Weighty questions discussed I. Whether imposition of hands in separating a person to the…

There is a difference between a Ministers helping another Church destitute of an Officer, in seeding them with the Word and Sacraments, a joining with others in the Ordination of a Pastor to them, and exercising Discipline in that Church, in case of Scandal. The Church hath some Power to help it self in this Case, tho no Pastor.

There is a difference between a Ministers helping another Church destitute of an Officer, in seeding them with the Word and Sacraments, a joyning with others in the Ordination of a Pastor to them, and exercising Discipline in that Church, in case of Scandal. The Church hath some Power to help it self in this Case, tho no Pastor.

For instance, a Pastor of a Church not far from us in the time of Persecution leaves England, goes beyond-Sea many miles; this Church had none to seed them: they desired help of their Neighbour Ministers, who accordingly did afford them help; some preached, some baptized their Infants, and others Administered the Lord's Supper to them. One of the Church fell very foully, being seduced by another Professor; the Scandal very great, so that the Hearts of good People very sad, but our Enemies rejoiced; it made such a noise in the Country, many miles about us, that the like I believe have not been known in these Parts. I was desired to preach there; when I had done my Sermon, a Writing was delivered to me, wherein the Church desired me to declare to the Congregation [which was then very great, being no Sermon in the public place] their abhorrency of such Acts, and withal desired me to inform them what was their Duty, what they ought to do in such a Case as this. I gave them my thoughts thus: You are but a Homogeneal Body, and so have no power to Excommunicate, that being an Act of Authority; nor have I any power to call the person to an account, and excommunicate: But yet this you may do, since the person was admitted into Church-Fellowship and Communion with your consent, ⟨p. 16⟩she having fallen so foully, dishonoured God so greatly, and opened the mouths of Men against Godliness, you should first meet together, and humble your Souls before God, that there should be such Dishonour brought to his Name, by one of your Church. Then, First, You have the Lord's Supper Administered sometimes amongst you; there you may deny Communion with her. Secondly, You have times when your Church only meet together, for Prayer, mutual Conference, &c. You may there deny her Communion also; but when you meet publicly with others, there you should not deny, but she may be present at Prayer, being it is natural Worship; tho she were actually excommunicated, and rendered as a Heathen; I have seen the Indians present with us, at Prayer, and Preaching, tho' as yet they had not embraced Christianity. Thirdly, As for the Civil Familiarity you had with her before, you ought to suspend that too,