The text of this work was very
illegible even the reprints were of little value reconstructing the text. "X"
marks a letter than could not be made out.
"…" means a word or phrase was not legible. My apologies. TAH
Communion of
Churches:
OR,
The Divine Management of Gospel-Churches
by the Ordinance of
C O U N C I L S,
Constituted in Order according to the
S C R I P T U R E S.
AS ALSO,
The Way of bringing all Christian
Parishes to be particular Reforming
Congregationall Churches:
Humbly Proposed,
As a Way which hath so much Light from the
Scriptures of Truth, as that it may lawfully be
Submitted unto by all; and may, by the blessing
of the Lord, be a Means of Uniting those two
Holy and Eminent PARTIES,
The Presbyterians and the Congregationals.
AS ALSO
To Prepare for the hoped-for Resurrection of the
Churches; and to Propose a way to bring all
Christian Nations unto an Unity of the
Faith and Order of the Gospel.
Written by John Eliot, Teacher
of
Roxbury in N. E.
Psal. 1.10 That ye may
try the things that are excellent.
1 John 4 1. Try the
Spirits.
Cambridge: Printed by Marmaduke Johnson. 1665.
P R E F A C E.
ALthough a few Copies of this small Script are
Printed; yet it is not published, onely committed
privately to some Godly and Able hands, to be Viewed,
Corrected, Amended, or Rejected, as it shall be found to
hold wright in the Sanctuary Ballance, or not. And it is
the humble Request of the Author, That whatever Ob-
jections; Rectification, or Emendations may occurrence, they
may be conveyed unto him; who desireth nothing may be
accepted in the Churches, but what is according to the
Will and Minde of God, and tendeth to Holiness, Peace,
and Promotion of the holy Kingdome of Jesus Christ.
The procuring of half so many Copies Written and
Corrected, would be more difficult and chargeable, then
the Printing of these few.
I beg the Prayers, as well as the Pains of the pre-
cious Servants of the Lord, that I may never have the
least singer in doing any thing that may be derogatory to
the Holiness and Honour of Jesus Christ and his
Churches. And to this I subscribe my self,
One of the least of the
Labourers
in our Lords Vineyard,
JOHN ELIOT.
I. THere be two holy Publick Societies famous in the Gospel:
1. A Church of Believers.
2. A Council of Churches.
A Church of Believers, is a company of visible Sainte
combined together, with one heart, to hold Communion in
all the instituted Gospel-worship, Ordinances and Disci-
pline, which Christ hath sitted for, and given unto a parti-
cular Church. Such a Company are frequently called A
Church. See a few places: Acts
2. 47, & 11. 26. & 14. 23, 27.
1 Cor. 11. 18, 20, 22, &c.
A Council, is a Society of
particular Churches in Com-
munion, by their Representatives, for their well-being,
and well-ordering all things among them, by mutual, Coun-
sel, in Truth, Peace, and Holiness. Our Pattern is, that
Great Council, Acts 15. which consisted
of two Churches,
in an ordinary way exprefly agreed, to give
and take counsel:
and it is left as a Standard and Pattern, how the great Or-
dinance
[ 2 ]
dinance of Counsel is to be
used and managed for the well-
being of Churches, to the worlds end.
II. The Constitution of both these Buildings or Socie-
ties, are eminent and observable in the Gospel.
The first of these, viz. A Church of Believers,
is first
instituted by Christ himself, and afterward put in practice
by the Apostles; Matth. 16. 18. Thou art Peter, and upon
this Rock I will build my Church The Rock confessed is
CHRIST: Christ Confessed, is the
Foundation of the
Visible Church ∴Peter confessing, is an hewn stone, squared
to the foundation*; a Believer made Ecclesiastically
visible,
sitted for Church-building and fellowship.
A company of such Confessors, or a company of these
confessing Believers,
1. Have power to joyn together into a Gospel Church-
state, as they did Acts 1. 13, 14. Continued with one accord:
so Acts 2. 46.
2. They have power to call Officers, by whom they be-
come an Organick Body, and sitted to administer and enjoy
all instituted Worship: Acts 1. 15, 23. Peter stood up in the
midst of the Disciples; And they appointed two. Acts 6. 3.
Brethren, look you out men. Acts 14. 23. By bolding up
bands made Elders.
3. By the Ministry of these Officers, the Church doth
actually enjoy such Ordinances as are instituted by Christ,
for their Edification;
Directive, in Word,
Sacraments, Prayer, Singing of
Psalms, and Collections: Acts 2.
42. They con-
tinue stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine, and fel-
lowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Col. 3. 16. Teaching one another in
Psalms and
Hymns, &c.; 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. Every first day lay
Both by it self, &c. for educat is the Neuter
Gender,
as well as Masculine, and is so to be read, be-
cause they had two distinct Collections at that
time! The Collection for Jerusalem was
by it self,
a publick, not
a private Collection.
Corrective: 1 Cor. 15. 4, 5. When gathered together,
deliver to Satan.
III. The administration of, and participation in all these
Ordinances, (while we are in this flesh, and state militant)
are in full of variety of difficulties and temptations, espe-
cially where Churches are numerous, that the work cannot
long be carried on (a while it sometimes may, viz.
while
the
[ 3 ]
the Churches are under the eye of an adversary, and when
there be Elders eminent in Piety, Humility and Ability)
without stated help.
The help which the Lord hath instituted, is Counsel.
When Antioch had trouble
in some points of Doctrine,
the Remedy which the holy Ghost applied, was Counsel,
given them by a formall Council, Acts 15.
When Corinth wanted help in a point
of Discipline, the
Apostle doth help, by ministring Counsel
unto them, 1 Cor.
5. 3, 4, 5. and he counselleth the Church to Excommunicate
the man, the sinner.
Excommunication is a sharp Rod,
made up of seven most
severe and terrible Twigs; or a strong Purgation, com-
pounded of seven violent Ingredients; viz.
1. He is cut off from visible Communion with Christ in the
Church.
2. He is cut off from familiar Communion with the Saints in Worship.
3. He is cast out of the usual walk of the Spirit.
4. He is cast out of the House of God, as unsavoury Salt,
or a loathsome thing that doth offend.
5. He is thrust out of the Paradise of God, from eating
the Tree of Life, viz. Christ
in the Sacrament of the
Supper, where the Spirit sitteth as in his Sealing-office.
6. He is cut off from familiar Civil Communion with
the Saints; he may not be invited to eat with them.
7. He is delivered to Satan, and that by the Sentence of
Christ, through the hand of his Spouse the Church
and all this to be inflicted upon a Brother.
Ah! who trembles not to minister such a Pill,
to lay on
such a Rod? And therefore it had need to
be managed and
administred with all care, fear, and clearness. And all this
sheweth, and much more might be produced to shew, what
need there is of Counsel; which, after
thirty or forty years
experience in the way of Congregational Churches,
in fulness
of liberty, we finde more and more need to insist upon, and
that in such a fixed and ordered way, as that thereby men
may be tyed to attend unto Counsel.
IV. A Council is constituted Acts. 15. where the wisdome
of the holy Ghost hath given us a Pattern of the least,
and
of the greatest Councils, as our N. E. Divines have well ob-
served. There cannot be a less Council
then that was, for
there were but two Churches mentioned; and there cannot
be a greater, and more compleat one,
because there were
[ 4 ]
the greatest Counsellors, a most compleat Pattern, even the
Apostles of Jesus Christ; teaching, That if there be but
two Churches, they may enjoy the Ordinance of mutuall
Counsel, though more incompleatly. But if there he many
Churches, then they are to be ordered according to the Pat-
tern of Combining Churches into compleat Councils. Of
which in the next Chapter.
V. Christ, who hath all power,
Mat. 28. 20. hath derived
all Ecclesiastical Power first unto the Apostles, that they by
Institution might distribute the same unto several Offices in
the Church. Hence,
As all Church-Officers, especially Elders, and more espe-
cially Teaching Elders, are ordinary
Successors of the Apo-
stles, in their several branches of Church power: So Coun-
cils of Churches are their eminent ordinary Successors, in
point of Counsel, and that in several respects.
First, Because in Councils there is
most light, and nearest
to infallibility: and the more compleat, the better; though
the most compleat Council may erre, because they have not
a promise of infallible assistance.
Secondly, Because when the Apostles
themselves had con-
stituted Churches, they did guide and counsel them how to
use their power; as Paul did the Church
of Corinth, 1 Cor.
7, 4. the Apostle did not act the Censure himself: and so is
that of Paul to be interpreted, 1 Tim. 1. 20. I have
deli-
vered to Satan; viz. as I did the incestuous Corinthian,
by giving such counsel to the Church, whereof they were
Members. In thus doing, Councils succeed the Apostles.
VI. Inasmuch as Councils are Publick
Assemblies, and that
not onely Ecclesiastically publick, but Civilly also, when
they are held with openness and boldness. Hence, Civill
Authority hath influence, by Law and Command, to give al-
lowance unto such Assemblies; and so they have an Ex-
trinsecall Efficiency in calling Councils: but the Intrinsecall
and proper Efficients of a Council, are the Churches, who
elect and send Messengers to that end.
VII. The Members constituent of a Council, are Church-
Messengers.
The persons sent ought to be Elders,
of both Orders,
Teaching and Ruling, to
represent the whole Church; or
in defect of Ruling Elders to represent
the people, Faithful
Brethren, eminent in holiness and wisdome, who are as El-
ders: Acts 15. 2. Certain other of them Ver. 22. Chosen
men, chief men among, the Brethren. Ver. 32. Being Prophets also
themselves
[ 5 ]
themselves. And
the reason hereof is, Because, as the tem-
ptation of Learned men, is to affect a Prelacy over the peo-
ple: So the temptation of the Fraternity, is to affect a
Morellian Democracy. And therefore the wisdome of
God hath by institution ballanced all Ecclesiastical Coun-
cils with Members of both sorts, that may
ballance each
other, by Number at least, though not in Weight, yet enough
to prevent any prevalency of a temptation, either to sub-
jugate the Churches under any Prelatical Usurpation of the
Learned; or to elevate and intoxicate the Fraternity, to
affect any inordinate power: which rather, and more effe-
ctually tends to enervate and evacuate Government, then to
preserve any Lawful and just Liberty of the Brotherhood.
