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Univerfal Concord. 
 
 the firft fart. 
 
 THE 
 
 Sufficient TERMS 
 
 (Propofed for the life ofthofe chat 
 have liberty to ufe them : And as 
 the Authors Profeflion of his own 
 Religion, in a contentious , dividing 
 Age. 
 
 if 
 
 By Richard Baxter. 
 
 The Fir ft and General Part, is prepara- 
 tory to the Second Part , containing the 
 Particular Terms of Reconciling the fc- 
 ver#l differing Parties that arc Recon- 
 cileable. 
 
 LONDON , 
 
 Printed by R. W. for Nevil Simmons , Book- 
 
 feller in Kederminfier , I 6 6 o. 
 
ft 
 
 yi u, 
 
lAfT**^ 
 
 *s 
 
 To the Reader. 
 
 Cbriftiax Reader, 
 
 • Mnft acquaint thee, What it 
 is that is here offered thee, 
 • and To what ufe and parpofc. 
 Here is, i. The Articles or 
 Summe of the Chriftian 
 Religion, both briefly in the 
 Antient Creeds, and more 
 Largly and Explicitly in a Trofejfion , i. Of 
 Chnftian Belief, 2. Confent, 3. And Obedi- 
 ence. 
 
 2. Here is a Perm of Agreement for the 
 Paftors of fuch Churches as are left to Volun- 
 tary AfTociations and Communion. 
 
 3 . Here is a larger Defcription of the Mi- 
 nifterial Offices and Church-Ordinan- 
 ces. 
 
 The firft of thefe ( which was formerly 
 publifhed as a Catechifm , and is now cor- 
 A 3 tefted) 
 
t efted ) was to rnc a work of greater difficul 
 ty than greater Volumes •, which thofc will 
 understand , that have tryed what it is to 
 avoid DtfeBivtncJs , 'Redundances , and Dif- 
 crdcrs in fuch a draught , ( which yet I know 
 I have notperfeftly attained). Tbellfes to 
 which it was intended are thefe. i . Whereas 
 Mr. fohn Dnry ( who hath laboured above 
 thirty years {or the healing the Divifibns 
 among the Protcftant Churches) did fend to 
 theMiniftersof this County of Worcefier, to 
 give him their advice and aififtance in that 
 mod dcfireablc work •, and whereas one prin- 
 cipal part of our Advice Was , that the 
 Churches {hould hold their Vnitj and Con- 
 cord in Neceffary things, and Liberty in things 
 not neceffary , and Charity in both, and that 
 they (hould each fend to other a Confejfion of 
 their Faith, containing only fuch Ntcefary 
 things , and thereupon defire the Acknow- 
 ledgement and Communion of their Bre- 
 thren : This Profefionis purpofely fitted to 
 that Vfe ^ containing as much as neighbour- 
 Churches (hould require, in order to that 
 diftant Communion with us or others, which 
 feveral Churches are capable of 5 and con- 
 taining nothing but what all Chriftian 
 ^htircbes are agreed in. And whereas many 
 
 have 
 
have faid, that it is defe&ive" becaufe it con- 
 taineth nothing but what a Papift will fub- 
 fcribe ^ I anfwer, It is fomuch the better .• 
 The Churches had a perred or fufficienc 
 SymboleorConfeffionof Faith , before Po- 
 pery f Name or Thing) was known in the 
 world : And they are not bound to alter and 
 enlarge it, as oft aserroursfhall arife : The 
 Rule muftftill remain the fame, and [A Re- 
 jection of alkthat is contrary to this Rule ] 
 is that which wc muft do in oppofition to Hc- 
 refies and Errours.We have no new Religion," 
 but the fame ancient Faith which was before 
 Popery was conceived. If we have, nothing 
 but what they confefs to be true , then eur 
 Faith is juftified by them, ( and fo wc are on 
 the furer fide) : but they having much which 
 we deny, their Faith as Popfi* is condemned 
 by us, though their Faith us Chrlfiian we ap- 
 prove. 
 
 2. Another ufe of this Profejfion is to be a 
 Efficient teft for particular Church-Commu- 
 nion ^ ( where Authority leaveth it to the 
 Church. ) I will not rejeft him as defe&ive in 
 the Articles of his Belief, who belie veth but 
 what is comprehend in this Summe. 
 
 3. Itisalfoufefulfor tt* Catechising of 
 the Ignorant, and the clear explication or the 
 
 A 3 Creeds 
 
Creeds and the ten Commandements" to the 
 underftandingsof the weak. I know it is an 
 inconvenience to children , to have Anfwers 
 Co hng to fome of the Queftions : Which I 
 would have rcdreffed^ if I could have done 
 it without greater inconveniences. And I 
 know that there are hundreds of Catechifms 
 abroad already : But if I could have told 
 where to have found one that had contained 
 as much as this doth, in as few ifrords , and no 
 worfe order, I had ("pared this labour. Since 
 the firft Edition of this, I received the exaft- 
 eft that I have taken notice of, in certain Pro- 
 pofition*, from the moft Learned Author 
 Mr. Thomas Greaves, much fuited to the fame 
 defigns as this. 
 
 To this laft ufe fome will think that there 
 is wanting the Definition of the Sacraments 
 of Baptifm and the Lords Supper ; But to 
 them I fay , i. The antient Church did pur- 
 pofely conceal the myfterie of the Eucharift 
 from the Catechuraenes , till they were ba- 
 ptized. 2, And then it was by fight and ob- 
 servation of the adual celebration, that they 
 firft and chiefly learned the nature of it. 
 3. And he that nameth them with their Vfes 
 and Ends^ ( as Iltove here done ) fuppoling 
 that he fpeaketh to fuch as have feen the Ad- 
 
 miniftration f 
 
niniftration,may perhaps efcape the cenfure 
 )f omitting any thing that is of true Necef- 
 ity •, the Doftrine and Thing fignified by 
 hem being before explained. 4. But yes I 
 lave afterwards given a Description of them, 
 )ug. 29. &46. The/. 8. & 34. from whence 
 t may be fetched for the uic of the Cate- 
 :hized. 
 
 4. It is alfo ufeful to my felf, and othersin 
 ny cafe, that have fwarmsof malicious ae- 
 cufers , tbat would fain be queftioning the 
 bundnefs of our Faith, and accufingus of 
 irrours ; and that have need to make ic 
 mown what indeed is our Religion to Magi- 
 braces or Brethren, for their fatisfa&ion and 
 )nr juft defence. If any queftion , What is 
 My Religion ? It is here exprefed: Itcon- 
 lfteth in Q my Belief of all that God reveal- 
 'thtome^ and my Love of G&din him/elf and 
 n aH the appearances of his Goodnefs ; my 
 Truft in his fidelity, and Hope of all his Pro- 
 mfed Mercies • and my Obedience t* him in all 
 his Laws ; My Affent and Confent in Gene- 
 ral to all the Will of Godrevealed in Nature 
 or the Holy Scriptures, as far as I can undcr- 
 (land them : and in particular and more di- 
 Qinftly to all the parts of this Profejfion.^\ 
 This is my Religion-^ I doubt not but this much 
 
 will 
 
will bs acceptable with God, and fufficlcnt to) 
 felvatio : If it be not acceptable to men J 
 nor lufficient to my being Reputed Ortho- 
 dox , and accepted into their Communion , 
 the Day it at hand that (hall reveal , whether 
 the fault was theirs or mine. I will rcjed no* 
 man of this Religion from my Charity or 
 Communion : I will cenfure , or raoleft , or 
 perlecute nonefuch : If they will do other- 
 wife by me, the fuffcring will at laft be great- 
 eft , where the fault was greatcft. 
 
 And yet ('though I adhere to the antient 
 fimplicity) I will not be wanting to facisfie 
 any as far as I am able : And therefore I have 
 added the other two parts : The Agreement 
 of the Affociated Minifiers , is intended for 
 nothing elfe but a diffident enumeration of 
 all thofe things which paftors, being left to fo 
 much liberty by the Magistrate, (hould Agree 
 in voluntarily among themfelves ; But ob- 
 ferve chat it is only for fuch times and places 
 of liberty ; ( and there it may ferve inftcad 
 of all the Volumes of Canons and Decrees: ) 
 But in places and times of greater ftri&nef$ * 
 where the Civil Rulers grant no fuch Liber- 
 ty to the Churches, much of the Articles of 
 Agreement are in vain t and not to be pra- 
 difed ^ efpecially much in the fixth and fe- 
 
 venth 
 
renth Articles : And as we juftly fwear in th$ t 
 Oath of Supremacy, that the King is the only 
 Jupream Governour of this Realm , in all 
 ^aufes Spiritual or Ecclefiaftical ( that is, as 
 o all Coercive Government abent fuch Catifes % 
 iiftinft from Spiritual Government by the 
 Kejes of the Word upon mens Conferences ) fo 
 ve mull accordingly obey him ^ and no 
 Agreements, or Covenants, or Canons of 
 :>ur own or others , without a true and cer- 
 :airt prohibition from the Law of God, mud 
 )e pretended againft our obedience to lawful 
 cowers. For Gods Law having already 
 bound us to obey our Rulers , we cannot by 
 my Power, or Covenants, or Agreenjents of 
 )ur own,difoblige our felvcs : Otherwise men 
 night evade a great part of their duty ^ and 
 while they pretend to difpencc with the Laws 
 :>f God, they (hould, in a fort, fee up them- 
 iclves as above him. But if man command us 
 :odifobey our Maker, we muftdifobey that 
 :ommand, though with patient fubmiffion to 
 fa ffcrings, 'without refiftance, or reproaching 
 }f our Governours. 
 
 And becaufe fome men of narrow prin- 
 ciples, arc calling for AfTent to many more 
 particulars (cfpecially about Church-Offices, 
 andWorfhip, and Difcipline) and will not 
 
 bear 
 
bear with thofejthat in fmaller things diflent { 
 from them t especially if Minifters ^ I have! 
 added 80. Thefts about the Offices of the ] 
 Minifters of Chrift, containing fuch things'] 
 as one would think,for Number and Quality 9 \ 
 might be taken as fuffioentfor our Concord' 
 and Communion with thofe whofe Opinions] 
 hinder not the profperity of their Charity j 
 and of the Church. 
 
 And now cali meby what Name or Title 
 thou feeft caufe ^ here thou haft my Profejfion 
 and my Judgement about the matters of the 
 Church : If thou defire to fee the practical 
 part that will bear it , exemplified in any 
 Forms ^ I (hould not refufe to give thee fuch 
 Jarisfaftion upon any juft occafion. I know 
 of no Title that well agreeth co the nature of 
 that Rdigtin which indeed I bold, and which 
 I have here propofed s and which I think 
 would be fit for the Churches to agree in, but 
 CHRISTIAN&CATH*)L1KE % 
 andchefelown ; If thou give me any other, 
 let him that maketh or ufcth it, be refponfible 
 for it. 
 
 Underftand alfo that this General Part , 
 containing the Pefitives of the C at holikf Rt- L 
 ligion y and fit materials of Cdtholike Concord % 
 is Wat the fir fi Part of the Boek, the fecond in 
 
 tended 
 
tended being iomewhat large ^ as containing 
 the particular terms on which the Abaffines, 
 Armenians, Greeks, Romanifts, Lutheranes , 
 Calvinifts, Arminians,Contra-remonftrsnts , 
 Epifcopal, Presbyterian, Independents, and 
 moderate Anabaptifts (hoald be agreed ; and 
 difcovcring that with rnoft of the parties, the 
 jprcfent difagreements arc not fuch as (hould 
 break Communion, and caufe them to rejeft 
 each other as too many uncharitably do. 
 
 I conclude with one neceflary Adver- 
 tifement to thee, that if thou wouldft noc 
 be cheated of thy Religion by thofe thac 
 are ftill p^rfwading men that the effentials 
 or Fundamentals of Religion asjdiftind 
 from the Integral parts cmnot be known, 
 becaufc no one certain perfed form of words 
 is given to the Church which containeth 
 thofe and none but thofe, remember that it is 
 the matter and fence believed, Loved and 
 Obeyed that is the efTence of Religion and 
 necefTary to falvation for it felf-, but the 
 Words art only Nee jfarj&s revealing or ex- 
 prefiing the Matter : And therefore t ! >e 
 fame form of Voords or fentences is not Ne- 
 ceffarj alike to all.The molt General ^ordsjxtc 
 inoft compre hen five, and moft certainly ta^e 
 in all the matter : But then the panic filar 
 
 things 
 
things which muft neceflarUy be underftood, 
 arc not alike conceived of by all men by th6 
 helpe or ufe of General expreffions : A 
 wife underflanding Chriftian when he faith 
 but £ I believe in God the Father , the Son, 
 and the Hoi) Ghift,'] doth djftinftly con- 
 ceive of all thofe things that effentially con- 
 ftitute fuch a true belief •, when perhaps an 
 ignoranter weaker perfon muft have thofe 
 Generals opened by more diftinft expreffions, 
 and more particularly, before he can have a 
 true apprehenfion of fuch effentials. And 
 therefore the more Ignorant any perfon is, 
 ( c&teris paribus) the more large, diftinft 
 and particular his Creed or Profejfion fhould 
 be ; becaufe he conceiveth of nothing but 
 by very particular diftind: expreffions, when 
 the judicious by a few words conceive of. as 
 touch as the ignorant by many. 
 
 Though much of the fecmd Part of this 
 Treatife be long fincc prepared, yet fo great 
 arethethreatningsof God to deprive me of 
 opportunities of publike ferving him, and fo 
 wonderful is the impatience of men againft 
 Peace makers, ( as crofting their opinions^ in- 
 terefts and dejignes) that I have great reafon 
 to queftion whether ever it will fee the 
 light : And therefore I intreat thee at the 
 
 prefent 
 
prefent to accept of this imperfeft piece 
 alone, from hinuhat is refolved by the help 
 of Chrift, and in confidence on his promife, 
 Afatth.5.9. to continue his endeavours 
 fthoiagh weak and unfuccesful) for the Chur- 
 ckes Peace ,t hough it coll him a thoufand mere 
 injuries and flanders, and all that furious 
 profperous malice can inflift,as being 
 
 His fervant who will beare our 
 charges, and fave us harmlefs 
 in his work. 
 
 Rich. 'Baxter. 
 
 Er- 
 
 i 
 
Errata* 
 
 PAg. 4. 1. it. for [ tbefeventh dxy ] read [ the Sab* 
 batbday]. pag. 10, 11. Thofe that would hare 
 more brevity, may blot out [ to reconcile And Win? 
 *ie ttnto God ] and all after [ Sanftifier ] to the end 
 °f that Paragraph. Pag. 24. 1. 12. blot out [ and 
 Cenfent] Pag. 61. 1. 1. blot out [ any] Pag. 68. 1. 3. 
 for I great'] r. [ argent 3 and 1. 6* for I omit] r. 
 I over-pafs ] 
 
The neceflary Grounds, Ends and 
 Principles of a Univerfal Concord* 
 between all faithful Paftors and 
 Churches according to their capacity 
 of Communion, 
 
 OR our grounds. 
 
 I. We take the Word of God 
 for the Rule of our Faith, 
 and Law of the Church, faf- 
 ficientlj determining .of all 
 that is of Standing , Vnivcrfal Necejftty or 
 Duty, in order to Salvation and the Plcafing 
 of God; and giving us f efficient General Pre 
 tepts and Directions, for the determining of 
 all foch circumftances in Worjhip and Holy 
 Obedience^ as are not of flanding, univerial 
 iNeccflity or Duty, but are mutable and va* 
 riable: It is therefore none of our intent to 
 make any Laws for our Brethren, or impofc 
 any thing as Duty that God hath not ita- 
 ?ofed. 
 
 (a) [IWc 
 
II. We here fappofe and include the La* 
 ef Nature and Revelation of the will of God 
 by his works when we fpeak of the fufficien- 
 cyof his Word. 
 
 III. We fuppofc the Neceflity of Reafon 
 and Illumination t zn& theufc of Means both 
 Jnftituted, NaturaUndoi Arts, forthright 
 undemanding of the Word ef Go i : and there- 
 fore (hall take*////?./* for our Rule, which by 
 thefe Helps and Means may be fuffitiently 
 proved to be the fenfe of the Word or Work* 
 ef God.* 
 
 I V.Becaufe we are affured that the Primi- 
 tive Churches were acquainted with the mind 
 of God, in all the points of Necejfitj, about 
 his Worfbip and the Government ofehe Church 9 
 and becaufc we bear a reverence to thofe 
 times,and are not willing needlefly to fwerve 
 from their example* -, we (hall therefore put 
 nothing into this our Agreement as a ftand* 
 ing % neceffary Duty^ in which we have not 
 the confenc of thofe Ant ient Churches. 
 
 V. Though our minift^rial Duty and Au- 
 thority do arife from the Laws of Chrift 
 himfelf-, yet in fubordination to him, we 
 fubmic to the jufi commands of Magiftra\es % 
 and thankfully accept of their encourage 
 raenc aad Help, even in the matters of the 
 
 houft 
 
 
feoufe and worflup of the Lord. And ther? 
 fore we refolve to keep as neer their Directi- 
 ons andLaws as we can, in congruence- with 
 fcur Divine and princif*l Rule and grounds; 
 and Ends, and in all things lawful to obey 
 them. 
 
 VT. And becaufe we are not Lords but 
 Minifters, and have no forcible, Magifterial 
 Power, but a Minifierial Authority to di- 
 reft, perfwade and command as fervants in 
 our Mafters name, and cannot govern people 
 as their Paftors againft their wills, we (hall 
 therefore expeft the Confent of our people, 
 and not prefume to take them as members of 
 our Churches and fpecial charge ; and bring 
 them under the yoak of Difcipline, without 
 their confent 9 or againft their minds and 
 wills. 
 
 VII. Becaufe we are all imperfeft, and 
 heed the Advice and Help of others, and 
 becaufe it is the will of God that his Churches 
 and Servants live in Unity, we (hall, in cafes 
 of Difficulty, and where the concurrence of 
 our Brethren may promote our work, con- 
 fult with them, and do as much of our work 
 as we can, by their Advite and in a way of 
 Ccnccrd. 
 
 And thus we may confidently proceed as 
 (a 2} gouig 
 
going upon fare grounds, and expeft the con- 
 currence of ourBrethen, and be out of the 
 reach of rational calumny, while we have 
 the Holy Scripture, or the Law of Nature, 
 difcerncd by Illuminated Reafon, for what we 
 do : while we have the leading judgement of 
 the Ancient Churches, the command, allow- 
 ance, encouragement or permiflion of the Ma- 
 gifirate, the confent of pur People % and oui 
 Mrethrens concord and Advice. 
 
 2. (f~\lh Ends in this Agreement, are, 
 \*J\. Ultimately the pleafing and Glori- 
 fying of God. II. The faving our own and 
 peoples fouls. III. The winning of unfan- 
 dificd fouls to God. IV. The Prefervation 
 and Edification, and obedient, fruitful, ex- 
 emplary lives of thofe that are fandified. 
 V. The fruitful and comfortable communion 
 of Saints. VI* The right adminiftration of 
 holy things, that Ordinances may be owned 
 by God and profper. VII. The maintaining of 
 Union and CommuniQn among the Chur- 
 ches and miniftcrs ©f Chrift with more 
 fuch like, which will be after menti- 
 oned, 
 
 3. The 
 
3. tT^He Pri»ciples which we proceed on ia 
 •*■ order to the following Practices, are 
 thcfe, andfachas thele. 
 
 I. We are agreed that it is the. Dr;y of 
 Ministers to Treath the Werd, ?,;iCl be iiRanE 
 infeafon and out of feafon, and a* teach and 
 endeavour to win as many to Chrift • as they 
 can .• especially thole in their feveral Pa- 
 rishes, for whole inftmftion rhcy. are ap- 
 pointed by the magistrate, and have the pub- 
 like maintenance. 
 
 n. We are agreed that all members of the 
 Vnivtrjal Church, that have opportunity 
 ihould joyn themlelvcs as members to fome 
 Particular Churches, for ordinary commu- 
 nion of Saints, in pubhke worftup, and for 
 the helping of each other in holy Obedience, ' 
 andagainllfin , and that rhey (hould know 
 their own Pattors, and the Pallors know their 
 proper flock, as far as may be, in order to 
 Ehe faithful difcharge of their great truft, 
 Atts 14. 23. Titos I. 5. I Thetfal. 5. 
 12, 13. 
 
