Epistle to the Church in Chippin Norton, Preface – Body of text
A ſhort Preface touching the occaſion of Printing-theſe following Rules.
WHen I ſaw that the bleſſed God had by the Preaching ing of the glorious Goſpell turned the hearts of many ſinners from ſin, unto himſelfe; from reſting on their own Righteouſneſſe: to an earneſt enquiry after an intereſt in Chriſts Righteouſneſſe: I was much preſſed in Spirit to endeavour to bring the ſaid Converts into Goſpell order: and accordingly ſhewed that it was their duty and Priviledge to enter into a Church ſtate: and as ſoon as they heard that it was their duty, they wayted on God by faſting, and prayer for wiſedome and ſtrength, to walke in that way that God had appointed them to walke in: and after they had ſpent many days in asking helpe of God: the Lord ſo ſatisfyed their hearts as that they declared their deſire to walke in that way that I had (through grace) made known unto them: and deſire to be farther inſtructed in their dutys in order thereunto: and alſo of their dutys in a Church ſtate, whereupon I wrote theſe following Rules: (which I judge to be according to the revealed will of God) and propoſed them unto the ſaid perſons: who freely gave their conſent and reſolved to endeavour to the utmoſt of their abillitys to walke by the ſaid Rules. Now the Saints in their place being many: and all of them beſides many of the Lords people that live in other places) d…ſired to have the ſaid Rules by them: (many of them not being able to read any mans writing) which could not be except their ſaid Rules were printed: where fore being alſo exceedingly importuned by the Church, I thought good to have them printed: which I hope will be offenſive to none: and proſitable to many.
Certaine Scripture Rules, which Ieſus Chriſt hath given to his Churches to walke by: which are approved of, and conſented to, by all the Members of the Church of Chriſt walking in Goſpell-fellowſhip in Chippin-Norton.
THE matter of a viſible Church of Chriſt, are Viſible Saints: ſuch as in the Judgment of rationall Charity according to the revealed will of God appeare to be Saints Luke 22.14. Act. 1.15, 16. Act. 2.37. to the end. Act. 4.32. Act. 5.14. Act. 9.26, 27. Act. 8.37. Act. 14.22, 23. Rom. 1.7. 1 Cor. 1.2. 2 Cor. 1.1. Gal. 1.4. Eph. 1.1. Phil. 1.1. Coll. 1.2. 1 Theſſ. 1.1, 4. 2 Theſſ. 1.1, 2, 3. To theſe Scriptures may be added the Judgements of many Godly and learned divines, both Presbyterian and Independent, the Aſsembly in their confeſſion of Faith, M. Hooker of new England; M. Cotton, M. Norton, M. Ainſworth, D. Owen, D. Goodwin, M. Jer. Burroughs, M. Nye, M. Bridges, M. Greenhill, M. Wellman, M. William Bartlet, M. Stuckly, M. Ch…ſhull, M. Palmer, and the Miniſters that joyned with him in Anſwering M Humph…ys Book, for free Admiſſion, M. Robinſon, and many more migh… be added to theſe.
2. The formall cauſe of a viſible Church of Chriſt, are Saints united in Goſpell ord…r: For a certaine number of true Beli…vers walking at a diſtance from each other: and ſcattered up and down in a Towne or Pariſh, living as ſtrangers to each other, doe not properly, and formally make a viſible Church: but only ſuch as walke together accoridng to Chriſts appointment; ſo then that which gives being to a true viſible Church of Chriſt: is, when ſeaven or more Believers do freely and voluntarily give up themſelves to each other, promiſing in the ſtrength of God, to walke together in the ſame individuall ordinances of Christ, and in the practice of the ſame dutys according to the Goſpell. Deut. 29.1, 9. 2 Cor. 8.5. Gal. 2 9. N…h. 9 38. Neb. 10.1, 29. Joſh. 24.21.28.
