(I.)

THE parts of Church Govern­ment, Chap. 1. Arti. 2, 3▪ are all of them exactly described in the Word of God, being parts & means of Instituted Worship, and prescribed by the Lord Jesus Christ, the King, and Law giver of His Church.

Necessary Circumstances, are also cir­cumscribed in the Word,Arti. 4. with many general Limitations, and all must be so done, as is most Expedient for Edi­fication.

(II)

The Catholick Church, which is the whole Company of those that are E­lected, Redeemed,Chap. 2. Arti. 1▪ and Effectually Cal­led, is either Triumphant, & Glorified in Heaven: or Militant on Earth.Arti. 2 Arti. 3. And this Militant Church, is either Invisible, [Page 2] in respect of Relation to the Lord Je­sus Christ, being by Faith united unto Him; or Visible in respect of mens professing that Faith, in their persons, and in particular Churches; In which regard there may be acknowledged, An Universal Visible Church.

(III.)

The State of the Visible Church, when the Members of it come to Walk in the Order of the Gospel, Chap 2. Arti. 5 is, Congregational; (The Term, Independent, we approve not.) And a Congregational Church, is,Arti. 6. by the Institution of Christ, a part of the Militant Visible Church, Con­sisting of a Company of Saints, by Cal­ling, United into one Body, by an Holy Covenant, for the publick Wor­ship of God, and mutual Edification of one another, in the Fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

(IV.)

The Saints, which are the Matter of a Church,Chap. 3▪ Arti. 2. must not only have attained the Knowledge of the Principles of Re­ligion, and be free from gross & open Scandals, but also such as do together with the profession of their Faith and Repentance, Walk in blameless Obedience to the Word, so that in Charitable Discretion, they may be accounted▪ [Page 3] Saints, though there may be some Hy­pocrites among them (And the Chil­dren of such also are Holy)

(V.)

A Church ought not to be of a Greater Number than may Ordinarily meet together in one place;Chap. 3▪ Arti. 4▪ nor Ordinarily fewer, than may conveniently carry on Church Work

(VI.)

One Particular Church is distinguish­ed from another, by its Form:Chap 4. Arti. 2. Arti. 3. And this Form is the Visible Covenant, A­greement, or Consent, whereby the Faithful give up themselves unto the Lord, for the observing of the Ordi­nances of the Lord Jesus Christ toge­ther in the same Society; which is u­sually called, The Church Covenant.

(VII.)

Tho' the Substance of the Church-Co­venant is kept, where there is a real A­greement of a Company of Faithful Persons,Chap. 4▪ Arti. 4▪ to meet constantly together in one Congregation, for the Publick Worship of God, and their mutual E­dification: Which real Agreement they do Express, by their constant practice in coming together for the Publick Wor­ship of God, and religious Subjection to the Ordinances of God there: Yet this voluntary Agreement or Covenant, [Page 4] the more Express, it is, the more ful­ly it puts us in mind of our mutual Duty, and stirreth us up to it, and lea­veth less room for the questioning the Truth of the Church State of a Com­pany of Professors, & the Membership of particular persons And all Believ­ers ought as God gives them opportunity,Chap. 4. Arti. 6. to endeavour thus to joyn them­selves unto a Particular Church.

(VIII.)

Tho' there may be the Essence or Being of a Church, Chap 6. Arti. 1. Arti. 2. Arti. 3. Chap. 7. Arti. 6. without Officers, yet Officers are Ordinarily necessary to its Well-being: The Instituting whereof, in the Church, is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that it is unlawful to place or keep there any Officers which He hath not appointed. And the Or­dinary Officers of a Church, are El­ders, and Deacons.

(IX.)

Among the Elders, the Paster is to attend unto Exhortation,Chap. 6. Arti. 5. the Teacher is to attend unto Doctrine; either of them are called alike to Administer the Seals of the Covenant; and Exe­cute the Censures.

(X)

Ruling Elders, are not to Exclude the Pastors and the Teachers from Ruling;Chap. 7. Arti. 1. but their Work is to joyn with these, in those Acts of Rule which are di­stinct [Page 5] from the Ministry of the Word and Sacraments; As,Chap. 7. Arti. 2▪ in Admitting of Members, and Censuring and Restoring of Offenders, and Calling the Church together upon occasion, and preparing matters in private for a more easy and speedy dispatch in publick, and Mode­rating the Carriage of Matters in the Church Assemblies, and seeing that none in the Church Live disorderly, and pre­venting all such Offences as mightt arise to corrupt the Church, and give words of Admonition as there may be occasi­on, and Visit, and advise and pray with the Flock, especially in Times of Sickness.

