26
for the trying of them that professe themselves to be
beleevers. [struck through] The officers are
chardged wth ye keeping of the dores of ye church;
& therefore are in a speciall maner to make tryall
of the fitnesse of such who enter in. Twelve Angells
are sett at ye gates of New Jersualem(c) in like
maner as porters were sett at ye gates of the
Temple(d) that none that were Ceremonially
uncleane should enter thereinto. (a) Act.8.37.
(b) Rev.2.2 (c) Rev.21.12. (d) 2 Chron.23.19.
2
The things that are requisite to be found in all
church members are Repentance from Sinne, and Faith
in Jesus cht; & therefore those are the things whereof
men are to be examined at their Admission into
ye church, & wch then they must professe & hold
forth, in such sort as may satisfye rationall charity
that the things are there indeed. John baptist admitted
men to Baptisme confessing & bewailing their sins(a),
& of others it is sayed that thay came & confessed &
shewed their deeds(b). (a) math.3.6. (b) Act.19.18.
3
The weakest measure of Faith is to be accepted in those
that desyre to be admitted into the church(a), because
weake chtians if sincere, have the substance of that Faith &
Repentance, and Holinesse, wch is required in church-member[s]
And such have most need of the ordinances for their
confirmation and growth in grace. The Lord Jesus would
not quench the smoaking flaxe, nor breake the bruised
reed(b), but gather the tender lambs in his armes, and
[struck through] carry them gently in his bosome(c) Such charity
& tendernesse is to be used, as that the weakest chtian
if sincere may not be excluded, nor discouraged. Severity
of Examinacion is to be avoided. (a) Rom.14.1. (b) math.12.20
(c) Isai.40.11.
4
In case any through excessive feare or other infirmity are