The end of the Churches sending these Messengers, is to
manage the Ordinance of Counsel in due
order.
VIII. The Organick parts of a Council, whereby they are
enabled to manage their affairs in Prudence and Order, are
Moderators, and Notaries:
the choice of whom is the first
act they do, to compleat themselves to be fit for action.
It may sometimes edifie, to change Moderators
every
new Session, partly to train up each other unto that special work
of Christ, in the management of the Affairs, and in caring for
the publick welfare of all the Churches; and also to take trial of mens
Gifts, Spirit and Abilities unto that high service; that so, when there
may be special need, they may know who is most fit to manage the Council
at such a time, for the glory of God, and for the most effectual Edi-
fication, and publick well being of the Churches.
Though Moderators may be often changed, it is not fit:
that the Notaries should be so often changed.
IX. The Power of Ecclesiastical Councils is onely Dogma-
tical, or Doctrinal: Power of Censure is
by the Lord fixed
in the Church; and hence, when any appeal
unto a Council,
it is for further and more clear light from the Scripture,
and for conviction thereby, but not for the Exercise of any
Juridical Power.
[ 6 ]
C H A P. II.
Of the Gospel-Measuring-Reed by the
Number Twelve.
I. SEeing particular Congregations in Gospel-Order, are
Churches; and these Churches, for their
well-being,
need to hold and exercise Communion by Councils:
and one
Church (as Antioch) may need the greatest
and highest
Counsel.
Hence in such places where, through the riches of the
Grace of Christ, Churches are numerous, it will be neces-
sary, that the management of these Councils should be in
Order, according to the Pattern of Compleat
Councils,
Acts 15. For multitude unordered, by how much the
greater they are, the greater is their cumber, and unapt-
ness to operate in Order unto their end. Lesser Bodies are
more readily ordered, and have a greater aptitude to be
active in their Order unto their end. Ordo anima
rerum.
II. Order is one of
the Beauties of Heaven, and so it is of
the Churches. Let all things be done in Order,
1 Cor. 14. 40.
Jerusalem is a City compacted, Psal. 122.
3. and the more
orderly Bodies are, the better are they compacted. Bodies
that are compacted, are so ordered by Number
and Measure:
The New Jerusalem is the most glorious
City that ever shall
be on Earth; and we see that it shall be compacted by
Number and Measure,
Rev. 21. 12, to 18. and the Founda-
tion Number is Twelve, as appeareth ver. 14. The wall of
the City had twelve Foundations. And this Number Twelve
is multiplied by Twelve, as appeareth ver. 16, 17. it is square,
Twelve every way, which amounteth to One
hundred forty
and four.
III. The Twelve Tribes in the Old
Testament, and the
Twelve Apostles in the New, do make that
Number famous
in the Churches, and fundamental in ordering and com-
pacting of Churches into Ecclesiasticall Combinations of
Councils.
The Twelve Tribes compacted in
order, was the most
beautiful, and heart-ravishing Camp, that ever the worlds
Eye did look upon, Numb. 24. 2, 5, 6. The
Twelve Loaves
of Shew-bread, did represent the whole Visible Church
before
[ 7 ]
before God in the Temple. The Twelve Precious Stars
in
the Breast-plate of the High Priest, shew, That is such a
Number Christ is pleased to order and represent the whole
Militant Church before his Father in Heaven. And ac-
cording to this Type, Rev. 7. 4. the
whole Visible Church is
ordered, multiplied, and sealed in this Number. And Rev.
21. 12, 14. the Twelve Tribes are the Twelve Gates, and the
Twelve Apostles are the Twelve Foundations of the New
Jerusalem. That glorious visible
Gospel-Church, Ezek 8.
which is called Jehovah-Shamniah, is
ordered by the Num-
ber Twelve, according to the Twelve
Tribes of Israel, as
the Typicall and of Canaan was.
IV. In the perfect Pattern (for the
Word is a perfect
Rule) which the holy Ghost, hath left us, Acts
15. as there
is a ground work for the least of Councils, in the Two
Churches; so of compleat Councils, in the Twelve
Apo-
stles.
For, though Herod had
killed James with the sword,
Acts his Martyrdome did not remove
him out of the
Foundation, but rather six him in it: And
the Apostles were
most of them killed for the Testimony of Jesus,
before John
had his Revelation, and yet we finde them
all written in the
Foundation of the New Jerusalem.
And therefore what should hinder, but that in the or-
dering of Compleat Councils, we should
lay our foundation
in the Number Twelve? and all the Orders
of Councils
should be raised and compacted by that Number, even from
the bottom to the top.
V. And unto this Order and Number we may the wonder
be induced, because here will be the Twenty four
Elders,
who do wait upon, and worship the holy Majesty of God in
all the Churches upon earth, as he hath pleased to reveal
himself, Rev. 4. where the presence of
God among the
Churches is revealed: First, with his glorious Angels next
him, represented by the four living Creatures,
according to
Ezek. 1. &
10. And secondly, with the Communion of
Churches about him, represented by the Twenty four
El-
ders, who do represent all the Churches on earth, in Com-
munion: as will anon appear.
VI. For when Twelve Churches are
combined to hold
Communion together, the least Number that one Church
must (by Institution) send forth to that first Council, must
be one Teaching Elder, and one Ruling Elder; and then,
this Society of Churches is represented by twenty
four Elders
strictly. And
[ 8 ]
And when Twelve of these first
Councils shall, with con-
sent of the particular Churches, elect and send forth one
Teaching, and one Ruling Elder,
the ablest and fittest among
them, to constitute a Provincial Council;
that Council will
be strictly the Twenty four Elders,
representing all the
Churches in that Province, concurring in the Election.
And when Twelve Provincial Councils
shall, with like con-
sent, send forth from each of them one Teaching,
and one
Ruling Elder, the most holy and able among them, to con-
stitute a National Council, they will
still be strictly the
Twenty four Elders, representing the
whole Nation, in their
Ecclesiastical state, before the Lord.
And when Twelve National Councils
shall send forth, in
like manner, from each of them, one Teaching,
and one
Ruling Elder, the most holy and fit among them, to consti-
tute an Oecumenical Council (or by what
other less term it
may be thought meet to call it) they will still be strictly the
Twenty four Elders, representing before
the Lord all the
Churches in all those Nations, concurring in the Election.
And why may not this ascent, and representation of all
before the Lord, be part of the meaning of that Text, Rev.
5. 8, 9, 11, 12, 14?
VII. And this point is the more to be heeded, because
God's visible respect unto, and acceptation of any people, is
according to the good aspect and condition of their Repre-
sentatives. There may be much drosse in a Parish, a Pro-
vince, a Nation, and in the world; yet if they have good Re-
presentatives before the Lord, and if they carry the Lords
matters well, in his sight, that doth obtain, through Christ,
a favourable acceptation of, and dispensation towards all
that are so represented. And he hath instituted Represen-
tatives of the Church on earth: Aaron
represented all Is-
rael on his breast before the Lord, Exod. 28. 29. And a Coun-
cil consisting of Messengers of Churches,
the glory of Christ,
do represent the Churches who send and constitute that
Council, Acts 15. Oh! how happy were it
for any people,
to be in such visible instituted Order on earth, as that they
may be (through Christ) acceptably represented before the
Lord!
For God is so well pleased to see his people in Order, as
that he will dwell in that place, and call it by his own
Name. Jehovah-Shamniah; especially when
they are Civilly,
as well as Ecclesiastically in good order represented before
Him.
VIII.
[ 9 ]
VIII. Furthermore, this is to be considered, that though
the Twenty four Elders are so called, by
the least Number
that they can be, by this Constitution; yet, according as
the riches of Gods grace is more abundantly poured out,
they may be more in Number, though under this constituting
denomination. For, one Church may send forth ruling-
ing Elders, as Antioch
sent forth Paul and Barnabas, and
Ruling Elders, or Brethren proportionably. So likewise
upon the same ground, when there be more Eminent
Lights
in any of the Councils (as through grace it is like often to
be) they may send more then one to the Provincial,
or Na-
tional, or Oecumenical Councils,
but still they are the
Twenty four Elders, because that is the Foundation Num-
ber.
IX. What if I should illustrate this Point by that of
the Apostles? who are often in Scripture called the
Twelve
Apostles, and yet there were more Apostles then Twelve:
for who doubteth but that Paul, who was
none of the
Twelve yet he was an Apostle, and a
chief Apostle, a great
Foundation; and Barnabas was an Apostle also, Acts
14. 14.
and 1 Cor.1. 9. But Twelve is the Foundation
Number, and
therefore they are so denominated.
X. Again, though Twelve Churches
be the lowest Num-
ber of the first Combination, yet they
may be more then
Twelve, when the pourings out of Gods
grace shall be in_
larged; yea, they may be any Number under Twenty
four
Churches.
If then Twenty three Churches
should be in a Combina-
tion, their Messengers sent to the first Council
will be a
great Number; but still they are the Twenty four
Elders
before the Lord, by their fundamental Constitution.
So a like Number of Provincial Councils,
and a like Num-
ber of National Councils, though their
Messengers are many,
yet they are still the Twenty four Elders,
growing up, through
grace, and increasing unto more Orders of Councils,
for the
greater glory of Christ.
And when (through grace) there shall be Twenty
four
Churches, or first Councils,
or Provincial, or National Coun-
cils, then they must be compacted into two
Orders of those
Councils, because Twelve is the
Foundation Number, by
which they are multiplied, and compacted. And when this
is done, they are reduced to be Twenty four Elders
strictly;
the Foundation Number.
