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 ft 
 
 DIRECTORY 
 
 FOR 
 
 The Publike VVorfliip of G o d 
 
 Throughout 
 
 77;? f/jw Kingdoms 
 
 O F 
 
 Scotland. England and Ireland. 
 
 With an Aft of the Gcnerall Affembly of the Kirk 
 - of Scotland, for eftablifhins and obferving this 
 prefent DIRECTORY. 
 
 Together with an Act of the Parliament of the Kingdom of 
 4$V*r/<W approving and eftaoliihing che fame: 
 
 An Act of the Committee of Efrates concerning the 
 Printing thereof: 
 
 And an Act of the Commiflionof theGenerall AflTembly 
 
 for the Printing , and for the prefent practice of it 
 
 throughout the fa id Kingdom of Scotland. 
 
 Edinburgh: 
 
 Printed by Evan Tjler, Primer ro the Kings molt 
 
 Excellent Majeftie. i 645. 
 
 M to> to* to> tot to'1 to> ft&i ft® fSGft toi to 1 to ; <&# toi toft to 5 ) (M> 
 
 «8> 
 
 >flB> 
 
Edinb. 14. i^April 1645. 
 
 THc Committee ef ElYucs underftanding from the CornmifTioners of the General 
 Affembly , the .ibufes which msy follow upon rhc Printing in this Kingdom of 
 the Directory for Publike worfliip without Licencc,and upon the venting of fuch 
 C'Tics thereof as arc not Reviled and Printed with Priviledge here , Do therefore for 
 preventing of all abufes therein Ordain, Thitnoperfonor perfons whatfoever prefume 
 to Print or re- Print The 'Directory for the Fublil;e iVorfbip of god tbrouihrnt the three 
 kingdoms in any Volume, but only fuch as fhall have Licence thereunto from the Gene- 
 ral I AtllmblvjOt their Comm.fiion meeting at Edinburgh, or from fuch perfonsas fhall 
 have power from the faid Affembly or Commiflion to grant Licences for Printing the 
 fame : And that no pcrfqn prcfume to Sell, Barter, or any way to fpread or convey any 
 Copies of the (aid Directory Printed without Licence aforcfaid _, Upon the pain of con- 
 fifcationofthe wholclmprcftton, if any be fo Printed , and of the Preffes and Types of 
 the Printers thereof, And of all fuch Books and Copies thereof as mall be offered to 
 Sale,Baitcring, or be any other wife fpread abroad : And that btfidc further punilhmenc 
 to be inflicted upon the offendeis in any of the premifes by the Lords of Secret Councell 
 or the Committee of Eftatcs . as that chfobcdicnce and contempt deferveth. And that 
 this Ordinance may come to the knowledge of all whom it doth concern, The Com- 
 mittee Ordains ?he fime to be prefixed in Print to the faid Directory, and to the Acts of 
 Parliament and Affembly efhblifhing the fame Printed therewith, when they Giall be 
 Printed by the Order afbrefaid ; And that it be prefently publilhed at the Market Croff s 
 of ail the head Burrows within this Kingdom, that none pretend ignorance thereof. 
 
 esfrch. Trimcrofe. 
 
 Edinb. 27. CM ait 1645. Poftmeridiem. 
 
 THe Commifiioners of the Generall Affrmbly having ferioully confidered the 
 Printed Copieof the Directory for Publike Worffiip lent unto them from their 
 Brethren now in England, And rinding the fame agreeable to the form approven 
 in the late Generall Affcmbiy, Do therefore according to the power committed to them 
 by the faid Affembly, Ordain and Reo/jire the did Tfircctory for. the ?uhii\e Worfbip of 
 God to be forthwith pra cTlifed and obftrved by all the Miniftcrs and others within this 
 Kirk whom it doth concern, And that all fuch Ruks and ptxetifes be laid afide as may 
 fruftrate the intent of the Directory; And for this tffect, Itisalfo Ordained that this 
 Directory with the Preface , Together with the Acts of the Generall Affembly and of 
 the Par' iament of this Kingdom establishing the fame , be prefently Printed for the ufe 
 of this Kirk : Wherein M Andrew %er Clerk to the Comroifsion of the Affembly i«re- 
 quired to ufe all poffible care and diligence; And he is hereby authorized with full power 
 to caufe Print and re-Print the fame from time to time, as there (hail be occafion. 
 
 tA. Ker. 
 
 I do appoint -Evan Tyler, his CMajeflies Printer, to Print this 
 Directory , with the Acts of Parliament and Affembly con- 
 cerning the Ctme* A* Ker. 
 
*■ * V 7"W •' ' ' ; ' ■ ', ^f IB I ; • - • r Vfc. 
 
 eyfn y#/ o/"f£<? Parliament of the King- 
 dom of Scotland, approving and cjla- 
 blijhtrw the Directory for Tub- 
 like Jforfiip. 
 
 At Sdinb. Febr. 6, i 6 4. 5. 
 |ff$He Eilates of Parliament 
 &< titl now conveened, itiihefe- 
 eond Sefsion of this firft 
 Triennali Parliament , by 
 vertue of thelaft Act of the lafl Parlia- 
 ment holden by his Majeftie and the 
 three Eilates in Anno \6.\.\ . After pub- 
 like reading and ferious confideration of 
 the Act under-written of the Generall 
 AfTembly approving the following Di- 
 rectory for the Publike VVorfhip of 
 God m the three Kingdoms, lately uni- 
 ted bv the folemne League and Cove- 
 nant } Together with the Ordinance of 
 
 A z the 
 
JB Tarl. ejlablifloing the TtireBory. 
 
 the Parliament of England eflablilhing 
 the faid Directory, and the Directory it 
 felf, Do heartily and cheerfully agree to 
 the faid Direc1:ory,according to the Act 
 of the General ArTembly approving the 
 fame. Which Act, together with the 
 Directory it felf, the Eftates of Parlia- 
 ment do, without a contrary voice, Ra- 
 tify and approve in all the Heads and 
 Articles thereof And do interpone and 
 adde the authority of Parliament to the 
 faid Act of the Generall AfTembly. And 
 do Ordain the fame to have the ftrength 
 and force of a Law and Act of Parlia- 
 ment, and execution to pafle thereupon 
 for obfervingthe faid Directory, accor- 
 ding to the faid Act of the Generall 
 Aflembly in all points. 
 
 ad lex. CjibfoneCler. %egijlrl. 
 
DIRECTORY 
 
 FOR 
 
 The Publike VV" o r s h i p 
 
 GOD 
 
 Throughout the three Kingdoms 
 
 o F 
 
 SCOTLJ^(T>,EWigLJNJ), 
 and l%£LAikjp. 
 
 WITH 
 
 An AB of the (jenerall Affembly of the^ 
 
 KjrJ^of Scotland for eflablijhing and 
 
 obferving thisprefent T>ireBory. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 Printed by Evan Tyler , Printer to the Kings moft 
 Excellent Majeftie. i 645. 
 
 A3 
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^'*^^^^^^^M^ 
 
 m& 
 
 
 The C 
 
 ONTENTS, 
 
 THs Act of the General! Ajfembly. 
 
 The Preface. Pig. I. 
 
 of the Ajjembling of the Congregation. 9 
 
 Of Publike reading of the holy Scripture. 1 1 
 
 of Pub like Prayer before the Sermon* r 2 
 
 of the Preaching of the Word. 2 4. 
 
 Of Prayer after the Sermon. 30 
 
 Of the Sacrament of Baptifme. 3-2 
 
 Of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. 40 
 
 Of the Sanctifi 'cation of the Lords Day. 46 
 
 Of the Solemnization of CMarriagc. 47 
 
 Of the Vifitation of the Sick. 5-2 
 
 Of Bur i all of the Dead . 5 8 
 
 Of Publike folemne Fafting. 5 g 
 Of the obfervation of dayes of Publike thankfgiving. 6i 
 
 of Singing of Pfalmes. 54 
 
 \^in appendix touching Dayes and Places of Publike 
 
 vVorfhip. . 6$ 
 
 <lM 
 

 
 
 <l//# tf/^/tf Generall Ajfembly of the KJ)\ 
 
 ofScotland,for the eflablifbing and put - 
 
 ting in execution of the Diredtoryyor 
 
 the Tublike jyorJbipofCjod. 
 
 Edinb. 3. Feb- 1^45. Poftm. SelT.X. 
 
 Hereas an happyVnity andVni* 
 formity in Religion amongst 
 the I\ir/^ of Qmfl in thefe 
 three Kingdoms \ united under 
 one Soveraigne , hath been long and ear-* 
 nejlly wifhed for by the godly and welUaf- 
 felled amongst us y was propounded as a main 
 Article of the large Treaty, without which 
 2> 'and and tulwar I^no fafe well-grounded 
 andlafling Teace could be expelled ■• And 
 afterward with greater ftrength and ma- 
 turity, revive din the Solemne League and 
 Covenant of the three IQngdomes . where * 
 by they ftand fir aitly oblieged to endeavour 
 
 the 
 
Adt of the Generall Aflembly 
 
 the neerejl Uniformity in one form of 
 
 Church-government , T>ireBory ofJVor^ 
 
 ffaifc Qonfefion of Faith, and form ofCa^ 
 
 techijing : Which hath alfo before and 
 
 fince our entring into that Qovenant y been 
 
 the matter of many Supplications and c R s e r 
 
 monflrances^ and fending Commifsioners to 
 
 the K^ings f^/fajefly , of Declarations to 
 
 the Honourable Houfes of the 'Parliament 
 
 cf England, and of Letters to the%ejue<~ 
 
 rend Jjfembly of Divines , and others of 
 
 the Minijlery of the /QV^o/England,^- 
 
 ing alfo the end of our fending Commifiio' 
 
 ners $ as was defiredfrom this Kjrl^ with 
 
 Commifion to treat of Vniformity in the 
 
 four particulars afore -mentioned 7 with 
 
 fuch Committees as fhould be appointed by 
 
 both houfes of the Parliament ^England, 
 
 andbytheAffembly of 'Divines fitting at 
 
 Weflminfier: And befide all this ^ it being 
 
 in point of conference the chief motive and 
 
 end 
 
for eftablifhingthe Directorie. 
 
 end of our adventuring upon manifold and 
 great hazards, for quenching the devour* 
 in*? flame of the prefent unnatural! and 
 bloody War in England, though to the 
 iveakning of this I\ingdon within it J elf, 
 and the advantage of the enemy which hath 
 invaded it, accounting nothing too dear to 
 us,fo that this our joy be fulfilled. And now 
 this great JVorkJieingfofir adyancedjhat 
 a \Direclory for the publike JVorflnp ofCjoA 
 in all the three Kingdoms, being agreed up- 
 on by the honourable Houfes op the ^Parlia- 
 went of England , ifter confutation mth 
 the \Divines of both Kingdoms there affem- 
 ble d, and fent to us for our approbation jh at 
 being alfo agreed upon by this l\}j\ and 
 Kingdom of Scotland , it may be in the 
 name of both Kingdoms prefented to the 
 I\vnv y for his %oyall confent and ''Ratifica- 
 tion ; The CjeneraUAjfembly having mo ft 
 ferioufly confidered, reviled, and exammed 
 
 2 the 
 
A<5L of the Generall AfTembly 
 
 the DireBory afore-mentioned Rafter feve- 
 rail publike readings of it Rafter much deli- 
 beration y both pub likely 7 and in private 
 Committees y after full liberty given to all to 
 objeB againfiity and earnejl invitations of 
 all who have any fcruples about it to make 
 known the fame jhat they might befatisfied^ 
 T>oth unammoujljiy and without a contrary 
 Voice y Agree to yand Approve the following 
 DireBoryJn all the heads thereof together 
 with the ^Prefacefet before it : And doth 
 c R s e quire fDecern^and Ordain y That accor- 
 ding to the plain tenor and meaning there- 
 of and the intent of the Preface Jit be care- 
 fully and uniformly obfervedand praBifed 
 by all the Minifters and others within this 
 Kingdom r whom it doth concern • which 
 practifefhatt be begun > upon Intimation gi- 
 yen tothefeyerall'Tresbyteries y from the 
 Commif toners of this (fener all Affemhly y 
 who fhall alfo tul^e JfeciaU care for the 
 
 timeout 
 
for eftablifhing the Directory. 
 
 timeout ^Printing of this Directory, that a 
 'Printed Copy ofit be provided and kept for 
 the uje of every K^r^ in thit Kingdom^ 5 
 Alfo that each Tresbyterie have a 'Printed 
 Copy thereof for their ufe, and take fpectall 
 notice of the Obfervation or negleB thereof 
 in e'very Congregation within their bounds, 
 and make known the fame to the ProVinci^ 
 all or Cjemrall Affembly y as there jhall be 
 caufe. Provided alwayesjhat the Claufe in 
 the T>ireffory, of the Adminif ration of the. 
 Lords Supper^ which mentioneth the Gmz 
 munic ants fitting about the Table, or at it y 
 he not interpreted \as if in the judgement of 
 this Kjrk^> it were indifferent^ and free for 
 any of the Communicants , not to come to, 
 and receive at the Table yr as if we did ap- 
 prove the diftributmg of the Elements by 
 the Mimfer to each Communicant - y and not 
 by the Communicants among tbemfelves. It 
 ii alfo provided 7 , That thisjljall be noprc* 
 
 2> z jadice: 
 
Ad of the Genera!! Aflfembly 
 
 judice to the order and praBice of this 
 Kjf^ in fuch particulars as are appointed 
 by the "Bool^s of ( Difcipline :> and ABs ofCfe^ 
 nerall Affemblies^nd are not otherwife or- 
 dered and appointed in the DireBorj. 
 
