Concerning Baptism and Communion of Churches in New England, Proposal
Propoſitions Concerning Conſociation and Communion of Churches, tendred to the Elders and Brethren of the Church for their Conſideration and acceptance according to God.
Propoſition I.
Every true Church of Chriſt, viz. a particular Congregation furniſhed with a Presly ery▪ and walking in the truth and peace of the Goſpel, hath received from the Lord Jeſus full Power Eccleſiaſtical within it ſelf, both of Liberty to receive her own members, to chooſe her own Officers and the like. And alſo of Authority to Adminiſter Sacraments, Cenſure her own offenders, and reſtore penitents, Mat. 18 18: 1 Cor 5. Acts 6.2, &c. and 14 23. ſo as this Conſociation and Communion of Churches ought not to hinder the exerciſe of this power, but only by Counſel from the word to direct and ſtrengthen their hands, in the right Adminiſtration thereof upon all juſt occaſions.
Propoſition II.
Althought the Apoſtles of Chriſt were Independent on each other, and had equally the highest Power Eccleſiaſtical under Chriſt, and were led with Infallible Aſſistance of the Spirit in the exerciſe thereof, yet Paul with Barnabas and Titus went up to Jeruſalem, (and that by Revelation) not only to Confer and Conſult with the Apoſtles about his doctrine, (left he had, or ſhould run in vain, Gal▪ 2.1, 2.) but alſo Conſociated or made Agreement with them by mutual giving the right hand of Fellowſhip, to diſpoſe the Courſe of their Miniſtry and Proviſion for the poor, that ſo they might procure the more free and effectual paſſage of the fruit of the Goſpel, and the work of their Miniſtry, and therefore it may ſeem much rather, not only lawful, but alſo very profitable and needful for ordinary Elders, (and Churches though equal in Power) wanting that Infallible Aſſiſtance of the Spirit to Comer, and Conſult, and Conſociate or agree together about all ſuch weighty matters, in which Counſel and Concurrences, to avoid Suſpition of prejudice, and partiality, and ſo to expedite the free paſſage of the Goſpel in the hands of them all.
Propoſition III.
If when Peter gave offence at Antioch, the Apoſtle Paul took Liberty to rebuke him before them all, (though he was his equal in place and power) and that no doubt out of that duty of love and faithfulneſs, which he owed unto him and to the truth, Peter alſo ſubmitting thereunto, then it may well ſtand with the equality of Churches out of their duty of Love and Faithfulneſs to admoniſh each other in caſe of publick offence, and ſubmit to ſuch admonition from the word in meckneſs of wiſdom, as to the will and Authority of Chriſt, and to give ſuch Satisfaction as the Rule doth require.
Propoſition IV.
Out of Queſtion, the Lord Ieſus, the boad, King and Compaſſionate high P…ſt and Saviour of his body the Church, hath as great a Love and care of the purity, Peace and Ediſocation of whole Churches, as of particular Saints as is evident by thoſe Epiſtles ſent to the Churches of Corinth, Galatia, and the ſeven Churches of Aſia, to heal the publick Errors, diffentions, and other Corruptions found in them, and therefore c…tainly he hath appointed and ſanctified ſome ſufficient meane to preſerve their purity and peace, to heal and help the evils and diſtempers of whole Churches, as well as of particular Believers. Now then ſince Apoſtles and other extraordinary Officers are ceaſed, (that had power in all Churches, and only Love remaineth) what other Eccleſiaſtical help is there left without infringing the power of particular Churches, but the Exerciſe of brotherly Love, mutual watchfulneſs, Brotherly Care, and Counſel? which Elders and Churches ought therefore to practice towards each other in this way of Brotherly Communion and Aſſiſtance on all juſt occaſions.
Propoſition V.
Upon theſe and other Scripture grounds and Examples, and for the ends above ſaid, it is very meet and requiſite, (according to our preſent practice) that when any Company of Chriſtians intend to unite themſelves into the Fellowſhip of a Church, or being in a Church ſtate to elect and ordain any Elders over them, that in due time they ſignify their intentions to the Neighbouring Churches, walking in the order of the Goſpel, if ſuch may be had, deſiring their preſence, Aſſiſtance, and right hand of Fellowſhip, that as a Church is a City ſet upon a Hill, ſo the Acts thereof may not be as a Light put under a Buſhel, but may ſo ſhine forth to all other Churches, beholding and approving their order…y proceedings, as they may the more readily give them the right hand of Fellowſhip, and walk with more freedom of Spirit in Brotherly Love and Communion with them in the Lord.
