will not give him a discharge unless it be with a Testimonial recommending him to some Congregation they approve of If he refuse to joyn with such a Congregation as they approve of and withdraw himself from them they cut him off as an Apostate No pretence of Conscience will prevail with them to allow any to joyn with the Church of England or the Presbyterians or Quakers or the strict Baptists They plead they cannot discharge them because those Churches they desire to joyn with do not walk accordingly to the Rule of God's Word saying should we suffer you we should comply with you in Sin Therefore the Officers charge them with their Covenant and Command them to obey the Authority of Christ invested in them upon pain of the displeasure of the King of Heaven When any Member revolts Excommunication the method they profess to observe is To send for him to give his Reasons to the Church if he comes they admonish him to return if he does not come they empower one or two Messengers to go to him and admonish him in the Name of the Church this they do a second time If this prevails not after some time allowed according to their discretion they send Messengers to acquaint him that on such a Day they intend to cut him off and when they have cut him off they send to acquaint him with it This is always done at a Church Meeting If the Pastor be Living it is his Sole Privilege to pronounce the Sentence of Excommunication The Method is to Pray and Exhort the People on this occasion and then to pronounce the Sentence in these or the like Words viz. I do in the Presence of God with the judgment and consent of this Church To justifie this they urge 1 Cor. 5.4 5. deliver A. B. unto Satan for the destruction of the Flesh to be buffeted by him that his Soul may be saved in the Day of the Lord. They then blot his Name out of the Book of Subscriptions which they call the Book of Life and henceforth avoid him according at it is set down in the Explanation of the Covenant If any sick Sick Person desires it the Pastor and some Elders repair to him and Anoint him Praying over him They dip their Fingers in a Porringer or Sawcer of Oyl wherewith they rub the Temples of the Sick Person They traduce the Publick Prayers of the Church of England as Idolatrous and Antichristian the Ministers as scandalous in their Lives negligent in their Duty forsaking their own Articles formal in their Administrations legal in their Preaching without the Power of Godliness c. They call all Churches and Worship false which are not Establish'd by a Covenant like theirs i. e. all Churches that are not Independent They engage not to go near these Churches and if any of the Members occasionally go and are uncovered there they interpret such uncovering an assent to the Prayers and deal with such Persons as Sinners cutting them off if they do not testifie their Repentance They say That God hath before ordained whatsoever comes to pass even the worst of Sins and that Sinners cannot avoid committing them That it is to no purpose to pray for or endeavour after Repentance because the Sins of the Elect past present and to come are already forgiven and therefore they ought to pray only for the Manifestation of their Pardon They look upon themselves obliged to Trade with their own Members or those of their Way if possible When some have done otherwise the Pastor hath publickly declared in their Church Meetings that it was their Sin and the Elders have joined with him 'T is a general Rule among them Trade with any rather than the Church of England In order to perpetuate this Schism Davis breeds up Young Men in his House According to the best account I can get There are about Thirteen gathered Congregations of this Separation under setled Pastors the Members whereof are computed to be between two and three Thousand Besides these they have divers Congregations for Prayer and Preaching which have no setled Pastors nor any Administration of the Sacraments When any of the Hearers desires to be admitted a Member of any particular Congregation notice is given to that Congregation who at their Church Meeting appoint the Pastor with some Elders and Deacons to go and hold a Church Meeting near the place where such Hearer dwelleth and to examine and admit him as before specify'd When they have gained a competent Number of Members in any part they fix a Pastor among them and embody them This was the state of the Separation at Rothwell about the Year 1696 which as I understand has receiv'd no considerable alteration since that time THE CANONS OF GEORGE FOX Friends Fellowshipp must be in the Spirit and all Friends must know one another in the Spirit and Power of God First IN all the Meetings of the County two or three being gathered from them to goe to the Generall Meetings for to give notice one to another if there be any that walkes not in the truth and have beene convinced and gone from truth and soe dishonoureth God that some may be ordered from the meeting to goe to exhort such and bring into the next Generall meeting what they say 2ly If any that professe the truth that follows pleasures drunkennesse gameings or is not faithfull in their callings and dealings nor honest nor just but runs into debt and soe brings a Scandall vppon the truth Friends may give notice to the Generall meeting if there be any such and some may be ordered to goe and exhort them and bring in their answer the next Generall meeting 3ly And if any goes disorderly together in Marriage contrary to the Practice of the holy men of God and assemblies of the righteous in all ages who declared it in the assemblies of the Righteous when they took one another all things being cleere and they both being free from any other And when they doe goe together and take one another let there not be lesse then a dozen Friends and Relations present according to your former order having first acquainted the mens meeting and they have cleernesse and vnity with them And that it may be Recorded in a Book according to the word and Commandement of the Lord and such if any walk contrary to the truth herein let some be ordered to speak to them and give notice thereof to the next Generall meeting 4ly And all that be widdows which have Children and doe intend to Marry let Query be made what shee hath done for her Children If there be noe will made then let such part of her late husbands Estate be set out for her Children as is equall and according to truth and what they can doe afterwards let them do also And where there is a will made let those Legacies and Portions be improved and secured before Marriage for the Children of the deceased with what more
