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<DATE>2010-09-08</DATE>
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<NAME>Olivia Bottum</NAME>
<RESP>MURP</RESP>
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<P>THE AGREEMENT AND RESOLVTION of the <HI>Ministers</HI> of <HI>CHRIST</HI> A&s;&s;ociated within the City of <HI>Dublin,</HI> and Province of <HI>Leinster;</HI> for furthering of a real and thorough <HI>REFORMATION,</HI> According to the written Word of <HI>GOD.</HI></P>
<Q><BIBL><HI>Phil.</HI> 3.15, 16.</BIBL>
<P>Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: And if in any thing ye be otherwi&s;e minded, God &s;hall reveal even this unto you. Neverthele&s;s, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the <HI>SAME RULE,</HI> let us mind the &s;ame thing.</P></Q>
<Q><BIBL>Cecil. Cyprian. de Unit. Eccle&s; Cathol. <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> 10.</BIBL>
<P><HI>Ad Pacis praemium venire non po&s;sunt, qui pacem Domini Di&s;cordiae furore ruperunt.</HI></P></Q>
<Q><BIBL><HI>A</HI> Declaration of the <HI>Elders</HI> &amp;c. at the <HI>Savoy, Octob.</HI> 12. 1658. p. 27. &sect; XXIX.</BIBL>
<P>Such Reforming Churches as con&s;i&s;t of per&s;ons &s;ound in the faith, and of conver&s;ation becoming the Go&s;pel, ought not to de&s;pi&s;e the Communion of each other, &s;o far as may con&s;i&s;t with their own Principles re&s;pectively, though they walk not in all things ac|cording to the &s;ame Rules of Church-Order.</P></Q>
<P>DUBLIN, Printed by <HI>W. Bladen, Anno Dom.</HI> 1659.</P>
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<HEAD>THE AGREEMENT and Re&s;olution of the MINISTERS of <HI>CHRIST</HI> VVithin the City of <HI>Dublin,</HI> and Province of LEINSTER, who&s;e Names are &s;ub&s;cribed, in Order to their entring into, and walking together in, A <HI>Brotherly A&s;so|ciation:</HI> Had the 22. day of <HI>February</HI> 1658. at <HI>Dublin;</HI> for furthering of a <HI>real</HI> and <HI>thorough <HI>Reformation</HI></HI> of Per&s;ons Families and Con|gregations, in all matters of Religion, accor|ding to the written Word of <HI>GOD.</HI></HEAD>
<OPENER>Whereas it is clearly manife&s;t,</OPENER>
<P>_FIr&s;t, <HI>That,</HI> All the faithfull Saints and Servants of <HI>JESUS CHRIST</HI> within this Nation, &s;hould <HI>&s;trive-together for the Faith of the Gospel</HI><NOTE N="a" PLACE="marg">Phil. 1.27. Jude <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">. 2 Joh. 9, 10, 11. 2 Tim. 1.13.</NOTE>, The purity of Gods <HI>Wor&s;hip</HI><NOTE N="b" PLACE="marg">Exod. 20.3, 4, 5, 6. Joh. 4.24. Mal. 3.3, 4. Rev. 14 1 to 6. &amp; 2<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">.4.</NOTE>, The inte|grity of Chri&s;ts <HI>Di&s;cipline</HI><NOTE N="c" PLACE="marg">Mat. 28, 18, 19. I&s;a. 9.6. Luk. 1.32, 33. with Mat. 18.15. to 21. 1 Cor. 5. 2 Cor. 2.6. to 12.</NOTE>, The regular Ad|mini&s;tration of all <HI>Gospel-Ordinances</HI><NOTE N="d" PLACE="marg">Titus 1.5. 1 Corinth. 11.34. and 14 40 Gal. 6.16</NOTE>, The <HI>Onene&s;s</HI> of Gods People in <HI>Heart</HI> and <HI>Way</HI><NOTE N="e" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 1.10. Phil. 2.1, 2, 3. Eph 4.1. to 7. Jer. 32.39. Ezek. 11.19. Acts 4.32. &amp; 2.41, 42. Phil. 3.16.</NOTE>, And their Progre&s;s in all Spirituals unto Perfe|ction<NOTE N="f" PLACE="marg">2 Pet. 3.18. 2 The&s;. 1.3, 4. Eph. 2.21, 22. &amp; 4.11. to 17. Phil. 3.12, 13, 14, 15.</NOTE>.</P>
<P><PB N="2" REF="3">Secondly, <HI>That,</HI> Not onely the Civil-Magi&s;trates in their Place<NOTE N="g" PLACE="marg">Rom. 13.3, 4. Exod. 32.25 to 30. Num. 25.4, 5 P&s;al. 101 8 2 King. 18 3, 4, 5, 6. with 2 Chron. 29. &amp; 30. &amp; 31. 2 Kin. 23. with 2 Chr. 34. &amp; 35.</NOTE>: Nor onely Parents, Ma&s;ters of Fam lies, and Particular Per&s;ons in their Capacities<NOTE N="h" PLACE="marg">Gen. 18.18, 19. Deut. 6.4. to 10. P&s;al. 101. throughout Eph 6.4. Tit. 2.10, 11, 12.</NOTE>; But al&s;o and e&s;pecially The <HI>Mini&s;ters of Chri&s;t</HI> in their &s;tations, are peculiarly obliged in Con&s;cience, According to the Word of God, to endeavor the Redre&s;s of all &s;inful evils and exorbitancies, and the contrary Advancement of Truth, Holine&s;s, and Righteou&s;ne&s;s, by the Pure and Ple|nary Admini&s;tration of all Chri&s;ts Ordinances<NOTE N="i" PLACE="marg">Matth. 28.18, 19, 20. Rev. 2.1. &amp;c. 12. &amp;c. 18. &amp;c. and 3.1. &amp;c. 14 &amp;c. 1 Tim. 3 5. 2 Tim. 4.1, 2. Acts 20.28.</NOTE>.</P>
<P>Thirdly, <HI>That al&s;o,</HI> Such Publick and arduous Under|takings (unto which we humbly acknowledg our great Unworthine&s;s, Weakne&s;s and In&s;ufficiencie<NOTE N="k" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 3.5 &amp; 2.16 &amp; 4.7</NOTE>) will prove far more facil and &s;ucce&s;sful in the Hands of Mi|ni&s;ters <HI>A&s;&s;ociated,</HI> than in their &s;ingle capacity<NOTE N="l" PLACE="marg">Gal. 2.9. Luk. 10.1. Acts 2.1, 2, 3, 4, &amp;c. and 3.1 &amp;c. and 5.29. and 6.2. &amp;c. and 8.14. &amp;c. and 13.1, 2, 3, 4. and 15.6. to 36.</NOTE></P>
