IT appears a Duty incumbent on us, whom the Hand of the Glorious LORD that is the King of Zion, hath Placed as Paſtors and Watchmen of Churches in a City ſet upon an Hill, to Publiſh unto the World, and leave with the Churches throughout the Country, a Teſtimony, relating to the Order of the Goſpel: And Expreſſing; (that ſo they whom we addreſs, may the more ſuitably Receive the Teſtimony) the Sentiments of our Synods, and of ſuch Divines as have been in ſome Sort Maſter-builders among thoſe by whom our Churches have been Edified: whoſe Thoughts cannot but Challenge a Great Attention, from thoſe to whom GOD has made them the Inſtruments of ſo much Illumination. The Deſign of our preſent Action being partly to do a Juſtice unto the Reputation of Churches, the Managements as well as Miniſters whereof ſhould be the Glory of CHRIST, and partly, to make an offer of what may be of ſome uſe, to direct their Steps on recurring Occaſions that may ariſe of no little Conſequence to their Tranquillity; we may Comfortably Ask and Hope for the Bleſſing of Heaven upon it.

I. THE firſt Caſe that at this Time calls for our Conſideration, is, The Releaſe of a Paſtor from the Solemn Charge of a Congregation, which he has taken upon him. Upon this there have been once and again Publiſhed, ſome Determinations, which have been Entertained without Exception in our Churches; From whence, (without Repeating the Cauſes of a Removal there allowed of) we tranſcribe theſe words, as Expreſſive of what we would have ever to be thought upon. [Thirty Caſes.] A Paſtor ſettled in the Service of a People, is to be ſo ſenſible of his Deſignation by the Spirit & Providence of the Lord JESUS CHRIST for that Service, and of the Account that he muſt give unto GOD about his Behaviour in it, that his Removal muſt not be raſhly attempted, but with much Conſideration, Conſultation, Supplication, and Sincere Deſire to follow the Conduct of Heaven in it. The Frowns of GOD uſe to follow Removes, that have not ſo been Regulated. Again That the will of our Lord about the Removal of any Paſtor from his People may be underſtood, it is requiſite, that the Miniſter do not entirely Aſſume to himſelf, the Judgment of his own Call to Remove, but a Great Regard muſt be had unto the Direction of the Churches of our Lord, in the Neighbourhood. Once more. If much of Scandal will certainly enſue upon the Removal of a Paſtor from his People, That ſhould weigh down many Circumſtances that would rather invite it. And, It becomes not any Miniſter, to Seek his own Tranſlation, by firſt offering himſelf unto it. It is accordingly our Apprehenſion, that ſuch a Removal ought ſtill to be attended, at leaſt with Two Qualifications to Legitimate it, and render it Inoffenſive unto the Churches of GOD.

Firſt. IT is requiſite, that the Reaſons of the Removal be laid before Authentick Judges; even ſuch as may be moſt likely to paſs an Impartial Judgment upon them; and by theſe be pronounced ſuch, that the Removal thereupon may be Juſtly & Wiſely proceeded in. And, where it can be obtained, we think, that nothing leſs than a Council of Churches in the Neighbourhood, ſhould have the Matter laid before them. For, if ſuch a Council, be according to the Order and Practice, of theſe Churches, always Convened, for the Ordaining of a Paſtor, it ſtands to Reaſon, that there ſhould as much be requiſite for his Removing; it being, as it was by a very confiderable Number of Eminent Divines on a Great Occaſion in theſe Churches once pronounced, A very conſiderable Act of the Kingly Government Exerciſed by our Lord JESUS CHRIST, in His Churches. Accordingly, a General Synod, in the Year 1662. have determined, That the Tranſlation of a Paſtor, is a Point, wherein the Communion of Churches is to be Exerciſed; and the chief way of Communion there Propounded, is Expreſsly that of Councils. And certainly ſo Important an Affair will demand ſuch a Cogniſance. Wherefore, If a Miniſter be upon a Removal from his Flook, eſpecially when there are no ſufficient Cauſes Evident for it, and the Flock Earneſtly Propound and Requeſt, that the thing may be laid before a Council of the Neighbour-Churches, but he refuſe it, it may be feared, that it is an Hour of Temptation with him, and that his Way is not Right before the LORD.

