The Doctrine of the Church, Religious text – Conclusion
THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHVRCH, And its GOVERNMENT.
1 Queſtion, WHat is the Church of the New Teſtament?
Anſwer. The Church is a myſticall bodyaEpheſ. 5.30, 31, 32. 1 Cor. 12.27. Rom. 12.4, 5., whereof Chriſt is the HeadbEpheſ. 1.22. & 5.23., the Members be Saintsc1 Cor. 1.2, 9. & 14.23, 33. Col. 1.2, 12. & 2.5. 1 Theſ. 1.1, 3, 7. & 2.14. Act. 17.1, 4., called out of the worldd1 Cor. 1.2, 9. & 5.10, 11, 12. 2 Cor. 6.16, 17. Joh. 15.19. 1 Kin. 8.53. Levit. 20.25, 26. Act. 19.1, 8, 9., and united together into one Congregatione1 Cor. 11.18, 20. & 14.23, 33, 34. & 16.1, 16., by an holy CovenantfExod. 19 5, 6. & 24.3, 7 Deut. 5.2, 27. with Act. 7.38. Deut. 29.1, 9. to 25. Jer. 50.5. Amos 3.3. Iſa. 62.5. with Mal. 2.14., to worſhip the Lord, and to edifie one another, in all his holy OrdinancesgAct. 2.42. 1 Cor. 9.2. Mat. 28.19, 20. Joh. 25.14..
2 Qu. What ſort of members *Rom. 12.4, 5. 1 Cor. 12 14. to 27.hath God ſet in his Church?
Anſ. Some that are Miniſtersa1 Cor. 4.1. Epheſ. 4.12. Col. 4.17. Rom. 12 7. or Officersb1 Tim. 3.1, 10, 13. Rom. 11.13. in the Church; others commonly called by the generall name, which belongeth to all the Members, BrethrencAct 15.22, 23. Col. 1.2. Rom. 16.17, 23. and SaintsdCol. 1.2. 1 Cor. 14.33..
3 Qu. What ſorts of Miniſters or Officers hath God ſet in his Church?
Anſ. Some extraordinary, as Apoſtles, Prophets and EvangeliſtsaEpheſ. 4.11. 1. Cor 12.28.: Some ordinary and perpetuall, as Biſhops and DeaconsbPhil. 1.1. 1 Tim 3.1, 2, 8..
4 Qu. What manner of men are to be called to the Office of a Biſhop, or Elder of the Church?
Anſ. A Biſhop or Elder of the Church, muſt be in himſelfe a blameleſſe man for holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, and for freedome from paſſions and luſts: Alſo a vigilant man, and of good behaviour. Moreover, hee muſt be in his family a man of good government, and of good hoſpitality: In his name, a man of good report, even of thoſe that are without: In his profeſſion, not a young plant, but holding faſt the faithfull word; apt to teach it, and able to maintaine ita1 Tim. 2.2. to 7. Tit. 1.6. to 9..
5 Qu. What ſorts of Biſhops or Elders hath God ordained in his Church?
Anſ. Of Biſhops, who were alſo called Elders, God hath ordained two ſorts, Ruling Elders, and ſuch as labour in the word and doctrinea1 Tim. 5.17 1 Cor 12 28. Rom. 12.7, 8. Act. 20.28. Tit. 1.5, 7., commonly called Paſtors bEpheſ. 4.11.and Teachers cAct. 14.23. & 20.17, 28. Phil. 1.1. Tit. 1.5.7.: all of them are to watch over one certaine Flocke, the Church of a particular Congregation d.
6 Qu. What is the office, or worke of the Pastors and Teachers?
Anſw. The Paſtors ſpeciall worke*Speciall work. is to attend upon Exhortation, and therein to diſpenſe a word of Wiſdome: The Teacher is to attend upon Doctrine, and therein to diſpenſe a word of KnowledgeaRom. 12.7, 8. 1 Cor. 12.8..
