A book OF THE form of common prayers, administration of the Sacraments, &c. agreeable to Gods word, and the use of the reformed Churches. To this fourth edition is added the maner of ordination and admission of a Pastor to his charge, according to the maner of the reformed Churches. The contents of this book, are contained in the page. following.  
MIDDELBVRGH, Imprinted by Richard Schilders, Printer to the States of Zeeland. 1602.  


Cum privilegio,     

The contents of this book.  

THe confession of the Christian faith Of public exercise in the assembly. 

First of prayers before the Sermon, with a confession of our sins.  
Then the preaching of the word.  
lastly, diuers forms of general prayers for the whole estate of the Church after the Sermon.    
Of the administration of the Sacraments, baptism, and the L. Supper.  
The form of marriage.  
The visitation of the sick.  
The maner of burial.  
The weekly assembly of Ministers, for interpretation of Scriptures.  
Of Church officers, their election and ordination.  
And first of the Ministers ordination.  
Of their deposing for just causes.  
The order of ecclesiastical Discipline.  
Of the civil Magistrates office in causes of the Church.    

A CONFESsion of the faith of the Churches of england.  
I Beleeue 
a Rom. 1  & confess, 
b Gen. 1 Psalm. 6 139.  my lord God, eternal, infinite, unmeasurable, incomprehensible, invisible, 
c Gen. 1 Ephe. 4  and almighty, most merciful, most just, and only wise: one substance and 
d Gen. 2 1 John: Mat: 3.  three persons, the Father, the son, and the holy ghost.  

I beleeue in GOD the Father almighty, maker of heaven & earth  I beleeue also, that the Father, by his almighty 
e Hebr. ● provver.  power and wisdom, hath not only of 
f Genes. ● Iere. 32 Psal. 33  nothing created heaven, earth, & all things therein contained, & man after his own 
g Gene. ● Ephe. 4.  image, that he might in him bee 
h 1. Cor. John. 17.  glorified: but also by his 
i Matth. 6 Luke. 17  fatherly providence governeth, maintaineth, and preferueth the same, according to the 
k Ephe. 1  purpose of his will.  
I Beleeue also and confess 
a mat. 1. acts 4. 1 Tim. 1.  IESVS Christ the onely saviour & messiah: who being equal with 
b John 1. Phil. 2. 1 Tim. 3. 1 John 5 Rom. 9  God, 
And in IESVS Christ his only son our Lord.  made himself of no reputation, but took on him the shape of a seruant, and became 
c Heb. 2. Phil. 2. 1 Pet. 2  man in all things like unto us, sin excepted, to 
d Rom. 8. 1 John 2.  assure us of mercy and forgiveness. For when through our father 
e Gen. 3. Rom. 5 Ephe. 2. Galat. 3  Adams transgression, we were become children of perdition, there was no means to bring us from that yoke of sin and damnation, 
f acts 4. ● Petr. 2. Isa. 28 Rom. 9  but only Iesus Christ our lord: 
which was conceived by the holy ghost, born of the virgin mary.  who giuing us that by 
g John. 1. Heb. 1. Rom. 1  grace, which was his by nature, made us, through faith the 
h Galat. 3. John 1.  children of God. For when the 
i Galat. 4 acts 2.  fullness of time was come, he was conceived by the power of the 
k Isa. 7. Luke. 1  holy Ghost, born of the virgin mary( according to the flesh) and 
l Act. 10.  preached in earth the gospel of salvation, till at length, by the envy of the 
m John. 7. mat. 12  Priestes, he was guiltless condemned under Pontius Pilate, then President of jury, 
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified.  & most reproachfully hanged and nailed on the cross betwixt two theeues, as a notorious trespasser: where, taking vpon him the 
n Gal. 3.  punishment of our sins, he delivered us from the curse of the Law.  
And forasmuch as he, being onely God, could not feel death, neither being onely man, could overcome death, being both God and man, he suffered in his humanity, most cruel death, feeling in himself the anger & severe iudgment of God, 
Dead & butted.  even the extreme 
a acts. 2 1 Petr. 2. Isa. 5 3.  torments of hell, and therefore cried with a loud voice, 
b Mat. 27  My God, 
He descended into Hell.  my God, why hast thou forsaken me! And so died, and was butted, remaining under the power of death three dayes.  
Thus of his 
c Isa. 5 Heb. 9. Galat. 1. Rom. 4.  free mercy without compulsion, he offered up himself as the onely sacrifice to purge the sins of all the world: so that all other sacrifices for sin are blasphemous & derogate from the sufficiency thereof. The which death, albeit it did sufficiently 
d Colo. 2.  reconcile us to God, yet the scriptures commonly do attribute our regeneration to his 
e Rom. 1 1 Pet. 1.  resurrection. For as by 
f mat. 28. acts 10. 1 Cor. 1  rising again from the grave the third day, 
The third day he rose again from death.  he 
g Ose. 1 1 Cor. 1 2 Cor. 1  conquered death, even so, the victory of our faith standeth in his resurrection: and therfore without the one, we can not feel the benefit of the other. For as by death 
h Rom. 4.  sin was taken away, so he rose again for our righteousness.  
And because he would 
a Eph. 4 John 14 Ephe. 2  accomplish all things, 
He ascended into heaven.  & take possession for us in his kingdom, he 
b Mar. 16 Luke. 24. acts 1.9  ascended into heaven, to enlarge his kingdom by the abundant gifts and power of his 
c Luke. 24 John. 14 acts 2  spirit: by whom we are most assured of his continual 
d Rom. 8 Hebr. 9 1 John 2.  intercession to God the Father for vs. 
And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty.  And although he be in 
e acts 1.  heaven, as touching his corporal presence, where the Father hath now set him at his 
f Colo. 3. Roma. 8. Heb. 3.  right hand, committing unto him the administration of all 
g Ephe. 1. Philip. 2. Colo. 2  things, as well in heaven above, as in the earth beneath, yet is he 
h Mat. 28  present with us his members, even to the end of the world, in preserving & governing us with his effectual power and grace, who( when all things are 
i acts 3.  fulfilled, 
From thence shall he come to judge the quick & the dead.  which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his Prophetes since the world began) will come in the 
k acts 1.  same visible form, in the which he ascended, with an unspeakable 
l Mat. 25 Philip. 3.  majesty, power, & company, to separate the lambs from the goates, the elect from the reprobate: So that 
m Mat. 24. acts 10. 1 Cor. 15. 1 Thes. 4. 2 Tim. 4.  none, whether he be alive then, or dead before, shall escape his iudgement.  
moreover, 
I beleeue in the holy ghost.  I beleeue and confess the holy Ghost, 
n Matth. 3. 1 John. 5. 1 Petr. 1 1 Cor. 6 acts 17.  God equal with the Father, and the son, who regenerateth & sanctifieth us, ruleth and guideth us into all truth, persuading most assuredly in our 
a Rom. ●.  consciences, that we bee the children of God, brethren to IESVS Christ, and fellow-heirs with him of life everlasting. Notwithstanding it is not sufficient to beleeue that God is omnipotent, & merciful: that Christ hath made satisfaction: 
Abac. 8. Rom. 1. 1 John. 3.  or that the holy Ghost hath his power and effect, except we do( ‡) apply the same benefits to ourselves which are Gods 
b John. 17  elect by the Spirit.  

The holy catholic Church. The communion of saints.  I Beleeue therefore and confess one holy universal 
c mat. 26 John. 10. Ephe. 5. Rom. 8. Cantic. 2  Church, which, is 
d Ephe. 1. Coloss. 2. 1 Cor. 12.  the body of Iesus Christ the 
e Ephe. 4.  only head thereof, 
f Ephe. 4. Philip. 3. Colos. 2.  consenteth in faith, hope, and charity, using the gifts of God, 
g acts. 2 Roma. 12 1 Cor. 12.  whether they be temporal, or spiritual, to the profit and furtherance of the same. Which Church is not 
h Rō. 11.  seen to mans eye, but only known to God, who hath ordained some as 
i Rom. 9.  as vessels of wrath to damnation, to the praise of his iustice: & hath chosen others, 
k Ephe. 1.  as vessels of honour to be saved, to the praise of the glory of his grace: the which also in due time he calleth to faith, to 
a Rom. 8 Ephe. 5.  integrity of life & godly conversation, to make them a glorious Church to himself.  
But that Church 
b mat. 18. 2 Cor. 15  which is visible in the several congregations, & seen to the eye, hath three tokens or marks whereby it may be known. First the 
“ Mat. 28. Rom. 10. Ephe. 2. John 10. 2 Cor. 3.4 2 Tim. 3. 2 Per. 1.  Word of God contained in the old and new Testament: which as it is 
c Ephe. 2 Matth. 17 John 10  above the authority of the same church, and onely 
d John. 26. 2 Tim. 3.  sufficient to instruct us in all things concerning salvation: so is it left for 
e Ios. 1. John. 5.  all degrees of men, to red & understand: for without this 
f Ephe. 5. Mat. 15.  Word neither Church, council, or Decree, can establish any point touching salvation.  
The second is, the holy 
g Matth. 26.28 Rom. 4. Ephe. 5.  Sacraments, to wit, of baptism & the Lords Supper, which Sacramentes Christ hath left unto us as holy signs, and seals of Gods promises in him. For as by baptism, once received, is signified that we, as well infantes as others of age and discretion, being 
h Rom. 5. Ephe. 2. Tit. 3. Rom. 7. Rom. 4. Psalm. 31. 1 Cor. 11  strangers from God by original sin, are received into his family and Congregation, with full assurance that although this roote of sin lie hid in us, yet to the elect it shall not bee 
a Rom. 4. Psal. 32.  imputed: so the 
b 1 Co. 1●.  Supper declareth, that God, as a most provident Father, doth of his great goodness spiritually nourish our souls, 
c John. 6  making us partakers of his son & all good things in him by faith: which the Scripture calleth eating of his flesh, & drinking of his blood. Neither must wee in the administration of these Sacramentes, follow mans phantasy, but as Christ himself hath ordained, so must they be ministered, and by such as by 
d Hebr. 5. John. 3.  ordinary vocation are thereunto called. Therefore, whosoever worshippeth these Sacraments, or contrariwise contemneth them, or without lawful calling shall administer them, procureth to himself damnation.  
The third mark of this Church is 
e Mat. ● Luke. 17. Leuit. 17. proverb. 5.  ecclesiastical Discipline, which standeth in admonition, separation, excommunication, and the curse called Anathema, in some special cases.  
Concerning the civil 
f Rom. 1●. Tit. 3. 1 Pet. ●  Magistrates, ordained of God to minister to every man iustice, defending the good, and punishing the evil, I aclowledge we must render unto them honour & obedience in all things, which are agreeable to the word of God.  
And as 
a Exo. 32. 2 King. 18 2 chro. 29  Moses, Ezechias, josias, and other godly rulers purged the church of God from superstition and idolatry: so, where such are, the reformation and defence of Christes Church appertaineth to the Christian Magistrates, against all idolaters and heretics, as Papists, Anabaptists, family of love, with such like members of Antichrist, to roote out all 
b 2 Tim. 4 Colos. 2. Matth. 25 Isa. 29. Hebr. 9 acts 10. Rom. 7. Gal. 5. Col. 2. Rom. 14 Matth. 19 ● Cor. 7 ● Co. 8. Luke 17. Rom. 3 2 Cor. 3. Galat. 4.  doctrine of divels and men, as the mass, purgatory, Limbus patrum, prayer to saints, and for the dead, free-will, superstitious distinction of meats, apparel, & dayes, vows of single life, presence at idol service, mans merits, with such like: which draw us from the society of Christes Church, 
The forgiveness of sins.  wherein 
c Isa. 33 Matth. 1 John 20. 2 Cor. 5. Rom. 1. Ephe. 2.  only is remission of sins, purchased by Christs blood, to all them that beleeue, whether they bee Iewes or gentiles, and led us to vain confidence in creatures, & trust in our own imaginations. The punishment whereof, although God oftentimes 
d Petr. 2. jade 6. Rom. 9.  deferreth in this life, yet after the general 
e acts 24 1 Co. 15 Phil. 3.  resurrection, 
The resurrection of the body.  when the bodies shall rise again to bee joined to their souls in immortality, they shall be 
f 2 Thes. 4 2 John. 1. Isa. 30 John 5.  damned to unquenchable fire: and then wee which haue forsaken all mans wisdom, to cleave unto Christ, shall hear that joyful voice: 
a Mat. 25.  Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit ye the kingdom prepared for you, from the beginning of the world: and so shall go triumphing with him, in 
b 1 The. 4. John. 5. Isa. 1  body and soul, to remain everlastingly in glory, where we shall see God c face to face, and shall no more need one to instruct another: 
And life everlasting.  for we shall all 
d Iere. 31 Hebr. 8.  know him from the highest to the lowest. To which true God, the Father, the son, and the holy Ghost, be all praise, honour and glory, now and ever. So be it.   

public exercises in the Assemblies.  
VPon the dayes appointed for the preaching of the word, when a convenient number of the congregation are come together, that they may make fruit of their presence, till the assembly be full, one appointed by the Eldership, shall red some Chapters of the caconical books of Scripture, singing psalms between at his discretion: and this reading to bee in order as the books and Chapters follow, that so from time to time the holy Scriptures may bee red throughout. But upon special occasion, special chapters may be appointed. When the hour appointed for the Sermon is come, beginning with these words: Our help bee in the name of the lord, who hath made both heaven & Earth: used after the Confession following: or the like in effect, saying to the people, let us fall down before the majesty of almighty God, humbly confessing our sins, and follow in your hartes the tenor of my words.  

