Johannes in eremo. Memoirs, relating to the lives, of the ever-memorable, Mr. John Cotton,…

§ 25. In his Administration of Church-Discipline there were several Things, as Imitable, as Observable. As he was an hearty Friend unto the Consociation of Churches; and hence all the time, that he Lived, the Pastors of the Neighbouring Churches, held their frequent Meetings for mutual Consultation in things of common Concernment; so, in his own particular Church, he was very careful, to have every thing done with a Christian Moderation, and Unanimity. Wherefore he would have nothing publicly propounded unto the Brethren of the Church, but what had been first privately prepared by the Elders; and if he feared the happening of any Debate, his way aforehand was, to visit some of the more Noted and Leading Brethren, and having Engaged Them to second what he should move unto the Church, he rarely missed of a full Concurrence: to which purpose he would say, The Elders must have a Church in a Church, if they would preserve the Peace of the Church. But if any difficult or divided Agitation was Raised in the Church, about any matter offered, he would ever put a stop to that public Agitation, by Delaying the Vote, until another Meeting; before which time, he would ordinarily by private Conferences, gain over such as were unsatisfied. As ⟨p. 39⟩for the Admission of Communicants unto the Lord's Table, he kept the Examination of them unto the Elders of the Church, as properly belonging unto their Work and Charge; and with his Elders he would order them to make before the whole Church a Profession of a Repenting Faith, as they were able, or willing to do it. Some, that could unto Edification do it, he put upon thus Relating the manner of their Conversion to God; but usually they only answered unto certain probatory Questions, which were rendered them; and so after their Names had been for a few weeks before signified unto the Congregation, to Learn whether any Objection or Exception could be made against them, of any thing Scandalous in their Conversations, now Consenting unto, The Covenant, they were Admitted into the Church Communion. As for Ecclesiastical Censures, he was very watchful to prevent all Procedures unto Them, as far as was consistent with the Rules of our Lord; for which cause (except in grosser Abominations) when Offences happened, he did his utmost, that the Notice thereof might be extended no further, than it was when they first were laid before him;

§ 25. In his Administration of Church-Discipline there were several Things, as Imitable, as Observable. As he was an hearty Friend unto the Consociation of Churches; and hence all the time, that he Lived, the Pastors of the Nighbouring Churches, held their frequent Meetings for mutual Consultation in things of common Concernment; so, in his own particular Church, he was very careful, to have every thing done with a Christian Moderation, and Unanimity. Wherefore he would have nothing publickly propounded unto the Brethren of the Church, but what had been first privately prepared by the Elders; and if he feared the happening of any Debate, his way aforehand was, to visit some of the more Noted and Leading Brethren, and having Engaged Them to second what he should move unto the Church, he rarely missed of a full Concurrence: to which purpose he would say, The Elders must have a Church in a Church, if they would preserve the Peace of the Church. But if any difficult or divided Agitation was Raised in the Church, about any matter offered, he would ever put a stop to that publick Agitation, by Delaying the Vote, until another Meeting; before which time, he would ordinarily by private Conserences, gain over such as were unsatisfied. As