 Finally y the Affembly doth with muchjoj 
 and thankfulnejfe acknowledge the rich 
 \Blefing and invaluable Mercy ofCfod, in 
 bringing thefo much wifhedfor Vniformi^ 
 ty in ^eligionjofucb a happy 'Period \t hat 
 thefe Kuigdom sconce at Jo great diflance in 
 the Form ofWorfhip , are now by the blef 
 Jing ofCjod brought to a neerer ^Uniformity 
 then any other c B s eformed Kirks • which is 
 unto us the return of our Prayers , and a 
 liohtningof our Eyes , and reviving of our 
 Hearts in the midjl of our many forrows 
 and jufferings -a taking away in a great 
 meafurejhe reproach of the People of(jod 7 
 to the flopping of the mouthes of Malign 
 nant and aifajfeBed perfons^and an open** 
 
 tng 
 
for eftabliuiing the Dire&orie. 
 
 ing unto us a door of hope , that Cjod hath 
 yet thoughts of "Teace towards us, and not 
 ofeyi!) toghe us an expcHcdend : In the 
 expectation and confidence thereof we do 
 rejojee , befeeching the Lord to preferve 
 thefe Kingdoms from Herefes, Schifmes y 
 Offences, 'Propbanenejje, and what/oever 
 is contrary to foundDoBrine^and the power 
 of Cjodlineffe y and to continue with us and 
 the generations following, thefe his pure 
 and purged Ordinances , together with an 
 increafe of the power and life thereof , 7*0 
 the glory of his great J^ame> the enlarge^ 
 ment of the Kingdom of his Son, thecorro^ 
 horation ofTeace and Love between the 
 Kingdoms, the unity and comfort of all his 
 Teople, and our edifying one another in 
 loye^. 
 
 © 2 A 
 
A 
 
 DIRECTORY 
 
 FOR. 
 
 The Publike WORSHIP 
 O F 
 
 GOD 
 
 - 
 
 In the threes 
 
 KINGDOMS- 
 

 THE PREFACE. 
 
 N the beginning of the 
 bleiTed Reformation, our 
 wife and pious Anceflors 
 | took care to fet forth an 
 Order for RedreiTe of 
 many things,\vhich they, 
 then , by the Word dif- 
 covered to be Vain, Erroneous, Superftiti- 
 ous^and Idolatrous,in the PublikeVVorfhip 
 of God. This occafioned many Godly and 
 Learned men to rejoyce much in the Book 
 of Common-Prayer at that time fet forth; 
 Becaufe the MaiTe , and the reft of the La- 
 cine Service being removed, the Publike 
 VVorihip was celebrated in our ownc 
 
 Tongue^ 
 
X The Preface. 
 
 Tongue j many of the common People 
 alfo received benefit by hearing the Scrip- 
 tures read in their own Language , which 
 formerly were unto them as a Book that is 
 fealed. 
 
 Howbeit, long and fad Experience hath 
 made it manifeft, That the Leiturgie ufed in 
 the Churchof England , ( notwithstanding 
 all the pains and Religious intentions of the 
 Compilers of it J) hath proved an offence, 
 not onely to many of the Godly at home • 
 but alfo to the Reformed Churches abroad. 
 For, nottofpeak of urging the Reading of 
 all the Prayers , which very greatly increa- 
 fed the burden of it ; the many unprofitable 
 and burdenfome Ceremonies, contained in 
 h , have occafioned much mifchief , as well 
 by difquietmg the Conferences of many 
 godly Minifters and people who could not 
 yeeld unto them, as by depriving them of 
 the Ordinances of God y which they might 
 
 not 
 
The Preface. 5 
 
 not enjoy without conforming or Subfcn- 
 bing to thofe Ceremonies. Sundry good 
 ChriRians have been by means thereof kept 
 from the Lords Table , and divers able and 
 faithfull MiniRers debarred from the exer-1 
 ciie of their MiniRery ("to the endangering 
 of many Thoufand Souls,, in a time of Rich 
 fcarcity of faithfull PaRors ) and fpoiled of 
 their livelihood, to the undoinsr ot them 
 and their Families. Prelates and their Fa- 
 ction have laboured to raife the ERimation 
 of it to Rich an height j as if there were no 
 other VVorfhip , or way of WorChip of 
 God amongR us, but onely the Service- 
 Book • to the great hinderance of the Prea- 
 ching of the Word , and £ in fome places, 
 efpecially of late ) to the juRlingof it out, 
 as unneceRary • or £at beiV) as far inferior to 
 the Reading of Common-Prayer, which 
 was made no better than an Idol by many 
 Ignorant and SuperRitious People , who 
 
 C plealing 
 
4. The Preface, 
 
 pleafing themfelves in their prefence at that 
 Service , and their Lip-labour in bearing a 
 part m it,have thereby hardened themfelves 
 m their ignorance and carelefnefTe of Saving 
 knowledge and true Pietie. 
 
 In the mean time Papifts boafted , that 
 the Book was a compliance with them in a 
 great part of their Service , and fo were not 
 a little confirmed in their Superftition and 
 Idolatry , expecting rather our return to 
 them, than endeavouring the Reformation 
 of themfelves : In which expectation they 
 were of late very much incouraged, when,, 
 upon the pretended warrantablenefle of im- 
 pofing of the former Ceremonies, new ones 
 were daily obtruded upon the Church. 
 
 Adde hereunto(\vhich was not forefeen, 
 but fince hath come to pafife ) that the Lei- 
 turgie hath been a great means, as on the 
 one hand to make and increafe an idle and 
 unedifying Mimftery , which contented it 
 
 felf 
 
The Phef.ke, 5 
 
 felf with fet Forms made to their hands by 
 others , without putting forth themfeives to 
 exercife the gift of Prayer , with which our 
 Lord fcfm Cbrtjl pleafeth tofurnifhallhis 
 Servants whom he calls to that office ; So on 
 the other fide it hath been ("and ever would 
 be, if continued ) a matter of endielle rtrife 
 and contention in the Church, and afnare 
 both to many godly and faithfull Minifters, 
 who have been perfecuted and filenced up- 
 on that occafion , and to others of hopefull 
 parts, many of which have been, and more 
 ftill would be diverted from all thoughts of 
 the Minil/tery to other ftudies ; efpecially in 
 thefe latter times, wherein God vouchfafeth 
 to his people more and better means for the 
 difcovery of Error and Superftition, and for 
 attaining of knowledge in theMyfteriesof 
 godlinene,and gifts in Preaching & Prayer. 
 Upon thefe , and many the like weighty 
 confiderations , in reference to the whole 
 
 C z Book 
 
6 The Preface. 
 
 Book in generally and becaufe of clivers par- 
 ticulars contained in it • not from any love 
 to Novelty i or intention to difparage our 
 firfl; Reformers ("of whom we are perfwaded 
 that were they now alive, they would joyn 
 with us in this Work , and whom we ac- 
 knowledge as Excellent Inftrumentsraifed 
 by God to begin the Purging and Building 
 of his Houfe, and de-fire they may be had of 
 us and Pofterity in everlafting Remem- 
 brance, with thankfulneffe and honour-} 
 but that we may in fome meafure anlwer the 
 gracious Providence of God , which at this 
 timecalleth upon us for farther Reforma- 
 tion, and may fatisfie our own Confciences, 
 and anfwer the expectation of othei Refor- 
 med Churches y and the deflres of many of 
 the godly among our felves,and withall give 
 fome publike Teihmony of our endeavours 
 for Uniformity in DivineVVorfliip/vvhich 
 wehaveprcmifed in our Solemne League 
 
 and 
 
The Preface. 7 
 
 and Covenant : We have, after earned 
 
 and frequent calling upon the Name of 
 God^and after much Confultation^not with 
 flefli and blood, but with his holy V Vord, 
 refolved to lay afide the former Leiturgie., 
 with the many Rites and Ceremonies for- 
 merly ufed in the VVorfhip of God : And 
 have agreed upon this following Directory 
 for all the parts of Publike VVorfliip,at or- 
 dinary and extraordinary times. 
 Wherein our care hath been "to hold forth 
 fuch things as are of Divine Inftitufion m 
 every Ordinance^ and other things we have 
 endeavoured to fet forth according to the 
 Rules of Chriftian Prudence, agreeable to 
 the generall Rules of the Word of God: 
 Our meaning therein being onely that the 
 generall heads, the fenfe and fcope of the 
 Prayers and other parts of Publike Wor- 
 ship being known to all,there may be a con- 
 fent of all the Churches , in thofe things 
 
 C 3 that 
 
8 The Preface. 
 
 that contain the fubflance of the Service and 
 VVorfhip of God ; And the Mimfters may 
 be hereby directed in their Adminiftrations 
 to keep like foundnelTe in Dodtrine and 
 Prayer j and may^if need be P have fome help 
 and furniture ; And yet fo, as they become 
 not hereby flothfull and negligent in ftirring 
 np the shifts of Chrift m them : Rut,that each 
 one, by Meditation, by taking Keed to hinv 
 felf and the Fleck of God committed to him, 
 and by wife obferving the wayes of Divine 
 Providence , may be carefuli to furmlh his 
 heart and tongue with further, or other ma- 
 terials of Prayer and Exhortation , as {hall 
 be needful! upon all occafions. 
 
 A 
 

 DIRECTORY 
 
 FOR 
 
 Publike Prayer, Reading the Holy Scriptures, Singing 
 
 of Pfalmes, Preaching of the Word, Adminifha- 
 
 tion of the Sacraments •, And other parts of the 
 
 Publike Worfhip of God, Ordinary 
 
 'and Extraordinary. 
 
 of the ^A[]embling of the Congregation , and their Be- 
 haviour in the Publike Worfhip of God. 
 
 |^Hen the Congregation is to 
 meet for Publike Worfhip, 
 the people ( having before 
 prepared their hearts there- 
 unto) oughtalltocome,and 
 joyn therein: not abfenting 
 themfelves from the Publike 
 Ordinances, through negli- 
 gence , or upon pretence of 
 Private meetings. 
 Let all enter the Atfembly, not irreverently, but in a 
 grave and feemly manner, taking their feats or places 
 without Adoration, or Bowing themfelves towards one 
 place or other. 
 
 The 
 
IQ 
 
 OfAJfembling the Congregation. 
 
 The Congregation being affembled % theMinifter, 
 after folemne calling on them to the woi (hipping of the 
 great name of God, is to begin with Prayer $ 
 
 In all%eyerence and Humility acfyiow^ 
 leciging the incomprehenjible Greatnefje 
 and (JXfajefty of the Lord, (in T»hoJepre<- 
 fence they do then in a fyea all manner ap^ 
 pear') and their own vileneffe and umvor^ 
 thine jje to approach Jo neer him • with their 
 utter inability of themfehes to jo great a 
 Wqt\i And humbly befeechmg him for 
 Tar don, Afsijlance y and Acceptance in the 
 whole Service then to be performed • and 
 for a miefingon that particular portion of 
 his Word then to be read : And all, in the 
 J\(ame and <£\dediation of the Lord 
 fefm Chrijl.. 
 
 The Publike Worfhip being begun, thepeopleare 
 wholly to attend upon it, forbearing to Reade any thing, 
 except what the Minifter is then reading or citing: and 
 abftaining much more from all private whifperings, 
 conferences, falutations, or doing reverence to any 
 perfons prefent, or coming in 5 as alfo from all gazing, 
 
 fleeping, 
 
OfTublicl^Rcading holy Scriptures . n 
 
 fl^eping, and other undecent behaviour , which may 
 diiturbe the Minifter or people, or hinder themfelves 
 or others in the fervice of God. 
 
