of love joy godly sorrow thankfulnesse and whatsoever may concern them at that time or causeth be read the history of the Passion or some other part of Scripture which may work the same effect After all at the Table have received the Cup they rise from the Table and return in a quiet manner to their places another company cometh to the Table and so a third and a fourth till all have received in the same manner as the first during which time of removing of the one and approaching of the other the whole Congregation singeth some part of a Psalm touching the Passion or the love and kindenesse of God to his people as Psal. 22 or 103 c. After the last company hath received the Minister rising from the Table goeth to the Pulpit where after a short speech tending to thanksgiving he doth againe solemnely give thankes unto God for so great a mercy and prayeth as on other Sabbaths The prayer ended all joyn in singing a Psalm of praise sutable to the occasion and are dismissed with the blessing before which none are to depart unlesse in case of necessity The Communion being thus celebrated in the forenoon the people meet again in the afternoon at which time the Minister teacheth the Doctrine of thanksgiving and closeth the publike and solemn worship of that day from which the people use to depart refreshed with the grace and peace of God and strengthened with new and fresh resolutions to serve the Lord. 4. The order of publike fasting or humiliation SOmetimes the fast or humiliation is of larger extent to be observed by all the Churches in the Kingdome sometime more particular of one or more Congregations Sometimes the fast is kept one day only sometimes all the dayes of the week Sometimes on the Sabbath only especially in the Countrey Churches Sometimes upon some day of the week also as in Cities or Towns They neither make difference of dayes for humiliation nor do they keep any set fasts or feasts all is disposed and done according as the occasions and causes do presse or require as may serve most for the end intended and may best ply with the opportunities and necessities of the Congregation The Sabbath next before the fast notice is given of the Causes of humiliation and of the times to be observed with earnest exhortation to the people to prepare themselves for afflicting their soules and extraordinary humiliation In many places especially in Cities Towns and greater Villages or where the people may conveniently assemble The day before the fast the doctrine of preparation to the fast is taught expressing the nature and use thereof for averting the wrath of God The dayes of the fast from morning to evening are kept holy unto the Lord in the nature of an Extraordinary Sabbath with abstinence from meat and drink from delights and worldly labours with the exercises of reading the Law plain preaching interpretation and particular application deep humiliation and renting of the heart for sin large and hearty confessions of sin fervent supplications and earnest seeking of God by prayer for pardon with singing of penitentiall Psalms after which they have many times found wonderfull deliverances and extraordinary blessings from Heaven 5. The order of marriage ALthough marriage be no Sacrament nor part of the Worship of God yet they conceive that the Matrimoniall conjunction of Christians and members of the Church is most conveniently solemnized in the face of the Congregation with instruction out of Gods Word of the Institution use and ends of marriage and of the duties of married persons and with blessing by the Minister and with the prayers of the Church The parties are contracted before they be married and before they be contracted if there be any suspicion of their ignorance they are examined in the grounds of Religion and in their knowledge of the mutuall duties which they owe each to other Notice also is given of the consent of Parents or vice-Parents and that neither of them is contracted before to any other party nor any impediment from the degrees of Affinity or Consanguinity prohibited The contract and purpose of marriage is also published three severall Sabbaths before the same be solemnized and if there be nothing objected to hinder their marriage then are they solemnly married in the face of the Congregation before the ending of 40 dayes from the time of the contract They require for marriage the free consent of the parties come to the yeers of discretion and the knowledge and consent of the Parents they do not allow of the marrige of Infants nor secret and clandestine contracts and marriages nor do they use any idle rites or superstitious Ceremonies in the time of the Solemnization 6. The Order of Buriall of the dead THough Buriall be no part of the Worship of God nor of the work of the Ministry yet they think meet that an honest and competent number of Christians accompany the Christian friends of the dead unto the Grave that they may confer and comfort one another by the way and to see the Buriall done in a grave and decent manner remembring that sin is the cause of death that Christ hath overcome death and the grave and that they who