<P>Therefore, <Q>We <HI>MINISTERS</HI> of JESUS CHRIST in the City of <HI>Dublin</HI> and Province of <HI>Leinster,</HI> &s;incerely de&s;iring to <HI>&s;eek the things of Chri&s;t</HI> before our own affairs<NOTE N="m" PLACE="marg">Phil. 2.20, 21. with 1 Cor. 10.24. &amp; Phil. 2.4.</NOTE>, And preferring the Spiritual Peace of <HI>JERUSALEM,</HI> the City and Church of God, <HI>above the top of our joy</HI><NOTE N="n" PLACE="marg">P&s;. 137.5, 6. &amp; 122.6, 7, 8, 9.</NOTE>, Do unanimou&s;ly Re&s;olve and Agree;</Q></P>
<P N="1">I. <HI>To</HI> Decline and Abhorr all Bla&s;phemy<NOTE N="o" PLACE="marg">Col. 3.8. Exod. 20.7. Matth. 12.31. Mark 7.22. Acts 13.45.</NOTE>, Here|&s;ie<NOTE N="p" PLACE="marg"><GAP DESC="foreign"> Gal. 5.20. Tit. 3.10. 2 Pet. 2.1. Exod. 20.3.</NOTE>, Schi&s;m<NOTE N="q" PLACE="marg">1 Cor 1.11. &amp; 3.3, 4. Rom. 16.17.</NOTE>, Super&s;tition<NOTE N="r" PLACE="marg">Exod. 20.4, 5, 6. Acts 17.22. Col. 2.20, 21, 22, 23.</NOTE>, Pride<NOTE N="&s;" PLACE="marg">Mark 7.22. 1 Joh<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> 2.16. I&s;a. 28.1, 3. Ezek. 16.49.</NOTE>, Pro|fanene&s;s<NOTE N="t" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 1.9. Jer. 23.15. Heb. 12.16. Ezek. 24.43.</NOTE>, Ungodline&s;s<NOTE N="u" PLACE="marg">Tit. 2 12. Rom. 1.18. Jude 15.</NOTE>, Unrighteou&s;ne&s;s<NOTE N="x" PLACE="marg">Tit 2.12. <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> John. 5.17. Rom. 1.18. and 2.8.</NOTE>, In|temperance<NOTE N="y" PLACE="marg">Rom. 13.12, 13. Eph. 5.18. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.</NOTE>, and All other the Manife&s;t &s;infull fruits of the fle&s;h<NOTE N="z" PLACE="marg">Gal. 5.19, 20, 21. 1 Corin. 6.9, 10. <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4. Rom. 1.28, to the end.</NOTE>. As al&s;o to di&s;avow, and with all Pru|dence and faithfulne&s;s (as we have ju&s;t Occa&s;ion) to
<PB N="3" REF="3">
Oppo&s;e Popery<NOTE N="a" PLACE="marg">2 The&s;. 2.3. to 13. 1 Tim. 4.1. to 6. Rev. 13.11, to the end of the Ch. &amp;c. 17. &amp; 18.</NOTE>, Prelacy<NOTE N="b" PLACE="marg">Luke 22.24. to 28. Matth. 20.24. to 29. Mark 10.41. to 46. 1 Peter 5 3. 3 John 9, 10. <HI>For,</HI> a <HI>Bi&s;hop</HI> and a <HI>Pre&s;byter</HI> are not two di&s;tinct Orders one above the other, but are one and the &s;ame, both 1. According to Scripture-Te&s;timonie, compare Acts 20.17. with Ver&s;e 28. and 1 Tim. 3.1, 2. &amp;c. Tit. 1.5. with Ver&s;e 7. And 2. According to the judgment of antient and learned Writers: as <HI>Ambro&s;e, Theodoret, Hierome. Ambro&s;e</HI> to this effect &s;aith thus; <HI>Primi Pre&s;byteri appellabantur Epi&s;copi, ut rece|dente uno &s;equens &s;uccederet, &s;ed quia coeperant &s;equentes Pre&s;byteri inveniri indigni ad Primatus tenendos, immutata e&s;t ratio pro&s;piciente Concilio; ut non Ordo &s;ed me|ritum crearet Epi&s;copum, multorum &s;acerdotum judicio con&s;titutum, ne indignus temere u&s;urparet, &amp; e&s;&s;et multis &s;candalum. Ambr.</HI> Com. in cap. 4. ad Ephe&s;. <HI>Theodoret; Pre&s;byterum ab Epi&s;copo</HI> <GAP DESC="foreign"> <HI>&amp;</HI> <GAP DESC="foreign"> <HI>non d<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">&s;&s;erre: Sed qui Presbyter e&s;t, Epi&s;|copum dici, quatenus in uno aliquo actu, in quo a Presbyterio electus e&s;t, praeest coetui, quia in Eccle&s;ia nihil</HI> <GAP DESC="foreign"> <HI>fi<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">ri debet. Theodor.</HI> lib. 4. de Fab. Haeret. Aerian. <HI>Hierome; Apud veteres iidem Epi&s;copi &amp; Presbyteri fuerunt, &amp;c.</HI> Hieronym. Epi&s;t. ad Oceanum. <HI>Apo&s;tolus per&s;picue docet e<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">&s;dem e&s;&s;e Pre&s;byteros &amp; Epi&s;copos.</HI> Hier. ad Evagrium. <HI>Idem e&s;t Pre&s;byter qui &amp; Epi&s;copus; &amp; antequam Diaboli in&s;tinctu &s;tudia in Religione fierent, &amp; diceretu in Populis,</HI> Ego &s;um Pauli, Apollo, Cephae, 1 Cor. 1. <HI>Communi Pre&s;byterorum cor&s;ilio Eccle&s;iae gubernabantur. Po&s;tquam ver&ograve; unu&s;qui&s;que quos baptizaverat, &s;uos e&s;&s;e non Chri&s;ti putabat: in toto orbe decretum e&s;t ut unus de Presbyteris el<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">ctus caeteris &s;uperponeretur, ad quem omnis cura Eccle&s;iae pertineret, ut &s;chi&s;matum &s;emina tollerentur. &mdash; Ut ergo Pre&s;byteri &s;ciunt &s;e Eccle&s;iae con&s;uetudine Epi&s;copo &s;ibi Praepo&s;i<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">o &s;ubjectos e&s;&s;e: ita Epi&s;copi noverint &s;e, con&s;ue|tudine magis quam Dominicae di&s;po&s;itionis veritate, Presbyteris e&s;&s;e majores, &amp; in com|mune debere Eccle&s;iam regere.</HI> Hier. Com in Ep. ad Titum.</NOTE>, (not onely as it is de|&s;cribed in <HI>The Solemn League and COVENANT</HI><NOTE N="c" PLACE="marg">Publi&s;hed by autho|rity of Parliament <HI>&amp;c. An.</HI> 1643.</NOTE>; but al&s;o as it is cried up by &s;ome in the&s;e days under the &s;pecious di&s;gui&s;e of <HI>Moderated, Regulated</HI> or <HI>Primitive Epi&s;copacy,</HI> And all inventions of Man tending there|unto), Arminiani&s;m<NOTE N="d" PLACE="marg"><HI>Again&s;t which &s;ee;</HI> G. Ame&s;. Coronis, &amp; Anti|&s;ynodalia; D. Twi&s;s Vindic. Grat. De Scientia media, &amp; contra Corvin. P. Du Moulin Anatom. Armin. Twi&s;s <HI>and</HI> Davenant <HI>again&s;t</HI> Hoard, &amp;c.