 If any through neceflity be hindred from being pre- 
 fent at the beginning , they ought not , when they 
 come into the Congregation , xo betake themfelves 
 to their private Devotions 5 but reverently to com- 
 pote themfelves to joynevvith the Aflcmbly, in that 
 Ordinance of God which is then in hand. 
 
 Of Publick Reading of the holy Scriptures. 
 
 REading of the Word in the Congregation , be- 
 ing part of the publicke Worfhip of God, 
 ( wherein wee acknowledge our dependence 
 uponhim 3 andfubje&iontohim ) and one Means fan- 
 cftified by him for the edifying of his People 5 is to bee 
 performed by the Paftors and Teachers. 
 
 Howbeit, fuch as intend the Miniftery, may occafio- 
 nally both read the Word, and exercife their gift in 
 Preaching in the Congregation , if allowed by the 
 Presbyterie thereunto. 
 
 All the Canonicall Books of the Old and New Te- 
 ftament , ( but none of thofe which are commonly cal- 
 led Apocrypha ) (hall be publickly read in the vulgar 
 Tongue , out of the beft allowed Tranflation, diftinft- 
 ly, that all may hear and underftand . 
 
 How large a portion (hall be read at once,is left to the 
 wifdom of the Minifter : But it is convenient that ordi- 
 narily one Chapter of each Teftament be read at every 
 meeting $ and fometimes more, where the Chapters be 
 fhort, or the coherence of matter requireth it. 
 
 D It 
 
jz Of Tray er before the Sermon. 
 
 It is reqaifite that all the Canonicall Books be read 
 over in order, that the people may be better acquainted 
 with the whole Body of the Scriptures • And ordinari- 
 ly, where the reading in either Teftamentendethon 
 one Lords day y it is to begin the next. 
 
 We commend alfo the more frequent reading of fuch 
 Scriptures, as he that readeth fhall think beft for edifica- 
 tion of his Hearers-, as the Book of Pfalms and fuch like. 
 
 When the Miniftcr, who readeth, (hall judge it necef- 
 fary to expound any part of what is read 5 let it not be 
 done untill the whole Chapter^or Pfalm be ended : and 
 regard is alwayes to be had unto the time , that neither 
 Preaching or other Ordinance be ftraitned. , orrendred 
 tedious. Which Rule is tobe obferved in all other pub- 
 like performances. 
 
 Befide Publike Reading of the Holy Scriptures, eve- 
 ry perfon that can read , is to be exhorted to read the 
 Scriptures privately ( and all others that cannot read , -if 
 notdifabledbyage, orotherwife, are likeivife to be 
 exhorted to learn to read J and to have a Bible. 
 
 e?ebap«3?<3i»iS» 
 
 Of Publike Prayer before the Sermon. 
 
 AFter Reading of the Word (andfingingof the 
 Pfalme )the Minifter who is to preach , is to en- 
 deavour to get his own, and his Hearers hearts 
 to be rightly affe&ed with their Sinnes , that they may 
 all mourn in fenfe thereof before the Lord , and hunger 
 and thirft after the c grace of God in Jefus Chrift, by 
 proceeding to a more full Confeflion of Sinne, with 
 jfeime and holy confufion of face 5 and to Call upon 
 the Lord .to this effe A 3 
 
 Tc 
 
Of Tray cr before the Sermon. 13 
 
 "To acknowledge our gre.it fnifulnc/fe • 
 Firjl y by rcajon of riginall jm y which(^be^ 
 fide the guilt that maizes us liable to ever- 
 la/ling damnation) is the feed of all other 
 fins , hath depraved and poyfoned all the 
 faculties and bowers of Soul and Hody, 
 doth defle our bejl Allions y and ( were it 
 not retrained , or our hearts renewed by 
 Grace) would breal^ forth into innumera- 
 ble tranfgrefions y andgreatejl rebellions 
 againjl the Lord > that ever were commit- 
 ted by the vileji of the fens of Men. <tAnd y 
 nextyby reafon of AlluaU Jins ^our ownfns y 
 thefmsof/VIagiflrates, ofMiniJlers, and 
 of the whole S\(ation y unto which we are 
 many wayes accejfory : Which fens of ours 
 receive many fear full aggravations y we 
 having broken all the Commandments of 
 the holy Jufl, and good Law offfod, doing 
 that which is forbidden and leaving un^ 
 done what is enjoy ned • and that not onely 
 
 T> z out 
 
K£. Of Tray er before the Sermon. 
 
 out of Ignorance and Infirmity, but alfo 
 more prefumptuoufly again/1 the light of 
 our Minds, checl^s of our Confidences, and 
 motions of his own Holy Spirit to the con- 
 trary ,fio that Tee have no cloal^ for our fins ^ 
 Yea, not onely defftfing the riches of Gods 
 goodneffe, forbearance, and long-fuffering^ 
 but fianding out againft many Invitations 
 andofers of grace in the (fofipef not en- 
 deavouring as we ought to receive Chrifl 
 into our hearts by Faith, or to w airworthy 
 ofi him in our lives. 
 
 To bewail our blmdneffe ofminde,hard- 
 neffe of heart, unbelief, impenitency,Jecu- 
 rity, Iuk^warmneffe, barrennefje^ our not 
 endeavouring after mortification and new - 
 'neffe of lifie j nor after the exercife ofgod- 
 lineffe in the power thereof-^ and that the 
 beflof us have not fofledfajlly walked with 
 Cfod, kept our garments fio un [potted y nor 
 beenfio jealous of hu glory, and the good of 
 
 others, 
 
Of 'Prayer before the Sermon. 15 
 
 others 7 as We ought : And to mourn oyer 
 fuch ol her fins as the Congregation is parti- 
 cularly guilty of ^ notwithjtanding the ma- 
 nifold and great z5\4ercies of our Cjod, 
 the Loye of Chrijl , the Light of the (30- 
 fpel , and*%e formation of Religion i our 
 own purpofes , promifes j vows , folcmne 
 Covenant \ and other jfeciall obligations 
 to the contrary. 
 
 To acknowledge and confefje , that , as 
 we are convinced of our guilt, fo, out of a 
 deep fenfe thereof, we judge our Jehes un- 
 worthy ofthefmallejl benefits, mojl worthy 
 ofGodsficrceJl wrath,and'ofall the Curfes 
 of the Law , and he ay icfi judgements in- 
 filled upon the mojl rebellious Sinners^ and 
 that he might mojl jufily ta/^e his King- 
 dom and Qojfel from us , plague us with 
 all forts ofjpirituall and temporal! fudge- 
 merits in this life, and after cafl us into ut- 
 terDartyiejfe, in the Lake that burncth 
 
 T> 3 with 
 
\6 Of Tray er before the Sermon. 
 
 With /ire and brimfione , where is weeping 
 dndgnafhing of teeth for evermore. 
 
 3 x (otwhhfianding all which , To draw 
 neer to the Throne of (j race , encouraging 
 our fehes with hope of a gracious Ah fiver 
 of our Trayers > in the riches and allfuf 
 hciency of that onely one oblation, the fa- 
 t is fact ion and inter cefiion of the Lordfefo 
 Chrifi, at the right hand of his Father, and 
 our Father • and, in confidence of the ex- 
 ceeding great and precious promifes of 
 mercy and grace in the new Covenant, 
 through the fame <£Kicdiator thereof, to 
 deprecate the -heavy wrath and curfe of 
 God, which we are not able to avoid, or 
 bear • and humbly, and earnefily to fup pli- 
 cate for mercy in the free an ci full remifwn 
 of all our fins , and that onely for the bitter 
 fufierings and precious merits of that our 
 onely Saviour fcfiis Chrifi. 
 
 That the Lord would vouchfafe tojhed 
 
 abroad 
 
Of Tray cr before the Sermon. 1 7 
 
 abroad his loye in our hearts by the Holy 
 Qhojl 'feaittnto us by the fame Spirit of 
 Adoption, the full affurance of our "Tar don 
 and Reconciliation • comfort all that 
 mourn in Zionffeal{ peace to the wound- 
 ed and troubled Jjjirit 7 and bindc up the 
 bro/{en hearted : And as for fecure a 
 prejumptuous fnncr s , thai he would open 
 their eyes, convince their Confciences > a>:d 
 turn them from darkle ffe unto light, and 
 from the power of Satan unto Cjod , that 
 they alfo may receive forgivene/fe of Jin, 
 and an inheritance amon<i them that are 
 J anil fed by faith in Chrijlfcfiis. 
 
 With remifwn offns through the blood 
 of Chnjl , To pray for fanllfcation by his 
 Spirit • the Mortification of fin dwelling 
 in, and many times tyrannising oyer usfhe 
 qmc lining of our dead Jfirits With the life 
 of Cod in Chrijl , grace toft andinable uz 
 for all duties of conycrjatxn and callings r 
 
 towards 
 
i8 Of ^Prayer before the Sermon. 
 
 towards Cjod and men , Jlrength againfb 
 temptations , ihefanllifed ufe of biefings 
 .andcrojfes, and perfeyerance in Faith and 
 obedience unto the end. 
 
 c fo pray for the Propagation of the 
 (jojfel and ]\ingdom of Chrifl to ail Ra- 
 tions > for the cony erf on of the few s y the 
 fulnefje of the (f entiles , the fall of Anti^ 
 -chrifl , and the hafening of the fecond 
 coming of our Lord ^ For the deliyerance 
 of the diflreffed Churches abroad from the 
 tyrannie of the Jntichriftian fallion x and 
 from the cruellopprefions and blaff hemic s 
 of the Turfa For the blefing of Cfo d up^ 
 on all the %e formed Churches , effecially 
 upon the Qmrches and Kfngdomes of 
 Scotland , England, and Ireland, now 
 more flriBly and reltgioufy united in the 
 folemne 3\fationali League and Coyenant^ 
 and for our ^Plantations in the remote 
 parts of the World : more particularly for 
 
 that 
 
Of Prayer before the Sermon* i$ 
 
 that Church and Kingdom whereof we are 
 <z5\4 embers, that therein Cjod would ejla^ 
 blijh Peace andTruthjhe purity of all his 
 Ordinances , and the power ofCjodlincJJe • 
 present and remote herefie, Jchijme, pro- 
 phaneneJfefuperJlition,fecurity , and un^ 
 fruitfulne/Je under the means of Cjrace, 
 heal all our rents and dhifwns y and 
 preferve us from breach of our folemne 
 (Covenant. 
 
 To pray for all in Authority , especially 
 for the Kjngs <cV£ajeWie^j > that God 
 would make him rich in Plefings , both in 
 his "Per/on and Government • ejlablifh hi* 
 Tljrone in Religion and %ighteoufnejfe y 
 fave him from evil Counfell > and make 
 him a bleffed and glorious In/lrument for 
 the Confirmation and Propagation of the 
 Cfofyel, for the encouragement and pro^ 
 teBion of them that do well, the terrour of 
 all that do evil ? and the great good of the 
 
 E whole 
 
2o Of Prayer before the Sermon. 
 
 whole Church, and of all his Kftngdomes - 
 For the conyerfion of the Queen , the reli- 
 gions education of the Prince^ y and the 
 reft of the %oyall jeed^ For the comfort- 
 ingof the affliBed Queen of 'Bohemia^, 
 fifter to our Soyeraign, and for the refiitu- 
 tion and eftablifhment of the illuftrwus 
 . Prince Charles y Ele&or Palatine of the 
 Pfnne > to all his Dominions and Digni- 
 ties - y For a hlefing upon the high Court of 
 Parliament, (when fitting in any of thefe 
 Kfngdomes reffeBively*) the Mobility, 
 the fuboxdinate fudges and Magiftrates y 
 the Cj entry and all the Commonalty • For 
 allPaftors andTeachers, that (fodwould 
 ft U them with his Spirit, mal^e them exem- 
 plarily holy > fober r jujl x peaceable , and 
 gracious in their lives j found , faithfully 
 and power full in their Miniftery, and fol- 
 low all their labours with abundance of 
 fuccejfe and blefting • and give unto all his 
 
 people 
 
OfTrayer before the Sermon. 1 1 
 
 people Taflors according to his own heart ; 
 For the Vnher/ities , and all Schools and 
 T^efigiom feminaries of Church and Com^ 
 mon-wealth , that they may four ijh more 
 and more in Learning and Tiety y For the 
 particular City or Congregation , that (fod 
 Mould pour e out a blefsingupon the Mini^ 
 Jlery of the Word y Sacraments andDifci^ 
 pline, upon the Civill (governments and all 
 the fever all Families andperjons therein ; 
 For mercy to the af filled , under any in- 
 ward or outward diflrejfe • For feajonable 
 weather and fruitfull feafons , as the time 
 may require • For averting the Judge- 
 ments that we either feel or fear, or are tu 
 . able unto, as famine, peflilence, thefxvord^ 
 andjuchlik^. 
 
