Book: A Survey of the Summe of Church Discipline

Introduction
"A Survey of the Summe of Church Discipline" by Thomas Hooker, released in 1648, is an extensive assessment of the principles and practices of church governance in the 17th century. Hooker, a popular Puritan minister and among the creators of the Connecticut Colony, was deeply associated with the spiritual and political life of early New England. In this work, he develops the structure for what would become known as Congregationalism, a kind of church polity that highlights the autonomy of individual congregations and stresses the significance of the participation of ordinary members in the governance of the church.

Church Government and the Congregational Model
To comprehend Hooker's argument, it is very important to acknowledge the context in which he was writing. The 17th century was a duration of considerable spiritual and political turmoil in England, and debates over the proper form of church government were closely connected to questions of political authority. In this book, Hooker argues in favor of a congregational model of church governance, in which each local churchgoers has the authority to govern itself, elect its own officers, and manage its own affairs.

Hooker's technique differs from other models of church governance such as Presbyterianism, which looked for to establish a hierarchy of church courts and synods, or Episcopalianism, which maintained the authority of bishops and the established church hierarchy. He contends that the congregational design is the most biblically loyal and finest fit to the needs of the church, drawing on scriptural evidence and practical factors to consider to support his position.

The Role of Scripture in Church Discipline
Central to Hooker's argument is the role of Scripture as the supreme source of authority in matters of church discipline. He contends that all elements of church governance - the choice of officers, the admission and exclusion of members, and the administration of discipline - should be directed by and responsible to the teachings of the Bible.

Hooker stresses that church officers, such as pastors and seniors, have a special responsibility to study and teach the Scriptures, and that their authority comes straight from the Word of God. However, he likewise worries the significance of lay members in the life and governance of the church, and argues that all members have the responsibility to participate in decision-making and to hold their leaders liable.

Church Membership and Covenant
Hooker's understanding of church membership is rooted in the idea of the covenant, a mutual arrangement between God and his individuals. He argues that a true church consists of a neighborhood of followers who have voluntarily participated in a covenant relationship with God, promising to support and promote the mentors and discipline of the church. This covenantal relationship is at the heart of the congregational design, as it underscores the autonomy of the local parish and the importance of individual involvement.

In his conversation of subscription, Hooker likewise deals with concerns of admission and exemption, arguing that the church has the authority and duty to admit new members who have actually made a reliable occupation of faith, while likewise being prepared to exclude those who continue sin or refuse to submit to the discipline of the church.

Conclusion
In "A Survey of the Summe of Church Discipline", Thomas Hooker makes a powerful case for the congregational design of church governance, arguing that it is both biblically sound and practically fit to the requirements of the church. His emphasis on the function of Scripture as the supreme authority and his tension on the importance of each parish's autonomy and the involvement of lay members distinguishes his approach from other modern models, and eventually assisted to shape the advancement of Congregationalism in the New World.

While the specific context and debates of the 17th century are far removed from today's church realities, Hooker's persistence on the importance of Scripture as the structure for all aspects of church governance and the essential role of the covenant relationship in between followers and God continues to have significance and has formed the identities of many modern-day churches.