3. For the Fathers kniting of the hearts of all the members together in mutuall love, which is the bond of perfectneſſe among Saints: & alſo that they may performe all dutys the more freely to each other: & for many other reaſons it is needfull, that all that at firſt imbody together, & all that afterwards ſhall be added, that they be ſatisfied in each others fitneſſe to be Church members; upon ſuch grounds as Paul & others in the primitive times did conclude, mens Sainiſhip from: they did not conclude that men were Saints, becauſe they were not prophane, but upon ſuch grounds as theſe; that they did bring forth fruits of Righteouſneſs…; Phil. 1.1. compared with v. 11. that they did trade for Heaven… Phil 3.20. from ſuch notes of true converſion, as they had in Act. 2.37. to the end: ſuch as David ſpeakes of in Pſal. 15.1, 2. and Paul Rom. 8.1. who walked after the Spirit: and their Love unto, and delighting in the Saints Eph. 1.15. Pſal. 15.4. alſo ſuch grounds as we read of in 2 Cor. 7.10, 11. and ſuch as waited for the coming of Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor 1.7. which none but Saints can really do: by their underſtanding of ſpirituall things Spiritually: as ſuch doe underſtand whom God loves 1 Cor. 2.9, 10, 14. being ſuch as had made a publik profeſſion of their ſubjection to Chriſt 2 Cor. 9.13. and alſo by their Sanctification, and Holineſſe 1 Cor. 6 11. by the fruits of their Faith they were known to be Saints, as Paul calls them upon that ground 1 Coll. 1.6. 1 Theſſ. 1.3 now upon theſe and the like grounds, we are to Judge charitably of men, and to conclude that they are Saints: though poſſibly ſome of them may be Hypocrites: and to receive them into fellowſhip as brethren: and to performe all offices of love towards them as members of Chriſt.
4. Viſible Saints being thus united together by mutuall conſent, they are now a true viſible Church of Chriſt; according unto Chriſts inſtitution: ſuch was the Church in Jeruſalem Act. 1.4, 14, 15. Act. 2.42. to the end Act. 8.1. Act. 13.1. Act. 4.32.
5. That the ſaid Church hath ſufficient power to chooſe the Officers that Chriſt hath appointed, and ordained to teach, and Rule the ſaid Church; for Jeſus Chriſt hath appointed and given to his Church Paſtors & Teachers, and other Officers for the well being of his Church, & the ſaid Church may call the ſaid Officers to teach and rule her without the Officers or members of other Churches Act. 6.3. Eph. 4.11, 12, 13. 1 Chron. 29.20, 22. Act. 15.22. Act. 13.1, 2. Act. 11.22. 2 Cor. 8.19. Math. 16.18.
6. That the Church ſhould aske Councell of God, by faſting and prayer to direct her in her choiſe, and to direct and bleſſe the perſon or perſons to be choſen to teach, and rule, her, as alſo to have knowledge of his or their holineſſe, and abilities for ſuch a worke, before the ſaid Church chooſe them to teach and rule her Act. 14.23. Act. 6.6. Act. 1.24. Act. 13.
7. The Officers that Jeſus Chriſt hath appointed for, and given to his Churches are a Paſtor, Teacher, Ruling Elders, Deacons, Eph. 4.11. 1 Tim. 5.17. Act. 6.3, 4, 5, 6. 1 Tim. 5. M. Hooker calls widdows Officers, Survey part. 2. pag. 4.32. M. Cotton calls them Aſſiſtants: Way of the Churches, pag. 39.
8. That a Paſtor, Teacher or any other of the ſaid Officers; have Authority and power from Chriſt, and the choiſe and call of the Church; and ordained according to the Goſpell Rule, to officiate in and to exerciſe the office of a Paſtor &c. in and over the ſaid Church, for Chriſt hath given them their power, and the Church hath called them to exerciſe it in the ſaid Church, Eph. 4.11, 12. Act. 20 28 1 Pet. 5.2.
9. That a Paſtor &c. ſo Authoriſed and choſen by Chriſt and his Church, hath power only to reach and officiate as Officers in the Church that hath choſen them, although the ſaid Pastors and Teachers may preach in other Churches, and places a… gifted men Act. 20.28. 1 Pet. 5.….
10. That a Church ſo …onſtiruted according to the mind of Chriſt, is not ſubject to any other church upon earth; She hath no Lawgiver but Jeſus Chriſt; no head or Rule… but Jeſus Chriſt, as a Church, Ma…. 9.35. Mat. 16.18.
11. That the ſaid Church may deſire the aſſiſtence of other Churches in difficult caſes; which cannot be determined by the Church; and the Church ſhould ſubmit to their determinations if conſonant to the minde of Chriſt Act. 15.1, to the 30.
12. That when any perſons are deſirous to joyn themſelves to he Church; the ſaid perſons ſhould firſt make known their deſires to the Paſtor or Elders, (if the Church hath any) and that the ſaid perſons do ſatisfie the Paſtor ſome way or other of their fitneſſe to be received into the ſaid Church: Act. 8.30, to 37. Math. 3.6. 1 Pet. 3.15.
13. That if the Paſtor or Elder be ſatisfyed in the fitneſſe and qualification of the ſaid perſons deſiring admiſſion; that then the ſaid Paſtor or Elder is to propoſe the ſaid perſons to the Church at their next meeting.