7 Qu. What is the office, or work of the Ruling Elders?
An. Seeing the Kingdom of Chriſt is not of this world, but heavenly and SpirituallaIohn 18.36., and the Government of his Kingdome is not Lordly, but Stewardly and MiniſteriallbMat 20.25, 26. Luk. 12.42. 1 Cor. 4 1., and to labour in the Miniſtery of Exhortation and Doctrine, is the proper worke of the Paſtor and Teacherc1 Tim. 5.17. Rom. 12.7, 8, it remaineth therefore to bee the part and Office of the Ruling Elders, to aſsiſt*or joyne with the Paſtor and Teacher in diligent attendance unto all other acts of rule beſides, as becometh good Stewards of the houſhold of Godd1 Tim. 3.5. & 5.17. Rom. 12.8. 1 Theſ. 5.12.. As,
Firſt, to open and ſhut the Doores of Gods Houſe,eMat. 16.19. 2 Chron. 23.19. by admiſſion of MembersfActs 17.28, 29 Ezek. 22.26., by Ordination of Officersg1 Tim. 4 14. Acts 6.2.3, 5., Excommunication of notorious & obſtinate offendershMat. 16.19. & 18.17, 18.. Secondly, to ſee that none in the Church live either inordinately without a calling, or idlely in their callingi2 Theſ. 3.6.10, 11, 12.. Thirdly, to prevent and heale ſuch offences in life and doctrine, as might corrupt either their owne ChurchaRevel. 2.4, 14 15.20., or other Churches, if their counſell be requiredbActs 15.2, 6.. Fourthly, to prepare matters before-hand for the Churches conſiderationcActs 21.18, 19. Pro. 24.27.. And fiftly, to moderate the carriage of all matters in the Church aſſembleddActs 6.2, 3. Heb. 13.7.17., as to propound matters to the Church, and to order the ſeaſon of ſpeech and ſilence in the ChurcheAct. 13.15.. Sixtly, to feede the Flock of God with a word of admonitionf1 Theſ. 5.12. Acts 20.28.31. Admonition is an act of rule, if ſet on with authority, Gen. 19.7, 8., and as they ſhall be called for to viſit and pray over their ſick BrethrengJam. 5.14..
8. Qu. What manner of men hath God appointed to be called to the Deacons office?
An. Men of gravity and of good report, not given to diſſembling, nor to wine; nor given to covetouſneſſe, full of the Holy Ghoſt and wiſedome, and holding faſt the myſtery of Faith in a pure Conſcience; keeping their houſes in good rule, and enjoying ſuch Wives, as may neither diſhonour nor corrupt their Office; no ſlanderers, but grave and ſober, and faithfull in all thingsa1 Tim. 3.8. to 12. Act. 6.3..
9. Qu. What is the Office of the Deacons?
An. To receive the offerings of the Church brought unto them and laid downe before themaAct 4.34, 35, and therewith to ſerve TablesbActs 6.2., diſtributing with ſimplicitycRom. 12.8., not only to the Miniſters of the ChurchdGal. 6, 6. in Gr. foreign put into the the common ſto…k., but to any other of the Brethren, as they ſhall have needeeActs 4.35..
10. Qu. But is it not the Office of Deacons to ſhew mercy with cheerefulneſſe?
An. Yes verily, to their Brethren in miſeryaRom. 12.8., but that part of their Office they do chiefly performe by the hand of the Widowes, choſen into their number, who are therfore called the Deacons or Servants of the ChurchbRom. 16.1..
