A Survey of the Sum of Church Discipline, Title page – Preface
A SURVEY of the Summe of Church-Discipline.
WHEREIN, The Way of the CHURCHES of NEW-ENGLAND is warranted out of the Word, and all Exceptions of weight, which are made against it, answered: Whereby also it will appear to the Judicious Reader, that something more must be said, then yet hath been, before their Principles can be shaken, or they should be unsetled in their practice.
By THO. HOOKER, late Pastor of the Church at Hartford upon Connecticott in N. E.
ISA. 62.1.
For Sions sake I will not bold my tongue: and for Ierusalems sake, I will not rest: untill the righteousnesse thereof break forth as the light, and the salvation thereof be as a burning lamp
2 COR. 13.8. For we can doe nothing against the truth, but for the truth.
LONDON, Printed by A. M. for John Bellamy at the three Golden Lions in Cornhill, near the Royall Exchange. M.DC.XLVIII.
A Preface of the Authour, By way of Introduction to this following Discourse, Wherein the attentive Reader may understand the scope, the matter and method thereof, and how far there is a joint concurrence of most of the Elders of New-England.
TRuth is the Daughter of time, was the saying of old, and our daily experience gives in evidence and proof hereof, to every mans ordinary observation. Only as in other births, so here, the barrennesse and fruitfullnesse of severall ages, depend meerly upon Gods good pleasure; who opens and shuts the womb of truth from bearing, as he sees fit, according to the counsell of his own will.
Not that there is any change in the truth, but the alteration grows, according to mens apprehensions, to whom it is more or lesse discovered, according to Gods most just judgement, and their own deservings.
Sometimes God makes an eclipse of the truth at midday, that so he might expresse his wrath from Heaven, against the unthankfulnesse, prophanesse,Rom. 1.18. and Atheisme of a malignant world.
Hence it was he let loose those hellish delusions, immediately after the Ascention of our Saviour; That though his life and conversation gave in evidence beyond gainsaying that he was true man: Though the miracles and wonders he wrought in his life and death, resurrection and ascention, were witnesses undeniable, that he was true God: yet there arose a wretched generation of Hereticks, in the first, second, and third hundred years, who adventured not only against the expresse verdict of the Scripture, but against sense and experience, fresh in the observation and tradition of living men, with more then Satanicall impudency to deny both the natures of our blessed Saviour.
Some denied the Diety of our Saviour, and would have him meer man. As Ebrion aAd annū 72., Corinthus bAdunnū 100 Ad annum 174. Samosatenus ad …n…um 269. Arrius ad annū 324. Epiphanius Augustinius Magdeburgenses., Montanus, &c c. Others deny him to be true man, as the Gnostici dAd annum …37 143. …4…. And after them followed Sabellius ad annum 257. and Manichaeu… 28…., Valentiniani, Marrionitae.
Sometimes when men entertain the truth in profession, but not in the love of it, and that indeared affestion, that is due thereunto,2 Thes. ….11. foreign the Lord gives men up to the Activity of errour, as the Apostle speaks, because they did not love, that the trutb should be truth, they imbraced falsehood instead of truth, that so they might be deluded and damned. This made way for Antichrist, and did Midwife that man of sin into the world, and by little and little advanced him into his throne. For while men did verbally acknowledge the nature and offices of our Saviour, they did begin, though subtilly, yet really, to usurp the honor and exercise of all to thems…lves.
Eusebius lib. 4. in vita con…tantini. Athanasius in Evangelio de sanctis. sima Dei parasi modo fit Athanasij. Audi filia Davidis & …brabae & inclina aurem tuam in preces nostras. & ne obi…viscaris populi tui ad te clarantis.First, They began to incroach upon the PRIESTLY OFFICE of our Saviour, and not only to pray for the dead, but to pray to them, and to attribute too much to the martyrs and their worth; and to derogate from the merits, and that plentifull and perfect redemption w…ought alone by the Lord Iesus. The Spouse of Christ thus like the unwise virgins, was taken aside with the slumber of Idolatry, till at last she fell fast asleep: as the following times give in abundant testimony.
