Selected quad for the lemma: christian_n
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A51766
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A Manifesto or declaration set forth by the undertakers of the new church now erected in Boston in New England, November 17th, 1699.
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1699
(1699)
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Wing M429; ESTC R35012
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1,983
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4
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A MANIFESTO OR Declaration Set forth by the Undertakers of the New Church Now Erected in Boston in New-England November 17th 1699. INASMVCH as GOD hath put it into our hearts to undertake the Building a New Meeting House in this Town for His Publick Worship And whereas through the gracious Smiles of Divine Providence on this our Vndertaking We now see the same Erected and near Finished We think it Convenient for preventing all Misapprehensions and Jealousies to publish our Aims and Designs herein together with those Principles and Rules we intend by GODS Grace to adhere unto We do therefore as in the Presence of GOD our Judge and with all the Sincerity and Seriousness which the nature of our present Engagement Commands from us Profess and Declare both to one another and to all the World as follows I. First of all We approve and subscribe the Confession of Faith put forth by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster II. We design only the true and pure Worship of GOD according to the Rules appearing plainly to us in His Word Conformably to the known practice of many of the Churches of the UNITED BRETHREN in London and throughout all England We judge it therefore most suitable and convenient that in our Publick Worship some part of the Holy Scripture be read by the Minister at his discretion In all other parts of Divine Worship as Prayer Singing Preaching Blessing the People and Administring the Sacraments We conform to the ordinary practice of the Churches of Christ in this Country III. It is our sincere desire and intention to hold Communion with the Churches here as true Churches and we openly protest against all Suspicion and Jealousie to the contrary as most Injurious to us IV. And although in some Circumstances we may vary from many of them yet we joyntly profess to maintain such Order and Rules of Discipline as may preserve as far as in us lies Evangelical Purity and Holiness in our Communion V. In pursuance whereof we further Declare that we allow of Baptism to those only who profess their Faith in Christ and Obedience to him and to the Children of such yet we dare not refuse it to any Child offered to us by any professed Christian upon his engagement to see it Educated if God give life and ability in the Christian Religion But this being a Ministerial Act We think it the Pastors Province to receive such Professions and Engagements in whose prudence and conscience we acquiesce VI. As to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper we believe that as the Ordinance is Holy so the Partakers in it that it may not be visibly profaned must be persons of visible Sanctity VII We judge it therefore fitting and expedient that whoever would be admitted to partake with us in this Holy Sacrament be accountable to the Pastor to whom it belongs to inquire into their knowledge and Spiritual State and to require the Renewal of their Baptismal Covenant VIII But we assume not to our selves to impose upon any a Publick Relation of their Experiences however if any one think himself bound in Conscience to make such a Relation let him do it For we conceive it sufficient if the Pastor publickly declare himself satisfied in the person offered to our Communion and seasonably Propound him IX We also think our selves obliged in faithfulness to God our own Souls and theirs who seek our Communion to inquire into the life and conversation of those who are so propounded and if we have just matter of objection to prefer it against them X. But if no objection be made before the time of their standing propounded is expired it shall be esteemed a sufficient Consent and Concurrence of the Brethren and the person propounded shall be received to our Communion XI If ever any of our Communion should be so unhappy as to fall into any scandalous Sin which God by his Grace prevent we profess all dutiful submission to those Censures which the Scripture directs and the Churches here practice XII Forasmuch as the same power that Admits should also Euclude We judge it reasonable that the Pastor in Suspending or Excommunicating an Offender have the consent and concurrence of the Brethren XIII We apprehend that a particular Church as such is a Society of Christians by mutual agreement usually meeting together for Publick Worship in the same place and under the same Ministry attending on the Ordinances of God there XIV In every such Society the Law of nature dictates to us that there is implied a mutual promise and engagement of being faithful to the Relations they bear to each other whither as private Christians or as Pastor and Flock so long as the Providence of God continues them in those Relations XV. We moreover Declare our selves for Communion of Churches freely allowing our Members occasionally to Communicate with other Churches of Christ and receiving theirs occasionally to the Table of the Lord with us And in extraordinary cases when the Providence of God makes it needful we conceive that any Authorized Minister of Christ may upon our request Administer the Sacraments unto us XVI Finally We cannot confine the right of chusing a Minister to the Male Communicant alone but we think that every Baptized Adult Person who contributes to the Maintenance should have a Vote in Electing Yet it seems but just that persons of the greatest Piety Gravity Wisdom Authority or other Endowments should be leading and Influential to the Society in that Affair THESE are the Principles we Profess and the Rules we purpose through the Grace of GOD to govern our selves by and in some of these particulars only and in no other do we see cause to depart from what is ordinarily Professed and Practised by the Churches of CHRIST here in New-England