(XI.)

The Office of a Deacon, is to Re­ceive the Offerings of the Church, and keep the Churches Treasury, Chap. 7. Arti. 3. and there­with to Serve the Tables, which the Church is to provide for: but it is li­mited unto the Care of the Temporal Good Things of the Church. And the Lord hath also appointed Ancient Widows, Arti. 7. (where they may be had) to Serve the Church in giving attendance unto the Sick, and others in like Ne­cessities.

(XII.)

Officers are to be Tryed, & Proved, con­cerning the Virtues required by the Scriptures in such Officers before they be Chosen:Chap. 8. Arti. 8 for [Page 6] which 'tis conducing to the Well being of Churches, Chap. 8. Arti. 5. Arti. 6. that Neighbour Churches be advised withal. And they are to be called by those very Churches whereun­to they are to Minister; nor can the Churches become Subject unto any, but by a Free Election.

(XIII.)

The Officers of the Church, are to be Ordained by Imposition of Hands, Chap. 5. Arti. 1. with Prayer and Fasting; But yet the Essence and Substance of the outward Calling of an Ordinary Officer in the Church, doth not consist in his Ordi­nation, but in his Voluntary Election by the Church, and his Accepting of that Election, whereupon is founded the Relation between a Pastor & his Flock.

(XIV.)

Tho' in Churches, where there are no Elders, Chap. 9. Arti. 4. Arti. 5. Imposition of Hands may be performed by some of the Brethren orderly Chosen by the Church there­to, yet Imposition of Hands may be per­formed by the Elders of other Churches.

(XV.)

Church Officers are Officers to One Church, Chap. 9 Arti. 6. Arti. 7. even that particular One, over which the Holy Ghost hath made them Overseers. And he that is clearly loo­sed from his Office Relation unto that Church, whereof he was a Minister; [Page 7] not be Looked at as an Officer, nor per­form any act of Office in any other Church, unless he be again Orderly Cu­led unto Office: Which when it shall be, we know nothing to hinder, Imposition of Hands to be used towards him again.

(XVI.)

As the Body and Brotherhood of the Church,Chap. 10 Arti. 5. has the priviledge to Choose their own Officers, and Exercises a priviledge in Admitting of their own Mem­bers;Arti. 6. Thus in case an Elder offend in­corrigibly, the matter so requiring, the Church hath power according to Or­der (the Counsel of other Churches, where it may be had, directing thereto,) to remove him from his Office; & after this, in case he add further Contumacy, to his Sin, the Church have the same po­wer to cast him out, that they have con­cerning any other Member.

(XVII.)

Church-Government, Chap. 10 Arti. 7. or the Ruling of the Church, is by Christ, placed in its Officers, who are therefore called Rulers, while they Rule with God; & the Duty of the People is to Obey them, & Submit themselves unto them in the Lord. The power of the Elders is to Feed & Rule the Church of God,Arti. 8. & Call the Church to­gether on weighty occasions; and the Brethren then may not refuse to give [Page 8] attendance; nor may they without suf­ficient cause Contradict the Judgment or Sentence of the Elders; unto the Elders also it belongs to Examine such as are to be received by the Church,Chap. 10 Arti. 9. & receive Accusations, and prepare them for the Hearing of the Church: And to de­clare unto the Church, the Counsel of God, concerning matters before them, and pronounce the final Sentence, with the Consent of the Church: and, lastly, to dismiss the People with a Blessing in the Name of the Lord.Arti. 10 All which does not prejudice the priviledge of the Brother­hood, but they sweetly agree together.

(XVIII.)

A sufficient Maintenance for the Mi­nisters of the Gospel,Chap. 11 Arti. 2. is not a matter of Alms, & Free Gift, but a bounden Duty & due Debt. Yea, all that are taught in the Word, are to contribute unto him that teacheth,Arti. 4. in all good Things: And in case that Congregations are defective, the Deacons are to call upon them, to do their Duty: If their call suffice not, the Church is to require it of their members.

(XIX.)

