N02341:439
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in the churches of New-England. : With interspersed and instructive reflections on the discipline of the primitive churches. : [Seven lines from Ezekiel]
Boston: printed for S. Gerrish, 1726
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Notwithstanding this, the Churches of New-England consider, that as their Pastors are not Ordained without a Council, so neither are they ⟨p. 164⟩without a Council to be deposed. Nor do they think, that ordinarily a Church-Meeting may be regularly held, without the Consent of their Pastors. They are not altogether ignorant, that in the Primitive Times, where Churches were associated, and their Circumstances would allow of it, they did not by themselves alone, exert those Powers, which in Cases of Necessity, they might assert as belonging to them. The Churches to prevent the Mischiefs of Giddiness and Faction, and render all their Actions unquestionable, would have their Complaints against Scandalous Pastors heard by a Synod, without the Concurrence whereof ordinarily such Pastors come not under a Deposition. Thus we find Paulus Samosatenus, the Bishop of Antioch, was deposed by a Synod, held in that Place. And we find Privatus the Bishop of Lambese, was Nonaginta Episcoporum Sententia condemnatus.
Wherefore when a Pastor has fallen into Scandal, the Brethren that are acquainted with it, proceed, as they would with another Brother in such Cases; only with such special Terms of Respect (and Repetition of Address) as the Relation of a Father may call for.
If the Scandal be gone so far that a public Satisfaction is become necessary, the Dissatisfied Brethren apply themselves to him, and request him to appoint a Church-Meeting, for the hearing and the healing of the Matter.
If the Scandal be gone so far that a publick Satisfaction is become necessary, the Dissatisfied Brethren apply themselves to him, and request him to appoint a Church-Meeting, for the hearing and the healing of the Matter.