in ministers and Elders whiche is described for other offenders and to be donne towardes them rather with more seueritie Now folowith the Discipline reformed and confirmed by the authoritie off the churche and magistrate IT is moste cumlie and godly that Christian people resorte together in place and tyme therunto by common consent appointed yff the persecution off the vngodly will suffer the same and they themselues haue no vrgent cause to the contrary there to heare the pure doctrine off Gods worde taught and them selues openly with their presence and voice to declare the consent off their hartes to the same and to confesse with their mouthe agreablely their belieff and faith vpon god and his holy worde according to the scriptures The congregation thus assembled is a particuler visible churche such as maye be in diuers places off the worlde verye manye And all theis particuler churches ioyned together not in place for that is not possible but by the coniunction off true doctrine and faithe in the same do make one whole churche in this worlde And the electe off God that be in this whole churche and euery parte theroff with all the elect that hath byn from the beginninge off the worlde and shall be to the ende theroff doo altogether make that holy catholike and Apostolike churche the spouse off oure sauiour christe wchiche he hathe purified to him selff in his blood wheroff mention is made in the creede I beleue one holie Catholike and Apostolike churche But at this present oure consideration muste be off the visible and particuler churche The signes and notes off a visible churche are thies Firste true and goldly doctrine Secondly the right ministration and vse off the Sacramentes and common praier Thirdly honest and godly liffe yff not in the whole multitude yet in manie off them fourthly discipline that is the correction off vices but the 2. firste notes are suche as withowt the whiche no forme off anie godly visible churche can possibly be Wherfore they be the principall and chieff notes And therfore we define a particuler churche visible to be the congregation off Christen men whither they be fewe or many assemblinge together in place and time conuenient to heare Christes true Doctrine taught to vse his holy Sacramentes rightly and to make their common praier together in the whiche their appearethe a studie off honest aÌ„d godlye liffe and which hathe in it a godly discipline that is to saye ordinaunces and decrees Ecclesiasticall for the preseruation off comely order and for the correction off vices Off the doctrine off the churche which is the first note The Doctrine whiche we holde and professe in oure church is the same that is taught in the canonicall bookes off the holie bible conteininge the olde testamente and the newe in the whiche is conteined the true and liuelie worde off god and the doctrine off helthe bothe as concerninge faithe and godly liffe at full sufficient for the saluation off all the faithfull that vnfainedly beleue therin The summe off the whiche as concerninge faithe is briefly and truly comprehended in the 3. creeds the common creede commonly called the creed off the Apostells the Nicene creed and the crede off Athanasius And as concerninge godly liffe in the ten commaundementes written in the xx chapter off Exodus Off the Sacramentes and common praier the second note We obserue ad kepe the forme and order off the ministraon off the sacramentes and common praier as it is set foorh by the authoritie off the blessed kinge Edwarde off famous memorye in the laste booke off the English seruice Wheroff notwithstanding in the respecte off tymes and places and other circumstances certeine rites and ceremonies appointed in the sayed booke as thinges in different maie be left owte as we at this present doo The times and houres for the teachinge and hearing off goddes worde and the ministration off the sacramenâ—es and and saying and hearing of the coÌ„mon praier such as be nowe vsed or shall heare afâ—er by common coÌ„sent be thought moste meete to be vsed are to be kept and obserued off all men not hauing lauful cause to the contrary Off the Ministers off the worde Sacra ments and common praier It is thought expedient for the churche at this present to haue 2. Ministers or teachers off the worde elected off dotrine and godly liffe such as the rule off the scripture dothe requyre as muche as maie be And that the sayde 2. Ministers and teachers off the worde shall in all things and points be off like authorite and neither off them superior or inferior to other Item that the saied 2. Ministers shall by themselues or fit persons by them and the Seniors in the name off the whole congregation to be appointed when necessarie cause shall so requyre preach the ordinarie Sermons on wensdaies thursdayes and sondaies before noone and after noone instruct and Heare the examination off the youthe in the Catechisme on sondaye in the after noone at the howre accustomed and shall by them selues or other appointed persons as is afore sayed Minister the Sacramentes dewly saye the common prayers distinctly viset and comfort the sick specially at their last tyme and howre off deathe bury the dead comely