Not long after, these sleeps were attended with suteable dreams, for not being content with the simplicity of the Gospel, and the purity of the worship appointed therein: They set forth a new and large edition of devised and instituted ceremonies, coined meerly out of the vanity of mens carnall mindes, which as so many blindes, were set up by the subtilty of Satan, meerly to delude men, and mislead them from the truth of Gods worship, under a pretence of directing them more easily in the way of grace: and under a colour of kindling, they quenched all true zeal for, and love of the truth.
Insomuch that Augustine complained,Augu…t. epist. 119. & tolerabilior fit cond…tio Iudaeorum qui etsi tempus libertatis non agnoverint, legalibus tamen sarcinis non humanis praesumptionibus subijciantur. The present condition of the Churches in his time, was worse then that of the Jews. They were subject to the burthen of leg…ll Ceremonies, laid upon them by the Lord; but we (saith the Father) are pressed with presumptions devised by men.
And thus at once they usurped upon the PROPHETICALL and just led our Saviour also out of his REGALL OFFICE, for so they are linked together by the Prophet.Isa. 33.22. He is our King, he is our Law-giver; it is in his power and pleasure to provide his own laws, and appoint the waies of his own worship.
Thus were the OFFICES of our Saviour secretly and cunningly undermined till at last that man of si…, seeing his time,2 Thes. 2.4. foreign. Ad annum 610 Fox. and taking his advantage, adventured openly and impudently to challenge the chair of supremacy.
Bonif…ce the third obtained by policy and treachery at the hand of Phocas for himself and his successours, that the Bishop of Rome, should be the head and chief Bishop of all Christian Churches.
But the one sword was not sufficient for Hildebrand, He rested not, untill by his hellish contrivements he had got two swords, to fill both his hands withall, and a Triple-crown upon his head, and carried it with mighty violence against the imperiall Majesty: that whereas no Pope in former times might be chosen without the confirmation of the Emperour: so now no Empereur might be chosen without the consirmation of the Pope: as appears in the story of Henry the Emperour.
Thus while the Pope pretended to be the Vicar and Vicegerent of Christ, to supply his absence here on earth, by being caput ministeriale,: in issue he justled him out of the room and right of his HEADSHIP.
He makes Canons to binde conscience, and so assumes the place of the chief Prophet; Gives dispensations, sends out Indulgences, sells pardons, retains, and remits sins, improves the treasury of the Church to that end, and so challengeth the place of being chief Priest. Lastly, arrogates the plenitude and supremacy of power in causes Ecclesiastick and Civil, no lesse then two swords will satisfy, to fill both his hands, and a Triple-crown to load his head withall, and thereby arrogates to be head of the Church.
When God had revenged the contempt of the Authority of his son, by delivering up such contemners to the tyranny and slavery of Antichrist, Brightman in cap 9. Apocal ad v 6.by the space of many hundred years: That by their own experience they came to know the difference betwixt the service of God, and the slavery of men: the golden scepter of Christ, and the Iron rod of Antichrist; who tortured their consciences upon a continuall rack, held their souls smoaking over the mouth of the bottomel…sse pit, put them into hell, and plucked them out at his pleasure, whence men desired to die, rather then to live.
They then began to sigh for some deliverance from this spirituall, more then Egyptian bondage; and being thus prepared to lend a listening ear unto the truth, God sent them some little reviving in their extremities, a day-star arising in this their darknesse.
He stirred up the spirit of the Waldenses, Armachanus, Wickliff, Hus, and Jerom of Prage, who openly proclaimed the usurpations of that man of sin, stoutly asserted the fulnesse and sufficiency of the Scriptures, cleared and maintained the deciding authority thereof in all the waies and worship of God, and so set up the Lord Iesus, as the only PROPHET of his Church.