THE CONFESSION OF our sins used before Sermon.  
O eternal God, & most merciful Father, we confess and aclowledge here before thy divine majesty, that wee are miserable 
a Rom. 3. Psalm. 1●  sinners, 
b Psal. 5  conceived and born in sin and iniquity, so that in us there is no 
c Rom. 7  goodness. For the 
d Gal. 5.  flesh evermore rebelleth against the spirit, whereby we continually transgress thine holy precepts & commandements, & so purchase to ourselves through thy just iudgement 
e Rom. 2 ieremy 3. Isa. 10.  death and damnation. Notwithstanding o heavenly Father, forasmuch as thou hast vouchsafed to offer pardon to all that repent, & seek it in the name of thy beloved son Christ Iesus, & that by thy grace we are displeased with ourselves for the sins that we haue committed against thee, and do unfeignedly repent us of the same, wee most humbly beseech thee for Iesus Christes sake, to show thy mercy vpon us, to forgive us all our sins, & to increase thine holy Spirit in us, that we 
f Colos. 3 Rom. 6 Ephe. 4. 1 Petr. 2  acknowledging from the bottom of our hearts our own unrighteousness, may from henceforth not onely mortify our sinful lusts and affections, but also bring forth such fruits, as may please thee: not for any worthiness therof, but for the 
g Rom. 5 Hebr. 9 Ephe. ●.  merits of thy dearly beloved son Iesus Christ our onely saviour, whom thou hast already given an oblation and sacrifice for our sins, and for whose 
a John 14. Matth. 7. Iam. 1.  sake we are certainly persuaded, that thou wilt deny us nothing, that we shall ask in his name, according to thy will. For thy 
b John. 3 Rom. 8.  spirit doth assure our consciences, that thou art our merciful Father, and so lovest us thy children through him, that 
c Rom. 8.  nothing is able to remove thine heavenly grace and favour from vs. To thee therefore, o Father, with the son and the holy Ghost, bee all honour and glory, world without end: So be it.  
This confession made, the people are to sing a psalm, as the Minister appointeth: which ended, the pastor prayeth for the assistance of Gods holy Spirit, that the word may be expounded faithfully, to the honor of his name, and the edification of the Church, and that it may be received with such humility and obedience as thereunto belongeth: concluding with the Lords prayer. Then he is to read the Text: always to be taken out of some part of the canonical Scriptures, and so to proceed to the Sermon. The Sermon ended, the pastor is to use one of these prayers following.   

A PRAYER FOR THE WHOLE state of Christes Church.  
almighty God, and most merciful Father, we 
d 1 Pet. 3  humbly submit ourselves and 
e Num. 26 Deut. 9. josu. 7.  fall down before thy majesty, beseeching thee from the bottom of our hearts, that this 
a Mat. 13.  seed of thy word, now sown amongst us, may take such deep roote, that neither the burning heat of persecution cause it to whither, neither the thorny cares of this life do choke it: but that as seed sown in good ground, it may bring forth thirty, sixty, or an hundred fold, as thine heavenly wisdom hath appointed. And because we haue need continually to crave many things at thine hands, we humbly beseech thee, o heavenly Father, to grant us thine holy 
b Luk. 1● Rom. 1 james 5. 1 John. 5 Wisd. 9.  Spirit, to direct our petitions, that they may proceed from such a fervent mind, as may be agreeable to thy most blessed will.  
And seeing that our infirmity is able 
c 2 Cor. 3. John. 1● Phil. 2.  to do nothing without thine help, & that thou art not ignorant with how many and how great 
d Psal. 4● 1 Petr. 1.  temptations wee poor wretches are on every side enclosed and compassed, let thy strength, o Lord, sustain our weakness, that wee being defended with the force of thy grace, may be safely preserved against all assaults of Satan, who goeth about continually like a 
e 1 Pet. 5.  roaring Lion, seeking to devour us 
f Luk. 1  Increase our faith, o merciful Father, that we do not serve at any time from thine heavenly Word, but augment in us hope and love, with a care to keep all thy commandements, that no 
g Psal. 95. Heb. 3.4.  hardness of heart, no hypocrisy, no concupiscence of the eyes, nor entisementes of the world, do draw us away from thine obedience. And seeing wee live now in these most 
a 1 Tim. 4. 2 Petr. 3. 2 Tim. 3.  perilous times, let thy fatherly providence defend us against the violence of all our enemies, which do every where pursue us, but chiefly against the wicked rage and furious uproars of the Antichrist of Rome.  
Furthermore, forasmuch as by thine holy Apostle wee be taught to make our 
b 1 Tim. 2.  prayers and supplications for all men, wee pray not only for ourselves here present, but beseech thee also to reduce al such as be yet ignorant, from the miserable captivity of blindness & error, to the pure understanding of thine heavenly truth, that we all with one 
c Rom. 15. Ephe. 4.  consent and unity of mindes, may worship thee our only God and saviour: and that all Pastors, shepherds, and Ministers, to whom thou hast committed the 
d John 21. Matth. 28 1 Cor. 9. mark 16  dispensation of thine holy word, and charge of thy chosen people, may both in their life and doctrine, be found faithful, setting only before their eyes thy glory, and that by them all poor sheep which wander and go astray, may be gathered and brought home to thy fold.  
moreover, because the 
e Pro. 21.  hearts of rulers are in thine hands, we beseech thee to direct & govern the heartes of all Kings, Princes and Magistrates, to whom thou hast committed the 
a Rom. 13. John: 19  sword: especially, o lords, according to our bound duty, wee beseech thee to maintain and increase the prosperous estate of our most noble queen ELIZABETH: Whom as thou hast placed over us in thy great mercy, and preserved her by thy mighty power: so wee beseech thee, o lord, by the same mercy, to multiply on her the excellent gifts of the H. Spirit: And by the same power as thou hast always preserved her, so to preserve her still. And as thou hast discovered the unnatural treasons, & wicked practices, so to discover thē stil: that as for all other thy singular graces, so also for this great mercy, both Prince & people may rejoice and magnify thy great Name. Also we pray thee for her majesties right honourable counsel, that thy good Spirit may furnish every one of them with wisdom and strength, and other excellent gifts, fit for their calling. Furthermore, we pray thee for all other Magistrates, and for the whole Realm, that all men in their calling may be found faithful in seeking to set forth thy glory, and to procure the godly peace & prosperity of all the land. And let thy fatherly favour so preserve them, and thine holy Spirit so govern their hartes, that they may in such sort execute their office, that thy Religion may be purely maintained, 
a 1. Tim. 2 james 1.  manners reformed, and sin punished, according to the precise rule of thine holy word.  
And for that we be all 
b 1. Cor. 12. Rom. 12.  members of the mystical body of Christ Iesus, wee make our requests unto thee, O heavenly Father, for all such as are 
c james 5.  afflicted with any kind of cross or tribulation, as war, plague, famine, sickness, poverty, imprisonment, persecution, banishment, or any other kind of thy rods: whether it bee 
d 2. Cor. 1 Hebr. 13.  grief of body, or unquietness of mind, that it would please thee to give them patience and constancy, till thou send them full deliverance of all their troubles. finally, O lord, we most humbly beseech thee, to show thy great mercies upon our brethren, which are persecuted, cast in 
e Heb. 13. Rom. 8. Psalm. 43.  prison, and daily condemned to death for the testimony of thy truth. And though they be utterly destitute of all 
f John 16.  mans aid, yet let thy sweet comfort never depart from them: but so inflame their heartes with thine holy spirit, that they may boldly and chearefullie abide 
g 1. Pet. 1.  such trial, as thy 
h acts 2. Mat. 10. Luke 21.  godly wisdom shall appoint, so that at length as well by their death as by their 
i Rom. 14.  life, the kingdom of thy son IESVS Christ may increase and shine throughout all the world.   

