21
his ministers & officers for ye dispensing of them(d). 3 in
giving laws(e) for the ordering of all or ways, & the
ways of his house. 4 in giving power(f) & life to all
his Institucions, and to his people by them. 5 in protecting(g)
and delivering(h) his church against & from all ye enemies
of their peace. (a) Eph.1.21,22. Col.1.18. Hai.9.6. math.28.18.
(b) Gal.1.4. Revel.5.8,9. (c) math.28.20. (d) Eph.4.8,11. (e) Jam.4.12.
Isai.33.22. 1 Tim 3.15. (f) 2 Cor.10.4,5. (g) Isai.33.22. (h) Luk.1.71.
5
The power granted by Cht unto ye body of ye church or
Brotherhood, is a prerogative or priviledge wch the
church doth exercise, 1 in chusing their owne officers
whether Elders(a) or deacons(b), and in Admission of their owne
members(c). And therefore there is great reason they should
have power to remoove any from their fellowship agayne.
Hence, in case of offence any brother hath power to
convince & admonish an offending brother & in case
of not hearing him, to take one or two more to sett
on the Admonition, & in case of not hearing them to
proceed to tell ye church; & as his offence may require
the whole church hath power to proceed to ye Censure
of him, whether by Admonicion or Excommunicacion(d), &
upon his repentance to restore(e) him agayne to his former
communion. (a) Act.14.23. (b) Act.6.3,5. (c) Act.9.26. (d) math.18.
15,16,17. (e) 2 Cor.2.7,8.
6
In case an Elder offend incorrigibly, the matter so
requiring as the church had power to call him unto
office, so they have power according unto order (the
counsell of other churches, where it may be had, directing
thereunto) to remoove (a) him from his office. And being now
but a member, in case he adde contumacy unto his sinne,
ye church that had power to receive him into their
fellowshipp, hath also ye same power to cast him out(b), that
they have concerning any other member. (a) Col.4.17. Rom.
16.17. (b) Math.18.17.