THE Moderate Presbyter: OR, A form OF CHURCH-GOVERNMENT ACCORDING To the Word of GOD.  
Published according to Order.  
Printed at London for Richard coats. 1646.   

THE Sacred Discipline of the Church described in the Word of God, according to the judgement of the godly Ministers of the Presbyterian party, which lived in the daies of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory.  
THe Discipline of Christs Church, that is necessary for all times, is delivered by Christ, and set down in the holy Scriptures. Therefore the true and lawful Discipline is to bee fetched from them, and from thence alone, and that which resteth upon any other foundation, ought to bee esteemed unlawful and counterfeit.  
Of all particular Churches, there is one and the same right order and form. Therefore also no one may challenge to itself any power over others, nor any right which doth not alike agree to others.  
The Ministers of public charges in every particular Church ought to bee called and appointed to their charges by a lawful ecclesiastical calling, such as hereafter is set down. All these for the divers regard of their several kinds are of equal power amongst themselves.  
No man can bee lawfully called to public charge in any Church, but he that is fit to discharge the same. And none is to bee accounted fit but he that is endowed with the common gifts of all the godly, that is, with Faith and a blameless life. And further also with those that are proper to that ministry wherein he is to bee used, and necessary for the executing of the same; Whereupon for trial of those gifts some convenient way and examination is to bee used.  
The party to bee called must first bee elected, then he is to bee ordained to that charge whereunto he is chosen by the Prayers of that Church, whereunto he is to bee admitted, the mutual duties of him and of the Church, being before laid open.  
The Ministers of the Church are: first, they that are Ministers of the Word. In their examination it is specially to bee taken heed unto that they bee apt to teach, and tried men, not newly planted and converted to the Faith.  
Now these Ministers of the Word, are first Pastours, which do administer the Word and Sacraments. Then Teachers which are occupied in wholesome Doctrine.  
Besides these, there are also Elders, which watch over the life and behaviour of every man; and Deacons which have care over the poor.  
Further, in every particular Church there ought to bee a Presbytery, which is a Consistory, and as it were a Senate of Elders. Under the name of Elders here are contained they who in the Churches minister doctrine, and they who are properly called Elders.  
By the common council of the Eldership all things are directed that belong to the state of their Church. First, such as belong to the guidance of the whole body of it, in the holy and common assembly, gathered together in the name of the Lord. That all things may bee done in them duly, orderly, and to edification.  
Secondly, Then also such as pertain to particular persons. First, to all the members of that Church, that the good may enjoy all the privileges that belong unto them; that the wicked may bee corrected with ecclesiastical censures according to the quality of the fault private and public, by admonishing and by removing either from the Lords Supper, by suspension( as it is commonly called) or out of the Church by excommunication. Then which belong specially to the Ministers of public charge in the Church, to their calling, either to bee begun or ended, and ended either by relieving or punishing them, and that for a time by suspension, or altogether by deposition.  
For directing of the Eldership, let the pastor bee set over it, or if there bee more Pastours then one in the same Church, Let the Pastours do it in their turns.  
But yet in all the greater affairs of the Church, as in excommunicating of any, and in choosing or deposing of Church Ministers, nothing may bee concluded without the knowledge and consent of the Church.  
Particular Churches ought to yield mutual help one to another, for which cause they are to communicate amongst themselves.  
The end of this communicating together, is, that all things in them may bee so directed both in regard of Doctrine, and also of Discipline, as by the Word of God they ought to be.  
Therefore the things that belong hereunto are determined by the common opinion of those who meet so to communicate together, and whatsoever is to bee amended, furthered, or procured in any of these several Churches, or in all the Churches that belong to that Assembly. Wherein albeit no particular Church hath power over another, yet every particular Church of the same resort, meeting, and counsel ought to obey the opinion of more Churches with whom they communicate.  
For holding of those meetings and Assemblies there are to be chosen by every Church belonging to that Assembly, principal men from among the Elders, who are to have their instructions from them, and so to be sent to the Assembly. There must be also a care had, that the things they shall return to have been godly agreed on by the meetings, be diligently observed by the Churches.  
Further, in such Assemblies there is also to be chosen one that may be set over the Assemblies who may moderate and direct them. His duty is to see that the Assembly bee held godly, quietly, and comely. Therefore it belongeth unto him to begin and end the Conference with Prayer; to know every mans instructions; to propound in order the things that are to be handled; to gather their Opinions, and to propound what is the opinion of the greater part. It is also the part of the rest of the Assembly to speak their opinions of the things propounded, godly and quietly.  
The synodical Discipline gathered out of the Synods and use of the Churches which have restored it according to the Word of God, and out of sundry books that are written of the same, and referred unto certain Heads:  