¶ AN OTHER PRAYER that may sometimes be used after the Sermon.  
almighty God and heavenly Father, since thou hast promised to grant our requests, which wee shall make unto thee in the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ thy well-beloved son, and that we are also taught by him & his Apostles, to assemble ourselves in his Name, promising that he will be among us, and make intercession for us unto thee, for the obtaining of all such things, as we shall agree vpon here in earth: we therefore( having first thy commandement to pray for such as thou hast appointed rulers and gouuernours over us, & also for all things needful both for thy people, & for all sorts of men, forasmuch as our faith is grounded on thine holy word and promises, and that we are here gathered together before thy face, & in the name of thy son our Lord Iesus) we, I say, make our earnest supplication unto thee, our most merciful God and bountiful Father, that for Iesus Christes sake our onely saviour & Mediator, it may please thee of thine infinite mercy freely to pardon our offences, and in such sort to draw and lift up our heartes & affections towards thee, that our requests may both proceed of a fervent mind, and also be agreeable unto thy most blessed will and pleasure, which is only to be accepted.  
( ·) We beseech thee therefore, O heavenly Father, for all Princes and Rulers, unto whom thou hast committed the administration of thy iustice, and namely, for the excellent estate of the queens majesty, and all her honourable counsel, with the rest of her Magistrates and Commons of the realm, that it would please thee to grant her thine holy Spirit, and increase the same from time to time in her, that shee may with a pure faith aclowledge IESVS Christ thine onely son our Lord, to bee King of all kings, & gouuernor of all gouuernours, even as thou hast given all power unto him both in heaven and in earth: and so give herself wholly to serve him, and to advance his kingdom in her Dominions, ruling according to thy word, her subiectes, which are thy creatures, and the sheep of thy pasture, that wee being maintained in peace and tranquillitie, may serve thee in all holinesse and virtue: and finally, being delivered from all fear of enemies, 
Luke. 15.  may render thankes unto thee all the dayes of our life.  
We beseech thee also most dear Father, for all such as thou hast appointed Ministers unto thy faithful people, and unto whom thou hast committed the charge of souls, and the ministery of thine holy gospel, that it would please thee so to guide them with thine holy Spirit, that they may be found wise, faithful and zealous of thy glory, directing always their whole studies unto this end, that the poor sheep which are gone astray out of thy flock, may be sought out & brought again unto the Lord Iesus, who is the chief shepherd and Prince of Pastors, to the intent they may from day to day grow & increase in him to all righteousness and holinesse. And on the other parte, that it would please thee to deliver all the Churches from the dangers of ravening wolves, and from hirelinges, who seek their own ambition and profit, and not the setting forth of thy glory onely, and the safeguard of thy flock.  
moreover, wee make our prayers unto thee, o lord God, most merciful Father, for all men, that as thou wouldest haue all sorts of men saved, & come to the knowledge of the truth: so it may please thee, that such as haue been hitherto holden captive in darkness & ignorance, for lack of the knowledge of thy Gospel, may through the preaching thereof, and the clear light of thine holy Spirit, bee brought into the right way of salvation, which is, to know thee the onely true God, and Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent. Likewise, that they whom thou hast already endowed with thy grace, & illuminated their hearts with the knowledge of thy word, may continually increase in godliness, and bee plenteously enriched with spiritual benefits: So that we may altogether worship thee, both with heart and mouth, and render due honor & service unto Christ our Lord.  
In like maner, o Lord of all true comfort, we commend unto thee in our prayers all such persons as thou hast visited & chastised with any cross and tribulation: all such people as thou hast punished with pestilence, war, or famine: and all other persons afflicted with poverty, imprisonment, sickness, banishment, or any like bodily adversity, or hast otherwise afflicted in spirit: that it may please thee to make them feel thy fatherly affection towards them, and to know that these crosses are chastisements for their amendment, to the end that they may unfeignedly turn unto thee, and so receive full comfort, and be delivered from their evils. But especially wee commend unto thy divine protection, all such as are under the tyranny of Antichrist, and both lack the preaching of the Word, the food of life, & haue not liberty to call vpon thy Name in open assembly: chiefly our poor brethren which are imprisoned and persecuted by the enemies of thy gospel, that it may please thee, O Father of consolations, to strengthen them by the power of thine H. Spirit, in such sort, as they never shrink back, but may constantly persevere in their holy faith, & so to succour and assist them, as thou knowest to be most expedient: comforting them in their afflictions, maintaining them in thy safeguard against the rage of the enemies, and increasing in them the gifts of thy holy Spirit, that they may glorify thee their Lord God, both in their life and in their death.  
finally, o Lord God most dear Father, wee beseech thee, to grant unto us also, which are here gathered together in the Name of thy son Iesus Christ, to hear his Word preached, 
“ If the lords Supper bee ministered, then is here added this clause, And to celebrate his holy Supper.  that we may aclowledge truly & without hypocrisy, in how miserable a state of damnation wee are by nature, and how worthily we procure unto ourselves everlasting death, provoking from time to time thy grievous punishments against us, through our wicked and sinful life, to the end, that seeing there remaineth no spark of goodness in our nature, and that there is nothing in us, as touching our first birth, meet to enjoy the heritage of thy kingdom, we may wholly render up ourselves with all our hearts, and with an assured confidence unto thy dearly beloved son Iesus Christ our Lord, our onely saviour & Redeemer, that he dwelling in us, we may mortify our old man and sinful affections, that we may be renewed into a more godly life, whereby thine holy Name may bee advanced and magnified in us: 
Hallowed bee thy Name.  likewise, that thou mayest haue the tuition and gouuernance over us, and that we may learn daily more & more to humble and submit ourselves unto thy majesty, in such sort that thou mayest be counted King and Gouuernour over all, 
Thy kingdom come.  guiding thy people with the sceptre of thy word, & by the virtue of thine holy Spirit, to the confusion of all thine enemies, through the might of thy truth & righteousness, so that by this means all power and height which withstandeth thy glory, may be continually thrown down and abolished, until such time as the full and perfect face of thy kingdom shall appear, when thou shalt show thyself in iudgement in the person of thy son: whereby also we with the rest of thy children, may render unto thee perfect & true obedience, even as thine heavenly Angels do apply themselves onely to the performing of thy commandments: 
Thy will be don in earth as it is in heaven.  so that thine onely will may be fulfilled without any contradiction, and that every man may bend himself to serve and please thee, renouncing their own wills, with all the affections and desires of the flesh. grant us also, good Lord, that we thus walking in the love and dread of thine holy Name, may bee nourished through thy goodness, and that wee may receive at thy hands all things expedient and necessary for us, 
give us this day our daily bread.  and so use thy gifts peaceably and quietly, to this end, that when we see that thou hast care of us, wee may the more effectually aclowledge thee to be our Father, looking for all good gifts at thine hand, and by withdrawing and pulling back all our vain confidence from creatures, may set it wholly vpon thee, and so rest only in thy most bountiful mercy. And for so much as whilst we continue here in this transitory life, we are so miserable, so frail, and so much inclined unto sin, that we fall continually and serve from the right way of thy commandments, we beseech thee pardon us our innumerable offences, whereby we deserve thy just iudgement and condemnation, and forgive us so freely, that death and sin may hereafter haue nothing against us, 
And forgive us our trespasses.  neither lay unto our charge that wicked roote of sin, which doth evermore remain in us: grant that by thy commandment, we may forget the wrongs which other do unto us, and in steede of seeking vengeance, may procure the wealth of our enemies. And for as much as of ourselves wee are weak, utterly unable to stand, 
And led us not into tentation.  and assaulted evermore with such multitude of most dangerous enemies, the devill, the world, sin, and our own concucupiscences which do never leave off to fight against us, let it be thy good pleasure, to strengthen us with thy holy Spirit, and to arm us with thy grace, that thereby we may be able constantly to withstand all temptations, and to persevere in this spiritual battle against sin, until such time as we shall obtain the full victory, and so at length may triumphantlie reign in thy kingdom, with our captain and governor Iesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we further pray as he hath taught vs.  
This prayer following may be also used to bee said after the sermon, on the day which is appointed for common prayer: and it is very proper for our state and time, to move us to true repentance, and to turn back Gods sharp rods which yet threaren vs.   

O God almighty and heavenly Father, we aclowledge in our consciences & confess, as the truth is, that we are not worthy to lift up our eyes to heaven, much less meet to come into thy presence, & to be so bold as to think that thou wilt hear our prayers, if thou haue respect to that which is in us: for our consciences accuse us, and our own sins do bear witness against us: yea, and wee know that thou art a righteous judge, which punished the faults of such as transgress thy commandments. Therefore, o lord, when we consider our whole life, we haue cause to be confoundeth in our own hearts, and to be swallowed up in the deep gulf of death. Notwithstanding most merciful lord, since it hath pleased thee of thine infinite mercy to command us to call vpon thee for help, even from the deep bottom of hell: and that the more lack & default we feel in ourselves, so much the rather we should haue recourse unto thy gracious bounty: since also thou hast promised to hear & accept our requests & supplications, without having any respect to our unworthiness, for the merits of our lord Iesus Christ, whom alone thou hast appointed to bee our intercessor and advocate, we humble ourselves before thee, renouncing all vain confidence in mans help, and cleave only to thy mercy, calling vpon thy holy Name, to obtain pardon for our sins.  
First, O lord, besides the innumerable benefits which thou dost universally bestow vpon al men, thou hast given us such special graces, that it is not possible for us to rehearse them, no nor sufficiently to conceive them in our mindes. It hath pleased thee to call us to the knowledge of thy holy gospel, drawing us out of the miserable bondage of the devill, whose slaves wee were, and delivering us from most cursed idolatry and wicked superstition, wherein we were plunged, to bring us into the marvelous light of thy truth. Notwithstanding such is our unthankfulness, that not onely we forget those thy benefits which we haue received at thy bountiful hand, but haue gone astray from thee, and haue turned ourselves from thy Law, to go after our own concucupiscences & lusts, and neither haue given worthy honour & due obedience to thine holy word, neither haue advanced thy glory, as our duties required. And although thou hast not ceased continually to admonish us most faithfully by thy word, yet we haue not given ear to thy fatherly admonition.  
Wherefore, o Lord, wee haue sinned and haue grievously offended against thee, so that shane and confusion appertaineth to us: and we aclowledge that wee are altogether guilty before thy iudgement, and that if thou wouldest deal with us according to our demerits, we could look for no other then everlasting death and damnation. For although we would excuse ourselves, yet our own conscience would accuse us, and our wickedness would appear before thee to condemn vs. And in very dead, O lord, wee see by the corrections which thou hast already laid vpon us, that we haue given thee great occasion to be displeased with us: for seeing thou art a just & upright judge, it can not be without cause, that thou punishest thy people. Wherefore, for as much as we haue felt thy stripes, wee aclowledge that we haue justly stirred up thy displeasure against us: yea, and yet wee see thine hand lifted up to strike us again: for the rods & weapons wherewith thou art accustomend to execute thy vengeance, are already in thine hand, and in full readiness. Wherewith though thou shouldst punish us much more grievously thē thou hast hitherto done, and that, whereas wee haue received one stroke, thou wouldest give us a thousand: yea, if thou wouldest bring vpon us all the curses written in thy Law, and pursue us with the grievous punishments, wherewith thou didst punish thy people Israell, wee confess that thou shouldst do therein most righteously, & we can not deny, but we haue fully deserved the same. Notwithstanding, o lord, our heavenly Father, seeing thou art our maker, and we the workmanship of thine hands, seeing thou art our Pastor, & we thy flock: seing also that thou art our Redeemer, and wee the people whom thou hast bought: finally, because thou art our God, & we thy chosen Heritage, suffer not thine anger so to kindle against us, that thou shouldst punish us in thy wrath, neither remember our wickedness so, as to take vengeance therof, but rather chastise us according to thy mercy. We confess, O Lord, that our misdeeds haue enflamed thy wrath against us, yet, considering that by thy grace we call vpon thy Name, & make profession of thy truth: maintain, we beseech thee, the work that thou hast begon in us, to the end that all the world may know that thou art our God and saviour. Thou knowest that such as thou hast destroyed & brought to confusion, do not set forth thy praises, but the heavy souls, the humble hearts, the consciences oppressed, & loaden with the grievous burden of their sins, and therefore thirst after thy grace, they shall set forth thy praise and glory.  
Thy people of Israel oftentimes provoked thee to anger through their wickedness, whereupon thou didst justly punish thē: but so soon as they acknowledged their offences, and returned to thee, thou didst receive them always to mercy: and were their enormities & sins never so grievous, yet for thy covenants sake which thou hadst made with thy seruants, Abraham Isaac & jacob, thou didst always withdraw from them thy rods & curses, which were prepared for them, in such sort, that thou didst never refuse to hear their prayers.  
We haue obtained by thy goodness, in a far more excellent maner, the same covenant, established by the means of IESVS Christ our saviour, written with his blood, & sealed with his death and passion. Therfore, O Lord, we renouncing ourselves, & all vain confidence in mans help, haue our onely refuge to this thy most blessed covenant, whereby our Lord Iesus, through the offering up of his body in sacrifice, hath reconciled us unto thee. Behold us therefore, O lord, in the face of Christ thine annoynted, that by his intercession, thy wrath & indignation may be appeased, and that the grievous plagues and judgements which we haue deserved, may be removed from us, and that the bright beams of thy countenance may shine vpon us, to our great comfort and assured salvation: and from this time forward, vouchsafe to receive us under thine holy tuition, and gouuerne us with thy holy Spirit, whereby we may bee regenerate a new unto a far better life.  
And albeit we be most unworthy in our own selves, to open our mouths, and to entreat thee in our necessities, yet for so much as it hath pleased thee to command us to pray one for another, wee make also our humble prayers unto thee, for our poor brethren, whom thou dost visit and chastise with thy rods and corrections, most instantly desiring thee, to turn away thine anger from them. Remember, o lord, that they are thy children, as wee are: and though they haue offended thy majesty, yet we beseech thee that it may please thee not to cease to proceed in thine accustomend bounty and mercy, which thou hast promised, should evermore continue towards thine elect. Vouchsafe therefore, o lord, to extend thy pity upon all thy Churches, and towards all thy people, whom thou dost now chastise, either with pestilence or war, or such like thine accustomend rods, as sickness, prison, poverty, or any other affliction of body or mind, that it would please thee to comfort them as thou knowest to bee most expedient for them, so that thy rods may be instructions for them, to assure them of thy favour, & for their amendment, when thou shalt give them constancy and patience, & also assuage and stay thy corrections: and so at length by delivering them from al their troubles, give them just occasion to rejoice in thy mercy, and to praise thine holy Name. especially, o Lord, haue compassion on those that employ themselves for the maintenance of thy truth: strengthen them with an invincible constancy: defend and assist them: overthrow the crafty practices and conspiracies of their enemies: bridle their rage, and let their bold enterprises, which they undertake against thee and the members of thy son, turn to their own confusion: and suffer not thy kingdom to be utterly desolate, neither suffer the remenbrance of thine holy Name to be clean abolished, nor that they, 
To this the Minister addeth that part which is in the former prayer marked thus( ·)  among whom it hath pleased thee to haue thy praise set forth, be destroyed, and that the Turkes, pagans, & other infidels, the church of Rome, or other heretics, by such occasion boast themselves thereby, & blaspheme thy Name.( ·)  
Then the people are to sing a Psealme, as the Pastor appointeth: Which ended, he is to pronounce one of these blessings, and so the Congregation departeth.  
THe Lord bless us and save us: the Lord make his face to shine vpon us, and bee merciful unto us: 
Num. 6.  the Lord turn his countenance towards us, & grant us his peace.  
THe grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, the love of God, and communion of the holy Ghost, 
●. Cor. 13.  be with us all: So be it.    

OF baptism.  
It shall not be necessary for the pastor daily to repeat all these things before mentioned, but beginning with some like confession, to proceed to the Sermon: which ended, he either is to use the prayer for all estates, before mentioned, or else to pray, as the Spirit of God shall move his heart, framing the same according to the time and matter which he hath entreated of. And if there shall be at any time any present plague, famine, pestilence, war, or such like, which be evident tokens of Gods wrath, as it is our parte, to aclowledge our sins to be the occasion thereof, so are we appointed by the Scriptures, to give ourselves to mourning, fasting, and prayer, as the means to turn away Gods heavy displeasure. Therefore it shall be convenient, that the Minister, during such time, do not onely admonish the people thereof, but also use some form of prayer, according as the present necessity requireth, to the which he may appoint by consent of the eldership, some several day after the Sermon, weekly to be observed, where it may be done conveniently.  