The things requisite to be found in all Church-members,Chap 12 Arti. 2. are Repentance for Sin, & Faith in Jesus Christ; and therefore, these are the things, whereof men [Page 9] are to be Examined, at their Admission in­to the Church▪ & which then they must Profess & hold forth in such sort, as may satisfy Rational Charity, that the things are there indeed. Yea,Chap. 12 Arti. 7. such members of the Church, as were born in it, & were Baptised in their Minority, by vertue of the Covenant of their Parents, desiring (at years of Discretion) to be made par­takers of the Lords Supper, should, as well as others, come under this Examination. Arti. 3 But yet the weakest measure of Faith, is to be accepted in those that desire to be admitted into the Church, because weak Christians, if sincere, have the Substance of that Faith, Repentance, and Holiness, which is required in Church members, & such have most need of the Ordinances, for their Confirmation, & growth in Grace. Severity of Examination is to be avoid­ed.

(XX.)

A Personal & Publick Confession, or declaring of Gods manner of Working upon the Soul,Chap 12 Arti. 5 is both Lawful & Useful in sundry respects; but in case any be un­able to make their Personal Relation of their Spiritual Estate in Publick,Arti. 4. it is sufficient, that the Elders having receiv­ed private Satisfaction, make Relation thereof in Publick, before the Church, they testifying their Assent thereunto: [Page 10] This being the way, which tends most unto Edification.

(XXI.)

Church-Members may not remove or depart from the Church,Chap. 13 Arti. 1. & so from one another, as they please, without weighty Causes; about which the Church it self should be consulted withal. To Separate from a Church,Arti. 2. out of Contempt of their Holy Fellowship, or out of Coveteousness, giving just Grief to the Church; or out of Schism, or want of Love; & out of a Spirit of Contention, in respect of some unkindness,Arti. 5. or some evil only conceived, or indeed in the Church, which might & should be born & heal'd with a Spirit of meekness, & of which evil the Church is not yet Convinced nor Admonished; For these or the like reasons, to with­draw from Publick Communion, in Word, or Seals, or censures, is unlawful & Sinful.Arti. 6. But such Members, as have orderly removed their Habitation, ought to joyn unto the Church in order, where they do inhabit: the Examples of some neglecting to do so, being tolerated, it threatens confusion of Churches. And a Member thus removing should have Letters Testimonial, Arti. 7. and of Dismis­sion, from the Church, unto that where­to he desireth to be joined.

(XXII.)

If an Offence be private, (one Bro­ther offending another,) the Brother offended, is privately to Admonish the Offender of it:Chap. 14 Arti. 2. If the Offender hear not his Brother, the Offended is to take with him one or two more; If still he hear not, the Offended Bro­ther is, by the mouth of the Elders, to tell the Church; if yet he be not convinced of his Offence, a publick Admonition is to be dispensed unto him, which doth also withold and suspend him from the Holy Fellowship of the Lords Supper, till his Offence be remo­ved by paenitent Confession. If he still continue obstinate, they are by Excommunication to cast him out.

(XXIII.)

If an Offence be more publick at first,Chap 14 Arti. 3. and of a more heinous and criminal Nature, as condemned by the very Light of Nature, the Church, without such gradual proceeding, is to cast out the Offender from their Holy Communi­on. But yet, in dealing with an Of­fender, our proceeding must be,Arti. 4. with a Spirit of Meekness, considering our selves, lest we also be tempted: and the Win­ning and Healing the Offenders Soul, [...] also the end of these Endeavours, [Page 12] we must not heal the Wounds of our Brethren slightly. Chap. 14 Arti. 2 But upon his Repen­tance, giving of Glory to God, we are to Forgive him, and Comfort him, & Restore him to the wonted Brotherly Communion.

(XXIV.)

While the offender does remain Ex­communicate, Chap. 14 Arti. 5. the Church is to refrain from their former Communion with him in Spiritual things: and from all famili­ar Communion with him, in Civil things also, further than the necessity of natural, domestick, or Civil Relations, doth re­quire.Arti. 6. But yet, Excommunication, doth not prejudice the Excommunicate in any of his civil Rights: The liberty of Hearing the Word, may also be permitted unto him: yea, because we are not without hope of his Recovery, we are still to Admonish him as a Brother.

(XXV.)

Separation from a Church, wherein Profane & Scandalous Persons are to­lerated,Chap. 14 Arti. 9. is not presently necessary: It is unreasonable, that a Godly man should neglect his duty, and punish himself by not coming for his portion in the Blessing of the Seals, as be ought, because others are suffered to come that ought not; especially considering [Page 13] that himself doth neither consent to their Sin, nor to their approaching to the Or­dinance in their Sin, nor to the neglect of others who should put them away, but on the contrary, doth heartily mourn for these things, and modestly stir up others to do what ought to be done. If the Church cannot be reformed, they may use their Liberty.

