and_o holy_a in_o all_o manner_n of_o conversation_n god_n may_v be_v honour_v the_o church_n edify_v and_o himself_o save_v in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n then_o shall_v follow_v the_o sentence_n of_o absolution_n in_o these_o or_o the_o like_a word_n whereas_o thou_o n._n have_v for_o thy_o sin_n be_v shut_v out_o from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o have_v now_o manifest_v thy_o repentance_n wherein_o the_o church_n rest_v satisfy_v in_o the_o name_n of_o jesus_n christ_n before_o this_o congregation_n i_o pronounce_v and_o declare_v thou_o absolve_v from_o the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n former_o denounce_v against_o thou_o and_o do_v receive_v thou_o to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o free_a use_n of_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n that_o thou_o may_v be_v partaker_n of_o all_o his_o benefit_n to_o thy_o eternal_a salvation_n after_o this_o sentence_n of_o absolution_n the_o minister_n speak_v to_o he_o as_o to_o a_o 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a_o directory_n for_o church-government_n and_o ordination_n of_o minister_n to_o be_v examine_v against_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n edinburgh_n print_v by_o evan_n tyler_n printer_n to_o the_o king_n most_o excellent_a majesty_n 1647._o a_o directory_n for_o church-government_n and_o ordination_n of_o minister_n to_o be_v examine_v against_o the_o next_o general_n assembly_n the_o preface_n jesus_n christ_n upon_o who_o shoulder_n the_o government_n be_v who_o name_n be_v call_v wonderful_a counsellor_n the_o mighty_a god_n the_o everlasting_a father_n the_o prince_n of_o peace_n of_o the_o increase_n of_o who_o government_n and_o peace_n there_o shall_v be_v no_o end_n who_o sit_v upon_o the_o throne_n of_o david_n and_o upon_o his_o kingdom_n to_o order_v it_o and_o establish_v it_o with_o judgement_n and_o justice_n from_o henceforth_o even_o for_o ever_o have_v all_o power_n give_v unto_o he_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n by_o the_o father_n who_o raise_v he_o from_o the_o 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the_o ecclesiastical_a business_n which_o be_v before_o they_o shall_v concern_v either_o as_o a_o party_n or_o a_o witness_n or_o otherwise_o and_o to_o examine_v they_o according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o business_n and_o that_o they_o do_v hear_v and_o determine_v such_o cause_n and_o difference_n as_o shall_v orderly_o come_v before_o they_o and_o according_o dispense_v church_n censure_n it_o be_v most_o expedient_a that_o in_o these_o meeting_n one_o who_o office_n be_v to_o labour_v in_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n do_v moderate_a in_o their_o proceed_n who_o be_v to_o vote_n as_o well_o as_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o member_n to_o begin_v and_o end_v every_o meeting_n with_o prayer_n to_o propose_v question_n gather_v the_o vote_n pronounce_v the_o resolve_n but_o not_o to_o do_v any_o act_n of_o government_n unless_o in_o and_o joint_o with_o the_o assembly_n whereof_o he_o be_v moderator_n all_o the_o member_n of_o these_o
of_o the_o whole_a classis_fw-la it_o belong_v unto_o classical_a presbytery_n to_o consider_v of_o to_o debate_v and_o to_o resolve_v according_a to_o god_n word_n such_o case_n of_o conscience_n or_o other_o difficulty_n in_o doctrine_n as_o be_v bring_v unto_o they_o out_o of_o their_o association_n according_a as_o they_o shall_v find_v needful_a for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n to_o examine_v and_o censure_v according_a to_o the_o word_n any_o erroneous_a doctrine_n which_o have_v be_v either_o public_o or_o private_o vent_v within_o their_o association_n to_o the_o corrupt_a of_o the_o judgement_n of_o man_n and_o to_o endeavour_v the_o convert_n and_o reduce_v of_o recusant_n or_o any_o other_o in_o error_n or_o schism_n to_o order_v all_o ecclesiastical_a matter_n of_o common_a concernment_n within_o the_o bound_n of_o their_o association_n to_o take_v cognizance_n of_o cause_n omit_v or_o neglect_v in_o particular_a congregation_n and_o to_o receive_v appeal_n from_o they_o to_o dispense_v censure_n in_o case_n within_o their_o cognizance_n by_o admonition_n suspension_n or_o excommunication_n