</NOTE>, Sociniani&s;m<NOTE N="e" PLACE="marg"><HI>Again&s;t which &s;ee;</HI> Antiphotiniani&s;mus, &amp;c; per Stegmannum; Vindiciae Evangelica <HI>by D^r</HI> Owen; H. Grot. de Satisfactione Chri&s;ti; Compendiolum Sociniani&s;mi Confut. &agrave; Clopenburg. Anti-Sociniani&s;m <HI>by</HI> N. Chewney; <HI>D^r</HI> Fran. Cheynel<HI>'s Hi&s;t. of</HI> Sociniani&s;m, Beckmanni Exercitat. contra Socin.</NOTE>, Antinomia|ni&s;m<NOTE N="f" PLACE="marg">Again&s;t which &s;ee; M^r <HI>Anth. Burges</HI> his <HI>Vindic. Legis;</HI> D^r <HI>Taylor</HI> of the u&s;e of the Law; <HI>G<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">taker</HI> again&s;t <HI>Saltmar&s;h.</HI></NOTE>, Famili&s;m<NOTE N="g" PLACE="marg">Again&s;t which &s;ee; <HI>Beckmanni Exercitat. contra Socin.</HI> M^r <HI>Baily</HI>'s Di&s;lua&s;ive from Errors, <HI>&amp;c.</HI></NOTE>, Seckeri&s;m<NOTE N="h" PLACE="marg">Again&s;t which &s;ee; M^r <HI>Bridg<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"></HI> his Vindication of Ordinances; M^r <HI>Symonds</HI> Vindication, <HI>&amp;c.</HI> Matth. 28.18, 19, 20.</NOTE>, Quakeri&s;m<NOTE N="i" PLACE="marg">Again&s;t which &s;ee; The perfect Phari&s;ee. <HI>&amp;c.</HI> Quakers confuted, by M^r <HI>Eaton.</HI></NOTE>,
<PB N="4" REF="4">
Anti&s;cripturi&s;m<NOTE N="k" PLACE="marg"><HI>Again&s;t w^c^h &s;ee;</HI> Andr. Ri|vet. I&s;agog. ad S. Scriptur.</NOTE>, Era&s;tiani&s;m<NOTE N="l" PLACE="marg">Again&s;t which &s;ee; <HI>J<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">s Divin. Regim. Eccle&s;ia&s;t.</HI> by &s;undry Mini&s;ters of Chri&s;t in the City of <HI>London;</HI> Chap. 9. <HI>Aaron</HI>'s Rod blo&s;&s;oming, &amp;c. by M^r <HI>George Gille&s;pie.</HI></NOTE>; and what ever el&s;e is contrary to <HI>the acknowledging of the Truth which is according to Godline&s;s</HI><NOTE N="m" PLACE="marg">Tit. 1.1. 1 Tim. 1.10. 2 Tim. 2.16, 17. Tit. 1.9, 10, 11.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="2">II. <HI>To take heed to our &s;elves,</HI> and Familyes<NOTE N="n" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 4.16. and 3.2, 4, 5.</NOTE>, <HI>Holding Faith and a good Con&s;cience</HI> in all things with all unblameablene&s;s<NOTE N="o" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 1.18, 19. and 3.2. 2 Cor. 6.3. 1 The&s;. 2.10.</NOTE>; That herein we may approve our &s;elves <HI>Patterns of good Works, and examples to the Flock</HI><NOTE N="p" PLACE="marg">Tit. 2.7. 1 Pet. 5.3. Phil. 3.17.</NOTE>: And <HI>in Doctrine &s;hewing Incorruptne&s;s, Gravity, Sincerity, Sound &s;peech that cannot be con|demned</HI><NOTE N="q" PLACE="marg">Tit. 2.7, 8.</NOTE>; <HI>Preaching the Word, being in&s;tant in &s;ea|&s;on and out of &s;ea&s;on, Reprooving, Rebuking, Exhort|ing with all Long-&s;uffering and Doctrine</HI><NOTE N="r" PLACE="marg">2 Tim 4.1, 2, 3, 4.</NOTE>; That <HI>in doing this, We may both &s;ave our &s;elves and them that hear us</HI><NOTE N="&s;" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 4.16</NOTE>. And if any of us walk otherwi&s;e, <HI>not to &s;uffer Sin one upon another</HI><NOTE N="t" PLACE="marg">Lev. 19.17. Eph. 5.11.</NOTE>: But with the &s;pirit of Meekne&s;s, Love, and Faithfulne&s;s, To Advi&s;e, Admo|ni&s;h, and Re&s;tore one another<NOTE N="u" PLACE="marg">Gal. 6.1, 2. Eph. 5.11.</NOTE>; <HI>That the Mini&s;try be not blamed</HI> and dishonoured<NOTE N="x" PLACE="marg">2 Cor. 6.3</NOTE>. And We &s;hall <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">o earne&s;tly mind the things that mo&s;t conduce to the Peace, Unity, and Edification of the Churches<NOTE N="y" PLACE="marg">Rom. 14.19. Eph. 4.1, 2, 3, &amp;c. Phil. 2.1, 2, 3, 4, &amp;c.</NOTE>, That <HI>whereunto We have already attained, We &s;hall walk by the &s;ame Rule, and mind the &s;ame thing</HI><NOTE N="z" PLACE="marg">Phil. 3.16.</NOTE>, <HI>both in our</HI> Preaching and practice in the Church-A&s;&s;emblyes: That, &s;o far as may be, We may tender Our &s;elves, both unto one another and to the Congregations, <HI>of one Heart and of one Way</HI><NOTE N="a" PLACE="marg">Ezek. 11.19. Jer. 32.39.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="3">III. <HI>To</HI> endeavour the Practi&s;ing of all Chri&s;tian Dutyes, and Performance of all brotherly Offices of Love reciprocally one to another<NOTE N="b" PLACE="marg">Phil. 4.8. Col. 3.12, 13, 14. Phil. 2.1, 2, 3, 4.</NOTE>: Forbearing all termes or Names of Reproach, All &s;harp invectives, Bitter Reflections, and other Occa&s;ions of ju&s;t Provo|cation and Offence<NOTE N="c" PLACE="marg">Eph. 4.31, 32.</NOTE>; Covering one anothers fayl ngs and infirmityes in Love<NOTE N="d" PLACE="marg">Gal. 6.1, 2.</NOTE>; Mode&s;tly vindicating one anothers Reputation, wherein we may<NOTE N="e" PLACE="marg">Exod. 20.16. 1 Tim. 5.19.</NOTE>; That un|feyned <HI>brotherly Love may live and continue</HI> among&s;t us<NOTE N="f" PLACE="marg">Heb. 13.1.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="4"><PB N="5" REF="4">IV. <HI>To</HI> give diligence (through the Lords gracious A&s;&s;i&s;tance) to promote, in every FAMILY under our &s;pi|ritual care and in&s;pection re&s;pectively, The Excerci&s;e of Gods wor&s;hip and Chri&s;tian Religion in the Cour&s;e of the&s;e too much neglected <HI>FAMILY-DUTYES; (viz.)</HI> Reading of the Holy Scriptures<NOTE N="g" PLACE="marg">Deut. 6.4. to 10. and 11.18, 19. 2 Tim. 3.14, 15.