¶ OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAmentes, baptism, and the lords SVPPER. First of the order of baptism.  
Forasmuch as it is not permitted by Gods word, that women, or any private person should preach or minister the Sacramentes, and it is evident that the Sacraments are not ordained of god to be used but in places of the public Congregation, & necessarily annexed to the preaching of the word, as seals of the same, therefore the infant which is to be baptized, shalbe brought to the Church at some day appointed to common prayer and preaching, accompanied with the Father & godfathers, as the Eldership of that Congregation shall think convenient. After the Sermon, the child being presented to the Minister, he demandeth this question:  
do you present this child to bee Baptized?  
The answer.  
Yea, we require the same.  
Then the Pastor is to proceed, saying:  
THen let us consider, dearlie beloved, how almighty God hath not onely made us his children by" adoption, and received us into the fellowship of his Church, but also hath promised that he will be our 
b Gen. 17. Exod. 12.  God, and the God of our children, unto the thousand generation. Which thing as he confirmed to his people of the old Testament by the Sacrament of 
a Gen. 17. Roma. 4.  circumcision, so hath he also renewed the same to us in his new Testament by the Sacrament of 
b Colo 1 Galat. 3 acts 2.  baptism: commanding his 
c Mat. 8. mark. 16.  Apostles to baptize in the Name of the Father, and of the son, and of the holy Ghost: declaring thereby that such as beleeue, and their infantes, appertain to him by covenant, and therfore ought not to bee defrauded of those holy signs and seals 
d acts 10.  whereby his children are known from infidels and pagans.  
Neither is it requisite, that all those that receive this Sacrament, haue the use of understanding and faith, but that they be contained under the name of 
e acts. 2. 1 Cor. 7.  Gods people: so that remission of sins in the blood of Christ Iesus, doth appertain unto them by Gods promise.  
This thing is most evident by 
f 1. Cor. 7.  St paul, who pronounceth the children begotten & born, either of the parents being faithful, to be clean and holy. Also our saviour Christ admitteth 
g mark. 10. Mat. 19. luke. 18. Psalm. 22.  children to his presence, embracing & blessing them. Which testimonies of the holy Ghost assure us, that infants be of the number of Gods people, and that remission of sins doth also appertain to them in Christ. Therefore without injury, they can not bee debarred from the common sign of Gods children. And yet is not this outward action of such necessity, that the lack 
a Rom. 4. Gal. 3. james. 2. Gen. 15. 1●  thereof should be hurtful to their salvation, if that, prevented by death, or such like cause of necessity, they may not conveniently be presented to the Church. But wee having respect to that obedience, which Christians owe to the voice and ordinance of Christ IESVS, who commanded 
b Mark. 1● Mat. 28.  to preach and baptize al such without exception, do judge them onely unworthy of any fellowship with him, who contemptuouslie refuse such ordinary means, as his wisdom hath appointed to the instruction of our dull senses.  
Furthermore, it is evident, that baptism was ordained to bee ministered in the element of 
c Mat. 3. 1 Pet. 3. 1 John. 5 1 Cor. 10  water, to teach us, that like as water outwardly doth wash away the filth of the body, so inwardly doth the blood of Christ purge our souls from that corruption and deadly poison, wherewith 
d Ephe. 2.  by nature we were infected. Whose venomous 
e Rom. 7  dregs, although they continue in this our flesh, yet by the merites of his death, 
f Rom. 4. Galat. 3. Psalm. 32.  are not imputed unto us, because the iustice of Iesus christ is made 
g Roma. 6. Galat. ●.  ours by baptism: not that we think any such virtue or power to be included in the visible water or outward action, 
As Iudas, Simon Magus, Hymeneus, Alexander, Philetus. ( for many haue been baptized, and yet never inwardly purged) but that our saviour Christ, who commanded baptism to be ministered, 
a acts 2.13  will by the power of his holy Spirit effectually work in the hearts of his c elect in time convenient, 
b Ephe. 3. 1 Cor. 12. Rom. 6. Col. 2.  all that is meant & signified by the same. And this the Scripture calleth our d regeneration, 
The fruit of baptism standeth in two points: mortification, and regeneration.  which standeth chiefly in these two points, In mortification of the rebellious lusts of the flesh, and in newness of life, whereby we continually strive to walk in that pureness and perfection, wherewith we are clad in baptism.  
And although we in the journey of this life be 
e 1 Pet. 5. Luke. 22. job. 7.  encumbered with many enemies, which in the way assail us, yet fight we not without fruit. For this f continual battle which we fight against sin, death & hell, is a most infallible argument, that God the Father, 
d Rom. 1.5 1 Pet. 1 james. 1 Ephe. 6.  mindful of his promise made unto us in Christ Iesus, doth not only give us motions and courage to resist them, but also assurance 
“ 1 Cor. 15 Ose. 13. Heb. 2.  to overcome, and obtain victory. Wherefore, dearly beloved, it is not only of necessity that we be baptized, but also it much profiteth oft to be present at the ministration thereof, that we being put in mind of the 
a Deut. 6. josh. 1.  league & covenant made between God and us, that he will be 
b Iere. 3●. Heb. 8.  our God, & we his people: he our Father, and we his children, may haue occasion as well to try our lives past, as our present conversation, and to prove ourselves, whether we stand fast in the faith of Gods elect: or contrariwise, haue strayed from him through 
c Ephe. 4. Col. 3.  incredulity & ungodly living: whereof if our consciences do accuse us, yet by hearing the loving promises of our heavenly Father( who calleth all men to mercy by 
d Ezech. 18 Act. 1.13. 2 Pet. 3. Deut. 4.6.  repentance) we may from hence forth walk more warelie in our vocation.  
moreover, ye that be Fathers and Mothers, may take hereby most singular comfort, to see your children thus received into the bosom of Christes Congregation, whereby you are daily admonished, that ye nourish and bring up the children of gods favour and mercy, over whom his fatherly providence 
e Mat. 18.  watcheth continually. Which thing, as it ought greatly to rejoice you, knowing that 
f Matth. 6. Luke. 12.  nothing can come unto thē without his good pleasure, so ought it to make you diligent & careful to nourture, and instruct them in the 
g Deut. 4.6. Ephe. 6.  true knowledge and fear of God. Wherein if you be negligent, 
i King 2.  ye do not onely 
h 1 Sam. 2.  injury to your own children, hydinge from them the good will & pleasure of almighty God their Father, 
What danger hangeth over those parentes, which neglect the bringing up of their children in godliness.  but also heap damnation vpon yourselves, in suffering his children, bought with the blood of his dear son, so trayterouslie, for lack of knowledge to turn back from him. Therefore it is your duty, with all diligence to provide that your children in time convenient bee instructed in all 
a Gene. 18. Deut. 32.  doctrine necessary for a true Christian: chiefly that they be taught to rest vpon the iustice of Christ Iesus alone, and to abhor & flee all superstition, heresy and idolatry. 
The true use of the catechism to the execution whereof the fathers and godfathers bind themselves.  finally, to the intent that wee may be assured, that you the Father or the sureties consent to the performance hereof, declare here before God & the face of his Congregation, if this be the sum of thy faith, that you beleeue, and wherein you will see this child instructed: Which is contained in these words:  
I beleeue in God the Father. &c.  
whereunto answer being taken, he prayeth in this maner, or such like.  
almighty and everlasting GOD, which of thine infinite mercy and goodness hast promised unto us, that thou wilt not onely bee our God, but also the God and Father of our Children, wee beseech thee, that as thou hast vouchsafed to call us to be partakers of this thy great mercy in the 
a Galat. 3. 1 Petr. 1. Phil. 3  fellowship of faith, so it may please thee to sanctify with thy 
b Rom. 3.4. 1 Cor. 5 Rom. 8. Ephe. 2.3.  spirit, & to receive into the number of thy children this infant, whom we shall baptize according to thy 
c Matth. 2● mark. 16. acts. 2.  word, to the end that he, coming to perfect age, may 
d Roma. 1●. John. 17.  confess thee only the true God, and whom thou hast sent, Iesus Christ, and so serve thee, & be 
e Rom. 1 1 Cor 11. 1 Thes. 5  profitable to thy church, in the whole course of his life, that after this life be ended, he may be brought as a lively member of the body of christ, unto the full fruition of thy 
f 1 Cor. ● Roma. 6. Titus. ●  joys in the Heauens, where thy son our saviour Christ reigneth world without end. In whose Name wee pray as he hath taught us:  Our Father which art in heaven. 
¶ When they haue prayed in this sort, the Minister is to require the childes name, which known,  
he is to say:  
N. 
a mat. 28. mark. 16. acts. 2.  I baptize thee in the Name of the Father, of the son, & of the holy Ghost.  
And as he speaketh these words, he shall take water in his hand, and 
§ or washed  power it vpon the childes face, Which done, he is to give thanks as followeth.  
FOrasmuch, most holy and merciful Father, as thou dost not only bless us with common benefits, like unto the rest of mankind, 
b Ephe. 3 1 Pet. 2. Ose. 2.  but also heapest upon us most abundantly rare and wonderful gifts, of duty we lift up our eyes and mindes unto thee, & give thee most humble thankes for thine infinite goodness, which hast not onely numbered us amongst thy 
b 1 Pet. 2. Ephe. 2.  saints, but also of thy free mercy dost call our children unto thee, marking them with this Sacrament, as a singular token and seal of thy love. Wherefore, most loving Father, though we be not able to deserve this so great a benefit( yea, if thou wouldest handle us according to our 
“ Rom. 1. Iere. 2. Isa. 40. Luke. 17.  merites, wee should suffer the punishments of eternal death & damnation) yet for Christes sake wee beseech thee, that thou wilt confirm this thy favour more & more towards us, and take this infant into thy tuition and defence, whom we offer & present unto thee with common supplications, & never suffer him to fall away from thee: but that he may know thee continually to bee his merciful Father, through thine holy spirit, working in his heart, by whose divine power he may so prevail against Satan, that in the end, obtaining the victory, he may be exalted into the liberty of thy kingdom. So be it.   