to_o admonish_v or_o further_o to_o censure_v scandalous_a minister_n whether_o in_o life_n or_o doctrine_n according_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n and_o that_o not_o only_o for_o such_o offence_n for_o which_o any_o other_o member_n of_o the_o congregation_n shall_v incur_v any_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n in_o which_o case_n he_o be_v to_o be_v censure_v by_o the_o classis_fw-la with_o the_o like_a censure_n for_o the_o like_a offence_n but_o likewise_o particular_o for_o simony_n enter_v into_o any_o ministerial_a charge_n without_o allowance_n of_o authority_n false_a doctrine_n affect_a lightness_n and_o vanity_n in_o preach_v wilful_a neglect_n of_o preach_v or_o slight_a performance_n of_o it_o wilful_a nonresidence_n from_o his_o charge_n without_o call_n or_o cause_n approve_v by_o the_o classis_fw-la neglect_v of_o administration_n of_o the_o sacrament_n or_o other_o ministerial_a duty_n require_v of_o he_o in_o the_o directory_n of_o worship_n deprave_v and_o speak_v reproachful_o against_o the_o wholesome_a order_n by_o authority_n settle_v in_o the_o church_n cast_v reproach_n upon_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n which_o he_o by_o his_o office_n ought_v chief_o to_o promote_v yet_o so_o as_o that_o no_o minister_n be_v depose_v but_o by_o the_o resolution_n of_o a_o synod_n to_o examine_v ordain_v and_o admit_v minister_n for_o the_o congregation_n respective_o therein_o associate_v according_a to_o the_o advice_n former_o send_v up_o to_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o parliament_n of_o synodical_a assembly_n synodical_a assembly_n do_v consist_v of_o pastor_n teacher_n church-governor_n and_o other_o fit_a person_n when_o it_o shall_v be_v deem_v expedient_a where_o they_o have_v a_o lawful_a call_n thereunto_o these_o assembly_n have_v ecclesiastical_a power_n and_o authority_n to_o judge_v and_o determine_v controversy_n of_o faith_n and_o case_n of_o conscience_n according_a to_o the_o word_n they_o may_v also_o lawful_o excommunicate_a and_o dispense_v other_o church_n censure_n synodical_a assembly_n be_v of_o several_a sort_n viz._n provincial_n nationall_n ecumenical_a of_o provincial_n assembly_n let_v provincial_n assembly_n general_o be_v bound_v according_a to_o the_o civil_a division_n of_o the_o kingdom_n into_o county_n and_o where_o any_o very_a great_a county_n be_v divide_v within_o themselves_o let_v the_o provincial_n assembly_n follow_v these_o division_n as_o in_o the_o riding_n of_o yorkshire_n provincial_n assembly_n consist_v of_o delegate_n send_v from_o several_a class_n within_o that_o province_n who_o number_n shall_v exceed_v the_o number_n of_o any_o one_o classical_a presbytery_n within_o that_o province_n and_o to_o that_o end_n there_o shall_v be_v at_o the_o least_o two_o minister_n and_o two_o roll_a elder_n out_o of_o every_o classis_fw-la and_o where_o it_o shall_v appear_v necessary_a to_o increase_v the_o number_n let_v it_o not_o exceed_v six_o of_o each_o from_o any_o one_o classis_fw-la let_v these_o assembly_n meet_v twice_o every_o year_n and_o for_o enable_v they_o unto_o any_o act_n of_o government_n let_v there_o be_v a_o major_a part_n at_o least_o of_o the_o minister_n delegated_a from_o the_o several_a class_n of_o the_o nationall_n assembly_n the_o nationall_n assembly_n consist_v of_o minister_n and_o ruling_n elder_n delegated_a from_o each_o provincial_n assembly_n the_o number_n of_o which_o delegate_n shall_v be_v three_o minister_n and_o three_o rule_v elder_n out_o of_o every_o province_n and_o five_o learned_a and_o godly_a person_n from_o each_o university_n let_v this_o assembly_n meet_v once_o every_o year_n and_o often_o if_o there_o shall_v be_v cause_n the_o first_o time_n to_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o parliament_n of_o the_o subordination_n of_o these_o assembly_n it_o be_v lawful_a and_o agreeable_a to_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o there_o be_v a_o subordination_n of_o congregationall_a classical_a provincial_n and_o nationall_n assembly_n for_o the_o government_n of_o the_o church_n that_o so_o appeal_n may_v be_v make_v from_o the_o inferior_a to_o the_o superior_a respective_o the_o provincial_n and_o nationall_n assembly_n be_v to_o have_v the_o same_o power_n in_o all_o