 (tAnd , with confidence of his mercy to 
 bis whole Church, and the acceptance of our 
 perfons, through the merits and mediation 
 of our great High Triefl the Lord f ejus f 
 
 E z To 
 
zz Of Tr oyer before the Sermon. 
 
 7*0 profefje that it is the defire of our fouls 
 
 to haye fellowfhip with (jod in the referent 
 
 and confcionable uje of his holy Ordinate 
 
 ees • and y to thatpurpofe to pray earnejlly 
 
 for his grace and ejfe&uall afsijlance to the 
 
 fanBifi cation of his holy S abb ath y the Lords 
 
 day r in all the duties thereof ^ publike and 
 
 private, both to our J 'elves y and to all other 
 
 Congregations of his people , according to 
 
 the riches and excellency of the (j oft* el this* 
 
 day celebrated and enjoyed. 
 
 <tAnd x becaufewe have been unprofita- 
 ble hearers in times pafl,and now cannot of 
 our felves receive as^ we Jhould , the deep 
 things of Cfody the zfXfyjl cries of f ejus 
 ChrijfiyWhich require ajpiritualldifcerning, 
 7b pray thai the Lord who teacheth to pro* 
 fit, would gracioufly pleafe to pour e out the 
 Spirit of (j race y together with the outward 
 means thereof \ caufing m to attain fuch a 
 meafure of the excellency of the knowledge 
 
Of Tr oyer before the Sermon. 23 
 
 ofChrififcfwour Lord, and in him, of the 
 things which he long to our peace , that we 
 may account all things hut as drojfe in com- 
 parifonofhim: ^Andthatwe^ taflingthe 
 firft fruits of the glory that is to be repea- 
 led \ may long for a more full and perfeH 
 communion with him y that where he 05 we 
 may be alfo, and enjoy thefulneffe of thofe 
 joyes and pleafures which are at his right 
 hand for cyermore^* 
 
 <^f ore particularly ^that Cjod would in 
 fyeciall manner fur m (Jo his Servant ( now 
 called to dijpence the Thread of Life unto 
 his houjhold ) with wifdom, fidelity , zyal, 
 and utter ance^th at he may divide the Word 
 of (fod aright , to eyery one his portion x in 
 evidence and demonjlration of the Spirit 
 and "Power • And that the Lord would cir<- 
 cumctfe the ears and hearts of the Hearers^ 
 to hear Joye^and receive with mecJ^ncjfe the 
 ingrafted Word^ which is able to fave their 
 
 E 3 Jouls x 
 
2 ij. Of the T reaching of the Word. 
 
 fouls\ make them as good ground to receive 
 in the good feed of the JVord y and ftreng* 
 then them againft the temptations of Sa- 
 inn, the cares of the iVorldjhe hardnefje of 
 their own hearts y and what foever elfemaj 
 hinder their profitable and faving hear^ 
 ing-jhatfo Chrifi may be fo formed in them y 
 and Iheinthem^y that all their thoughts 
 may he brought into captivity to the obedi* 
 * ence of Chrifi and their hearts eftablijhed 
 in eDerygoodivord andworl^for ever. 
 
 We judge this to be a convenient O rder, in the ordi- 
 nary Publike Prayers •, yet fo , as the Minifter may de- 
 ferre ( as in prudence he fhall think meet J fomepartof 
 thefe Petitions, till after his Sermon, or offer up to God 
 iome of the Thankfgivings hereafter appointed , in his 
 Prayer before his Sermon. 
 
 ^^^^^ ^^^^^ 
 
 Of the Preaching of the Word. 
 
 P Reaching of the Word, being the power of God 
 unto Salvation , and one of the greateft and mod 
 excellent Works belonging to the Miniftery of 
 the Gofpel, fhould be fo performed, that the Workman 
 need not be afhamed , but may fave himfelf , and thofc 
 that hear him. 
 
 It 
 
Ofth 
 
 he *P ) reaching of the Word. 25 
 
 It is prefuppofed ( according to the Rules for Ordi- 
 nation ) that the Minifter of Chnft is in fome good 
 meafure gifted for fo weighty a fervice, by his skill in 
 the Originall Languages J and in fuch Arts and Sciences 
 as are handmaids unto Divinitie , by his knowledge in 
 the whole Body of Theologie , but moft of all in the 
 holy Scriptures, having his fenies and heanexercifed 
 in them above the common fort of Beleevers • and by 
 the illumination of Gods Spirit, and other gifts of edifi- 
 cation, which ( together with reading and ftudying of 
 the Word) he ought ftill to feek by Prayer , and an 
 humble heart-, refolving to admit a#d receive any truth 
 not yet attained , whenever God llia.ll make it known 
 unto him. All which he is to make ufe of, and improve, 
 in his private Preparations , before he deliver in pub- 
 like what he hath provided. 
 
 Ordinarily, the fubjeft of his Sermon is to be fome 
 Text of Scripture, holding forth fome principle or head 
 of Religion > or fuitable to fome fpeciall occafion emer- 
 gent-, or he may go on in fome Chapter, Pfalme, or 
 Book of the holy Scripture, as he lhall fee fit. 
 
 Let the Introduction to his Text be brief and perfpi- 
 cuous, drawn from the Text it felf, or context, or fome 
 parallel place,or generall fentence of Scripture. 
 
 If the Text be long ( as in Hiftories and Parables it 
 fometimes muft be ) let him give a brief fumme of it 5 
 if fhort, a Panphrafe thereof, if need be : In both, look- 
 ing diligently to the fcope of the Text, and pointing at 
 the chief heads and grounds of Do&rine, which he is to 
 raife from it. 
 
 In Analyfing and dividing hisText, he is to regard 
 more the order of matter, thenof words ^ and neither 
 
 to 
 
2 6 Of the T We ] aching of the Word. 
 
 to burden the memory of the hearers in the beginning 
 with too many members of Divifion , nor to trouble 
 their mindes with obfeure terms of Art. 
 
 In raifing Do&rines from the Text, his care ought to 
 be , Fir(t,that the matter be the truth of God. Second- 
 iy,that it be a truth contained in , or grounded on that 
 Text, that the hearers may difcern how God tcacheth 
 it from thence. Thirdly, that he chiefly infill upon 
 thofe Do&rines which arc principally intended , and 
 make moft for the edification of the hearers. 
 
 The Do&rine is tobeexprefledinplaintermes-, or 
 if any thing in it need explication, is to be opened, and 
 the confequence alfo from the Text cleared. The paral- 
 lel places of Scripture confirming the Do&rine are ra- 
 ther to be plain and pertinent, then many , and ( if need 
 be ) fomewhat infilled upon , and applyed to the pur- 
 pofeinhand. 
 
 The Arguments orReafons arc to be folid -/and , as 
 much as may be , convincing. The illuftrations, of what 
 kindefoever, ought to be foil of light , and (uch as may 
 convey the truth into the Hearers heart with fpirituall 
 delight. 
 
 If any Doubt , obvious from Scripture, Reafon, or 
 Prejudice of the Hearers, feem to arife , it is very requi- 
 fite to remote it, by reconciling the fceming differen- 
 ces, anfvvering the reafons , and difcovering and taking 
 away the caufes of prejudice andmiftake. Otherwife, 
 it is not fit to detain the hearers with propounding or 
 anfvvering vain or wicked Cavils , which as they are 
 endleffe, fo the propounding and anfvvering of them 
 •doth more hinder then promote edification. 
 
 He is not to reft in generall Do&rine , although ne- 
 
 ~ ver 
 
Of the T reaching of the Word. 27 
 
 ver fo much cleared and confirmed , but to bring ft 
 home to fpeciall Ufe , by application to his hearers : 
 Which albeit it prove a work of great difficulty to 
 himfelf , requiring much prudence, zeal , and medita- 
 tion , and to the naturall and corrupt man will be very 
 unpleafant •, yet he is to endeavour to perform it in fuch 
 a manner that his Auditors may feclc the Word of 
 God to be quick and powerfull , and adifcerner of the 
 thoughts and intents of the heart -, and that if any 
 unbeleever or ignorant perfon be prefent, he may have 
 the fecrets of his heart made manifeft, and give glory to 
 God. 
 
 In the Ufe of Inftrudion or Information in the 
 knowledge of Tome truth, which is a coufequence from 
 his Do&rine, he may (when convenient J confirm it by 
 a few firm Arguments from the Text in hand, and 
 other places of Scripture, or from the nature of that 
 Common place in Divinity , whereof that truth is a 
 branch. 
 
 In Confutation of falfe Do&rines , he is neither to 
 raife an old Herefie from the grave , nor to mention a 
 blafphemous opinion unneceffarily : but if the people 
 be in danger of an Errour , he is to confute it foundly, 
 and endeavour to fatisfie their judgements and conlci- 
 ences againft all obje&ions. 
 
 In Exhorting to Duties, he is, as he feeth caufe , to 
 teach alfo the meanes that help to the performance of 
 them. 
 
 In Dehortation, Reprehenfion, and publike Ad- 
 monition ( which require fpeciall wifdom ) let him, as 
 there (hall be caufe, not only difcover the nature and 
 greatnefle of the fin , with the raifcry attending it, but 
 
 F alfo 
 
1% Of the *? reaching of the Word. 
 
 alfofhew the danger his hearers are in to be overtaken 
 and furprized by it y together with the Remedies and 
 beft way to avoyd it. 
 
 . In applying Comfort , whethergenerallagainftall 
 tentations , or particular againft fome fpeciall troubles 
 or terrors, he is carefully to anfwer fuch objections, as a 
 troubled heart and afflided fpirit may fuggeft to the 
 contrary. 
 
 Itisalfofometimesrequifite to give fome Notes of 
 tryall ( which is very profitable , efpecially when per- 
 formed by able and experienced Mintfters 5 with circum- 
 fpe&ion and prudence, and the Signcs cleerly grounded 
 on the holy Scripture,whereby the Hearers may be able 
 to examine themfelves,wh§ther they have attained thofe 
 Graces, and performed thofe duties to which he Ex- 
 hortethjOr be guilty of the fin Repehended, and in dan- 
 ger of the Judgements Threatned, or are fuch to whom 
 the Confolations propounded do belong-, that accor- 
 dingly they may be quickned and excited to Duty ,hum- 
 bled for their Wants and Sins, affefted with their Dan- 
 ger, and ftrengthned with Comfort , as their condition 
 upon examination (hall require. 
 
 And, as he needeth not alwayes to profecute every 
 Do&rine which lies in his Text,fo is he wifely to make 
 choice of fuch Ufes, as,by his reftdence and converfing 
 with his flock, he findeth moft needful! and feafonable : 
 and, amongft thefe, fuch as may moft draw their foul* 
 to Chrift,the fountain of light,holine(Te and comfort. 
 
 This Method is not prescribed as neceffary for every 
 man,or upon every Text- but only recommended,as be- 
 ing found by experience to be very much bleffed of 
 God, and very helpfull for the peoples underftandings 
 aadmemories. But 
 
Of the Treading of the Word. 29 
 
 But the Servant of Chrift, what ever his Method 
 be, isto perform his whole Miniftery •, 
 
 1 . Painfully, not doing the work of the Lord negli- 
 gently. 
 
 a.Plainly,that the meaneft may underftand,delivering 
 the truth.not in the entifing words of mans wifdom,buc 
 indemonftrationof the Spirit and of power, left the 
 Croffc of Chrift fliould be made of none cflfeft: abftain- 
 ing alfo from an unprofitable life of unknown Tongues, 
 ftrange phrafes, and cadences of founds and words,fpa- 
 ringly citing fentcnecs of Ecde(iaftical,or other humane 
 Writers, ancient or moderne,be they never fo elegant. 
 3. Faithfully, looking at the honour of Chrift,the con* 
 verfion,edification and falvation ofthepeople,not at his 
 own gain or glory : keeping nothing back which may 
 promote thofe holy ends, giving to every one his own 
 portion,and bearing indifferent refpeft unto all,without 
 negle&ingthe meaneft, or fparing the greateft in their 
 finnes. 
 
 4. Wifely, framing all his Do&rines, Exhortations, 
 and especially his Reproofs,in fuch a manner as may be 
 moft likely to prevaile , fhewing all due refpcdl to each 
 mans perfon and place , and not mixing his own paflfi- 
 on or bitterneffe. 
 
 5.Gravely,as becometh the Word of God,{hunning 
 all fuch gefture, voice and expreffions, as may occafion 
 die corruptions of men todefpife him and hisMiniftry. 
 