 III. We are agreed that it is the duty of 
 Pallors to Teach and Rule (or Guide) the 
 Bocks, and to go before them as the Mini- 
 (a 3) ftcrs 
 
Jlefs of Chrift, in the publike Adminiflnu 
 tion of his holy Ordinances : And that it is 
 the peoples duty to joyn with them in thi$ 
 pablike worlhip, and fubmit to their due 
 Adminlftrations, to hear them, and obey 
 jthem,and to honour them and highly cfteera 
 them in Love for their work and matters 
 fake, and to be at peace among themfelvcs. 
 
 IV. We are agreed that the Baptifm of 
 Infants, giveth none a Right to the Church 
 memberftiip and Priviledges of the Adult, 
 unlc/s they add a perfonal profeffion (clear 
 orobfeure) of their own faith. 
 
 V, We are agreed that this Profeffion 
 mud be Credible ; and therefore muft feem 
 Vnderfl*nding % Deliberate , Voluntary^Serid$u 9 
 net Nullified or made invalid by a contra- 
 ditting tongue er Life ; and that it muft Mate* 
 riallj contain the whole effence rf Chriftia- 
 pity : And that in order to their admittance 
 to Church communion, men are not the fete 
 Judges of their o^n profeffion, but it muft be 
 Credible to them to whom it belongeth to ad- 
 mit them to Communion. 
 
 y I. We are agreed that ordinarily none art 
 tQ be refufed Communion, that make fjtch 4 
 frefefjfion of Chriftianity, as above faid, and 
 dejire Communion^ and confent to be members 
 
 of 
 
of the Churches where they live, and to futr 
 mit to Minifterialoverfight and Government* 
 and to do the duty of fellow-members unto 
 others • Yea though they arc weak in know- 
 ledge and Grace, and duty , and want convenu 
 ent expreflions. 
 
 We (hall take up with a credible Profeffi- 
 on ("that is[fuch as feemeth to be under- 
 ftanding, deliberate, voluntary and ferious, 
 not nullified by contrary words or deeds ) 
 notwithftanding the weaknefTes of men. 
 i. Becaufe we are not fearchers of the heart,, 
 and therefore mud believe a credible perfon, 
 till we can difprove him. 2. Becaufe we 
 find the Scripture example guiding us in this 
 way, jta. 2. 37, 38,4i- & 4- 4- &8. 13,37. 
 & 16.33. Matth. IS.3,5, 6 . Rom. 10. 9. ; 
 3. -Becaufe we find that God doth much 
 lay mens good or evil upon their own choice. 
 4. Becaufe we muft be tender of refufing the 
 weakeft that Chrift doth not refufe, or of 
 wronging men in fo great a matter as the 
 Helps of their Salvation are. 
 
 And yet we (hall receive no other, nor 
 promifcuoufly admit all of our Pariflics in 
 Common as now they are 1. Becaufe we 
 know to our forcow too many of them to 
 bcgrojlj ignerant of the Eficntids ef ChrU 
 (a 4 5 JfrVwwj. 
 
fitfiitj. 2. And too many of them deny 
 (in many places) thefaid cffentials. 3. And 
 many of them never made a perfonal profejjion 
 of Faith and Holinefs, for ought we know 
 (and we cannot judge of latent things : ) 
 4. Many of them nullify their Profejfionsand 
 inake them utterly incredible by notorious un- 
 godly lives, and violating their Baptifmal 
 covenant. 5. If they refufc cetfem, they 
 refufe their own mercies •, and God or the 
 Church do not give fuch priviledges to re- 
 fuferss or non accepters. 6. If we take all 
 thefc and fuch other as are unfit into the 
 Church, and put them under Difcipline, that 
 cannot bear it, we take the way to undo them 
 •for ever, by making them defperatc enemies 
 of the truth. For as their reigning fin is like 
 to harden them againft reproof, and bring 
 them under publike cenfure, fo when they 
 find themfelves fhamed and caft out, they 
 aremoft likely to hate the Minifter and his 
 teaching, and ndver more to be profited by 
 hirn : when as in the ftate of catechumens ,they 
 would have remained lefs irritated, and fo 
 rnore teachable and in. hope. 7. We can- 
 not fpiritually£#»7/r and gevern* men againft 
 their mils : and therefore cannot be their 
 $aftmi nor undertake to doit againft their 
 
 wills 
 
will**, or without their own confenr. 8. We 
 have eaufcto judge that men would take it 
 as a heynous injury, if we bring chem under 
 this difpleafing Discipline without their own 
 confent. 9. They canr ot perform th e Duty 
 of Church members to God^ the Paflors or 
 their Brethren^ without their owr* confentT 
 and therefore they are not to be numbred 
 ivith adult Church-members , nor re- 
 ceive the Prrvilcdges o\ fuch. 10. The ex- 
 cellent ends of Church Holinefs by Difcipline 
 before cxp will be fruftrate, and the 
 
 contrary n brought upon the Chur- 
 
 hes which are and great. 11. The 
 
 Rubrick and Canons direct us to deny the&t- 
 :ranjsnt to the fear we refolve ther?- 
 
 ore in fubordina: word of God to 
 
 haverefpect to thefe directions of our Go« 
 ycrnours. The powers both Civil and Ecclc- 
 iaftical, did command and order in the book 
 )f Common Prayer £ that none be admitted 
 9 the holy communion, till they tun fay the 
 ^atechifm, and be confirmed. ] And they give 
 :hefe Reafor.s for confirmation at full age 
 " (t 1. Becaufe rhan wl^n children come to 
 'years of difcretion and have !earned what 
 c their God- fathers and God-mothers pro- 
 'raifed for them in Baptifm, they may then 
 
 "them. 
 
€C thernfeLves with their own mouth and their 
 €c own confent t openly before the Church , 
 "ratifie and confirm the fame • and alfo 
 "promife that by the Qrace of God they 
 <c will evermore endeavour themfelves faith- 
 " folly to obferve and keep fach things as 
 " they by their own mouth and confeffion 
 <c have affirmed unto. 3 . For that it is agree- 
 c< able with theufagcof the Church in times 
 <c paft : whereby it was ordained thatcon- 
 " formation fhould be rainiftred to them that 
 V were of perfed age , that they being in- 
 truded in Chrifts Religion, (hould openly 
 <c profefs their own Faith, and promife to be 
 cc obedient to the Willof God.] We fo far 
 reverence the antient Church, and the Au- 
 thority that cftablfhcd this in England , that 
 we (hall not cauflcfly negled fo much of this 
 as we can perform. 
 
 VII. We are agreed that it is the will of 
 Chrift that holy Difcipline or Government 
 be ordinarily exercifed in the Churches : That 
 thegrofs andfcandalous (inners be reproved, 
 and the unreformed and impenitent, after 
 due means and pasjpnee, be put away from 
 the Communion of the Church , and the 
 penitent abfolved ; And that wilfully to neg 
 led: this holy Order and Work, is ahainous 
 
 fin 
 
 C 
 
fin : Fori I. It is neceffary by Precept * as 
 | thefe Canons teftifie: Lev. 19-17. M*tth. 
 18. 15, 16, 17,18. 1 Or. 5. Tit. 1. 13. & 
 2.15.&3. 10. 1 Ti^iii'% X S- & 5- '9 ? 20 t 
 21,22,24/2 77w. 3 -5- & 4.2. 2 77^/3.6,14. 
 
 2. It maketh for the honour of God, that 
 his Hofincfs may be feen in the face of the 
 Church, which he hath chofen to be a glafs to 
 reprefent it to the world , and men may not 
 reproach him with the impurities of his 
 Church • And it is ncceflary to the honour 
 of our Redeemer , the Head and Saviour of 
 the Church, that he be not reproached with 
 the lofs of his labour, and the deformities o£ 
 his body : As alfo it is needful to the honour 
 of our SanSifier, that the world may fee that 
 Holinefs is a real thing , and leaves not Saints 
 as defiled as the world. 
 
 3. It it needful alfo to the honour of the 
 Church, which is the Garden, and Vineyard, 
 and Family of God • a peculiar people , a 
 royal Priefthood, a holy Nation 5 and not to 
 be like the common Wildernefs , but fitted 
 for the praife of him that called thera,and the 
 Communion of Saiitfs. 
 
 4. It is a part of the very office and work 
 of Paftors : the power is effential to them , 
 and the exercife ordinarily their duty. 
 
 5- It 
 
$. It condueeth to the conviftion andfal- . 
 vationof the unbelieving world, who are not I 
 capable of judging of our dodrine by it felf, J 
 but will judge of it by the quality of the" 
 Church that doth profefs it. If the Chnrch * 
 be impure, they will fly from Chrift and the " 
 Gofpel as impure : And nothing is more like ^ 
 to win them , then a vifibh innocency and 1 s ' 
 cleannefs in the Church. 
 
 6. It tendethalfo to the convincing andf 
 converting of notorious ungodly people I 
 among- our felves , when there is a vifible 
 difference between them and the Churches. 
 
 7. And it tendeth to the bruifing the head 1 
 of the Serpent, by calling an open ihame on 
 fin. 
 
 8. It condueeth alfo to the honour of ho- 
 linefs, when it is thus folemnly exalted , and 
 the precious feparated from the vile : And fo 
 men will be encouraged to own it , againft 
 the reproach that is caft upon it in the 
 world. 
 
 9. It tendeth alfo to the prefervation of 
 the Church from thevenome and infe&ion of 
 herefieand fenfuality, vd the imitation of 
 the ungodly in theiriin , that a little of their 
 leaven do not leaven the whole lump. 
 
 10. It tendeth alfo to the comfortable 
 
 Com- 
 
Communion of the Saints", and the maintain- 
 ngof brotherly Love and Charity : Where- 
 is if the Church be conftituted of notorious 
 wgedljmen^ the faithful cannot Love them 
 vith the facial Love that is due to Saints, nor 
 ommmicate to them as fuck ; but will take 
 jp with a common Love and Communication f 
 tfhich is fitter in the world then in the 
 Zhurcb. 
 
 1 1 . It will prcferve the Churches beautiful 
 md acceptable in the eyes of God , that fo 
 le may delight in them , and own his Ordi- 
 lances with the more plenteous blefiing ; and 
 n the Church there will be as a reprefentati- 
 >n of the Judgement to come (pra judicium 
 'uturi JHaiciifUt Tcrtull.) when theimpuri- 
 y of it by the negleft of Difcipline , may 
 )roYoke him to punifh the Church for the 
 ins which they connive at , and to with- 
 iraw his Grace and difown his Ordinan- 
 es. 
 
 12. Laftly, Difcipline is neceffary for the 
 [capable J offendor himfelf , to fharne and 
 irive him from his fin : andto the Penitent 
 hat by that comfortable Ordinance of Ab- 
 folution, they may be aflifted in applying the 
 promifcto thcmfclves, and may be revived 
 by hearing the voice of peace from the rcouth 
 
 of 
 
of an authorized Meffenger of Chrlft. Thefe 
 great and manifold ends and ufes to which 
 God hath appointed the cxercife of the 
 Key es, and the Government and holy Order 
 of his Church, will cry out againft us, as great 
 tranfgreffors, if we (hall wilfully neglcft fuch 
 a needful work, having undertaken the Office! 
 SO which it doth belong. 
 
 V 1 1 L Yet we arc agreed that Difciplind 
 muft not be made -a pretence to any unjufi 
 cenforioufnefs, or rigor f much lefs to tjrannie 
 or revenge : Nor mull we bring men to open 
 fhame t or caft them out of our Gommuniori 
 for fin repented of, confefedtndforfaken ^ nor 
 yetforthemeer infirmities of Believers, or 
 fins that are not fcandalons or grofs ; Nor 
 muft Paftors prefumc by excommunicating 
 Kings and Rulers, to difhonour them and en 
 danger Obedience and Qvil peace. 
 
 IX. We are agreed that as there muft be a 
 perfonal communion of Christians for the 
 worfhipping of God* and for holy walking in 
 a particular Church, fo there muft be a com- 
 munion of Churches, as far as nccclficy dotf| 
 require, aod our capacity will allow : That fo 
 they may communicate the truths and mer- 
 cies which they receive % and may know how 
 to receive or rcfufe fuch, as are received 01 
 
 rejedei 
 
reje&ed by any of the Churched ThePaftors 
 therefore ( with other meet perfons) (hould 
 npcet together ('having leave granted by 
 the Civil Chriftian Magiftrate ) and 
 hold correfpondency. to thefc ends as oft as 
 they well can : As alfo for the helping and 
 ftrcngtheningof each other, and doing the 
 work of God in Concord, and other ends to 
 be mentioned anon. 
 
 X. Into this Communion we arc agreed,' 
 that all fuch true Pafiors ( and Churches ) 
 are to be admitted , as make a credible fre* 
 fejfion of Faith and Holinefs •, and that fuch 
 as deny this,ov are Heretickj, or of Jcandalota 
 ungodly lives , rauft after a firft and fecond 
 admonition , be reje&ed by the reft of the 
 Pafiors and the Churches. ( So as in the man- 
 ner they make no disturbance of Civil obedi- 
 ence or Peace.) 
 
THE 
 
 Chriftian Religion. 
 
 ExprefTed I. briefly, in the 
 ancient Creeds, the ten Com- 
 mandments y and the Lords 
 Prayer. 
 
 And tt more largely in a Trofefsi- 
 on taken out of the holy Scriptures $ 
 Containing 1. The Articles ot the 
 Chriftian Belief. 2. Our Confent to 
 the Gofpel Covenant. 3 . The fum of 
 Chriftian Duty. 
 
 According to the Primitive Simplicity, 
 
 Purity, and Pra&ice : Pitted to the right 
 Inftru&ingof the Ignorant, the promo- 
 ting of Holinefs, and the Charitable 
 Concord of all true Believers. 
 
 Which whofoever fincerely Believeth,Cohfen- 
 teth to, and Pn &il'ct!i 3 (lull certain y uC faved. 
 
 It h alfo by prefixed Jgjteflio'is, made a Cuechifm. 
 
 By Richard Baxter. 
 
 London Primed, 1660. 
 

 T 
 
 To fill up this vacant Page. 
 
 *&E Vapifls Confefsion of the fufficiency of our Belief. 
 
 Concil. Bafil. Orac. Raguf. Bin. p. 29?. [ The Holy 
 Scripture in the literal I fcnfe,foundly and well under flood, is 
 the Infallible and mofi fufficicnt Rule of faith. ] 
 
 Bcllarm. dc verbo Dei, L 4.C. 11. I In the Christian doftrint 
 both of Faith and Manners, fome things are, [imply necejjary to faU 
 vation, to all-, as the knowledge of the Articles of the Apoftles Creel 
 of the ten Commandments , and of fome Sacraments : The reft are nek 
 fo Necejjary, that a man cannot be faved without the explicite $nor* 
 ledge, belief and profejfion of them — The fe things that arefimpl} 
 neceffary,and are Profitable to all, the Apoftles pre ached to aSL 
 
 All things are written by the Apoftles which are Necejfary 1 al% 
 *U which they openly preacht to all ] ( See the place. ) V 
 
 • 
 
 Coftenus Encbirid. c. i.p. 49. Non inficiamur praecipua Hlafi 
 dei capita quae omnibus Chriftianis cognitu funt ad falutem ua At 
 ccflaria, perfpicue fatis effe Apoftolicis fcriptis comprchenfa 
 
 Tht 
 
The ChrifHan Religiw. I 
 
 The Ancient Creed. 
 
 I Believe in God the Father 
 Almighty, MtMer of 
 Heaven and Earth: And 
 in fefus Chrifi his only 
 Son our Lord, who was 
 conceived by the Holy 
 \Chofi y born of the Virgin 
 Mary • fuffered under 
 Pontius Pilate, 
 
 I Believe in one God the Father 
 Almighry^nuker of Heaven 
 and earn , and of aU things 
 vifibie and invisible ; and in one 
 Lord JefusChrift the only breot- 
 ten So»f God, be-otten or his 
 Fathen^f ;re all worlds, God of 
 God, Ughtof Light, very God of 
 very God^begotren not made, be- 
 ing of one fubftance with the Fa- 
 ther, by whom all things were 
 made : who for us men, and for 
 
 ypOA Cru- ! our kl vat i° B came down from 
 " ' heaven , and was incarnate bv the 
 
 holy Ghoit of the virgin Mary, 
 and was made man, and was cruci- 
 fied alfo for us under Ponnu* Pi- 
 
 cified , dead and buried 
 he descended into Hell 
 
 the third day he rofe again . late. He fuffered and was buried. 
 ■A,„**, +L» A* * A L „r^.«> ! and the third day he rofe again 
 from the dead; he afcenA accordin . to thr ; scnpr B re s , ani 
 
 dedinto Heaven,and [ittteth] afcended into heaven, and frtcth 
 
 *L ~l*. I J f sv J at the right hand of the Fathers 
 
 m the right hand of God And helhall ccme a^ain with 
 
 the Father Almighty, from glory to judge bo'h the quick and 
 
 i i n n • J the dead ; whofe kingdom (hail 
 
 thence he JballcometO judge \ ha veno end. And I believe in 
 
 he quick and the dead. lbe-\ * he holy Ghoft , the Lord and 
 heve tn the Holy Uhvjt ; the ; from the Father and the Son, who 
 holy Cathclick Churchy thl\ with the Father and the Son to- 
 u. J . y . 7 , gcther is wortnipped and glorifij 
 
 Communion of SatntS \ the] td, who fpake by the Prophets. 
 c ornvenefs ef fins ; ' the a** 1 believe oBeCatholike and 
 
 /? [ J r i /j Apoftolike Chuich > I acknow- 
 
 "efurreCTlon of the body A ledge one Baptifm for the rcmiiE, 
 
 %na tne itje ivertejtwg,\ rcfurreaion of lhcJc ad,and the 
 imen, I Ufc of clac world to come. %A*»<n± 
 
 %* 
 
2 "the Chriflian Religion. 
 
 T jit / Hofoevcr will be favcd : before all things, it is necef- 
 
 Y/ Y/ fary that he ho'd the Catholike faith. 
 
 Which faith except every one do keep wholly and 
 undefiled : without doubt he fliall pciiili everlaftingly. 
 
 And the Catholike faith is this : that we worftiip one God in 
 Trinity, and Trinity in Unity : 
 
 Neither confoundin^the perfons : nor dividing the fubftance. 
 
 For there is one perfon of the Father, another of the Son, and ' 
 another of the holy Ghoft. 
 
 But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the holy 
 Ghoft, is all one : the ^lory equal, the Majefty cdeternal. 
 
 Such as the Father i§fuch is the Son:& fuch is the holy Ghoft. 
 
 The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the holy Ghoft I 
 uncreate. - 
 
 The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and 
 the holy Ghoft incomprehenfiole. 
 
 The Father eternal,the Son eternal,and the holyGhoft eternal. 
 
 And yet they are not three eternals .• bur one eternal. 
 
 As alfo there be not three inco^ -prehenfiblc s, nor three uncrc- ; 
 ated : but one r.ncreated, and one ificoruoiehcn^ble. 
 ■ So likewife the Father is Almighty, viz Son Almighty, and ^ 
 the Holy Ghoft Almighty. 
 
 And yet they are not three Almighties : but one Almighty. * 
 So the Father is God,the Son is God,& the holy Ghoft is God, <j 
 
 And yet they arc not three Gods : but one God, 
 
 So likewife the Father is Lord, the Son Lord , and the hoi) f 
 Ghoft Lord, : * 
 
 And yet not three Lords : but one Lord. ' 
 
 For like as we be compelled by the Chriflian verity , t< P 
 acknowledge every perfon by himfelf to be God and Lord. 
 
 So are w forbidden by the Catholike Religion, to fay thcrtf 1 
 be three God±> or rhiee Lords. 
 