Secondly. IT is requiſite, that the Reaſons be found ſuch as are Conſiſtent with the Solemn Vow, which a Perſon who receives the Paſtoral Charge of a Church, makes unto our Glorious LORD, for the ſaithful Diſcharge of his Miniſtry, and the Labour & Patience of One that muſt give up an Account unto Him; and Conſiſtent with the fervent Love, which One that has the Paſtoral Charge of a Church, ought to bear unto his Flock; having them in his Heart, as the Servant of GOD ſpeaks. To Die and to Live with them. Very Plain are the Directions of that Word, which they Preach unto others; [Act. XX. 28.] To have regard unto all the Flock, unto which the Holy Spirit has made them Overſeers, & 〈…〉 of GOD, which He has purchſed with His own Blood. And [1 Pet. V. 2.] To feed the flock of GOD, taking the Overſight thereof, not by Conſtraint, but willingly, and with a Ready Mind. And according hereunto, there can be nothing more ſuitable for them, then that Language; [1 Theſ II. 8.] Being affectionately deſirous of you, we were 〈…〉 . Imparted unto you, not the Goſpel 〈…〉 ly, but alſo our own Souls, becauſe ye were dear unto us. And, [2 Cor.XII. 5.] I will very gladly ſpend, and be ſpent for you, tho' the more abundantly I love you the leſs I am loved of you. Moſt certainly, No Views that are of a meer Carnal Tendency, may operate in ſuch a concern as this, where the flaming Eyes of an Heart-ſearching LORD, who walks in the Midſt of His Churches, will with an Holy Diſpleaſure obſerve them. Nor may the Churches have Stumbling-blocks laid before them, to tempt them unto Hard or Mean Thoughts of the Miniſtry from whence they Expect the Word of Truth, and the Goſpel of their Salvation.

II. ANOTHER Caſe that calls for our Conſideration, is; How the Right of a Particular Church to Chuſe their own Paſtor, is to be Exerciſed. Now herein we for ever adhere to the Sentiments, which we have ſome Years ago, declared in theſe Terms. A Body of Chriſtians Aſſociated for all the Ordinances of the Goſpel, are a CHURCH of our Glorious LORD, which have among other precious Privileges, a Right from HIM, To Chuſe their own Paſtors. The Churches which have Recovered this Right from the Oppreſſion of Man, under which many Churches of the Reformation are to this day groaning, ought to keep the Precepts and the Favours of the Lord, and not eaſily part with what He has given them. NEVERTHELESS, A Church in the Exerciſe of this Right, ought in all poſſible ways conſiſtent therewithal, to conſult the Edification and Satisfaction of their Neighbours; Eſpecially thoſe, on whoſe Aſſiſtance to carry on their Affairs, they may have much Dependence. The Church ought ſo to Manage their Choice, that if the Neighbours have any juſt Diſſatisfaction, all the Reſpect required by Scripture and Reaſon, and Gratitude, may be paid unto it.

And long before this Inſtrument, which was given ſome Years ago, it was declared in the well-known, Thirty Caſes; That a Particular Church owing a Great Regard unto the Church Catholick, in the uſing of its own Right, is bound to Conſult the Satisfaction and Edification of Others, in their Election of a Paſtor. And, That Churches in their Election of a Paſtor, are to conſider the Benefit of All that are to be his Hearers, and more particularly the Concurrence of ſuch, as are by the Covenant and Appointment of GOD, under the Church-Watch among them. And, That Churches may ſuffer their Elections to be Directed, yea, and be Diverted, by Conſiderations, which they owe to others in the Vicinity, without Surrendring their Liberties to be Smothered by any that would unjuſtly Impoſe thereupon.

UNTO this, we now add our further Declaration, That a Church may be guilty of doing what is very Wrong, if they uſe the Right which they claim, in ſuch a way, as to forget thoſe Indiſpenſable Maxims of our SAVIOUR. [Rom.XIV. 19.] Let us follow the things that make for Peace, & things wherewith one may edify another. And, [2 Cor.XII. 26.] Let all Things be done to Edifying. And, [1 Pet. V. 5.] All of you be ſubject one to another. And, [Phil. II. 3.] Let nothing be 〈◊〉 through ſtrife; but in lowlineſs of Mind, let 〈…〉 other better than themſelves. And therefore, if they be a Minor part of the Church, which are earneſtly ſet againſt the 〈◊〉 , which a Major part ſhall make of a 〈◊〉 ; but this Minor part are conſiderable by Number, and behave themſelves as 〈◊〉 Chriſtians, willing to have their 〈◊〉 determin'd by proper Judges, and have 〈◊〉 a Plea of 〈◊〉 for their Diſſent, 〈…〉 appears they cannot without Sin, under their preſent Apprehenſions, Acquieſce in the Choice, and the Conſequences of it, the Church ought now to do nothing Raſhly, but with convenient Pauſes, and with all due Methods for Satisfaction, Wait until it ſhall pleaſe GOD, that the Diſſatisfyed Brethren ſhall have no cauſe to Complain of an Oppreſſion upon them; Eſpecially, when the condition of a Church, may be ſuch, that their Immediate Proceeding unto a Settlement ſhall not be abſolutely Neceſſary.