Propoſition VI.
In ſuch matters of publick Cenſure, wherein through the obſcenity and difficulty thereof, or otherwiſe, there doth ariſe differences tending to dangerous Diviſions and diſtractions in the Church, or offence to other Churches, In all ſuch Ca…es it is meet and requiſite that the Church proceed adviſ…d…y with the Counſel and Concurrence of the Elder, or Elders, with other Judicious and impartial Breth… of other Churches, clearing up from the Word, what is the mind and will of Chriſt to be done.
Propoſition VII.
Not only in matters of Cenſure, but alſo in other Caſes of Doctrine or practice, wherein for want of Light or of the Spirit of meckneſs and Love, there doth grow diſſention in any Church (as did in the Church of Antioch about Circumſiſion) The Church ſo divided ſhall do wiſely and ſafely, not to proceed to determine the Caſe by a Major Ʋ …te, to the unſatisfaction and offence of a Conſiderable part among themſelves, or the offence of other Churches. But ought rather to bring the matter to the hearing and Judgement of other Elders and Brethren of other Churches: who being deſired ought readily to meet together, and ſeriouſly (as in the fear of God) to enquire into, the Caſe, ſearch out by the word, what is the mind of Chriſt therein, by themſelves, (if preſent) or otherwiſe, by Letters and Meſſengers to declare to the Church, what they judge to be the Rule of Chriſt which they ſhould walk by, which Judgement ought to be received with all due reſpect according to God, Acts 15.
Propoſition VIII.
As there is a Brotherhood of members in the ſame Church, ſo there is a Brotherhood of Churches, being all Fellow members of Chriſt Jeſus, and ſo bound to have a m…utal Care one of another, Cant. 8 8. It is therefore meet and requiſte, that in Caſe any Church ſhall fall into any ſcandalous error or offence in doctrine or practice, then the Neighbour Church or Churches ſhould Advertize, Convince, and admoniſh ſuch a Church thereof according to the Rule of the Goſpel. And if after due Conviction by a Neighbour Church, and again by more Churches, the offending Church as the nature of the offence and the reſpect due to a Church of Chriſt may require, may at length withdraw, the Church with ſufficient partience will not yet hearken to their Brethren; then withdraw from that Church, or at leaſt that part of it which refuſe to be healed, ſuch Brotherly Communion and the fruits thereof, as otherwiſe Churches uſually do afford to each other.
Propoſition IX.
In Caſe any member ſhall be laid under Cenſure in a Church by the Major part with the offence of a Conſiderable part thereof, or when any whole Church ſhall ſeem to have Conſented corruptly to ſuch a Cenſure, upon Complaint of the grieved part atteſted by the duſenting Brethren, or in the other Caſe, by other credible perſons, it is free, yea, requiſite that other Church, or Churches, in the Spirit of meckneſs deſire to know the Reaſon or their Cenſure, which if the Church ſhall clear up to be juſt, then the other Church or Churches ought to bear witneſs to their proceedings, and to perſwade the Cenſured and diſſenting part of the ſubmit and give ſatisfaction. But if the Church ſhall refuſe to give an account of the Reaſons of their procceedings, or not finally clear up the Juſtice thereof, nor eaſe the grieved party, it will then be equal for any other Church to receive the Cenſured part to their Covenant or Communion. For ſo Chriſt received: the blind man, after he was unjuſtly Caſt out of the Synogogue, Iob… 9. The unjuſt acts of any Church cannot appear to be done, in the name of Chriſt; out rather in the abuſe of his name and power, and therefore do not bind in Heaven, Clavis errans uon Ligat.
Propoſition. X.
As it is the practiſe of Godly Chriſtians in the Churches (without any Scruple, and with much Edification and increaſe of Love) to meet together in Covenient numbers or Families at Set times, houſe by houſe, to exerciſe that Chriſtian Communion, which the moral Rules of the Goſpel call for, 1 Theſ. 5.11. Col. 3.16. Heb. 3, 13. and ſo 24. ſo alſo upon the ſame grounds, [beſides others] it would [by the bleſſing of God] conduce much to the increaſe of brotherly Love and Unity, the ſpiritual Edification of many, by mutual Faith of each other, to the ſtrengthening of the hearts and hands of one another in the work of the Lord, If the Elders and brethren of the Churches, did meet together, Church by Church, in Convenient numbers, at ſet times, (not to exerciſe any Jurisdiction over any,) but to enjoy and practice Church Communion by prayer together, hearing the word preached, and Conference about ſuch Gaſes and Queſtions of Conſcience, as ſhall be found uſeful or needful for the edification and Comfort, and peace of every Church, or any of the Brethren thereof, and this Courſe might tend much to ſatisfy the Spirits of divers godly Brethren, who have thought that we ſo much mind the diſtinction of particular Churches, and the duties of fellow members in the ſame, that we looſe much of the Comfort of Love, and the Fellowſhip of the Spirit, which we might enjoy, and that we fall ſhort in ſome brotherly Love which we owe mutually to our dear Brethren of ſeveral Churches.