 The Fachcr is made of none : neither Created, nor begotten, h 
 
 The Son is of the Father alone : not made, nor created, bu *U 
 begotten. F 
 
 The holy Ghoft is of the Father,and of the Son;neither made U 
 por created; nor begotten, but proceeding. 
 
The Chriflian Religion. 3 
 
 So there is one Father, not three Fathers $ one Son, not three 
 Sons j one holy Ghoft,noi three holy G-ofts 
 
 And in this Trinity none is afore or after o:her, nor.e is great- 
 r or lefs then another. 
 But tta whole three perfons be coetern.il together,and cc?quaL 
 
 So that in all things, as is aforefaid, che Unity in Frinity and 
 he Trinity in Unity is to be worfhi \^d. 
 1 He therefore that will be faved: e Trinity, 
 
 Furthermore, it is neceffary to everl&ftin* fa ! varion ; that he 
 Ifo believe rightly in the incarnation ci our Lord JefusChrlft, 
 
 For the right faith is, that we believe andctJhfefs : that oar 
 ord Jefus Chrift the Son of God, is God and man, 
 God of the fubftance of the Fathcr,begotten before the worlds: 
 nd man of the fubftance of his mother, born in the world. 
 
 Perfect God and perfect man : of a reafonable foul, and hu- 
 lane flefh fubfiiting. 
 
 Equal to the Father as touching his Godhead : and inferiour 
 ) the Father touching his manhood. 
 
 Who although he be God and man : yet he is not two 3 Wt one 
 thrift. 
 
 One, not by Convcrfion of the Godhead into fle(h,butby 
 tking of .le manh od Into God. 
 
 One altogether , not by confufion of fubitance 3 but by unity of 
 :rfon. 
 
 For as the reafonable foul and flefh is one man : fo God and 
 lan is one Chnft. 
 
 Who fuflfcred for our falvation, defcended into hell, *ofe again 
 Le third day from th- dead. 
 
 He afcended into hiiven, and fitteth on the right hand o^the 
 srther, God almighty, from whence he fhall come to judge the 
 aick and the dead 
 
 At whofe coming all men fhall rife again with their bodies : 
 j id (hall give account for their own wo 
 
 And they that haV^ done good- (hal 1 ft cverlafting : 
 
 }d they that have dene evif, into everlafUng Sre. 
 ^This is the Catholike faith: which except a man belie Y« 
 j ^thfully, he cannot be faYed. 
 
4 7 be chnflian Religton. 
 
 The ten Commandments, Exod. 20. 
 
 Gg)DfpafeeatttbefetBotf0,fapinff> 3 am tbe Lotfi tbp ©ou » 
 toMcbbaDeb;misbctbeeo*ieoftbetonD of Cgypt> out of tbe 
 joule of boufca e. 
 
 Slbou \Wt b*tjc no otber ocoto befojte me. 
 ©jen fbaft not mafee unto tbee anp graven image* ox anp lifce* 
 
 ttCf« ©fany thin- than is ttti&eamtt abobe* Ql tljat tf III tilt ^art& 
 
 bcncatlb o* tbat is in tbe toater tinner He eartb > &boH fealt not 
 boto Bourn tfouelf to tfam? no* ferbe tbeni; fojt3 tbe lotfi tbp 
 ^otiam aieaUras #et^ toiftring tbe fntqufcte« of t&e JFat^rs 
 upon tie cuilbjm* nnto the tbteo anafourtb generation of tbein 
 I t*)*t bate me ^ ana tbetomg mere? unto tyoufann* of tbem tbat 
 lotieme^anD fceepmPcommanDments. 
 
 Ebou (bait noc rake t&e name 0' tbe LojtD tbP 45o& in bain ; fc;t 
 t&e Lot* tottl not bolD bun guiltlefs tbat taketb bis naim in bain* 
 
 Remember tbe feabbatb Dav to Iteep tt boll? : fit &ap* ajalt 
 tbou Iabour>a.iD 00 all tbp tuoifc s but tbefetantb Dap 19 tbe^ab* 
 Ibatboftb^G^tJtbv^ocij in it tljou fljalt not Do ant> tuo^ 5 tbou> 
 not tfep foujnoM^ Daiubter? tbpmamfenjant, no* tby matD* 
 fenmnt, iwtbp cattebnoi tbe ftranotei* tbat tsUrtbtn tbygate*: 
 %o% in fie Dav* tbe LojtD maDe beaten anD eartb ? tlje fea> 
 ana all that tn tbem is? anD refteD tbefetoentbDaps toberefoje 
 tbe to*D btefca tijc $etoent& Dat> antj ballotoeD it. 
 
 honour rbp fatber anD tbv motber, tbat tbP Dags map be 
 fong upon tbe lann u>bicbtbeLojDtbp©oD gibetbtbee. 
 
 C&ouftalt not full. 
 
 fTbou ibaltnot commit aDulterp* 
 
 Cbeuiljat not (Teal. 
 
 C&on foait not bearfrrtfc tomtefaa<xatnntbp0eifl;blJour* 
 
 feoon fbnrlt norco^et tb^net&b^ouiBbomeitboutoitnot cobet 
 t&p neigblwii** Mfo noibisman-fenjant^no* bie mat'Merbant, 
 toot big o^noji 6.0 atejnw an? tbtug tbat i* tb? neigbbours. 
 
 The Lords Prayer, Mai . 6, 
 
 OSR fatber tobiebatt in E;eaben, ballotocbbe tty J5ame: 
 &bp Stfn«Dom come : Wtt will be Done in eartb as it i*i« 
 fceafcen : ©toe tcsr tbis Day our DatlpbjeaD ? anb fmgibe 110 
 3ttr urjbtsr > a? toe fojgibe our tiebtojia > 3n& lean n^ not into 
 temptation > bnt neliber u^ from e*ri! > fo* tbine te tbe King* 
 8om> anD tbe $otm> anD tbe ©io^p 3 f^ eber> Amen, 
 
The Chriftlan Relight*. 
 
 The Profession of the 
 Ch r i s t i a n Religion. 
 
 I. The Articles of the Chrifiian Belief. 
 
 It is a Cc-tecbifm if y§u prefix to every Article, the 
 JVueftiov, ao&at DOpou bclietoe i 
 
 i . T>Here is one only God (*) Or 
 i.OfGoD. I ^y m three perfon$ * che fubfiftcn- 
 
 Father, Son and Holy Ghoft (b) : Who is SJ'iCor. 
 Infinite in Being,Power,Wifdom and Good- 8.4,$. " 
 nefs (c) : The Creator of all things (d)-,Our (b) Mat. 
 moft abfolute Lord, moft Righteous Go- 28 _ **• 
 vernour , and moft gracious Father(e). 
 
 1 17. Pfal. 139. 7, 8, 9. & 147. j . Ifa. 40. 17. (d) Neh. 5. ۥ 
 Cc)Rcv.4.8.8ciy.3.Ex.34.^.Ezck.iS.4.Pfal.47.7. & 119. *3. 
 Be I4<<9- 
 
 ■ , > ' 2. God made man for /n ~„ 
 I °f theC /T n A himfelf ( f ) in his own £ 7°*' 
 Lmm J image (g) ; with Reafon (g) Gen. 
 
 and freewill (h): endued ****• 
 with wifdom and holinefs (i) . and put under ( h ) Dcuc * 
 him the inferior creatures,for his ufc(k) :and 2?j ^oi, 
 
 3. 10. Ecclcf.7.29. (k) Pal 8. j 3 tf. 
 B 4 bound 
 
6 ' ThfChrifiian Religion. 
 
 (1) Mar. bound him by the Law of Nature to adhere 
 
 DcutV V t0 Gocl hlS Maker \ t0 BellCve h>m,fear him, 
 ^ IO ,'.; love him, honour him and obey him with all 
 & 1.32. his powers (I): Moreover forbidding him to 
 (m; Gen. eat of the tree of Knowledge upon pain of 
 a. i* 5 17- death (m). 
 
 ^aM&V. ^ «ii j 3- Man being tempted 
 Johns 4 l ^7/^ by Satan,did wilfully fin, 
 Ro.^^12,^^^^ and lo tell from God 
 
 ?8 Gcn.3. andHappincfs,under the 
 
 <b) Rom. wrath ofGod(a),the curie of his Law(b)and 
 \*9#9frl* l ^ c P ower ofthe Devil (c); And hence we 
 ■ &6.z$. are all conceived in fin, and prone to evil, 
 (c) Afts (d) and condemnation is pafied upon all 
 t.6< .18. / c j an( j no mecr creature is able to deli- 
 
 Epn, 2.2 /r\ 
 
 Hcb.i.i 4 . verus C0. 
 
 (d)Pfal.j MRom ^.iiEph.i.2,3^ Ifa 48.4. Job i4.4.&2?.4,; 
 
 Gen.^.j.Hof n.7.(e) Rom.j. 18,19.(0 Rom.5.6310. Afts 4.12. 
 
 , • % t. „ 4. God fo loved the world 
 
 isiu & t ° f ^T that he pave his only Son to be 
 4 4*- /i brift. the ^ Redeemer (a)- who be- 
 %. F? h *•*• ing God, and One with the 
 
 Rot/ * 11 father (b) did take our nature, and become 
 )bh.xajd man 5 being conceived by the Holy Ghoft, 
 (c; 1 Tim. in the Virgin Mary, and born of her, and 
 2 : 5.Heb.2. called Jefus C hnk (c^ and being free from 
 \\ 16 ' fin, he conquered the tempter, fulfilled all 
 \Zu'^ ri £ ht ^oufnefs (d), revealed the Gofpel,and 
 Mat. 1,20 S 2i. (d) Heb.4. 15. Mat, 4. Heb.7.26. Mat.3. 17. 
 
 confirmed 
 
The cbriftiart Religion 7 
 
 confirmed it by Miracles (e)- 5 and gave him- (c) Ads ». 
 felfa facrificeforour fins,and aranfomefor zz - Heb - : 
 us, in fufferingdearhon the crofs,to recon- 3 ' 4 " 
 I cile us unto God (f) • and'was buried, and ^^ cb,f * 
 went among the dead(q)*) * ' T £f* 
 
 •Or [**£**- and Rofe again the third ^ " 6 
 ed fouls Oi\to the j t • j • V ^ 
 
 $tbcr world.} da Y> havin g conquered (3) 1 Co, 
 
 death, (h)- andatterward JV>* 
 attended into Heaven (i) where he remain- pjy |#^ 
 eth God and Man, in one perfon(k), and is 10 1 Pet. 
 Lord of all, in glory with the Father (1). the 3.18,19. 
 chief Prieft, and Prophet, and King of his OviTim 
 Church (m)- interceding for us -, and teach- I§ IO '*l^ 
 ingand ruling us, by his Spirit, Minifters, *[** 
 and Word (n). OJA&2.9 
 
 (k) Afts 3 ii. Rom. 9«j. Heb.7. 24. (1J A<fts 2. 36". & 10. 36, 
 (m) Heb. 3. 2. & 10. 21. Afts 3. 23. & *. 31. (ri) Heb. 7. 2? 
 Rom. 8.34. Eph.4. 8 3 ii 5 12, 13. Rom.8.^. 1 Thef. j. u, 
 
 5. The Lord JefusChrift , 1H , . 
 
 l-oftbiVewTeflj- hath ordained in hisTefta- ,K 
 
 mat or Covenant of 1 ,, 1 1 V J I 
 
 Gr/ue* ment, that ail they that iz.&j.i*. 1 
 
 receive him by a true ef- *&***. 
 
 fcftual faith, and by true Repentance do l^'^t 
 
 turn from the flelh, the world % and the De- ^ & ^ J 
 
 viluntoGod,(hall freely receive the pardon 19. & 20I 
 
 of their ftns(a),and (hall become the Sons of *i. Rom. I 
 
 God,and heirs ofeverlaftingLife,(b) & the ^ Ij }?• 1 
 
 Spirit ofChrift (hall dwell within them(c), JSj^jl 
 *f>l7« (0 Oal.4.6. John 3.6". 1 Cor.6*.i7.Rotn.8. Eph.i.ig.n.l 
 
 and 
 
8 The Chriflian Religion. 
 
 'd)Rev.x. and all that overcome and perfevere to 
 F3- Co1 * the death , (hall live with Chrift in endlefs 
 Icb'iK. S' 01 T fd): But the Unbelievers, impenitent 
 z) Ma'-/ and unholy (hall be condemned to everlaft- 
 ?i6.Loh. ing fire (ej. And this he hath commanded 
 
 *rf*3^ his Ministers to preach to all the world (f) : 
 Ihcf I4# And hath t0 '^ us 5 ^ iat: AH that are given 
 
 9. &2,. him of the "Father, (hall come to him, and 
 
 :. Luke that he will in no wife caft them out, nor 
 
 ; 3 • fhall any pluck them out of his hands, (g) 
 Mat. 18. 
 Mar. 16. i? 3 i6. aCor.$. 19* (g) Joh.tf.37 & 10. 28,29; 
 
 'jjoh .14. 6. The Holy Ghoft 
 
 .&ij. 6. of the Holy f oft pr0C eeding from the 
 xPcc.x. revealing and confirm* t h I ? h - jj 
 
 ix, 12. ingthe Gofpel. hattier and the Son, did 
 
 I 'et.i.n. lnipire and guide the 
 
 Tim. 3/ Prophets, Apoftles, and Evangelifts, that 
 
 ! Johi^. t h e y m ight truly and fully reveal thedo- 
 .Eph.3. ft r j ne f chrift, and deliver it in Scripture 
 t'gio? ' to the Church as the rule of our faith and 
 
 f T.ia." life (a): and by abundance of Evident 
 > 19. uncontrouledMiracles.andwonderfull gifts, 
 Hm. 6. to be t h e g re at witnefs of C hrift^and of the 
 
 •J- 1 *! truth of his holy word (b). 
 * 29*3 *• 
 
 ) Adsi. Z2. 4. & 5. 32. & 19. n> 19. Heb. 2. 3^4. Gal, 3.1, 
 $$• job. 14. 12.&3.2. 1 Cor. 14. 
 
 7. Where 
 
7 SeCbrifiidn Religion. 6 
 
 7. Where the Go- (a) Ads 
 
 l0 f onr Smmfiemon fpel is ma£ j e known zj.i 7 ,i%. 
 
 fSSlfiffiZ ^eHoly Ghoft by ic Jgfc 
 fanfcfied. cloth enlighten the i6 I4 ioh. 
 
 minds of all that (hall 6. 44 . Eze. 
 be faved, and opening and foftening their 3&*$.Gal. 
 hearts, doth draw them to believe in Chrift ^Aa 
 (a) and turneth them from the power of l8% 
 Satan unco God (b): Whereupon they arc (c)Col.i. 
 joyned to Chrift the Headend into one ho- i*Eph.$. 
 lyCatholick Church which is his Body, con- 3°>3i>32- 
 fitting of all true believers (c): and are free- x qoJ.h. 
 lyjuitified, and made the Sons of God (d)-, 12,13,17/ 
 and a fan&ified peculiar people unto him(c), (djRom.3. 
 and do Love him above all, and ferve him 24«&4« 2 4* 
 fincerelyin holinefs and righteoufnefs (i) 9 ^YT\t\\ 
 Loving and defiring the Communion of the j 4 . 
 Saints (g)- Overcoming the Fle(h,the World (f)Rom.?. 
 and the Devil (hj, and Hoping for Chrifts 5. Mat -i°- 
 fecond coming, and for everlalting life (\). 3 7 ' l Cor ' 
 
 D > D v ' £. 11. 
 
 J-uke 1. 75. (2) 1 John 3. 14. 1 Per. 1. iz. Afts 14.2. (h)Gal. 
 5.17,14. 1 John 1.15. (i) 1 Cor. 1, 7. z Pet. 3. il 3 li. Tit. 
 1.2. & 3. 7. 
 
 8. At Death the (a) Luke 
 i.Ofthe Judgment and fouls of the Juftified 2 3- 43. & 
 execution. go to happinefs with \ 6 ^ 
 
 Chrift,ahd the fouls of g PhiUi!' 
 the wicked to Mifery (a); And at the end of 13. 1 Pet. 
 this world the Lord Jefus Chrift will come 3-19- Luke 
 
 again j 16 - z6 **- 
 
I o The ChriflUn Religion. 
 
 dCb) Afts i. again , and will raife the bodies of all men 
 
 : ii. i Cor. f rom t fe dead- and will judge all according L 
 
 . x *• J°h. $. tQ their works ^ And che Righteous fhall L 
 
 initio go into everlafting life, and the reft into 
 
 tlxCor. j. everlafting punifhment (c): AH this I do 
 
 j £°* , nnfeiqnedh ^believe. 
 U(c) Mat. J A J 
 
 la?. & 13. 41*42,4$. 2 Tim. 4.83 18. iThef. 1 8, 9, 10. & 
 ii. John 17. x4. 
 
 • 
 
 II. 0/*r Confent to the G off el Covenant, 
 with God the Father , Son and Holy Ghofi^ by 
 which we are Chrifiians, and members of the 
 Catholic!^ Church. 
 
 Queft. A-{t yon willing ani refolved to Give up your 
 , 5 ( felfto Godtbe Father, Son and Holy Gbojl, accord- 
 
 !~ ing to the Gofpel dottrine which you pofefs ? 
 
 (a; Luke yj Epenting of my fins, and renouncing 
 ;J 5 j"'&7. XV the FL*(h;the V/orld and the Devil 
 I j 9 . Rom 8. fa), I do take this one God to be my only 
 .^3. Luke God (b) 5 and do heartily give up my felf un- 
 
 wTh'f t0 ^ m ( c ) ' -^ ven t0 X ^ e ^ ut ^ er -> (<0 as m y 
 
 ^\b) Exod.' Creator and Reconciled Father in Chrifi : 
 ' 2,0.3. Deut. And to his Son fefpu Chrifi, as my Lord, and 
 y6 i7.Jof. only Stvioptr, to Reconcile, and bring me 
 ji4« * *• t0 unto God (e) : And to the Holy Ghofi as my 
 
 to. 
 
 V) 2 Cor. 8.$. (d) John 17. 3. 1 Cor.8.6. 2 Cor. 6. 17, 18. 
 • John 1.3. Eph.4^6. (c) John 14.6. Luke 5, 14. & 14.26. 
 f\fts9- tf.Rom, 6.12,16. Luke 19. 27. John?. 19. 
 
 Santtifier -, 
 
The CbrtftUn Relighn. 1 1 
 
 Santlifier •, that he may further illuminate, (f) Mat. 
 fandiHe and confirm me,and I may hold faft * 8 -* *• 
 and obey the doftrine of Chrift, which was ^ £'*** 
 revealed by his infpiration ? and witneffed by I3 ^ i 4 /x8. 
 his gifts and Miracles, and is now contained Rom. 8. 9* 
 in the Holy Scriptures h and that he may be l 3> ****■ 
 in me the earnelt of my everlafting Happi- x ^ 
 nefs with God (f). "ig^». 
 
 & 3.;$, i*. 2 Cor. 1.22. & 5 -j. Ifa. 4 4, 3,435. Rom, i$. f. 
 III. Thefttmm efCkriftianDutj. 
 
 Qucft. what are 
 
 _ ( . 1. /^Hrift hath appointed ,., *, 
 ,. Tfc j# (^ that fe ffien ^ all be * M 
 
 mean^ and da- ^ . . . .* w . . n •?/» 
 
 thsQjHoimefs. Ordained his Mmiiters , to (b)Rom. 
 preach theGofpelto theNa- J^ 7 ' 14 ' 
 tions of the world (a), and make them his 2 xim 4 2? 
 Difciples,Baptizing them in the name of the Afts 13.1! 
 Father, Son and Holy Ghoft (b): and to &2.41. 
 congregate his Difciples (c), and to over- (0 Afts *•• 
 fee and Guide the feveral Congregations, /|\^ 6 ' 1# 
 and each member thereof (d): Particularly, 7 ^ 8# ' 
 to Teach them the word of God(e)^to Pray 1. Tim.*, 
 and Praife God with them and for them (f): 17-Tit.L 
 
 (e)Afts 20.20,31. Col. 1,28- Eph 4. 11,12,13. Mal.2.7. \ Tim. 
 S 17.rO 1 Cor.i4.i^,26.Afts20.7,3^James$.i4. Afts^.4,& 
 a.4i.Phil.i.4.Nch.ii.24.& 1x17.8c ?.$. & 8.4,^. 
 
 to 
 
12 The ChriftUn Religion. 
 
 to adminifter the Lords Supper in remcm* 
 (g)iCor; b rance of him (g)* (h) Efpecially on the 
 io.i^ 4 " - Lords Day, which he hath appointed for 
 (h)Heb.7. holy communion in fuch works ( i) : Alfo to 
 7 . Numb. Rebuke with authority the fcandalous and 
 *; M- unruly (k) •, and to bind andrejed thofe 
 ^i^A*" r ^ at: are °^ n ^ te 'y impenitent , and unre- 
 ao.7°iCor! formed^ and to Abfolve and Reftore the Pe- 
 *6.z. nitent, and confirm the weak (1). 
 
