V. For the ends of our Office,1 in obedience to the Lord, we Agree and Resolve in the strength of Christ, to exercise so much of Church-Government and Discipline, in the Churches committed to our charge, as we discern to be our certain duty; that is, to keep order and decency in the holy Assemblies, and see that all be done to edification: Convicting seducers, and stopping the mouths of perverse gain-sayers; Overseeing the several members of our charge; and requiring them to walk obediently to Christ, and do their duties towards each other: to Reprove the gross and scandalous offenders: and if they continue impenitent or unreformed, to tell the Church, or rebuke them before all; (and publicly pray for their recovery): And if they hear not the Church, but remain impenitent and unreformed, after sufficient reproof and patience, to put away such persons from among us, declaring against them the threatenings of the Lord, and requiring them to forbear Communion with the Church, and requiring the Church to avoid them, and have no familiarity or communion with them, as persons unmeet for the communion of Saints. And those that credibly profess Repentance, we are to ⟨p. 19⟩Absolve Ministerially in the name of Christ, and comfort with the promises of Grace; receiving them, and requiring the people to receive them, as Brethren, into their Communion: but warning them to watch and sin so no more, lest worse befall them. This holy Discipline, by the help of God, we shall exercise faithfully and impartially, but yet with caution and moderation; neglecting no necessary consultations with other Pastors, or concurrence of the Church: and consenting to be responsible for male-administrations.
V. For the ends of our Office,1 in obedience to the Lord, we Agree and Resolve in the strength of Christ, to exercise so much of Church-Government and Discipline, in the Churches committed to our charge, as we discern to be our certain duty; that is, to keep order and decency in the holy Assemblies, and see that all be done to edification: Convicting seducers, and stopping the mouthes of perverse gain-sayers; Overseeing the several members of our charge; and requiring them to walk obediently to Christ, and do their duties towards each other: to Reprove the gross and scandalous offenders: and if they continue impenitent or unreformed, to tell the Church, or rebuke them before all; (and publickly pray for their recovery): And if they hear not the Church, but remain impenitent and unreformed, after sufficient reproof and patience, to put away such persons from among us, declaring against them the threatnings of the Lord, and requiring them to forbear Communion with the Church, and requiring the Church to avoid them, and have no familiarity or communion with them, as persons unmeet for the communion of Saints. And those that credibly profess Repentance, we are to ⟨p. 19⟩Absolve Ministerially in the name of Christ, and comfort with the promises of Grace; receiving them, and requiring the people to receive them, as Brethren, into their Communion: but warning them to watch and sin so no more, lest worse befall them. This holy Discipline, by the help of God, we shall exercise faithfully and impartially, but yet with caution and moderation; neglecting no necessary consultations with other Pastors, or concurrence of the Church: and consenting to be responsible for male-administrations.
- 1Art. 5. For Discipline.