and obserue all other comely rites and vges in the churche directing all their behauiour actes and life according to the rule off off their vocation set foorth in the holie scriptures Item that sixe either fewer or more as the habilitie off the churche wilâ— beare such as be godly and haue nede off the helpe off the churche be appointed by the Ministers and Seniors in the name off the whole congregation Wheroff 4. to be well lerned who shall reade and expownde the chapters and shall helpe the two ministers off the worde when nede shall require in the doctrine off the worde Catechisinge off youthe Ministringe off the Sacramentes sainge off common praier and the other two or moo shall ayde also the sayed ministers Seniors and Deacons in visitinge off the sick and seinge to strangers and in callinge off the congregation when nede shall be and in all other necessarie and comelie thinges and rytes to be done in the churche Notwithstandinge anie other godly and lerned men whiche lyue off them selues and be not burthenus to the churche maye helpe the Ministers off the worde in the aboue named Ecclesiastical functions iff they themselues so will and be ther vnto called by the saied ministers and Seniors Item for the further instruction off youâ—he and seruants it is thought good that besides the examination off children in the Catechisme ordinarely vsed the said children and seruants with the whole congregation shulde be all presente at oure ordinarie sermon to be made purposely for them on sondayes at afternoone so lernedly that it be yet for their capacitie most plaine and with all possible perspecuâ—tie and that one tenor off Christian doctrine from the beginninge to the ende be obserued and kepte in
backe as vnmindfull off gods prouidence whiche hathe procured vs one free from all dreggs off superstitious ceremonies What thinke yow yf the Prophet Dauid had had this offre who desired to be porter in the house of God and more esteemed one daie so spente then a thousande otherwaies Either what mente he when he saied one requeste I demaunde off the Lorde Whiche I will seeke after that is that I maie dwell in the howse off the lorde all the daies off my lyfe Had Dauid no experience or felte he not what grieff yt was to wante the congregation And surely we muste graunt that he was farre more perfect then we be For he beinge conuersant in this worlde sett his delight wholie in heauenly things And many off vs we speake it to our shame as if we had already forgotteÌ„ the ende of our creation are plunged in earthlye affectioÌ„s and worldly respectes so that throughe oure infirmities this excellente benefit is like to be frustrate For some dowte who shal be preferred others seeke increase off lerninge â–ª Many followe the commoditie off lyuinge certein looke for a newe vocation so that it is a wonder to se the deformitie off mans affecâ—ions God grante we maye lerne at their ensamples whiche beinge called to the mariage came not what it is to esteeme in time the worthenes off gods benefits leaste by the losse off the same we after fall vnto vnprofitable repentance seekinge againe oure losse withe teares as the reprobate Esau and yet neuer the neere We charge no one man brethren nor yet meane all and on what considerations theis excuses were pretended we suspende oure Iudgmentes referringe the same to our imperfection and infirmitie wherby the aduersary ceasethe not to batter dailie the walles off Gods temple As touchinge the pointe off prefermente we are perswaded throughly that it hathe this meaninge that euery maÌ„ thought of himself modestlie humblie submittinge himself to all meÌ„ vnablinge no man for so muche as your knowe that he whiche seketh ambition glory aduantage or suche like is not moued withe gods spirite as witnesse the instructions that Christâ—â—ur Maister gaue to his disciples who laboring of like disâ—â—â—e were admonished that he whiche did excell amonge theÌ„ shoulde abase himself to his inferior whiche malady S. Paul perceauinge to infecte like a canker moste diligently framethe his style that he might not seeme to preferr hiÌ„ selffe to others in the course of his ministery And as for lerniÌ„ge as we wishe to all men moste abuÌ„dantly so we moste ernestly require that coÌ„paringe the congregations necessitie with your owne priuate coÌ„moditie your woulde rather for Christs sake chose the better yea and we assure your one good aduertisemente that thorowe gods grace when we shal be asseÌ„bled together suche order wil be taken that besides those thinges whiche oure natioÌ„ shal be able to furnishe we haue the citie moste forwarde to procure others Yff anye woulde pretende the hardnes off the countrie and charges oure experience maâ—e sufficiently satiffie them who hauinge traveiled throwgh moste places where the gospell is preached haue not founde so manie commodites nor lesse charges Restethe the tyme off callinge whiche we referre to your consciences besechinge your for Christes sake to descende into your selues withowt all parcialitie wayinge the grauitie off the matter whiche is goddes and the selie excuse whiche the fleshe ministrethe Consider what god woulde saie I haue prepared a plentifull