Of the necessity of a Calling.  
Let no man thrust himself into the executing of any part of public charge in the administration of the Word, Sacraments, Discipline, or care over the poor. Neither let any such sue of seek for any public charge of the Church, but let every one tarry until he be lawfully called.  
The manner of entering and determining of a Calling, and against a ministry of no certain place, and the desert on of a Church.  
Let none be called but unto some certain Charge ordained of God, and to the exercising of the same in some particular Congregation; and he that is so called, let him be so bound to that Church, that he may not after be of any other, or depart from it without just and necessary cause, which is to be judged of by those that have lawful authority so to do.  
Let none be called, but they that have first subscribed the confession of Doctrine and Discipline, whereof let them be admonished to have Copies with themselves.   

Of the examination of Ministers.  
In the examination of Ministers, the testimony of the place from whence they come is to be demanded, whereby it may be understood what life and conversation he hath been of, and whether he hath been addicted to any heresy, or to curious and strange questions, and idle speculations; or rather, whether he be accounted sound, and consenting in all things to the Doctrine received in the Church. Whereunto if he agree, he is also to expound some part of the holy Scriptures twice or oftener, as it shall seem meet to the Examiners, and that before the Conference, and that Church which is interressed. Let him also be demanded of the principal Heads of Divinity, and whether he will diligently execute and discharge his ministry; and in the execution thereof propound unto himself, not his own desires and commodities, but the glory of God, and edification of the Church. Lastly, whether he will be studious and careful to maintain and preserve wholesome Doctrine, and ecclesiastical Discipline. Thus let the Minister be examined not onely by one Eldership, but also by some greater meeting and Assembly.   

Of Election.  
Before the Election of a Minister, and the deliberation of the Conference concerning the same. Let there be a day of Fast kept in the Church interressed.   

Of the place of exercising this Calling.  
Albeit it be lawful for a Minister upon just occasion to Preach in another Church, then that whereof he is Minister, yet none may exercise any ordinary ministry elsewhere but for a certain time upon great occasion, and by the consent of his Church and Conference.   

Of the Office of the Ministers of the Word, and first of the Order of liturgy or Common-Prayer.  
Let the Minister that is to Preach, name a psalm, or a part of a psalm( beginning with the first, and so proceeding) that may be sung by the Church, noting to them the end of their singing, to wit, the glory of God, and their own edification. After the psalm let a short admonition to the people, follow of preparing themselves to pray duly unto God.  
Then let there be made a Prayer containing a general confession first of the guilt of sin both original and actual and of the punishment which is due by the Law for them both. Then also of the promise of the Gospel, and in respect of it supplication for pardon of the said guilt and punishment and Petition of grace promised as for the duties of the whole life; so especially for the godly expounding and receiving of the Word. Let this petition be concluded with the Lords Prayer. After the Sermon let Prayer be made again first for grace to profit by the Doctrine delivered, the principal heads thereof being remembered; then for all men, but chiefly for the universal Church, and for all estates and degrees of the people, which is likewise to be ended with the Lords Prayer, and the singing of a psalm as before. Last of all, let the Congregation be dismissed with some convenient form of blessing taken out of the Scriptures, such as is Num. 6.24. 2 Cor. 13.13.   