14. That all the members of the ſaid Church that ſhall be preſent when a perſon is to be received into the Church; are upon Scripture grounds to be ſatisfyed in the fitneſſe and worthineſſe of the perſon then to be admitted; & alſo to give their free conſent to the perſons admiſſion; and alſo in the cenſuring, ſuſpending, and excommunicating of an offending member; Act. 15 22, 23, 25. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. Act. 9.26, 27. unleſſe ſuch as are unſatisfyed ſhall give convincing reaſons why he ought not to be admitted; in a ſhort time the major part of the Church ought to admit the ſaid perſon
15. That not a bare profeſſion, and forme of Godlineſse be adjudged a ſufficient qualification for a Church member, without the fruits of the power of Godlineſſe T…: 1 16. 2 Tim: 3.5. Math: 3.7, 8, 9. Act: 8.37.
16. That in caſe any member of the Church be unſatisfied in the perſon propoſed for admiſſion, that then the ſaid member endeavour privately to be ſatlsfied as ſoon as poſſible: but in caſe ſatisfaction cannot be obtained, that then the ſaid Member, is to give the grounds and reaſons of his non ſatisfaction to the Paſtor, or Elder, and to no other perſon excepting him of whom he deſires ſatisfaction: or the Church ſhall call him ſo to doe, leaſt it ſhould prove prejudiciall to the ſaid perſon. Math: 18.15, 17.
17. That ordinary and common infirmities incident both to weak and ſtrong Saints are not to be ſufficient grounds for to ſuſpend any perſons admiſſion, or to cenſure any member that ſhall be admitted: provided, that the ſaid perſons in the generall courſe of their lives walk as becomes the Goſpell. 1 Cor: 5.1.11. Gal. 6.1, 2.
18. That ſuch perſons as through modeſty, or want of the gift of utterance, cannot by word of mouth declare the dealings of God with them to the ſatisfaction of the Church, that then the ſaid perſons have Iberty to give ſatisfaction to the Church in writing, or otherwiſe.
19. That every member doe quietly and patiently, ſubmit to the judgement and determination of the Church, if agreeable to the word of God in any caſe, that ſhall be determined by the Church, concerning any particular member thereof, Heb. 13.17. Act. 15 1 Cor. 5.
20. That if upon due triall of Perſons deſiring admiſſion, the Church may gather by their words or works, that they have the ſaving work of grace wrought in their hearts (at leaſt probably) though but as a graine of Muſtard ſeed: if they have a competent meaſure of knowledge, the ſaid perſons ought to be admitted, notwithſtanding they are but weake in grace, in compariſon of other men; Rem: 14.1. Rem: 15.1. Act: 2.37 to end. 1 Cor: 3.2, 3.
21 That if the Perſons that deſire admiſſion ſhall be found unworthy, they ſhould be deſired to forbeare untill they ſhall be found worthy; Math: 3.7, 8 9. Act 9.26, 27.
22 That all ſuch perſons as are admitted members of the Church, their Children alſo ought to be accounted and received members of the ſame Church, and their Memberſhip to be conſirmed by Baptiſme; Act: 2.38, 39. 1 Cor. 7.17. Gen. 17.1 to 15.
23 That if any Member of the Church ſhall offend, and perſiſt in the practiſe of the ſinne after reproofe firſt by one Member; ſecondly by two or three; that then the ſaid offendor is to be brought before the Church, and his ſinne laid open to the Paſtor, by the perſons that have dealt with him more privately, and the Paſtor is to acquaint the Church, and the Church is to labour to convince him, and to bring him to the ſight of his ſinne, and if poſſible to repentance; and it; caſe he will not heare the Church, and expreſſe his repentance, that then the ſaid Member is to be ſuſpended, or caſt out of the Church; and that all the Members preſent ſhould give their conſent thereunto; Math: 18 17. Num. 15.30, 31. Num. 19.13, 20. Ezra 10.8. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. 2 Cor. 2.6. but in caſe ſome few Members ſhould refuſe to give their conſent, to the ſuſpending or excommunicating the ſaid offendor, without giving the Church convinc…ng reaſons for their refuſall; the major part may ſuſpend or caſt him out.
24. That in caſe any perſon fearing God, ſhall deſire to joyne with the Church, but through weakneſſe of judgement, and want of light in theſe things cannot be fully ſatisfied in ſome circumſtance uſed and practiſed in the Church; and yet the ſaid perſon be willing to walk in Goſpell Fellowſhip with them in all other things: he ought to be admitted into the Church: provided it may not apparently tond to make a breach in the ſaid Church: Rom. 14.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Rom. 15. 1 Cor. 8.