 6. With loving affediion,that the People may fee all 
 coming from his godly zeal , and hearty defire to do 
 them good. And 
 
 7. As taught of God^and perfwaded in his own heart, 
 that all that he teacheth,is the truth of Chrift-, & walking 
 
 F 2 before 
 
2o Of ^Prayer after the Sermon. 
 
 before his flock as an example to them in it $ earneftly, 
 both in private and publike f recommending his labours 
 to the blefling of God , and watchfully looking to him- 
 felf and the flock whereof the Lord hath made him 
 overfeer-, So (hall theDo&rine of Truth be preferved 
 uncorrupt, many fouls converted and built up, and him- 
 felf receive manifold comforts of his labours , even in 
 this life, and afterward the Crown of Glory laid up for 
 him in the world to come. 
 
 Where there are more Miniftersin a Congregation 
 than one , and they of different gifts 5 each may more 
 cfpecially apply himfelf to Docftrine or Exhortation, ac- 
 cording to the gift wherein he mod excelleth , and as 
 they (hall agree between themfelves* 
 
 of Prayer after the Sermon. 
 
 THe Sermon being ended , the Minifter is •, 
 TTogfae than\sfor the great Love 
 ofCjod in fending his Sonfefm Chrijl unto 
 us ; For the communication of his Holy 
 Spirit ; For the light and liberty of the glo^ 
 riorn (fofyel , and the rich and heavenly 
 ^Blefings revealed therein ; as namely r 
 EleBioniVocation, Adoption, f unification, 
 SanBification> and hope of Cjflory j For the 
 
 admu 
 
'0<* 
 heir 
 
 OfPrajer after the Semi on. 31 
 
 admirable goodnejfe of (jod in freeing the 
 Land from iAntichriftian T>arknej]e and 
 tyranny, and for all other 3\(ationall c De* 
 liver ances • For the Reformation ofT\cli^ 
 gfan- For the Covenant • and for many 
 temporal! Ftlefings. 
 
 To pray for the continuance of the Gi 
 fyel \ and all Ordinances thereof r in the 
 purity pow>er and liberty . To turn the chief 
 and moft ufe full heads of the Sermon into 
 fomefevp 'Petitions - and to pray that it may 
 abide in the heart and bring forth fruit . 
 
 To pray for preparation forT>eatb,and 
 Judgement ,and a watching for the coming 
 of our Lordfefus ChrifSTo intreat ofCjod 
 the forgheneffe of the iniquities of our holy 
 things y and the acceptation ofourjfirituall . 
 facrifce, through the merit and mediation 
 of our great High-Trie fl and Saviour the 
 Lordfefus ChrijL 
 
 And becaufethe Prayer which Chrift taught his Dif- 
 ciplcs 5 is not onely a Patcrn of Prayer, butitfelfamoft 
 
 V 3 compre.-, 
 
^% OfBaptifme. 
 
 comprehenfive Prayer, we recommend it a%to be*Ufed 
 in the Prayers of the Church. 
 
 And whereas,atthe AdmiiiiftratioriGfthe Sacraments, 
 the holding Publike Fads and dayes of T^hkfgiving, 
 and other ipeciall occafions, which maydrord matterof 
 fpeciall Petitions and Thankfgivings • It is requifite to 
 exprefle fomewhat in our Publike Prayers fas at this 
 time it is our duty to pray for a blefling upon the Aflem- 
 bly of Divides, the Armies by Sea and Land, for the de« 
 fence of the King, Parliament , and Kingdom ) Every 
 Minifter is herein to apply himfelf in his Prayer, before 
 or after his Sermon,to thofe occafions ; but for the man- 
 ner, he is left to his liberty, as God (hall direft and inable 
 him, in piety and wifdom to difcharge his duty. 
 
 The Prayer ended, let a Pfalme be fung, if with con- 
 veniencie it maybe done. After which (unleffefome 
 other Ordinance of Chrift that concermth the Congre- 
 gation at that time be to follow) let the Minifter difmiffe 
 the Congregation with a folemne Blefling. 
 
 THE ADMINISTRATION OF 
 
 The Sacraments. 
 
 And firft, 
 
 Of "Baptifme^. 
 
 BAptifme , As it is not unneceffarily to be delayed, 
 fo , is it not to be adminiftred in any cafe by any 
 private perfon , but by a Minifter of Chrift, cal- 
 led to be the Steward of the Myfteries of God. 
 
 Nor is it to be adminiftred in private places , or 
 
 privately, 
 
OfBaptifme. £ 
 
 privately , but in the place of Publike Worfliip, and in 
 the face of the Congregation > where the people may 
 moft conveniently fee and hear 5 and not in the places 
 where Fonts in the time of Popery were unfitly and fu- 
 perftitioufly placed. 
 
 The Cbilde to be Baptized , after notice given to the 
 Minifter the day before, is to be prefented by the Father, 
 or C in cafe of his neceflary abfence ) by fome Chriftian 
 friend in his place , profeffing his earneft defire that the 
 Childe may be Baptifed. 
 
 Before Baptifme , the Minifter is toufe (ome words 
 of Inftru&ion, touching the Inftitution , Nature , U(e, 
 and ends ot this Sacrament : Shewing, 
 
 That it is Inftituted by our Lordfefus 
 Chrift : That it is a Seal of the Covenant 
 of Grace , of our Ingrafting into (fbrift y 
 ana of our 'union with him, of %e?niJsion 
 of Sins y ^Regeneration j d/fdoption \ and 
 Life eternall : That the water in 'Bap** 
 tifme , reprejenteth and figmfeth > both 
 the Blood of Cbrijl which taketh away all 
 guilt of Sin \ Origin all and ABuall^ and 
 thefanBifying vertue of the Spirit of Chrift 
 avainjl the T)ominion of Sin, and the cor^ 
 ruption ofourfinfull 3\ature: That Bap- 
 
 tiding, 
 
34. Of^Baptifme. 
 
 tiding , or ffrinchfing and wafting with 
 water jigmfeth the cleanfing from Jin by 
 the c Blood, and for the Merit ofChrijt, to- 
 gether with the Mortification of fin , and 
 rijtng from fin to 3\(ertnejfi of life , by 
 vertue of the "Death and c I{eJurreBion of 
 Chrijl : That the Tromife is made to T3e- 
 helpers and their feed , and that the feed 
 andpofterity of the faithfully born within 
 the Church 7 haye by their birth ^ inter ef in 
 the Covenant y and right to the Seal of it, 
 and to the outward Triyiledges of the 
 Church, under the Cfoffel^ no leffethen the 
 Children ^Abraham in tin time of the 
 Old Teftament • the Covenant of Cj race, 
 for fubftance^being thefame^ and the (jrace 
 of(fod and the confolation ofBeleeyers, 
 more plentif till then before : That the Son 
 of Cjod admitted little children into hispre^ 
 fence, im bracing andblefiing them ^faying, 
 For of fuch is the Kfmgdome of (jod: 
 
 That 
 
OfBaptifme. 3? 
 
 That children by 'Baptifmc arc Jolemnely 
 received into the bojome of the vijtble 
 Church, dflinguifhedfrom the world, and 
 them that are without, and united with 
 'Beleeyers • and that all who are 'Baptised 
 in the U^Qime of Chrifl, do renounce, and 
 by theirTlaptifme are bound to fight againjl 
 the T>eyil,the World and the Flefh : That 
 they are Qmjlians, and feeder ally holy be- 
 fore 'Baptifme 9 and therefore are they 
 'Baptised : That the inward Grace and 
 <vertue ofBapti/me is not tied to that very 
 moment of time wherein it is adminijlred, 
 and that the fruit and power thereof 
 reacheth to the whole courfe of our life • 
 and that outward 'Baptifme is not fa necef 
 fary y that through the want thereof the In- 
 fant is in danger ofDamnation,or the Ba- 
 rents guilty , if they do not contemneor 
 neglell the Ordinance of Chrifl when and 
 where it may be had. 
 
 In 
 
Of 'Baptifme. 
 
 Inthefcorthelikelnftruftions, theMinifteristouffe 
 his own liberty, arid godly wifdome , as the Ignorance 
 or Errours in the Do&rine of Baptifme, and the Edifica* 
 tion of the people fhal! require. 
 
 He is alfo to admoni/h all that are prefent* 
 
 To lool^bacl^ to their 'Baptifme • to re- 
 pent of their fins againft their Covenant 
 with (jfod • to fine up their Faith j to im- 
 prove and make the right ufe of their 
 c Baptifme j and of the (Covenant fealed " 
 thereby betwixt Cjod and their fouls * 
 
 He is to exhort the Parent ; 
 
 To confider the great mercy of God to him 
 an dhis chdde-fTo bring up the childe in the 
 knowledge of the grounds of the Chrifiiari 
 %digion ? & in the nurture & admonition 
 of the Lord • And to let him know the dan- 
 
 fer ofCfods wrath to himfelf and childe, if 
 e be negligent : 'Requiring his folemne 
 promifefor the performance of his duty. 
 
 This being done, Prayer is alfo to be joyned with the 
 word of Inftitution 3 f or fanftify ing the. water to this fpiri- 
 Cjnal ufe 3 & the Minifter is to pray to this or the like effect 
 
 . That 
 
OfBaptifme. 37 
 
 That the Lord who bath not left us as 
 Jlrangers without the Covenant of Tro- 
 wife, hut called us to the privi ledges of his 
 Ordinances, would gracioufly vouchjafe to 
 fantlife and bleffe his own Ordinance of - 
 'Baptifne at this time: That he would joy n 
 the inward <B apt if mi of his Spirit with the 
 outward Baptif me of Water '* make this 
 c Baptipne to the Infant a Seal of Adoption, 
 %emifsion of Sin/Regeneration^nd Ster- 
 nail Life, and of all other Tromtfes of the 
 Covenant of Cfrace : That the Childe may 
 he planted into theli^eneffe of theDcath 
 and %efurrellion of Qhrijl^ and that the 
 body of fin being deflroyed in bim . } he may 
 ferve God in newneffe of life all his dayes. 
 
 Then the Minifter is to demand the Name of the 
 Childe, which being told him , he is to fay (calling the 
 Childe by his Name ) 
 
 ITZaptiz^e thee in the fh^ame of the Fa- 
 ther, of the Son } and of the Holy Cfbofl, 
 
 G 2 As 
 
38 OfBaptifme. 
 
 As he pronouncech thefe words , he is to Baptize the 
 Childe tvith water : which, for the manner of doing it, 
 is not onely lawfully but fufficient and molt expedient to 
 be, by pouring or (prinkling of the water on the face of 
 the Childe, without adding any other Ceremony. 
 
 This done, he is to give thanks and pray , to this or 
 the like purpofe 5. 
 
 <*jTckno)bledging \Vith all thankefuU 
 nefje , that the Lord u true and faith- 
 full in keeping Covenant and <^7v£ercy • 
 That he is good and gracious > not onely 
 in that he numbreth us among his Saints, 
 but is pleafed alfo to bejlow upon our chil- 
 dren this jingular token and badge of his 
 loye in Qhrifl : That in his trueth and 
 fpeciall providence, he daily bringeth fome 
 into the boforne of his Church , to be 
 partakers of his inejlimable benefits , pur- 
 chafed by the ISlood of his dear Sonne, 
 for the continuance and increafe of his 
 Church. 
 
 ^And praying, That the Lord would 
 > JliU continue , and daily confirm more and 
 
 more 
 
Of'Baptifne. ]9 
 
 more this his unftc arable favour : That 
 he would receive the Infant now *Bahtu 
 ^cd > and folemnly entred into the houf 
 hold of Faith, into his Fatherly tuition 
 and defence > and remember him with the 
 favour that hefloeweth to his people • That 
 if he fh all be taken out of this life in his 
 Infancie y the Lord \ who u rich in mercy , 
 would be pleafed to receive him up into 
 glory • and if he Ifae, and attain the yeers 
 of discretion , that the Lord would fo 
 teach him by his Word and Spirit > and 
 make his Tjaptijme ejfelluall to him > and 
 fo uphold him by hts Diyine power and 
 grace >t hat by Faith he may prevail again fl 
 the deyil, the world, andtheflefh > till in 
 the end he obtain a full and finallviBoryy 
 and fo be kept by the power of God through 
 Faith unto fahation, through fefus Chrijl 
 our Lord. 
 
 tea • 
 
Of the Lords Supper. 
 
 Of the celebration of the Communion, 
 or Sacrament of 
 
 The Lords Supper. 
 
 THe Communion , or Supper of the Lord is fre- 
 quently to be celebrated : but how often, may be 
 confidered and determined by the Minifters and 
 other Church- Governours of each Congregation, as 
 they fhall finde moft convenient for the comfort and edi- 
 fication of the people committed to their charge. And 
 when it fhall be adminiftred , we judge it convenient to 
 be done after the morning Sermon. 
 
 The Ignorant and the Scandalous are not lit to receive 
 this Sacrament of the Lords Supper. 
 
