In the Primitive Churches, we find not only Schism, Idolatry, Heresy, Covetousness, Gluttony, Drunkenness, Fornication, and Adultery, expressly among Censurable Evils, [Quaere, How did they convict any Man of Covetousness; a Fault which ordinarily no Man ever thinks himself guilty of!] but also as Origen writes, All other Sins whatsoever. Cyprian therefore tells us, That not only, Gravissima et extrema Delicta, Grosser Offences, but also, Minora Delicta, lesser ones, were Censured among them. The Churches of New-England have no express and agreed Catalogue of the Crimes, that shall expose to Censures, except what is in the Bible it self: But the Rule which they profess, is, That an Ecclesiastical Animadversion belongs to such plain Trespasses against the Rules of a Godly, and a Sober, and a Righteous Life, as we may justly Judge, that a Person under our Measures of Illumination cannot obstinately persist in, without forfeiting an Interest in the Kingdom of GOD. Such Opinions, and such Practices, as it may be our Duty to believe Consistent with true PIETY, the Censures of the Churches do not animadvert upon. The Evangelical Church State, being in some sort the Kingdom of Heaven, the Churches of New-England endeavour to make theirs a Visible Sermon to the World, upon the Requisites of Mens being received into Heaven at the last. As in their Admissions they study Practically to ⟨p. 143⟩declare, Who shall abide in the Tabernacle of the Lord, and who shall dwell in his holy Hill; So in their Exclusions, 'tis their study Practically to declare, What crooked Ways they are, which will procure Men to be led forth with the Workers of Iniquity; to declare, Who are those Workers of Deceit, which our Lord will not have to dwell in His House. They have been willing to make Origen's Declaration, We use our utmost Endeavour, that our Assemblies may be composed of Wise and Good Men.
In the Primitive Churches, we find not only Schism, Idolatry, Heresy, Covetousness, Gluttony, Drunkenness, Fornication, and Adultery, expresly among Censurable Evils, [Quaere, How did they convict any Man of Covetousness; a Fault which ordinarily no Man ever thinks himself guilty of!] but also as Origen writes, All other Sins whatsoever. Cyprian therefore tells us, That not only, Gravissima et extrema Delicta, Grosser Offences, but also, Minora Delicta, lesser ones, were Censured among them. The Churches of New-England have no express and agreed Catalogue of the Crimes, that shall expose to Censures, except what is in the Bible it self: But the Rule which they profess, is, That an Ecclesiastical Animadversion belongs to such plain Trespasses against the Rules of a Godly, and a Sober, and a Righteous Life, as we may justly Judge, that a Person under our Measures of Illumination cannot obstinately persist in, without forfeiting an Interest in the Kingdom of GOD. Such Opinions, and such Practices, as it may be our Duty to believe Consistent with true PIETY, the Censures of the Churches do not animadvert upon. The Evangelical Church State, being in some sort the Kingdom of Heaven, the Churches of New-England endeavour to make theirs a Visible Sermon to the World, upon the Requisites of Mens being received into Heaven at the last. As in their Admissions they study Practically to ⟨p. 143⟩declare, Who shall abide in the Tabernacle of the Lord, and who shall dwell in his holy Hill; So in their Exclusions, 'tis their study Practically to declare, What crooked Ways they are, which will procure Men to be led forth with the Workers of Iniquity; to declare, Who are those Workers of Deceit, which our Lord will not have to dwell in His House. They have been willing to make Origen's Declaration, We use our utmost Endeavour, that our Assemblies may be composed of Wise and Good Men.