As in the Order of that Civill
Government set up by Mo-
ses;
[ 10 ]
ses; the Orders of Ten, and of fifty,
&c. are denominated
by the least and constituting Number: though those Orders
may consist (when they are full of people and blessing) of
many more, even any number under Twenty
and an hun-
dred, &c. But when Ten are
become Twenty, and when
Fifty are become an
hundred, then they must be multiplied
into more Orders, because these Numbers
are Foundation
Numbers, by which the Orders
of the Government are mul-
tiplied and compacted; and when that is transacted, they
are reduced unto their Foundation Numbers.
So it is here in the Ecclesiastical Orders of Government,
the least Number of a compleat stated first Council,
is
Twelve Churches, whose least Number of Messengers
are
Twenty four; and by these Numbers they
are denominated,
though they may be more Churches in a Combination, and
more Messengers from some of the Churches: and so it is
in all the other Orders of Councils.
For a little further illustration of this point, I shall
propose and answer Six Questions, which
may let in a little
further light into this Frame, and remove some Obje-
ctions.
Quest. 1. May a Church perform any
Ecclesiastical Acts
by Messengers, or Representatives in their Name?
Answ. Yea. doubtless they may; they may Consult,
and
Agree to give
Counsel, in such cases as may be presented for
that end, touching either Faith or Order, as it appeareth
Acts 15.
Quest 2. May a Church elect by Messengers or Representa-
tives, when themselves cannot be present where such Election
is performed?
Answ. An act of Election may be transacted by some of
a Society; yea by a few in behalf of the
rest, when they
have their consent, and a calling so to act. For instance,
If a lesser Number of a Church be
necessarily absent from
an act of Election performed in a lawful Assembly, they are
all involved in the act of the major
part: This is without
Controversie so. Here some onely Elect, and all are en-
gaged.
Again, if the major part be
necessarily absent, and fond a
lesser part, or a new, with their express consent to do an act
of Election, it hath the like force and validity. The royal
Army which chose David to be their King, 1
Chron. 12.
were farre the lesser part of the People, but they were
free, and elected
for them, and did perform it as affectually
as
[ 11 ]
as if the whole People had been present;
and David was
King, not onely over the Representatives,
who did actually
chuse him, but over all the People, who
did Elect him by
their Representatives.
If the parties sent to transact an
Election, do act accord-
ing to their heart who sent them, they will not object, for
had they been there present, they would have done the
same: but if the parties sent to Elect, do not Elect accord-
ing to their heart, they may justly question their act, and
consider of their Apologie; but that doth not nullifie
the
act in point of Order.
When Political Bodies, whether Civil or Ecclesiastical,
are multitudinous, and remote from the place of action,
either all cannot act, or if they do, it
must be by Represen-
tatives.
Quest. 3. May a Church Elect Elders
or Messengers out of
another Church, unto a publick and common service of Christ
and of the Churches?
Answ. Yea, they may: For the great
Collection of the
Gentile Churches, which Paul carried up to Jerusalem
at
his last going thither, was an act of many Churches:
And
Paul, with those that went with him to
present it, were
chosen by the Churches unto that service,
2 Cor. 8. 19. And
there were many more Churches Contributors,
then there were
Messengers sent to carry it. Acts 20. 4.
there were but seven
or eight in Pauls company, but all the
Churches of Galatia,
Corinth, Asia, and Macedonia,
were Contributors. There-
fore many Churches chose Messengers who
were none of their
own particular Churches, unto that publick and common ser-
vice of Christ, and of the Churches.
Again, the ready subjection of all the Churches about
Antioch, and other places, Acts 16. 4. unto the Decrees of
the Council at Jerusalem, doth probably
speak, That, as the
trouble by those Questions, was a common case in all the
Churches; so they had some fore-knowledge,
concurrence,
and consent (after consent sure enough they had) in the Mis-
sion of Paul and Barnabas
(Teaching Elders of Antioch,
Acts 13. 2.) unto Jerusalem,
to the Apostles and Elders
about that matter.
Again, seeing the Rule of Communion of
Churches doth
impose upon Elders a degree of care of all the
Churches, espe-
cially of those within their Ordered Communion;
it doth al-
so give unto all the Churches, a mutual interest in
each others
Elders,
Hence,
[ 12 ]
Hence, when they chuse any of the Elders
within the
compass of their Order, they chuse those, who, in some
re-
spect, are their own, in whom they have an Ecclesiastical
in-
terest, especially unto this publick service of Counsel.
Quest. 4. May many Churches Elect
a few of their Elders
unto some publick and common service, wherein all the Chur-
ches so Electing are interessed?
Answ. Yea, they may: For all the
Churches of Asia, Ga-
latia, Macedonia, &c. did Elect a few
to accompany Paul
in carrying their Contributions unto Jerusalem:
and it is
expresly said, that from the Churches of Asia
there were
but two sent, Acts 20. 4. and we know
there were at least
seven Churches in Asia, Rev. 1.4.
Quest. 5. When two, or a few Elders are chosen
by many
Churches unto some publick and common service of the Chur-
ches, do they represent all the Churches who did Elect them
unto that service?
Answ. Yea, they do so: For when many
Churches (by
Paul's ordering) sent a few Messengers to Corinth,
2 Cor. 8.
23. to fetch their Contribution, to be carried (among the
Contribution of many other Churches) unto Jerusalem,
by
the hands of Paul, and a few others,
chosen by the Churches
unto that service, 2 Cor. 8. 19. these few Messengers did re-
present all the Churches who sent them:
So as that what the
Church of Corinth should transact afore them, is expresly
said to be afore all the Churches, viz.
who sent them, 2 Cor. 8. 24.
Quest. 6. These Orders of Councils, First,
Second, Third,
representing fewer or more Churches, Are they a Divine Institution?
Answ. Touching the first Councils,
consisting of imme-
diate Messengers of Churches sent for
that end, it is out of
question that these are a Divine Institution,
Acts 15.
The great difficulty is, touching the second
and third
Orders of Councils, and so higher, unto the highest Oecume-
nical Council, whose Members are chosen immediately by
Councils, yet with the express consent of every particular Church:
not immediately by the Churches, but by
their Representatives.
Touching these, in way of humble Proposal I affirm,
That they are a Divine Institution.
1. Because their Foundation, Formation,
and Constitution,
is deducible from the Word of God, as
appeareth by laying
together the foregoing Questions, and Answers thereunto,
with what hath been said before. 2. Be
[ 13 ]
2. Because this multiplying of Order upon
Order, seemeth
to be typified in the Ascents and Degrees in Ezekiels
Tem-
ple; and by the multiplication of the Number Twelve
in
the New Jerusalem, Rev. 21, &c.
3. Because if there be not this multiplying
of Council
above Council (above, I say,
not in any spiritual(…?) Power, but
in Order and Extent)
then it doth not yet appear that there is
any way or expedient, whereby there should be a General
and Equal Communion of all the Churches
in a Nation,
wherein every Church shall be, by their own act and con-
sent, interessed and concerned.
Much less can there be an Equal
Communion of Churches,
of several Nations.
For, if several Nations should need and desire to hold
Communion of Councils, who shall chuse
the Persons or In-
struments, by whom this Communion shall be held and
acted?
If Princes chuse them, it is not a
regular Ecclesiastical Council.
If Churches chuse, and send them, shall some Churches onely chuse
them, or all the Churches? is some onely;
who? and why they,
and not others, and how can their act
interest and oblige all?
If all the Churches must chuse,
then Immediately, or by
Delegates: Immediately, it is unfeizible,
especially to act
in knowledge and prudence; but mediately
by their Confi-
dents and Representatives they
may.
The same may be said of the Communion of all the Chur-
ches in a Nation or Province, where Elections must be per-
formed by Representatives. In which way, a General
and
Equal Election is attainable; and without
it, it doth not
yet appear that it is attainable.
Now that several Nations ought to
hold Communion,
and also all the Churches in a Nation, it
doth appear in these
Scriptures: Isa. 19. 23, 24, 25. Zeph. 3. 9. 1 Cor.
11. 1 &
14. 32, 36. Of which see more in Synod at Boston.
This being commanded by God, and as yet no Way or
Expedient appearing, whereby it may be duely acted, we
are at a great loss. Therefore the Lord opening this way,
which is so attainable, and not without Scripture Light,
What if the Churches should set upon the Tryall
of it, and
see how the Lord may appear unto his Servants therein?
As for the Episcopal Way of Government,
Alas! that is
most remote from this Ordinance of Communion of Chur-
ches.
C H A P.
[ 14 ]
I. WHen Twelve Churches, or
any other Number un-
der Twenty four, shall agree to hold
Communion
in a Council for Mutual Help, and shall
send forth Messen-
gers at least two from every Church, and
they of both Or-
ders of Elders, or in defect of Ruling Elders,
Brethren emi-
nent in Piety and Wisdome, who are as Elders, to manage the
Ordinance of Counsel in the behalf, and
for the benefit of
all the Churches herein combined.
These do constitute the first Order
of a compleat Coun-
cil; the first Ascent of the glorious
Temple; the first
Row in compacting the New Jerusalem.
These are the
Twenty four Elders before the Lord,
representing all the
Congregations which sent them. It is both needful and at-
tainable, that these Councils should meet once every
Moneth.
II. When Twelve of the first Order of Councils, or any
other Number under Twenty four, shall,
with the express
consent of all their particular Churches, agree to hold Com-
munion in a Council for Mutual Help, and
for the benefit of
all the Churches combined; and to that end, shall send
forth from among themselves, at least one
principal and
eminent Teaching Elder, and one Ruling Elder, to manage
the Ordinance of Counsel, in a Provincial
Synod, in the be-
half, and for the benefit of all the Churches herein com-
bined: These do constitute the second Order of
Councils.