THE MANNER OF administering the Lords Supper.  
The day when the Lords Supper is to be ministered, which shalbe commonly once a month, or so oft as the Congregation shall think expedient, the Minister shall use to say as followeth.  
LET us mark, dear brethren, and consider how Iesus Christ did ordain unto us his holy Supper, according as Saint paul maketh rehearshall in the 11. Chap. of the first Epistle to the Corinthians, saying:  
I haue received of the Lord, that which I haue delivered unto you, to wit, that the Lord Iesus the same night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thankes, he broke it saying: Take ye, eat ye, this is my body, which is broken for you: do you this in remembrance of me. Likewise after Supper, he took the Cup, saying: This cup is the new Testament or covenant in my blood: do ye this so oft as ye shall drink thereof, in remembrance of me. For so oft as you shall eat this bread, and drink of this cup, ye shall declare the Lords death until his coming. Therfore whosoever shall eat this bread, & drink the cup of the lord unworthily, he shall be guilty of the body and blood of the lord. Then see that every man prove & try himself, and so let him eat of this bread, & drink of this cup, for who so ever eateth or drinketh unworthily, he eateth & drinketh his own damnation, for not having due regard and consideration of the Lords body.  
¶ This done, the Pastor is to proceed to the exhortation, saying:  
dearly beloved in the lord, for as much as we be now assembled to celebrate the holy communion of the body & blood of our saviour Christ, let us consider these words of Saint paul, howe he exhorteth all persons diligently to try and examine themselves, before they presume to eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For as the benefit is great, if with a truly penitent heart, and liuelie faith wee receive that holy Sacrament( for then wee spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, & drink his blood: thē wee dwell in Christ, and Christ in us: we be one with Christ, & Christ with us:) so is the danger exceeding great, if wee receive this holy sacrament vnworthilie: for then wee be guilty of the body and blood of Christ our saviour: we eat and drink our own damnation, not considering the lord his body, which is offered in this sacrament to the worthy receiver: wee kindle Gods heavy wrath against us, and provoke him to plague or chastise us, with diverse diseases, and sundry kindes of death.  
Therefore, if any of you bee 
a Hose. 4.5.  ignorant of God, 
b Roma. 10 mark. 8.  a denier of the faith, 
c 1 Cor. 11. Tit. 2.10.  an heretic or schismatic, 
d 1. Cor. 5 1 John. 5  an idolator, a worshipper of Angells, saints, or any other creatures, 
e Gal. 5.30.  a witch, sorcerour, soothsayer, or such as haue any trust or confidence in them, 
f Deut. 4. 1. John. 5.  a mainteyner of Images or mans inventions in the service of GOD, a neglecter, 
g Gene. 17 Num. 9. 1 Cor. 11. Mat. 18. 3●  contemner, hinderer or slanderer of God, his holy word, Sacramentes, and Discipline, a 
h Mat. 5.33  perjured person, a profaner of the Lords sabbath: disobedient to Parents, Magistrates, Ministres, & other superiors, or bee a murderer, or in malice and envy, or bee merciless and cruel, or an oppressor, usurer, or fornicator, adulterour, an incestuous person, buggerer, or bee a thief, 
i 1 Cor. 5 1 Thes. 4.  a false dealer in bargayninge, or any the like matter: a slaunderour, backebyter, or false witness bearer, or in any other grievous crime, lament and bewail our sins and iniquities, and presume not to come to this holy Table, least the devill enter into you, as he entred into Iudas, and 
a John. 13.  fill you full of all iniquities, and bring you to destruction, both of body and soul.  
judge therefore yourselves, examine and try your hearts( Brethren) that ye bee not judged of the Lord: 
b Mat. 3. Titus. 2.  repent you truly for your sins past, and haue a liuelie and steadfast faith in Christ our saviour, seeking only your salvation in the 
c acts 4 Galat. 2.  merites of his death and passion, of his righteousness and obedience: from hence forth refusing and forgetting all envy and 
d 1. Pet. 2. 1 Cor. 14. Ephe. 4.  malice, with full purpose and deliberation, to live in Brotherly amity, and all godly and honest conversation all the dayes of your life.  
And albeit wee feel in ourselves much fraieltie and wretchedness, as that we haue not our faith so perfect and constant, as we ought, being many times ready to distrust Gods goodness through our corrupt 
e Rom. 7  nature, and also that we are not so throughly given to serve God, neither haue so fervent a zeal to set forth his glory, as our duty requireth, feeling still such rebellion in ourselves, that wee haue need daily to 
f Galat. ●  fight against the lusts of our flesh, yet nevertheless, seeing that our lord hath dealt thus mercifully with us, that he hath printed his 
a Heb. 8. Iere. 31. Isa. 5.  gospel in our hearts, so that wee are preserved from falling into desperation and misbelief: and seeing also he hath endued us with a 
b Rom. ●. Phil. 1.  will, and desire to renounce and withstand our own affections, with a longing for his righteousness and the keeping of his commandments, we may be now right well assured, that those defaults and manifold imperfections in us shall be no hindrance at all against us, to cause him not to accept and impute us as worthy to come to his spiritual Table. For the end of our coming thither is not to make 
c Luke. 18.  protestation that wee are upright or just in our lives, but contrariwise, wee come to seek our life and perfection in IESVS Christ, acknowledging in the mean time, that wee of ourselves be the children 
d Ephe. 2. luke. 8.  of wrath and damnation.  
Let us consider then, that the Sacrament is an excellent medicine for all poor sick creatures, a comfortable help to weak souls, and that our Lord requireth no other worthiness on our parte, but that wee unfeignedly aclowledge our wickedness, and imperfection. Then to the end that wee may bee worthy partakers of his merites, and most comfortable benefits, by 
a John. ●.  the true and spiritual eating of his flesh, and drinking of his blood, let us not suffer our mindes to wander about the consideration of these earthly & corruptible things( which we see present to our eyes, 
Transubstantiation, Trans-elementation, Transmutation, & Transformation, as the papists use thē, are the doctrine of devils. The true eating of Christ in the Sacrament.  and feel with our hands) to seek Christ bodily present in them, as if he were enclosed in the bread or wine, or as if these elements were turned & changed into the substance of his flesh and blood. For the onely way to dispose our souls to receive nourishment, relief and quickening of his substance, is to lift up our mindes by faith above all things worldly and sensible, and thereby to enter into heaven, that we may find and receive Christ, where he 
“ revel. 5.  dwelleth undoubtedly very God, & very man, in the incomprehensible glory of the Father, to whom bee all praise, honour, and glory, now and ever, Amen.  
¶ The exhortation ended, the Minister is to give thankes, either in these words following, or like in effect.  
O Father of mercy, and God of all consolation, 
Gene. 1.  seeing all creatures do aclowledge and confess thee as Gouuernour and lord, it becometh us the workmanship of thine own hands, at all times to reverence and magnify thy godly majesty: first, for that thou hast created us to thine own 
a Ephe. 2. Galat. ● Gen. 3.  image & similitude, but chiefly because thou hast delivered us from that everlasting 
b acts 4. Heb. 1.  death and damnation, into the which Satan drew mankind by the mean of sin: from the bondage whereof, neither man nor angel was 
c John 3.  able to make us free, but thou, o Lord, rich in mercy, and infinite in goodness, hast provided our whereupon to stand in thy only & well-beloved son, whom of very 
d John 3.  love thou didst give to bee made man like 
e Hebre. 8  unto us in all things, 
f Hebr. 4.  sin except, that in his body he might receive the punishment of our transgression, by his death to make 
g 1. Pet. 2. Isa. 43, 53.  satisfaction to thy iustice, and by his resurrection to 
h Mat. 3. Iere. 31. Hebr. 8. Rom. 5.  destroy him that was author of death, & so to bring again 
i Heb. 2. John 6.  life to the world, from which the whole offspring of 
k Gene. 3.2. Rom. 5.  Adam most justly was exiled.  
O Lord, we aclowledge, that no creature is able to 
l Ephe. 3.  comprehend the length and breadth, the deepness and height of that thy most excellent love which moved thee to show mercy where none was 
m Ephe. 2.  deserved: to promise and give life, 
n John. 6. Ephe. 1.  where death had gotten victory: to receive us into thy grace when wee could do 
o Gen. 6. Rom. 3. Isa. 64. Psalm. 5.14  nothing but rebel against thy iustice. O Lord, the blind dulness of our 
a mat. 16. 1. Cor. 2. Luke 11. Mark. 10.  corrupt nature, will not suffer us sufficiently to weight these thy most ample benefits: yet nevertheless, at the 
b Mat. 26. Luke 22.  commandment of IESVS Christ our Lord, wee present ourselves to this his Table( which he hath left to be used in 
c 1. Cor. 11.  remembrance of his death until his coming again) to declare and witness before the world, that by him alone we haue received 
d John. 8. Galat. 5.  liberty, and life: that by him alone thou dost aclowledge us thy children and 
e Roma. 8. 1. Pet. 1. Ephe. 5.  heirs: that by him alone wee haue 
f Ephe. 2. Heb. 4. Roma. 3.  entrance to the throne of thy grace: that by him alone we are 
g Matth. 25. John. 14. Luke 12.  possessed in our spiritual kingdom, to eat & drink at his 
h Luke 22. revel. 2.  Table, with whom we haue our 
i Phil. 3. Ephe. 2.  conversation presently in heaven, and by whom our bodies shall bee raised up again from the dust, and shall be placed with him in that endless joy, which thou, o Father of mercy, hast prepared for thine elect 
k Ephe. 1. revel. 1  before the foundation of the world was laid. And these most inestimable benefits we aclowledge and confess to haue received of thy 
l Roma. 3. Ephe. 2. Titus 3.  free mercy and grace, by thine onely beloved son Iesus Christ: for the which therefore we thy Congregation 
m Roma. 8.  moved by thine holy Spirit, render thee all thanks, praise and glory, for ever and ever.  
¶ This done, the Minister coming to the Table, & the Table being furnished, is to break the bread and deliver it to the people, saying: Take & eat, this bread is the body of Christ that was broken for us, do this in remembrance of him: who distribute and divide the same among themselves, according to our saviour Christes commandement. Likewise he shall give the cup, saying: drink ye all of this. This cup is the new Testament in the blood of Christ, which was shed for the sins of many: do this in remembrance ofhim. During the which time, 
Matth. 26. mark 14. Luke 22. 1. Cor. 10. 1. Cor. 11. John 13.14  some place of the Scriptures is to bee red, which doth liuelie set forth the death of Christ, to the intent that our eyes and senses may not onely be occupied in these outward signs of bread and wine, which are called the visible word, but that our hearts & mindes also may bee fully fixed in the contemplation of the Lords death which is by this holy Sacrament represented. And after the action is done, he is to give thankes, saying:  
MOST merciful Father, wee render to thee all praise, thankes and glory, for that it hath pleased thee of thy great mercies, to grant unto us, miserable sinners, so excellent a gift and treasure, as to receive us into the 
a 1. Cor. 10.  fellowship and company of thy dear son IESVS Christ our lord, whom thou hast 
b Roma. 4.  delivered to death for us, and hast given him unto us, as a necessary 
c John. 6.  food and nourishment unto everlasting life. And now wee beseech thee also, O heavenly Father, to grant us this request, that thou never suffer us to become so unkind, as to forget so worthy benefits, but rather imprint and fasten them sure in our hearts, that we may 
a Luke 17.  grow & increase daily more & more in true faith, which continually is 
b Gal. 5.  exercised in all maner of good works: and so much the rather, o Lord, confirm us in these 
c 1. Tim. 4. Ephe. 5. 2. Pet. 3.  perilous dayes, and rages of Satan, that wee may constantly stand and continue in the confession of the same, to the aduancement of thy 
d Mat. 5. 2. Pet. 2.  glory, which art God over all things blessed for ever.  
The action thus ended, the people are to sing the 103. psalm, My soul give laud, &c. or some other of thankes giuing: which ended, one of the blessings before mentioned, is to be recited, and so they rise from the Table and depart.  
If so bee that any would marvell why wee follow rather this order, then any other in the administration of this Sacrament, let him diligently consider, that first of all we utterly renounce the error of the papists: secondlie, we restore unto the Sacrament his own substance, and to Christ his proper place.  
And as for the words of the lords Supper, we rehearse them not because they should change the substance of the bread or wine, or that the repetition therof with the intent of the sacrificer, 
Why this order is to bee observed rather then any other.  should make the Sacrament( as the Papists falsely beleeue) but they are read & pronounced to teach us how to behave ourselves in that action, and that Christ might witness unto our faith, as it were with his own mouth, that he hath ordained these signs for our spiritual use and comfort. Wee do first therefore examine ourselves, according to saint Paules rule, and prepare our mindes that we may be worthy partakers of so high mysteries. Then taking bread, we give thankes, break and distribute it as Christ our saviour hath taught vs. 
mat. 26. mark 14. Luke 22. 1. Cor. 10. 1. Cor. 11.  finally, the ministration ended, we give thankes again according to his example: so that without his word and warrant, there is nothing in this holy action attempted.    