 (k)Tit.2, 
 
 i5.&i.9,iM Tim.j.i^.&3.j.fl)Mat. i8.i7^S.Tit.3. 10 
 ! 1 Cor 5. 4,5, 11,13. 
 
 (a) Afts 2. it is therefore the Peoples Duty to joyn 
 *\- T . with fuch Churches, for the aforefaid Wor- 
 5.17! Hcb. # ^P of God (a) • and to know, hear, fubmit 
 137. 17/ to 5 and obey thefe theirGuides that are over 
 24,1 Thef. them in the Lord •, (b) and to avoid Divifion 
 5- 12 '' *3- and Difcord, and to live in Unity, Love 
 \£* ui6 - and Peace (c). 
 
 (c) 1 Cor. 1. 10. & 3. 3. Rom. 16. 17. Eph. 4. 3, 15, itf. Phil 
 2.1,2,3. Rom. 1 j. 6. 
 
 2. The fecret Duties of 
 2. The fecret Du- Holmfs are thefe ; The ex- 
 j (a) Jude ues ofHolmefs. emfe of raith ,R e pcntance, 
 ' aI '?*l ** Love, Hope, Delight in God, and all other 
 1 j 1 " 2 graces (a) ; The mortifying of our fins-,efpe 
 1 1 Tim.4.7. C{ ^y Atheifm, Unbelief, and unholinefs ^ 
 1 lfa.*4v7.' hardnefs of heart, difobedience and un- 
 
 tbankfulnefs, 
 
The ChrifttAn Rdtgton. 1 3 
 
 thankfnlnefs, flefh-pleafing , covetoufnefs, 
 and Pride, (b): The diligent: Examining of 0>) Afts 
 our own hearts, about our Eftates,our Du- z *' 16 - 
 ties,and our fins(cj -.Medicating upon God, R° m 3 g * 
 and his word and works •, efpecially of our Heb/3. 11 
 Redemption by JefusChrift ., and of Death, 13. Mat 
 J udgement,Heaven,and Hell (d) • Watching * 5 •'%> * 
 diligently over our Thoughts, Affeftions, Luk **** 
 Words and Aftions(e): Refifting Tempta- j 1 .,.^' 
 tions (f): And frequent and fervent Pray- 1 Cor. 3. 
 cr to God, in the name of Chnft, with *&. 
 Confeffion,Thankfeiving 3 and cheerful Prai- ( c )^^ v 
 
 C~* f«\ l °> * Cor, 
 
 fes (8>, M . 5 .Gal 
 
 6. 3, 4. Pfal. 4. 4. (d) Pfal.104. 34. & 1. 2. & 11^.^7,09, 
 Gen. 24. 6$.Eph. 3. i8 5 19- Pfal. 90. 12. Luke 12. 3*. 2 Vet 
 n, 12. (e) Luke 21. 36. Pfal. 141. 3. 1 Cor. 10. 12. Pfal.39.1 
 Prov. 4.23. (f) Eph. 6. 10. to i£. i Pet.5.9^ Jam^.7. (g)PfalJ 
 34. i.& 145. 2. 1 Thef5.17.Phil. 4. 6. John 16. 23. 
 
 3 .Parents and Mafters 
 STbePnvateDHties muft diligently teach fa)Erf|#6# 
 
 Ltio,is to others. their children and fer- 4 , 9 .Deut. 
 
 vants, the word and fear 6 «ii 3 »a. • 
 of God (a), and Pray with them, and for ^A&fo! 
 them, and hinder them from fin (b),and ufe ' p rov ] 
 all their power that they and their houfe- 12.6,15.8c 
 holds may ferve the Lord (c): children and *3- *3* 
 fervants muft willingly learn and obey(d): P^-ior. 
 We muft feek inftruftion in the matters of * am - *• 
 (c; Gen.13.1j.J0fh. 24.15. Cd)Col.3. 10.12, Eph.6. Deut.2i.i$ # 
 
 our 
 
1 4 7 he Chri'fiian Kelt gt on. 
 
 F^mY*' ° Ur ^™ t{0n >^P- C] ^Y ofour Teathers(eJ: 
 
 {% i Cor wemuft take heed ot chc company of temp t- 
 
 i 4 35. " in 8> * nd ungodly perfons, and delight in 
 
 [ffjPfal; the company and help of the Godly: We 
 
 !x.i.& t*. muft lovingly andfaithfully give,and chank- 
 
 |4. & 119. f u lly receive admonitions and exhortations 
 
 13. 2o? V# (0 ; Confeflingourfaulsonetoanother(g): 
 
 Eph.5.^7, and ^ 7 Prayer, Pfalms, and edifying confe- 
 
 11. Lev. rcnce,anda holy converfation, provoking 
 
 t* J 7. one another toLove^and to good works(h). 
 Mat. 18. & 
 
 15. Heb. 3. IV Jam. ?. 20. 1 Pet. f, 5. <g) Jam.?. 16. (hj Col. 
 3. 1 6, 17. Atts iz. 12. & 16. x5. Eph. 4. 29. 1 Pec. 4. n.& 
 3. 2. Jam. 3. 13.C0I.1.3.&4. 3.Hcb.io. 24. 
 
 (aj Deut. 4. Superiors muft rule 
 
 I- I?i 4. Jfc »«J« O'- f or God and the common 
 
 2. Chron P ice <m& Chanty to- . . , T iY . ' , 
 
 ti 6 7 *W* «* g°° d > Wlth J UlhCe and 
 
 Jofli. 1.8. Mercy f a):Inferiors muft 
 
 Ha.56.1. honour and obey them in the Lord (bj.-We 
 
 (b) Rom. muft not injure, but preferve the Life, Cha- 
 13 i> *>3* ftity^Eftate^ame^and Rights of our Neigh- 
 Eph^iV bour(c^) .-Notfeekingour 0w*agamfthis 
 
 (c) Exod! welfare ( d^but doing as we would be done 
 
 20. Mat.?, by (e)-, forbearing and forgiving (f) •, and 
 
 17. to 48. loving our neighbour as our felvesYg) : Yea 
 
 W Dcut. Joying our enemies; and doing good to all 
 5.21. Phil. s. ' / l X D ° 
 
 J Zt . . according to our power (h). 
 
 1 Cor, 10. H> 3 3 . 6c 13 . 5. (e) Mat.7. 12. f) Col. 3. 13* 
 (g)Mat.i9.i?.& 22.39. (h) Mat. 5.44.Gal.6.io. Heb.13.1tf. 
 
 The 
 

 Tta Agreement of the Affbciated 
 PASTORS. 
 
 I, T ;\ 7 E do each one for • Aft - '• Fof 
 
 VVhimfelf, profefs jf*" * JJ' •JJ'f* 
 
 6urRefolution,intheitrength Aa. zo i8./i 
 of Chrift , to be faithful and i Tim. 412, 
 diligent in the works of our i3»i4>*5>i*- 
 Miniftry • and to live an holy an( i V *' &Ct 
 and exemplary life, in Piety , T p e ' tt , z , 
 Juftice and Charity , accord- 
 ing to the meafurc of our abilities • Efpeci- 
 ally watching againft thofe fins that tend to 
 the corrupting or dividing of the Church, 
 and to the hindring of our Miniftry • and 
 to thedifronourof the Gofpel,aud ot our 
 holyprofefiion. 
 
 II. We do profefs our Agreement and Arc, 2. For 
 Refolution in the ftiength of Chrift , to be r ^ c f ^ c 
 faithful and diligent in puHick Pleaching fi^fr 
 the Gofpcl ; And in the perfonal inftrud- 
 ingof all in our Parifhes, or undertaken 
 limits 5 that will fubmit thereto ^ teaching 
 the Ignorant the Principles of Religion } 
 G endea- 
 
1 6 The Agreement of the 
 
 endeavouring in Love, Corripaflion and 
 Meeknefs, and yet with fcrioulnefs and zeal, 
 to convince the erroneous and oppofcrs , to 
 awaken the prefumptuous and fecure, and 
 help them io try the ftate of their fouls, 
 and co fee and feel cheir fin and mifery, and 
 return to God by Chrift that they may live ; 
 to ftrengthen the weak; to raife the fain ^ 
 to edifie and confirm the ftrong ^ and to 
 comfort fuch as need confolation •, and to 
 help them all to prepare for death and 
 judgement, and for everlafting life : And 
 all this, as frequently , conftantly and or- 
 derly, as ourftrength,and time, and greater 
 duties will permit. 
 An. 3. Tor 1 1 j. That the Churches may be capable 
 
 af omtof° { the Difci P line of Chrift > and conftituted 
 *r£~a-!lVL afl d m ^d according to the Word of God , 
 to be made an d the ends ot our Office and Labours may 
 byalltha be attained, vye are Agreed and Refolved toj 
 mil be ta~ take none for Adult members of the Chur- 
 d*ltmm- c ^ es comm *tted to our [fecial charge, nor ad- 
 bers," and nm them, as fuch, to Church-Communion 
 partake of and Priviledges , but thofe that have firil 
 their corn- made fome perfonal credible Profeffion of 
 rnimwi. true chriftianity, that is, of Faith and Obe- 
 dience, and as members of thofe Churches, 
 iubmit to our Paftoral over-fight according 
 to the Word of God, But all that make 
 
 this 
 
jffociated Paftors. 17 
 
 this Profefllon of Chriftianity and Confent 
 to live in Communion with th£ Church, and 
 under the Miniftry and Dilcipline of Chrift, 
 we {hall receive , though they be weak in 
 knowledge, and utterance, and duties •, and 
 lhall faithfully imploy our Minifterial abili- 
 ties and care for their edification andfalva- 
 tion. 
 
 I V. We are Agreed and Refolved in the Arc. 4, F:r 
 ftrength of Chrift, while we have ability P H ^ ! jfi 
 and opportunity,to Congregate the people, wr ' ^ 
 and hold conilant Affemblies, efpeoally on 
 theLords-Dayes ^ and therein faithfully to 
 perform the works of our office , in Read- 
 ing the holy Scripture, Preaching, Praying , 
 Baptizing , Praifing God , celebrating the 
 Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and guid- 
 ing the people in the whole publick worfhiji 
 of God : And to manage our work wich 
 as much prudence, and reverence, and love 
 and compaffion to the peoples fouls, and 
 with as much plainnefs and convincing evi- 
 dence, authority, ferioufnefs, and zealous 
 .importunity as we can ; Avoiding asfaras 
 we are able, fuch things as corrupt and dis- 
 honour Gods Ordinances, and tend to cor- 
 rupt the peoples rtiincs with errour, pre- 
 fumption , deadnefs, negligence , or other 
 diftempers, difpleafing to the Lord, 
 
1 8 The Agreement of the 
 
 Art j.F#v v. Por the ends of our Office,in obedi- 
 Vifapline. ence t0 t h e Lord^ we Agree and Refolve in 
 theftrengthof Chrift, to exercif- (o much 
 of Church-Government and Diftipline, in 
 the Churches committed to our charge , as 
 we difcern to be our certain duty • that is 
 to keep order and decency in the holy Af- 
 femblies, and fee that all be done to edifica- 
 tion : Convi&ing feducers, and flopping 
 the momhes of perverfe gain-fayers ^ Over- 
 feeing the feveral members of our charge - 
 and requiring them to walk obediently to 
 Chrift , and do their duties towards each 
 other ; to Reprove the grofs and fcanda- 
 lous offenders : and if they continue impe- 
 nitent or unrcformed , to tell the Church, 
 or rebuke them before all •, ( and publickly 
 pray for their recovery ) ; And if they 
 hear not the Church, but remain impeni- 
 tent and unreformed, after fufficient re- 
 proof and patience, to put away fuch per- 
 sons from among us, declaring againft 
 them ihe threatnings of the Lord , and re- 
 quiring them to forbear Communion with 
 the Church , and requiring the Church to 
 avoid them, and have no familiarity or 
 communion with them , as peripns unmeet 
 for the communion of Saints. And thofe 
 that credibly profels Repentance, we are to 
 
 Abfolvc 
 
jiffociattd Pajtors. jg 
 
 AbfolveMinifterially in the name of Chrift, 
 and comfort with thepromifes of Grace- 
 receiving them, and requiring the people to 
 receive them, as Brethren, into their Com- 
 munion : but warning them to watch and 
 fin fo no more, left worfe befall them. This 
 holy Difcipline , by the help of God, we 
 (hall exercife faithfully and impartially ■, but 
 yet with caution and moderation ^ negled- 
 ing no neceffary confultations with other 
 Paftors , or concurrence of the Church : 
 and confentin'g to be refponfible formale- 
 adminiftrations. 
 
 V I. For the Communion of Churches, Ait. 6. Fit 
 and the ftrengthening our felves for the C r m ^ d ™ 
 work of God , and helping one another °L A f^J m 
 therein, and maintaining Unity, Love znd tions. 
 Concord ^ We do Content to hold a Bro- 
 therly communion and correfpondency ; 
 And to that end, when neceffity or greater 
 duty hindreth us not, we (hall meet at fuch 
 convenient times and places, as (hall be ap- 
 pointed or agreed on from time to time-, 
 and (hall labour to improve thefe meetings 
 to our mutual edification, in fuch confulta- 
 tions, conferences or other holy exerciles , 
 as our preient cafe (hall moft require. And 
 we confent to deal faithfully inadvifing and 
 adiuonifliing one another - and for the fatif- 
 C 3 fa&ion 
 
iO The Agreement of the 
 
 faftion of ihi Brethren ( to the fore-tnen- 
 tioned ends ) to be refponhble, if any (hall 
 charge us with Herefie, fcandal, fchilm, of 
 male-adminiftration : And forbearing mat- 
 ters without our line, toftudyand endea- 
 Tour the promoting ot Truth, and Holinefs, 
 and Unity among our felves , and with 
 other Church. s, as we have a call. 
 
 And alfo we agree by communicatory 
 Letters upon all needful occafions,to certifie 
 our Brec hren and ocher Churches of the 
 ftate of our affairs, and of particular mem- 
 bers, that thofe chat juftly have communion 
 in one Church, or are excluded , may haye 
 communion with other Churches, or be re- 
 fufed by them accordingly , when there is 
 juft occafion. 
 
 And if any Brethren or Churches be pre- 
 vailed over lo far by temptation, as un juftly 
 to deny us their communion, in this way of 
 AfTociation, Aflemblies,or Correfpondency, 
 we fhail not therefore deny them to be our 
 Brethren, or Churches of Chnft , but fhall 
 Love and Own them , and have fo much 
 Communion with them, as their diftance 
 fhall leave them capable of , if they joyn 
 with us in the Profeflipn and Practice of 
 true Chriftianity, and of the points that are 
 necejOfary to Church-conftitmion and com- 
 munion , 
 
A(JocUted P *(tcrs . 2 1 
 
 munion, and are not proved guilty of 
 herefie , ungodlinefs, or fuch kind of fchifai 
 or fcandalous fins , for which the Scripture 
 commandeth us to rejed men, and avoid 
 them. But fuch as are thus guilty ( though 
 they offer themfelves to affociate with us) 
 we (hall refiife to hold communion with, till 
 they credibly profefs Repentance , and ma- 
 nifeft a Reformation. 
 
 V 1 1. Becaufe it is a matter of great con- A ^. 7- of 
 cernment to the honour of Chrift, the pro- °><b mtim 
 pagation of the Gofpel, and ^heencreafe^^.^^ 
 and welfare of the Church, that there be a Mi/ufters* 
 Provifion of able, faithful Minifters, and 
 that unworthy perfons be kept out • and be- 
 caufe deceivers and unworthy men are for- 
 ward to intrude, and the people ordinarily 
 are inefficient of themfelves to make fuch 
 tryal of mens ability and foundfiefs as is 
 requifice co thefafctyof the Church- and 
 the Church m silages hath received Mini- 
 fters by the Ordination oi ocher Minrfl 
 of Chnlt : We do therefore Agree to be 
 careful and faithful in the au^harge of our 
 duties hereabout , fo far as we can difcern 
 them, Refolving chat if any vacant Church 
 defire us to recommend a fit perfon to be 
 their Paftor , or to Judge of any recom- 
 mended to them, we will not recommend . 
 C4 or 
 
% % The Agreement ef the 
 
 or approve of any , but fuch as we judge 
 molt agreeable to the will of Chrift •, nor 
 will we prefer lefs fit and worthy men , for 
 friendftiipor any carnal intereftor refpeft. 
 And if any intollerably unworthy perfon be 
 about to intrude, or have intruded, or any 
 neighbour Church be about to choofe, or 
 have chofen fuch, if we have opportunity. 
 we (hall faithfully acquaint them with their 
 fin and danger , and perfwade them to a 
 better courfe. And if we (hall be called to 
 inveft any by folemn Ordination in the fa- 
 cred office of the Miniftry , we (hall per- 
 form it, as near as we are able, according to 
 the directions of the Word of God ; ad- 
 mitting none that Chrift excludeth : And if 
 it may be, we ft all do it in that Congrega- 
 tion which the perfon is to Over-fee, that fo 
 we may the better difcern their mutual 
 Cosfenr, inculcate their duties, and engage 
 them to a faithful performance thereof. 
 
 And whereas it is much controverted of 
 late, Whether the Power of Ordination be 
 given to the people, or the Paftors of a par- 
 ticular Church, or the Affociated neighbour 
 Paftors , and whether a ftated Prefident 
 among thefe {hquld not have a negative 
 voice herein •, We are Agreed, that leaving 
 the people their due Liberty of Confent in 
 
 the 
 
Jffidated Pajlors • 23 
 
 the reception of their proper Pallors, We 
 will none of us fingly Ordain, without the 
 afliftance of other Pallors : Nor will we 
 joyn with any Hereticks or others, in un juft 
 and impious Ordinations , that tend to the 
 corrupting or dividing of the Churches. 
 
 And to avoid Divifion upon a tolerable 
 difference of Opinions, where we may agree 
 in Pradice , we Confent that the AfTociati- 
 ons that have no Hated Prefidents ' or that 
 give not to fuch a Negative voke, fhall re- 
 ceive into their Communion thofethat are 
 of the contrary opinion •, giving them 
 leave, if they defire it, to profefs or record 
 their opinion in that particular, fo they will 
 afterward walk among them in Love and 
 Peace. And that the AfTociations that 
 choofe a dated Prefident , and give him a 
 Negative voice in Ordination- , (hall in like 
 manner , and on like terms , receive into 
 their Communion , fuch as dilflfent in that 
 particular, and having profeffed or record- 
 ed their diffent , will walk fubmiffively in 
 Lave and Peace. Which liberty alfo of pro- 
 filing and recording their different prin- 
 cples, we defire may be allowed them, that 
 pyn in c ynods , as being only for Commu- 
 lion of Churches, and them that joyn in 
 :hcm, as having a dired fuperiour Govern- 
 ing 
 
34 7 he Agreement of^ &c. 
 
 ing Power over the particular Pallors of 
 the Churches. 
 At.s. of vi II. Though it be the fureftway to* 
 
 ° b M*™ C Peace an Concorc '5 t0 take U P Wit ^ '^efe 
 firatelf' ^cceffary things, and we cannot approve of 
 th^ narrow dividing principles of thofe 
 men that will impofe rhings upneceffary, to 
 the excluding of the necefTary ^ yet if our 
 lawful Rulers (hall command it , or the 
 peace of the Church, through the diftem- 
 pers of the Brethren fnail require it, we 
 (hall obey, and confeni in things that God 
 hath not forbidden • anrd if we fuffer for 
 well-doing, and for obeying God rather 
 then men, we (hall endeavour to imitate our 
 Lord, who being reviled, reviled not again, 
 and when he fuffered, threatned not • but 
 committed all to him that judgeth righte. 
 oufly, i 7ei.2.23. 
 