</NOTE>, Prayer<NOTE N="h" PLACE="marg">Jer. 10.25. Dan. 6.10, 11. Acts 10 2. Luke 9.18.</NOTE>, Singing of P&s;almes<NOTE N="i" PLACE="marg">Mat. 26 20, 30. Col. 3.16 Eph. 5.19. P&s;al. 30. title.</NOTE>, Repetition of Sermons<NOTE N="k" PLACE="marg">Deut. 6.4. to 10.</NOTE>, Catechizing<NOTE N="l" PLACE="marg">Prov. 22 6 margin. Exod. 12 26, 27. Gen. 18.19. Eph. 6.4.</NOTE>, Godly Conferences<NOTE N="m" PLACE="marg">Eph. 6.4. Deut. 11.18, 19.</NOTE>, and due Sancti|fication of the <HI>LORD'S-DAYES</HI><NOTE N="n" PLACE="marg">Exod. 20.8, 9, 10, 11. Deut. 5.12, 13, 14, 15.</NOTE>: That every Family may be as <HI>A little Church of JESUS CHRIST</HI><NOTE N="o" PLACE="marg">Rom. 16.5. 1 Cor. 16.19. Col. 4 15. Philem. 2. Gen. 18.19. Jo&s;h. 24.15. P&s;al. 101.2, 5, 6, 7.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="5">V. <HI>To</HI> improve our Talents Publickly and privately<NOTE N="p" PLACE="marg">Acts 20.20.</NOTE> (as the good hand of our God &s;hall enable us) with all diligence and faithfulne&s;s from time to time, to ex|alt and e&s;tabli&s;h the right <HI>REFORMATION</HI> and Spiritual Pro&s;perity of all the Congregrations under our re&s;pective Care and Over&s;ight, in all <HI>the things of Christ</HI><NOTE N="q" PLACE="marg">Rev. 2. &amp; 3. Chapters, throughout. Mat 2<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">.18, 19. Act. 20.18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27.</NOTE>. Accounting all &s;uch Congregations <HI>True &V;ISIBLE CH&V;RCHES</HI> of Chri&s;t, As con&s;i&s;t of a &s;ufficient number of Per&s;ons, who are <HI>vi&s;ible Saints,</HI> or <HI>Saints by Calling</HI><NOTE N="r" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 1.2. Rom. 1.7. 2 Cor. 1.1. Phil. 1.1. Eph. 1.1. P&s;al. 50.5.</NOTE>, Sound in the Faith<NOTE N="&s;" PLACE="marg">2 Tim. 1.13. Eph. 4.12. to 17. Tit. 1.13. Col. 2.18, 19. 1 Tim. 1.19, 20. Tit. 3.10.</NOTE>, and walking together <HI>in the fellow&s;hip of the Go&s;pel</HI><NOTE N="t" PLACE="marg">Phil. 1.5. Acts 2.41, 42, 46, 47. Eph. 4.15, 16. Col. 2.19. Eph. 2.19, 20, 21, 22.</NOTE>, Them and their Children<NOTE N="u" PLACE="marg">Gen. 17.4 7, 8, 10, to 15. Acts 2.38, 39. and 5.14. 2 Cor. 7.14. Acts 15.5, 10. Matth. 28.18, 19. and 19.13, 14. Mark 10.14. Luke 8.15, 16.</NOTE> Now this <HI>REFORMATION</HI> and pro&s;perity of all &s;uch re|&s;pective Congregations We &s;hall endeavour as follow|eth, <HI>(viz.)</HI></P>
<P N="1">1 By Catechizing the yonger and weaker &s;ort (as we may with be&s;t conveniency) on the <HI>LORDS-DAYES</HI> Publickly in the Principles of the Doctrine of Chri&s;t<NOTE N="x" PLACE="marg">Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. and 6.1, 2. 1 Cor. 3.1, 2. <GAP DESC="foreign"> &amp;c. Gal. 6.6. Joh. 21.15.</NOTE>,according to the <HI>Shorter</HI> or <HI>Larger Catechi&s;m,</HI> Ad|vi&s;ed by the <HI>ASSEMBLY</HI> of <HI>DIVINES</HI> (unle&s;s
<PB N="6" REF="5">
&s;ome particular Brother &s;hall think &s;ome other Cate|chi&s;m more convenient for his Congregation.) That &s;o <HI>the Fundamentals</HI> of true Chri&s;tian Religion, by one and the &s;ame <HI>Form of Sound Words</HI><NOTE N="y" PLACE="marg">2 Tim. 1.13.</NOTE> throughout the whole City and Province, may be rendred familiar both to young and old, yea to all the members of the Congre|gations; May be more ea&s;ily Received, Firmly Retein|ed, and advantagiou&s;ly improved for their &s;piritual be|nefit.</P>
<P N="2">2 <HI>By</HI> encouraging the Elder &s;ort, even all that have good knowledge and under&s;tanding in the My|&s;teryes of the Go&s;pel, together with Our &s;elves, <HI>Ex|plicitly to Profe&s;s</HI><NOTE N="z" PLACE="marg">1 Pet. 3.15. Rom. 10.9, 10. Acts 24.14, 15, 16. 1 Tim. 3.15.</NOTE> and declare, as occa&s;ion &s;hall re|quire, in &s;ome convenient way; 1. <HI>That</HI> they acknow|ledge and receive all the Holy Scriptures in the Books of the Old and New Te&s;tament, As in&s;pired of God, and of infallible Authority, Re&s;olving (by Gods Grace) to Submit them&s;elves to be ordered and guided by them, as the perfect Rule of Faith and Life, in all things con|cerning their Per&s;ons, Families, and the Church of God<NOTE N="a" PLACE="marg">2 Tim. 3.15, 16, 17. 2 Pet. 1.19, 20, 21. P&s;al. 19.7. Gal. 6.10. Rom. 15.4.</NOTE>. 2. <HI>That</HI> they &s;till retain that brief, but Ancient <HI>Profe&s;&s;ion,</HI> or Summe of Chri&s;tian Faith, called the <HI>APOSTLES CREED</HI><NOTE N="b" PLACE="marg"><P><HI>The</HI> Apo&s;tles Creed <HI>is of very antient u&s;e in the Churches under the</HI> N. Te&s;tament. Augu&s;tine <HI>expounds it 7 times,</HI> viz. <HI>1.</HI> De Tempore, Serm. <HI>115.</HI> De traditione Symboli, <HI>p. 849.</HI> Tom. <HI>10</HI> Ba&s;il. <HI>1569. 2.</HI> De Tempore Serm. <HI>129 p. 869</HI> &amp;c. Tom. <HI>10 3.</HI> Et Serm. <HI>125 pag. 872 &amp;c.</HI> ibid. <HI>4.</HI> S rm. <HI>131</HI> De Expo&s;it. Sym|boli ad C mpetentes, <HI>p. 887, 888.</HI> Tom. <HI>10. 5.</HI> Et de Temp. Serm. <HI>181,</HI> De Ex|po&s;itione Symboli, <HI>p. 989.</HI> Tom. <HI>10, 6.</HI> In Lib. de Fide &amp; Symbolo, <HI>p. 139,</HI> ad <HI>151,</HI> Tom. <HI>3. 7.</HI> In Lib. <HI>4</HI> De Symb. ad Catechumenos, <HI>p. 1094,</HI> ad <HI>1139,</HI> Tom. <HI>9. Others before</HI> Augu&s;tine <HI>al&s;o recite and mention it</HI> &amp;c. <HI>As</HI> Origen <GAP DESC="foreign"> Lib. ad init. Ruffinus Aquileien&s;is <HI>Pre&s;byter,</HI> in Expo&s;it. apud Hieronym. in T<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> . <HI>4 p. 101,</HI> ad <HI>116.</HI> Ba&s;il. <HI>1553</HI> Et etiam apud Cyprian. Tom. <HI>3, p. 570. Sect. 20</HI> Preux. <HI>1593.</HI> Tertullian. de V<GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter">rginib. velandis <HI>Lib. p. 188</HI> Franeker <HI>1597 Et Lib</HI> adver&s;us Praxean. de Trinitat. <HI>C. 2 p. 494.</HI> Irenaeus Adver&s;. Haere&s;es, <HI>Lib. 1. Cap. 2. p. 50, 51, 52. Colon. 1596.</HI></P>