die in the Lord shall rise again to life everlasting Their Burials are without singing or reading which the superstitious do conceive to be profitable for the dead without Funerall Sermons which do beget superstition and tend to flartery make the Gospel to be preached with respect of persons and are most pressed by such as do least regard Sermons at other times and without Feasting with affectate shews of mourning and any further pomp or Ceremony than civill differences and respects do require They conceive for many reasons that the places of the assembling of the people for the Word and Sacraments ought not to be places of Buriall which is therefore forbidden and for the most part is forborn in that Kingdom Registers are ordained to be kept of the namâ—â— and times of all that are baptized of all that are married and all that are married IV. Of Doctors and their Office and of Schools THe Church of Scotland hath had no other Doctors but Masters and Professors of Divinity in Universities and Colledges of which some use to be chosen to be Elders of particular Churches and Commissioners to the Nationall Assembly and besides these the Teachers of more private and particular Schools They use to be examined and tried both in their learning and life by the Presbitery and their charge is not only to bring up their schollers in humane literature and liberall Arts but also in Civill Conversation and good manners but especially in the Grounds of Christian Religion by way of Catechisme As the Doctors of Colledges do keep the meetings of the Presbitery and by course do prophesie or make the exercise with the Ministers so also do the masters of private Schooles for the greater part of them who
up religious exercise in families And that the Pastor from his particular knowledge of the flock committed to him may apply his doctrine and pray the more pertinently in publike The third is Examination of all sorts of persons who are not known to have some good measure of knowledge before the Communion All these parts of the Ministery in publike and private are performed more diligently or negligently according to the faithfulnesse or unfaithfulnesse of the Minister who hath according to his work his praise or censure at the visitation of the Church by the greater Presbytery No Minister there is suffered to be a non-resident or to have the charge of more Churches But if two small contiguous Parishes be united by the assembly to make up a competent congregation he Preacheth sometime in the one and sometime in the other Church as the people do desire and the Eldership doth direct 2. The order of Baptisme NO other but the Pastor who preacheth the Word hath the power of the Ministration of the Sacraments And concerning Baptisme it useth not to be hastened before some day of the publike meeting of the Congregation nor delayed after but upon necessary impediments and is never ministred in private houses Notice is given thereof in due time to the Pastor and that by the Father of the child if he be not justly hindered that a word may be spoken to him in season After Sermon on the week dayes and after Sermon in the afternoon on the Lords day The Pastor remaining in the same place where he hath Preached and having water in a large Basin provided with a fair Linnen-cloth in a convenient place and in a decent manner The Father or in his necessary absence some other man who is reputed godly presenteth the child to be Baptized The action is begun with a short and pertinent prayer next some words of instruction touching the Author nature use and end of this Sacrament the duties to be performed in the one time of the person to be Baptized and of the parent or viceparent Thirdly he that presenteth the childe maketh confession of the Faith into which the childe is to be Baptized and promiseth to bring up the childe in that Faith and in the fear of God Fourthly the Minister being informed of the name of the childe Baptizeth the childe so named by sprinkling with water Into the name of the Father Son and holy Ghost Lastly the Minister concludeth as well the publike worship for that time as the action with thanksgiving for the Word and Sacraments and with prayer for a blessing and with such Petitions as he useth at other times after Sermon and in end dismisseth the Congregation with the blessing 3. The order of ministring the Communion or the Lords Supper THe Sacrament of the Lords Supper is more frequently ministred in some Congregations then in other according to the number of the Communicants and the Proficiency of the People in the way of Christ and in some places upon one Sabbath in other places upon two or three Sabbaths as it may be done most conveniently which is determined by the Minister and Eldership of the Church None are admited to the Lords Supper but such as upon examination are found to have a compeâ—ent measure of knowledge in the grounds of Christian Religion and the doctrine of the Sacraments and are able according to the Apostles Commandement and professe themselves willing to examine themselves and to renew their Covenant made with God in Baptisme promising