These are a Provincial Council; these do
represent very
many Churches, and all the people in them, with their ex-
press consent, and yet they
are but Twenty four Elders, so
denominated by their least and constituting Number, though
the Numbers represented be very great, according to Rev.
5. 8, 9, &c. These all are Church-Messengers, sent forth to
manage the Ordinance of Counsel, though
immediately sent
forth by the first Councils, with the
express consent of all
the Churches combined. These are the second Row
of
Churches compacted by the Number Twelve; the second
Row
[ 15 ]
Row of churches in
the Temple, of equal dimensions to the,
first, and built upon the first, standing
upon the same bot-
tom and foundation, the Twelve Apostles.
It is both need-
full and attainable, that these should meet quarterly.
III. When Twelve Provincial Councils,
or any other num-
ber under Twenty four, shall, with the
explicite consent of
the first Councils, and with the
explicite consent of the
Churches, who are in this Combination,
agree to hold Com-
munion in a Council for Mutual Help; and to that end, shall
send forth from among themselves at least one
principal
Teaching Elder, and one Ruling Elder, both eminent in ho-
liness, wisdome, and all fitting abilities, to manage the Or-
dinance of Counsel in a National Synod, in the behalf, and
for the benefit of all the Provinces, first
Councils, and par-
ticular Churches herein combined: These do constitute a
Third Order of Councils. These are a National Council;
these do represent a whole Nation of Churches,
and all the
people of the Land; and yet they are but Twenty four
El-
ders, as Rev. 5. 1, 13, 14.
though all Creatures concurre, and
are combined in the work; all are represented before the
Lord in Twenty four Elders. These are all
of them Church-
Messengers, sent forth to manage the Ordinance of Counsel;
but they are immediately sent forth by the Provinciall
Councils.
IV. As the first Councils consist of the most choyce persons
in all the Churches; so the Provincial Councils do consist
of the most choyce Instruments in the
respective Provinces;
and the National Council doth consist of the most
choyce
persons in all the Nation: who pass through so many Ec-
clesiastical Elections, before they arrive unto this high
and
holy Service. They pass under an opportunity of being
called out from among all the Choyce Jewels
of the Nation,
who are in an Ecclesiastical Order and Capacity. It will be
both needful and attainable, that these should meet once
in a Year.
V. When Twelve National Councils,
or any Number un-
der Twenty four, shall agree, with the
explicite consent of
all the Churches, passing and arising through all the Orders
of Councils, to hold Communion in Councils for Mutual
Help; and to that end shall send Forth, at least one Teach-
ing, and one Ruling Elder, men
eminent in Holiness and
Abilities for so high a service, to constitute an Oecumenical
Council, and there to manage the Ordinance of Counsel, in
the behalf, and for the benefit of all the Churches
and Coun-
cils
[ 16 ]
cils herein combined: These do constitute a Fourth Order of
Councils. They are an Oecumenical
Council, and repre-
sent all the Churches in those Nations before the Lord
VI. Twenty three Nations met in
one Council, will be a
great glory to Christ, and by what hath yet been in the
world, may be called Oecumenical. Yet
when the Kingdomes
of this world, shall become the Kingdomes of our Lord, and of
his Christ, I know not but there will be Councils above this.
Nay; why may there, not be Twelve Ascents
in combining
all the World? Rev. 21. 16, 17. But I
leave it to the Lord.
At present this is the top, and uppermost Order of
Councils,
and somewhat higher then we can yet well descry: but Faith
in the Promise can see all the world in the Gospel
Order of
Jesus Christ. And now the Lord Jesus is triumphing in his
Militant Glory upon earth, with his Twenty four
Elders
about him, in Ecclesiastical visible Order. And now the
whole Militant Body, fitly joyned together, and
compacted by
that which every joynt supplieth, according to the effectual
working of the measure of every part from Christ, maketh in-
crease of the body, unto the edifying of it self in love, Ephes.
4. 16.
VII. Furthermore consider, that though I have proposed
but Three Orders of Councils within the
Nation; yet in po-
pulous Nations there may be a 〈X〉 of Provinces, into
chief Provinces and sub-Provinces. If a Nation be divided
into (at least) Twelve Ecclesiastical Provinces,
and every one
of these divided into (at least) Twelve
Sub-provinces, and
every one of these into (at least) Twelve Precincts
of first
Councils; then they will have Four Orders
of Councils within
the Nation.
And three such Ascents will combine all the world into
the holy Breastplate of our great High-Priest the Lord Je-
sus, in an Oecumenical Council; or three Ascents in one Na-
tion, and four such Ascents in the Combination of all the
World, doth in like manner make up the holy Breastplate
of Christ: Which Council may meet in Jerusalem, if the
Lord will; and if that be so literal a meaning of sundry
Texts that way looking. And when that Council
shall agree
of Universal dayes of Fasting or Feasting before the Lord,
upon just occasion; Oh! what glorious dayes will those
be, when all the World shall appear
together before the
Lord in such acts of Worship!
VIII. And as an eminent Preparatory to these glorious
dayes (when Christ shall be King over all the earth, when
there
[ 17 ]
there shall be one Lord, and his Name one,
Zech. 14. 9. And
when the Lord shal accomplish that Prophesie Eze.
34. 23, 24.
And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and he
shall feed
them even my servant David, he shall feed them, and he shall
be their Shepherd; and I the Lord will be their God, and my
servant David a Prince among them: I am the Lord I have spoken
it. When Christ shall rule all the World, both in Civil
and Ecclesiastical affairs, by the Word of his mouth,
by the hand of Saints, even holy and religious Kings,
Prin-
ces, and chief Rulers) Oh that
the Lord would put it into
the heart of some of his Religious and Learned Servants, to
take such pains about the holy Hebrew Language,
as to fit
it for this Universal glorious use!
Considering, that above
all Languages spoken by the lip of man
(by reason its
Trigra macall Foundation, and other
regular Considera-
tions, for the multiplications of all sorts of words) it is
most capable to be enlarged, and fitted
to express all things
and actions, all motions
and notions that our Human Intel-
lect is capable of (to speak no higher of it). in this mortall
life. Considering also, that it is the Invention
of God him-
self, and it is the purest Language on
earth, not as yet defiled
with the scurrilos froth and some of carnal Wits in wri-
tings. Considering also, what is promised to be in those
dayes, that way looking, Zeph.3.
9 I will turn to the people
a pure Language: And when Egypt
is converted, it is ex-
pressed by this, that they shall speak the Language
of Canaan,
Isa. 19. 18, When all the World do obeisance to Christ
disjunction, then all Languages shall see my glory. Isa. 66. 18.
but when they do it conjunctim, in what
Language better
then in it, in which God first spake unto man? How shall
all flesh see the glory of the Lord together,
Isa. X. 5. unless
there be an Universal Language? And what
one fitter then
that, which it pleased our Lord Jesus to
make use of, when
he spake from heaven unto Paul to his
first Conversion,
Acts 6. 13, I
saw a light from heaven; and heard a voice
speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew Tongue, Saul,
Saul, &c.
C H A
P.
[ 18 ]
CHAP. IV.
The Order of Electing all these Councils; with
Consideration of the Time of
their dura-
tion, and of the Times and Place
of Meeting.
I. THe Election of the First Council is severally per-
formed in euery particular Church combined in
the Society; wherein there seldome is any variety of
choice, and therefore no difficulty in the action: So that it
may be performed either by Lifting up of Hands,
or by a
Silent Vote, when their Silence is the
sign of their Concur-
rence.
If there be two Teaching Elders,
the Church may send
them both, if they see good, as Antioch
sent Paul and
Acts 1.3, who were two Teaching Elders of
that Church,
Acts 13. And according to the number of Teaching El-
ders,
whom they send, the like number of Ruling Elders,
or
principal Brethren, they are to send, and
associate with
them.
II. This act of the Churches Election must be diligently,
religiously and solemnly attended and performed, as being
fundamentally and essentially requisite, both for the Consti-
tution of all Councils, and for the Obligation
of all Chur-
ches unto obedience.
This act of the Church hath reference, not onely to the
Constitution of the first Council, but
also of all the rest.
For origin Churches are the Efficient Causes
of Councils,
none are to be chosen as a Provincial, National,
or Oecume-
nical Synod, but such as were first
chosen by some particular
Others to X a first and
oX on the of X to order.
Hence X it must be carefully and expressedly put into
the X, of the Churches Election. That
X are chosen X on the Ordinance of 〈◊〉 in all
the Orders of it, both in Provincial, National,
and Oecum-
ical,〈◊◊〉 even unto the highest point: for though
all
that
[ 19 ]
that are thus elected and sent by the Churches; are not to
be elected and sent to Provincial, National,
and Oecumenical
Councils, yet some of them are to be sent, and all of them
are to elect and send. And therefore when the Church
doth elect and send them to this first Council,
they are, by
this act of the Church, impowered to carry on the Ordi-
nance of Counsel, through all the Orders
thereof, even to
the top branch, either by electing others,
or being •…ected
themselves, unto
those services of Christ, and of the chur-
ches.
III. The Time of this Election, is
to be upon the Sab-
bath immediately preceding the stated
time of the first Coun-
cils. Monethly Meeting: and then are they to be sent forth
with the Prayers and Blessing of the Church.
IV. The Provincial Council doth
consist of the choycest
Instruments in all the first Councils,
by whom they are cho-
sen and sent with their Prayers and Blessing: Every first
Council electing the most holy, learned, and able Elders,
both Teaching and Ruling, tha•… they have, who are most fit
to promote and attain the end•…
they are sent for, viz. To
carry on the Ordinance of Counsel in a Provincial Synod, both
by themselves, and by chusing such as may further promote
the same in a National Council, &c.
