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A86140 Heads of agreement assented to by the united ministers in and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational Howe, John, 1630-1705. 1691 (1691) Wing H1282B; ESTC R42739 5,382 11

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of the Truth and the Church professing it 9. That a visible Professor thus joined to a particular Church ought to continue stedfastly with the said Church and not forsake the Ministry and Ordinances there dispensed without an orderly seeking a recommendation unto another Church Which ought to be given when the case of the person apparently requires it II. Of the Ministry 1. WE agree That the Ministerial Office is instituted by Jesus Christ for the Gathering Guiding Edifying and Governing of his Church and to continue to the end of the World 2. They who are called to this Office ought to be endued with competent Learning and Ministerial Gifts as also with the Grace of God sound in Judgment not Novices in the Faith and Knowledge of the Gospel without scandal of holy Conversation and such as devote themselves to the Work and Service thereof 3. That ordinarly none shall be Ordained to the Work of this Ministry but such as are called and chosen thereunto by a particular Church 4. That in so great and weighty a matter as the calling and chusing a Pastor we judge it ordinarly requisit That every such Church consult and advise with the Pastors of Neighbouring Congregations 5. That after such Advice the Person consulted about being chosen by the Brotherhood of that particular Church over which he is to be set and he accepting be duly ordained and set apart to his Office over them wherein 't is ordinarly requifite That the Pastors of Neighbouring Congregations concur with the Preaching-Elder or Elders if such there be 6. That whereas such Ordination is only intended for such as never before had been ordained to the Ministerial Office If any judge that in the case also of the removal of one formerly Ordained to a new Station or Pastoral Charge there ought to be a like Solemn recomending him and his Labours to the Grace and Blessing of God no different Sentiments or Practice herein shall be any occasion of Contention or Breach of Communion among us 7. It is expedient that they who enter on the work of Preaching the Gospel be not only qualified for Communion of Saints but also that except in cases extraordinary they give proof of their Gifts and fitness for the said work unto the Pastors of Churches of known abilities to discern and judge of their qualifications That they may be sent forth with Solemn Approbation and Prayer which we judge needful that no doubt may remain concerning their being Called to the work and for preventing as much as in us lieth Ignorant and rash Intruders III. Of Censures 1. AS it cannot be avoided but that in the purest Churches on Earth there will sometimes Offences and Scandals arise by reason of Hypocrisie and prevailing corruption so Christ hath made it the Duty of every Church to reform it self by Spiritual Remedies appointed by him to be applied in all such cases viz. Admonition and Excommunication 2. Admonition being the rebuking of an Offending Member in order to conviction is in case of private offences to be performed according to the Rule in Mat. 18 v. 15 16 17. And in case of Publick offences openly before the Church as the Honour of the Gospel and nature of the Scandal shall require And if either of the Admonitions take place for the recovery of the fallen Person all further proceedings in a way of censure are thereon to cease and satisfaction to be declared accordingly 3. When all due means are used according to the Order of the Gospel for the restoring an offending and scandalous Brother and he notwithstanding remains Impenitent the Censure of Excommunication is to be proceeded unto Wherein the Pastor and other Elders if there be such are to lead and go before the Church and the Brother-hood to give their consent in a way of obedience unto Christ and unto the Elders as over them in the Lord. 4. It may sometimes come to pass that a Church-Member not otherwise Scandalous may sinfully withdraw and divide himself from the Communion of the Church to which he belongeth In which case when all due means for the reducing him prove ineffectual he having hereby cut himself off from that Church Communion the Church may justly esteem and declare it self discharged of any further inspection over him IV. Of Communion of Churches WE Agree that Particular Churches ought not to walk so distinct and separate from each other as not to have care and tenderness towards one another But their Pastors ought to have frequent meetings together that by mutual Advice Support Encouragement and Brotherly intercourse they may strengthen the hearts and hands of each other in the ways of the Lord. 2. That none of our particular Churches shall be subordinat to one another each being endued with equality of Power from Jesus Christ And that none of the said particular Churches their Officer or Officers shall exercise any Power or have any Superiority over any other Church or their Officers 3. That known Members of particular Churches constituted as aforesaid may have occasional Communion with one another in the Ordinances of the Gospel viz. the Word Prayer Sacraments Singing Psalms dispensed according to the mind of Christ Unless that Church with which they desire Communion hath any just exception against them 4. That we ought not to admit any one to be a Member of our respective Congregations that hath joyned himself to another without endeavours of mutual Satisfaction of the Congregations concerned 5. That one Church ought not to blame the Proceedings of another until it hath heard what that Church charged its Elders or Messengers can say in vindication of themselves from any charge of Irregular or Injurious Proceedings 6. That we are most willing and ready to give an account of our Church Proceedings to each other when desired for preventing or removing any offences that may arise among us Likewise we shall be ready to give the right hand of fellowship and walk together according to the Gospel-Rules of Communion of Churches V. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders WE agree The Office of a Deacon is of Divine Appointment and that it belongs to their Office to receive lay out and distribute the Churches Stock to its proper uses by the direction of the Pastor and the Brethren if need be And whereas divers are of opinion That there is also the Office of Ruling Elders who labour not in Word and Doctrine and others think otherwise We agree That this difference make no breach among us VI. Of Occasional Meetings of Ministers c. 1. WE agree That in order to concord and in any other weighty and difficult cases it is needful and according to the mind of Christ that the Ministers of several Churches be consulted and advised with about such Matters 2. That such Meetings may consist of smaller or greater Numbers as the Matter shall require 3. That particular Churches their respective Elders and Members ought to have a reverential regard to their judgement so given and not dissent therefrom without apparent grounds from the word of God VII Of our Demeanour towards the Civil Magistrat 1. WE do reckon our selves obliged continually to pray for God's Protection Guidance and Blessing upon the Rulers set over us 2. That we ought to yield unto them not only subjection in the Lord but support according to our station and abilities 3. That if at any time it shall be their pleasunt to call together any Number of us or require any accoun of our Affairs and the state of our Congregations we shall most readily express all dutiful regard to them herein VIII Of a Confession of Faith AS to what appertains to soundness of Judgment in matters of Faith we esteem it sufficient That a Church acknowledge the Scriptures to be the word of God the perfect and only Rule of Faith and Practice and owne either the Doctrinal part of those commonly called the Articles of the Church of England or the Confession or Catechisms Shorter or Larger compiled by the Assembly at Westminster or the Confession agreed on at the Savoy to be agreeable to the said Rule IX Of our Duty and Deportment towards them that are not in Communion with us 1. WE judge it our duty to bear a Christian Respect to all Christians according to their several Ranks and Stations that are not of our Perswasion or Communion 2. As for such as may be ignorant of the Principles of the Christian Religion or of vicious conversation we shall in our respective Places as they give us opportunity endeavour to explain to them the Doctrine of Life and Salvation and to our uttermost perswade them to be reconciled to God 3. That such who appear to have the Essential Requisites to Church-Communion we shall willingly receive them in the Lord not troubling them with Disputes about lesser matters As we Assent to the forementioned Heads of Agreement So we Vnanimously Resolve as the Lord shall enable us to Practise according to them FINIS