After them succeeded Luther, who made a spoil of the Popes treasury, marred wholly his market, and the sale of his indulgencies, and so wonderfully cooled and quenched the fire of Purgatory, and the Popes kitchin: that his holinesse, and the wretched rabble of all his black-guard, were forced to improve all their power and policy to crush the credit of that champion, and the authority of that doctrine which he taught, but all in vain.
For the vertue of the bloudy sacrifice of Christonce offered for all, the perfect satisfaction, Iustification, and redemption, came so strongly to be received and maintained in many places and persons of note. That now all tho unbloudy sacrifices, masses, and multitudes of that trash, which the meritmongers did studiously set forth to sale, and by which they set up themselves in the hearts of the people, grew to be abhorred of such as were pious and conscientious, and all such who would but suffer themselves to be led by the principles of right reason. And thus the PRIESTLY office of our Saviour came in some measure to be acknowledged, and appropriated to him, whose peculiar it was.
Only the SUPREMACY OF THAT KINGLY POWER, upon which the Pope had encroached, and maintained the possession thereof so long, was yet retained and fortified (as reason would) with greatest resolution, nor could he suffer the appearance of any approach or battery to be erected, that might seem to hazard the safty of that, but he sets him fully and fiercely against Reformation, which sticks like the cunny-skinat the hcad principally.
Hence for the surprisall of so strong a peice, the Lord in his providence provided many means to make approaches thereunto by little and little. The Councells of Constance and Basill just led the Pope to the Wall, and took the wall of him, made him lower then the councell, but let him enjoy his Headship over all his Officers and particular Churches,
King Henry the eighth, he further clipped his wings in temporalls, shook off and renounced that supremacy that he had arrogated and erected over kings and kingdomes in former ages: Only that is storied of him as his mistake, he cut off the head of Popery, but left the body of it (in Arch-Bishops, Primates, Metropolitans, Archdeacons,) yet within his realm, and the Churches there established.
This power having a double respect: Partly to Ministers, Partly to Churches: The first of these was abated, when a Parity in the Ministery came to be acknowledged and received in the Churches of the reformation. And that the sole and princely power, which was arrogated and exercised by the Bishops and their Officers, over the faithfull Pastors of Christ, was cashiered, as contrary to the government and power bequeathed to each particular Officer of his own appointment, who all have Ministerium, non Dominium, are stewards, not Lords of Gods inheritance.
But whether all Ecclesiasticall power be impaled, impropriated and rightly taken in to the Presbytery alone: Or that the people of the particular Churches should come in for a share, according to their places and proportions; This is lest as the subject of the inquiry of this age, and that which occasions great thoughts of heart of all hands: Great thoughts of heart in the Presbytery, as being very loth to part with that so chief priviledge, and of which they have taken possession so many years. Great thoughts of heart amongst the Churches, how they may clear their right, and claim it in such pious sobriety and moderation, as becomes the Saints: being unwilling to loose their cause and comfort, meerly upon a nihil dicit: or for ever to be deprived of so precious a legacy, as they conceive this is, though it hath been withheld from them, by the tyranny of the Pope, and prescription of times. Nor can they conceive it lesse, then a heedlesse betraying of their speciall liberties, and not selling but casting away their inheritance, and right, by a carelesse silence, when the course of providence, as the juncture of things now present themselves, allows them a writt Ad melius inquirendum.
And it seemes God sets out this disquisition (fall the issue on which side it will) as most sutable and seasonable to these times, which appear fruitfull in discoveries: Truth seeming to be in travell, having fulfilled her appointed moneths, and the instant opportunity of her deliverance drawing on apace, as the Scripture account, may seem to give symptomes to that purpose, and such as will not fail.
For these are the times drawing on, wherein Prophecies are to attain their performances: and its a received rule, and I suppose most safe, when Prophecies are fulfilled they are best interpreted, the accomplishment of them is the best Commentary.