and ripe harueste whiche standethe in a redines and waitethe for the mower and I haue appointed thee thy taxe I haue geuen instrumentes and all things fit for the labor yff thow forslowe it the croppe is in daunger yff thow loke for oft warning thow declarest great negligence This speache Dearly beloved or very like god vsed to Noah Abraham Ieremiah c. and they thought their vocation stronge But yow through Goddes benefit do not onely heare god thus perswadinge in your hartes but also haue bene by externe callinge confirmed and accordinge therunto haue walked to the great glorie off God and profit off the coÌ„gregation We truste therfore brethern and in Iesus Christe require it that your woulde hyde your talent no longer but hauinge newe occasion to imploye it your woulde put it forthe for your Maister his aduantage and your owne discharge For iff your feele in your hartes comforte as wee doo whiche are here assembled to heare the worde of god preached and the Sacramente ministred we assure yow yow should sensiblie perceaue that which the Prophet speakethe in theis termes as the harte chased pantethe for gredines off waters euen so o lorde my soule seekethe after thee My soule burnethe for thirste in seekinge the Lorde and saithe Alas when shall I be able to appeere before the face off the lyuinge god what thinge then ought we to haue in greater recommendation then the order and policie whiche god hathe established in his churche that we maie be taught by his worde thaâ— we maie worshippe him and call vpon his name with one accorde that we maie haue the true vse off his Sacraments to helpe vs to the same For theis be the means wherby we muste be confirmed in the faithe in the feare off God in holynes off conuersation in the contempte of the worlde and in the loue off life euerlastinge And for this consideration S. Paule saithe not that this order whiche the Lorde hathe set in his churche shulde onely be for the rude and symple but makethe it common to all exceptinge no man For he hathe ordeined saithe he some to be Apostles some prophetes some Euangelistes others to be teachers and instructors to confirme the godly and to labor to finishe the buildinge off Christes body till we be all brought to one consente in faithe to the knowledge off the sonne off god to a perfect man and finally to the iuste measure off a ripe Christian age Let vs all marke that he saithe not that god hathe left the scriptures onely that euery one shulde reade it but also that he hathe erected a policie and order that their shulde be some to teache and not for one daye but all the time off our lyffe euen to the deathe for that is the tyme off our perfection Wherfore brethren let vs submit our selues and leaue off farther to tempte God seinge that yff we wil be off the body off Christ we must obeie to this generall rule Let no respecte off worldly policie staie vs Let no perswasion blinde vs But let vs fulfyll in oure selues that whiche Esaias forwarnethe that goddes children shal be as pigions whiche flee by flocks in to their douehouse whiche is the place where the worde of god is preached the sacraments ministred and praier vsed To conclude therfore dearely beloued let euery man call his conscience to counsaile and besides these sweete allurements let vs learne to preuent our aduersaries who sekinge euer to obscure goddes glorie maye easelie cauell at this
Senators for a place or churche wherin they and all their country men might haue gods worde truly preached and the Sacraments sincerely ministred in their naturall tonge who ientlie promised his furtherance and that he also woulde move the whole Senate theroff the whiche he did accordingly And the 14. daie off the same monethe yt was graunted that they shulde haue libertie to preache and minister the Sacraments in that churche which the freÌ„che men had the freÌ„che one daie and the Englishe an other daie and vpoÌ„ the Sundaie to chuse also theÌ„ houres as they coulde agree amonge them selues but yt was with this commandement that the Englishe shulde not discent from the frenchmen in doctrine or ceremonyes least they shulde thereby minister occasion off offence and willed farther that before they entred their churche they shulde approue and subscribe the same confession off faith that the frenche men had then presented and abowte to put in printe to the whiche all the afore named and others whiche were by this time come thither did subscribe When the churche was in this sorte graunted they consulted amonge themselues what order off seruice they shulde vse for they were not so stricly bownde as was tolde them to the ceremonies off the frenche by the Magistrats but that iff the one allowed off the other it was sufficient At lenght the englishe order was perused and this by generall consente was concluded that the answeringe alowde after the Minister shulde not be vsed the letanye surplice and many other thinges also omitted for that in those reformed churches suche thinges woulde seeme more then strange It was farther agreed vppon that the Minister in place off the Englishe Confession shulde vse an other bothe off more effecte and also framed accordinge to the state and time