Mr. HOLLIS HIS SPEECH TO The Lords in Parliament concerning PEACE. WITH A motion for some course to be taken for repairing of trade, that so poor tradesmen may be preserved to hold out during these troublesome Times.  
Whereunto is added a Relation of a Vision of Blood in the sky, that appeared about Redding on Tuesday night last.  
LONDON, Printed for T. Wright. 1643.   

Mr. Hollis HIS. Speech to the Lords, upon the delivery of a Message from the House of Commons.  
My Lords,  
I Am commanded by the Knights. Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House, to present your Lordships with a Petition now delivered into their House, by divers poor Tradesmen in and about the city of London, contaning in the same the great want and necessity they and their families are fallen into, through the decay of treading. The means and causes that have produced this decay, and the remedies to prevant further misery, and revive trading: My Lords, it is a common observation, and the experience of former Ages hath made it manifest, that when the sword of war is unsheathed, famine that follows, the greatest destruction of all commonwealths and kingdoms, witness the miserable calamities and troubles that have of late years befallen upon Italy and Germany. If we call to mind ancient Histories mentioning the fatal destruction of the Eastern Empires, we shall find that the first step to their desolation, hath been domestic dissension, and homebred mutinies, upon which hath followed national wars, and the effects of all hath been famine and pestilence, which hath given a full period to the utter confusion of those Kingdoms. If we pry and search into the ancient Histories of Italy and Rome, we shall find the only destruction both of that Kingdom and city; hath happened only by these occasions, the pride and ambition of the Popes and Bishops of that See, usurping authority to themselves over the Churches in the East, produced the wars between the East Vandals and the Romans, between the East and West Goths, and the Italians, which was the utter desolation of the City of Rome.  
First, by Allarick Captain of the West Goths. Secondly by Adolph their Captain. Thirdly, by Athila King of the Huns. Fourthly, by Genserick King of the Vandals. Fifthly Odasar a German. Sixthly Theodericke an East Goth. And lastly, Totela Baldivel.  
These Princes by the sword and fire, executed the just judgements of God upon proud and wicked Rome; the original whereof was occasioned by the impurity and uncleanness of the Clergy: and what terrible Famines and grievous pestilencies followed these wars, is likewise too manifest by History; whereas in the beginning whom Rome first began to lift up her head against God's true Religion and his anointed Servants, Kings and Emperors, she had been dashed and suppressed, all those bloody and long wars procured by the Bishops thereof in all parts of the Christian world had been prevented and avoided.  
My Lords, I have spoken this only to remember your Lordships of the miseries and calamities that have happened unto those Nations that have entertained amongst themselves dissension about the diversity of worship of God in Religion, which always hath proved the root and principal means of future destruction, that now in time while opportunity doth serve such occasions of difference as do threaten the the same desolations to the state wherein we live, and whereof we be a part, may by the wisdom of this high Court of parliament be prevented and avoided.  
My Lords, if Dearth and Famine be in a Nation, there can be nothing expected but confusion as well of the rich, as of the poor, It is the Common Proverb, necessity hath no law. There is no delaying of present necessity. It is not to be thought that Millions of men, women and childrdn will starve and perish, so long as there is Corn in the Land of Goshen, or in the custody of Joseph, It is therefore the desire, my Lords, of the Commons, that as they have compassionately considered among themselves this necessiated Petition of distressed tradesmen, and have limited a day certain for answering the same, so your Lordships would be pleased to take the same Petition into your consideration with them, that the petitioners may at the time appointed, receive from both Houses of Parliament, such answer from their demands, as may give them full satisfaction.  
My Lords, under favour, I am to speak a word or two of the means that have occasioned the decay in trading, and the remedies to prevent the same for future time, and again renew Trading, the means they conceive is principally want of due execution of Justice upon those persons that have been the causers, and Authors thereof, and then the remedies, due execution of Justice, without any further protraction of time and the Enacting of such wholesome and good laws, for the restriction of vice, and maintaining of virtue, both in government of the Church and State, as shall be congruent to the word of God, and the peace and prosperity of his Sacred Majesty, and all his Kingdoms, as shall be thought meet by the wisdom and policy of this great & high Court of Parliament, which I further humbly leave to the grave consideration of this Honourable House.   

