thing in the least measure therein 4. The necessary circumstances as time and place c. 1 Kings 12 v 28 29 belonging unto order and decency are not so left unto men as that under pretence of them they may thrust their own inventions upon the Churches Isay 29 13 Col 2 22 23. Acts 15 28 Being circumscribed in the Word with many general limitations where they are determined in respect of the matter to be neither worship it self Mat 15 9 1 Cor 11 23 c 8 34 nor circumstances seperable from Worship in respect of their end they must be done unto edification in respect of the manner 1 Cor 14 26 1 Cor 14 40 1 Cor 11 14 1 Cor 11 16 1 Cor 14 12 19. Acts 15 28 decently and in order according to the Nature of the things themselves and Civil and Church Custom doth not even Nature it self teach you yea they are in some sort determined particularly namely that they be done in such a manner as all circumstances considered is most expedient for edification so as if there be no error of man concerning their determination the determining of them is to be accounted as if it were Divine CHAP. II. Of the Nature of the Catholick Church in general and in special of a particular visible Church THe Catholick Church Ephes 1 22 23 5 25 26 30. Heb. 22 23 is the whol Company of those that are Elected Redeemed and in time effectually called from the state of sin and death unto a state of Grace and Salvation in Jesus Christ 2. Rom 4 17 2 Tim 2 12 c 4 8 Eph 6 12 13 This Church is either Triumphant or Militant Triumphant the number of them who are glorified in Heaven Militant the number of them who are conflicting with their enemies upon Earth 3. 2 Tim 2 19 Rev 2 17 1 Cor 6 17 Eph 3 17 Rom 1 8 1 Thes 1 8 Isay 2 2 1 Tim 6 12 This Militant Church is to be considered as Invisible and Visible Invisible in respect of their relation wherein they stand to Christ as a Body unto the Head being united unto him by the Spirit of God and Faith in their hearts Visible in respect of the Profession of their Faith in their Persons and in particular Churches and so there may be acknowledged an universal Visible Church 4. The Members of the Militant Visible Church considered either as not yet in Church-order Acts 19 1 Colos 2 5 Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 12 or as walking according to the Church-order of the Gospel In order and so besides the Spiritual union and communion common to all Beleevers they injoy moreover an union and communion Ecclesiastical-Political so we deny an universal Visible Church
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-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
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
word of God are to be received with reverence submission not only for their agreement therwith which is the principal ground therof and without which they bind not at all but also secondarily for the power wherby they are made Acts 15 as being an ordinance of God appointed therunto in his word 6. Because it is difficult if not impossible for many churches to com al together in one place in al their members universaly therfore they may assemble by their delegates or messengers as the church of Antioch went not all to Jerusalem Acts 15 2 but some select men for that purpose Because none are or should be more fit to know the state of the churches nor to advise of wayes for the good thereof than Elders therfore it is fit that in the choyce of the messengers for such assemblies they have special respect unto such Acts 15 2. vers 22 23 Yet in as much as not only Paul Barnabas but certayn others also were sent to Ierusalem from Antioch Acts 15. and when they were come to Jerusalem not only the Apostles Elders but other brethren also doe assemble meet about the matter therfore Synods are to consist both of Elders other church-members endued with gifts sent by the churches not excluding the presence of any brethren in the churches CHAP. XVII Of the Civil Magistrates power in matters Ecclesiastical IT is lawfull profitable And necessary for Christians to gather themselves into Church estate and therin to exercise all the ordinanaces of Christ accoridng unto the word Acts 2 41 47 c 4 1 2 3 although consent of the Magistrate could not be had therunto because the Apostles Christians in their time did frequently thus practise when the Magistrates being all of them Jewish or pagan and mostly persecuting enemies would give no countenance or consent to such matters 2. Church-government stands in no opposition to civil government of common-wealths John 18 36 nor any way intrencheth upon the authority of Civil Magistrates in their jurisdictions John 18.36 Acts 25.8 nor any whit weakneth their hands in governing but rather strengthneth them and furthereth the people in yielding more hearty conscionable obedience unto them whatsoever some ill affected persons to the wayes of Christ have suggested to alienate the affections of Kings and Princes form the ordinances of Christ as if the Kingdom of Christ in his church could not rise stand without the falling weakning of their government which is also of Christ Isay 49.23 wheras the contrary is most true that they may both stand together and flourish the one being helpfull unto the other in their distinct and due administrations 3. The power and authority of Magistrates is not for the restraiing of churches Rom. 13.4 1 Tim. 2.2 or any other good workes but for helping in furthering therof therfore the consent countenance of Magistrates when it may be had is not to be slighted or lightly esteemed but on the contrary it is part of that honour due to christian Magistrates to desire crave their consent approbation therin which being obtayned the churches may then proceed in their way with much more encouragement and comfort 4. It is not in the power of Magistrates to compell their subjects to become church-members and to partake at the Lords table for the priests are reproved Ezek. 44.7.9 1 Cor. 5.11 that brought ūworthy ones into the sanctuarie then as it was unlawful for the preists so it is as unlawful to be done by civil Magistrates Those whom the church is to cast out if they were in the Magistrate ought not to thrust into the church nor to hold them therin 5. As it is unlawfull for church-officers to meddle with the sword of the Magistrate Matth. 