V. The Time of this Election, is to be in that Session of
the first Councils, which doth
immediately precede the
stated Quarterly time of the Provincial
Councils Meet-
ing.
VI. The Order and Manner of this Election may be this:
The Moderator of that Session may first
put this to vote, whe-
ther they will send bu•… one, or more
then one Teaching Elders, for
by the good Providence and rich Grace of Christ, there may
be sundry able and eminent Lights in one first Council, and
such, as that it were a publick injury and detriment to the
Cause of Christ, if they be not sent. This provided, That
according to the Number of Teaching Elders,
a like Num-
ber of Ruling Elders be also sent with
them.
The Manner of Election may be by Papers, if they see
meet; which the Moderator and Notary are to take, and
number, and manifest who are chosen: and such as are
chosen, are by the Notary to be recorded.
VII. The National Council doth
consist of the most
choice, holy, able, and eminent Lights in
all the Provincial
Councils, by whom they are chosen, and sent forth with their
prayers and blessing.
Every
[ 20 ]
Every Provincial Council chusing the most holy and
able Elders, both Teaching and Ruling, that they have
among them, to constitute a National Council,
and to carry
on the Ordinance of Counsel, in that high
and holy service
of Christ, and of all the Churches in the Nation; yet and
among other Nations if need be, and when there is a calling
thereunto.
VIII. The Time of this Election, is
to be in that Session
of the Provincial Councils, which doth immediately pre-
cede the stated time of the Annual Session
of the National
Council.
The Order and Manner of their Election, may be in all
respects according to the forementioned Election in the
Provincial Synod.
IX. An Oecumenical Council, is to
consist of the most holy
and eminent Lights in all the National Councils, combined
in this holy Ordinance of Mutual Counsel;
and may readily
be ordered by this standard, when the Lord shall in the
riches of his grace, give opportunity to exercise the same.
Touching the Duration of
these Councils.
X. Every one of these Councils doth continue in being,
until, according to Order, a new Election
be made; the
new Election doth antiquate the old.
Hence, as the Primitive Church had Apostles alwayes in
being, for their help; So there be at least three Orders
of
Ecclesiastical Councils, ever in being in every populous
Christian Nation, who must at the stated Times,
and may at
any fit time meet, when the affairs of
Christ, and of any of
the Churches do need, and duely call for the same.
And when Christian Nations shall be thus combined, there
will be an Oecumenical Council ever in
being: yea, and
when all the World shall be combined, there will be a
great
Oecumenical Council ever in being, to order all ecclesiastical
affaires, in unity, holiness and peace, all the World over.
XI. A principal objection ariseth against this fixing and
stating of Councils; viz. That although
pro-renascent Coun-
cils are a divine, remedy, when troubles arise, as it was at
Antioch, who also then finished the Council, when
the present
work was finished: but of fixed, stated, and permanent Coun-
cils we have no example, nor doth there appear any ground is
Scripture to bottom them upon.
Ans. The Primitive Churches had a stated
and permanent
way of counsel eminently, and more then our stated
and per-
manent Councils can be, for they had the Apostles and Evan-
gelists constantly among them. And
[ 21 ]
And though they had fixed Elders in every Church, yet
they did need the visitations, and frequently made use of
the counsel of the Apostles and Evangelists, who were the
permanent Councils of the Primitive Churches.
And though it hath pleased the wisdome of our great
Lawgiver, to give us but one Example of
an ordinary Coun-
cil, and that he hath done, to be our perpetual guide in our
ordinary way; yet there be many examples of the Churches
need of, and frequent use of the Apostles and Evangelists
counsel, whom they had alwayes with them, or knew when
and where to repair unto them for their
help.
And we finde by much and long experience, that our Re-
forming Churches do stand in as much (if not more) need
of constant and stated
Councils, as the primitive Churches
did, of the constant presence of the
Apostles and Evangelists,
alwayes for their directive, and often
for their corrective
help.
We finde by experience, that our Churches do oftener
need the directive help of Councils, then
the corrective, and
in both respects together we need them to be always in being.
Many good works for the promotion of the Gospel and
Kingdom of Jesus Christ do stick long in the birth, and
languish: yea, oft miscarry and vanish for want of the help
of Councils.
Sundry Churches also, and remote places, ly long in the
dark, without food and help, for want of the orderly care
of setled Councils; Every bodies work is no-bodies.
But
when all Churches are in order, all know where their work lyeth.
Disorders likewise, and insuperable distempers, by long
fretting and burning in the bosom of sundry Churches, to
the great dishonour of God, and scandal to the Saints, for
want of stated Councils: some or other
refusing (in the
time of their temptations) to submit themselves unto the
remedy, especially having that advantage, that without
their consent, a pro-renascent
Council may not be called; or
if called by some onely, they have the
less opportunity of
doing good, and are in the more danger of doing hurt.
Nor can it be said that there is no example
nor ground of
stated and permanent Councils in the holy Scriptures, seeing
the Apostles and Evangelists were so, and more, unto the
Primitive Churches.
Hence also it was enough to give us one pattern
of an or-
dinary Council, there was no need for the continuation
therefore
[ 22 ]
thereof, whilst the Apostles and Evangelists did survive.
Object. But doth not this strengthen the
Argument for
Bishops, and such like Superintendents over the Churches? for
so they argue.
Ans. Were there a like example in an ordinary way, set
down in Scripture, for this work to be done by any one
Man not extraordinarily called, as there
is for a Council, then
their Argument would have force with it; but such a
pattern, or precept
for it, is not to be found. And the way
of Councils, (which is clearly instituted) is sufficient to
attain the end, as we have found by gracious and pieteous
experience: though we are still defective, in that we have
not our Councils stated, and we do finde
great inconvenience
by reason of that defect.
XII. These Councils, in the time of their duration,
may
multiply or cut short their Sessions, as need may require,
according as the business of the Churches, and affairs of
Christ may be more or less pressing and urgent.
Stated,
XIII. There be two sorts of their
Meetings,
Occasional.
The stated Meetings of the first Councils are every Moneth,
and what if it should be on the first Third day
of the week,
in every month, through the year?
The stated meeting of the Provincial Councils, are once
every quarter: and what if two of them be
the first Third
day after the Sun touches the middle point of the summer
and winter Solstices? And the other two,
the first Third
day after the Sun is in the Vernal
and Autumnal Equintial,
With this consideration, that if the Sun touch any of these
points upon the Third day of the week,
then that is the day
of meeting; if on any other day, then the Third day
after.
The stated meeting of the National Council,
is once a Year,
and best in the Spring: and what if it be the last Third
day
of the First Moneth called March?
XIV. The Law of the Constitution
doth call all these
Councils to meet at the stated times, without any other
order or appointment.
XV. It is very requisite that some eminent man preach a
publick Lecture, on the day of the
meeting of every Council,
to draw many Saints together, and to raise a strong breath of
Prayer, and to put the greater Solemnity upon so holy a work.
XVI. Occasional Meetings may be
multiplied either by
intricacy
[ 23 ]
intricacy of Cases, Variety of Opinions,
Troublesomeness
of Persons, Danger of Churches, Gross Scandals
that can-
not proceed to Censure, because of some obstruction, with-
out the help of Counsel.
Such Occasional Meetings,
if foreseen, may be appointed
by the Council before they rise; if not foreseen, then they
must be called by the Moderator then in
being, and the No-
tary, by Letters under either of their hands, where distance
of place requireth it.
XVII. The place of Meeting for these Councils, and
especially of the first Councils is not
to be limited, or tyed
to any one place, because there be sundry
Considerations
about the place, whereof one may be prevalent at one time,
and another time another: Sometimes the age,
and unfitness
for Travel of some eminently useful person; sometimes the
common conveniency for all: Sometimes it may edifie to
meet in that Church where the chief Trouble may at the
present be, ard yet this not alwayes so, because the trou-
bles of Antioch were heard and setled at Jerusalem, where
the best and ablest Counsel was to be had, with the least
trouble and inconveniency unto any.
CHAP. V.
The generall Work of all
Ecclesiasticall
Councils.
THese Ecclesiastical Councils
are to do for all the Chur-
ches in an ordinary way, what the Apostles were to do
in an extraordinary way. The care of all the
Churches doth
lye upon them, which appeareth both in the Manner
of their
Constitution, and End of their Meeting.
Yea, they are to do for all the World
what lyeth in them,
as the Apostles were to do, Matth 28. Go, and teach all
Nations, &c.
I. Hence, first, if there be any Heathen people that yet
know not Christ, it is a work well-becoming any of these
Orders of Councils, and all of them in
their harmony, to
seek out, and send forth sit Labourers to
such a work and
service
[ 24 ]
service of Christ, to carry the Gospel, and preach Jesus
Christ unto them; to gather and plant Churches
amongst
them. And it is the duty of particular Churches, unto
whose Society such Instruments, chosen by
the Councils, do
belong, by Fasting and Prayer, and Imposition of hands, to
send them forth unto that Work; as the Church of Antioch
did unto Barnabas and Saul, when they were extraordinary-
ly called, and sent forth unto such a Work as we are now
speaking of, Acts 13. 2, 3. And this will
be one holy way
of improvement of Church-treasuries
raised by voluntary
Contributions, to spread and propagate the Gospel to all
the World.
II. If there be any among the professing Nations that sit
in darkness, and in the region of the shadow of death, and see
no light, (and too many such dark Corners there be, in the
Land of Zebulon and Naphthali, Mat. 4. 15, 16.) who have
none to bring the glad Tidings of Light and Life unto them,
at least, none that do it: It well
becometh the vigilance of
these Councils, to provide and send fit Instruments unto
them, by whose Labours, the Light
(through grace) may
arise, and shine among them. And it is the duty of the
Churches to send forth such persons with their prayers and
blessing, as abovesaid.