III. A Third Caſe calling for our Conſideration, is, The Power of Councils, and the Reſpect which particular Churches and Perſons owe unto them. Now our Platform does in Expreſs Terms aſſert, That Synods orderly aſſembled, are an Ordinance of CHRIST, and many times neceſſary to the well-being of Churches, for the Eſtabliſhment of Truth and Peace therein. [ch. 6. §. 1.] And, That when any Church wants Light or Peace among themſelves, Churches ought to meet together by their Elders and other Meſſengers, in a Synod, to conſider the Point in Doubt or Difference, and having found out the way of Truth and Peace, 〈◊〉 commend the ſame unto the Churches whom 〈◊〉 may concern. [ch. 15. §. 2.] And more particularly, That Neighbour-Churches are 〈◊〉 be adviſed withal, and their Help uſed, when Paſtors are to be tried and choſen. [ch. 8. §. 8.] And a General Synod of our Churches, 1662. has directed, That Churches do ſeek and accept Help from, and give Help to, each other, in Matters of more than ordinary Importance, as Ordination, Tranſlation, and Depoſition of Elders, and ſuch like. Agreeably to which, the Law of the Colony once required, the Approbation of Three or Four Churches, to every Ordination. And thoſe Divines who have Seemed to be Pillars in the Revived Congregational Diſcipline eſpouſed by our Churches, have generally expreſſed the ſame concern, that the Uſage & Honour of Eccleſiaſtical Councils, might be Maintained. The Synod at the Savoy, Earneſtly aſſerts, That it is according to the Mind of CHRIST that Churches holding Communion together, do by their Meſſengers Meet in a Synod, or Council, to conſider and give Advice,— [Theſ. 26.] On ſuch occaſions as the Churches in this Country have alſo thought proper to come under ſuch a Cogniſance. The famous Apologiſts, (Dr. T. Goodwyn, Mr. Nye, Mr. Simpſon, Mr. Burroughs, Mr. Bridge,) p. 16. &c. aſſert an Obligation hereunto, in the Common Law of Communion of Churches. Yea they profeſs, they look upon it as the moſt to be abhorred Maxim, and the moſt Contradictory and Diſhonourable to Chriſtianity that a Single and Particular Society of Men Profeſſing the Name of Chriſt, and pretending to be Endowed with power from Chriſt, ſhould arrogate unto themſelves an Exemption from giving an Account, or being cenſurable by Neighbour-Churches about them. So far (ſay theſe Supereminent Divines of the Congregational way) were our Judgments from that INDEPENDENT Liberty, which has been imputed to us. Dr. Ames Maintains That as the Right of calling an Ordinary Miniſter, is in the Church, which he is to ſerve, ſo, that Matters of Great Weight ſhould be managed as much as may be, with the Conſent of Particular Churches, confederated in Synods. [Med. l. 1. c. 39. §. 27, 30, 32, 36.] And, The Elders of New-England, in their Anſwer to the XXXII. Queſtions, p. 64. profeſs their Entire Conſent with Dr. Ames. 27. Mr. Burroughs, in his Irenicum, ſays, [p. 43.] Thoſe in the Congregational Way acknowledge, that they are bound in Conſcience, to give Account of their Ways, to Churches about them: And that Synods are an Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt, for the helping of the Church againſt Errors, Schiſms, and Scandals. And that theſe Synods may, by the Power they have from Chriſt, Admoniſh Men or Churches in His Name, when they ſee Evils continuing in, or growing upon the Church. Yea They may by a Solemn Act in the Name of Jeſus Chriſt, refuſe any further Communion with them until they Repent. Mr. Cottons Book of, The Keys has all along been of high Account in the Churches of this Country; And in that Book, (as well as in the Preface to it Written by Dr. Goodwin,) there is a full Teſtimony born, to the Intereſt which Councils ought to have in ordering the Affairs of Conſociated Churches. It is more particularly ſaid, That it is an holy Ordinance of CHRIST, for Particular