point_n of_o government_n and_o censure_n bring_v before_o they_o within_o their_o several_a bound_n respective_o as_o be_v before_o express_v to_o belong_v to_o classical_a presbytery_n within_o their_o several_a association_n the_o directory_n for_o church_n censure_v church_n censure_n and_o discipline_n for_o judge_v and_o remove_v of_o offence_n be_v of_o great_a use_n and_o necessity_n in_o the_o church_n that_o the_o name_n of_o god_n by_o reason_n of_o ungodly_a and_o wicked_a person_n live_v in_o the_o church_n be_v not_o blaspheme_v nor_o his_o wrath_n provoke_v against_o his_o people_n that_o the_o godly_a be_v not_o leaven_v with_o but_o preserve_v from_o the_o contagion_n and_o strike_v with_o fear_n and_o that_o the_o sinner_n who_o be_v to_o be_v censure_v may_v be_v ashamed_a to_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o flesh_n and_o save_v of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o day_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n we_o judge_v this_o course_n of_o proceed_v therein_o to_o be_v requisite_a the_o order_n of_o proceed_v with_o offender_n who_o before_o excommunication_n manifest_a repentance_n when_o the_o offence_n be_v private_a the_o order_n of_o admonition_n prescribe_v by_o our_o lord_n mat._n 18.15_o be_v in_o all_o wisdom_n and_o love_n to_o be_v observe_v that_o the_o offender_n may_v either_o be_v recover_v by_o repentance_n or_o if_o he_o add_v obstinacy_n or_o contempt_n to_o his_o fault_n he_o may_v be_v cut_v off_o by_o excommunication_n if_o the_o sin_n be_v public_o scandalous_a and_o the_o sinner_n be_v examine_v be_v judge_v to_o have_v the_o sign_n of_o unfeigned_a repentance_n and_o nothing_o just_o object_v against_o it_o when_o make_v know_v to_o the_o people_n let_v he_o be_v admit_v to_o public_a confession_n of_o his_o sin_n and_o manifestation_n of_o his_o repentance_n before_o the_o congregation_n when_o the_o penitent_a be_v bring_v before_o the_o congregation_n the_o minister_n be_v to_o declare_v his_o sin_n whereby_o he_o have_v provoke_v god_n wrath_n and_o offend_v his_o people_n his_o confession_n of_o it_o and_o profession_n of_o unfeigned_a repentance_n for_o it_o and_o of_o his_o resolution_n through_o the_o strength_n of_o christ_n to_o sin_n no_o more_o and_o his_o desire_n of_o their_o prayer_n for_o mercy_n and_o grace_n to_o be_v keep_v from_o fall_v again_o into_o that_o or_o any_o the_o like_a sin_n of_o all_o which_o the_o penitent_a also_o be_v to_o make_v a_o full_a and_o free_a expression_n according_a to_o his_o ability_n which_o be_v do_v the_o minister_n after_o prayer_n to_o god_n for_o the_o penitent_a be_v to_o admonish_v he_o to_o walk_v circumspect_o and_o the_o people_n to_o make_v a_o right_a use_n of_o his_o fall_n and_o rise_v again_o and_o so_o to_o declare_v that_o the_o congregation_n rest_v satisfy_v the_o order_n of_o proceed_v to_o excommunication_n excommunication_n be_v a_o shut_n out_o of_o a_o person_n from_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o therefore_o the_o great_a and_o last_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v inflict_v without_o great_a and_o mature_a deliberation_n nor_o till_o all_o other_o good_a mean_n have_v be_v assay_v such_o error_n as_o subvert_v the_o faith_n or_o any_o other_o error_n which_o overthrow_v the_o power_n of_o godliness_n if_o the_o party_n who_o hold_v they_o spread_v they_o seek_v to_o draw_v other_o after_o he_o and_o such_o sin_n in_o practice_n as_o cause_v the_o name_n and_o truth_n of_o god_n to_o be_v blaspheme_v and_o can_v stand_v with_o the_o power_n of_o godliness_n and_o such_o practice_n as_o in_o their_o own_o nature_n manifest_o subvert_v that_o order_n unity_n and_o peace_n which_o christ_n have_v