11. Qu. What manner of Widowes hath God allowed to bee taken into this number?
An. Antient women of ſixty yeares of age, well reported of for good workes, for nouriſhing their Children, for lodging of Strangers, for waſhing the Saints feet, for relieving the afflicted, for following diligently every good workea1 Tim. 5.9, 10.,
12. Qu. What manner of men hath God appointed to bee received as Brethren and Members of his Church?
An. Such as are called of God out of the world to the fellowſhip of ChriſtaRom. 1.6, 7. 1 Cor. 1.2.9. Act. 2.38, 39, 40, 41, 47., and doe willingly offer and joyne themſelves firſt to the LordbActs 9.26. Pſal. 110.3. Iſa. 1 56.6, 7. Ier. 50.5., and then to the ChurchcActs 2.41.47. & 8.26, 27, 28., by confeſſing of their ſinsdMat. 3.6. Acts 19.18., by profeſſion of their FaitheAct. 8.36, 37., and by taking or laying hold of his CovenantfIſa. 56.6, 7..
13. Qu. What is the Office or duty which God calleth the Brethren unto, the members of the Church?
Anſ. To brotherly lovea1 Pet. 2.17. & 3.8. Col. 3.14. 1 Theſ. 4.9. Heb. 13.1., and to the fruits thereof, Brotherly unitybEph. 4.3. Pſal. 13.3. 1 Col. 3.15. Acts 7.26., Brotherly equalityc2 Cor. 8.14. Mat. 23.8. Deut. 7.20., and Brotherly communiondActs 2.42. & 4.32..
14. Qu. Wherein ſtandeth the Brotherly unity wee are to hold one with another?
Anſ. To be perfectly joyned together in one mind, and one judgement, and one ſpeech, in one trutha1 Cor. 1.10. Phil. 2.1, 2. Epheſ 4.15.: And where we cannot be of one judgement, yet ſtill to be of one heartbPhil 4 2. & 3.15, 16. Act. 4.32., not provoking nor envying one anothercGal 5.26., but forbearing and forgivingdEpheſ. 4.2, 32. Col. 3.12, 13., not judging nor deſpiſing one another in differences of weakneſſeeRom. 14.1.3., but ſo farre as we are come to walk together by the ſame rulefPhil. 3.16., to teach and to learne one of another the way of God more perfectlygAct. 18.26., till we all grow up in the unity of the faith, unto a perfect man in Chriſt JeſushEpheſ. 4.13..
15. Qu. Wherein ſtandeth the brotherly equality which we are to hold one with another?
Anſ. In ſubmitting alike unto all Gods Ordinances, and enjoying alike all Chriſtian libertiesaGal. 3.28. Jam. 1.9, 10. Deut. 17.20. Ezek. 46.10., in preferring others before our ſelvesbPhil. 2.3. Rom. 12.10., and ſeeking one anothers welfarec1 Cor. 10.24. Phil. 2.4. Gal. 5.13., and feeling their eſtates as our ownedHeb. 13.3. Rom. 12.15., in bearing the burdens one of anothereGal. 6.2., and impoſing no burdens, but in equall proportionf2 Cor. 8.13, 14..
16 Qu. Wherein ſtandeth the brotherly Communion which we are to hold one with another?
Anſ. In our ſtedfaſt and continuall fellowſhip in the Apoſtles doctrine, and worſhip, and miniſtrationaAct. 2, 42. & 6.1.; and for this end to dwell togetherbPſal. 133.1. & 122.1, 3., to watch over one anothercHeb. 10.24. & 3.12, 13. & 12.15. Mat. 18.15., to reſort together to the publike aſſembliesdHeb. 10.25. Pſal. 110.3. & 122.1. Act. 20.20., and there to joyne in all holy duties, with one accordeIſa. 60.8. Act. 1.14. & 4.24. 1 Cor. 14.16, 26., and every Lords day, as God hath proſpered us, to lay up in ſtore for the ſupply of the Saintsf1 Cor. 16.1, 2. 2 Cor. 9.12..
17 Qu. How is the publike worſhip of God to be ordered and adminiſtred in the Church?
Anſ. All the members of the Church being met together as one manaEzek. 46.10. 1 Cor. 11.33., in the ſight of GodbAct. 10.33., are to joyn together in holy duties, with one accordcAct. 4.24. 1 Cor. 14.16, 26., the men with their heads uncovered, the women coveredd1 Cor. 114. to 16..