 Tke 
 
The Offict of Chrifts Mwiflers 
 mere largely opened. 
 
 i. *TTHE Lord JefusCh rift having piir- 
 I chafed our Salvation by his blood, 
 and ftablifhed his Teitarnent or Covenant 
 of Grace, and left us his example of perfeft 
 holinefs, afcended to theFather,and is there 
 the Glorified Lord of all, and Head overall 
 things to his Church, all power being given 
 him in Heaven and Earth ^ that interceding 
 for us with the Father,he might be the Trea- 
 fury of oar Light and Life • and offering 
 falvation to the miferable world, might ga- 
 thered cleanfe 5 and fave the Churcb,which 
 is his Body ^ Communicating to them that 
 grace that is here neceffary to them, in their 
 way and warfare, and perfecting ch'em in 
 Glory with himfelf, when their warfare is 
 accomplifhed. 
 
 2. Chrift Being thus invifible to us, in 
 Glory with the Father , pertormeth not 
 thefe works below, by himfelf in perfon, 
 immediately and alone-, but by his Spirit, 
 Minifters, and Word. The Holy Ghoft 
 being his Advocate or Agent to thefe ends ^ 
 and His Minifters the Inftruments ufed by his 
 
 Spirit 
 
 *5 
 
%6 7 be office ofChrifts Miniflers 
 
 Spirit and himfclf : to indite and bear ynXm 
 nefs to his word, and to Preach it to the 
 world, as that infallible Truth which mull 
 guide them to Salvation. 
 
 3. The firft Prophetical and Apoftolical 
 Minifters, being fent by himielf, and quali- 
 fied by the infpiration, conduftand miracu- 
 lous gifts of the Holy Ghoft, did found the 
 Church, and enlarge it unto many nations of 
 the world ,and left them the holy Scriptures, 
 which contain the doftrine which they 
 preached,that it might be certainly and fully 
 preserved, and propagated till the coming 
 of Chriit. And they fetled by the appoint- 
 ment of Chrilt and his Spirit, an ordinary 
 miniftry to fucceed them, not to deliver a 
 new Law" or Gofpel,but to preferve and 
 preach the doftrine which in the holy Scri- 
 ptures ( and conjunctly at firft alfo from 
 the mouths of the Apoftlcs) they had 
 received as once delivered to the Saints, 
 and to guide the Churches by it to the 
 end. 
 
 4. Though Chrift appointed Ministers 
 that fhould have fo far a charge or care 
 of the whole Church, as not to be limited to 
 any one part, but to extend their labour and 
 overfight , as far as their capacity and 
 opportunities would permit:yet did he never 
 
 make 
 
mcYt Urgly opened. 27 
 
 make any man his Vicar or Vicegerent,- as 
 Head of the univcrfal Church ; nor lay 
 upon any one, whether Peter , PahIj or any 
 other , the charge and overfight of the 
 whole ; nor did ever peter or any one 
 Apoitle excrcife fuch anOffice,in governing 
 all the Catholike Church : efpecially when 
 it ceafed to be coRfined to Jcrttfalem and 
 the adjacent parts , and was diiperfed 
 through the world. Never did the Apo- 
 ftles receive their Commiflions from Peter : 
 or all theMiniftersthenin the world, per- 
 form their work by hisCommiffion, or by 
 any power received from him, nor were 
 accountable to him, and judged by him for 
 what they did. Muchlefs is this unrverfal 
 Head-lhip, committed to the Pope of Romt 
 through all ( or any ) generations : But 
 becaufe a certain Primacy of Order was 
 granted him by Etnperours and Councils, 
 within the limits of the Roman Empire, long 
 after the Apoftles days : therefore doth he 
 take advantage thence, to pretend a Title to 
 theuniverfal Head-fhip ; As if the Roman 
 and the Chnftian world had been the fame ; 
 or theEmperor and his Clergy had been che 
 Rulers of all the Chriftian fubjefts of all 
 other Princes or paftors upon earth : and 
 his limited Primacy had been anumverfal 
 
 Soveraignty. 
 
a 8 The Of pee of Chrtfts Mwifters 
 
 Soveraignty. This claim of the Pope of 
 jRjome to be the Vice-Chrift , or univerfaf 
 Paftor of all the Chriftian world, is a tyran- 
 nical, impious, irrational ufurpation •, con- 
 trary to the holy Scripture, and the Hate of 
 the Primitive Church, and contrary to na- 
 ture and common fenfe, which declare his 
 incapacity of the work • far more then any 
 Prince is uncapable of being the univerfal 
 Monarch of the world •, And therefore all 
 Chriftians fliould abhor this proud and im- 
 pious ufurpation, and fly from the guilt of 
 that horrible fchifm, and thofe corruptions 
 in do&rine , worfhip and government, 
 which it hath introduced. 
 
 5. Chrift calleth his ordinary minifters 
 to that office, by enduing them with his 
 gifts,and difpofing them thereunto,and mo- 
 ving the hearts of the people to confent,and 
 by ordination of the fenior Paftors • and gi- 
 ving them opportunities for the work : and 
 fometime the Magiftrates command hath a 
 hand in the obligation. 
 
 6. It belongeth to the Office of the 
 Minifters of Chrift to Preach the Gofpel 
 to the nations of the world, and make 
 them Chrifts Difciples, Baptizing them in 
 the name of the Father, the Son, and the 
 Holy Ghoft. 
 
 7. This 
 
more largely opived. 29 
 
 7. This Preaching or publishing the Go- 
 fpel, is done by voice or by writing: that 
 by voice, is done by Reading, by publike 
 Sermons, or interlocutory conference : that 
 by writing is either by tranflating the holy 
 Scriptures into the languages ufed by the 
 Nations, or by expounding and applying 
 them. So that the holy Scriptures in the 
 original languages^ are the word of God, 
 both as to the terms and.fenfe Grammatical 
 and Dottrinal: The fame Scriptures in a 
 Translation are the word of God as to the 
 fenfi r both Grammatical and Dcttrinal ^ but 
 not as to the Terms : The holy do&rine of 
 the Scriptures delivered in the writings \ and 
 Sermons Jind conferences of the Preachers of 
 the Gofpel, is the word of God,as to the 
 DoBrinalfenfe •, but not as to the terms or 
 Grammatical fenfe, except when they recite 
 the Scripture words, as in the original or 
 tranflated. 
 
 8. Baptifm is a holy Sacrament inftituted 
 byChrift, in which a perfonprofeffingthe 
 Chriltian faith (orthelnfantoffuchaPro- 
 feflbr ) is ( regularly by a minilter of 
 ChriftJ baptized in water into the name 
 of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghoft, 
 infignification and folemnization of the ho. 
 ly Covenant,in which as a Penitent Believer 
 
 for 
 
30 The Office of Chrtfts Mtniflers 
 
 (or the feed of fucb ) he giveth uphimfelf 
 (oris by the Parent given up) to God the 
 Father, Son and Holy Ghoft, from hence- 
 forth (or from the time of natural capacity ,) 
 to Believe in, Love, and ferve this blefled 
 Trinity, againftxheplefti, the World, and 
 Devil, and this efpecially on the account of 
 Redemption : and (if hefincerely make this 
 Covenant) is folemnly entred a member of 
 Chrift and his Church, a juftified reconciled 
 Child of God, and an heir of Heaven ; all 
 which, with the other prefent benefits of 
 the Covenant , he is hereby inflated (or in- 
 vefted) in ^ they being thus folemnly deli- 
 vered to him by the Promife thus fealed,and 
 applyed by an appointed Minifter of 
 Chrift. 
 
 Or if feme of us doutt whether thefe 
 fpecial benefits of the Covenant are deliver- 
 ed thus to all the Infants that are fineerely 
 dedicated unto God • yet we are all agreed, 
 that they are affured to them as foon as they 
 believe : and in the interim of their incapa- 
 city, they have a general promife that God 
 will be their God, and his mercy fhall be to 
 them. 
 
 9. It is a notable part of the minifterial 
 Office to Baptize : and consequently to try 
 and judge of their Proteffion who are thus 
 
 foiemnlj 
 
more Urgely opened. 
 
 folemnly to be admitted into the Church, 
 and eftated by Baptiim in thefe benefits : 
 Therefore hath Chrift given the Keys of his 
 Kingdom to their truft, both that his holy- 
 Church may be preferred from the unjtift 
 intrufions of uncapableperfons : and that 
 the faithful Covenanters may have the ful- 
 ler confolation, by receiving afealed pro- 
 mife and pardon,from the hand of a miniiter 
 of Chrift,commanded by him to feal and de- 
 liver it in his name. 
 
 i o. We are perfwaded that it is the Will 
 of Chrift that the Infants of the faithful 
 fhall be dedicated to him in Baptifm, and 
 engaged in his Covenant, and made mem- 
 bers of his vifible Church, becaufewe find 
 that under the promife before thrifts Incar- 
 nation it was their duty to devote and 
 engage their Children to God in the holy 
 Covenant, and that God did accept therri 
 as vifible members of his Church-, And we 
 never find where Chrift had difcharged 
 Parents from this duty, or turned all Infants 
 out of his Church, and reverfed this blef- 
 fing of their Church-memberfliip \ but con« 
 trarily we find him offering to have taken 
 thcjewhfh Nation to beftill his Church, if 
 they would have taken him for their Savi- 
 our ^ and telling us that it was for Unbelief 
 D that 
 
3i 7^ Of pee oj chrtjts Mwtjtirs 
 
 that they were broken off ^ and that it is but 
 fome of the branches that were broken off, 
 and we are graffed in amongft them into 
 the fame Olive-tree, and that all Ifrael (hall 
 be faved, when the fulnefs of the Gentiles is 
 come in ^ And we find (Thrift rebuking his 
 Difciples for hindering little Children from 
 being offered to him, and that he charged 
 them to forbid it no more, and that he re- 
 ceived and bleffed them himfelf, and tels 
 us that of fuch is the Kingdom of God ^ and 
 we find it the Commiflion given to his Mi- 
 nifters, that they were to Difciple the Na- 
 tions, Bapti7ing them. All which, and 
 much more ( especially having not the leaft 
 intimation of his Will againlt that which 
 was even then the Duty andFra&ice of the 
 Parents, and the Infants benefit,) do deter 
 us from forbidding the dedication of Chil- 
 dren unto Chrift, and receiving them into 
 his Church by Baptifm. 
 
 ii. Baptifm being fo great a work 
 ftiould be deliberately, ferioufly and reve 
 rently performed, if it may be, publikely 
 before the Church, where the perfon ( or 
 Parent ) (hould make their folcmn pro- 
 feffion, and be received with the joy and 
 prayers of the Church ^ whether Infant or 
 1 Adult. 
 
 12. The 
 
 «t 
 
more hrgely oftnti* 33 
 
 12. The Catholick Church confifteth of 
 all the Christians in the world ; Thofe that 
 have the fan&ifying Spirit of Chrift are the 
 living members : Thofe that openly profefs 
 Chriftianity, and enter into Covenant 
 with Chrift, and are not yet Baptized, are 
 vifible members initially, but the folemni- 
 zation and inveftiture is defective > If it 
 be where Baptifm cannot be had, the de- 
 fed is innocent * If where it may be had, 
 it is finful ; but yet not fuch as nullifieth 
 the perfons vifible Chriftianity. And no 
 errours, offences or differences do exclude 
 any totally from the Carholick Church, 
 while all the effentials of Chriftianity are 
 kept. 
 
 13. It is the will of Chrift that all Chri- 
 ftians that have opportunity, be members 
 of fome particular Church, as well as of the 
 univerfal : that he may have the honour, 
 and they the great and neceffary benefits, 
 that by the Miniftry, Ordinances and 
 Communion of Saints, is there to be ex- 
 pefted. 
 
 14. A particular Chriftian Church ; 
 
 A competent number of Chriftians coha- 
 biting, who by the appointment of Chrift. 
 and their own expreffed Confcnt, are uni- 
 ted ( or aflbciated ) under one or more 
 ■ Dz Paftors, 
 
34 The Ojpcc of Chrijts Mmjters 
 
 Paftors,for the right worfhippingof God in 
 publike,and the Edification of the members,- 
 in Knowledge and Holinefs, and the main- 
 taining of their obedience toChrift, for the 
 fafety, ftrength and beauty of the fociety, 
 and thereby the Glorifying and pleafing of 
 the Lord.] It is a Political organized 
 fociety, that is here defined, and not a mcer 
 Community that is incapable of the Sacra- 
 ments and other Ordinances , and the 
 benefits of 'them , for want of Over- 
 feers. 
 
 15. Thofc Minifters that are placed in 
 Parifhes, where are many forts of people, 
 fome Ignorant of the effentials of Chriftia- 
 nity, fome Apoftates, fome impious and of 
 wicked lives, and fome that confent not to 
 be members of their Paftoral charge, 
 fhould teach them all that will fubmit and 
 learn : For we are called to it by the 
 Magiftrate and obliged by the publikc 
 maintenance which we receive to that 
 end • and engaged by the general com- 
 mand of improving our talents, and 
 
 ' the fpecial opportunity that we have there- 
 unto. 
 
 1 6. This teaching of all our Parifhioners 
 that will fubmit, muft be both perfonally 
 andpublikely, as far as we have ability and 
 
 opportunity. 
 
more largely opened. 3 j 
 
 opportunity. The former muft be by Cate- 
 chizing,' and conference • wherein we muft 
 teach them firft the eflential points of Chri- 
 ftianity, and labour to help them to the 
 cleareft underftanding of the doftrine 
 of Salvation •, and prefs it on their affe- 
 &ions, and help them to difcern their fin 
 and mifery, and do all that we can to • 
 procure their conversion or edification, 
 according to their feveral ftates ^ manage- 
 ing the whole work with thofe holy affe- 
 ftions , that the weight of it doth re- 
 quire. 
 
 17. The great neceffity of our neigh- 
 . bours, and the advantages of this familiar 
 way, do tell us that this work of catechizing 
 and conference is fo great a part of our 
 duty , that we (hould doit with much dili- 
 gence, prudence and conftancy.And the ge- 
 neral precepts of doing all to edification and 
 in order, oblige us ordinarily to appoint a 
 ftated time and place where every family 
 may come in order • And if we are able we 
 (hould go to them, that cannot or will not 
 eometous, if they will but hear us. 
 
 18. Thofe that are Baptized in Infancy, 
 
 and there engaged to God in the holy Co- 
 
 ' venant, (hould with all poffible care and 
 
 diligence, be educated by the Parents, or 
 
 Dj any 
 
The Of pee oj cnrtjts Mimjters 
 
 any that have the tuition of them, in the 
 Nurture ana admonition of the Lord, and 
 taught betimes to know the doftrine of the 
 Gofpel, and to believe in the Lord Jefus 
 Chriit, and to Love God above all, and 
 their neighbours as themfelves, and to hate 
 iniquity, and live to God,andfirft to feek 
 his Kingdom and righteowfnefs • To which 
 end Parents ihould Catechize their Chil- 
 dren, and daily be teaching them the word 
 of God, and acquainting them with his fear 
 and holy worfhip. And miniilers muft 
 with fpecial care and diligence overfee the 
 feveral families of their charge, and excite 
 the Parents to this neceffary duty. And , 
 alfo ihould themfelves affiil them herein, 
 and Catechize fuch youth ( as well as all 
 others that are Ignorant ) as often as they 
 can ^ efpecially where Parents do neg- 
 leftit. 
 
 19. AsTnfants are by baptifm admitted 
 among the Infant-members of the Church, 
 upon their Parents profeflionof Chriftiani- 
 ty, and dedicating them to God-, fo muft 
 they personally make a profeffion of their 
 own faith, and own their baptifmal Cove- 
 nant, and give up themfelves to God the 
 Pather,Son and Holy Ghoft, before they are 
 to be admitted into the number and Com- 
 munion 
 
more Urgely opened. 2 7 
 
 munion of the Adult members of the 
 Church ^ Which profeffion is to be tryed 
 and approved of by the Paftors of the 
 Church : And fo excellent a duty, to be 
 carefully, and ferioufly, and folemnly per- 
 formed, that the tranfition into the 
 ftateand communion of the Adult, may ap- 
 pear to be fo great and obfervable a thing, 
 as may excite all to an anfwerabie care and 
 diligence, in preparation thereunto, and to 
 look after that faving faith and holineft, 
 which they mult fo folemnly profefs. A: d 
 Minifters (hould have a fpecial care, that 
 they take nothing for a credible profef- 
 fion, that is not fo : and corrupt not the 
 Church by letting in uncapabie members, 
 that muft either be caft out a^ain, to the 
 grievous exaiperating them agamft -he 
 Church and way of God, and fo to the 
 apparent hazzard of their fouls ; or elfe 
 muft live ungoverned in their wickednefs, 
 to the great difhonour of God, and the 
 provocation of his wrath againft them and 
 the Church. 
 
 20. For the publike worfhiping of God, 
 and our own Edification , the Paftors, 
 where there is opportunity,muft congregate 
 the people inafolemn Affembly in a con- 
 venient place and time. And all that can 
 D4 muft 
 
3 8 7 be Office of Chrijts CWimflers 
 
 muft conftantly there attend, preferring 
 the publike worfhip of God before the 
 private : much more before their world- 
 ly bufineffes, that are not of flat neceflity 
 to themfelves or others. 
 
 2i. In thefe publike Affemblies it is 
 lawful for us to admit , even y Infidels 
 to be prefent, and fuch Catechumen's as 
 are yet unfit to be members of the Church, 
 and there to teach , reprove and ex- 
 hort them, and pray for them according 
 to their ftate • though we may^ not re- 
 ceive them to be members of the'Church, 
 nor admit them to our fpecial com* 
 munion. 
 
 22. Becaufe it is the holy Scriptures that 
 eontaine that Gofpel of which we are Mi- 
 nifters ^ and becaufe the honour of Gods 
 holy word is to be preferred, and the people 
 to beinftrufted in it, and taught to know it ^ 
 it is therefore our duty in the folemn Af* 
 femblies to read the word of God to the 
 people, in a known tongue \ ( as Mofes and 
 the Prophecs were read every Sabbath day 
 in the Synagogues of the Jews. ) Such 
 portions b'eing chofen, and order obferved, 
 as the Paftors difcern to be moft for edifica- 
 tion. 
 
 2$. Our publike preaching of the Go- 
 fpel 
 
more largly opened. 
 
 fpel (hould be from faith and holy expe- 
 rience, with plainnefs, and perfpicuity, with 
 reverence and gravity, with convincing 
 evidence and authority, with fervent zeal, 
 and perfwading importunity, with the ten- 
 dered love and melting compaflion, with 
 faithfulnefs , impartiality and prudence, 
 fuiting both matter and manner to the 
 neceflity of the hearers, arid with frequency 
 and unwearied patience, waiting on God 
 for the fuccefs. 
 
 24. The Paftor is to lead, and the peo- 
 ple to confent and joynin heart in the pub- 
 like prayers, and unanimoufly to pour out 
 their fouls unto the Lord in penitent con- 
 fefiion of fin, and fervent petition, and 
 joyful thankigiving and praife; and this 
 according to the direftion <jf the holy Scri- 
 ptures ^ and efpecially of the Lords prayer: 
 which is the moil perfeft, comprehenfive 
 fummary, form and pattern of our pray- 
 ers. 
 