A Relation of a Vision of Blood in the sky, which appeared at Redding on Tuesday night last.  
UPon Tuesday night last there appeared a sky red as blood about Redding, half a mile long, or more, which was seen so clear and visible about six of the clock at night, that not only many people thereabouts did run to see it, but it being apparent so far that it might be seen to London; there were thousands that went to London-Bridge, and many other places, where they could attain the prospect, to see it; insomuch that there was a great crowd upon the Bridge, some went into the fields, others to the tops of houses to behold this wonderful vision, which was in this manner, viz. In length half a mile or more, as it was judged, sharp at the North end, and broad at the South end: for the length of it was North and South, red as blood, and very clear, almost in colour like the Moon when she is in an Eclipse; which though it seemed clear, yet caused rather a darkness than a light; the length continued much alike, but it grew sometimes broader, and sometimes again it was narrower; there was neither Sun, moon, nor any Star visible in the sky, which was very black and dark, only this bloody vision which appeared in this manner. What can we otherwise judge of, then to be a token of God's displeasure against the cruel Cavaliers thereabouts, who kill, murder, and slaw the people of God, whose blood cries to heaven in the ears of God for vengeance against them.  
FINIS.   

  


handle the ecclesiastical affairs. And those which shall be chosen to go to the Colloques and Synods with the Ministers, shall not fail to come thither at the day assigned.   

CHAP. VII. Of Deacons.  
Article I. THe Deacons shall be ordained in the Church to gather the alms of the people, and to distribute them according to the necessity of the poor, by the advice of the Consistory.  
Art. 2. They shall gather together the alms after the Sermon, and shall procure and keep faithfully, the goods of the poor: And if necessity so require, they shall go from house to house of those that are willing, to gather that which it shall please them to give.  
Art. 3. They shall distribute nothing without the advice of the Consistory, if there be not urgent necessity.  
Art. 4. The alms shall be distributed principally to those which are of the household of faith, and if there be any overplus, it may serve to help the strangers.  
Art. 5. To meet with all suspicion the Deacons shall keep the book, as well of the receipts as also of the distribution of the alms, the which they shall count in presence of the Minister and of one of the Elders.  
Art. 6. The Deacons shall render their accounts every Communion day after the latter Sermon, in the presence of the Ministers, the Ancients, and the people, if there be any that will assist them: And therefore they shall be exhorted to be present there.  
Art. 7. They shall endeavour that the poor shall be nourished without going about a begging. And they shall make suit to the governors, that the youth fit for labour, may be set to occupations: And shall advertise the Masters, the Justices, to the end they may give order that none go from house to house to beg.  
Art. 8. They shall visit the poor, sick, and impotent, and the prisoners, to comfort and assist them in their necessity.  
Art. 9 They shall be assistant to the Consistory with the Ministers and Ancients, and there shall propose the necessity of the poor, and tell their advice: but in the choice of other Deacons, they shall have definitive voice.  
Art. 10. There shall be two Deacons in every Parish, or else the Elders shall have this charge of gathering and distributing the alms of the people.  
The ecclesiastical liturgy, wherein is contained the Preaching of the Word, the Administration of the Sacraments, Marriage, the visitation of the sick, wherein also is spoken of burial.   

CHAP. VIII. Of the Preaching of the Word.  
Article I. THe people shall assemble themselves twice every Sunday within the Church to hear the gospel preached, and shall be assistant to the public prayers: And also they shall assemble themselves once or twice every week upon the days, which shall be commodious for the Parishes: And every householder shall cause to be present his family.  
Art. 2. The people being assembled before the Sermon, one shall read a Chapter out of the canonical Scripture only, and not out of the Apocrypha books: and that it be done by one that hath charge in the Church, or of one of good conversation at the least.  
Art. 3. During the time of prayers, every one shall kneel, having the head bare. Item during the time of singing of psalms, and the administration of the Sacraments, and whiles the Minister shall read his Text, every one shall be uncovered, and be attentive to that which is said and done of him.  
Art. 4. At the public catechisms which the Minister shall make on the Sunday after dinner, he shall choose a Text out of the Word of God, which is agreeable unto the section he is to treat of, and shall read in the beginning of the said Text, and shall have it for a foundation of the doctrine which shall be spoken of in the said section.  
Art. 5. The doors of the Church shall be shut after the Sermon and public prayers, to wipe away all superstition. And the sears shall be set in good order, that every one may commodiously understand the voice of the Minister preaching.  
Art. 6. The Churches which are dedicated to the special service of God, shall not be employed to any profane uses: And the Magistrate shall be desired that he would not hold there any civil jurisdiction.   

