which Communion is to be extended, even as far as our Natural Capacity extendeth, and the Edification or Preservation of the Churches shall require it.
And thus the Presbyterians and Congregational Men are agreed, if they are willing. If all will not, let those agree that have hearts, and not stay for the rest.
And here you see a Satisfaction to your two Demands. My Question was, What are the things that the Congregational must have, and will insist on, the denial whereof doth binder our Unity and Agreement. Your Answer was in these words, [To manage all Church Affairs by the Elders and Brethren within themselves, and without dependence, unless for Advice, on any other Ecclesiastical Power. 2. To take in such as are qualified and freely offer themselves to join, though of other Parishes. Yet so, as if a particular Church in that Parish, which for the Substance is gathered, according to the Order of the Gospel, and the Party a Member thereof, an account is to be given to the Church or the Elders of it, of the Cause of his removal, that it may be, if possible, with consent.] And this is all that hinders our Agreement it seems. Alas, 1. For the first, it is granted you in terminis, only in point of Ordination: yield but to be Ordained by Teaching Elders, which you confess lawful, and others think necessary. And remember, 1. That to depend on other Ecclesiastical Power, even for Advice, is a great dependence. 2. That to depend on them, not as a Superior Power, but as a Link upon the Chain, for Union and Communion, we can never exempt you from, nor will you sure desire it. There is a fourfold Advice; 1. An Authoritative Advice of Governors (as Parents, Schoolmasters, Pastors,) to their Inferiors, who are bound to obey them, on a double account, ratione materiae & authoritatis. Thus the Pastors in a Synod advise their Flocks conjunctly. 2. The Authoritative Advice of one Officer to another. And so, as we preach to one another, I think as Christ's Ministers, we must advise one another. 3. An Advice of a Major part among Equals in Order to Union and Concord, and this is the Principal to be respected in these Conventions. 4. An Advice of a private Person, not authorized by Office, and this binds but ratione materiae, &c. 2.
which Communion is to be extended, even as far as our Natural Capacity extendeth, and the Edification or Preservation of the Churches shall require it.
And thus the Presbyterians and Congregational Men are agreed, if they are willing. If all will not, let those agree that have hearts, and not stay for the rest.
And here you see a Satisfaction to your two Demands. My Question was, What are the things that the Congregational must have, and will insist on, the denial whereof doth binder our Unity and Agreement. Your Answer was in these words, [To manage all Church Affairs by the Elders and Brethren within themselves, and without dependance, unless for Advice, on any other Ecclesiastical Power. 2. To take in such as are qualified and freely offer themselves to joyn, though of other Parishes. Yet so, as if a particular Church in that Parish, which for the Substance is gathered, according to the Order of the Gospel, and the Party a Member thereof, an account is to be given to the Church or the Elders of it, of the Cause of his removal, that it may be, if possible, with consent.] And this is all that hinders our Agreement it seems. Alas, 1. For the first, it is granted you in terminis, only in point of Ordination: yield but to be Ordained by Teaching Elders, which you confess lawful, and others think necessary. And remember, 1. That to depend on other Ecclesiastical Power, even for Advice, is a great dependance. 2. That to depend on them, not as a Superiour Power, but as a Link upon the Chain, for Union and Communion, we can never exempt you from, nor will you sure desire it. There is a fourfold Advice; 1. An Authoratative Advice of Governours (as Parents, Schoolmasters, Pastors,) to their Inferiours, who are bound to obey them, on a double account, ratione materiae & authoritatis. Thus the Pastors in a Synod advise their Flocks conjunctly. 2. The Authoratative Advice of one Officer to another. And so, as we preach to one another, I think as Christ's Ministers, we must advise one another. 3. An Advice of a Major part among Equals in Order to Union and Concord, and this is the Principal to be respected in these Conventions. 4. An Advice of a private Person, not authorized by Office, and this binds but ratione materiae, &c. 2.
