2. And as this proves, that the Church-members must be made known to one another, so it proves that they must have a Judgment of Discretion in receiving them: (though the Pastors have the Judgment of Governing Direction.) For 1. God hath not left the Pastors at liberty, to take in whom they Please; but hath described what Profession they shall accept, or what persons they shall admit, and whom they shall reject. If therefore the Pastors go against the Word of God, then this following is the peoples duty: 1. If they know not the error, or the case be doubtful, they are to rest in Obedience to their Pastors, (for ⟨p. 139⟩that's undoubtedly their duty) the work being the Pastors and not theirs. 2. But if the case be plainly contrary to the Scripture, (as if he would admit an Impenitent Drunkard, Fornicator, &c.) they must disown his sin, that it lie not upon them, and refuse private familiarity with that person; but not withdraw from public Ordinances, because of his presence. For when they have done their duty, and rid themselves of the guilt by a dissent, the person is to them as Morally absent, though Locally and Physically present; and the Ordinance is not defiled to them by his Corporal presence; but the guilt will lie on the Rulers of the Church: otherwise, all Churches should be broken in pieces, if the people must separate, when every one that they are confident is unworthy is Introduced: and the Governed will become the Governors. 3. But if it be not a few that the Pastors thus introduce against the certain Word of God; but so many and such as will corrupt the substance of the Church,1 and make it an uncapable matter for the form, and so to become another thing, and destroy the very Ends of Church-association, so that it is no longer a Communion of Saints; then the people fearing God, are bound to stop this ⟨p. 140⟩before it have quite corrupted the Church, by admonishing the Pastors, and advising with neighbour Churches to admonish them; and if that prevail not, by rejecting them: and if they cannot do so, by reason of a Major Vote of uncapable persons, they ought to withdraw themselves, and worship God in such a Church as is truly capable of the Name and Ends:2 And this is a Lawful and Necessary separation; of which as it is a duty, God is the Cause; and as it is a forsaking of the rest, the culpable cause is only in themselves.
2. And as this proves, that the Church-members must be made known to one another, so it proves that they must have a Judgment of Discretion in receiving them: (though the Pastours have the Judgment of Governing Direction.) For 1. God hath not left the Pastours at liberty, to take in whom they Please; but hath described what Profession they shall accept, or what persons they shall admit, and whom they shall reject. If therefore the Pastours go against the Word of God, then this following is the peoples duty: 1. If they know not the errour, or the case be doubtfull, they are to rest in Obedience to their Pastours, (for ⟨p. 139⟩that's undoubtedly their duty) the work being the Pastours and not theirs. 2. But if the case be plainly contrary to the Scripture, (as if he would admit an Impenitent Drunkard, Fornicatour, &c.) they must disown his sinne, that it lie not upon them, and refuse private familiarity with that person; but not withdraw from publick Ordinances, because of his presence. For when they have done their duty, and rid themselves of the guilt by a dissent, the person is to them as Morrally absent, though Locally and Physically present; and the Ordinance is not defiled to them by his Corporal presence; but the guilt will lie on the Rulers of the Church: otherwise, all Churches should be broken in pieces, if the people must seperate, when every one that they are confident is unworthy is Introduced: and the Governed will become the Governours. 3. But if it be not a few that the Pastours thus introduce against the certain Word of God; but so many and such as will corrupt the substance of the Church,1 and make it an uncapable matter for the form, and so to become another thing, and destroy the very Ends of Church-association, so that it is no longer a Communion of Saints; then the people fearing God, are bound to stop this ⟨p. 140⟩before it have quite corrupted the Church, by admonishing the Pastours, and advising with neighbour Churches to admonish them; and if that prevail not, by rejecting them: and if they cannot do so, by reason of a Major Vote of uncapable persons, they ought to withdraw themselves, and worship God in such a Church as is truly capable of the Name and Ends:2 And this is a Lawfull and Necessary separation; of which as it is a duty, God is the Cause; and as it is a forsaking of the rest, the culpable cause is only in themselves.
- 1☞
- 2Albaspin. ubi sup. Animadvertendum est, paenitentes non solum haec & similia egisse, ut cum Deo in grati•• redirent, verum etiam ut sacerdotes, & caeteros fratres aequiores haberent, in quorum arbitrio & judicio non-nunquam erat, eos in Ecclesia revocare.
