Narration of Some Church Courses, Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
Of the manner of their firſt erecting of a viſible Church.
1.kThe Reader may perhaps think (in reading theſe two firſt articles) ſome fault to be in the collectour, that ſo foule a contradiction ſhould be held; but if there be any fault, it muſt be none but their owne, either in holding and practiſing things in themſelves ſo contradictory, or elſe in reporting to us ſuch things as they neither hold nor practiſe: But this contradiction will yet appeare more foule, when we conſider what will after follow, that they hold it not only lawfull to do it without their conſent, but alſo ſometimes neceſſary to do it againſt their conſent: of which ſee Chap. 15. ANy ſmall number (almoſt) of perſons (ſo fitted as before) they hold, may lawfully unite themſelves into a Church body, by entring into the Church covenant aforeſaid; and ſo may conſtitute themſelves a true viſible Church of Chriſt, without any authoritative conſent of the Chriſtian Magiſtrate (ſuppoſing there be one) or of the neighbouring Churches or their Miniſters. R.M. to W.R. Anſ. to 32. q. p. 43.
Robinſ. juſtif. p. 181, 182.
2. Yet alThe law doubtleſſe is good, as from the Magiſtrate: but how doth this agree with that opinion (which too many of them amongſt us that run the ſame Church-courſes with theſe brethren hold) that the Magiſtrate hath nothing to doe with the firſt Table, unleſſe the publike peace be broken, he is to force no man againſt his conſcience too or fro, but leave every man to follow his own light and religion? Alſo as it is an agreement of the Churches and Miniſters, I the rather like it, becauſe it ſeemes to amount to little leſſe in ſubſtance then a compound Presbyterie ſet up amongſt them; the rather, if we adde what the ſame H.P. tels us, that they have alſo agreed amongſt themſelves that no man ſhall preach or vent any new or uncouth tenents, untill he have firſt communicated them with the neighbouring miniſters. A very good Canon, eſpecially for theſe times wherein men run a madding after novelties, and niceties, under the falſe pretence of a new light, and new truthes. Law is made in their generall Court (civill) that no Church ſhall be there ſet up, without the knowledge of the Magiſtrate, and neighbour Churches. R.M. to W.R. yea, as Mr H.P. informeth us, not without the conſent of five or ſix of the neighbouring Churches at the leaſt.
3. ThemHere is another Eccleſiaſticall canon in act, though not in rule. If this be needfull at the firſt erection of a Church, that each ſhould try and know others ſpirits, why not alſo after at the admiſſion of every member, he to try and know their ſpirits as well as they his? perſons intending to enter into Church eſtate, doe before hand often meet privately amongſt themſelves to be inwardly acquainted with each others ſpirits, by conferring, praying together, and mutually examining each other, untill they have approved themſelves to one anothers conſciences in the ſight of God: Which when they have throughly done in private, then they agree together to enter into a church eſtate. R.M. to W.R. | H.W. to Mr B.
4. Which before they doe, notice is given thereof to the Magiſtrate, and neighbouring Churches, that ſo ſuch as pleaſe may be preſent at the time and place thereunto appointed. R.M. to W.R. | H.W. to Mr B. | J.W. to T.S.
5. The number wherewith they uſually begin at the firſt conſtitution of every Church, is about 7.8. or 9. Ibid.
6. Notice being given, the Magiſtrate and Churches ſend theirnHere then Churches uſe meſſengers or deputies to repreſent themſelves, and to act in their roome, why not in a Synod as well? And if they may truſt their power with their meſſengers for approving or diſapproving whole Churches, much more of particular members at their admiſſion. Meſſengers or Deputies to ſee how things are carried, and to give them advice, direction, approbation, or diſapprobation, as they ſhall ſee cauſe. Ibid.
7. The day appointed is kept with faſting and prayer, and ſometimes (if not alwayes) preaching of the Word, which is performed by ſome of the perſons that now come to be combined into this Church-ſocietie. In the latter end of the day, each of thoſe perſons now to be churched (if I may ſo ſay) maketh publike profeſſion of his faith, thereby ſhewing his knowledge, and opinion in the Grounds and Principles of Religion, and declaring from point to point the work of God upon his ſoule in his Converſion. And all this in an extemporarie (at leaſt) conceived ſpeech, i. e. not in any ſet forme. Ibid.
8. Which when the Meſſengers of the Magiſtrate and Churches have heard and conſidered, if they be unſatisfied, (or any ſtander by) they make their objections, or propound further queſtions, as they thinke fit, untill they beoIts an hard taske to ſatisfie all commers touching theſe things, queſtioning and objecting what they pleaſe, and harder for a man to be ſtayed perhaps for ſome differences about Church Diſcipline, or ſuppoſe ſome objection be made againſt his life, it muſt here be preſently, and openly declared, and ſcanned before all the countrey. This is little wiſedome, leſſe charitie. ſatisfied, if it may be. Ibid.
9. If in the end the ſaid Meſſengers be not ſatisfied, then they or ſo many of them, as concerning whom they are not ſatisfied, either in point of knowledge or grace, are forbidden to enter into Church eſtate, and ſo remaine ſtill, as before, out of the pale of the Church. Ibid.
10. If at length they be fully ſatisfied, and all doubts cleared, then the ſaid perſons proceed to enter into Church-covenant, which being written one of them reads, and all of them ſubſcribe it, and ſo they are become a truepIf ſo much time and ſo many encumſtances be needful to joyn 7. or 8. together into one church, how much time would be requiſite to joyn 3000. together. But our brethren will acknowledge the Apoſtles went a ſhorter way to work. Diſcourſe of Cov. p. 29, 30. the reaſon whereof they render, becauſe the Church was not then ſubject to ſo many hypocrites: which is more then any man knowes, when Chriſt ſaith, Many are called, few choſen. Many ſeeke, but few ſinde. Beſides, this courſe is uſed by our brethren not to ordinary Chriſtians only, but to the moſt godly and beſt approved. I beleeve therefore it was rather, becauſe the Holy Ghoſt had given them no ſuch direction, nor was this manner of church conſtitution then hatcht. conſtituted viſible Church, as they ſay. Ibid.
11. Which being done the ſaid Meſſengers of the other Churches give them the right hand of fellowſhip, and owne them for a ſiſter Church. And ſo returning backe doe make report to the Churches that ſent them, of all things done, and declare to them that they are to account of them as of a true Church of Chriſt. Ibid.