AN ACCOUNT OF THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE OF Mr. Richard Davis of Rothwell in the County of Northampton And those of his SEPARATION With the Canons of George Fox appointed to be Read in all the Quakers Meetings LONDON Printed in the Year 1700. Reader THere have been great Contentions and various Disputes concerning the Doctrine and Proceedings of Mr. R. Davis of Rothwell and those of his Separation and as well the Magistrates and Ministers as the People of England are yet in the dark concerning them Wherefore having in my hands a Copy of their Church Covenant together with the Explanation thereof as it was Printed by their Order in the Year 1694 and delivered to divers whom they stile Church-Officers and others in Fellowship with them I deemed it not amiss to communicate the said Covenant with the Explanation to the end the Nation in general may be acquainted with their Doctrine and manner of Discipline among themselves that for the future they may not lie under any false aspersions nor the People of England under any mistakes with regard to them I would not hereby intimate that every individual Member of this Separation lyeth under the obligation of this Covenant in terminis For I 'm inform'd that very few besides their Church-Officers are acquainted with it and that the new Members are admitted by a shorter Covenant But the Mystery lies here That the People as occasion serves are by the Officers informed of the meaning and design of their entring into Covenant with them from the Contents of this Covenant and Explanation So that it is the same thing in their sense and as the Officers manage the matter as if they had expresly obliged themselves to all and every thing contained therein This is all I think fit to say on that Head Let the Covenant plead its own Cause especially coming into the World with the advantage of so large a Comment from its own Masters You have here likewise an Account of the several particulars of their Discipline wherein I hope and I verily believe I have not injured or misrepresented them in any respect If I have and they please to give publick notice of it I will be obliged to retract all such particulars and to give them publick notice thereof in another Edition For as I design nothing hereby but the service of the Church of God in general and of this Excellent Establish'd Church of England in particular so I could not hope that God would permit me to be instrumental in either respect should I be found in the number of those who wilfully or negligently Slander or Misrepresent their Brethren And if the State of that Separation be indeed such as is set down in the following Account which I take to be the case of the greatest part of the Independent-Congregations throughout the Nation I would humbly propose it to the Reverend the Clergy to consider what Methods are most probable to reconcile this Branch of the Separation to the Communion of our Church and among others whether the present endeavours of forming the Clergy into Societies pursuant to the Advice of His Grace the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury may not prove a probable means through the Blessing of Almighty God to secure so great an happiness to this Church and Nation The most effectual way to deal with an Enemy seems to be to turn his Weapons upon himself If these Men secure the interest of their Societies by a mutual Correspondence what hinders but we may do the like Were they dispersed as the Ministers of the Church are or did they neglect to acquaint each other with those things which relate to their common Interest it would be impossible for them to Subsist Indeed the several Sects among us are so many formed Combinations against the Establish'd Church and tho' in many things they differ from each other as much as Light doth from Darkness yet they seem universally agreed to Crush the Church of England If so the consequence is plain You Gentlemen of the Church of England look about you and suffer not your selves to be undone by piece-meal which you must necessarily be without a joint Vnion among your selves Nothing is more confirm'd by Reason and Experience than that every publick Work is best carry'd on by a friendly Vnion and Correspondence among the Vndertakers and certainly the great Work of the Salvation of Souls deserves our Consideration in the Methods of the most prudential Polity God Almighty has distributed his Talents variously among us and the only way to make them all useful is first by frequent and familiar Conferences with each other to discover where they lie and then to employ them as the publick judgment shall determine After the Copies of these Papers were sent to the Press Francis Bugg delivered into my hands a Copy of the Canons of George Fox which are judged proper to be Printed with the Account of the Davisites they being a farther Confirmation of the Agreement of the Sectaries in endeavouring to distress the Church of England