Of Preaching.  
Let him that shall Preach, choose some part of the canonical Scriptures to expound, and not of the Apocrypha.  
Further in his ordinary ministry, let him not take postils,( as they are called) but some whole book of the holy Scripture, especially of the New Testament to expound in order. In choice whereof, regard is to bee had both of the Ministers ability, and of the edification of the Church.  
he that preacheth must perform two things; the first that his speech bee uncorrupt; which is to be considered both in regard of the doctrine, that it bee holy, sound, wholesome, and profitable to edification, not devilish, heretical, leavened, corrupt, fabulous, curious, or contentious. And also in respect of the manner of it, that it bee proper to the place which is handled, that is, which either is contained plainly in the very words, or if it bee gathered by consequent that the same bee fit and clear, and such as may rise upon the property of the words, grace of speech, and svit of the matter, and not bee allegorical, strong wrested, and far fetched. Now let that which is such and chiefly which is fittest for the times and occasions of the Church bee delivered. Further let the explication, confirmation, enlargement, and application, and the whole treatise and handling of it bee in the vulgar tongue, and let the whole confirmation, and proof be made by arguments, testimonies, and examples taken onely out of the holy Scriptures, applied fitly and according to the natural meaning of the places that are alleged.  
The second thing to bee performed by him that preacheth is reverend gravity. This is considered first in the style or phrase and manner of speech that it bee spiritual, pure, proper, simplo, and applied to the capacity of the people, not such as human wisdom teacheth, nor savouring of new fanglednesse, nor either so affectate as it may serve for pomp and austentaion; or so careless and base as become●h not Ministers of the Word of God. Secondly, it is also to bee regarded as well in ordering the voice, in which a ●●re must be had that avoiding the keeping always of one ●●●e it may bee equal, and both rise and fall by degrees; As also in ordering the gesture wherein( the body being upright) the guiding and ordering of the whole body is to follow the voice, there being avoided in it all unseemly gestures of the head or other parts, and often turning of the body to divers sides. Finally let the gesture bee grave, modest, and seemly, not utterly none, nor to much; neither like the gestures of Players or Fencers.  
These things are to bee performed by him that preacheth, whereby when need requireth they may bee examined, who are trained and exercised to bee made fit to preach.  
Let there be, if may it be, every Sabbath day two sermons, and let them that preach, always endeavour to keep themselves within one hour, especially on the work dayes. The use of preaching at burials is to bee left as it may bee done conveniently, because there is danger, that they may nourish the superstition of some, or bee abused to pomp and vanity,   

Of the catechism.  
Let the catechism bee taught in every Church. Let there bee two sorts, one more large applied to the delivering of the sum of Religion, by a suite and order of certain places of the Scriptures, according to which some point of the holy doctrine may bee expounded every week. Another of the same sort, but shorter, fit for the examination of the rude and ignorant before they bee admitted to the Lords Supper.   

Of the other parts of liturgy or divine Service  
All the rest of the liturgy or divine Service consisteth in the administration of the Sacraments, and( by the custom of the Church) in blessing of marriages. The most commodious form thereof, is that which is used by the Churches that have reformed their discipline according to the word of God.   

Of Sacraments.  
Let onely a Minister of the Word that is a Preacher, Minister the Sacraments, & that after the preaching of the Word, and not in any other place then in the public assemblies of the Church.   

Of baptism.  
Women onely may not offer unto Baptism, those that are to bee baptized, but the father, if it may bee, or in his name some other. They which present unto baptism are to bee persuaded, not to give those that are baptized in the names of God, or of Christ, or of Angells, or of holy Offices, as of Baptist, Evangelist, &c. Nor such as favour of paganism or Popery; but such, chiefly whereof their are examples in the holy Scriptures, in the names of those who are reported in them to have been godly and virtuous.   

Of the Communion.  
Let the time of celebrating the Communion bee made known eight dayes before, that the Congregation may prepare themselves; and that the Elders may do their duty in going to and visiting whom they ought.   