And the same ended the people to singe a psalme in meetre in a plaine tune as was and is accustomed in the frenche dutche Italian Spanishe and Skottishe churches that don the minister to praye for â—hassistance off gods holie spirite and so to proceade to the sermon After the sermon a generall praier for all estates and for oure countrie of Englande was also deuised at th ende off whiche praier was ioined the lords praier and a rehersall off tharticâ—es off oure belieff whiche ended the people to singe and other psalme as afore Then the minister pronouncinge his blessinge The peace off god c. or some other off like effecte the people to departe And as touchinge the ministration off the Sacraments sundrie things were also by common consente omâ—tted as superstiâ—ious and superfluous After that the congregation had thus concluded and agreed and had chosen their minister and Deacons to serue for a time they entred their churche the 29. off the same monethe Then was it thought good amonge themselues that forthwith they shulde aduertise their countrie men and betheren dispersed off this singuler benefit the like wheroff coulde nowhere else as yet be obtained and to perswade hem all worldly respectes put aparte to repaier thither that they might altogether with one mouthe and one harte bothe lameÌ„te their foremer wickednes and also be thankfull to their mercifull father that had geuen them suche a churche in a strange lande wherein they might heare gods worde truly preached the Sacraments rightly ministred and Discipline vsed which in their owne countrie coulde neuer be obtained And to this effecte were letters directed to Strausburgh Zurick Densbrugh and Emden in the 2. off Auguste And for that it was thought the churche coulde not longe contynewe in good order withowte discipline there was also a brieff forme deuised declaringe the necessitie the causes and the order theroff wherunto all those that were present subscribed shewinge therby that they were ready and willinge to submitt themselues to the same accordinge to the rule prescribed in gods holie word at whiche time it was determined by the congregation that all suche as shulde come after shulde doo the like before they were admitted as members off that churche Here followethe the generall letter sente from the congregation off Franckforde to Strausbourge Zurick Wezeil Emden c. Grace mercy and peace in Christ our Lord c. We dowte not dearely beloued but yow haue harde aswell by letter as by reporte off the excellent graces and mercy whiche oure good god and heauenly father hathe shewed vnto oure litle congregation in this citie off Franckford for that he hathe not onely made the Magistrats and commons very fauorable towards vs and louinge but also hathe geuen them hartes with muche compassion to tender vs in so muche that euerie man helpethe vs no man is againste vs muche loue no grudge glad to please lothe to annoie vs yea and to declare this good will not to be off the meane sorte nor so small as oure brethern haue felte otherwere they haue graunted that thinge whiche amonge others and in other cities we coulde not obtaine nor durste allmoste hope for For what greater treasure or sweeter comforte can a Christian man desier then to haue a churche wherin he maie serue god in puritie off faithe and integritie off lyfe whiche thinge yff we wishe for let vs not refuse it seinge where we woulde we coulde not there obtaine it And here yet it is graunted in so ample wise that beinge subiecte to no blemishe no nor so muche as the euell off suspition froÌ„ the whiche fewe churches are free we maie preache minister and vse Discipline to the true settinge forthe off gods glorie and good ensample to others And for our partes we haue not bene negligente as touchinge the execution off the sayed benefit graunted For the 29. of Iuly we had god be thanked â— sermons to oure singuler comforte and great ioye off all godly men heere Wherfore brethern seinge your haue indured the paine off persecution with vs we thought it likewise oure dewties to make your partakers off oure consolation that altogether we maie geue thanks to oure louinge father who is more tender ouer vs then the mother ouer hir childe nether suffreth vs to be temped aboue that we maie beare but euen to the issue off the tentation geuethe prosperous successe trustinge by gods grace that he whiche hathe geuen yow that gifte not onely to beleue in Christe but also to suffer for his sake will so directe your hartes that no respecte off commoditie there nor yet feare of burthen here maie once moue yow to shrink from your vocatioÌ„ whiche is in one faithe one ministration one tonge and one consente to serue god in his churche What more manifeste signe what plainer declaration what worde more expresse and lyuely can we haue off dewtie and vocation theâ— when god speakethe in oure hartes by faithe guidethe vs owte off perille throughe his grace and nowe laste of all offrethe vs a restinge place of his exceading mercy Yow remeÌ„ber that before we haue reasoned together in hope to obtaine a churche and shall we nowe drawe