and for that reason among many others very obvious I have here presented you with a just view of the said Canons A Church Covenant WE the Members of the Church of the Living God having greatly revolted from our dear Lord in the deep sense of both former and latter Miscarriages against his Love Blood also Honour Crown and Dignity as King of Souls Churches and Nations firmly believing all these blotted out by the Blood of the Lamb and that we have an undoubted Right to our Father's renewed Manifestations of his Pardon and Favour Do now again give up our selves and all ours in a most solemn manner in this our renewed Act of Covenanting unto the Lord to be his for ever solemnly promising and engaging in his awful Presence and his Angels in the presence of Professors and of the World to walk continually in him and with him and for him maintaining every manner of way the Faith once deliver'd to the Saints as to Act and Doctrine against all Opposition and Opposers whatsoever And we will in the strength of Christ endeavour that all our Holiness shall flow from Faith in Exercise working by Love And thus we subject to him as King of Souls We also solemly Promise in the strength of Christ to observe all the Forms Fashions Statutes Laws and Ordinances of his House especially the great Law of Love to our Lord and to his Members resolving in the Grace that is in Christ Jesus to bear a becoming Evangelical Testimony against what is contrary to Love or any other particular Form Statute Ordinance or Law of his whatsoever either in our selves or any of our Brethren and Sisters of this Church or any other We farther Covenant with our dear Lord and with one another to discharge all relative Duties in this House of God or in any other Relation we stand in whatsoever And this is our professed Subjection to him as King of Sion Finally We
of Antichrist singled out to support its tottering Cause in this his last War with the Lamb in these last days who c Gal. 1.7 pervert the Gospel turning it up-side down asserting Faith Repentance and Holiness to be given to the Soul before the Person of Christ and his Righteousness denying that blessed Order of the tenders and gifts of the Gospel which is first the d Rom. 8.32 Son of God freely and then all things freely with him refusing him and his Righteousness to have the e Col. 1.18 pre-eminence in all things f 1 Joh. 5.12 even in their actual bestowment as they ought to have And besides all this wickedly intruding a new Law of their own Invention requireing imperfect Faith and Repentance and Gospel Obedience on Man's part as the imperfect and sinful Conditions of the Gospel-Justification thereby g Rom. 3.31 vacating the good old righteous Law of God setting up Terms of obtaining Spiritual Blessings exceeding derogatory to the Holiness of God's Nature Ways and Laws and contrary to the freeness of his Love and Grace from the Eternal Purpose thereof in Election even unto the Execution of Electing Grace here and in Glory We do declare and protest against them and their Doctrine and likewise all those that teach us to h 1 Cor. 1.31 2 Tim. 2.1 glory in any thing but the Lord or be strong in any other Grace but that Grace that is in Christ Jesus And do resolve in the strength of Christ's Grace to testifie all manners of ways even unto our Blood against any other Gospel than the Gospel of our dear Lord and against all other Doctrines than those that are i Tim. 6.3 Tit. 11.1 according to Godliness and if Men most noted for knowledge and Holiness or an k Gal. 1.9 Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel and maintain those Tenents before-mention'd we do in the presence and strength of Christ promise and engage to witness against them by publick Preaching and declaring against such Principles by withdrawing from them and not receiving them to our Houses nor bidding them God's speed according to the Command of the Lord 2 John 10. and by cheerfully and triumphantly delivering our Possessions Liberties and Blood as a Testimony against them and their pernicious ways if called thereto We likewise now judge and are perswaded that when we Covenanted with one another to follow the Lord in the Observation of Gospel Ordinances and the performance of all relative Duties in this Church we professed for all his Ecclesiastical Interest and * Ezek. 43.11 gave up our selves to walk with him and one another in all the Forms Laws Ordinances and Statutes in his House all which Forms and Statutes are most holy and a Ez. 43.13 tend to promote Holiness in the b Psal 15. Holy Citizens of Zion Particularly that we are thereby obliged and by his Word to love our Lord and King with the c Gal. 5.6 highest love and to testifie love to him by keeping all his Commands in his d Joh. 14.15 Mat. 10.40 c. 18.17 18. House to Honour Reverence and bow to his Authority and Power lodged therein and that Authority also as cloathing his e Heb. 13.17 Officers Ruling in his Name to f 1 Pet. 5.3 maintain the Rights and Privileges of any particular Church his Clergy his Body g 1 Cor. 12.27 against all Innovations and Usurpations from Officers or Members within from Sister Churches or their Officers without not committing by Delegation the Power and Judgment of the Church to any h 2 Cor. 2.6 minority of it because thereby the form and fashion of a Gospel Church is alter'd and is not according to the Pattern in the Mount We farthermore see that we ought to maintain towards each other pure Love and unfeigned in all the Roots and Springs and Effects thereof and i 1 Rom. 12.9 1 Pet. 1.22 to watch against all defects therein either in Root or Branch And therefore we being now griev'd for great decays on us in our love towards the Lord Jesus and to one another do in the presence and might of our Blessed Advocate and Intercessor promise and resolve to abide in the Love of Christ k Joh. 15.9 that our Hearts may be stirr'd up to love him and in love to obey his Royal Laws particularly to reverence and subject to his awful Power and Authority in Church Assemblies as if he were himself personally among us not affronting his Presence by a slight Carriage nor his Majesty there on his Throne by proud rebellious undervaluing Thoughts by passionate Reflectings Revilings or contemptuous Speeches or by any unbecoming Carriage or Gesture whatever nor despising his Dominion in his House as the l Jud. 8. 