<P><HI>This is called the</HI> APOSTLES CREED, <HI>1</HI> More Conjecturally, <HI>by &s;ome of the Ancients, who &s;ay,</HI> It is a Tradition of the Elders; That after Chri&s;ts A&s;cen|&s;ion, when the Holy-Gho&s;t fell upon the Apo&s;tles, enabling them to &s;peak all manner of Languages, that they might Preach the Go&s;pel to all Nations, before they departed one from another, to this work, They joyntly agreed upon a Rule of Faith, or Summe of true Doctrine, which they would Preach, and &s;o being altogether, and full of the Ho|ly Gho&s;t, they compo&s;ed this Rule of Faith to be given unto Believers. Augu&s;t. <HI>Serm. 181.</HI> de Tempore, Tom. <HI>10. &amp;</HI> Ruffinus in Expo&s;it. Symbol. apud Cyprian. <HI>pag. 564. &amp;c</HI> Tom <HI>3. 2</HI> More certainly, <HI>by Modern writers, accounting it The</HI> APOSTLES CREED, <HI>becau&s;e it is very con&s;onant unto, and may evidently be confirmed by the</HI> Apo&s;tles Doctrine, <HI>recorded by them in the</HI> N. Te&s;tament.</P></NOTE>; As being agreeable
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to the word of God: which Creed they have long &s;ince Received. 3. <HI>And, That</HI> they receive and hold fa&s;t that excellent <HI>CONFESSION</HI> of <HI>FAITH,</HI> comprized in thirty and three Chapters, and compiled by the <HI>A&s;&s;embly of Divines</HI> for the&s;e three Nations, As their own confe&s;&s;ion of Faith in all the &s;aid Congre|gations, (Re&s;erving onely to &s;ome of us our liberty of Judgment about a few expre&s;&s;ions touching Di&s;cipline laid down in that confe&s;&s;ion): It being, <HI>A Form of Sound Words</HI> very con&s;onant to the Holy Scriptures; And of &s;pecial u&s;e, Both for Pre&s;erving of the Purity and Unity of the Faith among&s;t us, and for Obviating of both Old and Novel Errors.</P>
<P N="3">3. <HI>By</HI> manageing all the Ordinances of Gods Publick Wor&s;hip in the Church-A&s;&s;emblyes, As; 1. Reading of the Holy Scriptures, though Expo&s;ition be not always added<NOTE N="c" PLACE="marg">Deut. 31.9, 10, 11. Neh. 9.3. Acts 13.27. and 15 21. Rev 1.3.</NOTE>; 2. Expounding, or giving the Sence of the Scriptures Read<NOTE N="d" PLACE="marg">Neh 8.1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13. Luke 4.17. to 22, &amp;c. Acts 8.32. to 36.</NOTE>; 3. Preaching the Word<NOTE N="e" PLACE="marg">2 Tim. 4.1, 2. 1 Cor. 1.17. Luk. 9.2. Eph. 3.8. 1 Tim. 3.2. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. Tit. 3.9.</NOTE>; 4. Catechizing in the Principles of the Doctrine of Chri&s;t<NOTE N="f" PLACE="marg">Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. and 6.1, 2. 1 Cor. 3.1, 2. Gal. 6.6. Joh 21.15.</NOTE>; 5. Prayer<NOTE N="g" PLACE="marg">Acts 6 2, 4. and 20.36. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2, 3. Jam. 5.14, 15. 1 Cor 11 4, 5.</NOTE>; 6. Singing of P&s;almes<NOTE N="h" PLACE="marg">Matth. 26.20, 30 Col. 3.16. Eph. 5.19 (1 Cor. 11.4, 5 <HI>Prophe&s;ying,</HI> by &s;ome is interpreted to intend <HI>Singing of P&s;alms;</HI> compare 1 Chron. 25 1, 2, 3) 1 Cor. 14.15.</NOTE>; 7. Admini&s;tration of Bapti&s;me, and of the Lords Supper<NOTE N="i" PLACE="marg">Matth. 28 18 19 Acts 2.38, 39 and 8.36, 37, 38, 39. and 10.47, 48. and 16.30, 31, 32, 33 1 Cor. 1.16 Col 2 11, 12. Rom. 4 11, 12. 1 Cor. 11 17. to the end of the Chap. and 10.15, 16, 17. Acts 20.7. and 2 41.42.</NOTE>; 8 And Ble&s;sing of the People in the name of the <HI>LORD</HI><NOTE N="k" PLACE="marg">Numb. 6.23, 24, 25, 26. and Deut. 10.8. compared with Rev. 1.4, 5. 2. Cor. 13.14. Eph. 1.2.</NOTE>; As neer as po&s;sibly we can to the unerring Standard of Gods Word<NOTE N="l" PLACE="marg">2 Tim. 3.16, 17. 1 Cor. 11.23.</NOTE>. <HI>Baptizing</HI>
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the Children<NOTE N="m" PLACE="marg">Compare Gen. 7.7. to 15. with Acts 2.38, 39 Col. 2.11, 12. Matth. 28.18, 19 Acts 16 30, 31, 32, 33. 1 Cor. 1.16. Mark 10.13, 14</NOTE> of all &s;uch as are Members of true vi&s;ible Churches of Chri&s;t, above de&s;cribed. And taking an e&s;pecial heed to the due and Regular Di&s;pen&s;ation of the <HI>Lords-Supper,</HI> which the Apo&s;tle &s;ufficiently inti|mateth to be a Barred Ordinance<NOTE N="n" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 11.28, 29, 30. and 10 21.</NOTE>: whence Unbelie|vers and Unregenerate per&s;ons, &s;o remaining, can reap no &s;aving Benefit, but <HI>Judgment to them&s;elves</HI><NOTE N="o" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 10.1. to 12. and 11.27, 28, 29, 30.