CHAP. ix.. Of baptism.  
Article I. THe holy baptism shall be administered in the Church after the preaching of the Word of God, before the blessing.  
Art. 2. The Fathers of the children (if they be not upon a voyage) shall with the witnesses stand near to the child, to present it to God, and make promise for the instruction of it, as they are bound there to do.  
Art. 3. None shall be received to present a child at the baptism, unless he have received the Lord's Supper, or else if he be not fit to receive it, and that he make promise to do it at the next Communion, whereof (if he be a stranger) he shall bring testimony.  
Art. 4. He which would present a child to be Baptised, shall advertise the Minister in good time.  
Art. 5. The Minister shall not receive the names of Heathen, of idols, names attributed to God in the Scripture, neither the names of Office, as Angels, Baptist, Apostle.  
Art. 6. Every Parish shall register all their baptisms, of the Fathers, Mothers, and Witnesses of children, and of the day wherein they were baptised; and likewise of the Marriages and of the days; all which shall be carefully kept.   

CHAP. X. Of the Lord's Supper.  
Article I. THe holy Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ, shall be celebrated four times in the year; at Easter, or the first Sunday of April: the first Sunday of July: the first Sunday of October; and the first Sunday of January: And this shall be done after the Sermon, the which shall be made expressly of this matter, or at the least shall be touched at the latter end of the Sermon.  
Art. 2. They shall follow this order; The Table shall be set in some commodious place by the Pulpit, where they shall communicate in order, being set, which is most conformable to the first institution, or standing, as it is the custom of some Churches, the men first, and the women after, and none shall go away till after the thanksgiving and blessing of the people.  
Art. 3. Those which would communicate at the holy Supper, shall be catechised first of all by the Minister, to render a reason of their faith. They ought to know the Lord's Prayer, the Articles of their faith, and the ten commandments, at the least the substance of them; and renounce the Pope, the mass, and all Idolatry and Superstition.  
Art. 4. None shall be received to the holy Supper, which is not of age and discretion, and which hath not good testimony of his life and conversation, and which doth not promise to subject himself to the discipline.  
Art. 5. If there be any which is accused in justice to have committed some crime, he shall be exhorted to abstain from the Communion, till such time as he shall be justified.  
Art. 6. There shall not be received to the Lord's Supper any of other Parishes without good testimony from his Pastor, or of two of the Elders where there is no Minister.  
Art. 7. Those that will not be reconciled, shall be deprived of the Lord's Supper.  
Art. 8. They shall advertise the people at the least fifteen days before the Lord's Supper, to the end they may be prepared for it.  
Art. 9 Besides the former examination, which is made of the doctrine before they communicate unto the holy Supper, every one ought again to be catechised once a year at the least, according to the commodity of the Ministers and Parishioners.   

CHAP. XI. Of the Fast.  
Article I. THe public fast shall be celebrated in the Church, what time the Colloque or synod shall think it meet, as a day of rest, in which there shall be Sermons in the forenoon and afternoon, with prayers, the reading of the word of God, and singing of psalms, all most meet for the occasions and causes of the Fast, and all by the authority of the Magistrate.  

Of thanksgiving.  
Art. 2. The solemn thanksgiving must be celebrated in like manner, as the Fast: all the exercises being fitted to the occasions and causes of it.    

