1. One cause of discord is, through the ignorance in some members of the
rules of discipline, and right government; particularly when that rule in
Matt 18 is not followed. But one person takes up an offence against another,
and speaks of it to this or that person, before he hath told the brother
offending of it; which is a palpable sin, and a direct violation of Christ's
holy precept: and such must, as offenders themselves be in a Gospel way
dealt with. To prevent this the discipline of the church should be taught;
and the members informed of their duties.
2. Another thing that causes trouble and disorder in a church, is want of
love, and tender affections to one another; as also not having a full sight
and sense to the great evil of breaking the bonds of peace, and unity; O
that all would lay this abominable evil to heart, how base a thing it is
to break the peace of a private family, or neighbourhood; but much more
sinful to disturb the peace of the church of the living God, and break the
bonds of the unity thereof. Behold, how good, and how pleasant it is, for
brethren to dwell together in unity! But O how ugly and hateful is the contrary!
3. Another disorderly practice is this, when one member or another knows
of some sinful act, or evils done by one or more members, and they conceal
it; or do not act according to the rule; pretending they would not be looked
upon as contentious persons: but hereby they may become guilty of other
men's sins, and also suffer the name of God, and the church, to lie under
reproach, and all through their neglect. This is a great iniquity.
4. When an elder, or church shall know that some persons are scandalous
in their lives, or heretical in judgment, and yet shall bear or connive
with them.
5. When members take liberty to hear at other places, when the church is
assembled to worship God: this is nothing less than a breaking their covenant
with the church, and may soon dissolve any church: For by the same rule,
one may take that liberty, another; nay, every member may. Moreover, it
casts a contempt upon the ministry of the church, and tends to cause such
who are hearers to draw off, and to be disaffected with the doctrine taught
in the church, (they knowing the dissenters do belong unto it.) I exhort
therefore, in the name of Christ, this may be prevented: and any of you
that know who they are, that take this liberty, pray discover them to the
church. We lay no restraint upon our members from hearing such, who are
found in the faith at other times.
6. The liberty that some take to hear men that are corrupt in their judgments;
and so take in unsound notions, and also strive to distill them into the
minds of others, as if they were of great importance. Alas, how many are
corrupted in these days, with Arminianism, Socinianism, and what not! This
causes great trouble and disorder.
7. When one church shall receive a member or members of another congregation
without their consent or knowledge: Nay such that are disorderly and may
be loose livers, or cast out for immorality; or persons filled with prejudice
without cause. This is enough to make men atheists, or contemn all church
authority, and religion: For hath not one regular church as great authority
from Christ as another.
8. Another disorder is, when members are received without the general consent
of the church; or before good satisfaction is taken of their godly lives,
and conversations: Or when a church is too remiss in its reception of her
members.
9. Another disorder is, when a church shall receive a charge against a member,
(it being an offence between brother and brother) before an orderly proceed
has been made by the offended person.
10. When judgment passes with partiality; some are connived at, out of favour,
or affection: Levi was not to know his father or mother in judgment.
11. When members do not constantly and early attend our public assemblies,
and the worship of God on the Lord's Day especially, but are remiss in that
matter: This is a great evil.
12. When part of a church shall meet together as dissatisfied, to consult
church-matters, without the knowledge or consent of the church, or pastor:
This is disorderly, and tends to division; and such should be marked.
13. Another thing that tends to disquiet the peace of the church is, when
there are any undue heats of spirit, or passion shewed in the pastor, or
others, in managing the discipline of the church. Have we not found by experience
the sad effect of this? Therefore things must be always managed with coolness,
and sweetness of spirit, and moderation; every brother having liberty to
speak his mind, and to not be interrupted, until he has done; nor above
one speak at once.
14. When one brother or more dissents in the sentiments of their minds from
the church, in any matters circumstantial; either in respect of faith, practice,
or discipline, and will not submit to the majority, but raise feuds; nay,
will rend themselves from the church rather than consent. I query, what
reason, or ground hath any man to refuse communion with a church that Christ
hath not left, but hath communion with?
15. When any member shall divulge, or make known to persons, not of the
congregation, nor being concerned in those matters, what is done in church
meetings, the church in this respect (as well as in others) is to be a garden
enclosed, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. This oftimes occasions great
grief, and the disorderly person should be detected. Is it not a shame to
any private family, to divulge the secrets of the family? But far greater
shame do these expose themselves unto.
16. Another disorderly practice is this; viz. When a member shall suggest,
and seem to insinuate into the minds of other members some evil against
their pastor, yet will not declare what it is; and may be only evil surmisings
and out of prejudice; and yet refuses to acquaint the pastor with what it
is: This is very abominable, and a palpable violation of the rule of the
Gospel, and duty of members to their minister. Such a person ought to be
severely rebuked, and if he confess not his evils, and manifesteth unfeigned
repentance, to be dealt with farther. Moreover, it is a great evil in another
to hear such base insinuations, and neither rebuke the accuser,and to discharge
his duty, nor take two or three more to bring the person to repentance.
If he deal thus by a private brother, it is a great evil, but far worse
to an elder, whose name and honour, ought with all care and justice, to
be kept up, as being more sacred.
17. Another disorderly practice is, (which causes much trouble) when the
public charges of the church are not equally borne; but some too much burdened,
when others do but little or nothing. And also, when every one does not
contribute to the poor, as God has blessed them, on every Lord's Day, or
first day of the week, as he hath commanded.
18. Another disorder is this, when members refuse to communicate with the
church at the Lord's Table, because a person or persons, they think are
guilty of evil, and yet they have not proceeded with them according to rule:
These either excommunicate the church, or themselves, or those persons at
least, they censure unwarrantably. I beseech you for Christ's sake, that
this may never be any more among you: You ought not to deal with them; or
refuse your communion, (though faulty) until the church has dismembered,
or withdrawn from them; or at least suspended them.
19. When one member, shall believe, or receive a report against another,
before he knows the truth of the matter.
20. When an accusation is brought against an elder, contrary to the rule,
which ought not be without two or three witnesses, as to the matter of fact.
21. When the Word of God is not carefully attended upon, on week, or lecture
days, by the members generally; though the said meeting being appointed
by the whole church.
22. When days of prayer and fasting, and public thanksgiving, or when days
of disciplining are not generally attended upon. Lastly, when gifted brethren
are not duly encouraged: first privately to exercise their gifts; and being
in time approved, called forth to preach or exercise in the church: And
when encouragment is not given to bestow learning also upon them, for their
better accomplishment. What will become of the churches in time to come,
if this be not prevented with speed?