A53671:320
A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of…
A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of the New Testament, by way of question and answer with an explication and confirmation of those answers.
London : s.n., 1667
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.
First, To judge of the crime, fault, or offence reported to them; and not to proceed unless they find it to consist in something expressly contrary to the rule of the Gospel, and attested in such manner, and with such evidence, as their mutual love doth require in them, with ⟨p. 199⟩respect unto their Brethren. And they are to judge of the testimony that is given concerning the truth of the offence communicated unto them, that they may not seem either lightly to take up a report against their Brother, or to discredit the testimony of others.
First, To judge of the crime, fault, or offence reported to them; and not to proceed unless they find it to consist in something expresly contrary to the rule of the Gospel, and attested in such manner, and with such evidence, as their mutual love doth require in them, with ⟨p. 199⟩respect unto their Brethren. And they are to judge of the testimony that is given concerning the truth of the offence communicated unto them, that they may not seem either lightly to take up a report against their Brother, or to discredit the testimony of others.
Secondly, In case they find the offence pretended not to be a real offence indeed contrary to the rule of the Gospel, or that it is not aright grounded, as to the evidence of it, but taken up upon prejudice, or an over-easy credulity, contrary to the law of that love which is required amongst Church-members, described 1 Cor. 13. and commanded as the great means of the edification of the Church and preservation of its union, then to convince the brother offended of his mistake, and with him to satisfy the person pretended to be the offender, that no breach or schism may happen among the members of the same body.
Secondly, In case they find the offence pretended not to be a reall offence indeed contrary to the rule of the Gospel, or that it is not aright grounded, as to the evidence of it, but taken up upon prejudice, or an over-easie credulity, contrary to the law of that love which is required amongst Church-members, described