and indifferent iudges by bothe partes to be chosen wherby the faulte might appear where it was in dede and so they either excused or founde giltie D. Cox at lenght tolde them that their letter shulde be considered off and an answere shulde be geuen them the fridaie after On fridaie the 30 off Auguste bothe partes mette The Pastor accompanied with the Ministers and elders spake this vnto them It seemeth very fonde that arbytrers shuld be apointed to take vpp strife that maie come hereafter as your letter signifieth And furthermore ye write yff anie offence be taken or geuen whiche semethe as strange for this worde yff importethe a dowte so that yff ye dowte it is but follie to apointe arbitres fynally to excuse your departure yow call them vnlerned whiche iudge it a schisme but saithe he terme it as yow lifte yet can yow not let men to think And yff arbitres shuld pronounce it to be none yet mennes opinions will be diâ—â—â—s Now â—heâ—fore your answere shall be that iff anie man be offended either with any priuate maÌ„ or publiquely let him or them complaine to vs or yff they refuse vs to the Magistrat As for Arbitres we will appoint none Then spake whittingham and saied that it was to him no small wonder that men of suche lerninge and wisedome shuld so shrink in a moste equall requeste and so withowte all reason to cauill where no matter was offred For as concerninge saithe he the firste pointe it was not vnknowen to them that at that time thorough their occasion their was no small contention and that seinge they had geuen such offence it coulde not be but that mennes mindes were moued And therfore to th ende that contention shulde growe no farther Arbytres were very necessary who neded not to deliberate as he saied off thinges to come whiche were vncerteine â–ª but as the letter truly purporteth off iniuries longe agoo begonne yet continued and here after not like to be ended excepte some good meane were vsed to staie their slanderous letters and false reportes to the vtter perishinge and lose off mennes Good names And where ye seeme to be ofended that the letter shulde call them vnlerned whiche terme oure departure a schisme yow omitt saide D. Coxe the 2. pointe whiche is off no small importaunce to whom he answered that he thought he did them a pleasure in omittinge thinges of so small value notwithstandinge he woulde obaie his will but saithe he as touchinge this worde vnlernedly it was not vnaduisedly placed For either they be withowte lerninge and therfore maie be so called in dede or yff they beare the name off lerninge yet in this they shewed their vnskilfulnes for as muche as euery departure from a congregation was not a schisme nether were anie that departed for iuste causes schismatikes as we saith he will proue vnto yow yff yow will take oure reasonable and moste equall offre Naie saithe the pastor Arbitres in this point can litle availe for be it they iudged it none yet mennes thoughts are free and we knowe that all men be not off one mynde in sacraments and predestination shulde men therfore take arbitres Also saith he maister Caluin and Bullinger are against yow To this was answered that thoughtes yff they were not grownded vpon Goddes worde were euell neither was this controuersie off like force withe the matter off the Sacraments and predestination notwithstanding woulde to God that not onely the difference in those articles but also in all other whiche be off waight and importaunce might be decided by the authoritie off Goddes worde and arbytrement off godly lerned men But men maie iustly suspecte your cause to be nought whiche refuse the iudgments off the wise and godly And where yow saie that Caluin and Bullinger are againste vs yow abuse your selff and there names for we knowe bothe what they and other wryte as touchinge this matter Then the Pastor asked what schisma was but a cuttinge off from the body and that it was Caluins definition To this Whittingham answered that he woulde vndertake firste to proue that definition to be false and secondly to be nonone off Caluins definition for yff euery cuttinge off from the body shulde be a schisme then yow and all other whiche once had sworne to the pope and now haue refused him are schismatiques Then the pastor added from a churche well reformed Answere was made that a churche well reformed muste be builded vppon the doctrine off the Prophetes and Apostles the vnitie wheroff S. Paule comprehendeth in theis wordes one god one faithe one baptisme not beggerly ceremomies and obscurations although that sundry causes besides moued them to departe Then Maister Treherren asked whither the donatists were not schismatiques Yes saith Whittingham and also heretiques but yow are deceiued yff yow thinke that they seperated them selues for ceremonies It is manifest said Treherren that the churches off Asia were excommunicate as schismatiques for that they kepte not Easter at the same time that the Romaine churche did And it is no lesse euident said Whitthingham that Ireneus and other godly men aswell off that time as sithens haue sharply reproued and condemned Pope Victor for the same Here D. Coxe put Whittingham in remembraunce that he had not answered to the faultes off the letter Whittingham tolde him that as touchinge that poore worde