Of signifying their names that are to communicate.  
Let them which before have not been received to the Lords Table, when they first desire to come to it; give their names to the Ministers seven dayes before Communion, that care of enquiring of them may bee committed to the Elders: that if there bee any cause of hindrance, there may bee stay made in time; but if there bee no such thing, let them proceed, where need may bee to the examining of their faith before some of the Elders and Ministers.  
Every month before the Communion let this whole treatise of Discipline be red in the Consistory, and let the Ministers, Elders, and Deacons bee censured one after another; yet so that the Minister concerning Doctrine, bee censured of Ministers onely.  
Let them onely be admitted to the Communion, that have made confession of their Faith, and submitted themselves to the Discipline, unless they shall bring Letters testimonials of good credit from some other place, or shall approve themselves by some other sufficient testimony.  
Children are not to be admitted to the Communion before they be of the age of 14 years except the Consistory shall otherwise determine.  
On the Sabbath day next before the Communion, let mention be made in the Sermon of the Examination, whereunto the Apostle exhorteth, and of the peace that is by faith: In the day of the Communion, let there be speech of the doctrine of the Sacraments( and especially of the Lords Supper.   

Of Fasting.  
Let the day of Fasting be published by the Pastor according to the advice of the Consistory, either for supplication for turning away of calamities present, or threatened, or for petition of some special grace. Let the Sermons upon the same day before and after noon( as on the Lords day) be such as may be fit for the present occasion.   

Of holidays.  
holidays are conveniently to be abolished.   

Of Marriages.  
Let espousing go before Marriage: let the words of espousing be of the present time, and without condition, and before sufficient Witnesses on both sides. It is to be wished that the Minister, or an Elder be present at the Spousalls, who( having called upon God) may admonish both parties of their duties: And first may have care of avoiding the degrees forbidden both by the Law of God and man, and then may demand of them whether they be free from any bond of marriage, which if they profess, and bee strangers he may also require sufficient testimony. Further also they are to be demanded whether they have been married before, and of the death of the Party with whom they were married, which if they aclowledge and be strangers, he may demand convenient testimony of the death of the other Party. Finally let them be asked if they be under the government of any, whether they whom it concerneth have consented.  
The Spousalls being done in due order let them not be dissolved though both Parties should consent. Let the marriage bee solemnized within two moneths after. Before the marriage let the promise bee published three several Sabbath daies, but first let the parties espoused with their Parents or Governours, desire the publishing thereof of the Minister and two Elders at the least that they may bee demanded of those things that are needful, and let them require to see the Instrument of the Covenant of the marriage, or at least sufficient testimony of the espousals.  
Marriage may bee solemnized and blessed upon any ordinary day of public Player, saving upon a day of Fast.   

Of schools.  
Let Children bee instructed in schools, both in other learning, and especially in the catechism, that they may repeat it by heart, and understand it when they are so instructed, let them bee brought to the Lords Supper, after they have been examined by the Minister, and allowed by him.   

Of Students of Divinity, and their exercises.  
In every Church where it may conveniently be done, care is to be had that some poor Scholars, Studious of Divinity, being fit for theological Exercises, and especially for expounding of holy Scripture, may by the liberality of the godly rich be taught and trained up to preach.  
Let that exposition( as often as it shall be convenment to be had) be in the presence at least of one Minister, by whose presence they may be kept in Order, and in the same sort as touching the manner of Preaching, that public Sermons are made; which being ended, let the other Students( he being put a part that was Speaker) note wherein he hath failed in any of those things that are to bee performed by him that preacheth publicly, as is set down before. Of whose opinion let the Minister that is present, and is moderator of their Exercise, judge and admonish the Speaker as he shall think meet.   

Of Elders.  
Let the Elders know every particular house & person of the Church, that they may inform the Minister of the condition of every one, and the Deacons of the sick and poor, that they may take care to provide for them; they are not to bee perpetual, neither yet easily to be changed.   