</NOTE>; And whereunto Per&s;ons gro&s;&s;ly Ignorant and Scanda|lous, either by cu&s;tomary or ordinary <HI>Omi&s;&s;ion</HI> of tho&s;e known Dutyes of Chri&s;tianity, Sanctification of the Lords-Dayes, and Religious cour&s;es in Families; Or by <HI>Commi&s;&s;ion</HI> of any Scandalous Sin, Ought not to be admitted<NOTE N="p" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 11.27. to the end, compared with Matth. 7.6. and 1 Cor. 5. throughout, and Jude 23. 1 Tim. 5.22.</NOTE>. But onely &s;uch <HI>vi&s;ible Saints,</HI> as having a competent knowledge of the mi&s;teryes of Chri&s;tian Religion, and making an Holy profe&s;sion of Repentance from dead Works, Faith in Chri&s;t, and Obedience to him, according to the Go&s;pel-Rule of Repentance, Faith, and Obedience, do (in the Judgment of charity) walk an&s;werably<NOTE N="q" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 11.29, 21, 21. compared with 2 Cor. 2.7.</NOTE>. <HI>And</HI> in order hereunto, We con|&s;ent and agree, That the knowledge and conver&s;ations of all &s;uch as de&s;ire admi&s;sion to the Lords-Supper be fir&s;t duly enquired into, and found &s;uitable to that Or|dinance<NOTE N="r" PLACE="marg">Compare 1 Cor. 11.29 with Gal 6.6 Matth. 28.29. Compare al&s;o 1 Cor. 11 27. to the end, with Matth. 7.6. and 1 Cor. 5. throughout, &amp; Jude 23. and 1 Tim. 5 22 and Eph. 5.11. and Acts 9.26. to 32.</NOTE>. <HI>And</HI> if any per&s;on or per&s;ons after &s;uch <HI>Admi&s;&s;ion</HI> &s;hall break out into Scandalous Sin, and thereof be convicted by 2 or 3 witne&s;&s;es, or their own confe&s;sion; That in this ca&s;e, &s;uch &s;hall by due <HI>Cen&s;ure</HI> be &s;ecluded from the <HI>Lords-Supper</HI><NOTE N="&s;" PLACE="marg">Matth. 18.15. to 21. 1 Cor. 5. throughout. Ezek. 22.26. and 44.23. Matt. 7.6</NOTE>: Unle&s;s the Of|fence be di&s;covered &s;o immediately before the Lords-Supper, that the Mini&s;ter di&s;satisfyed in con&s;cience can, for the pre&s;ent, onely &s;u&s;pend his own Act. And utterly laying a&s;ide the Antiquated <HI>Service-Book</HI> for the many Evils and Inexpediencyes thereof<NOTE N="t" PLACE="marg"><HI>See,</HI> The Preface to the <HI>DIRECTORY</HI> for Gods publick Wor&s;hip. <HI>Read al&s;o,</HI> The Anatomy of the Service-Book.</NOTE>, We &s;hall have an eye to the Sub&s;tance, Sence, and Scope of the <HI>DIRECTORY for Gods Publick Wor&s;hip</HI><NOTE N="u" PLACE="marg">Publi&s;hed for the u&s;e and benefit of the&s;e three Nations, <HI>January,</HI> 3. <HI>Anno Dom.</HI> 1644.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="4"><PB N="9" REF="6">4. By Exciting Chri&s;tians to the frequent and fruit|ful Exerci&s;e of the more <HI>Private COMMUNI|ON of SAINTS</HI> in all the mutual dutyes there|of<NOTE N="x" PLACE="marg">Mal. 3.16, 17. P&s;al 55.14. Heb. 10.24, 25. and 3.12, 13. Phil. 2.1, 2, 3, 4.</NOTE>; upon all occa&s;ions: And more e&s;pecially at their Private meetings and conferences, managed in the mo&s;t prudent, orderly, and profitable way<NOTE N="y" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 14.26, 40.</NOTE>, for their mutual <HI>Edification in Faith and Love,</HI> and <HI>Provocation to all good Works</HI><NOTE N="z" PLACE="marg">Rom. 14.19. 1 The&s;. 5.11. Jude v. 20. Eph 4.16. Heb. 10.24.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="5">5. <HI>By</HI> Endeavouring to re&s;tore into all the re&s;pective Congregations under our &s;piritual charge within this City and Province that <HI>CH&V;RCH-GOVERN|MENT and Di&s;cipline,</HI> which Je&s;us Chri&s;t hath ap|pointed in his Holy Scriptures. And herein we de|clare our con&s;ent and agreement, as followeth;</P>
<P N="1">(1.) <HI>That</HI> the Lord Je&s;us Chri&s;t, who is the <HI>Head of the Church,</HI> and is <HI>Faithful in the Hou&s;e of God as</HI> Mo|&s;es <HI>was,</HI> hath declared and Revealed the whole Patern of his Hou&s;e, by &s;etting down and leaving upon Re|cord in the Scriptures, a compleat and perfect Platform of Church-Di&s;cipline in all the E&s;&s;ential parts thereof<NOTE N="a" PLACE="marg">I&s;a. 9.6. Mat 28.18, &amp;c. Eph. 5.23. &amp; 1.22, 23. Heb 3.5, 6. Exod. 25 40. 1 Tim 3 14, 15.</NOTE>, Which is to be ob&s;erved and kept inviolably till the &s;econd coming and <HI>Appearing of Chri&s;t</HI><NOTE N="b" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 6.13.</NOTE>, without any Additions or Inventions of men<NOTE N="c" PLACE="marg">Matth. 15 9.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="2">(2) <HI>That</HI> the holy Government and Di&s;cipline, which Chri&s;t hath appointed in his Church Requireth not one|ly Chri&s;tian watchfulne&s;s over the Walking of Brethren<NOTE N="d" PLACE="marg">Acts 20.28.</NOTE>, but al&s;o, 1. That &s;uch as Sin and go a&s;tray be <HI>Ad|moni&s;hed</HI> and Reprooved<NOTE N="e" PLACE="marg">Gal. 6 1. Mat. 5 23, 24. &amp; 18 15 to 21.</NOTE>; 2. And impenitent Sin|ners <HI>ca&s;t forth</HI> and <HI>Excommunicated</HI><NOTE N="f" PLACE="marg">Mat. 18.15, 16, 17 &amp;c. 1 Cor 5. throughout <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 letter"> The&s; 3.6, 14.</NOTE> 3. Who ought a &s;o upon R pentance to be <HI>Re&s;tored</HI> and Received a|gain into communion with the Church<NOTE N="g" PLACE="marg">2 Cor. 2 6. to 12 Matth. 18 18 19, 20.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="3">(3.) <HI>That</HI> the End and u&s;e of Church Di cipline and Cen&s;ures, is, 1. <HI>For</HI> the Reclaiming and Gaining of Offending Bretheren<NOTE N="h" PLACE="marg">Matth. 18.15 16, 17. 1 Cor. 5.5. Tim. 1.20.</NOTE>; 2. <HI>For</HI> the Preventing and Deterring of others from the like Offences<NOTE N="i" PLACE="marg">1 Tim 5.20.</NOTE>; 3. <HI>For Purging out of that Leaven which migh infect the wh le Lump</HI><NOTE N="k" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 5.6, 7.8, 13.</NOTE>; 4. <HI>For</HI> vindicating the Honour of Chri&s;t, and the Holy Profe&s;&s;ion of the Go&s;pel<NOTE N="l" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 5 7&punc; 8. Jude ver 23. Matth. 7 6.</NOTE>; And 5. <HI>For</HI>