❧ THE form OF marriage.  
After the contract hath been published three several sabbath dayes in the Congregation, to the intent that if any person haue interest or title to either of the parties, they may haue sufficient time to make their challenge, the parties assemble at the beginning of the Sermon, and the Minister at time convenient, saith as followeth.  
The exhortation.  
dearly beloved Brethren, wee are here gathered together in the sight of God, and in the face of his Congregation, to knit and join these parties together in the" honourable state of matrimony, 
a Heb. 13.  which was instituted and authorised by God himself in 
a Gene. 2. provver. 18.  paradise, man being then in the state of innocency. For what time God made heaven and Earth, and all that is in them, & had created and fashioned man also after his own similitude & likeness, unto whom he gave rule & lordship over all the beasts of the earth, fishes of the sea, and fowles of the air, he said: It is not good that man live alone: let us make him an helper like unto himself. And God brought a deep sleep vpon him, and took one of his ribs, and shaped Heua thereof, doing us thereby to understand 
“ In Ebrue man is called Isch, and the woman Ischa whereby is well expressed the natural affinity betwixt man & his wife.  that they two are one body, one flesh and one blood: for the which cause man 
b Gene. 2. Matth. 19. mark 10. 2. Cor. 6.  leaveth his father and mother, and taketh him to his wife, to keep company with her: the which also he ought to love even as our saviour loveth his Church, that is to say, his 
c John. 17. Roma. 5. Hebr. 9. 1. Pet. 3.  elect and faithful Congregation, for the which he gave his life.  
And semblably also, it is the 
d Ephe. 5. Col. 3. 1. Pet. 3. 1. Cor. 11 1. Tim. 2.  wives duty to study to please and obey her houshande, serving him in all things that be godly and honest: for shee is in subiection, and under the gouuernance of her husband, so long as they continue both 
e Roma. 7. 2. Cor. 7. Matth. 19.  alive. And this holy marriage, being a thing most honourable, is of such virtue & force, that thereby the husband hath no more 
a 1. Cor. 7. 1. Pet. 3. Ephe. 6. 1. Tim. 2.  right or power over his own body, but the wife: and likewise the wife hath no power over her own body, but the husband, for as much as God hath so knit them together in this mutual society, to the procreation of children, that they should 
b 1. Cor. 7.  bring them up in the fear of the lord, and to the increase of Christes kingdom.  
Wherefore they that bee thus coupled together by GOD, can not bee severed or put apart, unless it bee for a season, with the assent of 
c Matth. 19 1 Cor. 7.  both parties, to the end to give themselves the more fervently to fasting and prayer, giuing diligent heed in the mean time, that their long being apart, be not a snare to bring them into the danger of satan, through incontinency: and therefore to avoid fornication, every man ought to haue his own wife, and every woman her own husband: so that so many as can not live chased, are 
d 1. Cor. ●. 2. Cor. 6. Leuit. 26. 2. Petr. 1.  bound by the commandement of GOD, to mary, that thereby the Holy 
e 1. Thes. 4.  Temple of GOD, which is our bodies, may bee kept pure and undefiled: For since our bodies are now become the very membres of IESVS Christ, how horrible and detestable a thing is it to make thē the members of an harlot? every one ought therefore to keep his vessel in all holinesse and honour: 
Roma. 12. Ephe. 5.  for whosoever 
“ ● Cor. 3.  polluted and defileth the Temple of GOD, him will GOD destroy.  
The Minister is to speak to the parties that shall be married, in this wise:  
I Require and charge you, as you will answer at the day of iudgement, when the 
a 1. Cor. 4. Matth. 7. Roma. 2.  secrets of all heartes, shall bee disclosed, that if either of you do know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, that ye confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as bee coupled otherwise then Gods word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful.  
If no impediment be by them declared, then the Minister is to say to the whole Congregation:  
I Tak you to witness that be here present, beseeching you al to haue good remembrance thereof: and moreover, if there bee any of you, which knoweth that either of these parties bee contracted to any other, or knoweth any other lawful impediment, let them now make declaration thereof.  
If no cause be alleged, the Minister is to proceed saying:  
FOr as much as no man speaketh against this thing, you N. shall protest here before God, and his holy Congregation, that you haue taken and are now contented to haue N. here present for your lawful wife, promising to keep her, to love and entreat her in all things according to the 
a Colos. 3. 1. Pet. 3. Matth. 19. 1. Cor. 7. Mala. 2.  duty of a faithful husband, forsaking all other, during her life: and briefly, to live in all holy conversation with her, keeping faith and truth in all points, according as the word of God and his holy gospel doth command.  
The answer.  
even so I take her before God and in the presence of this his Congregation.  
The Minister also shall say to the spouse:  
YOu, N. shall protest here before the face of God, in the presence of this holy Congregation, that ye haue taken and are now contented to haue, N. here present, for your lawful husband, promising to him 
b Ephe. 5. Coloss. 3. 1. Tim. 2. 1. Pet. 3. Esther. ●.  subiection and obedience, forsaking all other, during his life: and finally to live in an holy conversation with him, keeping faith and truth in all points, as Gods word doth prescribe.  
The answer.  
even so I take him before God, and in the presence of this his Congregation.  
The Minister then shall say:  
give diligent ear then to these words of the Gospel, that ye may understand how our lord would haue this holy contract kept and observed, and how sure and fast a knot it is, which may in no wise bee loosed, according as we be taught in the 19 Chapter of Saint Matthewes gospel.  
THe Pharisees came unto Christ to tempt him, and to feel his mind, saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every light cause? He answered, saying: Haue ye not red, that he which created man at the beginning, made them male & female? saying: For this thing shall man leave Father and mother, & cleave unto his wife, & they twain shall be one flesh, so that they are no more two but are one flesh. let no man therefore put asunder that, which God hath coupled together.  
IF ye beleeue assuredly these words, which our Lord and saviour did speak( according as ye haue heard them now rehearsed out of the holy gospel) then may you be certain, that God hath even so knit you together in this holy estate of wedlock. Wherefore apply yourselves to live together in godly love, in christian peace, and good example, ever holding fast tho band of charity without any breach, keeping faith and truth the one to the other, even as Gods word doth appoint.  
Then the Minister commendeth them to God, in this or such like sort:  
The lord sanctify and bless you: the lord power the riches of his grace vpon you, that ye may please him, and live together in holy love to your lives end. Amen.  
Then the Minister is to proceed to the ordinary exercise.   

THE VISITATION OF the sick.  
BEcause the visitation of the sick is a thing very necessary, and yet notwithstanding it is hard to prescribe al rules appertaining thereunto, it is referred to the discretion of the godly and Prudent Minister, who according as he seeth the patient afflicted, either may lift him up with the sweet promises of Gods mercy through Christ, if he perceive him much afraid of Gods fastings: or contrariwise, if he be not touched with the feeling of his sins, may beate him down with Gods iustice: evermore like a skilful physician, framing his medicine according as the disease requireth.  
moreover, the party that is visited, may vpon necessary occasion for his comfort, send for the Minister: who doth not only make prayers for him there presently, but also if it so require, commendeth him in the public prayers to the comgregation.   

OF BVRIALL.  
THe corps is reverently to be brought to the grave, accompanied with the neighbours in comely manner, without any further ceremony.   

INTERPRETATION of Scriptures.  

And for the Churches in these low countries, it is ordered by the last general synod, § agree able to God his word, and the practise of other churches, that other by their order may speak, that so some of them may be ripened to the ministery, provided that none of thē preach or speak out of the place appointed for it, nor administer the Sacraments, without a full calling to the ministery.  every week once the Minister of the less Conference which may convenientlie, are to assemble in some Church to hear some place of the Scriptures 
§ Act. 15.22, 23.26.31. & 13.15. 1 Cor. 14.26, 33. 1 Thes. 5.20. Luke 2.46.47. 1 Sam. 19.22.  orderly expounded, by such of them as they shal appoint for it: who are also to appoint one for the moderation of the action, that all things may be done in it orderly and to edification.  
The ordinary officers of the Church by the word of God, are these four: 
Rom. 12. Act. 6. 1 Tim. 5. 2 Cor. 22.  Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons.   

OF THE PASTORS, THEIR OFfice, election, and ordination.  
What things are chiefly required in the Pastors.  
THE church that is destitute of a Pastor, is 
a Act. 1.13.  first diligently to consider, that he which is to be chosen Pastor, be not found 
b 1 Tim. 3. 2 Tim. 2.4. Ezech. 33 jer. 3. John 2 Isa. 62 1 Cor. 9.  culpable of any such faults as S. paul reprehendeth in a man of that vocation: but contrariwise, endued with such virtues, that he may be able to undertake his charge & diligently execute the same. Secondlie, that he ought to 
c 2 Tim. 2 1 Cor. 4 Mat. 25.  distribute faithfully the word of God, & minister the Sacraments sincerely, ever 
d Act. 2● 2 Tim. 4.  careful not only to teach his flock publicly, but also vpon cause, privately to admonish them: remembering always that if any thing 
e Ezec. 3. 2 Cor. 2.  perish through his default, the lord will require it at his hand.  
ANd because the charge of the word of God is of greater 
f 1 Cor. 9. Act. 6.  importance, 
The Pastors duty.  then that any man is able to dispense therwith: and Saint paul exhorteth to esteem them as ministers 
a 1. Cor. 4. 2 Cor. 4.  of Christ, & disposers of Gods mysteries: not 
b 1. Pet. 5. 2. Cor. 1. Mat. 20.  lords or rulers, as S. Peter saith, over the flock: The Church is therfore to consider, that the Pastors chief office standeth in 
c Mat. 26. Mall. 2. 1. Pet. 4. Act. 3.16. 1. Cor. 1.15  preaching the word of God, and ministering the Sacramentes: So that in consultations, judgements, elections, and other ecclesiastical affairs, his 
d acts 20. 2. Cor. 4.  counsel rather then authority, taketh place.  
And if so be the Congregation by the aduise of the Elders, vpon just cause agree to excommunicate, then it belongeth to the Minister, according to their 
e 1 Cor. 5.  general determination, to pronounce the sentence, to the end that all things may bee done 
f 1. Cor. 15.  orderly, and without confusion.  
ANd therefore the Elders of the vacant Congregation and certain Pastors appointed by the next Conference to it( whose assistance the said Elders are to seek and desire of that Conference) at such time are to assemble the Congregation having before appointed a day for fasting & prayer, 
The election and ordination of Pastors.  to exhort them to pray, that God would direct the election to bee made, as may bee most agreeable to his will, and most profitable for that Church. Then after they are to meet by themselves, and to aduise of one fitt for the place that is vacant, whom that assembly of the Elders and such Pastors are to prove and examine.  
First, as touching 
“ 2 Tim. ●. Tit. 1.  Doctrine, whether he that should be Pastor, haue good & sound knowledge in the holy Scriptures, and fitt and apt gifts to communicate the same to the edification of the people. For the trial whereof, they are to propose him a theme to be treated privately, and to take such other trial, whereby his ability may the more manifestly appear unto them. Secondlie, they are to inquire of his life and conversation, if he haue in times past lived without slander, and gouuerned himself in such sort as the word of God hath not heard evil, 
Rom. 1. james 1. 1. Sam. 2.  or been slandered through his occasion, which being severally done, they signify to the congregation that they find his gifts meet and profitable for that ministery: appointing also by a general consent twenty dayes, that every man may diligently inquire of his life & manners: with warning that if in that time no just exception be taken, their silence shalbe accounted as their free consent: in which time he is to preach in the congregation, that they may also discern of his fitness, to communicate his gifts with thē. And if in the mean season any thing be brought against him, whereby he may be found unworthy by lawful proof thē is he to be dismissed, & some other presented. If no sufficient matter be alleged against him within the time appointed, thē one of the Ministers afore the morning Sermon, declaring no just exception to be taken against the presented, and therfore the party as chosen with free consent of the Ministers, Elders, and the whole comgregation, to be ordained, is to frame his Sermon, or some part thereof, to the setting forth of the duty of the Minister and the Church: & so giveth 
“ 1 Thes. 3. Colos. 4. Ephe. 5. Phil. 3.  thanks to God, with request of such things as shal be necessary for his office. After that, he is to bee ordained by the laying on of the hands of the Eldership of that Congregation, & the Ministers appointed for that purpose, whereof one is to pronounce these words: According to this lawful calling, agreeable to the word of God, whereby thou art chosen Pastor in the name of God, stand thou charged with the pastoral charge of this people, over which the holy ghost hath made thee over seer, 
Act. 20.  to gouuerne the flock of God, which he hath purchased with his blood.  
This done, the people are to sing a psalm and so to depart. And the next time of the whole assembly of the Congregation, the Pastor so ordained, is to begin the execution of his office, being brought to the place where he is to do it, by the Elders of the same.  

