and conversations of all such as desire admission to the Lords-Supper be first duly enquired into and found suitable to that Ordinance r Compare 1 Cor. 11.29 with Gal 6.6 Matth. 28.29 Compare also 1 Cor. 11 27. to the end with Matth. 7.6 and 1 Cor. 5. throughout Jude 23. and 1 Tim. 5 22 and Eph. 5.11 and Acts 9.26 to 32. And if any person or persons after such Admission shall break out into Scandalous Sin and thereof be convicted by 2 or 3 witnesses or their own confession That in this case such shall by due Censure be secluded from the Lords-Supper ſ Matth. 18.15 to 21. 1 Cor. 5. throughout Ezek. 22.26 and 44.23 Matt. 7.6 Unless the Offence be discovered so immediately before the Lords-Supper that the Minister dissatisfyed in conscience can for the present onely suspend his own Act. And utterly laying aside the Antiquated Service-Book for the many Evils and Inexpediencyes thereof t See The Preface to the DIRECTORY for Gods publick Worship Read also The Anatomy of the Service-Book We shall have an eye to the Substance Sence and Scope of the DIRECTORY for Gods Publick Worship u Published for the use and benefit of these three Nations January 3. Anno Dom. 1644. 4. By Exciting Christians to the frequent and fruitful Exercise of the more Private COMMUNION of SAINTS in all the mutual dutyes thereof x Mal. 3.16 17. Psal 55.14 Heb. 10.24 25. and 3.12 13. Phil. 2.1 2 3 4. upon all occasions And more especially at their Private meetings and conferences managed in the most prudent orderly and profitable way y 1 Cor. 14.26 40. for their mutual Edification in Faith and Love and Provocation to all good Works z Rom. 14.19 1 Thes 5.11 Jude v. 20. Eph 4.16 Heb. 10.24 5. By Endeavouring to restore into all the respective Congregations under our spiritual charge within this City and Province that CHVRCH-GOVERNMENT and Discipline which Jesus Christ hath appointed in his Holy Scriptures And herein we declare our consent and agreement as followeth 1. That the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church and is Faithful in the House of God as Moses was hath declared and Revealed the whole Patern of his House by setting down and leaving upon Record in the Scriptures a compleat and perfect Platform of Church-Discipline in all the Essential parts thereof a Isa 9.6 Mat 28.18 c. Eph. 5.23 1.22 23. Heb 3.5 6. Exod. 25 40. 1 Tim 3 14 15. Which is to be observed and kept inviolably till the second coming and Appearing of Christ b 1 Tim. 6.13 without any Additions or Inventions of men c Matth. 15 9. 2 That the holy Government and Discipline which Christ hath appointed in his Church Requireth not onely Christian watchfulness over the Walking of Brethren d Acts 20.28 but also 1. That such as Sin and go astray be Admonished and Reprooved e Gal. 6 1. Mat. 5 23 24. 18 15 to 21. 2. And impenitent Sinners cast forth and Excommunicated f Mat. 18.15 16 17 c. 1 Cor 5. throughout ◠Thes 3.6 14. 3. Who ought a so upon R pentance to be Restored and Received again into communion with the Church g 2 Cor. 2 6. to 12 Matth. 18 18 19 20. 3. That the End and use of Church Di cipline and Censures is 1. For the Reclaiming and Gaining of Offending Bretheren h Matth. 18.15 16 17. 1 Cor. 5.5 Tim. 1.20 2. For the Preventing and Deterring of others from the like Offences i 1 Tim 5.20 3. For Purging out of that Leaven which migh infect the wh le Lump k 1 Cor. 5.6 7.8 13. 4. For vindicating the Honour of Christ and the Holy Profession of the Gospel l 1 Cor. 5 7 8. Jude ver 23. Matth. 7 6. And 5. For Preventing the Wrath of God which might justly fall upon the Church if they should suffer his Covenant and the Seals thereof to be Profaned by notorious and obstinate Offenders m 1 Cor. 11.27 28 29 30 31 32. This whole Paragraph is borrowed from the Assembly's Confession of Faith Chap. 30. § 111. 4 That the Ordinary and standing Officers which Christ hath appointed in his Church for the Edifying and perfecting of his Body are Pastors and Teachers n Eph. 4.11 Rom. 12.7 8. Ruling-Elders o Rom. 12.8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 and Deacons p Acts 6 1. to 7. Phil. 1.1 1 Tim. 3.8 to 13 5. That the Work and Duty of the Pastor and Teacher is To attend upon the Ministry of the Word and Prayer q Acts 6.1 2. To Preach the Gospel r 1 Cor. 1.17 2 Tim. 4. 1 2. Tit 2.7 8. To Teach and to Exhort ſ Rom. 12.6 7 8. Matth. 28.19 20 1 Tim. 4 11 2 Tim. 4.2 and thence they are called Ministers of the Gospel t Rom 15.16 2 Cor. 3.6 And To Administer the Seals of the Covenant u Matth 28.19 20 Mark 16.15 16. 