18 Qu. What part of publike worſhip is first to be adminiſtred?
Anſ. The Apoſtle exhorteth that firſt of all, all manner of prayers be made for all men, even for Kings, and all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godlineſſe and honeſtya1 Tim. 2.1, 2 Ezra 6.10..
19 Qu. Whether are not ſet forms of publike Prayer, deviſed and ordained by men, an acceptable ſacrifice unto the Lord?
Anſ. If ſuch ſet forms had been an Ordinance of the Lord, and a Worſhip acceptable unto him, the Lord himſelfe, or at leaſt ſome of the Apoſtles and Prophets would not have held back that part of Gods counſell from the ChurchaAct. 20.26, 27.. Beſides, publike Prayer is as well a part of publike Miniſtery, as Prophecy isbGen. 20 7. Nehem. 9.6. 1 Cor. 14.16.; and the forms of one might as juſtly be taught by the precepts of men, as the othercIſa 29.13. Mat. 15.6, 9.; and both of them are alike the gifts of the holy Spirit, to whom it belongeth as well to teach us what to pray, as how to praydRom. 8.26.. Nor will it well ſtand with the holy geſture, very uſuall in Prayer, which is to lift up our eyes to heaven, to caſt down our eyes, and ſo fix them upon a bookeJoh 11.41. & 17.1. Pſal. 121.1. & 123.1..
20 Qu. What part of publike worſhip is next to be administred?
Anſ. Before Prophecy it will be ſeaſonable to ſing a Pſalma2 Kin 3.15. Col. 3.16., and then by ſome of the Teachers of the Church to read the word, and therewith to preach it, by giving the ſenſe, and applying the uſebNehem. 8.8. Acts 15.22 Luke 14.21, 23, to 28.: In diſpenſing whereof they were wont to ſtand above all the people in a pulpit of wood, & the Elders on both ſidescNehem. 8.4., whilſt the people hearkned to them with reverence & attentiondNeh 8.5, 6, 7. Luke 4 16 17, 20.. Where there be more Prophets beſides the Elders, they may prophecy two or threeeNehem. 8.7. 1 Cor. 14.29, 31. 1 Theſ. 5.20., if the time permit, the Elders calling to them, whether of the ſame Church or others, if they have any word of exhortation for the people to ſay onfActs 13.15. 1 Cor. 14.31:, and for the better edifying of a mans ſelfe or others, it may bee lawfull for any young or old (ſave*1 Cor. 14.34, 35. onelyonly for women) to aske Queſtions at the mouth of the ProphetsgMal. 2.7. Lu. 2.46..
21. Qu. After the Ministery of the Word, what part of Gods publique worſhip is next to be administred?
Anſ. After the Word (which is the Covenant of God) the ſeales of the Covenant are next to be adminiſtred, Baptiſme and the Lords SupperaActs 16.14, 15.. And as for Baptiſme, it is to be diſpenced by a Miniſter of the WordbActs 16.14, 15, 31, 32, 33., unto a beleever, profeſsing his repentance, and his FaithcMat. 28.19. Mat. 3 6., being a member of the ſame Church bodydLu. 3.5.12 8, as alſo unto his ſeedeeAct. 8.36.37 Gen. 17.23. Acts 16.15.33 1 Cor. 7.14., preſented by the Parents to the Lord, and his ChurchfLuk. 2.21.22, at which time the Miniſter calleth upon the Parents to renew his Covenant with God for himſelfe, and his ſeedgGen. 17.27.18.19., and calls upon God (as the nature of the Ordinance requireth) for the pardon of originall ſinne, and of the ſinne of the Parents, and for a bleſsing upon the Ordinance and InfanthMat 3.11. 1 Tim 4.5.; and then the Child being called by the name which the Parent hath given it, for the his owne edification, and the childsiLuk. 1.59 to 63. & 2.21. Mat. 3.6, 16. Iohn 3.23. Acts 8.38, 39 Rom. 6.4., he Baptizeth it into Name of the Father, & of the Son, & of the holy Ghoſtk1 Cor. 10.2. Heb. 10.22. Mat. 28.19..
