Five disputations of church-government and worship

1. And 1. It is past controversy among us, that Church Governors should watch over each particular soul in their flock, and instruct the ignorant, admonish the fallen, convince gainsayers, counterwork seducers among them, seek to reclaim the wandering, strengthen the weak▪ comfort the distressed, openly rebuke the open obstinate offenders, and if they repent not, to require the Church to avoid their Communion, and to take cognizance of their cause before they are cut off: as also to Absolve the penitent, yea to visit the sick (who are to send for the Elders of the Church▪) and to pray with and for them, &c. yea and to go before them in the worship of God. These are the acts of Church Government that Christ hath appointed, and which each faithful Shepherd must use, and not Excommunication, and ⟨p. 33⟩other Censures and Absolution alone.

1. And 1. It is past controversie among us, that Church Governours should watch over each particular soul in their flock, and instruct the ignorant, admonish the faln, convince gainsayers, counterwork seducers among them, seek to reclaim the wandring, strengthen the weak▪ comfort the distressed, openly rebuke the open obstinate offendors, and if they repent not, to require the Church to avoid their Communion, and to take cogniscance of their cause before they are cut off: as also to Absolve the penitent, yea to visit the sick (who are to send for the Elders of the Church▪) and to pray with and for them, &c. yea and to go before them in the worship of God. These are the acts of Church Government that Christ hath appointed, and which each faithful Shepherd must use, and not Excommunication, and ⟨p. 33⟩other Censures and Absolution alone.