CHAP. XII. Of Marriage.  
Article I. THe promises of Marriages shall be made in the presence of the Parents friends, governors, or Masters or Mistresses of the parties, and with consent of them, and in the presence of the Minister, or of one Elder or Deacon, who shall receive the promises pure and simple, with invocation of the name of God, otherwise they shall not be received. And as for those that are at their own liberty, the presence of the Minister or one of the Elders or Deacons is also necessary for the policy.  
Art. 2. The children and those which are under Government, cannot make any promise of Marriage without the consent of their Fathers and Mothers, or of their Tutors, or of their guardians, in whose power they are.  
Art. 3. If the Fathers and Mothers are so unreasonable that they will not accord to so holy a thing, the Consistory shall give them such advice as shall be expedient, to the which if the Fathers and Mothers will not agree, they shall have recourse to the Magistrate.  
Art. 4. Even those which have been married, owe this honour to their parents, not to marry themselves without the advice of their parents, for want whereof they shall be censured.  
Art. 5. Those which shall be betrothed, shall promise with their parents that they shall be married within three months after their promises are made, or within six months, in case they be in a voyage. And if they will not obey, they shall be pursued by the ecclesiastical Censures.  
Art. 6. No stranger shall be betrothed, unless he have leave of the Right worshipful the governors, or their lieutenants.  
Art. 7. In marriages the degrees of consanguinity and affinity shall be diligently observed according to the law of God.  
Art. 8. The publication of Matrimony shall be declared three Sundays, one after another immediately in the Church where the parties dwells, or if they marry in some other Parish, they shall bring good testimony from the Minister that shall have published them, otherwise they cannot be married.  
Art. 9 To avoid the abuse and profanation of the day of Rest, and the manifest contempt of the Word of God, which is made in the marriage-dayes, it is thought good that marriage be no more celebrated upon Sunday, but on the week days only when there is a Sermon.  
Art. 10. If any will oppose himself against the publication of Matrimony, they must address themselves to the Minister first, or to two of the Elders, which shall signify it to the next Consistory, to come and give the reasons of his opposition: Of which the Consistory shall judge: And if there be any appeal, it shall be referred to the Colloque.  
Art. 11. Those which have companied together before they are married, shall not be married before they have made confession of their fault; and if the fault be openly known, they shall do it before all the Church: And if it be less known, the Consistory shall give order for it.  
Art. 12. The promises of widows that would remarry themselves, shall not be received but six months after the death of their deceased husband, that both for the honesty and well seemliness, and to meet with many inconveniences. As for the men, they shall be exhorted to stay a certain time also, without constraining them thereunto.   

CHAP. XIII. Of the Visitation of the sick.  
Article I. THose which have sick folk, shall advertise those which have charge in the Church in commodious time to this end, that they may be visited and comforted.  
Art. 2. Those which are sick shall be advertised to make their will in good time, and whilst they are in their good sense, which shall be done in the presence of the Minister or Elder, or some other able men, and worthy of faith, which shall seal the said Testament, to this end they may be approved.   

CHAP. XIV. Of burial.  
Article I. THe dead bodies shall not be brought nor made enter into the Churches: but into the churchyard ordained for the faithful.  
Art. 2. The kinsfolk, friends, and neighbours of the dead, and as many as the kinsfolks will pray, even the Ministers, if they be at leisure, as members of the Church and brethren, not in regard of their charge, no more than the Elders and Deacons, and shall go to conduct the dead corpse, for the comeliness of the burial: At the which there shall be neither Sermon, nor prayer, nor ringing of Bells, neither any kind of other ceremony.  
Art. 3. The dead shall not be buried without advertising of the Minister before.  
Art. 4. The dead corpse of those which are excommunicated shall not be buried among the faithful without ordinance of the Magistrate.   

CHAPTER XV. Of ecclesiastical Censures.  
Article I. ALL those which are of the Church shall be subject to the censures, as well those which have charge in the Church, as those which have no charge.  
Art. 2. The suspension from the holy Supper of the Lord, shall be published only in matter of heresy, schism, or other notable fault, of which the consistory shall judge.  
Art. 3. Those which shall not receive the advertisements and reprehensions of faults made by the Word of God, and which continue hardened, without hope of being brought into the right way after many exhortations, if they cannot be brought again they shall be excommunicated: whereunto shall be proceeded by three Sundays, according to the order as followeth.  
Art. 4. The first Sunday every one shall be exhorted to pray for the sinner, without naming or declaring the sin, or the sinner.  
Art. 5. The second Sunday the sinner shall be named and not the sin: the third Sunday the sinner shall be named and the sin declared, and he excommunicated, which shall so continue as long as he remaineth rebellious.  
Art. 6. Those which are excommunicated, are rejected of the Church, that they ought not to be admitted either to public prayers, or unto the preaching of the Word.  
Art. 7. If any having public charge in the Church, shall commit any fault which in a private person meriteth public suspension from the Lord's Supper, they shall be suspended from their charge, and if they commit any fault the which in a private person meriteth excommunication they shall be deposed.  
Art. 8. And likewise those which have committed any such fault, by the which they are made uncapable of exercising their charge to the edification of the Church, shall be deposed.  
Art. 9 If the sinner cometh to repentance, desiring of the Consistory to be received to the peace of the Church, diligent information must be had of his conversation, and shall advise the people thereof the Sunday before he be received, and make confession to have peace of the Church.  
Art. 10. The second Sunday he shall present himself before the Pulpit, and shall confess his fault, asking pardon of God and of the Church by his own mouth, in ratifying only that which the Minister shall have said of his repentance.   