 Where this Sacrament cannot with convenience be 
 frequently adminiftred, it is requifite that publike warn- 
 ing be given the Sabbath day before the adminiftration 
 thereof : and that either then , or on fome day of that 
 week,fomething concerning that Ordinance,and the due 
 preparation thereunto, and participation thereof be 
 taught, that by the diligent ufe of all means fan&ified of 
 God to that end y both in publike and private , all may 
 come better prepared to that heavenly Feaft. 
 
 When the day is come for adminiftration , the Mini- 
 fter having ended his Sermon and Prayer 3 fhall make a 
 fhort Exhortation, 
 
 Exj?refiing the inejlimable benefit v»e 
 haye by this Sacrament • together with the 
 
 ends 
 
Of the Lords Supper. ^i 
 
 ends and ufe thereof: Jetting forth the 
 great necefiity of haying our comforts and 
 jlrength renewed thereby in this our priori- 
 mage and warfare : How necejjary it is 
 that we come unto it 'with Knowledge, 
 Faith, %epentance y Love, and with hun- 
 gring and thirfiing fouls after Chrift and 
 his benefits : How great the danger, to eat 
 anddrin/^ unworthily. 
 
 y^xt, he is, in the Usfante of Chrifi, 
 on the one party to "w a rn allfuch as are Ig- 
 norant 7 Scandalous, Trofiane, or that live 
 in any fin or ofi e nceagain/ l the ir knowledge 
 or confidence ',that they prejume not to come 
 to that holy "Table , Jhewing them , That 
 he that eateth and drin^eth unworthily, 
 eateth and drin^eth judgement unto him- 
 felfi : o^fnd on the other part, he is in 
 effeciaU manner to invite and encourage 
 all that labour under the fienje ofi the bur ^ 
 den of their fins, and fie ar of wrath, and de- 
 
 fire 
 
j^z Of the Lords Supper. 
 
 fire to reach out unto a greater progreffe in 
 Qrace then jet they can attain untojo come 
 to the Lords Table; ajfuring them > in the 
 fame j\(ame^ , of eafe > refrefbing and 
 
 Jlrength to their weak^and wearied fouls. 
 
 After this Exhortation,Warning, and Invitation, the 
 Table being before decently covered ^ and ib conveni- 
 ently placed , th at the Communicants may orderly fit 
 "about it, or at it,The Minifter is to begin the a&ion with 
 fanftif y ing and blefling the elements of Bread and Wine 
 fee before him (the Bread in comely and convenient vef- 
 feis, fo prepared, that being broken by him, and g iven, 
 it may be diftributed amonglttlie Communicants: The 
 Wine alfo in large Cups •, ) having ftrft in a few words 
 fliewed, That thofe elements, otherwife common, are 
 now fet apait and fan<ftified to this holy ufe,by the word 
 of Inflitution and Prayer. 
 
 Let the words of Inftitution be read out of the Evan- 
 gelifts, or out of thefirft Epiftleof the Apoftle Paul to 
 the Corinthians , Chap.i i . verfe 23. I have received of 
 the Lord, &c. to the 27. verfe, which the Minifter may, 
 when he feeth requifite, explain and apply. 
 
 Let the Prayer, Thankfgiving , or Bleffing of the 
 Bread and Wine, be to this effeft •, 
 
 \AfIth humble and hearty acknowledge^ 
 
 merit of the greatneffe of our mifery y 
 
 from which neither man nor ^tAngel was 
 
 able 
 
Of the Lords Supper. 45 
 
 able to deliver tts, and of our great unwor* 
 thinejje of the leajl of all (fods mercies j To 
 give thanks to Cjod for all his benefits \ 
 and efyecially for that great beneft of our 
 Redemption , the love of Cjfod the Fa~ 
 ther, the jitjferings and merits of the Lord 
 fefus Cbrift the Son of Cjod \ by which we 
 are delivered - and for all means of Grace % 
 the Word and Sacraments > and for this 
 Sacrament in particular , by which Chrijl 
 and all his benefits are applied and fealed 
 up unto us, which, notwithfanding the de^ 
 mall of them unto others, are in great mer* 
 cy continued unto us^afterfo much and long 
 abufeofthemalL 
 
 "To profeffe that there is no other name 
 under Heaven, by which we can be faved, 
 but the fJ\(ame offefus Chrijl, by whom 
 alone we receive liberty and life, have ac- 
 cede to the T hone of (jr ace, are admitted 
 to eat and drinf^at his own Table, and 
 
 H are 
 
j^. Of the L ords Supper. 
 
 are fealed up by his Spirit to an ajjurance 
 of happinefje and eyer la/ling life-j. 
 
 Fame fly to pray to (fod, the Father of 
 all mercies y and (fod of all conflation , to 
 vouchfafe his gracious pre fence, and the ef~ 
 fe&uall working of his Spirit in us, and lb to 
 fanBife thefe Elements both of Bread and 
 Wine, and to blejfe his own Ordinance, that 
 We may receive by Faith the "Body and 
 Stood offefusChrijl crucified for us, and Co 
 to feed upon him , that he may be onewtfb 
 us, and we with him, that he may live in us, 
 and we in him, and to him, who hath loved 
 us, and given himfelf for us. 
 
 All which he is to endeavour to perform with fuit- 
 nblcaffeftions.anfwerablc to fu.ch an holy A&ion , and 
 to flir up the like in the people . 
 
 The Elements being now fan&ified by the Word and 
 Prayer, The Minifter, being at the Table, is to take the 
 Bread in his hand 5 &fay 5 in thefe expreffions(or other the 
 tikejufed by Chrift,or his Apoftle upon this occafion : ) 
 
 (tSccordingto the holy lnfntut'ion y com^ 
 mmd 7 and example of our bleffcdSay.iour 
 
 Jefat 
 
Of the Lords Supper. 45 
 
 J-efm Chrifi y Itnl{ethis c Bread, and having 
 giyen thanks J breast P and give it unto y oh 
 
 (There the Minifter 5 who is alio himfelf to communicate, 
 is to break the Bread,and give it to the Communicants: ) 
 
 5n*^£ Jt€ y eat ye • "This is the Body ofChrifl 
 vp hie h u broken for 'jou 7 T>o this in remem- 
 brance ofhirtLj. 
 
 In like manner the Minifter is to take the Cup , and 
 fay , in thefe cxpreffions ( or other the like , ufed by 
 Chrift, or the Apoftle upon the fame occafion •> ) 
 
 ^According to the Injlitution, com- 
 mand , and example of our Lordfefus 
 Chrifl, Italic this Cup, andgiye it untoyou 
 
 ( Heere hee giveth it to the Communicants , ) 
 
 This Cup is the new Teflament in the 
 Blood of Chrijl^hich isfhedfor the remif 
 fan of the fins of many '5 T>rin\ye all of it. 
 
 After all have communicated, the Minifter may, in a 
 few words , put them in minde 
 
 Of the grace ofCfod, infefus Chrifl held 
 forth in this Sacrament ij and exhort them 
 to wall^ worthy of it. 
 
 H 2 The 
 
jl6 Of SanUification of the Lords day. 
 
 . The Minifter is to give folemne thanks to God, 
 
 For his rich mercy , and invaluable good' 
 nejfe youchfafedto them in that Sacrament, 
 and to entreat for pardon for the defeBs of 
 the whole fery ice > and for the gracious af 
 fifance of his good Spirit , whereby they 
 may be enabled to walk^ in the Jlrength of 
 that (j race, as becometh thofe who have 
 received fo great pledges offalvation . 
 
 The Colle&ion for the poor is fo to be ordered , that 
 ho part of the publike worfhip be thereby hindred. 
 
 of the Sanffif cation of the Lords day. 
 
 A-°in"*He Lords Jay ought to be fo remembred before- 
 H hand , as that all worldly bufinefle of our ordi- 
 * -2L nary Callings maybe fo ordered , and fo timely 
 and feafonably laid afide , as they may not be impedi- 
 ments to the due fan&ifyingof the Day when it comes- 
 The whole day is to be celebrated as holy to the Lord, 
 both in publike and private, as being the ChrilVian Sab- 
 bath. To which end , it is requifite, that there be a holy 
 ceffation, or reftingall the Day, from all unneceffiry la- 
 bours , and an abftaining , not onely from all fporcs and 
 paftimes,but alfo frouii all worldly words and thoughts* 
 That the Diet on that Day be fo ordered , as that nei- 
 ther fervants be unneceflarily detained from the publike 
 
 worfhijy 
 
- *Tke Solemnisation of Marriage^. 4.7 
 
 worfhipof God, nor any other perfons hindrcd from 
 the fandHfying chat Day. 
 
 That chereibe private preparation of every perfon and 
 family^by prayer for themfelves,and (or Gods affiftance 
 of the Mimfter, and for a bleffing upon his Miniftry,and 
 by fuch other holy exercifes, as may further difpofe 
 them to a more comfortable corrtmunion with God in 
 his publike Ordinances. 
 
 That all the people meet (b timely for publike Wor- 
 fhip , that the whole Congregation may be prefent at 
 the beginning, and with one heart folemnly joyn toge- 
 ther in all parts of the publike Worfhip •, and not de- 
 part till after the BlefTing. 
 
 That what time is vacant, between , or after the fo- 
 lemne meetings of the Congregation in publike , be 
 (pent in Reading, Meditation, Repetition of Sermons •, 
 (efpecially, by calling their families roan account of 
 what they have heard, ) and catechizing of them, holy 
 conferences, Prayer for a bleifing upon the Publike Or- 
 dinances, fingingof Pfalms, vifiung the fick, relieving 
 the poor^and fuch like duties of piety, charity and mer- 
 cy, accounting the Sabbath a delight. 
 
 The Solemnization of CtUrriazc* 
 
 ALthongh Marriage be no Sacrament, nor peculiar 
 to the Church of God , but common to man- 
 kinde,and of Publikc intereft in every Common- 
 wealth-, yet becaufc fuch as marry are to marry in the 
 Lord , and have fpeciall need of fnftruftion, Direction,, 
 and Exhortation , from the Word of God at their en- 
 ding into fuch x new condition*, and, of the blefling 
 
 H 3 of 
 
4-8 The Solemnisation of Marriage^. 
 
 of God upon them therein - 7 we judge it expedient,that 
 Marriage be folemnized by a lawfull Minifterof the 
 Word D that he may accordingly counfell them,and pray 
 for a blefsing upon them. 
 
 Marriage is to be betwixt one man and one woman 
 onely •, and they , fuch as are not within the degrees of 
 Confanguinity or Affinity prohibited by the Word of 
 God. And the parties are to be of yeers of difcretion,fit 
 to make their own choice, or upon good grounds , to 
 give their mutuall content. 
 
 Before the folemnizing of Marriage between any 
 Perfons, their purpofe of Marriage fhall be publifhed by 
 the Minifter three feverall Sabbath dayes in the Con- 
 gregation, at the place or places of their moft ufuall and 
 conftant abode refpe&ively. And of this Publication, 
 the Minifter,who is to joyn them in Marriage, (hall have 
 fufficient Teftimony, before he proceed to folemnize 
 the Marriage. 
 
 Before that Publication of fuch their purpofe ( if the 
 parties be under age ) the confent of the Parents , or 
 others, under whole power they are (in cafe the Parents 
 be dead) is to be made known to the Church Officers 
 of that Congregation, to be Recorded. 
 
 The like is to be obferved in the proceedings of all 
 others , although of age, whofe Parents are living , for 
 their firft Marriage. And in after Marriages of either of 
 thofe parties , they (hall be exhorted not to contrad 
 Marriage , without firft acquainting their Parents with 
 it, ( if with conveniency it may be done J endeavouring 
 to obtain their confent. 
 
 Parents ought not to force their children to marry 
 without their free confent, nor deny their own confent 
 without juftcaufe. 
 
 After 
 
The Solemnisation of^Ts/farriagc. \y 
 
 After the purpofc or coneraft of Marriage hath been 
 thus published , the Marriage is not to be long deferred. 
 T hereto re,thc Minifter,having had convenient warning, 
 and nothing being objected to hinder it , is publikcly to 
 folemnize it in the place appointed by Authority for 
 publike Worlhip,bcfore a competent number of credible- 
 witncfTes, at fomc convenient hour of the day, at any 
 time of the yeer,except on a day of Publikc humiliation. 
 And we ftdvife that it be not on the Lords Day. 
 