1 Cor. 11 23 24 25 with 10 16. As also To Rule the Flock over which the Holy-Ghost hath made them Overseers x 1 Tim. 5.17 1 Thes 5.12 Heb. 13.7 17 Acts 20.28 6. That the Work of the Ruling-Elders is to joyn with the Pastor and Teacher in Governing the Church y Rom 12 7 8. 1 Cor. 12 28. 1 Tim. 5 17. The Work of the Deacons is concerning the Temporal good things of the Church To receive the Church Treasury and therewith to serve Tables and particularly to Relieve the Poor z Acts 6.1 2 3 4. Rom. 12.8 1 Cor. 12.28 7. That these Officers are called by Christ himself a Heb. 5.14 though not immediately b Gal 1.1 But by Men c Acts 13.1 2 3. 1 Tim. 4.14 Acts 14.23 6.3 4 5 6. Neither are any to be chosen and approved but such as are judged to be fitted and furnished by Christ with suitable Qualifications for the faithful discharge of the Work and Office committed to them d 1 Tim. 3.1 to 14. with 5.22 Tit. 1.5 to 10. Acts 6.3 1 Rom. 13.1 8. That the Solemn admission and Separation of Persons to the work of the Ministry is to be performed by the Laying on of the Hands of the Presbytery with Fasting and Prayer e, 3. 1 Tim. 4.14 Acts 14.23 6.3 6. And it seems to us most fit where it may conveniently be that such persons be Ordained in the presence and with the consent of the Congregation where they are to Minister f Acts 14.23 Tit. 1.5 9. That it 's the duty of all the Churches Ministers of Christ to Assist Own and Strengthen the Hands of each other in the ways of the LORD g Gal. 1.18 21 22 23 24. and 2 9. And to Receive each other in the LORD to Christian and Church-communion h Rom. 16.1 2. And to meet together in
SYNODS and Assemblyes of the Officers and Delegates of the Churches if need require i Acts 15.1 to 36. Where they have power to Determine Difficulties and Controversies according to the word of God k Acts 16.6 to 36. Especially see ver 24 28. and 16.4 5. 10. That there be many gracious Promises of the special Blessing and Presence of Christ in his Ordinances among his People who walk together in the Faith Love and Order of the Gospel l Exod. 20.24 1 Kin. 8.28 29 30. with 9.3 Isa 4.5 6. Matth. 18.18 19 20. and 28.19 20. And therefore those that pretend to be above Ordinances Or that live without Ordinances when they have opportunity of Enjoying them Or that pick and chuse among the Ordinances of Christ As to desire Baptism for their Children but never to desire the Lords-Supper for themselves Or to desire the Sacraments but to refuse and cast off the Yoke of Christ in Church-Discipline they do exceedingly wrong their own Souls and Sin against their own comforts by depriving themselves of that special Blessed Presence and Sweet communion with Christ which is to be had in the communion of Saints m Song 1.7 8. and 4 16. and 5 1. 2 Cor. 6.16 17. 1 Cor. 10.16 17. VI. To enter into and walk together in a Brotherly ASSOCIATION one with another Giving one to another the right hands of Fellowship in a constant course of Mutual Advice Encouragement and Assistance for the more Effectual accomplishing of these excellent Necessary and Difficult things n Gal. 2.9 Luke 10.1 Acts 2.1 2 3 4 c. and 3.1 c. and 5.29 and 6.2 c. and 8.14 c. and 13.1 2 3 4. and 15.6 to 36. That all our ways in Christ may be for Substance the same within all these Churches o 1 Cor. 4.17 Jer. 32.39 For a much as the mystical Body the Church of Christ is but one p 1 Cor. 12.12 13 to the end Rom. 15.4 5. Eph. 2.16 and 4.4 Col. 3.15 Song 6.9 therefore wee ought to maintain all possible oneness together Dispatching our work as much as may be in joynt Union and Communion in all the Publick Affairs of Christian Religion Thus endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace in that one Church-Body q Eph. 4.1 to 6. 1 Cor. 1.10 Phil. 2.1 to 5 Now to this end We consent and Agree 1. That We shall diligently frequent certain Meetings More General of the Bretheren in this whole Province And more Particular of those in some Countyes and parts of this Province As oft and in such Places as We shall from time to time judge needful and expedient And We shall endeavour so to make known the Times and Places of our Meetings that all the Godly Brethren of the Ministry within the said Precincts may have Opportunity of Convening and which we earnestly desire of Associating with us 2. That We shall readily Receive into this Fellowship as Members All the Brethren within the said City and Province who are duely called into the Ministry by Ordination r 1 Tim. 4 14. and 5.22 Acts 13.1 2 3. and 14.23 Titus 1.5 Are Sound in Faith ſ Tit. 1.9 10 11 12 13 14. 