CHAP. XVI. Of the ecclesiastical Assemblies for the guiding and governing of the Church.  
Article I. IN all ecclesiastical Assemblies the Ministers shall be Moderators, to gather the voices, to impose silence, and to give sentence according to the plurality, and to give the Censures; to the which they shall be subject as well as others.  
Art. 2. All Censures shall be done in meekness of spirit and doctrine.  
Art. 3. All Assemblies shall be begun and ended by prayers and thanksgiving; and it shall be done by him that is then Moderator.  
Art. 4. All those which there shall be assistant, shall speak by order, without interrupting one of the other.  
Art. 5. None shall depart from the Assembly without leave.  
Art. 6. All ecclesiastical matters there shall be entreated of, and decided by the Word of God, without taking upon them any civil Jurisdiction.  
Art. 7. If there come any matter of importance, which cannot be decided in the lesser Assemblies, they shall be sent to the greater. And likewise if any man do feel himself grieved with the judgement of the lesser, he may appeal to the greater: And there shall be nothing in the greater handled, which hath not been handled before in the lesser, unless it be in a matter which is remitted.  
Art. 8. For all the things that are memorable in all the Assemblies, there shall be a Register made, which shall be done by a Scribe appointed in every one of the Assemblies.  
Art. 9 The ecclesiastical Assemblies shall not be daysmen in causes and matters civil, yet the particular members of it as private persons may, but yet very rarely, when it is for making an end of debate, and the same of great consequence.  
Art. 10. He which hath been deprived of the Communion, or suspended from his Charge by an assembly, shall be reestablished by the same.  
These Assemblies are either simple, or compound; simple, as the Consistories.   

CHAP. XVII. Of the Consistories.  
Article I. THe Consistory is the assembly of the Ministers and Elders of every Church, for the Government of it, and to watch over the manners and doctrine, and to correct the vices, and encourage the well-doers, where the Deacons, together with the proposants, may be assistant to the Ministers, to the end to fashion them in the discipline and guiding of the Church.  
Art. 2. The Consistories are to be assembled every Sunday, or other days and hours ordained, according to the commodity of the Consistories, to consult of the affairs of the Church.  
Art. 3. None shall be called to the Consistory without the advice of the Minister and of two Elders, in case of necessity at the least: and every Elder or he that giveth sommance, shall call them of his quarter, as shall be ordained.  
Art. 4. The Elders shall not report the secret faults, not having observed the order commanded by Jesus Christ, Matth. 18. Reprehending in secret the faults that are secret.  
Art. 5. The Minister or Elders shall not name to the consistory, those whose faults they shall bring to the consistory, without the advice of the said consistory.  
Art. 6. The censures of the consistory shall be given before every Communion in the most commodious day; wherein the schoolmasters also shall be censured.  
Art. 7. The consistory shall choose those which ought to go to the Colloques.  
Art. 8. The correction of faults and offences, appertaineth to the Consistories, excommunication excepted.  
Art. 9 In ecclesiastical Assemblies the Consistories shall make inquisition of the faults which shall come before them; and shall adjure the parties in the name of God to speak the truth.   

CHAP. XVIII. Of the composed Assemblies, which are the Colloques and the Synods.  
Article I. AT the beginning of the Assembly there shall be called the Minister and the Elders, which ought to be assistants there.  
Art. 2. The persons who are named to be assistants shall not miss to be present there, upon pain to be censured at the next assembly, unto the which they shall be called.  
Art. 3. The Articles of the former assemblies shall be read before they enter the affairs, to the end to know if they have been executed: And at the end of every assembly the Elders shall take a copy of that which hath been determined there: to the end that all may walk after the same rule.  
Art. 4. In every Assembly there shall be a Scribe to write that which shall be resolved of by the Company.  
Art. 5. At the end of every assembly they shall give a brotherly censure of the Consistories, in general of the Ministers and Elders, which shall be assistant there, and principally of that which hath been done in the assembly during the action.  
Art. 6. The excommunication shall be only concluded in these assemblies.  
Art. 7. The Masters the Justices shall be prayed to cease the exercise of Courts, ordinary and extraordinary in the days of the Colloques and Synods, to this end that they which ought to be there assistant may not be hindered.   

