The glory of a true church, and its discipline displayed wherein a true gospel-church…The glory of a true church, and its discipline display'd wherein a true gospel-church…
The glory of a true church, and its discipline displayed wherein a true gospel-church is described : together with the power of the keys, and who are to be let in, and who to be shut out / by Benjamin Keach.The glory of a true church, and its discipline display'd wherein a true gospel-church is described : together with the power of the keys, and who are to be let in, and who to be shut out / by Benjamin Keach.
Benjamin Keach 1640–1704London : s.n., 1697
iv, 5-69 [i.e. 72] p. · 11k words · Wing K66 · ESTC R19810
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
He cannot, saith he, for many Reasons:
1. It is not Decent, much le• an Orderly going away; but very unmannerly, and a kind o• running away.1
2. Such a Departure is not approved of in Families, or Civi Societies.
3. It destroys the Relation o• Pastor and People: For wha• may be done by one individual Person, may be done by all.
4. What Liberty in this kin• belongs to the Sheep, belongs t• the Shepherd; much more he ma• then also leave his Flock at h• Pleasure, without giving notice o• reason thereof to the Church.
Christ, and with the Congregation, and therefore a great Immorality; he being under Obligation to abide steadfastly with the Church; i. e. till the Church judge he hath a lawful Call to go to another Congregation.
6. It's a Schism: For if there be any such thing in the World,
8. It is a particular Member's assuming to himself the use of the Keys; or rather stealing of them.
9. There is as much reason Persons should come into a Church when they please, without asking Consent, as depart when they please.
10. It is very evil and unkind in another Church, to receive such an one, as not doing as they would, or should be dealt with.
11. Such Practices can issue in nothing else than the breach and confusion
of all particular Churches; and make them like Parishes.
12. Such Departures cannot be pleaded for in the least, but upon
⟨p. 42⟩
the notion of a Catholic visible Church, wherein all Members and Officers are run into one Organized Church, which will, and must introduce, a Co-ordinate (if not a Subordinate) Pastoral Government, by combination of Elders, over all the Churches; and therefore by Synods and Classes.
13. It is like a Leak in a Ship, which, if not speedily stopped, will Sink at last.
14. It tends to Anarchy, putting an Arbitrary Power in every Member.
15. It breaks all Bonds of Love, and raiseth the greatest Animosities between Brethren and Churches.
16. It is a great Argument of some Guilt lying-on the Party.
He cannot, saith he, for many Reasons:
1. It is not Decent, much le• an Orderly going away; but very unmannerly, and a kind o• running away.1
2. Such a Departure is not approved of in Families, or Civi• Societies.2
3. It destroys the Relation o• Pastor and People: For wha• may be done by one individua• Person, may be done by all.
4. What Liberty in this kin• belongs to the Sheep, belongs t• the Shepherd; much more he ma• then also leave his Flock at h• Pleasure, without giving notice o• reason thereof to the Church.
35. It is breaking Covenant wit•⟨p. 41⟩Christ, and with the Congregation, and therefore a great Immorality; he being under Obligation to abide stedfastly with the Church; i. e. till the Church judge he hath a lawful Call to go to another Congregation.
6. It's a Schism: For if there be any such thing in the World,4 it's of particular Societies.5
7. It is a despising the Government of the Church.
68. It is a particular Member's assuming to himself the use of the Keys; or rather stealing of them.
9. There is as much reason Persons should come into a Church when they please, without asking Consent, as depart when they please.
10. It is very evil and unkind in another Church, to receive such an one, as not doing as they would, or should be dealt with.
11. Such Practices can issue in nothing else than the breach and confusion 7of all particular Churches; and make them like Parishes.
12. Such Departures cannot be pleaded for in the least, but upon ⟨p. 42⟩the notion of a Catholick visible Church, wherein all Members and Officers are run into one Organized Church, which will, and must introduce, a Co-ordinate (if not a Subordinate) Pastoral Government, by combination of Elders, over all the Churches; and therefore by Synods and Classes.
13. It is like a Leak in a Ship, which, if not speedily stopped, will Sink at last.
14. It tends to Anarchy, putting an Arbitrary Power in ev'ry Member.
15. It breaks all Bonds of Love, and raiseth the greatest Animosities between Bretheren and Churches.
16. It is a great Argument of some Guilt lying-on the Party.
It is no more in the just Power of a particular Member to dissolve his Church-Relation, than in a Man to kill himself: but by his said withdrawment he doth Schismatically rend himself from his Communion, and ⟨p. 43⟩so Separate himself Sinfully.★
Quest.What is the just Act of the Church, that clothes this irregular Separation, with the Formality as it were of an Excomcommunication.
He Answers. (Calling) this a mixed Excommunication i. e. Originally proceeding from, and consists in, the act of the Brother himself, and is the Formality of his Offence; upon which proceeds the just and unviolable act of the Church.
The Judgment of the Church publicly declared by the Elder of the Congregation; as the Dr. words it; viz.
