19     1667            85

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that you perish not  Luc: 13. 5.

3. Consid^r  what matter of mourning in respect of y^e Censure

you now lye und^r by y^e sinne , oh! thinke wth y^rS: is not

the Divells’ Kingdom large enough , but must it be increased

by Me , & that after I have professed a translation frō

his Kingdom into y^e Kingd: of X^t.

4. Consid^r whither you have not cause to question whither ever

   you                      wrought

Gode had any true work of grace in you ; we are to Examine

                              ^

o^r Estate when we come to a Sacram^t , much more upon

a great ffall,  Ecl. 7. 26 . who so is good shall escape (for so

y^e word is) shall escape from her , but y^e sinner shall be

taken by Her. & so Pro: 22 14. reade also Gal. 5. 19, 21

the God of all grace effectually convince you of & humble

you for, & turne from your sin  that so you may find Mercy

.                               So pray

                                       Yo^r grieved ffriends

Rowley. Oct: 7. 1667.

                                      Sam: Phillips

                                      Sam: Shepard[81]

   Qn: whither another Church may testify or number of men

   testifying of a man’s Impenitency ought to be a sufficient

   ground for another church to goe by in Censuring or absolving

     Impenitency is in y^e Heart , only Deedes Are Signes of y^t. ought

     we not to take y^e Testimony of others concerning Deeds y^t

     are visible , not concerning the morall Evill y^r of.

________________________

A Brother of another Church is grieved (he thinks justly) by a member

of this, he desires some Brethren of this Church to goe with him to hear

it in private, they Refuse. / Qu: what shall he doe. he cannot bring y^e

 

                                                  a

supposed offender to the Church till it be heard in private way ? and

    they will not. / An: why will they not goe to heare. / Ans:

    tis a brother of another Church who hath by o^r p^rsence if the offend^r

      (Supposed) be guilty by o^r presence power over o^r Member: we in Case

    that he who takes y^e offence proove in fault , we have no Advan

    =tage to Come at Him. / Ans: You; you may declare Him to be in

    fault, & if he will not heare you  1. p^rvent any Comuniō with

    the Church whereat You are members. 2. may Carry it to y^e

    Eld^rs of the Church to w^ch he belongs. & they may Censure Him

    _____

    2 it may be they will say [Take some other Brethren] & y^y

    say [Take some other]  And none will. Ans: the Same

    may be sayd  when as it is towards o^r own fellow Mem-

    =bers; / But indeed none that are called upon or desired

    if they be fitt for it y^e Work so as it may attayn y^r End.