n is spoken of as the act of the whole
body. 1 Cor. v. 4, 5, 7, 12, 13. In this passage Paul gives the
direction, respecting the exercise of discipline, in such a way as to
render the whole body responsible: verse 7, "Purge out the old
leaven, that ye maybe a new lump;" and verse 13, "Therefore put away
from among yourselves that wicked person." From 2 Cor. ii. 6-8, we
learn that the act of exclusion was not the act of the Elders only,
but of the Church. "Sufficient to such a man is this punishment
(rather, public censure) which was inflicted of many." From verse 8
we learn that the act of restoration was to be a public act of the
brethren: "Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm (rather
ratify by a public act) your love towards him."

As to the reception of brethren into fellowship, this is an act of
simple obedience to the Lord, both on the part of the Elders and the
whole Church. We are bound and privileged to receive all those who
make a credible profession of faith in Christ, according to that
Scripture, "Receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to
the glory of God." Rom. xv. 7.

III.--When should Church acts (such as acts of reception, restoration,
exclusion, &c.) be attended to?

Ans. It cannot be expressly proved from Scripture, whether such acts
were attended to at the meeting for the breaking of bread, or at any
other meeting; therefore this is a point on which, if different
churches differ, mutual forbearance ought to be exercised. The way in
which such matters have hitherto been managed amongst us has been by
the Church coming together on a week-evening. Before we came to
Bristol we had been accustomed to this mode, and, finding nothing in
Scripture against it, we continued the practice. But, after prayer,
and more careful consideration of this point, it has appeared well to
us that such acts should be attended to on the Lord's days, when the
saints meet together for the breaking of bread. We have been induced
to make this alteration by the following reasons:--

(1) This latter mode prevents matters from being delayed. There not
being a sufficiency of matter for a meeting on purpose every week, it
has sometimes happened, that, what would better have been stated to
the Church at once, has been kept back from the body for some weeks.
Now, it is important that what concerns the whole Church, should be
made known as soon as possible to those who are in fellowship, that
they may act accordi