(XXVI.)

Although Churches be Distinct, Chap. 15 Arti. 1. and Equal, yet they ought to preserve Church communion one with another, not only by a mutual care of each others welfare, and Relief & Succour admi­nistred unto each other in various Ne­cessities, but also, in a way of Consultation:Arti. 2. and when any Church wants Light or Peace among themselves, it is a way of Communion of Churches, to meet toge­ther, by their Elders & other Messengers, in a Synod, who having found out the way of Truth and Peace,Arti. 2. are to com­mend the same unto the Churches con­cerned.

(XXVII.)

In case any Publick Offence be found in a Church, which either they do not Discern,Chap 15 Arti. 2 or are slow in using means to Remove, One Church, may without u­surpation Admonish them; and if the Church that lyeth under Offence, do [...] hearken unto the Church which [Page 14] doth admonish them, that Church is to acquaint other Neighbour-Churches with that Offence, and of their neglect of the Brotherly Admoniti­on given unto them. Hereupon, these other Churches, are to join in Seconding the Admonition formerly gi­ven; and if still the Offending Church continue in Obstinacy▪ & Impeniten­cy, they may forbear Communion with them; and are to proceed to make use of the Help of a Synod, or Council of Neighbour-Churches, walking orderly, (if a greater cannot conveniently be had,) for their Conviction. If they hear not the Synod, the Synod having declared them to be obstinate, particu­lar Churches, approving and accepting the Judgment of the Synod, are to de­clare the Sentence of Non Communion respectively concerning them. Never­theless, if any Members of such a Church as Liveth under publick Offence, in due sort bear witness against the Offence, they are still to be received unto won­ted Communion with the Neighbour-Churches: and after due Waiting, they may (with the allowance of a Coun­cil or Neighbour Churches) be recei­ved into some other Church as if they had been orderly Dismissed from their own.

(XXVIII)

The Members of One Church, Chap. 15 Arti. 2. occa­sionally coming to another may be there admitted unto Sacraments; but if they remove for a Time, Letters of Recommendation, are proper:Chap 13 Arti. [...] & Chur­ches may afford one of their own Mi­nisters, to supply the place of an ab­sent Minister of another Church for a needful season.

(XXIX)

When a Company of Believers pur­pose to gather into Church Fellowship, Chap. 13. Arti. 3▪ it is requisite for their safer proceeding, and the maintaining of the Commu­nion of Churches, that they signify their Intent unto the Neighbour▪ Church­es, walking according unto the Order of the Gospel, and desire their presence, and help, and Right Hand of Fellow­ship, which they ought readily to give unto them, when there is no just cause to except against their proceedings:

(XXX.)

It belongeth unto Synods and Coun­cils to debate and determine Controver­sies of Faith, and Cases of Conscience;Chap. 16 Arti. 4 to clear from the Word, holy Directi­ons for the Holy Worship of God, and Good Government of the Church; to bear witness against Male Administra­tion, & Corruption in Doctrine or Man­ners, [Page 16] and give directions for the Reformation thereof? but not to exercise Church-Censures in way of Dis­cipline, nor any other act of Church-Authority or Jurisdiction.

(XXXI.)

The Synods Directions and Determinations, so far as consonant unto the Word of God, are to be received with Reverence and Sub­mission,Chap. 16. Arti. 5. & this not only for their Agree­ment therewith, (which is the principal Ground thereof, & without which they bind not at all) but also secondarily for the power whereby they are made, as being an Ordinance of God appointed thereunto in His Word.

(XXXII.)

Because none are or should be more fit to know the State of the Churches, or to advise of the Wayes for the Good thereof,Chap. 16. Article 6. than Elders, therefore it is fit that in the Choice of the Messengers for Synods, they have a special respect unto Such; yet, inasmuch as in the Assembly met at Jerusalem, not only Elders, but other Brethren were assembled, therefore Synods are to con­sist, both of Elders, and of other Brethren, Endued with Gifts, and sent by the Churches: (not Exclud­ing the presence of any Brethren in the Churches.)

(XXXIII.)

Magistrates have power to Call a Synod, by cal­ling on the Churches to Send their El­ders and other Messengers, Chap. 16. Article 3. to Counsil and Assist them in Matters of Religion; but yet the Constituting of a Synod is a Church act, and may be transacted by the Churches, even when the Civil Magistrates may be Enemies to the Churches and their Assemblies.