2 Pet. 10.11 filthy Dreamers of old not grieving nor quenching his Spirit nor stubbornly nor rebelliously despising and rejecting his Admonitions in his Church not thinking his Yoak heavy nor his Burden weighty but counting it an unvaluable Blessing to be under his strictest and highest Watch and Care in his Church Matth. 11.30 And if his Children which God forbid should err in the Judgment of any of us we shall by Praying for them by Reasoning with them from Christ's Rules in his Bowels Meekness and with our own bringing the Advice of other Sister Churches most faithful to Christ endeavour to reduce them but shall not slight them nor uncover their Nakedness because they are the Throne of Christ's Glory and the place of the Soles a Ezek. 43.7 of his Feet least we should thereby wound his Person his Honour affront his Majesty Crown and Dignity in his House We that are Rulers do in the presence of Christ engage to rule faithfully diligently b Rom. 12.8 and couragiously c Josh 1.6 7 9. in Faith in the fear of God d Sam. 23.3 in Meekness e Gal. 6.1 2. Tim. 2.25 Lev. 25.43 and Authority f Tit. 2.15 hating Covetousness and Partiality g Ex. 18.21 having took the over sight of the Flock of God which he has purchas'd with his own Blood and not for filthy Lucres sake nor out of constraint h 1 Pet. 5.2 3. not ceasing to warn them Night and Day with Tears i Acts 20.29 c. watching against the Assaults of Satan and their own Corruptions against grievous Wolves that may not spare them and against them that may arise among themselves speaking perverse things endeavouring to turn them aside from the Lord that bought them k Tim. 1. to 8th Tit. 1. â— to the End Tiâ— 2.1.7 8. We also that are ruled in the Church of Christ do before our Crowned King and strengthened with his might solemnly promise to obey our Rulers set over us in the Lord to follow their Faith and consider the ends of their Conversation to submit our selves to them according to the Word of the Lord for they watch for our
acknowledgments here made are generally by such persons as have complied too far with the Church of England 2. Solemn Days appointed by the Congregation the usual occasions whereof are to seek the Mind of God in relation to any differences in their Church on the Death or Resignation of the Pastor when any Officer or other useful Person hath forsaken them when there are any Calamities befallen them or any Mercies bestowed on their Church or the Nation They say the Holy-days observed by the Church of England are all Popish Christmass Easter and Whitsuntide they regard not State Fasts and Thanksgivings they do allow of 3. Church Meetings which consist only of the Members i.e. those who are in Covenant These are for regulating Matters in their Church and are held some Day in the Week before they Break Bread They begin with Prayer advise together admit Members admonish Offenders excommunicate the Obstinate receive the Penitent c. The ordinary Pennance requir'd is an acknowledgment of the Crime at these Meetings with promise of future amendment 4. Messengers Monthly Meetings which consist of the Delegates or Messengers from all the Sister Churches i. e. those Established after their Model within a certain Precinct for which every Church appoints two or more according to its discretion These are commonly the Pastor and one or two Elders of each Congregation The manner of appointing them as follows viz. The Pastor gives publick notice in a Church Meeting That on such a Day the Messengers Meeting is to be and desires them to send their Messengers and ordinarily proposes himself and one more and if they consent desires them to lift up their Hands the usual sign whereby they signifie their consent or approbation At these Meetings they Communicate to each other the concerns of their particular Churches give account of all Members cut off and of all other proceedings that are material If any difficulties have arisen in the particular Congregations the respective Messengers report to their own Congregations what was the opinion or determination of the Representatives of the several Churches Besides these Meetings above-mentioned ☜ at Rothwell they have private Cabals of trusty Men to prepare matters to be proposed at their Church-Meetings thereby to prevent any nice canvasing matters of Controversie before the Members for fear of raising or somenting Disputes among them Their method in the admission of Members Admission of Members is viz. At their Church-Meetings the Pastor gives notice to the Assembly that there are certain persons who design to offer themselves to the Church and asks their consent that they may be called in and Examined which obtained every Person is called in by himself and Examined touching his Conversion Faith Experiences c. and then ordered to withdraw The Examination finished the Pastor enquires of the Members whether they are willing to receive such and such particular Persons and if the Majority signifie their consent by lifting up their Hands they are called in and by the Pastor acquainted that the Church is satisfied of their Experiences c. and will admit them by and by When every particular Person hath been thus dealt withal the Pastor receives them according to the substance of