THE MANNER OF ORDAINING MINISTERS OF the word, and establishing them in their Churches.  
well-beloved Brethren in the Lord, it is known to you all, that wee haue three or four times propounded unto you the name of our dear brother N. here present, to know whether any man had to except against him concerning his doctrine and conversation, whereby he were to bee held unfit for the ministery in this Congregation. But so it is, that no man appeareth, to allege any lawful exception against him: wherefore we are at this present time to proceed in the Name of the lord to his institution. For the which cause, you N. & all that be here present, are to hear a short declaration out of the Scripture, concerning the institution and charge of the Ministers of the word: namely, that our heauenlie Father, purposing to call and gather out of mankind, being corrupted, a Church unto life everlasting, doth by a special grace use thereunto the labour of men: as S. paul teacheth us Ephe. 4. That the Lord Christ gave some to be Apostles, & some Prophetes, and some evangelists, & some Pastors and Teachers: for the gathering together of the Saints, for the work of the ministery, and for the edification of the body of Christ. here wee see plainly among other things, that the Pastors office is an institution of Iesus Christ. now to know what belongeth to this holy charge, wee may easily gather out of the name itself. For as the duty of a common Pastor or shepherd is to feed, to lead, to defend and govern the flock that is committed unto him: so doth it also stand with those spiritual sheepheardes, set over that Congregation, the which God calleth unto salvation, and holdeth to be the sheep of his pasture. Which pasture to graze these sheep withall, is nothing else but the preaching of Gods word, with the annexed administration of prayers and of the holy Sacramentes. The same word is also that staff, whereby this flock is guided and governed. consequently it is plain, that the charge of Pastours or Ministers consisteth therein:  
First, that they are upon good ground, soundly to deliver unto the people the word of the lord, contained in the books of the Prophetes and Apostles: and to apply the same both in general and particular, to the utility & profit of the hearers, by instructing, admonishing, comforting and rebuking them, according as the necessity of every one requireth: preaching conversion unto God, and reconciliation with him through faith in Iesus Christ, & refuting by the holy Scriptures all errors & heresies that are repugnant to this sound doctrine. All which is taught us plainly in the holy Scriptute. For the Apostle Saint paul saith, That these do labour in the word. And elsewhere: 
1 Tim. 5.17 Rom. 12.3.  That it is to be done according to the measure or rule of faith. moreover, 
Tit. 1.9. 2 Tim. 2.15 1 Cor. 14.3  that a Pastor must hold fast that faithful word according to doctrine, and divide the same aright. Also, He that prophesieth( that is that preacheth the word) speaketh unto men to edifying, 
Act. 20.20.  and to exhortation, & to comfort. In an other place he doth set down himself for a patron unto all Pastors, declaring that openly and throughout the houses, he hath taught repentance towards God, and faith toward our lord Iesus Christ. But specially he doth deliver unto us a notable description of the charge of a Preacher of the gospel 2. Cor. 5.17. 
2 Cor. 5.17.  All things( saith he) are of God, which hath reconciled us unto himself by Iesus Christ, and hath given unto us( namely Apostles and Pastors) the ministery of reconciliation. For God was in Christ reconciling the word to himself, not imputing their sins unto them: and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then are wee ambassadors for Christ: as though God did beseech you through us, wee pray you in Christes stead, that ye be reconciled to God. Concerning the refuting of false doctrine, the same Apostle saith Tit. 1.9. that a Minister must hold fast the word of God, that he may convince them that speak against it.  
Secondlie, the Pastors charge is, to make public prayers in the behalf of the whole church, for that which the Apostles say, Act. 6.4. we will give ourselves continually to prayer, & to the ministry of the word, is commen to al Pastors. 
1 Timo. 2.  Therfore S. Paul saith to Timothe, J exhort, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, &c.  
thirdly, they are to administer the Sacraments, 
Math. 28.  which the Lord hath ordained to be seals of his grace, as it appeareth by the commandment that Christ gave to his Apostles, belonging also to all other Pastors, baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the son, & of the holy Ghost. Also 1 Cor. 11 I haue received of the lord that which I also delivered unto you, to wit, That the lord Iesus in the night when he was betrayed, took bread, &c.  
Finally, the Pastors ought to maintain & govern the church of God in good discipline, after the maner that the lord hath appointed. For Christ Math. 1●. 1●. having spoken of the Christian censures, saith to his Apostles, What soever ye shal bind vpon earth, shall be bound in heaven. And paul will haue the Ministers to bee able to gouuerne well their own house, 
1. Tim. 3.5  because otherwise they should not be able to rule the Church of God. 
Tit. 1.7.  Therefore are the Pastors called in the Scriptue Stewards & Bishops, that is to say, overseers & Watchmen, because they haue the oversight over the house of God in the which they converse, to the end that all things may be done in it orderly, decently, and honestly: and that by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, 
Mat. 16.19.  that are committed unto them, the shutting and opening may be practised, according to the charge that God hath given them.  
By these things ye may see, what an excellent work the Pastors office is, seeing thereby so great things are brought to pass: yea how necessary it is in all respects, to bring men unto salvation. For which cause the Lord willeth the same to remain always: seeing he said to his Apostles, when he sent them out to execute this holy ministery, Lo I am with you alway unto the end of the world. 
Matth. 28.  Whereby he sheweth his will is, that his holy ministery( considering the Apostles could not live until the end of the world) from time to time should be maintained vpon earth. Therefore Paul also admonisheth Timothe, That what things he had heard of him, 
2. Timo. 2.2  he should deliver to faithful men, that were able to teach others likewise. And having ordained Titus to bee a Pastor, 
Tit. 1.5.  commandeth him further to ordain Elders in every city.  
Considering then that we also, to entretaine the same ministery in the Church of God, do ordain or admit this our 
“ or brothers  brother N. & haue hitherto sufficiently spoken of his chariage: You therfore N. shall answer vpon that which I am to proproud unto you, to the end that every one may understand that you are minded to accept the same charge in a convenient manner.  
First I ask you, whether you feel in your heart that you are called lawfully by the church of God, and consequently by God himself, to this holy ministery?  
Secondlie, whether you hold the books of the old and new Testament to be the only word of God & the perfect doctrine of salvation: and do forsake all doctrines repugnant unto the same:  
thirdly, whether you promise to execute your charge as before it is described, with all fidelity according to the same doctrine: and to execute & accompany your instructions with a godly life: as also to submit yourself to the Church-censures, according to the common order of the Churches, if it happen that you should miscarry yourself either in doctrine or life?  
Vpon this he answereth.  
Yea with all my heart.  
Then shall the Minister who hath asked him these questions( or an other Minister when there are more) lay their" hands vpon his head, and speak thus: 
NOTE, That this ceremony is not used in the confirmation of those that haue been ordained before: but only the giving of hands after the action. " hands vpon his head, and speak thus:  
God our heavenly father who hath called you to this holy calling, illuminate you by his Spirit, strengthen you by his hand, and so direct you in your ministery, that you may walk in the same orderly, faithfully and fruitefullie, to the praise of his holy name, and the furthering and increasing of the kingdom of his son IESVS Christ, Amen.  
After this shall the Minister from the Pulpit admonish in this sort both the confirmed Minister, and the people:  
You therefore well-beloved Brother and fellow Minister in Christ, take heed unto yourself, and unto all the flock, whereof the holy Ghost hath made you overseer, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. love Christ, and feed his sheep, having a care of them, not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: not as though you were a lord over the people committed unto you, but as being become a pattern unto the flock. Be an ensample unto them that beleeue, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in pureness: give attendance to reading, to exhortation, and to doctrine, and neglect not the gift that is given you: exercise these things, and give yourself unto them, that it may bee seen how you do profit among all men. Take heed unto learning, and continue therein. bear patiently all gainsaying & reproach, as a good soldier of Christ. doing this you shall save yourself and those that hear you: And when the chief Pastor shall appear, you shall receive the incorruptible crown of glory.  
You likewise dear brethren, receive this your Minister in the Lord, with all ioy, and make much of such: think that God himself doth speak by them unto you, and pray you. Embrace the word which he( according to the Scripture) is to deliver, and that not as any mans word, but( as it is in dead) the word of God. Let the feet of them that publish peace, and declare good things, be beautiful and acceptable unto you. Obey them that haue the oversight of you: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: that they may do it with ioy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. By doing so, the peace of God shall enter into your houses, & you receiving this man in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and by his word, believing in Christ, shall inherit life everlasting. Notwithstanding, seeing no man is fit to any of all these things of himself, let us call unto God with thanksgiving in this maner:  
O merciful Father, we thank thee that it hath pleased thee, out of mankind that is corrupted, to gather thee a Church unto life everlasting, by the ministery of man, and that so mercifully thou hast provided the Church here of a faithful and trusty Minister: wee beseech thee heavenly Father, to make him by thy spirit, more and more fitt for that service whereunto thou hast called him, giving him wisdom to understand thy holy Scripture, and utterance to open his mouth boldly, and publish the mystery of the gospel. due him with wisdom & courage, to rule aright and maintain in Christian peace the people committed unto him, and that thy Church under his administration & good ensample may increase in multitude & true godliness. grant him a good heart in all troubles and crosses that may meet him in his charge, that being strenghtened by the comfort of thy Spirit, and continuing constantly unto the end, he with all thy true seruants may be received into the joys of thee his Lord God. Likewise show mercy to this people, that they may behave themselves reverently towards this their Pastor, acknowledging him to be sent unto them from thee, receiving his doctrine with all respect and honour, & submitting themselves unto his exhortations, that they by his word believing in Christ, may be made partakers of life everlasting. hear us o Father through thy well-beloved son, who hath taught us thus to pray:  
Our Father, &c.   

THE MANNER OF ORDAINING ELDERS AND DEACONS, either jointly, or each of them severally.  
well-beloved in the lord, you know that wee haue at diuers times propounded and declared unto you the names of our brethen here present, who are chosen to execute the charge of Eldership and Deaconship in this Congregation, to know whether any thing could bee produced why they ought not to bee ordained in the said calling. whereupon seeing that no man hath appeared before us, alleging any lawful exception against them: Therefore we are at this present time to proceed in the name of the Lord to their ordination.  
To this effect, you 
“ or brothers if there be-more then one to be ordained.  brother, who must be ordained, and all beside that be here present, are to hear out of the word of God a short declaration of the institution and charge of Elders and Deacons. Concerning the Elders, wee must note that the word Elder or ancient( being taken from the old Testament, and signifying a person established in some honourable calling for the governing of others) is attributed unto two maner of persons that serve in the Church of Christ. For the Apostle saieth: The Elders that rule well, 
1 Tim. 5. 1●  let them bee had in double honour, especially they which labour in the word and doctrine. here wee see in the apostolic Church to haue been two sorts of Elders, whereof the first did labour in the word and doctrine, and the other not. The first were Ministers of the Word, and Pastors: who preached the gospel and administered the Sacraments: but the other who laboured not in the word, & yet were likewise serving in the church, had a special office, namely the oversight of the Church, and the ruling of the same together with the Ministers of the word. For paul having spoken of the offices of teaching, 
Rom. 12.8.  and of distributing or Deaconship, speaketh afterward of this office specially, saying: He that ruleth, let him do it with diligence. 
● Cor. 12.2  Likewise in an other place among the gifts and offices which the lord hath ordained in his Church, he doth mention Gouuernours or Rulers. This sort then of Church-Officers, were to help and assist the other that Preached the gospel, as in the Old Testament the common levites were joined to the Priestes in the ministery of the Tabernacle, to bee their helpers in things which the Priestes alone, were not able to perform: remaining always offices distinct and several. moreover, it is good that such fellow rulers bee joined with the Ministers of the word, to the end that hereby all tyranny and dominion may more easily bee banished out of the Church of God, the which may break in the sooner, when the gouuernement consisteth but in one or very few persons. So that the Ministers of the word and the Elders together, make one fellowship, being as a Church-councill, & representing the whole Church. whereupon the lord Christ hath regard, when he saith, Tell it unto the Church. 
Mat. 18.17  The which can not be understood of all and every member of the Church severally, but most fitly of those that gouuerne the Church, by the which they are elected.  
First, there is required of the Elders, to haue with the Ministers of the word, an oversight of the Church, that is committed unto them: carefully to look that every one behave himself convenientlie in his profession and conversation, To admonish those that give offence: and to provide, as much as is possible, that the Sacraments be not profaned. Likewise, according to the Christian discipline, to deal against the impenitent, and receive again the penitent into the bosom of the church: as not onely it is made plain by the former sentence of Christ, but also by other testimonies of Scripture, 
1 Cor. 5.4 2 Cor. 2.6.7  that these things stand not by one or two persons only, but by many that are appointed for it.  
Secondlie, seeing the Apostle commandeth that all things among Christians, 
Cor. 14.40.  shall be done comely and by order, and that no man without lawful calling, ought to serve in the Church of Christ, as Christian order requireth: It belongeth also to the Elders to look to this, and in all matters that fall out appertaining to a good constitution & order of the Church, with good counsel to assist the Ministers of the word: yea with counsel and comfort to serve the whole Congregation.  
thirdly, it is their charge to haue a special regard of the doctrine and life of the Ministers of the word, to the end that all things be serving for the edifying of the Church: and that no strange doctrine be taught, as we see the Apostle doth exhort, 
Act. 20.28.29.  that diligent watch bee held against the wolves that might enter into the sheepcoat of Christ. For the performing whereof, the Elders are bound carefully to search the word of God, & to exercise themselves continually in the meditation of the mysteries of faith.  
Concerning the Deacons, we may read of their original & institution in the acts 
Act. 6.1.5.  of the Apostles. For there we do find that in the beginning the Apostles themselves, ministered to the poor, at whose feet the price of the sold goods were brought, and the distribution was done to every one according as his necessity required. But because after this there arose a murmuringe, for that the widows of the grecians were neglected in the daily ministering: By the admonition of the Apostles, certain men were chosen to supply this business of prouidinge for the poor, that the Apostles might give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministration of the word. From which time this hath been observed in the Church, as apreth by Paul the Apostle, 
Rom. 12.8.  who speaking of this charge, saith: That he who distributeth, shall do it with simplicity. And else where speaking of the HELPERS, 
1 Cor. 12.28.  he understandeth those that are appointed to help the poor and afflicted, in their need. Which places do sufficiently show what the office is of the Deacons: namely first, That they with fidelity & carefulness do gather and keep the alms and goods which are given to the poor: yea labour besides with all diligence, that many good means may be found for the relief of the poor. The second parte of their charge consisteth in the distribution: whereunto is requisite, not only discretion & prudency, least they should give where is no need: but also a joyful mind & simplicity, to help the poor with a cheerful and merciful heart, 
Rom. 12.8  as the Apostle requireth. To which purpose it is very good, that they succcour the poor & afflicted, 
2 Cor. 9.7.  not only with outward gifts, but likewise with comfortable consolations out of the word of God.  
To the end therefore, dear brethren, N. N. that each one of you here present, may understand that your intention is to embrace, receive, and faithfully execute the foresaid 
“ or charges.  charge[ namely each of you his own] you are to answer to these questions:  
First, I ask you Elders, and Deacons, whether you do not feel in your heartes, that you are by the Church of God, and consequently by God himself, severally called to this holy charge,[ or charges?]  
Secondlie, whether you hold the Scripture of the Old and New Testament, to be the only word of God, and the perfect doctrine of salvation, and do reject all doctrine contrary unto the same?  
thirdly, whether you promise to administer your charge( as before it is described out of the said doctrine) with all fidelity, according to your power: namely you Elders N. N, in the church government, together with the Ministers of the word, And you Deacons N. N. in the ministering of the poor? Likewise whether all of you, do promise to live in a godly conversation, & to submit yourselves to the churchlie admonitions and censures, if you at any time offend against the good order of the Church?  
Vpon this they shall answer:  
Yea, that we do.  
Then the Minister saith:  
The almighty God and Father, grant unto you all his grace, that in this your charge you may behave yourselves faithfully and fruitfullie with comfort, Amen.  
Then shall he admonish them and the Congregation in this maner:  
look then ye Elders that ye be diligent in governing the Church that which( together with the Ministers of the word) is committed unto you. Be also good watchmen over the house and city of God, to admonish every one faithfully, and warn him of his destruction. Haue a care to maintain the pureness of doctrine, and the integrity of life in the Church of the Lord.  
And you Deacons, be careful in the gathering of the alms, circumspectly and cheerful in bestowing them: help the distressed, provide for the right widows and orphans: do good unto all men, but specially unto them which are of the household of faith.  
Be all of you faithful and trusty in your charge: and hold the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, showing good example unto all the people. So shall you get to yourselves a good degree and great liberty in the faith which is in Christ Iesus, & hereafter enter into the joy of your Lord.  
On the other side well-beloved Christians, receive these men as the seruants of God. esteem the Elders that rule well worthy of double honor: submit yourselves willingly to their oversight and rule: provide and furnish the Deacons of good means for the helping of the poor: Bee beneficial ye that are rich, give liberally and impart readily: And ye that are poor, be poor in spirit, & carry yourselves reverently towards your prouiders: be thankful towards them, and murmur not: follow Christ for the food of the soul, and not for bread sake. Let him that hath stolen, or been burdensome to his neighbour, steal no more, but let him rather labour and work with his hands the thing which is good, that he may haue to give unto him that needeth. Doing so, each for his own parte, you shall receive of the lord the reward of righteousness. But seeing of ourselves we are unfit for this, let us call vpon the almighty God in this sort:  
Lord our God and merciful Father, we render thee thankes, because it hath pleased thee for the better furtheringe of thy Church, to appoint in the same, besides the Ministers of the word, Rulers, & Helpers, Whereby thy Congregation might be maintained in good peace and prosperous estate, and the poor people relieved: and that presently in this place thou hast granted unto us men of good testimony, and endowed with thy Spirit: Wee beseech thee, furnish them more and more of such gifts as they haue need of in their administration, namely, the gift of wisdom, readiness, and of discerning, as also of beneficence, to the end that every one may behave himself duly in his charge, the Elders in having a careful regard to doctrine and conversation, to the keeping out the wolves from the sheepe-folde of thy well-beloved son, & in admonishing and reproving the disorderly and unruly. Likewise the Deacons in collecting carefully, and in bestowing liberally & prudently the alms of the poor, as also in comforting them with thy holy word. grant both unto the Elders and unto the Deacons, thy grace, that they may go on constantly in their faithful work, and that they never wax slow by reason of whatsoever pain, grief, trouble, or persecution of the world: grant likewise thy divine blessing unto this people especially, committed unto their charge, that they submit themselves willingly to the good admonition of the Elders, and give due honour unto them for their office sake. grant unto the rich, liberal heartes, towards the poor: and unto the poor a thankful spirit towards those that help and minister unto them. In such sort, that every one discharging himself in his calling, thy holy Name thereby may be magnified, and the kingdom of Iesus Christ advanced: In whose Name we conclude our prayer, saying, Our Father which art, &c.   