Of Consistories.  
In the Consistory the most voices are to be yielded unto. In it onely ecclesiastical things are to be handled. Of them, first they are to be dealt with such as belong to the common direction of the public Assembly in the order of liturgy or Divine Service, Sermons, Prayers, Sacraments, Marriages, and burials; Then with such also as pertain to the overfight of every one and their particular deeds. Further they are to cause such things as shall be chought meet to bee registered and written in a book. They are also to cause to be written in another book the names of them that are baptized, with the names of their Parents and Sureties. Likewise of the Communicants. Further also are to bee noted their names that are married, that die, and to whom letters testimonial are given.   

Of the Censures.  
None is to bee complained of unto the Consistory, unless first the matter being uttered with silencing the parties name, if it seem meet so to bee done by the judgement of the Consistory.  
In private and less faults, the precept of Christ, Mat. 18. is to bee kept.  
Greater and public offences are to bee handled by the Consistory. Further public offences are to be esteemed: First, such as are done openly before all, or whomsoever, the whole Church knowing of it. Secondly, such as bee done in a public place, albeit few know it. Thirdly, that are made such by pertinacy & contempt. Fourthly, that for the heinousness of the offence, are to bee punished with some grievous civill punishment.  
They that are to bee excommunicated,( being in public charge in the Church) are to be deposed also from their Charges. They also are to bee discharged, that are unfit for the ministry by reason of their ignorance, or of some incurable disease, or by any other such cause are disabled to perform their ministry. But in the room of such as are disabled by means of sickness or age, let another bee placed without the reproach of him that is discharged, and further, so as the reverence of the ministry may remain unto him, and he may bee provided for liberally, and in good order.  
When there is question concerning an heretic complained of to the Consistory; strait let two or three neighbour Ministers bee called, men godly and learned, and free from that suspicion, by whose opinion he may bee suspended till such time as the Conference may take knowledge of his cause.  
The obstinate after admonition by the Consistory, though the fault have not been so great, are to bee suspended from the Communion; and if they continue in their obstinacy, this shall bee the order to proceed to their excommunication. Three several Sabbath dayes after the Sermon, publicly let bee declared the offence committed by the offendor, and the duties done to him, that he might bee brought to repentance. The first Sabbath let not the offenders name bee published. The second let it bee declared, and with all a certain day of the week name to bee kept for that cause in fasting and prayer. The third, let warning begiven of his excommunicating, to follow the next Sabbath after, except there may bee shewed some sufficient cause to the contrary. So upon the fourth Sabbath Day, let the sentence of excommunication bee pronounced against him, that his Spirit may bee saved in the day of the Lord.  
he that hath committed great offences opprobrious to the Church and to bee grievously punished by the Magistrates authority, albeit he profess his repentance in word: yet for the trial thereof, and to take away the offence, let him for a time bee kept from the Communion. Which how often, and how long it is to bee done, let the Consistory according to their discretion determine. After which if the party repent, he is brotherly to bee received again, but not until he have openly professed his repentance before the Church by consent, whereof he should have been excommunicated.  
If the Ministers of any public Charge in the Church commit any such thing, they are to bee deposed from their charge.  
The second kind of Deacons is of distributers, who are they that take the charge for relieving of the poor   