CHAP. XIX. Of the Colloques.  
Article I. THe Colloque in the Assembly of the Ministers and Ancients deputed of every Church, in every one of the Governments of those isles, for the government and entertainment of the Discipline.  
Art. 2. The Colloques shall be assembled four times in the year; ten days before every Communion: In which day there shall be the proposition of the Word of God, following the form which is before established in the Chapter of Ministers.  
Art. 3. The Ministers of Alderney and spark, shall meet once a year at the least, at the Colloque at Gernsey, and they shall choose the most fit time to come in.  
Art. 4. The Colloque shall choose those which ought to go to the synod, and shall give them Letters testimonial of their sending.   

CHAP. XX. Of the Synods.  
Article I. THe synod is the assembly of Ministers and Elders, deputed by the Colloques of these Iles.  
Art. 2. The synod shall be assembled from two years to two years, in Gersey and Garnsey by course, unless necessity do constrain to assemble it sooner▪ In which case those of the I'll where the synod is to be holden, may hasten▪ it by the advice of both the Colloques.  
Art. 3. In every synod there shall be chosen a Minister to govern the action, and a Scribe to register the actions.  
Art. 4. The Minister of the place where the assembly is made, shall make a prayer in the beginning of the first sitting.  
Art. 5. The Colloques shall mutually advertise one another of the general things they have to propose to the synod in commodious time, to this end that every one may have time to think of it more ripely. And they shall give some advertisement thereof before the Colloque, which goeth next before the synod, so far as they may: And as for things of smaller importance, they shall be communicated of in the day of the first sitting.  
These Articles touching the Discipline, are so set down that so much and so far as they are grounded upon the Word of God, they are immovable: And as for the points that are merely ecclesiastical, that is to say, framed and set down for the commodity of the Church, according to the circumstance of persons, time, and place, they may be changed by the same authority they have been instituted.   

Here followeth the manner of Installing the Officers of the Church.  

The Promise in general.  
YOu promise before God, his elect Angels, and his Church, that you will serve him faithfully in this Office, taking heed to yourself, to this end, that in this vocation of God, you may walk worthily, so as it becometh a good servant of God, without abusing it to serve your own affections, or to be pleasing unto men, but that you use it with a good consciente, carrying all that you do in this office to the glory of God, and to the edification of the Church, principally of that over which you are set: giving in all things good example unto all, namely, in keeping and taking good heed to the policy as well ecclesiastical as civil, procuring the good and honour of the kingdom of England and of the I'll: taking pains that the people may live in good order, peace and union one with another, and in subjection and obedience to the Government of his majesty, the right worshipful the governors, his lieutenant, the bailiff, and the Justices, not consenting to any thing which is repugnant to the laws civil, policy of the country and kingdom, and the ecclesiastical Censures. All which you shall do so far as your office doth require, that is to say, without being prejudicial to the liberty of a good conscience.  
Furthermore, You shall not abandon or leave off your Charge for any discontentment, or tediousness, or any thing whatsoever: unless it be by the consent of the Consistory, or other to whom it appertaineth: At which Consistory you shall attend (if there be no hindrance) the Sunday, after the catechism to handle the ecclesiastical affairs: And you shall take heed of not disclosing any thing that hath been handled, to the parties or any other persons (Unless it be that they ought to know it) in pain of being rejected from the Company: remembering always that you must render an account of the charge which hath been committed unto you; to the end that you may hear his most amiable voice, It is well done good servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord. Finally, that which toucheth you most nearly in regard of the particular charge you are called unto.    

Promises Common to Ministers of the Word of God, and to the Elders.  
YOu do promise that you will feed and govern the flock of Christ, which is committed unto you, which is his house, according to the policy that our Lord Jesus Christ hath established in his Church, in having a care not by constraint, but willingly and with a ready courage, not for gain or unseemly honour, but only having regard to the glory of God, and to the salvation of the people: Not reigning over the Church, but in humility and fear, following the Word of God.  
You promise also to have an eye and watch upon the flock, to admonish and comfort in particular, according as need requires: Also to reprehend the private faults, and to bring to the consistory the public faults; to the end the scandals of the Church may be hindered.  
You shall attend the Colloques and synods at all times, when you shall be deputed thereunto, revealing nothing of that which hath been handled to the parties, or any of the persons, unless they ought to know it, upon pain to be rejected from the company.  
You promise to take careful heed of the accounts of the Deacons at the Communion day, or at least at the Communion days of September and Easter, and that after the second Sermon of the Sabbath; in which day ordinarily there is no consistory kept, or else the Sunday following, according to the opportunity of the Church.   

