best information by their own experience, and take in the consi∣deration of others, to be fully informed and satisfi••d, touch∣ing the unblamablenesse of their conversation.
And as for that, that the Memb••rs should at severall times, by several companies; repair in private to them, to examine the work & manner of their conversion, I am afraid it is a presumed kinde of liberty, which wants precept and example, for any thing that ever appeared to me in the Scripture. Beside, that liberty is as much as the office and duty of the Elder bind••s him un∣to, and therefore seems to entrench too neer upon the pro∣priety of his place. Beside, all such pains misseth the end and fruit of it; for the stresse of the tryall lyes not there, nor can the last resolution of judicious and reasonable charity issue there, whether the person be a visible Saint or no: fot there be many truly and savingly called, who never knew the time and manner of their conversion, and therefore cannot relate it unto others, and yet expresse the power of grace in their lives, and consequently had it effectually wrought in their hearts, though they did not at the first know how the spirit breathed in their birth.
Time of enquiry being thus granted, if upon serious obser∣vation & consideration, the Brethren find any just exception, as touching any scandal in their carriage, and after dealing with them, they can receive no reality of satisfaction, they repair to the Elder, leave their complaint with him, and that is suf∣ficient to stay the proceeding for the present.
But if upon sufficient time of information, there appears nothing scandalous, the person doth shortly give some reason of his hope in the face of the Congregation, & is admitted, Ingaging himself to walk with them in the Covenant of the Church, according to all the rules of the Gospel, that either are or shall be made known to them.
If it be here enquired, What is the rule according to which satis∣faction is to be regulated, the Reader may be pleased to look back unto that which was largely debated, touching the visibility of the Saints, what it was which evidenced them to rationall charity. In a word, if a person live not in the commissions of any known sin, nor in the neglect of any known duty, and can give a reason of his hope towards God, this casts the cause, with judicious cha∣rity, to hope and beleeve there is something of God and grace in the soul, and therefore fit for Church-society.