Of the Assemblies of the Church.  
Particular Churches are to communicate one with another by common meetings and resorts. In them onely ecclesiastical matters are to bee handled, and of those, onely such as pertain to the Churches of that resort.  
Concerning other Churches, unless they be desired, they are to determine nothing further then to refer such matters to their next common and greater meeting.  
Let the order of proceeding in them bee this. First, let the survey be taken of those that are present, and the names of those that are absent and should be there, be noted, that they may give a reason at their next meeting of their absence, or be censured by the judgement of the Assembly next.  
Let the acts of the last assembly of that kind be red, that if any of the same remain unfinished, they may be dispatched. Then let those things be dealt in, that are properly belonging to the present assembly. Where, first, the instructions sent from the Churches, are to be delivered by every one in order as they sit together with their letters of credence. Secondly, let the state of the Churches of that resort be considered, to wit, how they are instructed and guided. Whether the holy Doctrine and Discipline be taught and exercised in them, and whether the Ministers of public charges do their duty, and such like.  
Furthermore, they shall determine of those things that do appertain to the common state of all the Churches of that resort, or unto any of the same, which way may be sufficient for the overfight of the Churches. Lastly, if it seem meet, the Delegates present may be censured.  
They that are to meet in such assemblies are to bee chosen by the consent of the Churches of that Assembly and conference to whom it may appertain.  
Let such onely bee chosen that exercise public function in the Church of ministry or Eldership, and which have subscribed to the Doctrine and Discipline, and have promised to behave themselves in all things according to the Word of God. Notwithstanding it may bee lawful also for other Elders and other Ministers to bee present, and likewise( if the assembly think it meet) for Deacons and for students in Divinity, especially those that exercise themselves in expounding the holy Scriptures in the conferences, and be asked their opinions, which in Students is to this end, that their judgements in handling matters ecclesiastical, may bee both tried and sharpened, but they only are to give voice which are chosen by the Churches, and have brought their instructions signed from them.  
If there fall out any very weighty matter to be consulted of, let notice of it be given to the moderator of the Assembly next going before, or to the Minister of that Church where the next meeting is to be, the same is to sand word of it in due time to the Minister of every Church of that assembly that they may communicate it afore-hand with those to whom it appertaineth, that the delegates resorting to the next meeting, may understand and report their judgements.  
In appointing the place for the Assembly, regard must bee had of the convenient distance, and other commodities that no part may justly complain that they are burdened above others.  
In every such ecclesiastical Assembly, it is meet there bee a moderator, he is to have charge of the Assembly, to see it kept in good order, and he is always( if it may bee conveniently) to bee changed, the choice is to bee in this manner.  
The moderator of the former Assembly of that kind, or in his absence the Minister of the Church where they meet, having first prayed fitly to that purpose, is to move the Assembly to choose a moderator. he being chosen is to provide that the things done in the assembly may bee written, that the delegates of every Church may writ them out, and communicate them with the conferences from whence they came.  
The moderator is also by the order and judgement of the assembly, to give answer either by speech or by Letters, to such as desire any answer and to execute censures if any bee to bee exacuted.  
Further he is to procure all things to bee done in it, godly and quietly exhorting to meekness moderation of spirit and forbearing one of another where need shall be, and referring it to the Assembly, to take order for such as are obstinate and contentious. Lastly, he is to remember them of the next meeting following, with thanks for their pains, exhorting them to proceed cheerfully in their Callings, and so courteously to dismiss the Assembly, before such time none may depart without leave of the Assembly: Therefore, unless it bee a plain act, and manifest unto all, if any think himself injured by the less meeting, he may appeal still unto a greater, till he come to a general counsel; so that he ascend orderly from the less to the next greater. But it is to be understood, that the sentence of the Assembly is holden firm, until it be otherwise judged by an Assembly of greater authority.   

Assemblies or meetings are either Conferences or Synods.  
Conferences are the meetings of the Elders of a few Churches, as for example of twelve. There are to meet in a Conference chosen by the Eldership of every particular Church, one Minister and one Elder. The Conferences are to be kept once in six weeks.  
They are especially to look unto the state of the Churches of that resort and Conference, examining particularly these several points. Whether all things be done in them according to the holy Doctrine and Discipline of the Gospel, to wit, whether any question be moved concerning any point of Doctrine. Whether the ecclesiastical Discipline be duly observed? Whether any Minister be wanting in any of those Churches, that a sufficient one in due time may be procured. Whether the other Ministers of public charge in the Church be appointed in every Congregation? Whether care be had of schools, and for the poor? Finally, they are to be demanded wherein any of them needeth the advice of the Conference for the advancement of the Gospel amongst them.  
Before the end of the meeting( if it shall be so thought good by them) Let one of the Ministers assembled in Conference either chosen by voice, or taking it by turn, Preach publicly. Of his speech let the rest judge among themselves( the Elders being put apart) and admonish him brotherly, if there be any cause, examining all things according to those rules that are before declared in the Chapter concerning the things that are to be performed by those that Preach.   