22. Qu. How is the Lords Supper to be adminiſtred?
Anſ. The Supper of the Lord is to be diſpenced by the Miniſter of the Worda2 Cor. 30.17. and 35.5, 6., unto the faithful of the ſame Bodyb1 Cor. 10.17, & 12, 13, 14., or commended to them by a like BodycRom. 16.1, 2., having examined and judged themſelvesd1 Cor. 11.28. to 31., and ſitting downe with him at the Lords Table e, before whom the Miniſter taketh the Bread, and bleſſeth it, breaketh it, and giveth it to the Brethren, with this commandment once for all, To take and eat it as the body of Chriſt broken for them, and this to do in remembrance of him. In like manner alſo he taketh the Cup, and having given thanks, he powreth it forth, and giveth it to them, with a commandment to them all, To take, and drinke it as the blood of Chriſt ſhed for them, and this alſo to doe in remembrance of HimfMat. 26.26.27, 28. Luke 22.19, 20. 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25. Mat. 26.30. Mar. 1426. Greeke, as He. 2.12. from Pſal. 22.22.. After all have partaken, thankſgiving is ended with ſinging a Pſalme*.
23. Q. After the Miniſtery of the Word, and the ſeales thereof, how is the Collection for the Saints to be adminiſtred?
Anſ. The collection for the Saints was by the Apoſtles ordinance, to bee made: for the time, every. Lords daya1 Cor. 16.1. 2. Deut. 16.10.16.; for the meaſure, as God hath proſpered every manb1 Cor. 16.2 2 Cor. 8.3.; for the manner, not of conſtraint, but freely and willinglyc2 Cor. 9.5.7., brought by the givers as an Offering to the Lord, and laid downedActs 434.35 Mat. 1….42 2 Chro. 29.17, as at firſt before the Apoſtles, ſo afterwards by their appointment before the Deacons of the Church as into a common TreaſuryeActs 4 35. with ch. … 2. to 8. 1 Cor. 16.2 foreign. put into the common stocke, Gal. 6.6. foreign. 1 Tim. 5.17, 18. Gal 6.6. Acts 4.35. & 6.1, 2, 3. Rom. 15.25, 26. Acts 1.28, 29, 30., by them to be diſtributed to the ſupply of the Miniſtery, and of the poore Saints, according to their need, and of outward ſervice of the Church f.
24 Qu. What duty of Gods worſhip is to bee performed in diſmiſſing the Aſſembly?
Anſ. After all other parts of Gods publique worſhip have beene performed, the MiniſteraNum. 6.23., or any of the Prophets, is to diſmiſſe the Aſſembly with a word of bleſſingb1 Sam. 6.18. 1 King. 8.14. and 8.55, 10.61., offering up bleſſing unto the Lord, and putting a bleſsing upon the PeoplecNum. 6.25. to 27. 2 Theſ. 3.17, 18. 2 Cor. 13.14..
25. Qu. In what manner are all the duties of Gods worſhip to be adminiſtred?
Anſ. In ſpirituall ſimplicity, without affectation of legal ſhadowesaIohn 4.24., of worldly pompe, or carnall excellencieb2 Cor. 2.17. & 1.12. 1 Cor. 2.1, 2, 6, 13., decentlyc1 Cor. 14.40., and in orderdIdem., and to edificatione1 Cor. 14.26..
26. Qu. What forme of Governement is the Government of the Church?
Anſ. The Government of the Church is in Chriſt our head kingly or royallaPſal. 2.6. Iſa. 33.22. & 9.6, but in the Church Stewardly and MiniſteriallbMat. 16.19 1 Cor. 4.1, 4. 1 Pet. 4.10. & 5.1, 2, 3., and in both of them ſpirituall and heavenlycJohn 18 36.