the shorter Covenant and in a Book which they keep different from that which contains the Subscriptions for the Pastors maintenance each Person writes his own Name This Practice they say is warranted Isaiah the 44th Chap. the 5th Vers After the strictest enquiry it appears that the Printed Covenant with the Explanation hath been delivered to very few and those Select Persons so that it seems to have been chiefly designed for the Elders with whom the Members are to consult It doth not appear that it hath been refused to any Member who hath desired to buy it tho' the generality have either not heard of it or not seen it Those who have it are obliged not to Communicate it to any Stranger or the World as they term all others who are not of their way When the Congregation is assembled the Preacher whether Pastor or Elder begins with Prayer Behaviour in the Congregation the People generally standing they look upon those as lazy who sit and will not suffer any Man to be covered When Prayer is ended they cover their Heads and sit or stand as they please during the Sermon This is the whole of their Behaviour and Service unless they Sing an Hymn which they ordinarily do Baptism They Baptize both Children and Adult in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost without the Sign of the Cross Praying before and after None Pray on this occasion but the Pastor and none but he may Baptize and that only the Members or Children of the Members of his own Congregation No Sureties are admitted The Parents are charged in behalf of their Children the Adult takes the charge upon himself If one of the Parents be a Member it 's sufficient to entitle the Child to their Baptism Where the Parents are of different Perswasions they Baptize the Children privately They ordinarily Baptize at a Church Meeting and in any private House if desired Children tho' Baptized by them are not esteemed Members unless when they arrive at Years of Discretion they enter into Covenant as the other Members have done Breaking of Bread Every Member is required to receive the Sacrament as often as it is administred The Table stands in the midst of the Congregation near the Pulpit The Pastor sits in his Chair near the Table and the Receivers on Forms round about it the People as Spectators at some small distance behind them The Pastor Prays all standing and craves a Blessing on the Bread then sets it apart in almost the same Words which the Church of England uses then breaks it into small pieces and puts them on divers Plates saying whilst he is breaking Thus was our Lord's Body torn mangled broken c. The Bread thus broken is carried in the Plates by the Deacons to the several Receivers The Pastor sits in his Chair Eating with the rest As soon as the Bread is Eaten the Pastor Prays then pours out the Wine saying Behold the Blood of Christ poured out for thee and for me and for all of us c. Drink ye all of this drink large draughts of the Love of Christ c. as he thinks most proper to express himself Then he drinks and gives to the Deacons When all have drank the Pastor Prays an Hymn is Sung and the Assembly is dismissed They forbid all private Prayer at this Ordinance saying The Pastors Prayers are sufficient They esteem ' it a Memorial only Examine none before they come saying There is no need of any more Preparation at that time than any other In the absence or sickness of the Pastor there must be no Sacrament If any Member plead Conscience for leaving them and desire a discharge and offer his Reasons in publick Dismission of Members they
Souls as they that must give an Account that they may do it with joy and not with grief l 〈◊〉 13.7 8.17.18 〈◊〉 5.12 and also pray for them m 〈◊〉 4.3 1 Thes â— 25 2 Thes 3.1 We do now in the presence and Grace of our dearest Lord that hath redeem'd us likewise engage as a Church of Christ in all respects to endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace n Eph. 4.3 unfeignedly loving the Persons of one another without dissimulation o Râ—m 12.11 1 Pet. 22. even when we bear the greatest Testimony against their sin and as the effects of that endeared brotherly Love to watch p Thes 5.15 over our Brethren and Sisters that they do not decline in their acts of Faith or turn aside from the Faith of the Gospel considering and getting down into one anothers Hearts continually that we may mutually provoke one another to love and to good Works not forsaking the assembling our selves together any manner of way for this good end and purpose q Heb. 10.24.25 Likewise with the assistance of the Spirit of Grace we shall endeavour to be very tender of one anothers good Names a Psal 15.3 Bodies Health Lives b Mat. 5.38.39 and outward Estate c 1 Câ—r 1. ad 11 â—ev 19.17 We shall be ready to assist one another herein to the utmost being concern'd for the particular welfare of each other therein as for our own We no less judge it our Duty not to suffer the least Sin and the least appearance of evil to rest on one another d 1 John 1.6 〈◊〉 10.17 Mâ—t. 18.17 as knowing that Sin resting on a Brother or Sister will mar their present Communion with the Lord Jesus a 1 Joh. 1.6 If the fault be secret we shall with great Secrecy admonish a Brother or Sister and out of due regard to their Reputation forbearing to reveal it to our most intimate Bosom Friend b Mat. 18.15 unless it be to some Officer if the Case be dubious provided we can but gain by our Loving Admonition But if not we shall in the Strength of the Lord take two or three more c Mat. 18.16 as Witnesses and Associates with us farther to warn and beseech them in the Bowels and tender Mercies of God in Christ to repent of their evil yet not presume to publish their Faults to any but those we take with us and if any among us publish the Miscarriage of any Brother or Sister