Of Synods.  
A Synod is the meeting of chosen men of many Conferences. In it let the whole Treatise of Discipline be red. In it also( other things first being finished, as was said before) let all those that are present be censured( if it may be done conveniently) and let them also have a communion in and with the Church where they were assembled.  
There are two sorts of Synods. The first is particular, which comprehendeth both the provincial and national Synod. A provincial Synod is the meeting of the chosen men of every conference within the Province.  
A Province containeth 24 Conferences.  
A fit way to call a provincial council may be this; the care thereof( except themselves will determine of it) may be committed to the particular Eldership of some Conference within the Province, which by advice of the same Conference may appoint the place and time for the meeting of the provincial Synod.  
To that Church or Eldership are to bee sent, the matters that seemed to the particular Conferences more difficult for them to take order in, and such as belong to the Churches of the whole Province, which is to bee done diligently, and in good time, that the same may in due season give notice of the place, and time of the Synod, and of the matters to bee debated therein, that they which shall bee sent, may come the better prepared, and judge of them according to the advice of the conferences.  
Two Ministers, and as many Elders are to bee sent from every Conference unto the provincial Synod. The same is to bee held every half year or oftener, till the Discipline bee settled. It is to bee held three moneths before every national Synod, that they may prepare and make ready those things that pertain to the national. The Acts of the provincial Synod are to bee sent unto the national by the Eldership of that Church in which it was holden, and every Minister is to bee furnished with a copy of them, and with the reasons of the same.  
A national Synod or Convocation, is a meeting of the chosen men of every Province, within the Dominion of the same Nation, and Civill Government.  
The way to call it,( unless it shall determine otherwise) may bee the same with the provincial, that is, by the Eldership of some particular Church, which shall appoint the time and place of the next national Convocation, but not otherwise then by the advice of their provincial Synod.  
Out of every provincial Synod there are to bee chosen three Ministers, and as many Elders to bee sent to the national. They are to handle the things pertaining to the Churches of the whole Nation, or kingdom, as the Doctrine Discipline, Ceremonies, things not decided by inferior meetings, appeals, and such like. By the order of the same, one is to be appointed, which may gather into one Book, the notes of every particular Church.  
Thus much for particular meetings the universal followeth, which is called a general or Oecomenicall counsel, which is a meeting of the chosen men of every national Synod.  
This Discipline, entitled the Discipline of the Church described in the Word of God as far as we can judge, is taken and drawn from the most pure fountains of the Word of God; and containeth in it the Discipline of the Church that is necessary, essential, and common to all ages of the Church.  
The synodical also adjoined, as it resteth upon the same foundations is likewise necessary and perpetual. But as far as it is not expressly confirmed by authority of the holy Scripture, but is applied to the use and times of the Church as their divers state may require according to the analogy and general rules of the same Scripture is to be judged profitable for the Churches that receive it. But may be changed in such things as belong not to the essence of the Discipline upon a like godly reason, as the divers estate of the Churches may require.   

The form of Subscription.  
The Brethren of the Conference of N. whose names are hereunder-writen, have subscribed this Discipline after this manner.  
This Discipline we allow as a godly Discipline, and agreeable to the Word of God( yet so as we may be first satisfied in the things hereunder noted) and desire the same so acknowledged by us to be furthered by all lawful means that by public authority of the Magistrate, and of our Church, it may be established.  
Which thing if it may be obtained of her right excellent Majesty, and other the Magistrates of this Kingdom, we promise that we will do nothing against it whereby the public peace of the Church may be troubled. In the mean time we promise to observe it so far as it may be lawful for us so to do by the public Laws of this kingdom, and by the peace of our Church.   
FINIS.