27. Qu. How doth Chriſt exerciſe his Kingly government (or power) in the Church?
Anſ. By calling the Church into holy fellowſhip with himſelfe, and one with anotheraPſal. 74.2 & 76.1, 2, by ordaining Officers and Governours in his Church, with their callings and giftsbEph. 4.8, 11 1 Cor. 12.28, by giving Lawes and Ordinances to his Church, for the whole Government of itcIſa. 33.22 Jam. 4.12, by putting life and power, even the power of his Spirit, into all his Ordinances, for the edifying of his body unto perfectiond2 Tim. 3.16 17. Mat. 18.18, 20. & 28 20. Iohn 16 7, to 11, 13, 14., and finally by ſubduing our enemies, and perfecting our ſelves in his peace to his heavenly kingdomeRom. 16.20. Iohn 14.27. 2 Tim. 4.18.
28 Qu. How is the Government of the Church in the hand of the Church, Stewardly or Miniſteriall?
Anſ. Becauſe the end of the Government of the Church is ſpirituall and heavenlyaIohn 18.36 Mat. 16.19, as is the building up of Chriſts kingdome, and the ſaving of ſoulesb1 Cor. 5.5. It is not in the power of men to ordain or provide means or helps to ſuch ends; but onelyonly for him that can worke upon the ſoule and conſciencecEph. 4.11, 12 1 Cor, 1.24 & 3.5, 6, 7: and therefore it is not in the hand of the Church to make Lawes or Ordinances, to chooſe Officers or Members, to adminiſter Sacraments, or Cenſures, or any part of Worſhip or Government, of their owne heads, but to receive all as from the hand of Chriſt; and to diſpenſe all according to the will of Chriſt, revealed in his worddHeb. 8.5 1 Kin. 13.33 & 12.33. Ier. 7.31. Num. 15.39. Deut. 12.1, 4, 31.32..
29. Qu. How is the Government of the Church ſpirituall and heavenly?
Anſ. The Government of the Church, though it bee not altogether inward, but partly outwardaLuk. 17.20, 21. Iſa. 2.2., as being adminiſtred by open and known OfficersbIſa. 30.20., with an audible and lively voycecRev. 1.16., in the open face of the Brethren of the CongregationdMat. 18.15, 16, 17. 1 Tim. 5.20., yet it is in it ſelfe not of this world, but ſpirituall and heavenlyeJoh. 18.36., as being ordained not by the wiſdome of this world, but of Chriſtf1 Cor. … 6, 7, 8. Mat. 28.20.; and adminiſtred, not according to the precepts of men, but his commandementsgMat. 15.6, 9; not by earthly weapons, but by the Word, and ſeals of the Covenant, and other ſpirituall Ordinancesh2 Cor. 10.4 Iſa. 11.4.; not working upon the bodies or outward eſtates of men by fines, or impriſonments loſſe of limbs, or of life; but upon their ſoules and conſciences by the evidence of the SpiritiHeb. 13.17 2 Cor. 10 5. 1 Cor. 2.4.: Finally, not ayming at worldly peace, wealth and honour, but at the righteouſneſſe of faith, peace of conſcience, and joy in the holy GhoſtkJoh. 16 33 Rom. 14 17.
30 Qu. To whom hath Chriſt committed the Government of his Church?
Anſ. Partly to the body of the Church, in reſpect of the ſtate or frame of itaMat. 16.19 & 18.17. Pſal. 45.16. & 149 8, 9., but principally to the Presbytery*Or Elderſhip. in reſpect of the order or adminiſtration of itb1 Tim. 5.17. & 4.14. 1 Theſ. 5.12. Heb. 13.17. 1 Cor. 12.28.
31 Qu. What power of Government is committed to the body of the Church?
Anſ. The body of the Church hath power from Chriſt to chooſe and call her owne Officers and MembersaAct. 1.23, 26 & 14.23. & 6.3, 5. & 9.26, 27., to ſend forth any of them for his ſerviceb2 Cor 8.10, 23. Phil. 2.25., and to inquire, & hear, & aſſiſt, in the judgment of all publike ſcandalscAct. 11.2, 3, 18. Mat. 18.17. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5, 12. Act. 5.23. Col. 4.17.
