A survey of the summe of church-discipline. Wherein the vvay of the churches of New-England is warranted out of the vvord, and all exceptions of weight, which are made against it, answered : whereby also it will appear to the judicious reader, that something more must be said, then yet hath been, before their principles can be shaken, or they should be unsetled in their practice.

Hooker, Thomas, 1586-1647.

Table of contents | Add to bookbag | How to cite

A SURVEY of the Summe of Church-Discipline.

Having discovered the constitution of this Presby∣teriall Church, we are now to consider of CHAP. X. Such Arguments as M. R. alledgeth for the confir∣mation of a Presbyteriall Church, Answered.

<< Previous section Next section >>

Argument 11.

The Church that the plantiffe must tell, that Church is to admonish publikely the offender. But that is the Church of El∣ders, 1 Thes. 5.12.13. 1 Tim. 5.20. Luk. 10.16. for they only Page 138 are to receive publike complaints, and to rebuke publikely, as Tit. 1.13. 1 Tim. 5.19. 2 Tim. 4.2.

Answ.

This hath been fully answered in the eighth, whether I refer the Reader: only remember he may, that by the order of Christ, the Elders are to receive the complaints, and to prepare them for the Congregation, and then they are to report them unto the people, and they to hear and receive them, and they are to passe a Judiciall sentence, the Elders leading the action in an orderly manner, and taking their consent thereunto. Therefore the in∣cestuous Corinthian was said to be rebuked of many, and to be judged of them also, and that not only by the judgement of dis∣cretion, for so they might judge those that were without, yea they are required legally to forgive him, and therefore they did as legally and Judicially binde him.

Lastly, What will M. R. say of his exspectants, who preach publikely, and therefore do instruct and reprove publikely, as in 1 Thes. 5.12. 2 Tim. 4.2.

<< Previous section Next section >>