1. We judge it necessary that a day monthly be appointed particularly for
discipline, and not to manage such affairs on the Lord's Day, which should
be spent in the public worship of God, of a different nature: besides, such
things may (on the account of discipline) come before the church which may
not be expedient to be heard on the Lord's Day, left to disturb the spirits
of any members, and hinder their meditation on the Word which they have
newly heard: though in small congregations perhaps a day in two or three
months may be sufficient.
2. The power of the keys, or to receive in and to shut out of the congregation,
is committed unto the church: The political power of Christ, saith Dr. Chauncy,
is in the Church, whereby it exerciseth in the name of Christ, having all
lawful rule and government within itself, which he thus proves, viz.
1. The church essential is the first subject of the keys.
2. They must of necessity to their preservation, purge themselves from all
pernicious members.
3. They have power to organize themselves with officers. Yet I humbly conceive
I may add that the concurrence of the presbytery is needful hereunto.
4. If need be that they call an officer from without, or one of another
church, they must first admit him as a member, that they may ordain their
officer from among themselves.
5. They have power to reject a scandalous pastor from office or membership.
This power of Christ is exerted as committed to them by the hands of the
elder appointed by Christ, the due management whereof is in and with the
church to be his care and trust, as a steward, whereof he is accountable
to Christ, and the church, not lording it over God's heritage. And that
the power of the keys is in the church, appears to me from Matt 18: If he
will not hear the church, it is not said, if he will not hear the elder,
or elders. As also that of the Apostle, in directing the church to call
out the incestuous person, he doth not give the counsel to the elder or
elders of the church, but to the church; so he commands the church to withdraw
from every brother that walks disorderly. Purge out the old leaven, that
you may be a new lump.