For the better Improvement of ſuch a Conference.
1. It is fit that the Number of Churches ſo to meet, be regulated according to the nearneſs or distance of Churches, and as other Conveniences, or Inconveniences ſhall require.
2. For the times of meeting, it may ſeem beſt to leave it to the wiſdome of each Society of Churches, to meet more frequently or ſeldom as they ſhall ſee Cauſe.
3. Concerning their Exerciſes, it is meet that the Elders of each Church where the Conference is to be held, ſhould chooſe with Conſent of the Church ſome other Elder as they ſee beſt, whom they may intreat to preach at their meeting, and alſo to deſire ſome to moderate in the Conference, and agree upon ſuch Queſtions as they ſee fit, three or four, and ſend them to the Elders of other Churches, at leaſt fourteen dayes before the time of their Aſſembly.
4. For the ordering of the Time, it may be fit that the Sermon ſhould end at Eleven a Clock, and after it the Conference follow, and continue ſo long, as ſhall be found meet and ſeaſonable.
Now our Lord Jeſus Christ himſelf who is the Counſellour, the Everlaſting Father, and Prince of Peace, grant unto all his Churches truth and Peace alwayes, and …y all means: and He counſel and guide the hearts of his people to diſcern and embrace all ſuch wayes as himſelf hath ſanctified, to thoſe holy Ends. Amen.
Thus farr Mr. Cotton. And that this is according to Congregational Principles, is evident from other Teſtimonies; For the Meſſengers of an hundred and twenty Congregational Churches, who met at the Savoy in London, Anno 1658. do in their declaration of the order appointed in the Churches of Chriſt (Theſis 26.) thus declare. In Caſe of difficulties or differences either in point of doctrine, or in Adminiſtrations, wherein either the Churches in general are concerned, or any one Church in their Peace, Ʋnion, and Edification, or any member, or members of any Church are injured in, or by any proceeding in Cenſures not agreeable to Truth and Order: It is according to the mind of Chriſt, that many Churches holding Communion together, do by their Meſſengers meet in a Synod or Council to Conſider and give their Advice in or about the matter in difference, &c. And Doctor Owen (who was a great part of that Aſſembly) in his Catechiſme concerning Church diſcipline, (pag. 224, 226, 227.) thus expreſſes his Judgement. Churches being gathered and ſetled according to the mind of Chriſt, ought to preſerve a mutual holy Communion amongſt themſelves, and to exerciſe it in the diſcharge of thoſe duties, whereby their mutual good and Edification may be promoted. In deſiring or making uſe of the Counſel and advice of one another in ſuch Caſes of doubt and difficulty, whether Doctrinal or practical, as may ariſe in any of them, Acts 15.2, 6. And from hence it follows, that in Caſe any Church either by error in Doctrine, or praecipitation, or miſtake in other Administrations, do give offence unto other Churches, thoſe other Churches may require an account from them, admoniſh them of their faults, and withhold Communion from them, in Caſe they perſiſt in the error of their way, and that becauſe in their difficulties, and before their miſcarriages, they were bound to have deſired the advice, Counſel, and Aſſiſtance of thoſe other Churches, which being neglected by them; the other are to recover the end of it unto their utmoſt ability, Gal 2.6, 11. And hence alſo it follows, that thoſe that are rightly and juſtly Cenſured in any Church ought to be rejected by all Churches what ever, both becauſe of their mutual Communion, and becauſe it is, and ought to be preſumed, until the contrary be made to appear, that in Caſe there had been any difficulty or doubt in the proceedure of the Church, they would have taken the advice of thoſe Churches, with whom they were obliged to Conſult. Thus far Doctor Owen. Likewiſe Doctor Thomas Goodwin. and Mr. Philip Nye in that worthy Epiſtle which they have prefixed before Mr. Cottons book of the Keyes, (in which Epiſtle the Congregational way is truly ſtated and aſſerted, as it differs from both the extreams, viz. from Preſbyterianiſme on the one, and Browniſme on the other hand do declare their Concurrence with him in acknowledging that an Aſſociation or Communion of Churches ſending their Elders and Meſſengers into a Synod, is an Ordinance of Chriſt, unto whom Chriſt hath (in Relation to rectifying male Administrations, and healing Diſſentions in particular Congregations, and the like Caſes) committed a due and juſt meaſure of power ſuited and proportioned to thoſe Ends, and furniſhed them not only with ability to give Counſel and Advice, but further upon ſuch like occaſions, with Miniſterial power and Authority to determine, declare, and injoyne ſuch things as may tend to the reducing Congregations to right order and Peace, ſee pag. 4. 6, 7, 10.