These are the times, when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters the Sea: and these waters of the Sanctuary shall encrease from the ankles, Hab. 2.14. Ezek. 47.4.5.unto the knees, thence unto the loins, and thence become a river that cannot be passed.
These are the times when people shall be fitted for such priviledges, fit I say to obtain them, and fit to use them.
Fit to obtain them at Gods hands, for Dan. 12.4. D…n. 12.4. Brightm. in loc.people shall run too and fro, and knowledge shall increase: they shall by the strength of their desires, improve the most painfull exercise of their thoughts, in the most serious search of the mystery of godlinesse, and bloud-hound like, who are bent upon their prey, they shall most indefatigably trace the truth, and follow the least appearance of the foot-steps thereof presented, until they come to see the formings and framings in the first rise, Scire est per causas scire, and thus digging for wisdome as for hid treasures, and seeking the Lord and his will,Prov. 2.23. with their whole heart, they shall finde him, and understand it.
Fit to use them, now the Lord will write his laws in their hearts, and put it into their inward parts, and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, For they shall all know me, Jer. 31.from the least of them, to the greatest of them.
And whereas it hath been charged upon the people, that through their ignorance and unskilfulnesse, they are not able to wield such priviledges, and therefore not fit to share in any such power. The Lord hath promised: To take away the vail from all faces in the mountain, the weak shall be as David, Isa 25.7. Zac. 12.8. Isa. 30 26. Ezek. 43.11.and David as an Angel of God. The light of the Moon shall be as the Sun, and the Sun seven times brighter. When he hath not only informed them, but made them to be ashamed of their abominations, and of all that they have done, then he will shew them the frame of his house, and the patern thereof, the going out thereof, the coming in thereof, the whole fashion thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, all the figures thereof, and laws thereof: And write them in their sight, that they may keep the whole fashion thereof, and all the Ordinances thereof, and do them. Observe how often the Lord expresseth the enlarged manifestations of himself in …ose many universals.
ALL LAWES, ALL ORDINANCES, ALL FIGURES. 2. Not only SHEW all, but make them SEE ALL, and doe all.
The travell of the truth, as I said, thus drawing on, it hath pleased the Lord to improve the pens and pains of many of his Worthies (midwife like) to lighten and ease the throws of the truth, in this sharp and sore travell for a safe delivery.
Amongst these M Ru…terford hath deserved much for his undefatigable diligence; A man of eminent abilities, the depth of whose judgement, and sharpnesse in dispute, is evidenced beyond all exception, by that accurate and elaborate peece of his Apologeticall exercitations, wherein he appears to be Malleus Jesuitarum, and of their factours and followers the Arminians, who receive their errours by whole-sale from them, and retail them out again in their particular treatises. And for these pains of his, I suppose the Churches will (I must professe for mine own particular I do) owe him much. And therefore it was a pleasing and pleasant providence, when I perceived by some bookes, set forth of late, that he did addresse himself seriously to debate of Church-Discipline, a subject, as of speciall difficulty, so of speciall advantage to the truth, and of help to the present times in which we live.
These two things seeming to be great reserves of inquiry, for this last age of the world,
1. Wherein the spirituall rule of Christs Kingdome consists, the manner how it is revealed and dispensed to the souls of his servants inwardly?
2. The order and manner, how the government of his kingdome is managed outwardly in his Churches?
VponUpon these two hinges the tedious agitations that are stirring in the earth turn: either having their first rise from hence directly, or by a secret influence, these fore-mentioned causes send in and insinuate their speciall interests indirectly, to make up that foreign, to set forwards the shakings of heaven and earth, which are to be seen even at this day.
This being the season, when all the kingdomes of the world, are becoming the Lords and his Christs: and to this purpose he is taking to himself his great might, Revel. 11.16.which heretofore he seemed to lay aside and in silence, as himself speaks in a like case. Psa, 50. to suffer wicked men to put forth their rage, according to their own pleasure, but he resolves by his Iron rod to dash those earthen vessels to peeces.Psa. ….