20.25.26 so is it ūlawfull for the Magistrate to meddle with the work proper to church officers the Acts of Moses David who were not only Princes 2 Chron. 26 16 17. but Prophets were extraordnary therfore not imitable Against such usurpation the Lord witnessed by smiting Uzziah with leprosie for presuming to offer incense 6. It is the duty of the Magistrate to take care of matters of religion and to improve his civil authority for the observing of the duties commanded in the first Psal 82.2 as well as for observing of the duties commanded in the second table They are called Gods The end of the Magistrates office 1 Tim. 2.1.2 is not only the quiet peaceable life of the subject in matters of righteousness and honesty but also in matters of godliness yea of all godliness Moses Joshua David Solomon Asa Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Josiah 1 Kings 15.14 c. 22.43 2 King 12.3 c. 14.4 c 15 35. 1 Kings 20.42 Job 29.25 c. 31 26.28 Neh. 14. Jonah 3 7. Ezra 7. Dan. 3.29 are much commended by the Holy Ghost for the putting forth their authority in matters of religion on the contrary such Kings as have been fayling this way are frequently taxed reproved by the Lord. And not only the Kings of judah but also Job Nehemiah the King of Niniveh Darius Artaxerxes Nebucadnezar whom none looked at as types of Christ though were it so there were no place for any just objection are cōmended in the book of God for exercising their authority this way 7 The object of the power of the Magistrate are not things meerly inward and so not subject to his cognisance view as unbeleif hardness of heart erronious opinions not vented but only such things as are acted by the outward man neither is their power to be exercised in commanding such acts of the outward man 1 Kings 20.28 vers 11 and punishing the neglect therof as are but meer inventions devices of men but about such acts as are commanded forbidden in the word yea such as the word doth clearly determine though not alwayes clearly to the judgment of the Magistrate or others yet clearly in it slfe In these he of right ought to putt forth his authority Deut. 13. 1 Kings 20.28 vers 42 Dan. 3.29 Zach. 13.3 Neh. 13.21 1 Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.4 though oft-times actually he doth it not 8 Idolatry Blasphemy Heresy venting corrupt and pernicious opinions that destroy the foundation open contempt of the word preached prophanation of the Lords day disturbing the peaceable administration exercise of the worship holy things of God and the like are to be restrayned and punished by civil authority 9 If any church one or more shall grow schismaticall rending it self from the communion of other churches or shall walke incorrigibly or obstinately in any corrupt way of their own contrary to the rule of the word in such case the Magistrate is to put forth his coercive power as the matter shall require Joshua 22 The tribes on this side jordan intended to make warr against the other tribes for building the alter of witness whom they suspected to have turned away therin from follwing of the Lord. FINIS A Table of the Contents of the Chapters in this Platform of Church-Discipline Chap. I. Of the Form of Church-government in general and that it is one immutable and prescribed in the Word of God Page 1 Chap. II. Of the Nature of the Catholick Church in general and in special of a particular visible Church Page 2 Chap. III. Of the matter of the visible Church both in respect of quality and quantity Page 3 Chap. IV. Of the Form of a visible Church and of Church-Covenant Page 4 Chap. V. Of the first subject of Church-power or to whom Church-power doth first belong Page 7 Chap. VI. Of the Officers of the Church and especially of Pastors and Teachers Page 7 Chap. VII Of Ruling Elders and Deacons Page 8 Chap. VIII Of Election of Church-Officers Page 10 Chap. IX Of Ordination and Impositionof hands Page 11 Chap. X. Of the Power of the Church and its Presbitery Page 12 Chap. XI Of the maintenance of Church-Officers Page 15 Chap. XII Of the Admission of Members into the Church Page 16 Chap. XIII Of Church-Members their removal from one Church to another and Letters of Recommendation and Dismission Page 19 Chap. XIV Of Excommunication and other Church-Censures Page 20 Chap. XV. Of the Communion of Churches one with another Page 23 Chap. XVI Of Synods Page 27 Chap. XVII Of the civil Magistrates Power in matters Ecclesiastical Page 28
