The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

4. THE end of all particular Churches is the Edification of the Church Catholic unto the Glory of God in Christ. And it is evident, that in many Instances this cannot be attained, yea, that it must be sinfully neglected, unless this way for the preservation and carrying of it on be attended unto. Truth, Peace and Love may be lost among Churches, and so the Union of the Catholic Church in them be dissolved, unless this means for their Preservation and Reparation be made use of. And that particular Church which extends not its Duty beyond its own Assemblies and Members, is fallen off from the principal end of its Institution. And every Principle, Opinion, or Persuasion, that inclines any Church to confine its Care and Duty unto its own Edification only; yea, or of those only which agree with it in some peculiar practice, making it neglective of all due means of the Edification of the Church Catholic, is Schismatical.

4. THE end of all particular Churches is the Edification of the Church Catholick unto the Glory of God in Christ. And it is evident, that in many Instances this cannot be attained, yea, that it must be sinfully neglected, unless this way for the preservation and carrying of it on be attended unto. Truth, Peace and Love may be lost among Churches, and so the Vnion of the Catholick Church in them be dissolved, unless this means for their Preservation and Reparation be made use of. And that particular Church which extends not its Duty beyond its own Assemblies and Members, is fallen off from the principal end of its Institution. And every Principle, Opinion, or Perswasion, that inclines any Church to confine its Care and Duty unto its own Edification only; yea, or of those only which agree with it in some peculiar practice, making it neglective of all due means of the Edification of the Church Catholick, is Schismatical.

5. THERE is direction hereunto included in the Order and Method of Church-Proceedings in case of offence, prescribed unto it by Christ himself. The beginning and rise of it, is between two individual Persons; thence is it carried unto the cognizance and judgment of two or three others before unconcerned; from them it is to be brought unto the Church; and there is no doubt but the Church hath Power to determine concerning it, as unto its own Communion, to continue the Offender in it or reject him from it. This must abide, as unto outward Order and the Preservation of Peace. But no Church is Infallible in their judgment absolutely in any case; and in many, their determinations may be so doubtful as not to affect the Conscience of him who is Censured. But such a Person is not only a Member of that particular Church, but by virtue thereof of the Catholic Church also. It is necessary therefore that he should be heard and judged as unto his Interest therein, if he do desire it. And this can no way be done, but by such Synods as we shall immediately describe.