The first of these, to wit; The spirituall Kingdome of Christ, is most opposed by a generation of Enthusiasts; and Familists, who having refined the loathsome follies of their former predecessours, do adventure to set open their conceits, with greater insolency, to the view of the world; and under the pretence of free-grace, they destroy the grace of God in the power and operations of it, in the hearts and lives of men.
The other, which concerns the managing of the outward kingdome, unlesse my prospective much deceives me, is coming towards its last triall: because there is more liberty now given to each, to plead their own interests, when in former times the tyranny of Antichrist, and blinde obedience unto his dictates, turned the tomb-stone of untimely silence upon all mens endeavours, buried all mens debates in their own bosomes, or else the unreasonable rigour of the prelates laboured to destroy the being of the defense as soon as it came to the birth.
This present term of Gods patience promiseth some allowance to his people, the distressed and despised ones of Christ, sub formâ pauperis, to take leave, to lay claim to these priviledges, which they have conceived to be part of the legacy bequeathed unto them by the Lord Iesus, being estated and entitled members of the visible Kingdome of his Church.
To set out the bounds of these interests, worthy M.R. hath bestowed great labour, which I have again and again attended, and as I do freely acknowledge to have received light therefrom: so I do professe I do readily consent with him in many things.
In the number and nature of Officers, as Pastours, Teachers, Elders, &c. appointed by Christ in his Church.
That the people hath right to call their own officers, and that none must be imposed upon them by Patrons and Prelates.
That Scandalous persons are not fit to be members of a visible Church, nor should be admitted.
That the faithfull Congregations in England are true Churches: and therefore it is sinfull to separate from them as no Churches.
That the members which come commended from such Churches to ours here, so that it doth appear to the judgement of the Church, whence they come, that they are by them approved, and not scandalous, they ought to be received to Church communion with us, as members of other Churches wi…h u… in N.E inlike case so commended and approved.
To separate from Congrega…ions for want of some Ordinances: Or,
To seperate from the true worship of God, because of the sin of some worshippers, i… unlawfull.
The Consociation of Churches is not only lawfull, but in some cases necessary.
That when causes are difficult, and particular Churches want light and help, they should crave the Assistance of such a consociation.
That Churches so meeting have right to counsell, rebuke, &c. as the case doth require.
In case any particular Church shall walk pertinaciously, either in the profession of errour, or sinfull practice, and will not hear their counsell, they may and should renounce the right hand of fellowship with them.
That Infants of visible Churches, born of wicked parents, being members of the Church, ought to be baptized.
In these and severall other particulars, we fully accord with M. R. and therefore no man in reason can conceive, that I write in opposition to his book: for then I should oppose my self, and mine own judgement: but for further disquisition and search into some particulars, which pace tanti viri, craves further and fuller discovery.
And hence, THIS NEEDS NO TOLERATION OF RELIGIONS, or estrangement of affection, in tolerating the differences of such apprehensions, and that in some things, untill further light bring in further conviction and concurrence.
It is confessed by all the Casuists, I know, and that upon a rigid dispute, that longer time is to be allowed to two sorts of people, from whom consent is expected, then from others.
1. To some, who out of the strength of their judgement are able to oppose arguments, in case they come not so well guarded and pointed as they should.
2. To others, the like Indulgency is to be lent, who out of their weaknesse cannot so easily and readily perceive the valour and validity of an argument, to carry the c…se, and win their assent thereunto.
Of this latter I professe my self, and therefore plead for allowance, and present Forbearance, especially considering, that modestly to inquire into, and for a time to dissent from the judgement of a generall counsell, hath been accounted tolerable.