III. If there be any Sister-Church that hath no
Breasts,
(which, by death or other means oft falleth out, where
Churches are numerous) it is a special and proper care of
the Ecclesiastical Councils, to take a prudent, pious, and
speedy course for their supply: It being a matter that hath
a great tendency to the well-being not onely of that Church,
but of the Councils also, into whose Communion all Elders
are received.
And unto this point of their care and duty it doth be-
long, sometimes to remove Lights from one
Candlestick to
another, where the gifts and labours of some special Instru-
ments may be most fruitful, to the glory of God, and the
publick good of Religion, and all the Churches.
But this is to be done with all wisdome, tenderness, and
evidence of Scripture-light, that it is the Will of
God, and
for his Glory so to be, that so the Church
concerned may
yield it as an act of obedience to Christ, for whose sake they
should be willing to pluck out their right eyes,
and give them
unto Christ, in obedience as unto the Apostles,
so unto
Councils their ordinary Successors.
IV. As the care of all the Churches
dyeth on the Eccle∣siastical
Councils
[ 25 ]
Councils, so especially the care of those
Churches
which are in Combination together, and whose Communion
they do act, and towards whom their first trust and
care is to
be exercised, for their well-being on earth, and for the fur-
therance of their eternal being in the Kingdome of heaven,
and in all for the glory of Christ: and in particular to take
care that there be general directions for Publick Worship,
and all other Ecclesiastical Administrations, and Conversa-
tion; and for Catechism, and Platform both of Doctrine
and
Discipline.
V. If any Errour or Heresie arise, or be by any evil Instru-
ments openly or secretly buzzed and infused, or any way
rented and diffused, to hazard the infecting and poisoning
any of the people: It is a special care of these Councils
to
take up the matter, to clear up the light of the case by the
Word of God, and in due order to settle the Cause.
and sup-
press the Errour, by counselling the
Church to whom the
person belongeth, to a due exercise of Discipline,
if need be.
VI. If any Controversie, or doubtful Disputation arise in
any of the Churches, about any point of Religion, either in
Faith or Order;
because all difference of Opinion is apt
to
breed aliemtion of affection, and give entrance to Satan,
and grief to the Spirit of Love and Peace: It concerneth
the Councils, with all care and prudence,
in due order to
settle and silence
such a Controversie.
VII. If any Strife or Division arise among any, either per-
sons, or parties, or Churches, or Towns,
or Magistrates; be-
cause all strife is of Satan, and dangerous, and the higher
the worse: Therefore it ought to be the care of all the
Councils, speedily to reconcile (in an
Ecclesiastical way, as to
their spirits and affections) all such strife,
with all care re-
fusing to interpose, or meddle with the Civil
cause, if any
be, leaving that to be decided in Civil Order, according to
the Ordinance of God.
VIII. If there arise any difficulty
in any of the Churches
about Election of Officers, Administration of
Censures, Admis-
sion of Members, Education of Youth, or in such like cases;
(and when do all these vigorously proceed without difficul-
ty?) It is the duty and care of these Councils,
by the evi-
dence of the light of the Word of God, so to advise
and
counsel these Churches, as that they may
proceed to act in
due unity, good order, and in the power and peace of the
Gospel.
IX. Because the pious and prudent management of the
publick
[ 26 ]
publick stock of Prayers and Praises, is a point that greatly
doth concern the Church Militant: and because all the great
Motions in the world are steered and managed by Divine
Providence, according to the Prayers
of the Churches, and of
the Saints; Hence it is a great service of Christ, and of the
Churches, for all the Councils to order and present matter
of Prayers and Thanksgiving,
and also to order and guide
the times and seasons of publick Fastings
and Thanksgivings.
The management of the great Wheel of publick Prayers, as to
the presenting of matter, and ordering of seasons, lyeth within
the care and guidance of the Councils, by whose pious pru-
dence, all the Churches will be led on in an united Spirit of
Prayer, both for matter and seasons▪ but abandoning the
Antichristian stinted Forms and Times.
X. If Colonies, or New Towns are to be erected in Wil-
dernesses, or any unhabited places in the world; and peo-
ple appear ready in their mindes to undertake such a De-
sign: It is a singular point of wisdom and love, to manage
such a design religiously, so as that God may go with them,
and dwell in the midst of them. And therefore it is neces-
sary that they have the Ministry of Gods Word, and some
other godly persons with them, who may carry on Church-
work among them. And this care belongeth to the Coun-
cils, to order, guide, and provide for them.
XI. When Parishional Congregations
are to be called up
unto Reformation; and when Officers are to be Ordained
among them, where none were before; and when, by addition
of Churches unto the Communion, Councils are to be multipli-
ed: These (and such like) are blessed Births,
and very well-
pleasing to Christ; and Oh how well it becometh these Ec-
clesiastical Councils to Midwife forth such Births as these?
XII. When a whole Church or the major part thereof, do
remove their dwellings, and transplant themselves into
some other place; great care is to be had, that Christ may
go with them that go, and that Christ may tarry, and not
depart from them that tarry: The care of the holy and
loving management of such a design, doth much concern,
and well become the holy care of the Ecclesiastical
Coun-
cils.
CHAP.
[ 27 ]
CHAP.
VI.
Concerning the particular works of all the Orders
of Councils: and first of the First
Order.
WHen a Council of the First Order
is met at the stated
time, and in the Place agreed
on, and have com-
pleated themselves by chusing Moderator
and Notáries, and
have commended their work, their Churches, and all the
Government, Civil and Ecclesiastical, &c. unto God in
Prayer; then
I. The Moderator, with the
Co-attestation of his Asso-
ciate Ruling Elder, doth first declare
the present state of
the Church where they do minister, and who have sent them,
to act Communion of Councils with the
sister-Churches here
represented, in this Council.
The present state of the Church he doth declare, in these
five Points, in answering to these five Questions:
1.
Whether they walk together in Truth and Love?
truthing it in love, Eph. 4. 15.
2. Whether Peace ruleth in their hearts, and braves it among
them? 〈 in
non-Latin alphabet , Col. 3.
15.
3. Whether they walk in holiness of Life, Evangelically un-
blameable? Luk. 1. 6.
4. Whether the Lambs of the Flock be diligently fed, and
trained up for Christ, in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord? Joh. 21. 15.〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, My
little Lambs.
The care of the Lambs, is one third part of the charge over
the Flock of God.
5. Whether the Lords-day be reverently, religiously and
strictly observed by all? Rev. 1. 10. Isai. 58.
13.
The
Affirmative of these Questions, (in Gospel Measure,
and Endeavour, though not without infirmities) declared
by him, and co-attested by his Associate Ruling
Elder, is to
be accepted, with all thankfulness unto God, for the present
good estate in Christ, of that Church; and the Notary
is to
record the same to the praise of Christ Jesus.
II. The Moderator is to call upon
all the Elders in order,
to declare, with the co-attestation of their Associate Ru-
ling Elders, the state of all the Churches, touching the same
five Questions. All whose Reports are distinctly to be re-
corded, as the present good estate, in Christ, of all those
Churches,
[ 28 ]
Churches, to stand as a monument of Gods mercy to future
ages: and to be presented upon record unto the Provincial
and National Councils.
III. If all the Churches walk in an Evangelical measure
of Truth, Peace and Holiness, and have no cause that la-
boureth among them, for want of Helped Counsel; then the
Moderator is to declare to the praise of
God, that the work
of this present Session, as touching their own Churches, is finished.
IV. But if there be any difference,
or strife, or any difficult
case in any of the Churches, there opened by the Elders: The
matter is first to be put, and resolved into a Question
or
Questions, according as the state of the
case doth require:
and those Questions recorded, as matter
for the Council to
give advice in, unto that Church from
whence they came.
Also it must be provided, that the party, or parties con-
cerned in the case, or cases, be present, both at the …ating
of the Questions, and discussion thereof, and at the Applica-
tion thereof unto the particular case; and that he or they
have competent liberty to Discuss, Argue, Answer,
or what
ever is requisite, to finde out and clear up the truth. The
Answer to the Questions,
and the Application thereof (so
far as may stand with due reverence to the Church and glory
of Christ) are to be recorded.
V. If there be any case which the Elders
see cause not to
produce themselves, or do refuse, then any Brother
concern-
ed may, yea though it reflect upon the Elders themselves.
Or in case of Male-administration: or if any already censured
appeal for further Light and Conviction: or if any deserving
Censure, do appeal from the Church for clearer
conviction,
and the Church seeth cause to defer proceeding unto Cen-
sure, (as sometimes it may be) upon his appeal: Or whatso-
ever the case or trouble be; only all such proposals
by any of
the Fraternity, must be with due reverence, humility,
and in the fear of God.
VI. If any other person or persons whatever, have any
Question or Case,
in matters of Religion, to propose unto
the Council, they in the next place may have liberty in a
reverent and orderly manner, to propose the same, and it is
to be Considered and Answered. Also any other matter
concerning the publick good of the Churches, and promo-
tion of Religion, may be discussed and ordered, as Fastings,
Feastings propagation of the Gospel, and the like.
VII. If business so multiply, that one day sufficeth not
to finish the work, the Council have liberty to appoint other
times
[ 29 ]
times, so oft as they need, within the moneth: and if they
finish not in that moneth, it must be left on record how the
case standeth, and so to be presented to the Council that
shall be chosen for the next moneth, which ordinarily, in
this order, will be the same persons, or (at least) most of them.
VIII. If any Case prove too hard
for them to resolve, or
if they be considerably divided in judgement, then the Case
is to be transmitted to the next Provincial Council,
and re-
corded so to be, with the Reasons of
transmitting the sa•….