32 Qu. What power of Government is committed to the *Or Elderſhip (of the ſame Church) 1 Tim. 4.14. Old Tranſlation.Presbytery?
Anſ. To call the Church togetheraAct. 6.2. & 14.27. Joel 1 13, 14., and to deliver the counſell of God to them with all authoritybTit. 2.15., to prepare matters for the Churches hearingcAct. 21.18, 19, and to propound and order the aſſemblydAct. 13.15, and to adminiſter Ordinationse1 Tim. 4.14, and Cenſuresf1 Tim. 1.20., and to diſmiſſe the people with a bleſſing in the name of the LordgNum. 6.23..
33. Qu. But hath not Chriſt committed ſome power of Government to every private Member of the Church?
Anſ. Yes verily, there is a power of edificationa1 Cor. 10.23 24. Mat. 16.18, 19 & 17.15, 16., which the Lord hath given to every Member of the Chuch, to exerciſe mutually one over anotherbIude 20. 1 Theſ. 5 5.11. 1 Cor. 12 7., to ſave ſome with compaſsion, others with fearecIude 21, 22, 23., by a word of inſtruction, Admonition, Exhortation, and ComfortdActs 18.26. Mat. 18.15. Col. 3 16. 1 Theſ. 5.14 11..
34. Qu. How is Ordination to be administred?
Anſ. When the Church hath choſen and called on Officer, they preſent him to the EldersaActs 1.23. & 6.5, 6., who doe ordaine him, if he be a Deacon, with Prayer, and Impoſitian of handsbActs. 6.6., and with Faſting alſo, if he bee an EldercActs 14.23..
35. Qu. How are the Cenſures of the Church to be adminiſtred?
Anſ. The Cenſures of the Church are ordained by Chriſt for the removing of ſcandalls out of the ChurchaMat. 18.16. to 15. Luk. 17.1, 2, 3., which if they be private (one Brother offending another) the offender is to goe and acknowledge his repentance of it unto his BrotherbMat. 5.23, 24, who is then to forgive himcLuk. 17.14., but if the offender neglect to doe it, the Brother offended is to goe and admoniſh him, and convince him of it betweene themſelves privately. If thereupon the offender bee brought to repent of his offence, the Admoniſher hath wonne his Brother: but if the offender heare not his brother, the brother offended is to take with him one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witneſſes every word may be eſtabliſhed; whether the word of admonition, if the offender receive it, or the word of complaint to the Church, if he refuſe it: for if he refuſe it, the offended brother is to tell the Church, and if he refuſe to heare the Church, then he is to bee counted as an Heathen and PublicandLuke 17.3. Mat. 18.15, 16, 17..
36. Qu. What if the ſcandalls (or offences) be publike, how are they to be removed?
Anſ. By publique reproofea1 Tim. 5.20. Gal. 2.14., and if the offences be not onelyonly publique but haynous, then the Church is to remove the offence by Excommunicating the offender out of the Churchb1 Cor. 5.1.5. 1 Tim. 1.20..
37. Qu. How is Excommunication to be adminiſtred?
Anſ. When the offence of any Brother is publique and haynous, or being private, is by the obſtinacie of the offender become publiquely ſcandalous, the Church beeing met together, is in the name and power of the Lord Jeſus, and with his Spirit, to deliver ſuch an one unto Satan for the deſtruction of the fleſh, and the ſalvation of his ſoule in the day of the Lord Jeſusa1 Cor. 5.1.4, 5. Mat. 18.17. 1 Tim. 1.20. 2 Tim. 3.2, 5. Tit. 3.10, 11..