A Promise particular to the Minister of the Word.  
YOu promise that you will deliver the most holy Word, and Sacraments of God, in all faithfulness, pureness, and reverence, that you will take pains in teaching the people which are capable, in convincing those which contradict, in casting down the proud, in erecting and lifting up the humble, in bringing again those that are strayed out of the way, in cutting rightly the word of truth, as a good workman, which needeth not be ashamed, and as a good and wise Steward of the House of the Lord, distributing the spiritual meat as well to every one apart, according to his ability, as in common to all the family. You shall do this in all diligence, being earnest in time and out of time: And for this cause you promise to follow with all care and diligence, all means and helps of study, things proper to execute & honour your said ministry, which notwithstanding shall be done in all simplicity and easiness, as well in words as in sentences, to this end, that the rudest and most unlearned, and the Church may be edified by it. Above all, you shall employ yourself in studying the holy Scriptures, to this end, that being well instructed touching the kingdom of Heaven, you may be like a good Father of a Family, who is able to draw out of his treasure both old and new things.   

A Promise particular to the Elders.  
YOu promise to be assistant unto the Ministers of the Word, for the Government of the Church, over the which you are appointed, and shall take heed to the ministry of the Word; First, that the Church be not unprovided, and that being established it may be reverenced, and therefore you shall have an eye to them as well for the holy doctrine, as for their holiness of life, and afterwards upon the rest of the Church, especially upon those which are committed more nearly to your charge. And therefore if there shall come any discord between any of your quarter, you shall endeavour to accord them by good and brotherly advisement, and if they will not obey, you shall summon them to come to the consistory to have some convenient remedy thereof, which you shall do principally in the Visitation before the Communion: Also you shall go at every Communion throughout all the Families of your quarter, as well to your neighbours, as those that are of your own household, to know whether they live in the fear of God, whether they frequent preaching, if they do pray in their houses, their particular prayers evening and morning, before and after meat.  
Furthermore, You do promise to visit the sick of your quarter, and when there shall be need, you shall call with you the Ministers of the Word to comfort them; finally, you shall procure that all things in the assemblies may be done in good order and seemliness.   

A Promise particular to Deacons.  
YOu promise to receive, dispense, and keep faithfully, and without deceit or acceptation of persons, the goods which are given to the poor; you shall gather the alms of the poor given by the people at the going out of the Church after the Sermons, and especially on the Sabbath day: And if that necessity so require (because of some extraordinary need) you shall go by the houses of those which are willing, to gather some come or other alms, according to the good will or discretion of well disposed people. And to wipe away all evil suspicion, you shall count out of hand the alms received (which shall be set down in writing) in the presence of the Ministers, and one or two of the Elders: And for this cause you shall have a book, wherein to Register as well the things that are received as those that are laid out.  
You do promise that you will not give any alms without communicating it unto the Ministers and the Elders, that you distribute the alms, first of all unto those that are of the household of faith; and if there be any overplus, you may let it run down unto strangers from the Church.  
You do promise to visit the poor, sick, and to cause them to be tended and looked unto, and to inquire of the necessity of other poor, principally of your quarter, and to the end that they may be nourished by the alms of the Church, without letting them wander and range about the streets, or other Parishes. And you shall procure that those which are meet to be put to occupation, that they may be employed, of the which, you shall advertise the Constables, or those which have the charge of Justice, to the end that they may not be suffered to beg.   

A Prayer Common for all the Officers of the Church.  
OH Lord God, Father of light, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, we do pray thee most humbly in the name and favour of Jesus Christ, thy only son our Saviour, who being ascended into heaven in glory, doth not cease to enlarge towards as thy gracious liberality of Officers, for the work of the ministry, and building of thy mystical body, we most humbly pray thee, that seeing it hath pleased thee to call this our brother to the service of the Church, that thou wouldest so fashion and fit him to so holy a charge, that he may quit himself in all diligence, employing himself faithfully and with a fervent zeal to all that which belongeth unto his charge. Give him prudency to govern himself well in it, and force to execute all things that appertain to him in regard of his office. Above all things, fill him with the spirit of thy fear, to the end that he may be preserved from all scandal, confusion, and the allurements of this present world, of the snares and ambushments of Satan, giving him patience and constancy, that he may acquit faithfully his duty as much as human frailty may suffer: bless thou his labour, to the end that nothing hinder the holy work which is in his hands; show also this grace to every one of us, to acknowledge him as set and ordained of thy hand in this most holy vocation, that we may be led by him, without withstanding the order thou hast established in thy Charge: And that by this means remaining in thy obedience, thou mayst be glorified in us, and thy Church may receive continual growth, to the good and salvation of thy children:  