yff he marueled howe it coulde Minister anie cauillation seinge the text ioininge therto was so plaine whiche declarethe bothe the offences by yow geuen and by vs taken And also your consciences beare yow witnes the thinge to be moste true excepte a man will be wilfully blinde and finde a knot in a rushe so that that worde yf mente not that we do dowte who were oppressed with infinit wronges but iff they woulde dissemble so farre that they mâ—ght seeme to dowte theroff yet at the leaste they woulde abide the tryall theroff before theis Arbitres But here the disputation brake vp with this plaine and finall answere that arbitres they shuld haue none and that yff they founde themselues greued they shulde seeke remedy where they thought Good and he the Pastor withe the reste off the congregation woulde answere them The nexte daie the Pastour D. Coxe maister parry and maister Asheley sent for Whittingham Thomas Cole Iohn Fox William Kethe Roger harte Iohn Hilton with certeine other demandinge off them what shulde be the cause off their departure Whittingham made answere that the daie before they had declared sufficiently and yet woulde farther shewe reasons yff they would permit the controuersie to Arbytrement And to the intent they shulde not counterfait ignorance amonge other theis were some causes firste their breach off promes established with inuocation off goddes name 2. Their ordreles thrustinge themselues in to the churche 3. Takinge awaie the order off discipline established before their comminge and placinge no other 4. The accusasion off maister Knox their godly Minister off Treason and seekinge his bloude 5. Their
procede aswell as maie be to to the establishing off sure peace we exhorte yow that with all spede ye take in hand this consultation abowte the amendinge off your Discipline wâ—th mindes and meanes moste aplyable to tranquillitie which Allmightie God graunt ye maie happely bringe to passe The first off marche 1â—57 Iohn Glauburg Nowe folowith the discipline both the olde and that which was by the Magistrats appointement corrected The order off the olde discipline in the Citie off Franckford THere be 2. partes off the order off Discipline in the churche The one perteininge to the whole churche The other perteininge to the ministers and Elders alone Off the firste parte In the Discipline perteininge to the whole church is firste to be apointed the order off receiuinge men in to the congregation whiche is this The manner off receiuinge off all sortes off personnes into the saide congregation Fyrste everie one aswell man as woman which desireth â—o be receyued shall make a declaration or Confession off their faithe before the pastor and Seniors shewinge himselff fully to consent and agree with doctrine of the churche and submittinge themselues to the discipline off the same Iff anie person so desyrous to be receiued into the congregation be notoriously defamed or noted off any corrupt or euill opinion in doctrine or slaunderous behauior in liffe the same maye not by the pastor and Elders be admitted till he haue either purged himselff theroff or ells haue declared him selff â—o the pastor and Elders penitent for the same The good behauiour and godly conuersation requyred off such as are receiued Secondarely all the members off the churche so admitted and receiued shall diligently obserue and keepe all suche godlie discipline and orders apoointed with in the churche whiche tend to the increase off knowledge and godlynesse off liffe as the appointed times off praier preachinge and hearinge goddes worde the administration off the Sacramentes with submission to all godly discipline off the churche Thirdly such also as beinge in England after knowledg receiued haue communicated with the popishe masse contrary to their coÌ„sciences by reason of feare weaknes or otherwise may not be receyued till they haue confessed their fall before the pastor and seniors and haue shewed themselues penitent for the same How the youthe shal be Catechised Also for the increase off godly knowledg and vertue all the youthe shalâ— resorte to the churche euerye satterdaie at 2. off the clock at afternoone and when we haue a seuerall churche at one off the clock on the sundaie at afternoone there to be instructed in the Catechisme and not to be admitted to the communion till they be able to make profession off their faith before the whole congregation And also to haue an honest testimony off towardnes in godly conuersation and that euery member off the churche do not refuse to reade a declaration off their faithe before the pastor and Elders when so euer they shall be therto required Th order off correction for priuate and priuie offences Fourthly for as muche as no charge is so perfect but offences maye arise for godly charitable redressinge and reforminge off suche this order is to be obserued Firste yff anye off the congregation be offensiue in manners or doctrine to anie off the brethern so that offence be priuate and not publickly knowen ther can be no better order deuised then that which Christe himselff hathe apointed which is firste brotherly to admonishe him alone yff that do no preuaile call one or 2. Witnesses