CHAP. IV.
_Of the discipline and practice of this people_, _as a religious
society_. _The church power they own and exercise_, _and that which they
reject and condemn_: _with the method of their proceedings against erring
and disorderly persons_.
This people increasing daily both in town and country, a holy care fell
upon some of the elders among them, for the benefit and service of the
church. And the first business in their view, after the example of the
primitive saints, was the exercise of charity; to supply the necessities
of the poor, and answer the like occasions. Wherefore collections were
early and liberally made for that and divers other services in the
church, and intrusted with faithful men, fearing God, and of good report,
who were not weary in well doing; adding often of their own in large
proportions, which they never brought to account, or desired should be
known, much less restored to them, that none might want, nor any service
be retarded or disappointed.
They were also very careful, that every one that belonged to them,
answered their profession in their behaviour among men, upon all
occasions; that they lived peaceably, and were in all things good
examples.
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