That A. B. having so and so irregularly and sinfully withdrawn himself from the Communion of the Congregation, 2we do now adjudge him a Non-member, 3and one that is not to Communicate with the Church, in the special Ordinances of Communion, 4till due Satisfaction is given by him.
It is no more in the just Power of a particular Member to dissolve his Church-Relation, than in a Man to kill himself: but by his said withdrawment he doth Schismatically rend himself from his Communion, and ⟨p. 43⟩so Separate himself Sinfully.★
Quest.What is the just Act of the Church, that cloathes this irregular Separation, with the Formality as it were of an Excomcommunication.
He Answers. (Calling) this a mixt Excommunication i. e. Originally proceeding from, and consists in, the act of the Brother himself, and is the Formality of his Offence; upon which proceeds the just and unviolable act of the Church.
The Judgment of the Church publickly declared by the Elder of the Congregation; as the Dr. words it; viz.
That A. B. having so and so irregularly and sinfully withdrawn himself from the Communion of the Congregation, 2we do now adjudge him a Non-member, 3and one that is not to Communicate with the Church, in the special Ordinances of Communion, 4till due Satisfaction is given by him.
Yet we believe, as the Dr's Opinion is, that a Church may, (if they find the Case to be warranted ⟨p. 44⟩by the Word of God; or as it may be circumstanced) give a dismission to a Member, when insisted on, to another regular Church, tho not in every case of small Offence, or dissent in some small points of different Notions,1 or from Prejudice; for, that may tend soon to dissolve any Church: For what Church is it, where every Member is of one mind in every particular case and thing about Notions of Religion?
1Let none call the Church a Prison, since all do voluntarily Covenant with it, and 'tis dangerous to break Christ's bonds.
And such that make Divisions, and cause Schisms, or Discord among Brethren,1 to disturb the Peace of the Church, if they cannot be reclaimed,2 must be marked, and dealt with as great Offenders: 3It being one of those things that God hates, and is an abomination to him.
Answ. We answer a Letter Testimonial,1 or Recommendation of the Person; and if he intends to abide there wholly, to give him ⟨p. 45⟩up to that Communion, and Fellowship, 2to be watched over in the Lord.3
Answ. VVe answer a Letter Testimonial,1 or Recommendation of the Person; and if he intends to abide there wholly, to give him ⟨p. 45⟩up to that Communion, and Fellowship, 2to be watched over in the Lord.3
1Of a Let•er of Recommendation.Of a Let•er of Re•ommenda•ion.
I. ONE cause of Discord is, through the Ignorance in some Members of the Rules of Discipline,1 and right Government;2 particularly when that Rule in Matth. 18. is not followed.
But one Person ••kes up an Offence against another, and speaks, of it to this or that Person, before he hath, told the Brother offending, of it; which is a palpable Sin, and a direct violation of Christ's holy Precept: and such must, as Offenders themselves, be in a Gospel way dealt with.
But one Person ••kes up an Offence against another, and speaks, of it to this or that Person, before he hath, told the Brother offending, of it; which is a paspable Sin, and a direct violation of Christ's holy Precept: and such must, as Offenders themselves, be in a Gospel way dealt with.
II Another thing that causes Trouble and Disorder in a Church, ⟨p. 46⟩is want of Love, and tender Affections to one another; as also not having a full sight and sense of the great evil of breaking the Bonds of Peace, and Unity: 1O that all would lay this abominable Evil to Heart, how base a thing it is to break the Peace of a private Family, or Neighbourhood; but much more sinful to disturb the Peace of the Church of the living God, and break the bonds of the Unity thereof. Behold, how good, and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in Unity! But,2 O how ugly and hateful is the contrary!3
II Another thing that causes Trouble and Disorder in a Church, ⟨p. 46⟩is want of Love, and tender Affections to one another; as also not having a full sight and sense of the great evil of breaking the Bonds of Peace, and Vnity: 1O that all would lay this abominable Evil to Heart, how base a thing it is to break the Peace of a private Family, or Neighbourhood; but much more sinful to disturb the Peace of the Church of the living God, and break the bonds of the Vnity thereof. Behold, how good, and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together in Vnity! But,2 O how ugly and hateful is the contrary!3
III. Another disorderly Practice is this, When one Member or another knows of some sinful act, or evils done by one or more Members,1 and they conceal it; or do not act according to the Rule;2 pretending they would not be looked upon as Contentious Persons: but hereby they may become guilty of other Mens Sins, and also suffer the Name of God, and the Church, to lye under Reproach, and all through their neglect. This is a great Iniquity.
III. Another disorderly Practice is this, When one Member or another knows of some sinful act, or evils done by one or more Members,1 and they conceal it; or do not act according to the Rule;2 pretending they would not be lookt upon as Contentious Persons: but hereby they may become guilty of other Mens Sins, and also suffer the Name of God, and the Church, to lye under Reproach, and all thro their neglect. This is a great Iniquity.