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Preventing the Wrath of God which might ju&s;tly fall upon the Church, if they &s;hould &s;uffer his Covenant and the Seals thereof to be Profaned by notorious and ob&s;tinate Offenders<NOTE N="m" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 11.27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. This whole Para|graph is bor|rowed from the A&s;&s;embly's Confe&s;&s;ion of Faith, Chap. 30. &sect; 111.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="4">(4) <HI>That the</HI> Ordinary and &s;tanding Officers, which Chri&s;t hath appointed in his Church, for the Edifying and perfecting of his Body, are; <HI>Pa&s;tors</HI> and <HI>Teachers</HI><NOTE N="n" PLACE="marg">Eph. 4.11. Rom. 12.7, 8.</NOTE>, <HI>Ruling-Elders</HI><NOTE N="o" PLACE="marg">Rom. 12.8. 1 Cor. 12.28. 1 Tim. 5.17.</NOTE> and <HI>Deacons</HI><NOTE N="p" PLACE="marg">Acts 6 1. to 7. Phil. 1.1. 1 Tim. 3.8 to 13</NOTE></P>
<P N="5">(5.) <HI>That</HI> the Work and Duty of the <HI>Pa&s;tor</HI> and <HI>Teach|er,</HI> is; <HI>To</HI> attend upon the <HI>Mini&s;try of the Word and Prayer</HI><NOTE N="q" PLACE="marg">Acts 6.1, 2.</NOTE>, <HI>To</HI> Preach the Go&s;pel<NOTE N="r" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 1.17. 2 Tim. 4. 1, 2. Tit: 2.7, 8.</NOTE>. <HI>To</HI> Teach and to Exhort<NOTE N="&s;" PLACE="marg">Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. Matth. 28.19, 20 1 Tim. 4 11 2 Tim. 4.2.</NOTE>, and thence they are called Mini&s;ters of the Go&s;pel<NOTE N="t" PLACE="marg">Rom 15.16. 2 Cor. 3.6.</NOTE>; And <HI>To</HI> Admini&s;ter the Seals of the Covenant<NOTE N="u" PLACE="marg">Matth 28.19, 20 Mark 16.15, 16. 1 Cor. 11 23 24 25 with 10 16.</NOTE>; As al&s;o <HI>To</HI> Rule the Flock <HI>over which the Holy-Gho&s;t hath made them Over&s;eers</HI><NOTE N="x" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 5.17. 1 The&s;. 5.12. Heb. 13.7, 17 Acts 20.28.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="6">(6.) <HI>That</HI> the Work of the <HI>Ruling-Elders</HI> is to joyn with the Pa&s;tor and Teacher in Governing the Church<NOTE N="y" PLACE="marg">Rom 12 7, 8. 1 Cor. 12 28. 1 Tim. 5 17.</NOTE>. The Work of the <HI>Deacons</HI> is, concerning the Temporal good things of the Church, To receive the Church Trea&s;ury, and therewith <HI>to &s;erve Tables,</HI> and particularly to Relieve the Poor<NOTE N="z" PLACE="marg">Acts 6.1, 2, 3, 4. Rom. 12.8 1 Cor. 12.28</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="7">(7.) <HI>That</HI> the&s;e Officers are called by Chri&s;t him&s;elf<NOTE N="a" PLACE="marg">Heb. 5.14.</NOTE>, though not immediately<NOTE N="b" PLACE="marg">Gal 1.1.</NOTE> But by Men<NOTE N="c" PLACE="marg">Acts 13.1, 2, 3. 1 Tim. 4.14. Acts 14.23 &amp; 6.3, 4, 5, 6.</NOTE>. Neither are any to be cho&s;en and approved, but &s;uch as are judg|ed to be fitted and furni&s;hed by Chri&s;t with &s;uitable Qualifications for the faithful di&s;charge of the Work and Office committed to them<NOTE N="d" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 3.1. to 14. with 5.22. Tit. 1.5. to 10. Acts 6.3. 1 Rom. 13.1,</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="8">(8.) <HI>That</HI> the Solemn admi&s;&s;ion and Separation of Per|&s;ons to the work of the Mini&s;try, is to be performed <HI>by the Laying on of the Hands of the Pre&s;bytery with Fa&s;t|ing and Prayer</HI><NOTE N="e," PLACE="marg">3. 1 Tim. 4.14. Acts 14.23. &amp; 6.3, 6.</NOTE>. And it &s;eems to us mo&s;t fit (where it may conveniently be) that &s;uch per&s;ons be <HI>Ordained</HI> in the pre&s;ence, and with the con&s;ent of the Congrega|tion, where they are to Mini&s;ter<NOTE N="f" PLACE="marg">Acts 14.23. Tit. 1.5.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="9"><PB N="11" REF="7">(9.) <HI>That</HI> it's the duty of all the Churches &amp; Mini&s;ters of Chri&s;t to A&s;&s;i&s;t, Own, and Strengthen the Hands of each other in the ways of the <HI>LORD</HI><NOTE N="g" PLACE="marg">Gal. 1.18, 21, 22, 23, 24. and 2 9.</NOTE>, And to <HI>Receive</HI> each other <HI>in the LORD</HI> to Chri&s;tian and Church-communion<NOTE N="h" PLACE="marg">Rom. 16.1, 2.</NOTE>; And to meet together in <HI>SYNODS</HI> and <HI>A&s;&s;emblyes of the Officers and Dele|gates of the Churches,</HI> if need require<NOTE N="i" PLACE="marg">Acts 15.1. to 36.</NOTE>: Where they have power to Determine Difficulties and Controver|&s;ies according to the word of God<NOTE N="k" PLACE="marg">Acts 16.6. to 36. E&s;pecially &s;ee ver. 24, 28. and 16.4, 5.