to walk as beseemeth Christians and to submit themselves to all the Ordinances of Christ. The ignorant the Scandalous the obstinate and such as are under Censure or publike admonition in the way to censure are not admitted Neither are strangers received but upon sufficient testimony or otherwise be very well known The Sabbath day next before the Communion shall be celebrated publike warning thereof is made by the Pastor and of the doctrine of preparation to be taught the last day of the week or at least toward the end of the week That the Communicants may be the better prepared by the use of the means both in private and publike Upon the day of the Communion notice being given after the doctrine of preparation of the houres of meeting which useth to be before the ordinary time observed other Sabbaths a large Table decently covered is so placed as that the Communicants may best sit about it and the whole Congregation may both hear and behold The Preface prayers and preaching of that day are all framed to the present matter of the Sacrament and the duties of the receivers after Sermon immediatly the Pastor useâ—h an exhortation and debarreth from the Table all ignorant prophane and scandalous persons which being done he goeth from the Pulpit and sitteth down with the people at the Table where the bread standing before him in great Basins fitly prepared for breaking and distribution and the wine in large Cups in like manner he first readeth and shortly expoundeth the words of Institution shewing the nature use and end of the Sacrament and the duties of the Communicants next he useth a prayer wherein he both giveth thanks especially for the Inestimable benefit of Redemption and for the means of the Word and Sacraments particularly of this Sacrament and prayeth earnestly to God for his powerfull presence and effectuall working to accompany his own Ordinance to the comfort of his people now to communicate The Elements thus being Sanctified by the Word and Prayer the Minister Sacramentally breaketh the bread taketh and eateth himself and delivereth to the people sitting in decent and reverent manner about the Table but without difference of degrees or acceptions of persons these that are neerest the Minister having received the bread do divide it from hand to hand amongst themselves when the Minister delivereth the bread according to the commandment and example of Christ he commandeth the people to take and eat saying Take ye eat ye this is the Body of the Lord which is broken for you Do it in remembrance of him After all at the Table have taken and eaten the Minister taketh the Cup and drinking first himself he giveth it to the neerest saying This Cup is the New Testament in the Blood of the Lord Iesus which is shed for many for the remission of sins drink ye all of it for as often as ye do eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew the Lords death till he come All this time the Elders in a competent number and in a grave and reverent manner do attend about the Table that all who are admitted to the Table may have the bread and wine in their own place and order of sitting the Minister also continuing in his place after the giving of the Elements doth either by his own speech stir up the Communicants to Spirituall meditations of faith of the great love of God in Christ and of the Passion of Christ and to holy affections
for the present that the whole Congregation powre forth their supplications that God would grant him repentance and to come out of the snare of the devill If nothing be objected or if none for him witnesse any appearance of repentance then is the danger of the person and the weight of the sentence laid open the next Sabbath and he the second time prayed for publickly If at last upon the next Sabbath there be no signe of repentance then is he praied for the third time and there being no meane unassaied nor remedy left to reclaime him hee is strucken with the terrible sentence of excommunication with calling upon the Name of God to ratifie the sentence in Heaven and the people warned to hold him as an Heathen or a Publican and to shun all communion with him except in naturall and civill duties to be still performed by such as are bound It is to bee understood that where the crimes are such that they cry to the heavens for revenge waste the conscience and by the law of God deserve death and the transgressor certainly knowne the processe may be more summarie excommunication more hastned as on the other part of absolution the time would be longer and the triall of repentance more exact After excommunication he is permitted to come to the preaching of the Word yet so as it may appeare that he commeth as one not having communion with the Church Neither is he debarred from private counsell instruction admonition and prayer that in end his spirit may be saved If after excommunication the Eldership finde the signes of repentance as the good life and behaviour of the excommunicate declaration of the griefe of his heart and his humble submission to the order of the Church in all things that may reconcile him to God and his