He that wi…l estrange his affection, because of the difference of apprehension in things difficult, he must be a stranger to himself one time or other, If men would be tender and carefull to keep off offensive expressions, they might keep some distance in opinion, in somethings, without hazard to truth or love. But when men set up their sheaves (though it be but in a dream, as Josephs was) and fall out with every one, that will not fall down and adore them, they will bring much trouble into the world, but little advantage to the truth, or peace.
Again, The Reader must know for his direction in this inquiry, my aim only was, and is, to lay down, and that briefly, the grounds of our practice, according to that measure of light I have received, and to give answer to such reasons, which might seem to weaken the evidence thereof: declining purposely, for the present, the examination of such answers, which are made to the arguments alledged by some of our Reverend Brethren, touching the same subject: because I would neither prejudice nor prevent their proper defense, which I do suppose in the sittest season, they will so present unto the world, as shall be fully satisfactory to such, as love and desire the knowledge of the truth.
The Summe is, we doubt not what we practise, but its beyond all doubt, that all men are liars, and we are in the number of those poor f…eble men, either we do, or may erre, though we do not know it, what we have learned, we do professe, and yet professe still to live, that we may learn.
And therefore the errand upon which this present discourse is sent, is summarily to shew these two things unto the world,
1. That there must be more said (then yet it hath been my happinesse to see) before the principles we professe will be shaken, and consequently it cannot be expected, that we should be unsetled in our practice.
2. Th…t I might occasion men eminently gifted to make further search, and to dig deeper, that if there be any vein of reason, which lies yet lower, it might be brought to light, and we professe and promise, not only a ready eare to hear it, but a heart willing to welcome it.
Its the perfection of a man, amidst these many weaknesses, we are surrounded withall, by many changes to come to perfection. Its the honour and conquest of a man truly wise to be conquered by the truth: and he hath attained the greatest liberty, that suffers himself to be led captive thereby.
That the discourse comes forth in such a homely dresse and course habit, the Reader must be desired to consider, It comes out of the wildernesse, where curiosity is not studied. Planters if they can provide cloth to go warm, they leave the cutts and lace to those that study to go fine.
As it is beyond my skill, so I professe it is beyond my care to please the nicenesse of mens palates, with any auaintnesse of language. They who covet more sauce then meat, they must provide cooks to their minde. It was a cavill cast upon Hierom, that in his writings he was Ciceronianus non Christianus: Erasmus in vita Hier.My rudenesse frees me wholly from this exception, for being foreign, as the Apostle hath it, if I would, I could not lavish out in the loosenesse of language, and as the case stands, if I could answer any mans desire in that daintinesse of speech, I would not do the matter that Injury which is now under my hand: Ornari res ipsa negat. The substance and solidity of the frame is that, which pleaseth the builder, its the painters work to provide varnish.
If the manner of the discourse should oecasion any disrellish in the apprehension of the weaker Reader, because it may seem too Logicall, or Scholasticall, in regard of the terms I use, or the way of dispute that I proceed in, in some places: I have these two things to professe,
1. That plainesse and perspicuity, both for matter and manner of expression, are the things, that I have conscientiously indeavoured in the whole debate: for I have ever thought writings that come abroad, they are not to dazle, but direct the apprehension of the meanest, and I have accounted it the chiefest part of Iudicious learning, to make a hard point easy and familiar in explication. Qui non vult intelligi, debet negligi.
2. The nature of the subject that is under my hand, is such, that I was constrained to accommodate and conform my expressions more or lesse, in some kinde of sutablenesse thereunto: for in some passages of the dispute, the particulars in their very rise and foundation, border so neer upon the principles of Logick: (as whether Ecclesia Catholica visibilis, was to be attended, as a Totum universale, or Integrale) that either I must resolve to say nothing, or to speak (though as sparingly as I could of such things) as the quality of the things did require. And let any man make a triall, and I do much mistake my self, but he will be nceessitated to take the same course, if he speaks to the cause. If the Reader shall demand how far this way of Church-proceeding receives approbation by any common concurrence amongst us: I shall plainly and punctually expresse my self in a word of truth, in these following points, viz.