Churches to joyn together, in a Conſociation among themſelves, to adminiſter their Church-affairs, which are of Weighty & Difficult & common concernment, not without common conſultation, and conſent, of other Churches about them. Now Church-affairs of Weighty and Difficult, and common concernment, we account to be, the Election and Ordination of Elders, Excommunication of an Elder, or any perſon of Publick Note,—and Employment; the Tranſlation of an Elder from one Church to another. Mr. Hooker's Survey, (Preface, p. 11.) obſerves. Conſociation of Churches is not only lawful, but in ſome caſes neceſceſſary. When cauſes are difficult & particular Churches want light and help, they ſhould crave the aſſiſtance of ſuch a conſociation. Churches ſo meeting, have right to counſel, rebuke, &c. as the caſe doth require. In caſe any particular Church ſhall walk pertinaciouſly, either in the profeſſion of Error, or ſinful practice, and will not hear their counſel, they may and ſhould renounce the right hand of fellowſhip with them. Dr. Owen, in ſeveral of his Treatiſes does advance Poſitions of the ſame Aſpect on the Neceſſity & Authority of Regular Councils, for the welfare of particular Churches. In one of his former, [Catech. p. 224.] he ſays, Churches ought to preſerve a Mutual Holy communion, and Exerciſe it in making uſe of the Advice of one another. And in caſe any Church give offence to other Churches, other Churches may require an Account from them. Admeniſh them of their Faults, & withold Communion from them, in caſe they perſiſt in the Error of their way; and that becauſe in their Difficulties, and before their Miſcarriages, they were bound to have deſired the Advice of other Churches; which being neglected by them, the other are to recover the End of it unto the utmoſt of their Ability. Thus Dr. Owen. And in one of his laſt, he has theſe Memorable words. [Nat. of Church. part 2. p. 251.] No Church is ſo Independent, as that it can always, and in all caſes obſerve the Duties it owes unto the Lord CHRIST, and the Church Catholick by all thoſe Powers, which it is able to act in it ſelf diſtinctly, without Conjunction with others. And the Church that confines its Duty unto the Acts of its own Aſſemblies, cuts it ſelf off from the External Communion of the Church Catholick: nor will it be ſafe for any Man to commit the conduct of his Soul to ſuch a Church.— Every Particular Church which Extends not its Duty, beyond its own Aſſemblies and Members, is fallen off from the principal End of its Inſtitution. And every Principle, Opinion, or Perſwaſion, that inclines any Church to confine its Care & Duty unto its own Edification only; — is Schiſmatical. But Great has been the Army of them that have Publiſhed ſuch Truths as theſe, whereof ſomething may be further ſeen in, The firſt Principles of New-England, Printed in the Year 1675. Unto all which we may add, what our celebrated Norton, has in his Laſt Sermons; Particularly, that paſſage, Let us acknowledge the Order of the Elderſhip in out Churches, in their Way, and the Order of Councils in their Way, duely back'd & Encouraged; without which, Experience will witneſs that theſe Churches cannot long conſiſt. Nor are the words of the worthy Mr. Samuel Danforth, (once Paſtor of Roxbury,) in his Election-Sermon, in the Year 1670. unworthy to be recited. In our Firſt and Beſt Times, what Pious Cate was there of Siſter Churches, — that in thoſe that wanted Peace, their Diſſenſions might be healed? What Readineſs was there in thoſe Days to call for the Help of Neighbour Elders & Brethren in caſe of any Difference or Diviſion that could not be healed at home? What Reverence was there then of the Sentence of a Council, as being Decicive, and iſſuing the Controverſy? According to that Ancient Proverbial ſaying, They ſhall ſurely ask Counſel at Abel, and ſo they Ended the Matter.