people they shall with joy of heart make it knowne to the Congregation by the Minister that they may also have joy over their brother repenting or if they have ought to object against â—he â—uth of his repentance they may give notice thereof at the next meeting of the Eldership where if nothing be alleaged against him after he hath obeyd the injunctions of the Eldership for his further humiliation and the better tryall of his repentance he is either brought before the greater Presbyterie as all other penitents for great crimes or by relation from his owne Eldership is to give them satisfaction in the signes of his repentance that he may be absolved As all publick penitents are received so is the excoÌ„municate absolved in the face of the congregaâ—ion before whom being brought by the Elders at the time appointed he maketh free confession of his sinne and mourneth for it cryeth to God for mercie seeketh to be reconciled to the Church and promiseth new obedience with which all being satisfied and willing to receive him into their common and mutuall consolation the Minister who preacheth for that time pronounceth him upon his repentance to bee absolved in the Name of Christ from his sinne and free of the censurs of the Church and have right through faith to Christ and all his benefits and ordinances praising God for his grace and praying that he may be fully accepted to his favour loosed in Heaven and heare the voice of joy and gladnesse After the sentence of absolution the Minister speaketh to him as to a brother exhorting him to watch and pray or comforting him if he have need the Elders imbrace him and the whole congregation keepeth communion with him as if he had never offended As the Presbyterie excommunicateth profane professors so doth it also depose Preachers if they be teachers of corrupt Doctrine if their lives continue scandalous after admonition if they be busie in renting the Church a sunder by schisme and division if they be given to blasphemie profanation of the Lords day simonie perjurie drunkennesse fighting or any other sinne for which whether in respect of the greatnesse of the sinne or by reason of the contempt and obstinacie when the sinne is not so great private persons are excommunicated and although they be upon their repentance absolved from the sentence of excommunication yet in some cases especially where the crime inferreth a perpetuall infamie are they never readmitted to the Ministery except upon the unanimous and most earnest desire of the whole Church where they served before IV. Of greater Presbyteries or Classes THe Presbyterie or Classicall meeting doth consist of particular neighbouring Churches in such a circuite as may conveniently meet together to the number of ten sixteene twentie or so many as the vicinitie of the places and parishes may well accommodate It is supposed that the whole particular Elderships cannot well assemble in one place ordinarily neither is it necessarie There be therefore beside the Minister or Ministers of the Congregation who are supposed to be perpetuall members of the Presbyterie some of speciall note chosen out of the Elders by them who receiving from them commission may represent the whole from each particular Eldership one of the Elders with the Minister or Ministers repaireth to the place of meeting so that the members of this Presbyteriall meeting are all the Ministers within the Circuit and one Elder delegated from each particular Eldership None of the Ministers are permitted to be absent unlesse they be detainâ—d by necessarie impediments or extraordinarie imployments And therefore the day of the meeting of the Presbyterie may not be destinate to ordinarie preaching Nor are they to wait that day upon solemnizing of mariages The names are called by the Clerk and the absents are noted and examined the next day upon the reasons of their absence and if any happen to absent themselves many dayes without reasonable causes they are set apart and censured as guiltie of the contempt or neglect of the order of the Church But the Elders are not so strictlie tied to ordinarie attendance but if there be any matter of great weight to be handled they are all warned to be present And if hee who was formerly Commissioner may not assist another Commissioner in his place may bee chosen by the Eldership It is permitted to the expectants having entered before upon the publick exercise or prophesie to sit by the Ministers and Elders in the meeting of the Presbyterie and to give their judgement of the doctrine but they have no voice when matters of doctrine or discipline are debated And in the handling of some matters which are thought fit to be concealed and kept secret till they be by common consent published they use to be removed Because the whole discipline in a manner is in the hands of the Presbyterie they are to meet once a week or fortnight upon a certaine day and in a certain place but in some places through the length and deepnesse of the way in winter they do not meet so often The subject and matters treated in the Presbytery are all the Ecclesiasticall matters of weight which