Moreover, that the practice of Congregationals, ha's been according to this Profeſſion, may be ſeen in the Apologetical Narration publiſhed by Doctor Goodwin. Mr. Philip Nye, Mr. Sydrach Simpſon. Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Bridg. In as much as thoſe famous Apologiſts (as Paul ſpeaks concerning Iames, Cephas and Iohn amongſt the Apoſtles) ſeem to be Pillars, [and worthily are they ſo accounted) amongſt Congregationals. Since alſo that Apologetical Narration (though printed) is in the hands of but few with us, we ſhall therefore here tranſcribe and inſert ſome pages of it. And therein they thus declare [ſee pag. 15. to pag. 22.]
And whereas [ſay they] the Common prejudice and exception laid into all mens thoughts againſt us, and our opinions is, that in ſuch Congregational Government thus entire within it ſelf, there is not allowed ſufficient remedy for miſcarriages, though never ſo groſs, no relief for wrongful Sentences, or perſons injured thereby, no room for Complaints, no powerful or effectual means to reduce a Church, or Churches that fall into Hereſie, Schiſme, &c. but every one is left, and may take Liberty without controul, to do what is good in their own eyes, we have [through the good Providence of God upon us] from the avowed declarations of our Judgements among our Churches mutually during our Exile, and that alſo confirmed by the moſt ſolemn Inſtance of our practice, wherewith to vindicate our ſelves and way in this particular, which upon no other occaſion we ſhould ever have made thus publick. God ſo ordered it, that a Scandal and offence fell out, between thoſe very Churches, whilſt living in this Baniſhment, [whereof we our ſelves that write theſe things were then the Miniſters] one of our Churches having unhappily depoſed one of their Miniſters, the others judged it not only too ſuddain an act, [having proceeded in a matter of ſo great moment without conſuiting their S…ſter Churches, as was publickly profeſſed, we ſhould have done in ſuch Caſes of concernment] but alſo in the proceedings thereof, as too ſevere, and not managed according to the Rules laid down in the Word. In this Caſe our Churches did mutually acknowledge and ſubmit to this, as a Sacred and undoubted Principle, and Supream Law to be obſerved amongſt all Churches, that as by virtue of the Apostolical Command Churches as well as particular men, are bound to give no offence, neither to Iew nor Gentile, nor the Churches of God they live amongſt. So, that in all Caſes ſuch offence or differences by the Obligation of the Common Law of Communion of Churches, and for the Vindication of the glory of Chriſt which in Common they hold forth, the Church or Churches challenged to offend or differ, are to ſubmit themſelves (upon the Challenge of the offence or Complaint of the perſon wronged) to the moſt full and open tryal and examination by other Neighbour Churches offended thereat, of what ever ha's given the offence. And further, that by virtue of the ſame and like Law of not partaking of other mens ſin, the Church offended may, and ought upon the Impenitency of thoſe Churches perſiſting in their Errors and miſcarriage to pronounce that heavy Sentence againſt them of withdrawing and Renouncing all Christian Communion with them, until they do repent, and further to declare and proteſt this with the Cauſes thereof to all other Churches of Chriſt, that they may do the like. And what further Authority or proceedings purely Eccleſiaſtical of one or many Churches towards another whole Church, or Churches offending; either the Scriptures do hold forth, or can rationally be put in Execution (without the Magiſtrates interpoſing a power or another nature, unto which we upon his particular Cognizance and Examination of ſuch Cauſes, profeſs ever to ſubmit, and alſo to be moſt willing to have recourſe unto) for our parts we ſaw not then, nor do yet ſee. And likewiſe we did then Suppoſe, (and do yet) that this Principle of Submiſſion of Churches that miſcarry, unto other Churches offended, together with this other, that it is a Command from Chriſt enjoyned to Churches that are finally offended to denounce ſuch a Sentence of non Communion and withdrawing from them whilſt Impenitent, as unworthy to hold forth the Name of Chriſt, (theſe Principles being received and generally acknowledged by the Churches of Chriſt to be a mutual duty as ſtrictly enjoyned them by Chriſt as any other) that theſe would be as effectual means through the bleſſing of Chriſt to awe and preſerve Churches and their Elders in their duties, As that other of Claim to an Authoritative Power Eccleſiaſtical to Excommunicate other Churches, or their Elders offending; for if the one be compared with the other, in a mier Eccleſiaſtical Notion, that of Excommunication pretended, hath but this more in it, that it is a Delivery of whole Churches and their Elders offending unto Satan, (for which we know no warrant in the Scriptures that Churches ſhould have ſuch a power over other Churches.) And then as for the binding Obligation, both of the one way and the other, it can be ſuppoſed to lye but in theſe two things.