 And becaufe all Relations are fan&ified by the Word 
 and Prayer, the Minifter is to pray for a bleflingupon 
 thcm,tothiseffe&: 
 
 Acknowledging our fins ^hereby we have 
 made our fehes UJJe then the leaji of all the 
 mercies ofGod y andproyokgdhim to imhit^ 
 ter all our comforts ^earne fly in the name cf 
 Chrift to intreat the Lord ( whofefrcfence 
 and favour is the happineffe ofeyery condi^ 
 twn y and fvee tens eyery ^Ifelation ) to be 
 their Tortion^ and to own and accept them 
 in Chrift , who are now to bejoyned in the 
 honourable ejlate of Marriage , the Coye- 
 nant of their (jod : and that as he hath 
 brought them together by his Providence , 
 he would fanBife them by his Spirit ^giying 
 
 them 
 
53 The Solemnisation ofzPidarriage. 
 
 them a new frame of heart ft for their new 
 eflate ; enriching them with all (jraces, 
 whereby they may perform the duties ,enjoy 
 the comforts, undergo the cares, andref/l 
 the temptations which accompany that con^ 
 dition, as becometh Chrijlians. 
 
 The Prayer being ended, it is convenient that the Mi- 
 nifler do briefly declare unto them 3 out of the Scripture, 
 
 The lnftituttonfOfe y and ends of Mar- 
 riage, with the Conjugall duties which in all 
 faithfulnejfe they are to perform each to o- 
 ther y exhortingthem tojludy the holy Word 
 ofCjodjhat they may learn to I foe by faith , 
 and to be content in the midjl of all Mar- 
 riage cares and troubles, fanBifying Cjfods 
 3\Qime in a thanl^e full fob er, and holy ufe 
 of all Conjugall comforts , praying much 
 withy and for \ one another \ watching over y 
 and provoking each other to loye and good 
 works y and to live together as the heirs of 
 the Grace of lift-j. 
 
 After 
 
The Solemnisation afzyVfarriage. 51 
 
 After folcmnc charging of the perfons to he Married, 
 before the great God , whofearchethall heaits , and to 
 whom they muft give a ftridt. account at the laft day, that 
 if either of them know any caufe, by precontract or 
 otherwife, why they may not lawfully proceed to Mar- 
 riage, that they now difcover it : The Minifler ( if no im- 
 pediment be acknowledged) fhall caufe, firft, the man to 
 take the woman by the right hand, faying thefe words, 
 
 |N,(/(I takg thee N. to be my married 
 
 wife, and do, in theprefence of (fod,and be^ 
 
 fore this Congregation, promife & covenant 
 
 to be a losing and faithfull husband unto 
 
 thee,untill (jodjballfeparate us by death. 
 
 Then the woman fhall take the man by his right 
 hand, and fay thefe words, 
 
 1 N. do tal^e thee N- to be my married 
 husband, and 1 do, in the prefence of God, 
 and before this Congregation , promife and 
 covenant to be a loving, faith full, and obe~ 
 dient vrife unto thee, untill Cjodjhall fepa* 
 rate us by death. 
 
 Then, without any further Ceremony , theMinifter 
 fliall,inthe face of the Congregation,pronouncethem to 
 be husband and wife,according to Gods Ordinance-, and 
 fo, conclude the action with Prayer to this effect, 
 
 / that 
 
jz Of the Viftution of the Sic\. 
 
 That the Lord would be plea fed to Ac- 
 company his own Ordinance with his blef- 
 fing y beseeching him to enrich theperfons 
 now married > as with other pledges of his 
 love ^fo particularly with the comforts and 
 fruits of marriage fo thepraife of his abun- 
 dant mercy > in and through Chrijl fefws. 
 
 A Regifter is to be carefully kept, wherein the names 
 of the parties (o man ied,wkh the time of their marriage, 
 are forthwith to be fairly recorded in a Book provided 
 for that purpofe , for the perufall of all whom it may 
 concern. 
 
 Concerning Fifitation of the Sick. 
 
 IT is the dutie of the Minifter not onely to teach the 
 people committed to his charge, in publike, but pri- 
 vately and particularly to admonifl^exhort^reprove,. 
 and comfort them 5 upon all feafonableoccafions, fofar 
 as his time/ftrength^md perfonall fafety will permit. 
 
 He is to admonifli them, in time of health, to prepare 
 for death -, and for that purpofe they are often to confer 
 with their Minifter about the eftate of their fouls": and, 
 in times of ficknefle to defire his advice and help, timely 
 and feafonably, before their ftrength and underftanding 
 fail them. 
 
 Times of Sicknefle and affiiftion are fpeciall oppor- 
 tunities put into his hand by God 3 to minifter a word in 
 
 ieafoa 
 
Of the Fi fit at ion of the Sic f{. 53 
 
 feafon to weary fouls : becaufe then the Confcienres of 
 men are, or (hould be more awakened to bethi.'.kthem- 
 felves of their Spirituall eftates for Eternity, and Satan • 
 alto takes advantage then, to load them more with fore 
 and heavy temptations • Therefore the Minifler being 
 fent for , and repairing to the fick , is to apply himfeff 
 -with all tenderneife and love, to adminifter iome Spiri- 
 cu dl good to his foul,to this effett : 
 
 He may, from the consideration of the prefent fick- 
 neflTe, inftrud him out or Scripture, that difeafes come 
 not by chance, orby diftempers of body only, but by 
 the wife and orderly guidance of the good hand of God 
 to every particular perfon J mitten by them. And that 
 whether it be laid upon him out of difpleafure for fin, 
 for his cone<5Hon and amendment,or forTrial,and exer- 
 cife of his graces,or for other fpedal and excellent ends, 
 all his fuffrings fhal turn to his profit,and work together 
 for his good , if he fincerely labour to make a fan&ified 
 ufeofGodsVifitation, neither defpifing his chaftening, 
 nor waxing weary of his correction. 
 
 If he fufped him of ignorance, he fhal! examine him 
 in the Principles of Religion, efpecially touching Re- 
 pentance and Faith •, and, as he feeth caufe, inftruft him 
 in the nature,ufe,excellency, and necefsity of thofe gra- 
 ces-, as alfo touching the Covenant of Grace,and Chrift 
 the Son of God,the Mediator of it, and concerning Re- 
 mifsion of fins by faith in him. 
 
 He fhall exhort the fick perfon to examine himfelf,^ 
 fearch and try his former wayes, and his eftate towards 
 God. 
 
 And if the fick perfon (hall declare any fcrup!e,doubt 
 or temptation that are upon him , inftfu&ioirs and refo- 
 lutions (hall be given to fatisfie and fettle him. 
 
 I 2 If 
 
jf^ Of the Vijuation of the Slc\. 
 
 If it appear that he hath not a due fence of his fins,en- 
 dcavours ought to be ufed to convince him of his fins, 
 of the guilt and defercof them ♦, of the filth and pollu- 
 iion,which thefoul contra&s by them, and of the curfe 
 of the Law^and wrath of God due to them-, that he may 
 be truly affe&ed with 3 and humbled for them-, and vvith- 
 all to make known the danger of deferring Repentance, 
 and of negleftingfalvation at any time offred, to awaken 
 his Confcience , and rowze him up out of a ftupid and 
 iecure condition, to apprehend the Juftice and wrath of 
 God, before whom none can ftand, but he that being 
 loft in himfelf, layeth hold upon Chrifl: by Faith. 
 
 If he have endeavoured to walk in the wayes of holi- 
 nefle , and to ferve God in uprightnefle , although not 
 without many failings and infirmities -,orifhis fpiritbe 
 broken with the fenfe of fin, or caft down through want 
 ofthefcnfeof Gods favour-, then it will be fictoraife 
 him up, by fectingbefjie him the freeneffe and fulnefle 
 ofG.odsgrace,thefufficiericyofrighteoufnes in Chrifl, 
 the gracious offers in the Gofpel , that all who repent 
 and beleeve with all their heart in Gods mercy through 
 Chrift, renouncing their own righteoufnefTe, (hall have 
 life and falvation in him. It may be alfoufefullto 
 fhew him ,. that death hath in it no Spiritual! evil to be 
 feared by thofe that are in Chrift , becaufe fin the fting 
 of death is taken away by Chrift,whohath delivered all 
 that are his from the bondage of the fear of death , tri- 
 umphed over the grave,given us vidory, is Himfelf en- 
 tred into glory , to.prepareaplace for His people : So 
 that neither life nor death (hall be able to feparate them 
 from Gods love in Chrift , in whom fuch are fure, 
 though now they muftbelaid intheduft , to obtain a 
 joy full and glorious refurre&ion to eternal! life. 
 
 Advice 
 
Of the Vijitatim of the Sicl^. ^ 
 
 Advice alfo may be given, as to beware of an ill 
 grounded perfwafion on mercy , or on die goo^ndl'e of 
 his condition tor heaven, (o to dif claim al! merit in him- 
 fclf , and to cad himfclt wholly upon God for mercy in 
 the lole Merits and Mediation of Jefus Chrift,who hath 
 engaged himfelf never to caft offthem, who in truth and 
 fincerity come unto him. Care aUo muft be taken that 
 the fick perlon be not call down intodefpairby fucha 
 fevere reprefentation o{ the wrath or God due to him for 
 his fins, as is not mollified by a feafonable propounding 
 of Chrift and his Merit for a door of hope to every pe- 
 nitent Beleever. 
 
 When the fick perfon is bed: compofed, may be leaft 
 difturbed,and other neceflary offices about him leaft hin- 
 dred,the Minifter,if defiied,ihall pray with him, and for 
 him to this effe& ^ 
 
 Confefsing and bewailing of fin Origin all 
 and Aclualf the mifcrable condition of all 
 by nature y as being Children of Wrath and 
 under the Cur fe acknowledging that alldif 
 eafes^fickjiejfes, death, and hell it felf are. 
 the proper iffues and eff eels thereof: Implo* 
 ring Cfods mercy for the jicl^perfon through 
 the 'Blood of Chrift \ befeeching that Cjod 
 would open his eyes, di [cover unto him his* 
 jins r caufe him to fee him fell loflin himfclf 
 
 1 3 mal^e 
 
5 6 \ Qfil&Fiftaiion of the Sicl{. 
 
 m^hnmmtoloim the can fe nloy (jodfmi- 
 teth him, reveal fefus Cbrijl to hisjoulfor 
 ^jghteoufnejfe and Life give unto him lots 
 holy Spirit to create andjlrengthen faith Jo 
 lay hold upon Chrijl > to work^ in him com- 
 fortable evidences of his love , to arm him 
 againji Temptations , to tal^e of his heart 
 from the world, to janllife hisprefent Vifi- 
 tation, to fur nijh him with patience and 
 Jhength to hear it y and to ghe him per fe- 
 ver ance in Faith to the end. 
 
 That if God fh all pleafe to addc to his 
 d ayes Joe would vouchfafe to bleffe and fan- 
 ctifie all means of his recovery , to remove 
 thedijeafe^ renew his ftrength, and enable 
 him to walkjvorthy of (fod > by a faith full 
 remembrance 7 and diligent ohferving of 
 fuch vows and promifes of holinejfe and 
 obedience y as men are apt to mal^e in times 
 ofjickgejje^ that he mayglonfie (fod in the 
 remaining part of his lifc^ . 
 
 And 
 
Of the Viftation of the Sic!^, 5 7 
 
 Jnd if God have determined to fint/I) his 
 dayes by theprcfent VifitationJ)c may fnde 
 fuch Evidence of the pardon of all his fins, 
 of his inter ef I in Chrijl , and Sternal! life by 
 thrift : y as may caufe his inward man to be 
 renewed, while his outward man decay eth • 
 that he may behold Death without fear, 
 cajl himjelj wholly upon Qbri/l without 
 doubting , defire to be dijjolved and to be 
 with Chrijl i and Jo receive the end of his 
 Faith, thefalvationof his Soul, through 
 the onely Merits and Inter cef ion of the 
 Lord fefm Chrijl , our alone Saviour and 
 (tAllfuffcient %edeemer. 
 
 The Minifter (hall admonifh him alfo ( as there fliall 
 be caufe) to let his houfe in order, thereby to prevent 
 inconveniences , to take care for the pavment of his 
 debts, and to make refiirution or fatisfa&ion where he 
 hath done any wrong , to be reconciled to thofe with 
 whom he hath been at variance , and fully to forgive all 
 men their trefpafles againft him , as he expe&s fbrgivs- 
 nelTe at the hand of God. 
 
 Laftly,the Minifter may improve the present occafion 
 to exhort thole about the lick perfon , to confidei thetf 
 own mortality, to return to the Lord and make Peace 
 
 with 
 
55 Of "Buriall of the Vead. 
 
 with him •, in health to prepare for fickneflTe, death, and 
 judgement , and all the dayes of their appointed time fo 
 to wait untilltheirchange come, that when Chrift who 
 is our life, (hall appear, they may appear with him in 
 
 glory. 
 