 25. Confeffion is to be made, both of 
 our own fin ,and the fins of the Church and 
 Nation, of Magiftrates, Minifters and Peo- 
 ple: yet fo as that we turn it not into a 
 reproaching and difhonouring of our fu- 
 periours, or an abufing of mens perfons, by 
 venting our malice or diflempered paflions, 
 
 or 
 
 39 
 
40 The Office ofChrifls Mimfters 
 
 or uncharitable ccnfurcs againft them • wc 
 muft confefs our original: and aftual fin : 
 The great corruption of our hearts and 
 lives : our finful thoughts, affe&ions, 
 words and aftions: our privative and po- 
 fitive fin : our omiffions and commiflions ; 
 our fecret andunknown fins in general,and; 
 our known and open fins by name : our 
 fins of ignorance^ and fins againft know- 
 ledge : our fins before and fince converfion: 
 our fins againft the Lord hiirfelf, confifting 
 in our unholinefs, contrary to thefirft ca- 
 ble j and our unjuftice and uncharitable- 
 nefs againft our neighbour • and our folly 
 and injury againft our felves : The fins of 
 our relations, and of our more private life : 
 our fins againft the light and law'bf nature ^ 
 and our fins againft the Gofpel and grace 
 of a Redeemer : Againft the outward 
 means of*Grace, and againft the inward 
 motions of the Spirit , and of our confid- 
 ences : againft mercies and judgements ; 
 againft the examples of Chrift andhisfer- 
 vants, and the warning- falls of others-^ 
 efpecially thofe fins by which we have moft 
 diftionoured God and our holy profeffion ^ 
 and have moft fcandalized, hardened o 
 tempted others : And all our confefiions 
 fhould proceed from true contrition and 
 hatred of the fin. 26. Our 
 
 % 
 
 ? 
 
 fc 
 
 A 
 
more Urgly opened. 41 
 
 26 • Our petitions muft be only for things 
 agreeable to the revealed will of God : And 
 principally fcr the hallowing of his name, 
 land the coming of his Kingdom, and the t 
 doing of his will, in earth ,as it is in heaven ; 
 And thereforewe muft have companionate 
 thoughts of the dark and miferable parts of 
 the world, where by Heathenifm, Infideli- 
 ty and Mahometanilm, the name of God 
 s grievotfly dlfhonoured, and his Sove- 
 aignty denied or rejected , and Satans 
 Kingdom doth prevail , and where the will 
 )fGod is partly unknown, and partly will- 
 ully difobeyed : And our eye and heart 
 nuft be on the fta r e of the univerfal 
 Church, that all this intereft of God-in- 
 thrift, may be there preferved and ad- 
 /anced. And in order to th^fe blefTed 
 ?nds, we muft beg fuch neceffaries of our 
 ife, as the fupportation of our natures for 
 he work of God requireth : And thefor- 
 'ivenefs of all our fins through Chrift 
 'which yet we cannot expeft to receive, if 
 ve from our hearts forgive not others : ) 
 \nda gratious prefervation from tempta- 
 ions, or the power of them, and from Satan 
 md (in the greateft evils ; That fo the holi- 
 lefs of our hearts and lives may (hew that 
 ve are the loyal fub jefts of the Kingdom of 
 
 our 
 
4* The Office ef Chrifts Minifters 
 
 our Lord, and that we acknowledge and 
 magnifie his Soveraign power, and live as a 
 people devoted to his glory. Anfl all this we 
 mull: beg in an humble fenfe of our great 
 unworthinefs, mifery, neceflity and infuffi- 
 - ciency to help our felves •, and in the name 
 of Chrift, inunderftandingand faith (and 1 
 therefore not in a tongue that we under- 
 ftand not) and with fervency and unceffant 
 importunity , as direfted , excited and 
 ftrengthened by the Spirit of Chrift. 
 
 27. Our thankfgiving unto God rauft 
 not be like the Pharifees, in hypocrifie and 
 pride, or to make often tation of things that 
 we never had, but in humility and holy 
 joyfulnefs of mind , we muft declare our 
 thankfulnefs, for our Creation, Redempti- 
 on, Juftification and Reconciliation with 
 God, our San&ification, and all the parts 
 thereof, and helps thereunto : For the Go- 
 fpel and Miniftery ^ and the plantation , 
 prefervation and propagation of the Church 
 thereby : for common and fpecial works of 
 providence, for the good of the Church,our$ 
 brethren or our felves « for mercies ordi^-p 
 nary or extraordinary : fpiritual or corpo 
 ral ; for prevention of evils, or removing 
 them: for the quality and degree, the fuita- 
 blendfs and feafonablenefs of all our mer- 
 cies 
 
 a; 
 
more largely ofentd* 43 
 
 cies, with the reft of their aggravations: 
 cfpecially for thofe that molt promote our 
 everlaftinghappinefs, and the publike good 
 and glory of the Lord. 
 
 28. The matter of our holy praifes of the 
 Lord, muft be his blefled and infinite Being 
 and Nature, and all his Attributes: hisin- 
 inite Power, and Wifdom, and Goodnefs : 
 lis Truth, and Holinefs, and Love : hisab- 
 folute Dominion, hisSoveraignty, and Fa- 
 therly benignity : his Juftice and his Mercy: 
 even as they are revealed in the works of 
 the Creation, and in the glafs of the holy 
 Scripture, and in the perfon of Jefus Chrift, 
 and in the Image of God upon his Saints • 
 And all thefehis works alfo muft be praifed 
 in fubferviency to his praife. And becaufe 
 it is a moft high and excellent duty to praife 
 the Lord, we muftftrive to do it with all 
 the faith, and reverence, and admiration, 
 and love, and delight, and joy, and cheer- 
 fulnefs that poflibly we can attain ; and this 
 with conftancy as our daily work, with our 
 ?ye on heaven, where we (hall do it in per- 
 fection to all eternity. 
 
 29. As the holy Scriptures {hould be 
 read in a tongue that the people under- 
 hand, fo (hould the pureft exafteft tranfla- 
 tion of them be ufed that can be had : And 
 
 though 
 
^4 The Office of Ch rifts Minifters 
 
 though it be not of abfolute neceflity to the 
 communion or peace ot the Churches ^ yet 
 it is to be defired and endeavoured , that all 
 neighbour Churches that are of one lan- 
 guage do all agree in the ufe of that one 
 tranflation. 
 
 30. Though in cafes of neceflity the Go- 
 fpel may be publikely expounded and ap- 
 plied by the reading of the Expositions and 
 Sermons of others , yet as it is meet that the 
 Preachers of the Gofpel be able to perform 
 this work themklves, by the abilities given 
 them from God, in the ufe of juft and edi- 
 fying means-, foit is meet that by diligent 
 itudying, meditation and prayer, thefe 
 abilities be improved $ and that from this 
 holy and fpiritual treafure within them, the 
 Minifters of Chnft do draw forth found 
 Explication,with pertinent lively Applicati- 
 on of the truth. 
 
 3 1 . So alfo in the publike prayers,though 
 it be lawful (in it felf) to read the words of 
 prayer prefcribcd us by others •, yet as all 
 Minifters (hould be able to pray themfelves 
 from the knowledge and feeling of their 
 own and the peoples wants, fo it is meet 
 that their graces and holy abilities be ordi- 
 narily exercifed in fuch prayer, and that 
 they be not reftrained from fpeaking to 
 
 God 
 
more largely opened. 45 
 
 God in fuch found and meet exprefiions,as 
 fhall either prefently, or by the means of 
 their preparations, proceed from the fenfe 
 of the matter of their prayers, excited and 
 drawn forth by the affiftance of the Spirit 
 of Chrilt. But whether any particular Pa- 
 llor (hould ufe a {tinted form of words 
 impofed by others, or invented by himfelf, 
 or whether he (hall pray without fuch (tint- 
 ed forms, or both, by turns, is a point co be 
 determined according to his own abilities, 
 and the (late of his flock, and other ac- 
 cidents : but it is not to be made a matter 
 of fuch neceflity in it felf, as to lay the unity 
 or peace of the Churches, or the liberty of 
 the Paftors and Worfhippers of Chnft up- 
 on it. 
 
 32. The Pnblike Pralfes of God muft 
 [be exprefTed by the Paitor in fuch words 
 las are produced by that holy knowledge, 
 faith, admiration, love and delight, with 
 which his foul (hould be poffeffed that is fo 
 nigh to God ^ andalfo by the recitation of 
 facred Pfalms and Hymns , and by the 
 cheerfull finging of fuch by the Church .* 
 wherein the melody muft be fpiritually, and 
 not carnally uled: for theafiifting of our 
 
 FduIs in the exercife of that holy alacrity 
 nd joy that is required in fo high a work ^ 
 4 n/i 
 
46 The Office tfChrip Miniflers 
 
 and not to draw off our minds from the 
 matter, nor to ftop at the pleafing of our 
 ears. Such Pfalms alfo may be recited or 
 fung, as contain matter of confeflion of fin, 
 petition, thankfgiving, and fuch narratives 
 as tend topraife. 
 
 33. The form of words to befaid and 
 lung, muft be taken efpecially out of the 
 holy Scriptures: to" which ufe we have the 
 Pfalms of David and other Hymns : And 
 alfo we may ufe fuch as have been or fhall be 
 compofed by wife and holy men, agreeable 
 to the doftrine of the Scripture, and iuited 
 tojhe Gofpel frame of worfhip,and as far as 
 may be, even in Scripture phrafe. And 
 though it be not meet to infiftupona con- 
 cord in lejflfer things, when it cannot be at- 
 tained without the violation of concord in 
 greater things • yet is it much to be defired 
 and endeavoured that all the Churches of 
 the fame language (efpecially that are near 
 and in the fame dominions J ftiould agree in 
 ufing the fame Pfalms and Hymns for mat- 
 ter and meeter 5 and that the verfion fo 
 agreed on, be the belt that they can 
 have. 
 
 34. The Euchariftor Supper of the Lord 
 is £a holy Sacrament inftituted by Chrift, 
 wherein bread and wine being firft by con- 
 
 ifl/^fn nfWk 
 
mdre Urgelj epened. 4*7 
 
 fetation made Sacramencally or reprefen- 
 tamely the Body and Blood of Chrift, they 
 fed by breaking and pouring out, to 
 re> efent and commemorate the facrifice of 
 Cb^M Body and Blood upon the Crofs, 
 onct ^tfered up to God for fin : and are 
 given in the name of Chrift unto the 
 Church, to fignific and folemnize the re- 
 newal of his holy Covenant with them, and 
 fealing it unto them, and the giving of him- 
 felf to them to expiate their (ins by his fa- 
 crifice, and fanftifie them further by his 
 Spirit, and confirm their right toeverlaft- 
 ing life : and they are received, eaten and. 
 drunk by the Church, toprofefs that they 
 willingly receive Chrift himfelf to the ends 
 aforefaid, (their Juftification, Sanftification 
 and Glorification) and to fignifie and fo- 
 lemnize the renewal of their Covenant with 
 him, and their holy Communion with him, 
 and with one another.] 
 
 35. The Sacrament of the Lords Supper 
 containeth in it thefe three parts. 1. The 
 Corporation of the Bread and Wine. 
 2. The Representation and Commemora- 
 tion of the Sacrifice of Chrift. 3 . And the 
 giving to, and participation by the Church. 
 The Confecration hath chief refped unto 
 God the Father ; the Reprefentation and 
 £ Com- 
 
48 The Office efchrifls Ul£ini{lcr$ 
 
 Commemoration to the Son as facrificed: 
 and the Giving and Participation, to the 
 applying operations of the Holy Gboft. 
 As it muftfirft be the Body and Blood of 
 Chrift before it be facrificed, and firft offer- 
 ed in facrifice to God, before it is offered 
 for nouriftiment and falvation unto men ^ 
 fo is it in the order of Sacramental represen- 
 tation. 
 
 36 The Confecration is performed by 
 the Churches offering up the Creatures of 
 Bread and Wine to God to be accepted to 
 this holy ufe : and by Gods acceptance of 
 them,as dedicated thereunto. The Churches 
 dedication is expreffed by the prefent a&i- 
 on, and Gods acceptance is expreffed by his 
 command and promife, and the minifterial 
 acceptioaand benedi&ion. The Minifter 
 in this a&ion is the agent of the people in 
 offering or dedicating thefe creatures unto 
 God, and he is Gods Agent or Minifter in 
 receiving and blefling them. 
 
 37. In this dedication of the Bread and 
 Wine to God to be the confecrated .matter 
 of the commemorative repre tentative fa- 
 crifice , the Church acknowledgeth the 
 three grand relations of God to his people. 
 1. We acknowledge him the Creator and. 
 Owner of all the Creatures. 2. We ac- 1 
 
 know- 
 
more largely opened. $$ 
 
 knowledge him our Righteous Soveraign 
 Ruler, whofe Law we have offended, and 
 who hath received the attonement , and 
 whofe Laws we do herein obey. And, 
 3. We acknowledge him our Father, or 
 bounteous benefaftor , by whom we are 
 fuftained, and whofe love we have forfeited, 
 and with whom we defire by Chrift to be 
 reconciled. 
 
 38. This confecration maketh not the 
 Bread to be no Bread, or the Wine to be no 
 longer Wine ; nor dorh it make any addition 
 to, or change upon the glorified real Body 
 of Chrift^ but it maketh the Bread to be 
 Sacramentally thrifts Body 3 and the Wine 
 to be Sacramentally his Blood 5 that is re- 
 prefentatively : as an A&or in a Tragedy is 
 the perfon whom he reprefenteth : or as 
 in Inveititures, a fword is the honour of 
 Knighthood, or a key is the houfe, or a twig 
 or turf is the land, 
 
 39. Becaufe Chrift was to be invifibleto 
 is, and the heavens muft receive him till the 
 
 eltoration of all things, therefore as he 
 lathfent his Spirit within to be his Agent 
 n his members ^ fo hath he appointed his 
 Ordinances without, and efpecially this vi- 
 
 ble folemn Reprefentation and Comme- 
 'Inoration of his facrifice-, that our faith 
 
jo The Office of Chrifls Mhifters 
 
 * might hereby be helped ,and our fouls might 
 beraifed tofuch apprehenfions of his love 
 and the mercy of our Redemption, as if we 
 had even feen him crucified before our eyes, 
 and this till his glorious return, when 
 we (hall enjoy himvifibly in his glory. 
 
 40. As Chrift in his Interceffion, as our 
 highPrieft in the heavens, procureth and 
 conveyeth his benefits of falvation upon the 
 account of his facrifice once offered on the 
 Crofs •, fo doth the Church in this Com- 
 memoration, prefent him unto God the 
 Father, as the faerificed Lamb, in whom, 
 they profefs themfelves to believe, and by 
 whom alone they expeft falvation, and all 
 the bleffings tending thereunto. 
 
 .41. In this Commemoration the Mini- 
 fter is chiefly the Agent of Chrift, in repre- 
 fenting his voluntary offering up himfelf 
 unto the Father in facrifice for fin : And 
 lie is the Agent of the people, in that part 
 of the Commemoration, in which they pro- 
 fefs their Believing in a crucified Chriit, and 
 thankfulnefs for him, and dependance on 
 him as their hope. 
 
 42. Jefus Chrift having finiftied the 
 work of Redemption, which he was to do 
 on earth, in the days of his flefh, afcended 
 and is glorified-with the Father, and being 
 
 become! 
 
more Urgely eycnea^^^^^^f 
 
 become the pcrfcft head and treafure of the 
 Church, hath in his Teftament or new Co- 
 venant made a free gift of himfelf and life 
 to all that will receive him as he is offered . 
 and he hath appointed his Minifters not on- 
 ly to proclaim this gift unto the world, but 
 alfo in his name to deliver it to the Church : 
 And it is a great encouragement and com- 
 fort to Believers, that it is aMinifteror 
 Agent of Chrift himfelf, that by his com- 
 mand, and in his name doth fay to them 
 [[Take ye, eat ye, this is my Body which is 
 broken for you.]] And £ this is my Blood of 
 the New Teftament, which is (hed for you, 
 drink ye all of it J • Chrift himfelf with his 
 faving benefits , being herewith as truly 
 offered to tbeir faith, as the iigns and re- 
 prefentations are offered to their hands and 
 mouths. Though it be ftill bur (confecrat- 
 cd) bread and wine that doth reprefent, yet 
 is it the very Body and Blood or Chrift that 
 is reprefented • and Chrift himfelf as the 
 Head of the Church, and fountain of our 
 renewed life, and as our fpiritual nourifti- 
 tnent, that is truly given us, and received 
 by us. 
 
 43. It is therefore unmeet for any but a 
 
 lawful Minifter of Chrift, who is authorized 
 
 hereunto, to adminifter this holy Sacra- 
 
 E 3 ment: 
 
^J imOjfice of thrifts Mintjtcrs 
 
 merit: bothbecaufe no other are called to 
 it in the holy Scripture, nor can (hew any 
 warrant for fuch an undertaking -, and be- 
 caufe it is very injurious to the comfort of 
 the Church, when they know not that the 
 perfon hath any authority to deliver them 
 fo great a mercy from tne Lord, nor whe- 
 ther Chrift will own his miniftration. 
 
 44. The Minifters muft partake of this 
 holy Sacrament with the Church ; not as 
 they are the Agents of Chrift for the delive- 
 ry of ir, but as they themfelves are his Difcu 
 pies and members of the Chruch. 
 
 45. Before the receiving of this holy 
 Sacrament we ought to examine our felves, 
 that we may come preparedly with repen- 
 tance for all known fin, and faith in Chrift, 
 and an humble feeling of our own neceffi- 
 tics, and a thankful fenfe of the love of God 
 exprefled in our redemption by Chrift, and 
 a hungnng and thirfting after him and his 
 righceoufnefs, and with an unfeigned love 
 unco our brethren, and a high eftimation of 
 the union and communion of the Saints, 
 iandwith arefointion to walk in holy obe- 
 dience to God, in patient hope of the com- 
 ing of Chrift, and of the everlafting King- 
 dom, where we (hall be perfedly in him 
 united: which holy affe&ions arcalfo to 
 
 be 
 
be cxercifed in the time of our Communion 
 in this Sacrament, and afterwards upon the 
 review of what we have here received and 
 done. 
 
 46. The Word and Prayer muft be joyn- 
 ed with the Sacrament, The nature and 
 ufe of it muft be opend,"and the people ex- 
 cited to the exercife of the duties before 
 mentioned. Sin muft be confefled and -la- 
 mented, and mercy implored,and thankfully 
 acknowledged, and the goodnefs of God, 
 efpecialty manifefted in the work of our 
 Redemption, muft with thegreateft admi- 
 ration, alacrity and joy that we can attain 
 to, be magnified and praifed , till rhis un- 
 fpeakable love of God in Chrift hath drawn 
 out our hearts in fervent love to him again. 
 And it will be molt fuitable to this Eucha- 
 riltical Ordinance, that the Church do fing 
 fome Pfalm or Hymn of praife to God, for 
 the mercies of our Redemption. 
 
 47. Thofeare to be invited to the Sup. 
 per of the Lord that have thefe neceflary 
 qualifications, in fome degree, and the reft 
 to be acquainted with the danger of eating 
 and drinking unworthily. Thofe only 
 are to be admitted to the Table of the 
 Lord that have the ufe of reafon, and 
 can examine themfclves, and are members 
 E 4 of 
 
74 The °tP ce °J Chn P Mimpers 
 
 of the Church, and have made a perfonal 
 credible profeflion of faith and holinefs, 
 and are not juftly,for herefie or any fcanda- 
 lous fin, removed from prefent communion 
 with the Church. 
 
 48. The ufing or not ufing of forms of 
 prayer in the adminiftration of this Sacra- 
 ment, is to be determined of, as aforefaid 
 in the other parts of worlhip, according to 
 the different abilities of Minifters, and ftate 
 of the feveral congregations, and other ac- 
 cidents that fhould weigh in fuch indifferent 
 things. But as in the Adminiftration of 
 Baptifm, it is ordinarily meeteft and moft 
 fafe • to ufe the exprefs form of words 
 which Chrift hathdirededusto, and the 
 Church hath ftill ufcd, viz.. [I Baptize thee 
 in the name of the Father, Son and Holy 
 Ghoft] : fo in the Adminiftration of the 
 Sacrament of the Lords Supper, it is fafeft 
 and meeteft that we ufe the words that 
 Chrift by his example hath dirc&ed us to 
 nfe. As Matth. 26. 26, 27, 28 . Lu\^ 22. 
 19,20. 1 Cor. 11.24,25. viz. [Take ye, 
 eat ye, this is my Body which i* broken for 
 A 7 ou, this do in remembrance of me^ and 
 L This is the Blood of Chrift, even of the 
 NewTeftament (or this is theNewTefta- 
 ment in the Blood of Chrift) which islhed 
 i* for 
 
•mon larglj opened. ^^^^f$ 
 
 for many for the rcmiffion of fins •, drink 
 ye all of it in remembrance of him.] 
 
