He enjoined it to them again, that they should follow the order
recommended by Jesus Christ upon such occasions.[15] "If thy brother
shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and
him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if
he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he
shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but, if he neglect
to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a Heathen-man or a
Publican."
[Footnote 15: Matt. 18. 15, 16, 17.]
For the carrying of this system into execution in the order thus
recommended, he appointed Courts, or meetings for dicipline, as the
Quakers call them, with the approbation of the society, where the case
of the disorderly should be considered, if it should be brought to the
cognizance of the church; and where a record should be kept of the
proceedings of the society respecting it. In these courts or meetings
the poor were to have an equal voice with the rich.--There was to be no
distinction but in favour of religious worth; And here it is to be
remarked, that he was so desirous, that the most righteous judgment
should be pronounced upon any offender, that he abandoned the usual mode
of decision, in general so highly valued, by a majority, of voices, and
recommended the decision to be made according to the apparent will of
the virtuous, who might be present.
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