So far (say these Supereminent Divines of the Congregational way) were our Judgments from that INDEPENDENT Liberty, which has been imputed to us. Dr. Ames Maintains That as the Right of calling an Ordinary Minister, is in the Church, which he is to serve, so, that Matters of Great Weight should be managed as much as may be, with the Consent of Particular Churches, confederated in Synods. [Med. l. 1. c. 39. §. 27, 30, 32, 36.] And, The Elders of New-England, in their Answer to the XXXII. Questions, p. 64. profess their Entire Consent with Dr. Ames. 27. Mr. Burroughs, in his Irenicum, says, [p. 43.] Those in the Congregational Way acknowledge, that they are bound in Conscience, to give Account of their Ways, to Churches about them: And that Synods are an Ordinance of Jesus Christ, for the helping of the Church against Errors, Schisms, and Scandals. And that these ⟨p. 12⟩Synods may, by the Power they have from Christ, Admonish Men or Churches in His Name, when they see Evils continuing in, or growing upon the Church. Yea They may by a Solemn Act in the Name of Jesus Christ, refuse any further Communion with them until they Repent. Mr. Cottons Book of, The Keys has all along been of high Account in the Churches of this Country; And in that Book, (as well as in the Preface to it Written by Dr. Goodwin,) there is a full Testimony born, to the Interest which Councils ought to have in ordering the Affairs of Consociated Churches. It is more particularly said, That it is an holy Ordinance of CHRIST, for Particular Churches to join together, in a Consociation among themselves, to administer their Church-affairs, which are of Weighty & Difficult & common concernment, not without common consultation, and consent, of other Churches about them. Now Church-affairs of Weighty and Difficult, and common concernment, we account to be, the Election and Ordination of Elders, Excommunication of an Elder, or any person of Public Note,—and Employment; the Translation of an Elder from one Church to another. Mr. Hooker's Survey, (Preface, p. 11.) observes. Consociation of Churches ⟨p. 13⟩is not only lawful, but in some cases necessary. When causes are difficult & particular Churches want light and help, they should crave the assistance of such a consociation. Churches so meeting, have right to counsel, rebuke, &c. as the case doth require.
So far (say these Supereminent Divines of the Congregational way) were our Judgments from that INDEPENDENT Liberty, which has been imputed to us. Dr. Ames Maintains That as the Right of calling an Ordinary Minister, is in the Church, which he is to serve, so, that Matters of Great Weight should be managed as much as may be, with the Consent of Particular Churches, confederated in Synods. [Med. l. 1. c. 39. §. 27, 30, 32, 36.] And, The Elders of New-England, in their Answer to the XXXII. Questions, p. 64. profess their Entire Consent with Dr. Ames. 27. Mr. Burroughs, in his Irenicum, says, [p. 43.] Those in the Congregational Way acknowledge, that they are bound in Conscience, to give Account of their Ways, to Churches about them: And that Synods are an Ordinance of Jesus Christ, for the helping of the Church against Errors, Schisms, and Scandals. And that these ⟨p. 12⟩Synods may, by the Power they have from Christ, Admonish Men or Churches in His Name, when they see Evils continuing in, or growing upon the Church. Yea They may by a Solemn Act in the Name of Jesus Christ, refuse any further Communion with them until they Repent. Mr. Cottons Book of, The Keys has all along been of high Account in the Churches of this Country; And in that Book, (as well as in the Preface to it Written by Dr. Goodwin,) there is a full Testimony born, to the Interest which Councils ought to have in ordering the Affairs of Consociated Churches. It is more particularly said, That it is an holy Ordinance of CHRIST, for Particular Churches to joyn together, in a Consociation among themselves, to administer their Church-affairs, which are of Weighty & Difficult & common concernment, not without common consultation, and consent, of other Churches about them. Now Church-affairs of Weighty and Difficult, and common concernment, we account to be, the Election and Ordination of Elders, Excommunication of an Elder, or any person of Publick Note,—and Employment; the Translation of an Elder from one Church to another. Mr. Hooker's Survey, (Preface, p. 11.) observes. Consociation of Churches ⟨p. 13⟩is not only lawful, but in some cases necescessary. When causes are difficult & particular Churches want light and help, they should crave the assistance of such a consociation. Churches so meeting, have right to counsel, rebuke, &c. as the case doth require.