unless it be with a design to take the Parties with them as Witnesses we shall faithfully admonish them for breaking the Rules of Christ in so doing In all the discharge of our Duties hitherto we shall carefully watch against any Prejudice to their Persons by acting and dwelling in the Bowels of Christ and considering them as cloath'd with his Righteousness and clean in God's sight d Cant. 4.6 We also leaning on Christ's Strength to assist us shall endeavour to discharge our Duty with great Faithfulness to them as well as Tenderness contentedly bearing Oppositions from themselves and others in hard Thoughts Speeches Frowns and sinister Constructions out of sincere love to Christ's Glory and the good of their Souls And if we cannot reclaim them by these methods of Mercy and loving Kindness for the Prevention of the farther spreading of their evil without delay acquaint the Church with it e Mat. 18 1â— We with him on Thrones of Judgment in his Name and Power in his Presence and Might and in his render Bowels shall admonish any Brother or Sister thus brought before us f 1 Thes 5.14 or any whose Faults are in their own nature publick g 1 Tim. 5.20 publickly backing our Admonition from his Word and Authority and his Sovereign Grace committed to us If we see one Admonition begin to take place we shall wait for their thorough Repentance till we see occasion And when ever we see our Administration blest for their thorough Humiliation and our Endeavours used in a Spirit of h Gal. 6.1 Meekness succeed we shall be most ready to receive them into the Bosom of our Lord and his Church testifying in his Name his and our declar'd Forgiveness to them Forgiving them with all Readiness and Chearfulness as God for Christ's sake has forgiven us i Eph. 4 32. no Man daring to upbraid them in the least whilst they walk with us in Love and the Laws of Christ But if to the dishonour of the Name of Christ the wounding and hard'ning of their own Souls and our Grief and Shame they continue obstinate and impenitent we having mourned first over them shall in the Name and Power of Christ our King with enflamed Zeal for his Name Rule and House in Tenderness Love and Faithfulness to their Souls cut them off and deliver them to Satan for the Destruction of the Proud Flesh that their Spirit may be saved in the Day of Christ a Mat. 18.17 1 Cor. 5.2 3 4 5 1 Tim. 1.20 2 Tim. 3.5 Tit. 3.10 2 Thes 3.14 and this will we do with the Lord's help in Faith that this Ordinance shall be blest for their recovery in God's time b 1 Cor. 5.5 if they belong to the Election of Grace Nevertheless we shall continue to love their Persons and pray for their recovery not counting them as Enemies but warning them as those that yet may approve themselves to he Brethren c 2 Thes 3.14 when ever we meet them by charging their Evils on them And yet will notwithstanding withdraw all manner of familiarity or Communion with them d 2 Thes 3.5 even that what may be us'd with the most profligate Sinners most conscientiously abstaining from Eating and Drinking with them e 1 Cor. 5.10.11 All this we shall do in the Exercise of the greatest love to their Persons firmly believing these are the greatest Testimonies of love that can be shown them under such Circumstances being assur'd that such Carriages towards them conscientiously practised in Faith and Love will be blest in time to shame reclaim and re-instate them into Fellowship with the Father and the Son and his Children In the conscientious discharge of this Duty towards them as a Church and as Members thereof in our respective private Stations We shall not be affraid of Anger Revilings nor Persecutions from them from Churches Professors or the World but willingly and cheerfully submit to all manner of Sufferings f Luke 17.3.4 2 Cor. 2.7.8.10 upon this Account for Christ's sake When ever God gives them true Repentance we shall with great readiness cheerfulness and tenderheartedness forgive them in the Person Name and Spirit of Christ receiving of them to Communion with the Lord and us with the greatest Demonstrations of Love towards them imaginable g Eph. 4.1.32 not only forgiving but forgetting and never upbraiding them with their faults h Col. 3.13.13 and if
any do so calling them to an Account for it whilst these recover'd Brethren and Sisters walk with us in the Ways and Statutes of the Lord Jesus We also being greatly humbled for divers Breaches made among us upon the bonds of Love do in the Presence and resting on the Grace that is in our Head for us solemnly promise to our Lord and one another watch against all those Evils that destroy viz. groundless Jealousies evil Surmisings that are the first coolers of brotherly Love so also against secret Whisperings Tale-bearings and Backbitings which are the cursed Seed of Sedition and Discord sown in a Church and in like manner against all Wrath Prejudice and Malice swellings or vauntings over one another and despisings of one another Tumults Seditions Factions Clamours or evil Speaking of or to one another forbearing all manner of Reflections Reproachings and Revilings for Christ's sake a 2 Cor. 12.20 Gal. 5.20.21 Eph. 4.31 And no less do we engage against Wronging one another as to worldly Goods Life or Liberties against all cowardly and covetous refusings the assisting one another by Countenance Advice and Purse to the utmost of our Ability b 1 Cor. 6. 