1. In a warrant and Injunction given by Chriſt to his Churches, to put either the one or the other into Execution. And 2. That mens Conſciences be accordingly taken therewith, ſo as to Subject themſelves whether unto the one way or the other. For ſuppoſe that other Principle of Authoritative Power in the greater part of the Churches combined to Excommunicate other Churches, &c. To be the Ordinance of God, yet unleſs it do take hold of mens Conſciences, and be received amongſt all Churches, the offending Churches will ſlight all ſuch Excommunications, as much as they may be ſuppoſed to do our way of proteſtation and Sentence of non Communion. On the other ſide, Let this way of ours be but as ſtrongly entertained, as that which is the way and Command of Chriſt; and upon all occaſions be heedfully put in Execution, it will awe mens Conſciences as much, and produce the ſame Effects. And if the Magiſtrates Power▪ to whic… we give as much and (as we think) more, then the Principles of the Presbyterial Government will ſuffer them to yield,): do bu… aſſi…t and back the Sentence of other Churches denouncing this Non Comm…nion againſt Churches miſcarrying according to the nature of the Crime as they judge meet, and as they would the Sentence of Chu ches E…om…nicating other Churches in ſuch Caſes upon their own particular Judgemen… of the Cauſe, then without all Controve…ſy, this our way of Church proceeding, will be every way as effectual, as their other can be ſuppoſed to be; and we are ſure more brotherly and more ſuited to that Liberty and equality Chriſt hath endowed his Church with. But without the Magistrates interpoſing their Authority, their way of proceeding will be as ineffectual as ours, and more liable to Contempt, by how much it is pretend…d to be more Authorita ive, and to inflict more dreadful puniſhment which carnal Spirits are ſeldom ſenſible of. This for our Judgements. And for a e…l evidence and demonſtration; both, that this was then our Judgements, as likewiſe for an inſtance of the effectual Succeſs of ſuch a Courſe held by Churches in ſuch Caſes, our own practice and the bleſſing of God thereon may plead and teſtify for us to all the world. The manage of this Tranſaction, in brief was this: That Church which with others was moſt Scandalized, did by Letters declare their offence, requiring of the Church ſupoſed to be offending, in the Name, and for the vindication of the honour of Chriſt, and the relieving the party wronged, to yield a full and publick hearing before all the Churches of our Nation, or any other whomſoever offended, of what they could give in Charge againſt their proceedings, in that depoſition of their Miniſter, and to ſubmit themſelves to an open Tryal and review of all thoſe forepaſſed Carriages that concerned that particular: which they moſt chearfully and readily (according to the forementioned Principles) ſubmitted unto in a place and ſtate, where no outward violence or any other external Authority either Civil or Eccleſiaſtical would have enforced them thereunto. And accordingly the Miniſters of the Church offended, with other two Gentlemen of much worth, wiſdom and Piety, members thereof, were ſent as Meſſengers from that Church; and at the Introduction and enterance into that Solemn Aſſembly, (the Solemnity of which ha's left as deep an Impreſſion upon our hearts of Chriſt… dreadful preſence, as ever any we have been preſent at.) It was openly and publickly profeſſed in a Speech that was the Preface to that diſcuſſion to this Effect, that it was the moſt to be abhorred maxime, that any Religion ha's ever made profeſſion of, and th…refore of all other the moſt contradictory and diſhonourab…e unto that of Chriſtianity, that a ſingle, and particular Society of m…n profeſſing the Name of Chriſt, and pretending to be endowed with a power from Chriſt to judge them that are of the ſa…e body, and Society within themſelves, ſhould further arrogate to themſelves an exemption from giving account, or being Cenſurable of any other either Chriſtian Magiſtrate above them, or Neighb…ur Churches about them. So farr were our Iudgements from that Independent Liberty that is imputed to us, then, when we had leaſt dependency on this Kingdome, or ſo much as hopes ever to abide therein in peace.