Proper to the Minister of the Word.  
And in regard of his particular Charge, we most humbly pray thee, that this our brother which thou hast called to the ministry of thy holy Word, to the which even the holy angels are insufficient, thou wouldest enlarge him with the true keowledge of the wonderful secrets thereof, and with a singular wisdom, by the which he may know how to dispense and apply to every one, according to the circumstance of time, of places, and principally of persons, that he may have his mouth opened to declare in all liberty and boldness, truly spiritual, the mystery of the gospel; As also all that which is meet for him to declare; And also to administer the holy Sacraments in all purity and reverence: Give to every one of us this grace, that we may receive as well the one as the other, in all humility and trembling of heart, not as coming from men, but (as the truth is) coming from thee the living God, thereby to be quickened eternally to   

Proper to the Elders.  
be an Elder and watchman, grant thou that he being given for help to the Ministers of the Word in the government, and as the ears of the body of the Church, he may apply himself with such diligence to know the estate as well of the faith as of the manners of the flock, principally of those over the which he hath more particular charge, that by this means he may as well admonish, reprehend, comfort, and encourage every one, according as there is need; as also to certify the Ministers of the Word of it, that the Ministers by help thereof may with more profit address their doctrine to the Church of God. Give also this grace to every one of us, that we may obey and reverence him as well in private admonitions, as the rest of the guiding of the Church, as a father whom God hath set to watch over our souls, to this end he may do it with cheerfulness and not with grief to   

Proper to Deacons.  
be a Deacon, that thou wouldest grant him thy Spirit, first of simplicity, to distribute the treasure of the church without acceptation of persons; and than the spirit of discretion, to discern of the estate of every one of the poor, and especially of those which are of his quarter. Finally, and above all, the spirit of compassion, to execute his duty towards the poor (principally towards the sick and weak) in all joy and readiness, to the end they be not put to further sorrow: Touch also the hearts & entrails of every one of us, that following thy liberality towards us, we may willingly and frankly distribute of our goods to sustain the necessity of the afflicted, as members of the same body, and entertaining the communion, which ought to be between the faithful, we may show by effect that we are true members of the Church.   

Laying on of hands.  
I lay upon him the hands in the name of the Consistory, by which imposition of hands, you are advertised that you are set apart from the affairs of this world, whether they be your own or any others (in so much as they may hinder the charge you are called unto) to be dedicated & consecrated to the holy service of God. Moreover, that in doing your duty faithfully, roundly, and in all simplicity (as before God) you shall be assured of the assistance of the hand of God, helpful unto you in all your necessity: And therefore that you be not discouraged for the afflictions that may come upon you in executing your charge, rather that you may sustain constantly and in all patience, contempt, shame, and reproach of men given in this world, both which things being signified by this ceremony, God by his mercy and faithfulness accomplish and perfect in you, in the name of his son Jesus Christ our Saviour.    

A general Admonition to the people for all the Officers of the Church.  
ANd as for you Brethren and Sisters know, that the duty of the Church towards the Brother present, is to receive him willingly, as sent of God, bearing him honour and reverence, in regard of his Charge, the which he executeth towards you: Take heed that you murmur not against him, or against his ministry in any sort whatsoever, for the Lord will not leave unpunished the contempt of his servants, and much less the murmuring and rash rebellion against their persons: As the horrible examples that may be seen in the Scriptures do plainly testify. It is also required of you that you pray unto God for him, to this end that he may execute the office God hath called him unto in all wisdom and faithfulness, referring all to God's glory, and the edification of his Church, whereof he hath charge.  

Special for the Minister of the Word.  
Which you shall do so much more carefully for him in regard that his charge is of so great importance, as well for the glory of God, as for the salvation of us all, as you have partly understood by the duty which hath been already recited. To the end that speech may be given him and a mouth opened in all boldness to make known the secret of the gospel, and to speak frankly as it behooveth him to speak. Secondly, it is meet you know that the office of the Church towards the Ministers is to entertain them honestly, according to their power and ability: for it is good reason that seeing they sow spiritual things, they should reap the corporal things: And that the ox that treadeth out the grain, should not want feeding, as St Paul teacheth: Therefore also you shall have this our Brother for recommended as touching his entertainment.    
FINIS.