38. Qu. Is there no uſe of Suſpenſion in the Church?
Anſ. There may, to Members lying under the apparent guilt of ſinne, after the admonition of the Churcha1 Cor. 5.11. 2 Theſſ. 3.14., diſcerning the uncleane from the cleane, untill they bee cleanſedbDev. 10.10. Eze. 22, 26. Ier. 15.19..
39. Qu. What is Anathema Maranatha?
Anſ. It is the utmoſt Cenſure of the Church, whereby a Brother falling from the love of Chriſt into hatred againſt him, is cut off from fellowſhip with Chriſt for ever, even to the comming of the Lorda1 Cor. 16.22..
40. Qu. Having ſeene what power of Governement the Church hath received and exerciſed within it ſelfe: tell mee now whether any Church hath power of governement over another?
Anſ. No Church hath power of Governement over another, but each of them hath chiefe power within it ſelfe, and all of them equall power one with another; every Church hath received alike the power of binding, and looſing, opening and ſhutting the Kingdome of heavena1 Mat. 18.17 18.. But one to another, all of them are SiſtersbCant. 8, 8. Gal. 4.26.31, all of them ConcubinescCant. 6.8., but by their owne corruption or uſurpation of othersdRevel. 18.2.: finally all of them are Candleſticks of the ſame precious metall, and in the midſt of them all Chriſt equally walketheRevel. 1.12, 13. & 2.1..
41. Qu. But if one Church have no power of Governement over another: what courſe then is there left to reform ſuch corruptions as may ariſe in any Church, whether in Doctrine or practiſe?
Anſ. The corruptions that are found in any Church do either infect part of the Church, or the whole body: if part onelyonly, then the part remaining ſound, may either convince and reforme their Brethren themſelves, if they be able; or if they be not able, they may at leaſt prevaile ſo farre with them, as to ſend for light from ſome other Church, as they of Antioch did to the Church of Hieruſalem aActs 15.2.. But if the corruptions found in a Church doe infect the whole body,Ezra 10.2. yet ſtill there is hope in Iſrael concerning this. For though one Church hath not power of Governement over another, as ſubordinate to them: yet every Church hath equall power one with another, as coordinate with them. And therefore look what power one Brother hath over another in the ſame Church, the ſame power hath one Church over another in Brotherly communion. As if one Church ſhall heare of any offence in another, they may enquire the certainty of itbDeut. 13.14., and thereupon ſend letters and meſſengers, to convince and admoniſh them of it. If the Church offending doe heare the Church admoniſhing, they have gained their Brethren and their deſire: if the Church heare them not, then that other Church may take one or two Churches moe, to aſſiſt them in the conviction of that ſinne. If yet the Church heare them not, then upon due notice thereof given, all the Churches thereabout may ſo meet together, and after judicious enquiry into the cauſe, may by the word of God confute and condemne ſuch errours in doctrine or practice, as are found offenſive, to prevent the ſpreading either of the gangrene of hereſiec2 Tim. 2.17, 18., or of the leproſie of ſinned1 Cor. 5.6, 7. And if the Church offending ſhall not yet hearken to their Brethren, though the reſt of the Churches have not power to deliver them to Satan, yet they have power to withdraw from them the right hand of fellowſhip, and no longer to hold them in communion of Saints, till they approve their repentance eBy proportion, from Mat. 18.15, 16, 17. 2 Theſ. 3.6..
Iſa. 33.22.
The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Law-giver, the Lord is our King; he will ſave us.
A Concluſion.
J. C.THe Kingdom of Chriſt, whether in the hearts of his ſervants, or in Church State, and all the Adminiſtrations thereof,See Mr. Taylor on Tit. 1.5. diſpenſed according to the Rule of the Goſpel, doth not diſturb the State, or Peace of earthly Kingdoms, or Common-wealths; And therefore, the gathering of Saints or Churches, according to the order of Chriſt, and the guidance and walking of both according to his will, is no juſt offence to the Civill Magiſtrate.
Gal. 6.16.
As many as walk according to this Rule, peace be on them and mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God.
FINIS.
End of the text · John Cotton, The Doctrine of the Church (1644)