And for the Iſſue▪ and Succeſs of this agitation after there had been for many dayes as Judiciary▪ and full a Charge, tryal and depoſition of witneſſes openly before all Commers of all Sorts as can be expected, in any Court where Authority enjoyns it, that Church which had offended did as publickly acknowledge their ſinful aberration in it, reſtored their Miniſter to his place again, And ordered a Solemn day for faſting, to humble themſelves before God and men for their ſinful Carriage in it, and the party alſo which had been depoſed, did acknowledge to that Church, wherein he had likewiſe ſinned,
So that theſe Godly Learned Writers, were ſo far from making a Popedome of a particular Church that they deemed it an abhorred maxime to affirme that a particular Church is unaccountable to, or not Cenſurable by Neighbour Churches about them; They therefore that do reject the Co…nſociation or Communion pleaded for, want that which is one Specifical Character of a true Congregati…nal man, whereby ſuch are diſtinguiſhed from Browniſts and Morellians, whoſe Principles have ever been diſowned and diſavowed by Congregationals, who have alſo thought themſelves not a little in…ured, when they have been repreſented as the ſame, elſe how have Hornebecks Summa Controverſiaru… de Browniſhis, and Bailies diſſwaſive, and other writings, ej …fde in commatis been ſo diſtaſtful and diſſatisfactory to all of that way, who underſtand what Principles they go upon.
Moreover that our Congregational Brethren are for ſuch Communion of Churches as is by the late Synod aſſerted, is yet farr more evident from the Teſtimony of bleſſed Burroughs in his Excellent Treatiſe about heart D…viſions ſee pag. 84. and 163. And in pag. 43, 44. There are theſe words. (1.) Thoſe in the Congregational way acknowledge that they are bound in Conſcience to give account of their wayes to Churches about them, or to any other who ſhall require it, this not in an Arbitrary way, but as a duty that they owe to God and man.
2dly. They acknowledge that Synods of other Miniſters and Elders about them are an Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt for the helping the Church againſt Errors, Schiſmes, and Scandals.
3dly. That theſe Synods may by the Power they have from Chriſt admoniſh men or Churches in his Name, when they ſee evils Continuing in, or growing upon the Church, and their Admonitions carry with them the Authority of Jeſus Chriſt.
4ly. As there ſhall be cauſe they may declare men or Churches, to be Subverters of the Faith, or otherwiſe, according to the nature of the offence, to ſhame them before all the Churches about them.
5ly. They may by a Solemn act in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt refuſe any further Communion with them till they repent
6ly. They may declare alſo in the Name of Chriſt that theſe erring people, or Churches are not to be received into Fellowſhip with any of the Churches of Chriſt, nor to have Communion with one another in the Ordinances of Chriſt.—You will ſay, what if they care not for all this? Anſw. That is, as if you ſhould ſay, what if they be not Conſcientious, what if nothing can prevail with Conſcience? if you ſay, private Brethren may admoniſh and declare in the Name of Chriſt. This is more then if any private Brethren ſhould do the ſame thing; For a Synod is a Solemn Ordinance of Chriſt, and the Elders are to be looked upon as the Officers of Jeſus Chriſt. And again, pag. 47. he ha's theſe words, If it ſhall be ſaid, But ſurely they do not agree ſo farr, they do not come up to theſe ſix things mentioned? To that I Anſwer, I do not in theſe deliver only mine own Judgement, but by what I know of the Judgements of all thoſe Brethren, with whom I have occaſion to Converſe by Conference, both before, and ſince, I ſtand Charged to make it good, to be their Judgements alſo, yea, it hath been theirs and mine, for divers years, even then when we never thought to have enjoyed our own Land again. And if it be ſo, then let the Lord be Judge between us and our Brethren, for thoſe loud and grievous out-Cries, there ha's been againſt us in this thing.
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