2 Tim. 1.13 Godly Sober and unblameable in Life t 1 Tim. 3 2.3 T it 1.7 8. Walking Religiously in their Families u 1 Tim 3.4 5. Faithfully and industriously in their Ministerial Functions x 1 Cor. 4.1 2. Jer. 23.28 2 Cor. 2.17 2 Tim. 4.1 2. Tit. 2.7 8. They first tendering to the Moderator for the time being At some General Meeting or at some Particular Meeting according to Direction from the General A TESTIMONIAL of Their Soundness in the Faith Blamelesness of Life and Laboriousness in the Ministry under the Hands of two Ministers of known integrity especially of those that are Associated And of two or three Godly Christians of the same Congregation or of the vicinity well known to some of the Associated Brethren And all that shall be Ordained PRESBYTERS by this Association for any Ministerial charge within this Province shall thereupon be Received as Members of this Association Both these and the former Sub cribing to this our Agreement Nevertheless the Associated Brethren still Reserve to themselves a Liberty for Admitting any Orthodox Godly Brother Declaring his in 〈◊〉 on to be Regularly Ordained assoon as may be to joyn with Us in Our Association as farre as he is capable 3. That at Our first General Meeting We shall choose one of Our number to be MODERATOR for Propounding of Matters Taking of Suffrages Preventing of Disorders and Managing all Discoures and conferences with due Gravity Decency Order and to the utmost Edification y 1 Cor. 14.26 40. Tit. 2.7 8. Who shall still begin and conclude Our Transactions at every Meeting with Prayer for the LORD'S Assistance Blessing and Acceptance z 1 Tim. 2.8 and 4.4.5 1 Thes 5.17 18. Eph 6.18 19 20. Acts 6.2 And at the close of that and every such Conference General or Particular We shall still determine upon the Subject-Matter Time Place and another Moderator for the next Meeting 4. That also at our first General Meeting one of the Brethren Associated which shall be deemed fittest shall be chosen Scribe or Register Who shall enter this Our Agreement into a Book forthwith that it may be Subscribed Shall carefully File up and keep all the forementioned Testimonials Shall enter all our Res lves and Determinations and Shall Register all Our Proceedings with all that shall present themselves to Us for Ordination a 1 Tim. 4.14 and 5.22 Rom. 13.1 2 3. Tit. 1 5. Heb. 5 4. Keeping safe their Testimonials and Providing all such Instruments in Writing as are requisite thereunto That any of these may be produced before the Brethren upon all just Occasions 5. That no discourses about Admission or Non-Admission of any Minister into this Society shall be blazed abroad by any Brother to the Prejudice of the Association or of any Member thereof 6 Th t all Disputes about lesser Points in difference held by any Brethren Agreeing in the Main be wholy declined in all our Meetings b Acts 15.37 38 39. Phil. 2.1.2 3 4. and 3.16 Vnless some Brother shall Conscientiously desire satisfaction from the Association in any such Particular which shall be endeavoured with all cleerness of Argument and sweetness of Spirit c Acts 15.7 to 22. Eph. 4.1 2 3 c. 1 Pet. 3.8 Phil. 2 1 2 3 4. 7. That All usurpation of Authority Authoritative coertion Domination or Jurisdiction and all exercise thereof by the Brethren one over another in this Association be utterly disclaimed abandoned and abhorred d Mat. 23.11 12. Mark 9.33 to 38. Luk. 9.46.47 48. and 22 24. to 28. 1 Pet. 5.3 3 Joh. v. 9 10. 8. That All giving of just Offence to those that are in Power and Authority over us in the Commonwealth by our intermedling beyond the Duty and limits of our calling with civil and Commonwealth-Affairs be most studiously avoided in all our Transactions e Matt. 17.27 1 Cor. 10.32 2 Cor. 6.3 Acts 24 16. 1 Cor. 7.20 9. And finally That We shall none of us withdraw ourselves from this Brotherly Fellowship without great and weighty causes Nor shall We at any time Neglect or forbear to come to the General or Particular Meetings which shall be from time to time appointed without very urgent occasions And in all these things We whose Names are hereunto Subscribed have Unanimously agreed To walk by the same Rule and to minde the same thing f Phil. 3.16 Beseeching the LORD to lead us by his Spirit into all truth g John 16.13 That as Fellow labourers in the Gospel of Christ We may make a Brotherly improvement of each others Advice and Assistance that our Hearts may be comforted being knit together in Love whilst we are following the things which make for Peace and wherewith We may Edify one another in Our most Holy Faith h 1 Thes 3.2 Philem. 24. Col. 2.2 Rom. 14.19 Jude vers 20. Consentimus nos infra-scripti FINIS