4. That, when a Church findeth need (in respect of want of light or of competent consent within it self) it is their duty to seek help by the counsel of some other Church or Churches, and the other Church or Churches ought to give it, in a brotherly ⟨p. 8⟩way, from the Word of God, not by the Elders apart, but in the presence, and with concurrence of the Brethren, Acts 15.4, 22, 23. nor may they bind such a Church to rest in their determination, further then the same shall be found, upon searching the Scriptures, to seem g•od to the Holy Ghost, as well as to them, Acts 15.28. or, if Neighbour-Churches find it necessary, to offer their helpfulness to a Church, in case of the Officers Male-administration, or of Errors, and Scandals, and Schisms, and the like cases, to prevent the infection of themselves, or to remove corruption from such a Church, which, being obstinate in their way, seeketh not for help, the Neighbour-Churches ought to exercise the Communion of Churches, by enquiring to find out the truth, and by admonishing the offending Church, in a brotherly way; whereunto that Church ought to submit according to God, R•m. 16.17 G•l. 2.11-14. And, if it obstinately persisteth in scandalous Evils, after convincing light held forth, the offended Churches may renounce communion with them, to avoid fellowship in their sin, Eph. 5.11 1 Tim. 5.22.
4. That, when a Church findeth need (in respect of want of light or of competent consent within it self) it is their duty to seek help by the counsel of some other Church or Churches, and the other Church or Churches ought to give it, in a brotherly ⟨p. 8⟩way, from the Word of God, not by the Elders apart, but in the presence, and with concurrence of the Brethren, Acts 15.4, 22, 23. nor may they bind such a C•urch to rest in their determination, further then the same shall be found, upon searching the Scriptures, to seem g•od to the Holy Ghost, as well as to them, Acts 15.28. or, if Neighbour-Church•s finde it ne•essary, to offer their helpfulness to a Church, in case of the Officers Male-administration, or of Errours, and Scandals, and Schisms, and the like cases, to prevent the infection of themselves, or to remove corruption from such a Church, which, being obstinate in their way, seeketh not for help, the Neighbour-Churches ought to exercise the Comm•nion of Churches, by enquiring to finde out the truth, and by admonishing the offending Church, in a brotherly way; whereunto that Church ought to submit according to God, R•m. 16.17 G•l. 2.11-14. And, if it obstinately persisteth in scandalous Evils, after convincing light held forth, the offended Churches may renounce communion with them, to avoid fellowship in their sin, Eph. 5.11 1 Tim. 5.22.