Visible Saints are the only true and meet matter, whereof a visible Church should be gathered, and confoederation is the form.
The Church as Totumessentiale, is, and may be, before Officers.
There is no Presbyteriall Church (i. e. A Church made up of the Elders of many Congregations appointed Classickwise, to rule all those Congregations) in the N. T.
A Church Congregationall is the first subject of the keys.
Each Congregation compleatly constituted of all Officers, hath sufficient power in her self, to exercise the power of the keyes, and all Church discipline, in all the censures thereof.
Ordination is not before election.
There ought to be no ordination of a Minister at large, Namely, such as should make him Pastour without a People.
The election of the people hath an instrumentall causall vertue under Christ, to give an outward call unto an Officer.
Ordination is only a solemn installing of an Officer into the Office, unto which he was formerly called.
Children of such, who are members of Congregations, ought only to be baptized.
The consent of the people gives a causall vertue to the compleating of the sentence of excommunication.
Whilst the Church remains a true Church of Christ, it doth not loose this power, nor can it lawfully be taken away.
Consociation of Churches should be used, as occasion doth require.
Such consociations and Synods have allowance to counsell and admonish other Churches, as the case may require.
And if they grow obstinate in errour or sinfull miscarriages, they should renounce the right hand of fellowship with them.
But they have no power to excommunicate.
Nor do their constitutions binde formalitèr & juridicè.
In all these I have leave to professe the joint judgement of all the Elders upon the river: Of New-haven, Guilford, Milford, Stratford, Fairfield: and of most of the Elders of the Churches in the Bay, to whom I did send in particular, and did receive approbation from them, under their hands: Of the rest (to whom I could not send) I cannot so affirm; but this I can say, That at a common meeting, I was desired by them all, to publish what now I do.
Lastly, To ease the ordinary Reader, who happily is not acquainted with discourses of this kinde, I shall take leave to lend him this little advise.
The Treatise being divided into four parts, if he will be intreated to survey the Table set before the work, by a short and sudden cast of his eye, he shall presently perceive those particulars, which as so many pillars principall, bear up the whole frame.
1. Look at the Church in its first rise and essence, The causes of it, in the efficient, Matter and Form: The Qualification of it, in its precedency, power, priviledges, make up the first part.
2. Look at the Church, as compleated with all her Officers, the number and nature of them, in her elestions, and Ordinations, where the loathsome title of Independency is opened: these lay out the matter of the second part.
3. The Church thus constituted, The power that she exerciseth in admissions, dispensations of Sacraments, and censures, especially that grand and great censure of excommunication, how it is to be managed, and the power of it lastly resolved. In these the third part is spent.
4. The consociation of Churches in Classes, Synods, and councels, is shortly discussed in the fourth part.
Let him be intreated to carry these along in his consideration, he will readily know, whether to refer any thing, and where to finde any thing; and as readily conceive the method and manner, both of the constitution of the Church, as the House of God, and the right managing of all the occasions and affairs thereof.
In the handling of all these particulars, so full of difficulty and obscurity, I am not such a stranger at home, but that I am easily sensible of the weight of the matter and mine own weaknesse: and therefore I can professe in a word of truth, that against mine own inclination and affection, I was haled by importunity to this so hard a task, to kindle my rush candle, to joyn with the light of others, at least to occasion them to set up their lamps.
Now he that is the way, the truth, and the life, pave out all the waies of his people, and make their paths plain before them: Lead us all into that truth, which will lead us unto eternall life: bring us once unto that impotency and impossibility, that we can do nothing against the truth, but for it, that so our Congregations, may not only be stiled, as Ezekiels temple, but be really what was prophesied the Churches should be, in these last daies, Jehovah Shammah. In the Armes of his everlasting mercy I leave thee, but never cease to wish,
Spirituall welfare in him, THOMAS HOOKER.