 49. As it is not unmeet for the Church 
 at other times when they afTcmble, to make 
 a folcmn profeffion of the Chriftian faith 
 and of holy obedience, to manifcft their 
 conftancy therein ^ and to declare what 
 do&rine it is chat we afTcmble to profefs, 
 and topreferve it in the minds of all ; fo is 
 it more efpecially meet, that at Baptifm and 
 the Lords Supper, when we are folemiriy 
 to renew our Covenant with the Lord, the 
 Covenanters do renew this folemn Profeffi- 
 on : To which end it is moft lafe to make 
 ufe of the ancient forms of Confeffion, 
 called, The Apoftles Creed, and the Nicene 
 Creed- and alfo to recite the Ten Com- 
 mandments, with a profeffion ofourcon- 
 fent to the terms of the Covenant with God 
 the Father, Son and Holy Ghoft. To which 
 if we (at left fometimesj adjoyn fome fuller 
 Explication of the Creed and Decalogue 
 (fuch as is our Profeffion here before fet 
 downj it will not be unprofitable or un- 
 meet. And in fuch manner it may all be 
 managed, and fuch figns or expreffions of 
 confent required, as the Paftors (hall jadge 
 meet for the attainment of the defircd ends, 
 with liberty for fuch variations , as are 
 
 neceffary 
 
5 6 The Office ofChrifts Minifiers 
 
 neceffary to prevent a dead formality, 
 50. At the difmiffion of the Affembly, 
 it is meet that thePaftor do folemnly blefs 
 them in the name of Chrift, to which he is 
 authorized as an ad of his Minifterial 
 Office. 
 
 51. Deacons are Church-Officers infti- 
 tuted by the Holy Ghoft to be ferviceable 
 to the Paftorsand the Church, by the diftri- 
 bution of the Creatures dedicated to the 
 Church-Communion, and taking care for 
 the fupplying of the necefficies of the 
 poor, out of the contributions or flock of tc 
 the Church. 
 
 
 52. The fir ft day of the week isappoint- 
 ed or feparated by the Holy Ghoft for the 
 holy AfTemblics and publike worlhip of the 
 Church and other holy exercifes * and is 
 herein to be improved to the honour of 
 God, and the edification of our felves and 
 others : and all other imployments are 
 therein to be avoided that any way hinder 
 the holy duties of the day-, except fuch as 
 become a greater duty, upon the account of 
 Piety, Juftice or Mercy. That fome ftated 
 
 time 
 
more largely ofened. 57 
 
 time be feparated to the publike fervice of 
 God and the benefit of our fouls, is a thing 
 that the law of Nature doth command ^ 
 that this ftated time (hould be at leaft one 
 day in feven , the reafon and equity (at 
 leaft ) of the fourth Commandment doth 
 acquaint us : that this day {hould be every 
 firft day of the week, the Holy Ghoft in the 
 New Teftament hath revealed to us • ac- 
 quainting us with Chrifts nfing on that 
 day (which laid the foundation of the 
 change ) and of the AfTembling of his Difci- 
 ples on that day , and his owning their 
 Affcmbly by his appearing to them, and 
 teaching them, and bleiling them, and 
 giving them their commiffion and the Holy 
 Ghoit, fob. 20. 1 9, to 24. The fame they 
 did the next firft day, where he again ap- 
 peared and owned their Affembly, and re- 
 vealed himfelf unto them, fob. 20. 26,27. 
 And that this was the pradiceof the Apo- 
 ftles and the Primitive Chriftian Churches 
 direded by them,appeareth ^#.20.7,8. 
 Ji Cor. 16. 1,2. fo that it was called the 
 Lords Day ,as the laft day before was called 
 :he Sabbath, Rev.i.io. And to put us out 
 of all doubt of the matter of /ad:, and con- 
 fequentlyof the meaning ofthefe texts of 
 Scripture ^ the certain Tradition and mod 
 
 Concor- 
 
Concordant hiftory of the Church affureth 
 us, that ever fincethe days of the Apoftles, 
 the univerfal Church in all parts of the 
 world, hath conftantly obferved the Lords 
 Day in Commemoration of the Refurre 
 dion of Chnft : which it is not poflible that 
 they could have done, without contradi' 
 dion and rebukes from the Apoftles them 
 felves or fome of the Churches which they 
 planted, if it had not been a certain truth. 
 Thofe therefore that will be againft the 
 holy obfervation of the Lords Day, muft 
 either impudently deny the Teftimony of 
 all Church Hiftory and Tradition, which 
 with one confent affure us that it was ob- 
 ferved univerfally in the Chriftian 
 Churches from the Apoftles daies, as a 
 thing by them eftablifhed and praftifed ^ 
 or eile they mult imagine that all the 
 diiperfed Churches through the worlds 
 confpired in the teaching and pradifing. 
 of fuch an error without any known re-< 
 buke, wherein it had been moft eafie for any 
 to have convided them to be flanderers of; 
 the Apoftles, or the Ages that were before 
 them. Having therefore fo much in Na- 
 ture, in the fourth Commandment , in the 
 New Teftament, and the Dodrine and 
 Pradice of the univerfal Church, for our 
 
 holy 
 
more UrgeJy opened. 5 9 
 
 holy obfervation of this day- it illbefeems 
 any Chriftian to forfake all or any of thefe, 
 and think now in the end of the world to 
 find out the certain praftice of the Apo- 
 files, better then all the Churches which 
 they planted. 
 
 53. Seeing the Lords Day is purpofely 
 fet apart for the celebrating of the memori- 
 all of the Refurre&ion of Chrift, and fo of 
 the work of our Redemption (as the Sab- 
 bath was for the Commemorating of the 
 work of Creation) , the work of the day 
 muft be very muchEuchariftical, and the 
 Church (hould be taken up in the thankful 
 admiration of the myfterie and mercy of 
 our Redemption, and in the affe&ionatc 
 praifesofthe Lord our Redeemer, and an 
 afpiring after the everlafting Reft, which he 
 hath purchafed,and promifed,and prepared 
 foruswithhimfelf. 
 
 54. Minifters muft not only perform the 
 publike worftiip of God upon this day, but 
 alfo exhort the people to improve the 
 reft of it in private, by prayer,and medita- 
 tion, and holy conference, and calling to 
 mind the Word which they have heard • 
 efpecially the Parents and Matters of fami- 
 lies, who muft inftrud their children and 
 feryants, and watch over them,and reftrain 
 
 them 
 
hanK 
 Bnfc 
 
 So The Office of Chrtfts Mtniflers 
 
 them from the violation of the day, and 
 call them to an account of the dodxine 
 they have heard, and the duties to be per- ^ 
 forxred. 
 
 55. It is lawful, and a duty on other daie$ 
 alfo, according to our necefiities and op- 
 portunities, to Redeem fome time for the 
 publikc worfliip of God. And whenever || 
 thePaftors (hall call the Church together, 
 to hear the Word,or perform holy worfhip, 
 it is the peoples duty obediently and gladly 
 to attend, if greater duties do not prohibit 
 them. 
 
 56. When great affli&ions lie upon the 
 Church, or anyufeful members of it ^ or 
 when any great fins have been committed 
 among them, it is meet that in publike by 
 fafting and prayer we humble our felves 
 before the Lord, for the averting of his 
 difpleafure. And on fuch oceafions it is 
 the Paftors duty to confefs his own and the 
 peoples fins, with penitence and tendernefs 
 of heart, and by his dodrine and exhorta- 
 tion to endeavour effedually to bring the 
 people to the fight and fenfe of their fin,and 
 thedeferts of it, and to a firm refolution 
 of better obedience for the time to 
 come •, being importunate with God in 
 Prayer for pardon and renewed Grace. 
 
 57. Upon 
 
mm largely opened. JT 
 
 57. Upon the receipt of any notable ex- 
 raordmary mercies , the Church having 
 pportunity, (hould Aflemble for publike 
 'hankfgiving unto God : wherein the 
 aftors (hould ftir them up to the livelyeft 
 snfe of the grcatnefs of their mercies, and 
 ttd them in a joyful celebration of tbe 
 raifes of their bountiful benefa&or. And it 
 s lawful on thefe da ; cs to exprefs our joy 
 n feafting and outward figns of mirth ^ 
 >rovided that they be moderately and 
 piritually ufed, and not to gratifie our fen- 
 ual defires •, and that we relieve the poor 
 n their ncceffities (which alfo on daies of 
 humiliation and other feafons we rauft not 
 brget.) 
 
 5 8. It is not unlawful or unmeet to keep 
 an anniverfary commemoration of fome 
 great and notable mercies to the Church, 
 the memory whereof (hould be tranfmitted 
 topofterity. 
 
 59. In all the modes and circumftances of 
 worftiip which God himfelf hath left unde- 
 termined, all Chriftians muft take heed of 
 miking unneceflary things to be neceffary, 
 and laying the unity and peace of the 
 Church on things indifferent, and laying 
 fnares for the confeiences of others ^ but 
 mutt leave much to the prudence of the 
 
 particular 
 
6z The Of pee of Chrtjts Mintfters 
 
 particular Paftors that are upon the place, 
 to whom it belongs to fit fuch circum- 
 ftantial^ to their peoples ftate ^ and the 
 Churches in fuch things wherein they may 
 fafely differ, muft be left to their liberty : 
 Long and fad experience having taught us, 
 that the violent impofing of unnecefTary 
 things, is the engine of the Devil to tear the 
 Church. 
 
 60. The marriage of Chriftians being a 
 work of great concernment to themfelves* 
 and meet to be publikely performed, and 
 accordingly to be fanftified by the Word 
 and Prayer •, it is convenient that it be 
 folemnized by the Minifter, or at lealt that 
 hecounfelland exhort them,and pray for a 
 blefling on them : being firft fufficiently 
 fatisfied of their capacity and necefTary pre- 
 parations. Herein he is to acquaint them 
 with the Inftitution, Nature and Ends of 
 their Relations •, and the duties feverally 
 and joyntly by them to be performed ., and 
 the difficulties and temptations to be ex- 
 pefted and provided for. Efpecially they 
 are to be direfted to live together in holi- 
 nefs,as the heirs of life, and to be very care- 
 full and diligent in the holy education of 
 their children, and governing their families 
 for the Lord ; and to ufe the world as not 
 
 abufing 
 
more largely ofened. 6$ 
 
 abufing it, reraembring their approaching 
 fcparation by death. And he is to fee 
 that they folemnly enter into the Ma- 
 trimonial Covenant, engaging themfelves 
 to conjugal fidelity to each other, until they 
 arefeparated by death. 
 
 61. The Paftors of the Churches muft 
 not only Teach the people , and guide 
 them in the publike worfhip ; but alfo muft 
 faithfully Overfee them in private, endea- 
 vouring to know and watch over each mem- 
 ber of their flock, preferving them from he- 
 refies, errours, and divifions : defending the 
 Truth, confuting gainfayers and feducers • 
 inftrufting the Ignorant, exciting the neg- 
 igcnt • encouraging the defpondent ■ com- 
 Porting the afflidted, confirming the weak, 
 rebuking and admonifhing the diforderly 
 and fcandalous, and direding all accordi- 
 ng to their needs, in the matters of their 
 salvation. And the people in fuch needs 
 fhould have ordinary recourfe to them, as 
 the Officers of Chrift, for guidance and re- 
 folution of their doubts, and for affiftance 
 n making their Salvation fure, and pro- 
 :uring, maintaining or reftoring the peace 
 
 p of 
 
64 The office of Chrifts Mixiflers 
 
 of their confciences, and fpiritual confola- 
 tion. 
 
 62. Thofe perfons that are known te 
 commit any grofs and fcandalous fin , 
 fhould firft by private reproof and admoni- 
 tion (uftleft wheVe the notorioufnefs and 
 iheinoufnefs of the crime doth prefently call 
 for publike reproof) be called to Repen- 
 tance: And if they hear not the Repro- 
 vers, or will not Reform, the Church muft 
 be told of it ; and therein it \i moft conve- 
 nient, that tfie Paftors be firft acquainted 
 with the cafe ( to avoid contention and 
 confufion^ ) before it be brought into the 
 publike a/Tembly : And to that end it is 
 convenient that there be ftated meetings 
 where the Paftors and fome chofen members 
 of the Church, (not as Officers 7 but the 
 Deputies or Truitecs of the reft) fhould ju 
 in their feveral capacities take cognizance 
 of fuch offences -, that fo a unity and full fcj 
 correfpondence may be held between the 
 Paftors and the flock, and all things may be 
 \ione advifedly, orderly, arid concordant- 
 ly ; but where this cannot wellbe done, the 
 B&ftor or paftors muft do their work with- 
 out kv 
 
 63. Thofe perfons that by more private 
 means will not be brought to neceflary J), r ; 
 
 Repentance 
 
 lis 
 
 lie 
 Si 
 tIJC; 
 
 ko 
 
 mil 
 
 ■gi 
 aii 
 
more Urgelj opened. 6 5 
 
 Repentance and Reformation, muft by the 
 Paflor be publikely reproved and admo- 
 nilhed before the Churchy and there called 
 to Repentance by the opening of their fin, 
 and the judgements of the Lord, and plead. 
 ing with them thofe Gofpel mercies and 
 motives that fhould melt them into contri- 
 tion. Andiftheluccefsdo not appear, ic 
 is ordinarily meet that the Church fhould 
 joyn in prayer for the offender, that God 
 would give him repentance unto Hie. 
 
 64. If after fufficient waiting in the ufe 
 )f thefe means, the offender ftili ren;a : n 
 mpenitenr, ic is the duty of the Church ;q 
 ejed him out of their communion. V? 
 n the Pallors muft compaffionately di 
 fe offence 1 hnpenicency , and 
 
 [udgements that God hatb rfi 
 , <>^d the Laws of Chrift & 
 he Church to put fuch from amor g t 
 ihd avoid them, and have no company with 
 qem, that chty may be afhamed, or to D 
 hem as Heart en Publicans : . 
 
 nuft accordingly declare the perfon off 
 ng to be unmeet for -Chriftian C * n, 
 
 nd charge the people to aVoi. nd 
 
 laveno tellowftip with him, and 
 o forbear the Comnaunic 
 finding him over to anfwer it at I 
 
 Yz Chi 
 
66 The Office dfchifis tMiniflers 
 
 Chrift. Which fentence muft be accord- 
 ingly executed by the Paftors, in refufing 
 him the Ordinances proper to the Church, 
 and by the people in avoiding familiari- 
 ty and communion with him, till he bere- 
 flored upon his Repentance. 
 
 65. It muft be a credible Profejfion of Re- 
 pentance only that muft be accepted by the 
 . Church either for the preventing of fuch 
 a rejeftion^ or for reftoring the reje&ed. 
 And ufually when the cafe is heinous and 
 notorious, or the Church hath had the pub- 
 like cognizance of it, they muft alfo have 
 publike notice of the penitence of the offen- 
 dor ; wholhouldwithremorfeof confeience 
 and true contrition confefs his fin before the 
 Congregation, and heartily lament it, and 
 crave the prayers of the Church co God for 
 pardon and reconciliation through Chrift, 
 and alfo crave an Abfolution by the Mini* 
 fter,andareftoration into the communion 
 of theChurch.-Eut becaufe it much depend- 
 eth on circumftances of the -cafe whether 
 the Confeffion fliould be publike or pri- 
 vate, or in what manner made, it is there* 
 fore to be much left to the Prudence of the. 
 Pallors, whom the people in fuch cafes arcj 
 commanded to obey. 
 
 66. When a credible Profe/fion of Rej 
 
 pentanct 
 
 u 
 
more largely opened. B^ 
 
 pentanceis made ( whether voluntarily by 
 the Converted, or upon the Churches ad- 
 monition by the fcandalous, or after ex- 
 communication ) it is the duty of the Pa- 
 llors to declare fuch Penitents in the name 
 of Chrift to be pardoned and abfolved, and 
 Minifterially to give them this Mercy from 
 the Lord, in cafe their Repentance be fin- 
 cere as they profefs ; And if the perfon 
 were excommunicate, it is the duty of the 
 Paftor to declare him again meet for the 
 Communion of the Church, and require the 
 Church to receive him with joy as a return- 
 ing {inner, and not to reproach him with 
 I his falls, but to forgive him, as Chrift for- 
 giveth him •, all which they arc accordingly 
 to perform • and the Penitent with Joy to 
 receive his absolution, and to return to the 
 Communion of the Church , and to a 
 more holy careful obedient life. 
 
 67. When any by frequent Covenant- 
 breaking, have forfeited the Credit of their 
 words, the Church muft have teftimonyof 
 the attual Reformation of fuch perfon s, be- 
 fore they can receive their profeflions and 
 promifes as credible any more. Though 
 yet there is fo great difference here in per- 
 lons and offences, that the particular cafes 
 fnuft be much left to the prudence of the 
 "F 3 Paflorr 
 
68 The Office rf Chrtjts t^iinifters 
 
 Paftors that are prefent, and know the per- 
 fons and the whole cafe. 
 
 68. So great is the neceflity of the fick, 
 and fo feafonable and advantagious the 
 opportunity, that Minifters fhould not neg- 
 ligently omit them,but in Love and tender- 
 nefs inftrud: them, according to then* fevc- 
 ral conditions : endeavouring the Conver- 
 fion of the ungodly, and the ftrengthening 
 of the weak, and comforting fuchasneed 
 Confolation \ dire&ing them how to im- 
 prove their affti&ion ^ and helping them 
 to be truly fenfible of the evil of fin, the 
 mifcarriages and negligences of their lives ^ 
 the vanity of the world •, the neceflity and 
 fufficiency of Chrift, and the certainty and 
 excellency of the everlafting Glory : Pcr- 
 fwading them to a pious, juft and charitable 
 difpofal of their worldly eftate •, and to 
 forgive fuch as have wronged them, and to 
 be reconciled to thofe with whom they have 
 been at variance-, and believingly to hope 
 for that life with Chrift, which he hath pro- 
 mifedtoall that are fanftified by his Spirit, 
 and comfortably to commit their fouls to 
 their Redeemer,and quietly reft in the Will, 
 and Love, and Promiles of God • Refolving 
 if God fhould recover them to health, to 
 Redeem their time, and live as a people de- 
 voted 
 
more largely opened. 
 
 voted to his Glory. It is meet alfo that 
 the Pallors pray for the ikk, boeh privately 
 and publikely when it is deiired and thought 
 fit. 
 
 69 The Burial of Christians fhould be 
 decent and honourable, and chough it bs 
 a thing indifferent in it felf, whether Ex- 
 hortations, Funeral Sermons or Prayers be 
 then ufed, yet becaufe the feafon is very 
 advantagious for mens reception of holy 
 inftruftions, it is convenient ( at leaft when 
 defired ) that the Minifter do take that 
 feafon as often as he can, to mind people 
 pf their mortality , and the neccflity of a 
 fpeedy preparation for their change : fo 
 prudently managing all his Exhortations 
 and Prayers, that the due end may be at- 
 tained, and theabufe prevented as far as 
 maybe. 
 
 70. The lives of Chrifts Minifters (hould 
 be conformable to their holy dodxine : and 
 fo exemplary in InnocencyJ.ove, Humility, 
 Mceknefs,Patience, Contempt of the world, 
 crucifying the defires of the flefh, and in 
 a zealous heavenly converlation ; 'andin all 
 works of Piety, Juftice and Charity, within 
 their power, that the mouths of the enemies 
 may bcilopped,andthe people ma 
 and be convinced and dtre&ed, even by 
 1' 
 
i^ ujpcc oj lwijis MMjicrs 
 
 their holy examples, and our felves may le 
 faved, and the Chhftian Church and do- 
 ftrine may be honoured, to the giory of the 
 Holy Ghoft and of our Redeemer, and our 
 heavenly Father. 
 