establish_v in_o his_o church_n those_o be_v public_o know_v to_o the_o just_a scandal_n of_o the_o church_n the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n shall_v proceed_v according_a to_o the_o directory_n but_o the_o person_n who_o hold_v other_o error_n in_o judgement_n about_o point_n wherein_o learned_a and_o godly_a man_n possible_o may_v or_o do_v differ_v and_o which_o subvert_v not_o the_o faith_n nor_o be_v destructive_a to_o godliness_n or_o that_o be_v guilty_a of_o such_o sin_n of_o infirmity_n as_o be_v common_o find_v in_o the_o child_n of_o god_n or_o be_v otherwise_o sound_a in_o the_o faith_n and_o holy_a in_o life_n and_o so_o not_o fall_v under_o censure_n by_o the_o former_a rule_n endeavour_v to_o keep_v the_o unity_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o bond_n of_o peace_n and_o do_v yet_o out_o of_o conscience_n not_o come_v up_o to_o the_o observation_n of_o all_o those_o rule_n which_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v establish_v by_o authority_n for_o regulate_v the_o outward_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o government_n of_o his_o church_n we_o do_v not_o decern_v to_o be_v such_o against_o who_o the_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n for_o these_o cause_n shall_v be_v denounce_v when_o the_o sin_n become_v public_a and_o just_o scandalous_a the_o offender_n be_v to_o be_v deal_v with_o by_o the_o eldership_n to_o bring_v he_o to_o repentance_n and_o to_o such_o a_o manifestation_n thereof_o as_o that_o his_o repentance_n may_v be_v public_a as_o the_o scandal_n but_o if_o he_o remain_v obstinate_a he_o be_v at_o last_o to_o be_v excommunicate_v and_o in_o the_o mean_a time_n to_o be_v suspend_v from_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o whereas_o there_o be_v divers_a and_o various_a judgement_n touch_v the_o power_n of_o excommunication_n and_o the_o proper_a subject_n thereof_o we_o conceive_v that_o for_o clear_v of_o difficulty_n avoid_v of_o offence_n preservation_n of_o peace_n and_o such_o like_a these_o follow_a direction_n be_v fit_a to_o be_v observe_v in_o the_o great_a and_o difficult_a case_n of_o excommunication_n whether_o concern_v doctrine_n or_o conversation_n the_o classical_a presbytery_n upon_o the_o knowledge_n thereof_o may_v examine_v the_o person_n consider_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o offence_n with_o the_o aggravation_n thereof_o and_o as_o they_o shall_v see_v just_a cause_n may_v declare_v and_o decern_v that_o he_o be_v to_o be_v excommunicate_v which_o shall_v be_v do_v by_o the_o eldership_n of_o that_o congregation_n whereof_o he_o be_v a_o member_n with_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o congregation_n in_o this_o or_o the_o like_a manner_n as_o there_o shall_v be_v cause_n several_a public_a admonition_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o the_o offender_n if_o he_o appear_v and_o prayer_n make_v for_o he_o when_o the_o offence_n be_v so_o heinous_a that_o it_o cry_v to_o heaven_n for_o vengeance_n waste_v the_o conscience_n and_o be_v general_o scandalous_a the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n may_v proceed_v with_o more_o expedition_n in_o the_o admoniton_n let_v the_o fact_n be_v charge_v upon_o the_o offender_n with_o the_o clear_a evidence_n of_o his_o guilt_n thereof_o then_o let_v the_o nature_n of_o his_o sin_n the_o particular_a aggravation_n of_o it_o the_o punishment_n and_o curse_n threaten_v against_o it_o the_o danger_n of_o impenitency_n especial_o after_o such_o mean_n use_v the_o woeful_a condition_n of_o they_o cast_v out_o from_o the_o favour_n of_o god_n and_o communion_n of_o the_o saint_n the_o great_a mercy_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n to_o the_o penitent_a how_o ready_a and_o willing_a christ_n be_v to_o forgive_v and_o the_o church_n to_o accept_v he_o upon_o his_o serious_a repentance_n let_v these_o or_o the_o like_a particular_n be_v urge_v upon_o he_o out_o of_o some_o suitable_a place_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n the_o same_o particular_n may_v be_v mention_v in_o prayer_n wherein_o the_o lord_n be_v to_o be_v entreat_v to_o bless_v this_o admonition_n to_o he_o and_o to_o affect_v his_o heart_n with_o the_o consideration_n of_o these_o thing_n thereby_o to_o bring_v he_o unto_o true_a repentance_n if_o upon_o the_o last_o admonition_n and_o prayer_n there_o be_v no_o evidence_n nor_o sign_n of_o his_o repentance_n let_v the_o dreadful_a sentence_n of_o excommunication_n be_v pronounce_v with_o call_v upon_o the_o name_n of_o god_n in_o these_o or_o the_o like_a expression_n absent_a speak_v this_o in_o the_o three_o person_n if_o the_o party_n be_v absent_a whereas_o thou_o n._n have_v be_v by_o sufficient_a proof_n convict_v of_o here_o mention_v the_o sin_n and_o after_o due_a admonition_n and_o prayer_n remain_v obstinate_a without_o any_o evidence_n