yff that also do not profit then to declare it to the pastor and elders to whoÌ„ the churche hath geuen authoritie to take order in such cases according to the qualitie and greuousnes off the offence and crime Off the order off correction for publick and open crimes But yff anie person shal be a notorious knowen offender so as he is offensiue to the whole churche then shall the pastor and elders immediatlye call the offender before them and trauel with him to reduce him to true repeÌ„tance and satisfyinge off the congregation whiche if â—e obstinately refuse to doo then â–ª the pastor shall signifie his offence and contempt to the whole congregation desiring them to praie for him and further to assigne him a daie to be denownced excommunicate before the churche except in the meane time the offender submit himself before the pastor and seniors to the order of discipline Finally in case any person of this congregatioÌ„ be knoweÌ„ to be an hinderer or a defacer of anie of the godly vsages nowe excercised in the same congregation either priuely or apertly by worde letter or dede the same shall acknowledg his offence with satisfaction to the churche according to the true order off Discipline The 2. parte off discipline toncerninge the ministers and elders and their elections Firste for the election of ministers and Elders the qualities of the same are to be examined and considered according to the rule off S. Paule 1. Tim. 3. Wheroff this is the summe That no man be elected whose doctrine or liffe can iustlie be reproued and condemned As concerning the order and forme off Electing the same is to be obserued whiche hathe already bin practised and is here vnto anexed Off ther offices and functions The pastor according to the commaundement off the holye ghoste in the scriptures ought with all pastorall care diligently to attende to his flock in preaching goddes worde in ministring the Sacramentes in example off Good lyffe in exhortinge admonishinge rebukinge and as the chieff mouthe off the churche to open and declare all orders taken by him and the elders whiche are to be opened and published to whom no man maye in the face off the congregation replye But yff anie think himselff to haue cause to speak let him come before the elders in the place appointed for their meetinge and thereto open his mynde and to be hard with all charitie indifferently The office off preachers and suche as are lerned in the congregation The office off preachers and such as are lerned in the churche is to assiste the pastor in preachinge the worde ministringe the Sacraments and in all consultations and meetinges off him and the Elders especially in causes off Doctrine and also at other tymes when they shall be required The office off Elders The office off Elders is to be as it were censors ouerseers off manners and disorders And to be with the pastor in all consultations for the publick order off the churche and that all corrections and exercises off discipline be done with their common consaile Deacons Consideringe also the present state off the churche it is thaught requisite that the Deacons besides the speciall office appointed in the Acts off the Apostells in caringe and providinge for the poore do also visit the sick and be assistant in Catechisinge the youthe yff they shall be thervnto required The same order and forme is to be vsed for reformation off offences and crymes
within one forthnight after the saied fyrste day off marche vnles some great causes incident do let the same shall be all priuate persons as other meÌ„bers off the congregation and so continewe still till they be newe elected to the same or other ministerie or office euerie one off them yet notwithstanding in the meane tyme from the saied first daie off marche till newe ministers be elected doing the dewtâ—â— and dewties to your offâ—ce belonging Iâ—em that publick praier and fast be made before and at the election off all ministers in time and continuaunce as to the congregation shall seme good Item that before the election off the ministers Seniors and Deacons the places off the scriptures for that purpos most fit be â—penlye redd and a sermon to be made vppon the same As for the present purpose shall be most conuenient Item that election be made by bills euerie man bringing a litle bill rolled vp the names off such persons appointed as they shall think moste meete for the office wherunto the election is then made Item that imposition off handes with praier be vsed at the institution off the saied ministers seniors and Deacons according to the doctrine and examples of the scriptures Off the callinge and assembling off the congregation Item that the ministers and seniors thus electe haue nowe authoritie as the principall members of the congregation to gouerne the saied congregation accordinge to goddes worde and the discipline of the churche as is aforsaied And also to call together and assemble the saied congregation for causes and at tymes as shall to them seme expedient Prouided alwaies that yff anie dissention shall happen betweene the ministers and the seniors or the more parte off them and the bodye off the congregation or the more parte off it and