then the Church without such graduall proceeding is to cast out the offender from their holy communion for the further mortifying of his sinn and the healing of his soule in the day of the Lord Jesus 4. In dealing with an offender great care is to be taken that wee be neither overstrict or rigorous nor too indulgent or remiss Galat 6 1 our proceeding herein ought to be with a spirit of meekness considering our selves lest wee also be tempted Mat 18 34 23 c 6 14.35 Ezek 13 10 Jer 6 14 that the best of us have need of much forgivnes from the Lord. Yet the wining healing of the offēders soul being the end of these endeavors wee must not daub with untempered morter nor heal the wounds of our brethren slightly On some have compassion others save with fear 5. Mat 18 17 1 Cor 5 11 2 Thes 3 6 14 While the offender remains excommunicate the Church is to refrarn from all member-like communion with him in spirituall things and also from al familiar cōmuniō with him in civil things farther then the necessity of natural or domestical or civil relations do require and are therfore to forbear to eat drink with him that he may be ashamed 6. Excommunication being a spirituall punishment it doth not prejudice the excommunicat in nor deprive him of his civil rights and therfore toucheth not Princes or other Magistrates in point of their civil dignity or auothority 1 Cor 14 24 25 And the excommunicate being but as a publican and a heathen heathens being lawfully permitted to come to hear the word in Church assemblyes 2 Thes 3 14 wee acknowledg therfore the like liberty of hearing the word may be permitted to persons excommunicate that is permitted unto heathen And because wee are not without hope of his recovery wee are not to account him as an enemy but to admonish him as a brother 7. If the Lord sanctifie the censure to the offender so as by the grace of Christ 2 Cor 2 7 8 he doth testifie his repentance with humble confession of his sin and judging of himself giving glory unto God the Church is then to forgive him and to comfort him and to restore him to the wonted brotherly communion which formerly he injoyed with them 8. The suffering of prophane or scandalous Livers to continue in fellowship Rev 2 14 15 vers 20 and partake in the Sacrament is doubtless a great sin in those that have power in their hands to redress it and do it not Nevertheless Mat 23 3 Acts 3 1 in as much as Christ and his Apostles in their times and the Prophets and other godly in theirs did lawfully partake of the Lords commanded Ordinances in the Jewish Church and neither taught nor practised separation from the same though unworthy ones were permitted therin and inasmuch as the faithfull in the Church of Corinth wherin were many unworthy persons 2 Cor 6 chap 15 12 and practises are never commanded to absent themselves from the Sacraments because of the same therfore the godly in like cases are not presently to separate 9. As separation from such a Church wherin profane and scandalous Livers are tolerated is not presently necessary so for the members therof otherwise worthy hereupon to abstain from communicating with such a Church 2 Chron 30 18 Gen 18 25 in the participation of the Sacraments is unlawfull For as it were unreasonable for an innocent person to be punished for the faults of others wherin he hath no hand and wherunto he gave no consent so is it more unreasonable that a godly man should neglect duty and punish himself in not coming for his portion in the blessing of the seals as he ought because others are suffered to come that ought not especially considering that himself doth neither consent to their sin nor to their approaching to the Ordinance in their sin Ezek. 9.10 nor to the neglect of others who should put them away and do not but on the contrary doth heartily mourn for these things modestly and seasonably stir up others to do their duty If the Church cannot be refermed they may use their liberty as is specified chap. 13. Sect. 4. But this all the Godly are bound unto even every one to do his endeavor according to his power and place that the unworthy may be duely proceeded against by the Church to whom this matter doth appertain CHAP. XV. Of the Communion of Churches one with another ALthough Churches be distinct Rev. 1.4 Cant. 8.8 Rom. 16.16 1 Cor 16.19 Acts 15.23 Rev. 2.1 and therefore may not be confounded one with another and equal and therefore have not dominion one over another yet all the Churches ought to preserve Church-communion one with another because they are all united unto Christ not only as a Mystical but as a Political Head whence is derived a communion suitable thereunto 2. The communion of Churches is exercised sundry ways 1. Cant. 8.8 By way of mutual care in taking thought for one anothers welfare II. By way of consultation one with another when we have occasion to require the judgment and counsel of other Churches touching any person or cause wherewith they may be better acquainted than our selves As the Church of Antioch consulted with the Apostles and Elders of the Church at Jerusalem Acts 15 2 about the question of circumcision of the Gentils and about the false Teachers that broached that Doctrin In which case Acts 15 6 when any Church wanteth light or peace amongst themselvs it is a way of communion of Churches according to the Word to meet together by their Elders and other Messengers in a Synod to consider argue the points in doubt or difference Vers 22 23 and having found out he way of truth and peace to commend the same by their Letters and Messengers to the Churches whom the same may concern But if a church be rent with divisions amongst themselves or lie under any open scandal yet refuse to consult with other Churches for healing or removing of the same it is a matter of just offence both to the Lord Jesus and to other Churches as bewraying too much want of mercy and faithfulness Ezck. 34.4 not to seek to bind up the breaches and wounds of the Church and Brethren and therefore the state of such a Church calleth aloud upon other Churches to exercise a fuller act of brotherly communion to wit by way of Admonition III. A third way then of communion of Churches is by way of admonition to wit In case any publick offence be found in a Church which they either discern not Gal. 2.11 to 14. or are slow in proceeding to use the means for the removing and healing of Paul had no authority over Peter yet when he saw Peter not walking with a right foot he publickly rebuked him before the Church though Churches have no more authority one over another than