 71. As we have all one God, oneChrift, 
 one Spirit, one Faith,andHope, and Love, 
 one Covenant, and one Catholike Church/o 
 fhould the Communion of Saints extend as 
 far 3$ their capacity and opportunities will 
 allow. And as particular perfons muft 
 Aflbciate for perfonal Communion in pub-^ 
 like worfhip, fo particular Churches fhould 
 affociate for fuch Brotherly correfpondency 
 and communion, as they are capable of, and 
 their needs require ^ That by communica- 
 ting the Truths and Mercies which they 
 have received, and advifing together, and 
 by a brotherly collation of their appr^hen- 
 fioos, and improvement of their feveral 
 gifts, the unity of the Churches may beprc- 
 ferved, and difcords and uncharitablenefs 
 may be avoided , and the beauty and 
 ftrength of the Churches maintained. And 
 therefore the Paftors of the neighbour 
 Churches fnot excluding others that are &t) 
 fhould meet as frequently, and at fuch times 
 
 and 
 
more largely ofenea. 
 
 and places, as the ends and works of tfi.e 
 Affociation do require. 
 
 72. Into thefe AfFociations fueh Paftors 
 and Churches (hould be received that make 
 a credible Profeflion of Faith and Holinefs, 
 and no other : And they that areHereticks, 
 or of fcandalous ungodly lives, muft after 
 a firft and feeond admonition, if they re- 
 main impenitent , be rejected and dif- 
 owned by the Faithful Paftors and Chur- 
 ches. 
 
 73. Where the fixing of a Hated Prefi- 
 dent in each of thefe AfTociation9 is rcquifite 
 for the peace and edification of the Bre- 
 thren, it may well be yielded to : but how- 
 ever a fpecial care muft be had to prevent 
 contentions and divifions : and therefore 
 perverfe difputings muft befuppreffed • and , 
 proud, felf-conceited, domineering perfons, 
 and fuch as are of fiery, turbulent, conten- 
 tious fpirits, and alio fubtile hereticks and 
 dividers, muft be watched againft as the 
 plague of the Churches, and all poflible 
 charity, humility , meeknefs, felf-denyal, 
 and zeal for holy concord, muft be exer- 
 cifed. 
 
 74. Thofethat through diftance or im- 
 pediments cannot, or through miftakes or 
 peeviftinefs will not joyn in fuch ftated bro- 
 therly 
 
7* Toe Office of Chrtfis Mtmfters 
 
 thcrly Affotiacions and AfTemblies, arc yet 
 to be allowed the due eftimation and affedi- 
 on of Brethren; and fo much Communion as 
 at a diftance they are capable of, if they do 
 but agree with us in a found profeflion of 
 the fauh,and a holy converfation,and Mini- 
 ftcrial fidelity in the main : but yet we mult 
 difown the fin of their dividing, or negled, 
 and as we have opportunity teftifie againft 
 it. 
 
 75. Thefe Churches that cannot hold lo- 
 cal Communion with one another through 
 differences that deitroy not the EfFentials- 
 of Chriftianity, (hould yet maintain a dear 
 and tender Chriftian Love to one another, 
 and profefs their owning each other as 
 Chriftians, and Churches of Jefus Chrift,' 
 and fhould agree together upon certain 
 Jutland equal Rules for the management 
 of their unavoidable differences, fo as may 
 leaft prejudice charity and common good, 
 and leaft harden the ungodly, or grieve the 
 weak, or difhonour God, or hinder the 
 fuccefs of Common, great and neceffary 
 Truths upon the fouls of men ; contriving 
 and amicably promoting the Caufe of Chri- 
 ftianity, and every part of it, in which they 
 are agreed 3 and fhould open their difagree- 
 ments to the people as little as they can. 
 
 76. In 
 
more Urgly opened. jy 
 
 76. In cafes of tolerable difference, as 
 Minifters and People muft maintain a fpeciai 
 holy Love., and Communion as far as their 
 differences will admit • fo muft they defire 
 the well-fare and the Peace of one another, 
 and not ftir up hatred or perfecution,againft 
 each other, by odious nick-names, orex- 
 afperatingthe Magiftrateor people againft 
 diffenters ^ but fhould confent to the 
 Liberty of each other, and help&o take off 
 unjuft hatred, and to hinderal! unmerciful 
 violence or rigor againft one another -, And 
 all of us (hould watch againft and abhor that 
 proud, felf-conceiced, domineering difpoli- 
 tion that would make us cenforious, malici- 
 ous, or cruel againft the weakeft fervantsof 
 the Lord. 
 
 77. Yet muft we not under pretence of 
 Charity, confent to any fuch noxious Liber- 
 ty, as plainly tendeth to the wrong of 
 the Church, and the poyfoning of the fouls 
 of others 5 nor yet muft we confent to the 
 errours of the beft. Though we are not 
 the judges of the fearers of mens hearts, nor 
 may not deal uncharitably with any, yet 
 muft not heretical felf-conceited perfons 
 be tolerated in the obftinate difperfing of 
 their errours, to the definition or danger 
 of mens fouls, nor to reproach and fpeak 
 
 againft 
 
74 The ofjce ofchrifls Minifters 
 
 againft the weighty necefTary truths of 
 God : Nor fhould &ny be tolerated to 
 kindle the flames of uncharitablenefs and 
 contentions in the Churches, by railing, re- 
 proachful language againft the tolerable dif- 
 fenters : But a healing, merciful, and profi- 
 table , and not a deftruftive Toleration 
 fhould be promoted, 
 
 78.The Paftorsof the Churches of Chrift 
 have the power of the Keys of the Kingdom 
 of Heaven, but not of the Temporal fword 
 on earth : And though we determine not 
 whether in cafes of Neceffity, it be lawful 
 for Paftors to be alfo Magiftrates • yet it is 
 certain that without Neceflity it fhould not 
 be allowed ( their work requiring all their 
 time and ftrength) and that as Paftors it 
 belongeth not to them • But as the Magi- 
 ftrate is the appointed officer of God, to 
 Govern even Churches, Paftors, and Peo- 
 ple, in the way of outward force, and Pa- 
 ftors are his Officers to govern them by Spi- | 
 ritual Condud ^ fo muft we be fo far from 
 defiring to ufurp a fecular power, that we 
 fhould ftill advife the Magiftrate to keep 
 the fword in his own hand,and to take heed 
 of putting compulfive power in the hands of 
 Paftors, or enabling them to execute their 
 paffionate difpleafure againft their bre- 
 thren? 
 
more largely oytnta. 7 j 
 
 thren- And as the Magiftrate muft not ufurp • 
 the Paftors office, but only fee that we per- 
 form itourfelves,and pumfhusif wedo not:, 
 fo muft not the Paftors ufurp the Magiftrates 
 office, but humbly and modeftly teach and 
 advife him from the word of God, and re- 
 prove him, and threaten him,and in cafes of 
 extremity denounce the Wrath of Goda- 
 gainft him,, and bind him over to the Tribu- 
 nal of Heaven, to anfwer for his obftinate 
 impenitent contempt • and then leave all 
 the matter to that bar, and patiently fuffer 
 if we be perfecuted by him •, Not doing any 
 thing in the management of any ot our 
 work,without a diae refpeft and reverence 
 to his Authority, and a care of the common 
 good that dependeth on his honour,but re- 
 membring what is meet for him to hear,and 
 for us as MefTengers of Chrift to fpcak. 
 
 79. Thofe Churches of feveral Nations 
 that through diftance a»4 diverfity of fecu- 
 Jar Governours, are uncapable of pergo- 
 nal or local Communion with others,{hould 
 yet confent as neer as may be in their holy 
 profeffions, and praftifes \ not tying each 
 other to any of their unncceffaty modes 
 or forms, nor uncharitably cenfuringany 
 tolerable diflenters , but owning thofe 
 Churches that agree with them in the great 
 
 and 
 
rjs The Of ft ce ef Chrijts Mtmftcrs 
 
 * and neceflary things, & holding fuch corre- 
 fpondence with rhem by Meffengers,as lhall 
 he needful to the promoting of their Unity, 
 Love and Peace, and of the Gofpel and 
 common caufc of Chrift, and the defence of 
 each other againft the common enemies of 
 thcfe, as emergent occafiors fhall require 
 and direft ehem. 
 
 80. To the aforefaid ufes,the Councils 
 or Synods of Paftors are lawful and conve- 
 nient in cafes chat require them, where the 
 Paftors of feveral Churches and Nations 
 may diliberate and determine in order to 
 their Unity, of Doftrines and Practices- to 
 be Agrreed in, and may ftrengthen the 
 hands of one another. But yet, the Canons 
 of fuch Councils are rather Agreements , 
 then proper Laws, to their feveral members 
 3r ablent Brethren ; and bind in order to 
 Unity and Concord by vertue of thofe Ge- 
 neral Commands that require us to do the 
 work of God in fuch Unity and Concord, 
 and not by vertue of any proper fuperior 
 Regimental power, which that Council hath 
 ' over the particular Bilhopsof the Churches 
 of Chrift. And as for General Councils, as 
 we fhould to the forementioned ends regard 
 and honour them above all other, if really 
 fuch were lawfully aflembled • fo in this 
 
 enlarged 
 
more large ij uyewca. <jy 
 
 enlarged and difperfed ftate of the Militant 
 Church, we may eafily fee , that full and 
 proper Univerfal Councils, are neither the 
 State<TGovernors of the Univerfal Church, 
 nor neceffary to its well-being, no nor Law- 
 ful to be attempted, as a Courfe that would 
 certainly deftroy or grievoufly wrong the 
 Churches, by the death and long abfence of 
 the Pallors, through fo many hundred and 
 thoufand miles travail, and fo long attend- 
 ing, which the itate and work of proper 
 Univerfal Councils will require : Yea the 
 faiddiftance, with the age and weaknefsof 
 the Paftors, and the different languages, 
 and the poverty of many difabling them 
 from fuch tedious voyages and journies, 
 and the diffent of the Princes (many of 
 hem Heathens, Infidels, Mahometans) un- 
 der whofe Government they live, or 
 :hrough whole dominions they muft pafs, 
 hefe with many the like Impediments do 
 nakea true Univerfal Council! (like an Uni- 
 verfal Parliament or Senate J to be fo far 
 rom neceffary, or defmble, as to be Mo- 
 aiLy lmpoffible,or next to ImpoffibJe, as to 
 he very Being of it. * . 
 
 The way that'O pointed for 
 
 -hur< contro- 
 
 iftrates 
 ,ern 
 
75 The Of pee of Chrijts Mimfttrs 
 
 govern by the fword or force, and judge 
 who are fit to be Punifhed by the fword 
 x ( And though mod Princes on the earth by 
 , Infidelity have made themfelves uncapable 
 of this part of the work of their Office, yet 
 cannot that difoblige them from the Com- 
 mands of God, or free them from his pu- 
 nifhments for not performing them, nor 
 make the Office of Magiftrates another 
 thing, nor difable Chriftian Princes and 
 Magiftrates, or difoblige them who have 
 not made themfelves uncapable.) 2. That 
 thefe Princes and Governors of feveral Na- 
 tions, do hold a Loving Chriftian Corre- 
 fpondency, for the management of their 
 affairs, and Government of the Churches 
 under them,fo as may be moft to the advan- 
 tage of the Caufe of Chrift, and the union, 
 ftrengthand defence of Chriftians ^ (The 
 General Rules, and Ends of their Truft an<J 
 Power, do oblige them to hold fuch AfTem- 
 blies by their Meffengers as are needful for 
 their Agreement and the Unity and Safety 
 of the Churches under them, as well as they 
 oblige Paftors to fuch neceffary correfpon- 
 dencies. ) 3 . That the Paftors of particular 
 Churches be the Governors of thofe Chur- 
 ches by the word and holy Difcipline (not 
 having the power of the fword or violence) 
 
 and 
 
. more largely eftnedl 7$ 
 
 and that they Judge who is fit or unfit for 
 Commanion with that Church which each ■ 
 or any of them over-fee, and who is to be 
 thence Excommunicated, or there Abfolved. 
 4. ThatthefeBifhops, Paftors , or Elders of 
 particular Churches, fhould hoid Commu- 
 nion among themfelves with all their Bre- 
 thren of other Churches, as far as their na- 
 tural capacity will allow , and the need or 
 benefit of the Churches require it : and that 
 they handle in common the caufes that be- 
 long to all in common , and fettle and main- * 
 t&v\ Agreements for the Unity and Commu- 
 nion of the Churches ; And they arc Judges 
 (as Affeciare^ who is to be- received into 
 their Aflbciate Communion ; and who to be 
 excluded from it \ and what Paflors or 
 Churches they fhould hold fuch Commu- 
 nion with as they are capable of •, and which 
 they fhould admonifh, or renounce. 5, The 
 Chriilian people have allowed them a Judge- 
 ment of Difcretion , by which they mull: 
 prove all things , and hold faft that which 
 is good : and mutt difcern and obey the 
 Lawfull commands and directions of their 
 Magiftrates and Paftors. 6. And as Men 
 have thus their feveral (hares alloted them 
 in Government, Judgement, and decifions, 
 iimiccdly,andnot Abfolutcly judging, even 
 G to 
 
io The office of Chrlfts Mlniflers&c. 
 
 to the Execution which belongs to their fcve- 
 ral Judicatures : So the Finall Abfolute 
 Judgement , and Decifion of all Concrover- 
 fies and Caufes , is referved to the dread- 
 full Tribunal of the Lord , to which wc 
 may make oar laft Appeal , Where all the 
 world (hall be judged in Righteoufnefs , and 
 all the Judgements of men be themfelves 
 Judged , and Truth and Error , Good and 
 Evil, Right and Wrong will be more perfe<9> 
 ly manifcfted unto all •, and it (hall be irre- 
 veriibly determined by Jefus Chrift,who (hall 
 go into Life Everlafting^and who to everlaft- 
 ing puniftiment. 
 
 Cewe Lord Jcfus, Come quick]]. 
 
 Novemb. 1 6. 
 1658. 
 
THE Author thought it not unfit here to annex the 
 Defcription of that Order and Difcipline which 
 h cxercifedby him, with his Afftjlant fiUow-Ta- 
 flors, in the Parifh-Churcti of Kederminfter 5 m Ajfo- 
 ciation with many Taftors of thsfe parts, who have Agreed 
 to exercife fo much of the Mlnificrial Office , m by the 
 Confetf of the Epifcopaly Trcsbyteriah, and Congregation 
 na& s be[oagethtotbem. uhich being pkklijbed ^.i. May 
 prevent mens injurious mif-reports of .9-4,7 Aflociatiens 5 
 and Xifcipline, which they may be drawn to by fallacious 
 fame. 2. Ani may be an example for thofe Churches tba: 
 by the Mdgip&tis art left at liberty , teworfb'p GoA in that 
 Communion and Order which they judge mod agreeable to 
 the v'ord of God, and the Vmverfal Confcit and Practice 
 of the Primitive Church. 
 
 The Order and Difcipline of this 
 Qhurch agreeable to the Word of 
 God. 
 
 I. \V7 E are willing to Teach all in our 
 ™ Tarifi, thedoftrineof Life , that: 
 are willing to learn : Anddefire them all to 
 bear the Word publikely preached , and to 
 come to us to be Catechized or Inftrudcd. 
 
 1 1. Wc own all thofe as vifibleChriftians 
 G 2 and 
 
and members of the Umvcrfal Church, that 
 make a credible Profcffionof Chriftiantty , 
 and deftroy it not by Heretie , or ungodly 
 lives. 
 
 I IT. So many of thefeas alio Confentto 
 hold Communion with this Cliurch as mem- 
 bers of. it, fubmitting to the Minifters and 
 Difcipltnc of Chrift, we (hail efteem our flock 
 and fpecial charge, and faithfully perform the 
 duties of our Office for cheir^good, as we are 
 able. 
 
 IV. We defire that all the Youth of the 
 Parifh will learn the principles of the Chriftia* 
 Religion : and as foon as they underhand it , 
 and are heartily refolved to give tip themfclvcs 
 to Gadin Chrift through the ffirit, and to lctd 
 a holy life, that they will come and acquainz 
 us with their Faith and Refolution ; and be- 
 fore the Church will make afolemn profefli- 
 on thereof, and give up themselves to God in 
 the ptrfonal owning their Baptifmal Covenant ; 
 cither reciting the fore-going Creed or Pro- 
 fe(fion,or, if they are unfit for publike fpeak- 
 .'* n g>kv Conferring when we propound it u 
 them ; or by any other fit expreffions. That 
 fo we may publikcly pray for their confirma- 
 tion • 
 
tion ; and if they Confent aifo to hold Com- 
 munion with this Church , we may know 
 them as our Charge , and Regiftcr their 
 names. 
 
 V. Thofe Parifhoners that defire us to 
 Baptize their children, or to be themfelves 
 admitted to the Lords Supper , and are noE 
 members of this Church, ( becaufe they will 
 noc) , we defire to come to us, fomc dayes 
 before •, that fo we may be fatisfied of their 
 Faith and Life : And if they feem true Chri- 
 ffUns , and either bring a Certificate that 
 they are members of any other fhurch, with 
 which we are to hold Communion , or fhew 
 that it is not from ungtrdlinefs that they refufe 
 to live under Order and Difciplme, we (hall 
 Baptize their children , and occasionally ad- 
 mit them to our Communion. But if they 
 *refcxndaloH4, we (hall require them firft to 
 Profcfs their feriopu Repentance : And if they 
 'eturn to fcandal^t fhall after (lay rill we fee 
 :heir Refurmacion (or of one of the parents 
 fa cafe of Baptiim. ) 
 
 VI. If any member of this Church do 
 differ from us about the geflure in the Lords 
 Supper (or any fuckCircumftanee) WC de- 
 
 G 3 fa* 
 
fire them firft to cometouj^ and hear our 
 Reafons : and if wc cannot fatisfie them, we 
 will n&i hinder them from receiving it in any 
 decent gefture they defire. 
 
 VII. All members of the Church muft or- 
 dinarily hold Communion with it, in the; 
 Lords Supper and all Ordinances: and if a 
 Brother grofly offend, they muft orderly and , 
 prudently admonilh him ^ and if he hear thera 
 not, tell the Church. 
 
 VIII. Once a Moneth we have a meeting 
 of the Magnates, Minifters, Deacons, and 
 above twenty perfons chofen annually by the 
 Church, as their Truftees or Deputies : Here 
 the offendours muft be accufed, and heard, 
 and dealt with f before the cafe be opened in 
 the Church. And any that are juftly offended 
 with any member , miy have Churchrjuftice. 
 ( The Magiftrates prefence being only ad me- 
 litis ejfe) and the chofen Truftces or Depu- 
 ties beingno Ecclefiaftical Officers , nor pre- 
 tending to Divine Inftitution as (uch : but 
 only the fitted: of the people chofen to do 
 thofe things which belong to the people (who 
 cannot all fo frequently meet ) and having no. 
 authoritative ruling Votes. 
 
 IX. Thofe 
 
I X. Thofc that Repent not upon publike 
 r Admonition t muft be caft out of our Commu- 
 nion , and avoided as Heathens : But rhofe 
 that are Penitent, muft be Abfolved , and lo- 
 vingly received. 
 
 X. If any of our People be offended at any 
 th.ng in our Do&rine or Life, wc defire them 
 before they vent their offence behind our 
 backs,to come and lovingly tell it us,and hear 
 us fpeak* And if we do not fatisfie x them, we 
 defire chem to open the matter before the 
 Mintftersof this Affociation, who are here 
 Affembled every Moneth. And we (hall be- 
 fore them, be refponfible, for our Doftrine, 
 (for /^dminiftrations, and oar Lives. ( As we 
 are alfo willing to be to the Magistrate , who 
 only hath the power of the fword, even over 
 the Paftors of the Church , and whom in all 
 things Lawful we muft obey, and ngtrefift.) 
 
 FINIS. 
 
k