or_o sign_n of_o true_a repentance_n therefore_o in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n and_o before_o this_o congregation_n i_o pronounce_v and_o declare_v thou_o n._n excommunicate_v and_o shut_v out_o from_o communion_n of_o the_o faithful_a let_v the_o prayer_n accompany_v sentence_n to_o be_v this_o effect_n that_o god_n who_o have_v appoint_v this_o terrible_a sentence_n for_o remove_v offence_n and_o reduce_v of_o obstinate_a sinner_n will_v be_v present_a with_o this_o his_o ordinance_n to_o make_v it_o effectual_a to_o all_o these_o holy_a end_n for_o which_o he_o have_v appoint_v it_o that_o this_o retain_v of_o the_o offender_n sin_n and_o shut_v he_o out_o of_o the_o church_n may_v fill_v he_o with_o fear_n and_o shame_n break_v his_o obstinate_a heart_n and_o be_v a_o mean_n to_o destroy_v the_o flesh_n and_o to_o recover_v he_o from_o the_o power_n of_o the_o devil_n that_o his_o spirit_n may_v yet_o be_v save_v that_o other_o also_o may_v be_v strike_v with_o fear_n and_o not_o dare_v to_o sin_n so_o presumptuous_o and_o that_o all_o such_o corrupt_a leaven_n be_v purge_v out_o of_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o house_n of_o god_n jesus_n christ_n may_v delight_v to_o dwell_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o they_o after_o the_o denunciation_n of_o this_o sentence_n the_o people_n be_v to_o be_v warn_v that_o they_o hold_v he_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n and_o to_o shun_v all_o communion_n with_o he_o nevertheless_o excommunication_n dissolve_v not_o the_o bond_n of_o civil_a or_o natural_a relation_n nor_o exempt_v from_o the_o duty_n belong_v to_o they_o this_o sentence_n be_v likewise_o to_o be_v make_v know_v not_o only_o to_o that_o but_o to_o any_o other_o classis_fw-la or_o congregation_n as_o occasion_n shall_v require_v by_o reason_n of_o his_o abode_n or_o converse_v with_o they_o the_o order_n of_o proceed_v to_o absolution_n if_o after_o excommunication_n the_o sign_n of_o repentance_n appear_v in_o the_o excommunicate_v person_n such_o as_o godly_a sorrow_n for_o sin_n as_o have_v thereby_o incur_v god_n heavy_a displeasure_n occasion_v grief_n to_o his_o brethren_n and_o just_o provoke_v they_o to_o cast_v he_o out_o of_o their_o communion_n together_o with_o a_o full_a purpose_n of_o heart_n to_o turn_v from_o his_o sin_n unto_o god_n and_o to_o reform_v what_o have_v be_v amiss_o in_o he_o with_o a_o humble_a desire_n of_o recover_v his_o peace_n with_o god_n and_o his_o people_n and_o to_o be_v restore_v to_o the_o light_n of_o god_n countenance_n &_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n he_o be_v to_o be_v bring_v before_o the_o congregation_n and_o there_o also_o to_o make_v free_a confession_n of_o his_o sin_n with_o sorrow_n for_o it_o to_o call_v upon_o god_n for_o mercy_n in_o christ_n to_o seek_v to_o be_v restore_v to_o the_o communion_n of_o the_o church_n promise_v to_o god_n new_a obedience_n and_o to_o they_o more_o holy_a and_o circumspect_a walk_v as_o become_v the_o gospel_n he_o be_v to_o be_v pronounce_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n absolve_v and_o free_a from_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o church_n and_o declare_v to_o have_v right_a to_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o christ_n with_o praise_v of_o god_n for_o his_o grace_n and_o prayer_n that_o he_o may_v be_v full_o accept_v to_o his_o favour_n and_o hear_v joy_n and_o gladue_v to_o this_o effect_n to_o praise_n god_n who_o delight_v not_o in_o the_o death_n of_o a_o sinner_n but_o that_o he_o may_v repent_v and_o live_v for_o blessing_n the_o ordinance_n of_o excommunication_n and_o make_v it_o effectual_a by_o his_o spirit_n to_o the_o recover_n of_o this_o offender_n to_o magnify_v the_o mercy_n of_o god_n through_o jesus_n christ_n in_o pardon_v and_o receive_v to_o his_o favour_n the_o most_o grievous_a offender_n whensoever_o they_o unsained_o repent_v and_o forsake_v their_o sin_n to_o pray_v for_o assurance_n of_o mercy_n and_o forgiveness_n to_o this_o penitent_a and_o so_o to_o bless_v his_o ordinance_n of_o absolution_n that_o he_o may_v find_v himself_o loose_v thereby_o and_o that_o the_o lord_n will_v henceforth_o so_o uphold_v and_o strengthen_v he_o by_o his_o spirit_n that_o be_v sound_a in_o the_o faith_n