FROM whence, it will follow That if any of our Churches preſume to Tranſact their more Weighty Affairs, and ſuch as are of a Common Concern to the Churches in their Neighbourhood, with a Contempt of ſuch Councils of them as ought to be adviſed withal; or, if they ſhall upon grievous Differences ariſen among them, refuſe the Advice of thoſe who urge them to make uſe of the Remedy, which the want of Light & Peace among them calleth for: and much more, if they ſhall proceed in Matters after the Neighbouring Churches have ſignified, that they cannot countenance their proceedings; thoſe Churches will be far from Expreſſing the Wiſdom which is with the well-adviſed; and will greatly Sin againſt the Second and Third Commandment; and will practically go too far towards Excluding themſelves from Communion with the Churches of the Faithful. Indeed, the more Councils & Synods are diſregarded & ſlighted, ſo much the more diſorder and confuſion will (we fear) grow & prevail in all the Churches in the Country; which GOD of His Infinite Mercy prevent.

IV. CONCERNING the Caſe of Reinſtalling a Tranſlated Paſtor, which may alſo call for ſome Conſideration; we need only Report, what has been the Practice, of our Churches, in thoſe very Few Examples, that have been moſt generally approved of. The Paſtor having been (with the Advice of a Council) Regularly Releaſed, and then Diſmiſſed, from the Church where to he has been Related, the Church, whereto he has been upon a Tranſlation, have ſent unto the Neighbour Churches, to come and countenance his Inſtalment, as they do for an ordinary Ordination. The Inſtalment has been with all the Circumſtances & Solemnities of an Ordination. Only, the Impoſition of Hands, (which formerly was Renewed on ſuch Occaſions; Not as a Re-Ordination to the Miniſtry, but as a Diſignation to the Charge of the Particular Flock:) has been laid aſide of Latter time, in a Compliance with the Conſcientious Indiſpoſition to it, in ſome worthy Miniſters arriving from Foreign Parts among us, and invited into the Paſtoral Care of our Churches. But yet a Charge has been uſed to be given by the Moderator, for the faithful Diſcharge of his Miniſtry, in this Place; and ſuitable Prayers accompany'd it; unto which has been added, The Right Hand of Fellowſhip, from the Churches. And indeed, All ſuch Things ought for ever to be done Decently and in Order. And as we hear, Unbiaſſed Strangers coming among us, have ſometimes confeſſed, That the moſt Solemn Actions they have ever ſeen in their Lives, have been the Ordinations in the Churches of New-England; ſo we cannot but wiſh, that they may never loſe any thing of their Solemnity.

To which end we find reaſon alſo to add our Teſtimony againſt all Indecency and Irregularity in the Management of a Publick Diſſent from and Oppoſition unto the Ordination or Inſtalment of a Paſtor over a Flock, whenſoever there may be Occaſion for ſo Melancholly an Action, which rarely happens. We acknowledge the Right that every Chriſtian has, and much more, that any Number of aggreived Brethren have, in an orderly Manner to object and declare againſt the Ordination of a Miniſter, or his Induction into the Paſtoral Office over a Particular Flock, when they apprehend Sufficient Reaſons for doing ſo. But then Chriſtianity requires that this be done, when it becomes neceſſary, with much Modeſty & Calmneſs, Meekneſs and Gravity, Wiſdom and Seriouſneſs; and not with a Noiſe, Wrath & Bitterneſs, Diſagreeable to ſuch a Solemnity. Wherefore alſo, every Church ought very Carefully to avoid all Provocations, that may have a Tendency to drive things unto ſuch Extremities; and therefore Seaſonably to hear, and duely to Conſider, what the Diſſatisfied may have to offer.

FINALLY; We know not what Irregularities may come to be committed in any of our Churches, as Days of Temptation, and of Defection, may grow upon us. The Caſe may ſo happen, [with Sad Reflection may we ſay ſo!] that Churches may with much Temerity, Reject the Advice of Other Churches, and carry on their Affairs with ſo much Diſorder and Confuſion, as may open the Floodgates for a Torrent of Strife and Sin to break in, and much Damage ariſe to the Kingdom of GOD. In this Deplorable Caſe, there is an awful Proceedure directed in our Platform. [ch 15. §. 2.] If a Church be Rent with Diviſions among themſelves, or ly under any Open Scandal, and yet refuſe to Conſult with other Churches, for healing or removing of the ſame, it is Matter of juſt Offence, both to the Lord JESUS, and to other Churches. — And therefore the State of ſuch a Church calleth aloud upon other Churches, to Exerciſe a fuller Act of Brotherly Communion; to wit, By way of Admonition.—And, If ſtill the Offending Church continue in Obſtinacy and Impenitency, — and if they hear not the Synod. — the Synod having declared them to be Obſtinate, Particular Churches, — are to declare the Sentence of Non-Communion reſpectively concerning them. And tho' for ſome ſpecial Reaſons, in ſuch a Day, it may ſo fall out, that the Churches may not haſten unto ſuch an Awful Proceedure, Yet it becomes thoſe concerned, ſeriouſly to Conſider what is their Duty, leaſt the Holy LORD, who Walks in the midſt of His Churches, and is a GOD that will not be mocked, may teſtify His Diſpleaſure in ways that are greatly to be trembled at: For, Our GOD is a conſuming Fire: And, He is Terrible in His Holy Places.