1 Tim. 4.16 Rom. 12.10.13.16.17 Phil. 2.3 4. c. Gal. 5.13 2 Cor. Ch. 1.9 and against any other thing or behaviour that is in the least contrary to the Royal Law of Love We think our selves in Conscience bound and engag'd to love the Persons of those that are under Dealing and Excommunication among our selves so also to love the Persons of the World and the Professors that we hope are Godly tho' they hate us for Christ's sake But above all not to abate in our Love in the least towards our Brethren and Sisters differing from us in some Perswasions c Rom. 14.1 though we Judge we are bound by the great Law of Love to endeavour the Convictions of each other in all things wherein we differ not by absurd Cavillings and fleshly Objections for Mastery but by the Word and Spirit of the Lord in Meekness and Tenderness without heats and prejudice purely for the discovery of the Truth d Gal. 6.1 2 Tim. 2.23 24 25. that we may be still growing to that stature of Fulness which is in Christ e Eph. 4 13. And so came at last to speak the same things to be perfectly joyn'd together in the same Mind and Judgment f 1 Cor. 1.10 which will be the Crown and Glory on Churches in the latter Day g Isa 52.8 and therefore let us pray in Faith and in the Holy-Ghost using all Endeavours for that end and purpose that are according to the Mind of Christ and the Rule of his Word As to Members of Sister Churches we judge we are in Dury bound to love them as our own they being also of the Body of Christ and to use the same Methods towards them in love when we see them offend and if we see them impenitent to bring them before the Church to which they belong We also judge the Vows of the Lord are upon us to walk in Communion with Sister Churches giving them no just Offence h 1 Cor. 10.32 unless they take Offence at the matters of our God We judge 't is not in our power to Un-church them tho' they do not come up to such degrees of Purity in Reformation yet we think our selves in Duty bound and solemnly engage our Lord to warn them of Errours in Doctrine and Practise especially to testifie against the Opposition to the Faith and Order of the Gospel to invite them to go along with us in Generation work and the Work of Reformation to warn them in the Bowels of Christ of the carelessness and neglect therein to manage those kind and brotherly Admonitions by Messengers Letters or by Printing yet not publishing their Faults to the World as shall be thought most expedient by the advice of Faithful Sister Churches And if this reforms them not to declare Non-Communion with them And furthermore we the afflicted Children of the Lord in this Church having in several days of Prayer laid low at the Foot of Christ for divers Neglects and Remissions in following him in all the Ordinances in his House do now in his Righteousness and the Light and Life that is in him solemnly Vow to his Anointed King and Lord to follow him fully in all his Appointments in his House and to fill his House as soon as we can with such Officers as are mentioned in his Word a 1 Cor. 12.28 Epâ— 4..11 Acts 20.17.28 Acts 6.1 1 Tim. 3.12 Rom. 1.16 1 Cor. with 1 Tim. 5.6 v. 17. We also engage conscientiously and constantly to b Acts 1.14.21 Acts 2.42 Heb. 6.2 Mat. 3.56 attend on the publick Ministry of the Church to joyn with them in the Ordinances of Christ such as Baptism c 1 Cor. 11.23 c. and the Lord's Supper d 1 Cor. 14.23.24 to v. 34. Preaching Prophecying e Acts 1.14 Acts 2.4.2 Praying f Mat. 26.30 1 Cor 14.16 Col. 3.16 Rev. 5.9 Rev. 14.31 Praising by Vocal Singing Teaching and Admonishing one another in our Meetings by Doctrine Exhortation or Revelation also in Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs according to the Command of our Lord Jesus g Zech. 14.17 Acts 2.42 We also solemnly engage to come up to solemn Days appointed by the Church and likewise to come up unanimously to Church-Meetings h Rom. 10.9.10 to govern with our Lord in his House and keep it clean to admit Members upon a Confession with their Mouths that they have believ'd on Christ and his Righteousness with their Hearts i Ez. 43.10.11 with also a Profession of their Allegiance to follow Sion's King in the Laws and Statutes of his House k 2 Cor. 8.5 and for that end their solemn Covenanting with the Lord and us Likewise to admonish Offenders and to cast out if need be and to give our joynt Advice and Assistance in all cases of Difficulty Therefore we do again come under our solemn Vows to the Lord to frequent all the Assemblies of Sion unless hindred by length of Days weakness of Body or such extraordinary Occasions that may be sufficient Reasons in the ballance of the Sanctuary for our absence at any time We as a Church and each Member in our private Capacities do in Christ's Presence and Strength engage to watch over our Brethren and Sisters that they be not negligent and remiss in attending the Assemblies and Services of the Church We also solemnly Promise to the Lord and to one another that we will not keep away from the Lord's Table upon the account of Satan's Temptations or our own Unbelief or upon the account of Offence given to us by any Brother and Sister Brethren and Sisters and that we will not in Christ's Strength disobey him our King despise his Ordinances sin against our holy Fellowship and punish our selves for the Offence of
by the Spirit after due search that it is of Antichrist We do now solemnly declare that we do not hereby not will not impose on the Consciences of our Brethren and Sisters that are amongst us in Indifferences of lesser moment that walk conscientiously up to their Light exhorting all to be faithful thereto and of a peaceable Spirit ready to follow on to know the Lord. We engage likewise and solemnly promise all of us that if any of us should hesitate about any Doctrine or Practise ☜ contrary to the Faith and Practise of the Church to consult with the Church and its Officers at least for our own Satisfaction if not for the Churches Conviction provided it be right or before any of us do cordially and thoroughly espouse it The whole Will of God revealed in his Word we solemniy promise and engage in the Love Strength and Presence of the Lord and his holy Angels and Believers to consent to and