IX. If they agree in Counsel about any case or point of
Religion, in Faith or Order: and if any person or persons,
or Church concerned therein, do not accept
of their counsel
and judgement; he, or they, have liberty to appeal to the
next Provincial Council; provided, that
if the Council ad-
vise the Church to proceed to Ce•…re, they
are to follow
that counsel, notwithstanding his appeal, and not to suffer
sin to ly upon their brother; for if it were in the appeala•…
power to stop the clear process of a Gospel-medicine to his
soul in gross scandals, some would never come under the
Soul-medicine of Christ Jesus, or not so soon as were meet:
but he may appeal higher, for all actions of the Churches and
Councils, are liable to a Review, until
it come unto the high-
est. And his Appeal, with the Reasons and manner thereof,
are to be recorded.
X. Every first Council, in the Sessions immediately fore-
going the quarterly time of the Provincial Councils meet-
ing, must chuse from among themselves, at least one
Teaching
Elder and one Ruling Elder, to
be sent unto the Provincial
Synod, as Members of the same, there to represent the first
Councils (who chose and sent them) and all the Churches
with them combined: and to carry on the Ordinance of
Counsel among them, according to due
Order.
XI. Unto these thus chosen for the Provincial
Council, are
to be delivered in writing, first, a Note
of the present state
of all the Churches combined with them. Secondly, a Note
of such Cases as are transmitted to the Provincial Council,
if any such be. And thirdly, a Note of
such Appeals as are
made unto them, if any such be: all these, being first read,
are then delivered unto them. And thus they are sent with
their Prayers and Blessing.
XII. When all these Elders do return to their own
Churches, they are (so far as in prudence is meet) to relate
the particular state of all the Churches,
the acts of the
Council, the persons chosen for the
Provincial Council, the
cases
[ 30 ]
cases transmitted, and Appeales;
or so much as may give
them a general view of the publick state of the Churches and
Affaires of Christ, as matter of continual Prayers, Praises
and Obedience in all the Churches.
The Particular works of the Provincial
Council,
the second Order of Councils.
THe Provincial Council being
met at the stated time, and
in the place agreed on, Moderators and Notaries
chosen,
the work blessed, as in the Council of
the first Order; then
1. The Moderator, with the
co-attestation of his Associate
Ruling Elder, declareth the present state
of the first Council
that sent them; as also the present state of all the Churches
combined in that Council, which he delivereth in writing,
and may be now read in this Council. Then he delivereth
in writing such Cases as are transmitted
to them, and such
Appeales as are made unto them, if any
such be; these be-
ing also read in the Council, are kept in order by the Notaries
2. The Notaries are to
record the present state of that
Council, and the general good estate of all the Churches, re-
ferring unto the Records thereof now presented.
3. The Moderator is to call upon
all the Elders, in order,
with their Associates, delegated from all the first
Councils,
who are all to do as the Moderator did,
declaring the state of
the Councils, and of the Churches, delivering their Wri-
tings to the Notaries, which are all
read, and recorded.
4. The Notaries are to produce,
when called for, all the
Papers which present any Business or Work
unto the Coun-
cil, either by Transmission, or by Appeals: which are or-
derly to be discussed. Care being taken, that all persons
concerned be present, and have free and competent liberty
to argue, answer, object, dispute, or
what else may be requi-
site for finding out of the Truth.
5. If there be no Cases transmitted,
nor Appeals from any
first Councils, then the business of the
Lord, touching all
their Churches, is (with glory and praise to Christ) so soon
finished as mentioned.
6. If any person or persons whatsoever, have any Que-
stions or Cases concerning
Religion, & Ecclesiastical affairs
of Christ, now they have liberty, in due reverence and order,
to propose the same to be discussed and answered. And if
work multiply, the Council may either tarry together, or
multiply their Sessions, so oft as they see cause, in their
Quarter. And what Cases they have unfinished, they are to
leave
[ 31 ]
leave them upon Record for the next
Council.
7. If there be any case too difficult
for them, or that they
be considerably divided in judgement in,
then that Case is to
transmitted to the National Council. The
Notary is to Re-
cord it, with the Reasons
thereof.
8. If any counsel or judgement agreed on by this Council, be
not accepted or acquiesced in, by the party or parties con-
cerned, he or they may Appeal unto the National Council, for
further light; and the Notaries are to
record it, and the
Reasons thereof. Provided, that if this
Council advise the
Church to proceed to Censure, they may so
do, if they see
cause, notwithstanding his Appeal.
9. Those Provincial Councils
which do immediately forego
the stated time of the National Councils meeting, are each of
them to chuse, at least, one Teaching,
and one Ruling Elder,
according to the manner aforesaid, who are to be Represen-
tatives of these Provincial Councils,
and of all the first Coun-
cils, and Churches with them combined, in the National
Council; who are chosen to carry on the Ordinance of
Counsel in that Order.
10. The Notaries are publickly in
the presence of every
Council, to deliver in writing unto them who are chosen
for the National Council, 1. The present state of all the first
Councils, and of all the Churches combined with them.
2. All the Causes that are transmitted by
them unto the Na-
tional Council. 3. The Appeals,
if any such be. All these,
being first read, are delivered to them: and so they are sent
with their prayers and blessing.
11. If these Councils foresee any
future Sessions this quar-
ter, they may now agree upon the same: if any Fasts or
Feasts are to be kept by all their
Churches, they may now
agree upon it, and propose the Causes
thereof.
12. When these Elders do next meet in their first
Councils,
they must prudently and faithfully report the good
state of all
the rest of the first Councils in the
Province, and of all the
Churches combined with them, and all other weighty
affairs
fitting to be communicated, that so they may relate
them to
their Churches, that these things may be mutter of joy, praise
thanksgiving, prayer, and obedience
in all the Churches.
The particular Works of the National and highest Eccle-
siastical Council within the Nation.
THe National Council being
met at the stated time, and
place agreed on, compleated
and blessed; then
1. The Moderator, with the co attestation
of the Ruling
Elder
[ 32 ]
Elder his Associate, is to declare unto them the present good
estate of that Provincial Council which
sent them, as also the
state of all the first Councils, and particular Churches with
them combined. Also he declareth such cases as
are transmit-
ted by them unto this Council; and such Appeals
as are made
unto them, as part of the present business
of this Council.
All these things to be delivered in writing distinctly, unto
the Notaries, who reade them all, and
then record the pre-
sent good estate of that Province, and all the Councils and
Churches therein combined; as also the matters that are
from them dilated unto the present Council.
2. The Moderator calleth all the
rest of the Provincial Re-
presentatives in order, who are to make the like declaration
as the Moderator hath done, with the
co-attestation of their
Associate Ruling Elders. All their Papers are to be deli-
vered to the Notaries, who are to reade,
and then record
them distinctly, with the present Ecclesiastical
state of all the
Provinces in the Nation, whose Representatives
do there ap-
pear, & make declaration thereof before the National
Council.
3. The Notaries are
orderly to propose all the matters, pre-
sented by the Provincial Councils, when
the Moderator re-
quireth the same. Care being had, that the persons concern-
ed be present, and have free and competent liberty to argue,
answer, object, in due, reverent, and modest manner, and to do
what may be necessary for the finding out of the truth.
4. If there be no Cases transmitted
to them, nor Appeals,
the affairs of all the Churches in the Nation are presently issued,
with glory and praise to the Lord Jesus, the King of
Peace.
5. If any other person or persons within the Nation, or of
any other Nation, have any Cases or Questions about Religion, they
may now have liberty of proposing the same, to receive an answer.
6. If any Cases of difficulty be
such, as that they cannot
obtain an issue, and resolution satisfactory, then the Case must
be recorded, and stay untill by further consideration and
discussion, God shall please to reveal further light therein,
because there is no Higher Council to
appeal unto for light,
within the Nation. And in such casés, so the Apostles did
walk, and teach the Churches to walk, Phil
3. 15, 16. Let us
therefore as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any
thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto
you. Nevertheless, whereunto we have already attained, let
us walk by the same rule, let us minde the same things.
But if the matter be of due weight and worth, then either by
[ 33 ]
by Transmission or Appeal, it may ascend unto an Occumenical Council.
7. If any person or persons, whose opinion or practice
receiveth a judgement, with counsel and
advice in reference
to the person or persons concerned, and he or they rest not
therein, as to Peace and Order; then if he or they (be they
many or few) be not already under Church Censure;
the
Church to which they belong, are to proceed (according to
the determination of this Council in the case) unto their
Censure, as the Church of Corinth did upon the advice of
Paul, 1 Cor.
5. 4, 5. for the healing of their soules, and
bringing of them unto repentance, and good order. Which
being effected, the end of all this acting, both in Conviction
and Correction, is attended. And thus,
within the compass
of one year, the whole Order of
Ecclesiastical Discipline
hath its course, and that in a most difficult case.
8. But yet if he or they rest not, such are high
disturbers,
and must be suppressed by civil Power.
And in civil Order, he that doth
not submit unto and rest
in (as to peace and order) the sentence of the Supreme
Power,
is guilty of a Capital Offence, and ought
to be put to death,
by the Law of God, Deut. 17. 10, 11, 12,
13. and the rea-
son is; because Order is better then any
of our lives. It is
a greater good to preserve Order, then to
preserve the lives
of the wilfull and obstinate violaters thereof. And the loss of Order
and Peace in Ecclesiastical Government,
in the way of the Churches,
is of greater consequence, then the loss of their lives. Zec. 13. 3, 6.
9. All things that are to be commended or committed to
Civil Authority, either from the
Churches, or in behalf of
the Churches, and Religion, are to be resolved, and acted
by the National Council. Where great care
is to be had, to
keep a clear distinction, betwixt Civil
and Ecclesiastical
Power, and not to meddle, or in the least, intrude or intrench
upon Civil Authority. The usurpation of Antichrist upon
the Civil Authority, must ever keep the
Ecclesiastical Coun-
cils in a vigilant fear of that aspiring pride: a worm too
apt to breed and grow in the breasts of learned, and eminent-
ly gifted men, if there be not a vigilant spirit of mortifica-
tion, and humble subjection unto Order.