 Concerning Bur i all of the Dead, 
 
 Hen any perfon departeth this life,!et the dead 
 body, upon the day of Buriall, be decently at- 
 tended from the hou'fc to the place appointed 
 for publike Buriall , and there immediately interred 
 Without any Ceremony. 
 
 And becaufe the cuitomes of kneeling down , and 
 praying by, or towards the dead Corps, and other fuch 
 ufages, in the place where it lies, before it be carried to 
 Buriall, are Superftitious : and for that, praying,reading, 
 and finging both in going to,and at the Grave,have been 
 grofly abufed , are no way beneficiall to the dead , and 
 have proved many waves hurtfull to the living 5 thereforc 
 let all fuch things be laid ahde. 
 
 Howbeit, we judge it very convenient^ that the Chri- 
 ftian friends which accompany the dead body to the 
 place appointed for prrbKke Buriall, do apply themfelves 
 to Meditations, and Conferences fuitable totheocca- 
 fion : and, that the Minifter, as upon other occafions, fo 
 at this time, if hebeprefent, may put them in remem- 
 brance of their Dutie. 
 
 That this ill all not extend to cfeny any civill refpe&s 
 or differences at the Buriall, fuitable to the rankeand 
 condition of the party deceafed whiles h? was living. 
 
 Concerning 
 
OfTublikcFafting. 5? 
 
 4lMtMMMMIMMMiM I MM I MfMtM <» 
 
 Concerning Vublike folemne Fajlin*. 
 
 WHen feme great and notable Judgements are 
 either infli&ed upon a People , or apparently 
 imminent , or by fomc extraordinary provo- 
 cations notorioufly deferred-, as alfo,when fome fpeciall 
 Bleffing is to be fought and obtained , Publike foicmne 
 Parting ( which is to continue the whole Day ) is a Duty 
 that God expe&eth from that Nation, or people. 
 
 A Religious Faft requires totall abftinence, not onely 
 from all food ( unleffe bodily weaknefTe do manifcftly 
 difable from holding out till the Faft be ended, in which 
 cate fomewhat may be taken, yet very fparingly, to fup- 
 port nature when ready to faint ) butalfo from all world- 
 ly labour, difcourfes and thoughts , and from all bodily 
 delights, (although at other times lawf ull ) rich apparelf, 
 ornaments an J fuch like,during the Faft-,and much more, 
 from what ever is,in the nature,or u(e,fcandalous and of- 
 fenfive 5 as, garifh attire, lafcivious habits and geftures, 
 and other vanities of either fex , which we recommend 
 to all Minifters in their places , diligently and zealoufly 
 to reprovers at other times,fo efpecially at a Faft, with- 
 out refped of perfons, as there fhall be occafion. 
 
 Before the Publike meeting, each Family, and perfon 
 apart , are privately to ufe all religious care to prepare 
 their hearts to fuch a iblemne work •, and, to be early at 
 the Congregation. 
 
 So large a portion of the day , as conveniently may be, 
 istobefpencinPubiikeReading, and Preaching of the 
 Word, with finging of Pfalmes fit to quicken affeftions 
 fuitable to fuch a Duty-,but efpecially in Prayer,to this or 
 the like eflfe& : „ />• • 
 
 K \j mn g 
 
4o Of'Tublil^e Fa/ling. 
 
 Cjiving glory to the great z5\4ajejly of 
 Cj ocl, the Creator, Treferver, and Supreame 
 %uler of all the Worlds the better to affeU 
 us thereby mth an holy reference and awe 
 ofHirn^. <*Acknovpledginghu manifold, 
 great 3 and tender mercies, efeeciaUy to the 
 Church and U^ation,the more effeUually to 
 f often , andabafe our hearts before him-:. 
 Humbly confefing of fins of all forts , mth 
 their federal aggravations: juflifying Cjods 
 righteous fudgments, as being far leffe then 
 our fins do deferve-jet humbly andearnefl- 
 ly imploring his mercy and grace for our 
 fehes, the Church, and J\(ation , for our 
 IQng,and all in authority y and for all others 
 for whom ive are bound to pray f according 
 as theprefent exigent reauireth)ii>ith more 
 fyeciall importunity and inlargement then 
 at other times : lApplyin? by Faith , the 
 Tromifes andCjoodnejJe ofCjod,for Tar- 
 don, help, and deliverance from the Evils 
 
 felt, 
 
OfTublikc Fafting. 61 
 
 felt, feared, or deferred ; and for obtain- 
 ing the blefings which ive need and expect • 
 together with a giving up of our fefaes 
 wholly and for ever unto the Lord. 
 
 Inallthefe, the Minifters , who are themouthesof 
 the people unto God,ought fo to fpeakfrom their hearts 
 upon fcrious and thorovv premeditation of them , that 
 both themfelves and their people maybe much affedted, 
 and even melted thereby 5 efpecially with forrow for 
 their fins , that it may be indeed a Day of deep humilia- 
 tion and affii&ing of the foul. 
 
 Spcciall choice is to be made of fuch Scriptures to be 
 read, and of fuch Texts for Prcaching,as may belt work 
 the hearts of the hearers to the fpeciall bufinefle of the 
 day , and moft difpole them to humiliation and repent- 
 ance-, infilling moft on thofe particulars , which each 
 Minifters obfervation and experience tels him are moft 
 conducing to the edification, and reformation of that 
 Congregation to which hepreacheth. 
 
 Before the clofeof the Publikc Duties , the Minifter 
 is, in his own, and the peoples names, to ingage his and 
 their hearts to be the Lords, with profeffed purpofe and 
 refolution to reform what ever is amifle among them, 
 and more particularly fuch fins as they have been more 
 remarkably guilty or $ and , to draw neerer unto God, 
 and to walk more clofely and faithfully with him in new 
 obedience,then ever before. 
 
 He is alfo to admonifli the people with all importuni- 
 ty,that the work of that day doth not end with the Pub- 
 likc duties of it, but that they are foto improve the- 
 
 K a remainder 
 
gz Of7)ayes of publtf^e Thanksgiving. 
 
 remainder of the day,and of their whole life,in reinfor- 
 cing upon themfelves and their families in private, all 
 thofe godly afte&ions and refolutions which they pro- 
 fefled in publike,as that they may be fetled in their hearts 
 forever, and themfelves may more fenfibiyfinde that 
 God hath fmelt a fweet favour in Chrift from their per- 
 formances, and is pacified towards them, by anfvvers of 
 Grace, in pardoning of fin,in removing of Judgements, 
 in averting or preventing of plagues , and in conferring 
 of bleflings fuitable to the conditions and prayers of his 
 people, by Jefus Chritt. 
 
 Befide folemne and generall Fafts injoyned by Au- 
 thority, we judge, that at other times , l fcongregations 
 may keep dayes of Falling , as Divine Providence fhall 
 adminifter unto them fpeciall occafions. And alfo that 
 Families may do the fame, to it be not on dayes where- 
 in th* Congregation to which they do belong , is to 
 meet for Fafting, or other publike Duties of Worfhip. 
 
 Concerning the obfervation of Dayes of 
 Publike Thankfgiving. 
 
 WHen any fuch Day is to be kept, let notice be 
 given of it,and of the occafion thereof , fome 
 convenient time before , that the people may 
 the better prepare themfelves thereunto. 
 
 The Day being come, and the Congregation ( after 
 private preparations ) being affembled , the Minifter is 
 to begin with a word of Exhortation to ftir up the peo- 
 ple to the Duty for which they are met,and with a inort 
 prayer for Gods affiftance and bleffing (as at other Con- 
 ventions for Publike Worfhip ) according to the parti- 
 
 cular occafion of their meeting. 
 
 Let 
 
OfT>aye$ofpnblify wanfygti 6: 
 
 Let him then make fome pithy narration oft 
 liverance obtained, or Mercy received , orof whatever 
 hath o.cafioned that affembling of the C ngrcgatiort, 
 that all may better underftand it, or be minced o| u,i. 
 moreaffe&ed with it. 
 
 And becaufc tinging of Pfalms is of all other the 
 mod proper Ordinance for expreffing of Joy and 
 Thankfgiving , let fome pertinent Pfalm or Pfalms be 
 lung for that purpofe,beforeor after the reading of fome 
 portion of the Word fuitablc to the prefent bufineffe. 
 
 Then let the Minifter who is to preach , proceed to 
 further Exhortation and Prayer before his Sermon, 
 with fpeciall reference to the prefent work : after which 
 lee him preach upon fome Text of Scripture pertinent 
 cotheoccafion. 
 
 The Sermon ended, let him not only pray,as at other 
 times after preaching is dire&ed, with remembrance of 
 the neceffities of the Church, King, and State (if before 
 the Sermon they were omitted ) but inlargehimfelf in 
 due &folemn Thankfgiving for former mercies and de- 
 liveranccs,but more efpecially for that which at the pre- 
 fent calls them together to give thanks: with humble 
 petition for the continuance and renewing of Gods 
 wonted mercies , as need (hall be , and for fan&ifying 
 grace to make a right ufe thereof. And fo, having lung 
 another Pfalm fuitable to the mercy, let himdifmiffe 
 the Congregation with a bleffing, that they may have 
 fome convenient time for their repaft and refrefliing. 
 
 But the Minifter (before their difmiflion) is folemnly 
 to admonifh them,to beware of all excefle and riot,ten- 
 ding to gluttony or drunkennes,and much more of thefe 
 fins themfelves , in their eating and refrefliing , and to 
 take care that their mirth and rejoycing be not carnall, 
 
 K 3 but 
 
*£f Of Singing of Tf alms. 
 
 but lpirituall, which may make Gods praife to be glori- 
 ous, and themfelves humble and fober-, and that both 
 their feeding and rejoycing may render them more 
 chcerfull and inlarged further to celebrate his Praifes 
 in the midft of the Congregation, when they return 
 unto it, in the remaining part of that Day. 
 
 When the Congregation (hall be again aiTemblcd 7 
 the like courfe in praying, reading, preaching,finging of 
 Pfalms, and offering up of more praife and thankfgi- 
 ving, that is before directed for the morning , is to be 
 renewed and continued fo far as the time wil give leave. 
 
 At one or both of the publike meetings that day , a 
 Collection is to be made for the poor ( and in the like 
 manner upon the Day of Publike Humiliation ) that 
 their loynes may bleiTe us , and rejoyce the more with 
 us. And the people are to be exhorted at the end of the 
 latter meeting, to fpend the refidue of that Day in holy 
 duties, andteftifications of Chriftian love and charity 
 one towards another, and of rejoycing more and more 
 in the Lord $ as becommeth thofc who make the joy of 
 the Lord their ftrengtru 
 
 of Singing of Pfalms. 
 
 IT is the duty of Chriflians to praife God publikcly 
 by finging of Pfalms together in the Congregati- 
 on , and alio privately in the Family. 
 In finging of Pfalms , the voice is to be tunably and 
 gravely ordered: but the chief care mud: be, tofing 
 with underfhnding , and with Grace in the heart, ma- 
 king melody unto the Lord. 
 That the whole Congregation may Joyn hcrein,evcry 
 
 one 
 
ejfn Jppendix. 65 
 
 one that can read is to have a Pfalm book,and all others 
 not difabled by age, or otherwife, arc to be exhorted to 
 learn to read. But for the prefent , where many in the 
 Congregation cannot read, it is convenient that the Mi- 
 nifter, or fome other fit perfon appointed by him and 
 che other Ruling Officers , do read the Pfalm , line by 
 line, before the finging thereof. 
 
 &ftj wj - Ai w> t«j(^ ^4 i&A I &» t^* <«t>j i&i tA> m> im.» (fa 
 
 An Appendix touching Dayes and 
 Places for Publike VVorfhip. 
 
 THcre is no Day commanded in Scripture to be kept h$- 
 ly under the Gofpel , but the Lords day , which is the 
 ChriHian Sabbath. 
 
 Fejlivall dayes , vulgarly called Holy dayes , having no 
 warrant in the word of God \ are not to be continued. 
 
 Neverthelejje it is law full and neceffary upon [feci 'all emer- 
 gent occasions , tofeparate a day or dayes for Pub I ike Fatting 
 or Thank j giving , as the fever M eminent and extraordinary 
 difpenfations of Gods providence flhili adminijler cauje and 
 opportunity to his people. 
 
 As no place is capable of any holineffe under pretence of 
 whatfocver Dedication or Confecrationjo neither is it fub\eU 
 tofuch pollution by any fuper flit ion formerly ufed and now 
 laid a fide 5 as may rentier it unlaw full or inconvenient for 
 ChriHians to meet together therein for the publike workup of 
 God. And therefore we hold it requifite that the places of 
 pub like affemblingfor worfhip among us> foould be continued 
 *nd imployed to that ujc. 
 
 FINIS 
 
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