approve of to comply with to study to be found in the practise of and make the Rules of our holy Walk to be humbled for the least breach thereof and to have continual recourse to the Blood of Sprinkling as cleansing from the stains thereof to abide in the Person and Righteousness of Christ by Faith who in our room and stead as one surety has perfectly performed these our Engagements and Presents our Obedience as wrapt up in his Righteousness through the hands of our High-Priest in the Exercise of our Royal Priesthood to our God and Father for the Honour of his Name the commendation of his Holy Religion as the Testimonies of our Love Thankfulness and Gratitude towards him Now to him that hath washed us from our Sins in his own Blood and has made us Kings and Priests to God and his Father to him be Glory and Dominion for ever Amen There are some Errata's in this Covenant and Explanation which the Publisher did not think fit to alter they being the same in the Copy THE DISCIPLINE ANno 1692 Richard Davis who stiles himself Pastor of the Church at Rothwell in the County of Northampton admitted Members according to the Substance of the Form under-written which he called A Church Covenant viz. Pastor Do you in the presence of God the Father Son and Holy Ghost and this Congregation here present Give your selves up unto us as we have given our selves to one another (a) To justifie this they urge 2 Cor. 8.5 to walk with us and only us in all Gospel Ordinances and the discharge of all Relative Duties as God shall help you Answ Yes Pastor So do we in the aforesaid awful Presence Covenant to walk with you in the same and if we shall be let into any further Light to make it known to you In the time of Thomas Browning the Predecessor of Richard Davis the custom at Rothwell had been to have their Pastor Ordained by the Elders of other Churches but when Davis was made choice of for their Pastor the Church at Rothwell pleaded that they were Independent and consequently ought to have the privilege of Ordaining their own Pastor and accordingly Ordained R. Davis This occasioned some Differences in the Congregation and by degrees others arose whereupon about the Year 1694 the other Covenant was Framed and Printed with the Explanation by way of Renewal of their former Covenant to which the greater part assented and remained Members Those who did not when they had pleaded for a dismission and were refus'd it joined with other Congregations according to their discretion and were cut off by those at Rothwell Their Church Officers Church Officers are of three sorts viz. 1. Pastor 2. Elders 3. Deacons 1. The Pastor Pastors is chosen by the consent of the major part of the Congregation and is Ordained by Imposition of the Hands of the Elders of the Congregation His Office is to Preside to Teach to Consecrate the Elements in the Sacrament and to Baptize 2. Elders Elders who are chose likewise by the Congregation and set apart by Imposition of Hands and are of two sorts viz. 1. Preaching Elders whose Office is to Preach and Rule 2. Ruling Elders whose Office is to Rule only Not but that they may Preach occasionally if they please 3. Deacons Deacons who also are chosen by the Congregation and set apart to that Office by Imposition of Hands Their Office is to take care of the Three Tables viz. 1. The Lord's Table 2. The Pastors Maintenance 3. The Poor They Collect the Alms of the Congregation every Sacrament-Day which is ordinarily once every three Weeks or Month. They carry the Bread and Wine to the Communicants They have the Custody of the Money in Bank and are accountable for it This is a small Sum reserv'd to answer any particular extraordinary occasion Out of these Officers the Elders are generally chosen not always They hold that the Power of each particular Officer is equal with the rest only the Pastor presides for Order sake and if the Pastor and Officers cannot agree the Majority of the Congregation in a Church Meeting determines the matter The Ordination of the Pastor is by Imposition of the Hands of the Elders The Ordination of Elders and Deacons by Imposition of the Hands of the Pastor and Elders Herein they tie themselves to no form of Words they stand during the Ceremony and Pray before and after either the Pastor or Elders or both This is always done at their Church Meetings where none have any Business besides the Members and where none else usually are present The Pastor is maintain'd by those in Covenant with him Maintenance of the Officers There is a Book for Subscriptions and if any Member able to contribute refuse he is requir'd to give his Reasons in publick and if they are not approv'd of and he continue to refuse he is dealt withal as a Sinner This Subscription Money is by the Deacons collected quarterly and paid to the Pastor Note That this Subscription Money is not the whole of the Pastors Maintenance because the Women whose Husbands are of other Congregations do privately contribute and that liberally and 't is observed That the separate Congregations have generally more Women than Men. Those likewise of meaner condition among them who have dependance on any of the Church of England for a Livelihood are oftentimes excused from Subscribing tho' not from contributing in proportion to their Abilities The Members only are obliged to Subscribe but the whole Assembly is exhorted to contribute when the Deacons on the Sacrament-Days collect the Alms of the Congregation These Collections are made every Sacrament-Day and out of these the several Officers if they want are supplied Meetings Their Meetings are of four kinds viz. 1. On every Lord's Day for Prayer and Preaching and receiving the Sacrament as often as it is Adminstred likewise for receiving the publick acknowledgments of those whose ☞ Crimes have been publick The