10 It will be necessary that an appointed Committee
of this
National Council be alwayes (some or
other of them) resi-
dent near unto the Supream Civil Authority;
that they may
speedily have notice of all occurrences, that may have
respect unto, or concern the Ecclesiastical affaires of the Churches
[ 34 ]
Churches: and may receive Commands
from Authority, about
Fastings or Feastings,
according to the well or ill being of
the affaires of the Nation, or the Churches, either at home
or abroad; and may call together the whole Council,
if there
be any cause that it should be so, &c.
11. Such publick Fasts and Feasts as concern all the Chur-
ches in the Nation to solemnize, which are not first com-
manded by civil Authority, why may they not be appointed
and agreed on by the National Councis
such publick sins as
are to be bewailed; such mercies as are
to be implored for
our Churches, or for the Nation, or for forreign Churches
and Nations; such motions and designes of spreading and pro-
pagating religion as are in hand, &c. These are to be pre-
sented to all the Churches as matter of Prayer,
both ordi-
nary and extraordinary.
12. When these Members of the National
Council return
unto the Provincial Councils, whose
delegates they (immedi-
ately) are, they are to report unto them the state and
affaires of all the Churches in the Nation, and in forreign
Nations also And they are to report them to all the first
Councils. and they unto all the Churches,
as matters of praise,
and prayer to God, and of incouragement to obedience unto government.
And that this communication of Ecclesiastical affaires may
be the more readily expedited:
1. All the first Councils, or some
one of every Council,
may meet that day seven night after the Provincial
Councils
meeting to hear the affaires of all the Province.
And some
of the Provincial Council may be there,
to declare the
affaires of all the Churches in the Province.
2. So likewise the Provincial Councils
(or some of every
Provincial Council) may meet that day
seven-night after the
Session of the National Council, to hear
the affaires of the
whole Nation, and some of the National Council
may be there
to give information of all things fitting to be communicated.
But experience will put men upon the best way of Order in
these things.
The particular duties of the Oecumenical
Council I pass
in silence; I leave them to their consideration, whose happy
portion it shall be, to see those glorious times,
when such
Councils shall be called.
Notwithstanding these publick Orders of Councils, it is
lawful for any person, or parties, or Church, to take any
private counsel, that he or they will or
can obtain, ac-
cording to God, as they may have occasion.
[ 35 ]
CHAP.
VII.
Concerning the way to bring every Christian Pa-
rishional Congregation to be an explicite Re-
forming Congregational Church.
I. EVery Parishional Congregation,
who solemnly renoun-
cing all their sins and evils, both personal and ec-
clesiastical, shall willingly (by what wayes, means, or motives
soever thereunto induced) submit
themselves and their chil-
dren to the Government of Christ, in
Gospel-Order; and
particularly to be guided in the common concernments
of Re-
ligion, by the holy advice of the forenamed Orders
of Coun-
cils; and do (by their pious and prudent counsel
and concur-
rence) orderly elect all Officers,
both Elders and Deacons,
a-
mong themselves, and promise for themselves
and their house-
holds, to walk in the Christian exercise of all Gods Ordi-
nances, according to Rule, in the Faith and Order of
the
Gospel: That Parish, or so
many of them as shall herein con-
curre. is to be owned a particular Reforming
Congregational
Church; and is to be received into the Communion
of the
Churches in this Order of Government. They delivering this
act of theirs in writing, unto that first Council with whom
they associate, there to be recorded.
II. It may, by the good blessing of God, greatly promote
Religion, and the Reformation
of particular Churches, if such
of the godly Gentry of the Land, who are
not in Civil Autho-
rity, would please to do that honour to Christ, to subject
themselves to his service, in accepting of the Offices of Ru-
ling Elders and Deacons, in
the churches of Jesus Christ. It
would much strengthen the hands of Church-government,
and
be no small honour to themselves; and they will hereby
render themselves great in the Kingdome of Heaven.
III. By the Ordinance of Catechizing prudently exercised,
both publickly in the Church, and in private houses, all the
Church are to be trained up unto a competency of know-
ledge in Jesus Christ.
IV. Special care is to be had in the training
up of Youth
in the good knowledge of God, made manifest to the Church
by their publick account, answer, or confession thereof;
and unto an explicite acknowledgement of Christ, with sub-
mission and engagement of themselves unto the Church,
wherein
[ 36 ]
wherein they give up themselves and their children
unto God,
to be ruled by Religion, in the Faith and Order of
the Gospel.
Which done, their Children are to be baptized.
V. Upon the due evidence of some hopeful reall
work and
change of heart by Faith and Repentance,
duely manifested
to the Church, whereby the persons concerned may be in
Charity conceived able to examine themselves, &to
discern the
Lords body in the Sacrament, and spiritually to judge of a
spiritual cause, such ought, by the
Church, to be received
unto Communion in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and
such Males unto Voting in the Church;
because ordinarily,
such as are able to discern Christ in the
Sacrament, are also
able spiritually to discern of a spiritual cause,
and thereby ca-
pable to Vote, in such cases wherein the
Fraternity is called
to Voting in the Church.
CHAP. VIII.
Touching the Maintenance of these Councils.
I. THough it be meet that all their necessary
Charges be
born for them; for who goeth on a warfare at his own
charge? yet it is in no wise meet that any Profits or Re-
venues should be annexed unto any of the Councils,
from the
lowest unto the highest. Worldly Profit, Power and Splen-
dor, are beneath the spirit and aim of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Onely the Notaries Place, being a
service of much
labour, pains and diligence, it is ment that some considera-
tion be had for some convenient recompence
for their labour.
II. If any godly minded Christian, out of a love unto,
and zeal for the honour of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ,
should desire to give, and annex Maintenance
unto any of
these forenamed Councils, more then conveniently to bear
their Charges (as Noble Constantine did
for the worldly
splendor of the Bishops) it ought not to
be permitted, but
religiously opposed: for it will certainly prove an Inlet
of
great Corruption, Ambition, Avarice, and Strife, unworn-
thy and unfit persons will endeavour to Bribe themselves
into
Places, more for the Wages, then for the Work.
III. The honour of the
Service, and the glory of Christ
that is upon the Messengers of the Churches,
these are inse-
parable from the Work, and are as much as
flesh and blood
(we being in the flesh, and state militant) will be able
to
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to weather, and keep from running aground upon.
But Revenue and Profit are separable from the Work, and must
be religiously and earnestly, kept off, It being a Work
that will
surely, corrupt this blessed Work, and glorious Service of Jesus Christ.
IV. A small Revenue
will maintain the government of
Churches by Councils, even in a great Nation, in comparison
of the vast revenues which the Antichristian
Hierarchy have
farred and inriched themselves withall: which also hath
advantaged them to arrogate unto themselves, and 〈◊〉
civil Authority. And by these carnal 〈◊〉 unto the Church,
Religion hath been corrupted, most men
have been damned,
and now saved. Therefore the Church ought
now, in our reformation and resurrection, to despise
the
World, and not to suffer great revenues to be annexed unto
this part of the kingdome of Christ especially.
V. The religious meetings of Councils, must be 〈◊〉
of all meetings of all men, throughout the Nation: for
they are many shining Lights met
together, and all men will
mark what they do, and one Inch of excess
in them who are
the Center, will be an Ell in the people.
Hence they must strive to be patterns to all men.
1. In Gravity: not full
of Mirth, Laughter and Jesting.
2. In Sobriety: no excess
in drinking wine and strong drink.
3. In Moderation of diet,
Ornaments, or any Pomp.
4. In Sedu….bity, and Diligence: it is the Lords work, and
Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord
negtigently.
5. In all Holiness of
Discourse and Behaviour.
6. In Patience and Meekness of Spirit, in all matters.
7. In Care for the publick Cause of
Christ, and welfare of all
the Churches, the chief care of all which doth firstly and
chiefly
ly upon the Moderators.
VI. Great care is to be had of the first
Councils, that there
may be some grave and exemplar Eaers in every one of them,
because according to our custom, there may be sundry that are young,
raw, and weak, and need to be trained up unto the gravity, prudence,
and holiness of the affaires of Christ his Ecclesiastical kingdome.
Care is also to be had, that Grave, Sober,
and Prudent
Ruling Elders may be sent, such as may be an awe unto green
and young Schollars, where need may be.
Care is also to be had, that they stay no longer then ne_
cessary business, and just imployment holdeth them, that
there may be no temptations like company-keeping in
vanity, and smoaking away their precious time. VII. Their
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VII. Their entertainment may be 8 d. Ordinary
at soon,
and 6 d. at night, provided they be
necessitated to tarry all
night, otherwise their charges are but their dinner and
horse meat.
For the defr….enying of which charge, the Deacons
of that
Church where they meet, may be authorized so to order the
matter with the Deacons of all the
Churches in that com-
bination, as that the charge shall be by them defrayed, and
not put to the accompt of any of the Elders. And by the
same hands some recompence may be given to the Notaries,
for their labour and service.
For the supply of which charge, the voluntary
Contribu-
tions of every Church will be such a treasury, as will never
know want, so long as Religion, and love to Christ remain
and rule among them.
VIII. The Provincial Councils will
be more choice and
grave assemblies, and their treatment must be with more
respect and reverence: but their expences with the like mo-
deration and sobriety. It is to be supposed that these dwell
more remote, are fuller of work, and must tarry longer.
If the State entertain these, and
allow them 10 li. a
Session for their four stated Sessions in a year; and 5 li. for
the Notaries, it will not be a great
charge.
And if the National Council have
100 li. per annum for
their Attendance and Notaries.
One thousand pound per annum
will suffice for a great Na-
tion where they may be in twenty Ecclesiastical Provinces.
And this charge will be less then the the revenues of
some one Bishoprick. The design of Antichrist
was to
pamper the flesh; the design of Christ is
to mortifie it, and
to honour Grace.