that the saied ministers and Seniors in such controuersie beinge desired therto will not assemble the congregation that then the congregation maye of it selff cum together and consulte and determine as concerninge the saied controuersie or controuersies and the saied assembly to be a lawfull congregation and that which they the more parte of them so assembling shall iudge or decree the same to bâ— a lawfull decreâ— and ordinaunce of sufficient force to bynde the whole congregation and euery member off the same Item that no man being sommoned or warned either by the ministers and Seniors or in the name off the congregation so as afore is saied assembled to appere in the congregation shall absent himselff but vppon a lawfull cause vnder paine off discipline And that none shall departe owt off the said congregation so assembled till it be broken vp with owâ— licence off the whole or the more parte remaining vppon paine of discipline before the whole congregation therfore Item in case some do departe that yet notwithstanding those whiche still remaine yff they be the greater parte to be a lawfull congregation and that whiche they or the more parte off them shall decree to be a lawfull decree off force to bynde the whole body ministers seniors Deacons and euerie other member or members theroff withowt exception Item that no checkinge or taunting be vsed in the saied congregation by anie persons vnder paine off Discipline and that in speakinge all other shall holde their peace and keepe silence absteining also from priuate talke that all thinges maie be donne comely and in order Item that it shall be lawfull that euerie member off the congregation making protestation off licence before to the ministers seniors and the whole congregation maie speak his mynd in the congregation so he speake quietly and not againste goddes truthe for in case he speake vngodly that then it shall be lawfull for the ministers seniors or anie off them to commaunde him silence by and by The manner or receauing all sortes off persons into the saied congregation Firste for the auoidinge off all heresies and sectes in oure churches euery one aswell men as wemen which desier to be receiued shall make a declaration or confession off their faithe before the ministers and elders shewinge him sâ—â—ffâ—ully to consent and agree wâ—th the doctrine off the churche and submiâ—tinge them selues to the Dâ—scipline off the same and the same to testifie by subscribing theâ—tâ— yf they can wryte Item yff anye person so desyrous to be receyued into the congregation be notoriously defamed or noted off any corrupt behauiour or euill opinion in doctrine or slaunderous behauiour in liffe the same maie not by the Ministers and Elders be admitted â— till he haue either purged himselff theroff or ells haue decâ—ared himselff to the ministers and elderâ— penitent for the same Off admission to the holie communion Item that none off the youthe be admitted to the communion till they be able to make profession off their faâ—the before the whole congregation and also to haue an honest testimony off towardnes in godly conuersation Item that none openly noted as an hereticke sectarye Idolater or other notorious offender shall be admitted to the communion before he either purge or reconcile himselff publiquely before the whole congregation And that euery member off the congregation do not refuse to render a declaration off their faithe before the Ministers and Elders when so euer they shall by them be therunto requyred Th order off proceadinge to the execution off the Discipline and correction off offences For as muche as no churche is so perfect but offences may rise for godly and charitable redressing and reforming off suche this order is to be obserued Firste yff anye off the congregation be offensiue in manners or doctrine to anie off the brethern so that the offence be priuate and not publickely knowen there can be no better order deuised then that whiche Christe himselff hathe appoiâ—ted whiche is firste brotherly to admonishe him alone Iff that do not preuaile to calle one or two witnesses yff that also do not profit Then to declare it to the Ministers and Elders To whom the congregation hathe geuen authoritie to take order in suche cases accordinge to the Discipline off the churche Item that it maye be the better knowne what is ment by this worde discipline or correction off vice we thinke that there be 3. degrees off Eccesiasticall discipline The first that the offender acknowledg his faulte and shewe himselff penitent before the Ministers and the Seniors The seconde that yff he will not so doe as well his originall cryme as also his contempt off the Ministers and Elderss who haue the authoritie off the churche be openly declared by one off the Ministers before the whole congregation and that he therfore make satisfaction bothe for his originall crime and also for his contempt off the Ministers before the whole congregation and that he be not admitted to the communion before he haue satisfied The thirde that yff he remaine still obstinate before the whole congregation after a tyme to him by the whole congregation limited to repent in he then shall be openly