OF TEACHERS, THEIR OFFICE, ELECTION, AND ORDINATION.  
THere is also another sort of Ministers of the word, called Doctors or Teachers, whose office is to instruct, & teach Doctrine, by expounding the word, teaching the principal points of religion: & providing with all diligence, that the purity of the gospel bee not corrupted, either through ignorance, or evil opinions.  
The doctors election and ordination, is as the Pastors: saving that if there bee a Pastor of that comgregation, he is to be used with the Pastors of the next Conference: and chiefly for that which otherwise is to be done by one of them: and that the prayer, trial, and words of ordination, are to respect his special office.   

OF ELDERS, THEIR OFFICE ELECTION, AND ORDINATION.  
THe Elders must be men of good life, 
Nom. 11. Act. 14. Rom. 11. Ephe. 4. 1 Cor. 12. james. 5. 1. Pet. 5.  & godly conversation, without blame, & all just suspicion, careful for the flock, wise, and above all things, fearing God.  
Whose office standeth in governing with the rest of the Ministers, in consulting, admonishing, correcting, and ordering all things appartayning to the comely direction of the comgregation. They differ from the Ministers, in that they preach not the word, nor minister the Sacraments. In assembling the people, neither they without the Ministers, nor the Ministers without them, may attempt any thing. The election and ordination is to be as the Pastors at the first establishing of them in any Congregation.  
After, if any of the number shall want, then it may suffice to be ordered by the Eldership of the congregation, in such sort, for other circumstances then are here mentioned, as in the election and ordination of the Ministers of the word: the prayer, trial words of ordination respecting their special office.   

OF THE DEACONS, THEIR OFFICE, ELECTION, AND ORDINATION.  
THE Deacons must bee men of good estimation and report, discreet, of good conscience, 
Acts. 6.  charitable, wise, and finally endued with such virtues, 
1. Tim. 3. Rom. 1.  as Saint paul requireth in them. Their office is to gather the alms diligently & faithfully, to distribute it, with the consent of the Ministers, and Elders. Also, to provide for the sick and impotent persons, having ever a diligent care, that the charity of godly men, bee not wasted vpon 
● Thes. 3.  loiterers and idle vagabonds. Their election is to bee made by the Eldership, in such sort as hath been afore rehearsed in the Elders, & their ordination with prayer, and by words, respecting their special office.   

THE DEPOSITION OF Church officers, vpon just causes.  
COncerning the Church officers, because Christ reproveth them that espy a moat in another mans eye, and will not see a beam in their own: and for that the eye should be clearer then the rest of the body, the Minister of the word can not be criminous, but to the great hurt of the Church. Therefore it is to be understood, that there be certain faults which if they be found in a Minister, by like authority as he was elected, he is to be deposed: as for example, for papistry, or other heresy, Anabaptistrie: for adultery, felony: for being a drunkard, an usurer, a gamester, or given to filthy lucre, &c.  
Other are not so grievous, if so bee that after brotherly admonition he amend them: as for example, strange and unprofitable fashion in preaching, and handling the Scriptures, curiosity in seeking vain questions, negligence as well in his sermons & in studying the scriptures, as in all other things concerning his vocation: scurrility, flattering, lying, backbiting, wanton words, deceit, covetousness, taunting, dissolution in apparel, gesture, and other his doeings: which vices as they be odious in all men, so in him that ought to be as an 
Mat. 5. Mark. 9.  example to others, they are in no wise to be suffered. And if so bee that according to Christes rule, 
Mat. 8. Luke. 17. james. 5.  being brotherly advertised, he aclowledge not his fault, and amend, he is to be deposed. The same rule is to be followed in like causes with the rest that haue charge in the Church.   

THE ORDER OF THE ecclesiastical DISCIPLINE.  

The necessity of discipline.  AS no city, town, House, or family, can maintain their estate, and prosper without policy & government, even so the Church of God, which requireth more purely to bee governed then any city or family, can not without spiritual policy, and ecclesiastical Discipline, continue, increase, and flourish. And as the word of God is the life and soul of this Church, 
Ephe. ●.  so a godly order of Discipline, is as it were sinews in the body, which knit and join the members together with decent order and comeliness: It is a bridle to stay the wicked from their mischief: it is a spur to prick forward such as bee slow and negligent: yea and for all men it is the fathers rod, ever in a readiness to chastise gently the faults committed, and to cause them afterward to live in more godly fear and reverence. finally, 
what Discipline is.  it is an order left by the Lord our God unto his Church, whereby men learn to frame their wills and doeings, according to the lawe of God, by instructing and admonishing: yea, and by correcting and punishing all obstinate rebelles and comtemners of the same.  
There are three causes chiefly which should move the church of God to the executing of Discipline. First, 
For what causes it ought to be used.  that men of evil conversation be not numbered among Gods children, to their fathers reproach, 
Ephe. ●.  as if the Church of God were a sanctuary for concavity and vile persons. Secondlie, that the good be not infected with accompanying the evil: Which thing Saint paul foresaw, when he commanded the Corinthians to banish from among them the incestuous adulterer, 
1 Cor. 5. Galat. 5.  saying: A little leaven maketh sour the whole lump of dowe. thirdly, that a man thus corrected or excommunicated, might bee ashamed of his fault, and so through repentance come to amendment: 
2 Thes. 3. 1. Cor. 5.  the which thing the Apostle calleth delivering to Satan, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord: meaning that he might be punished with excommunication, to the intent his soul should not perish for ever.  
This censure, corrction or discipline, may rise either upon private or public occasion: private, as if a man offend either in manners or doctrine against thee, to admonish him brotherly between him and thee: if so be he stubburnlie resist thy charitable aduertisemens, or by continuance in his fault, declare that he amendeth not, then, after he hath been the second time warned in presence of two or three witnesses, and continueth obstinatelie in his fault, he ought, as out saviour Christ commandeth, to be disclosed & manifested to the Church, so that according to public discipline, he either may bee reformed, or else be punished, as his fault requireth.  
Touching private admonition, three things are to bee observed: First, that the admonitions proceed of a godly zeal and conscience, rather seeking to win our brother, then to slander him. Next, that we be assured, that his fault be reprovable by Gods word. And finally, that wee use such modesty and wisdom, that if wee somewhat doubt of the matter, whereof we admonish him, yet with godly exhortations, he may be brought to the knowledge of his fault.  
Besides private admonition, having great use to reform offenders in public Discipline, the Eldership hath power of ecclesiastical censures, to bee used according as the quality of the offence shall require.  
These censures are, Admonition, Suspension, excommunication: which in all tender regard and godly zeal of preserving the members of Christ from infection of sin, they are to use, if they perceive any euiil in any man, either offensive in example, or slanderous in manners, or unworthy his profession. As for example. If there ba any person disobedient, traitorous, seditious, or covetous, an adulterer, or fornicator, forsworn, thief, bryber, false witness bearer, blasphemer, drunkard, slanderer, usurer, or dissolute: Any heresy or sect, as papistical, anabaptistical, and such like: briefly, whatsoever it bee that might sport the Christian Congregation, 
Ephe. 5.  yea rather whatsoever is not to edification, ought not to escape either admonition or punishment.  
And because it cometh to pass some time in the church of Christ, that when other remedies assayed, profit nothing, they must proceed to the apostolical rod and correction, which is, excommunication: It is ordained, that nothing be attempted in that behalf without the determination of the whole Congregation: wherein also they are to beware & take good heed, that they seem not more ready to expel from the Congregation, then to receive again those in whom they perceive worthy fruits of repentance to appear: neither yet to forbid him the hearing of Sermons, 
Rigour in punishment ought to be avoyded.  which is excluded from the Sacramentes and other benefits of the Church, that he may haue liberty and occasion to repent: finally, that all punishments, corrections, censures, and admonitions stretch no further, then Gods word with mercy may lawfully bear. 
Gods word is the onely rule of discipline.   
For the better execution of this holy Discipline, the Eldership of every particular Congregation, is every week to assemble for the oversight and guidance of that church, that all things may be done to the furtherance of piety and true Religion, and for the correction and punishment of offences to the contrary.  
¶ This may be sufficient for particular Congregations: for the visitation whereof and decision of causes, which can not bee ended in them and such like: meetings, Conferences, and synods of Ministers and Elders, chosen by particular Churches and Meetings, are to be held as the Ministers for time and place and other circumstances shall think meet.