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="10">(10.) <HI>That</HI> there be many gracious Promi&s;es of the &s;pecial Ble&s;&s;ing and Pre&s;ence of Chri&s;t in his Ordinances among his People, who walk together, in the Faith, Love, and Order of the Go&s;pel<NOTE N="l" PLACE="marg">Exod. 20.24. 1 Kin. 8.28, 29, 30. with 9.3. I&s;a. 4.5, 6. Matth. 18.18, 19, 20. and 28.19, 20.</NOTE>. And therefore tho&s;e, <HI>that</HI> pretend to be above Ordinances; Or <HI>that</HI> live without Ordinances, when they have opportunity of Enjoying them; Or <HI>that</HI> pick and chu&s;e among the Ordinances of Chri&s;t, (As, to de&s;ire <HI>Bapti&s;m</HI> for their Children, but never to de&s;ire the <HI>Lords-Supper</HI> for them&s;elves; Or to de&s;ire the <HI>Sacraments,</HI> but to refu&s;e and ca&s;t off the <HI>Yoke of Chri&s;t</HI> in <HI>Church-Di&s;cipline,</HI>) they do exceedingly wrong their own Souls, and Sin a|gain&s;t their own comforts, by depriving them&s;elves of that &s;pecial Ble&s;&s;ed Pre&s;ence and Sweet communion with Chri&s;t, which is to be had in the communion of Saints<NOTE N="m" PLACE="marg">Song. 1.7, 8. and 4 16. and 5 1. 2 Cor. 6.16, 17. 1 Cor. 10.16, 17.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="6">VI. <HI>To</HI> enter into and walk together in a <HI>Brotherly ASSOCIATION</HI> one with another, <HI>Giving</HI> one to another <HI>the right hands of Fellow&s;hip,</HI> in a con&s;tant cour&s;e of Mutual Advice, Encouragement and A&s;&s;i&s;tance, for the more Effectual accompli&s;hing of the&s;e excellent Nece&s;&s;ary and Difficult things<NOTE N="n" PLACE="marg">Gal. 2.9. Luke 10.1. Acts 2.1, 2, 3, 4, &amp;c. and 3.1. &amp;c. and 5.29. and 6.2. &amp;c. and 8.14. &amp;c. and 13.1, 2, 3, 4. and 15.6. to 36.</NOTE>: That all <HI>our ways in Chri&s;t</HI> may be for Sub&s;tance the &s;ame within all the&s;e Churches<NOTE N="o" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 4.17. Jer. 32.39.</NOTE>. For a much as the my&s;tical <HI>Body,</HI> the Church of Chri&s;t, is but <HI>one</HI><NOTE N="p" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 12.12, 13, to the end. Rom. 15.4, 5. Eph. 2.16. and 4.4. Col. 3.15. Song. 6.9.</NOTE>: therefore wee ought to maintain all po&s;&s;ible onene&s;s together, Di&s;patching our work, as much as may be, in joynt Union and Communi|on, in all the Publick Affairs of Chri&s;tian Religion; Thus <HI>endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of
<PB N="12" REF="8">
Peace in that one</HI> Church-Body<NOTE N="q" PLACE="marg">Eph. 4.1. to 6. 1 Cor. 1.10 Phil. 2.1. to 5</NOTE>, Now to this end We con&s;ent and Agree,</P>
<P N="1">1. <HI>That</HI> We &s;hall diligently frequent certain <HI>Meet|ings;</HI> More <HI>General,</HI> of the Bretheren in this whole Province; And more <HI>Particular,</HI> of tho&s;e in &s;ome Coun|tyes and parts of this Province, As oft, and in &s;uch Places as We &s;hall from time to time judge needful and expedient. And We &s;hall endeavour &s;o to make known the Times and Places of our <HI>Meetings,</HI> that all the God|ly Brethren of the Mini&s;try within the &s;aid Precincts may have Opportunity of Convening, and (which we earne&s;tly de&s;ire) of <HI>A&s;&s;ociating</HI> with us.</P>
<P N="2">2. <HI>That</HI> We &s;hall readily Receive into this Fellow|&s;hip, as Members, All the Brethren within the &s;aid <HI>City</HI> and <HI>Province,</HI> who are duely called into the Mini&s;try by <HI>Ordination</HI><NOTE N="r" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 4 14. and 5.22. Acts 13.1, 2, 3. and 14.23. Titus 1.5.</NOTE>, Are <HI>Sound in Faith</HI><NOTE N="&s;" PLACE="marg">Tit. 1.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. 2 Tim. 1.13.</NOTE>, Godly, So|ber and unblameable in Life<NOTE N="t" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 3 2.3. Tit 1.7, 8.</NOTE>, Walking Religiou&s;ly in their <HI>Families</HI><NOTE N="u" PLACE="marg">1 Tim 3.4, 5.</NOTE>, Faithfully and indu&s;triou&s;ly in their Mini&s;terial Functions<NOTE N="x" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 4.1, 2. Jer. 23.28. 2 Cor. 2.17. 2 Tim. 4.1, 2. Tit. 2.7, 8.</NOTE>: They fir&s;t tendering to the <HI>Moderator</HI> for the time being, At &s;ome <HI>General Meeting,</HI> or at &s;ome <HI>Particular Meeting</HI> according to Direction from the <HI>General, A TESTIMONI|AL</HI> of Their Soundne&s;s in the Faith, Blamele&s;ne&s;s of Life, and Laboriou&s;ne&s;s in the Mini&s;try, under the Hands of two Mini&s;ters of known integrity, e&s;pecially of tho&s;e that are <HI>A&s;&s;ociated;</HI> And of two or three Godly Chri&s;tians of the &s;ame Congregation, or of the vicinity, well known to &s;ome of the A&s;&s;ociated Brethren. And all that &s;hall be <HI>Ordained PRESBYTERS</HI> by this <HI>A&s;&s;ociation</HI> for any Mini&s;terial charge within this Pro|vince, &s;hall thereupon be Received as Members of this <HI>A&s;&s;ociation:</HI> Both the&s;e, and the former Sub cribing to this our <HI>Agreement.</HI> Neverthele&s;s the <HI>A&s;&s;ociated Bre|thren</HI> &s;till Re&s;erve to them&s;elves a Liberty for Admitting any Orthodox Godly Brother, Declaring his in <GAP DESC="illegible" RESP="UOM" EXTENT="1 word"> on to be <HI>Regularly Ordained</HI> a&s;&s;oon as may be, to joyn with Us in Our A&s;&s;ociation as farre as he is capable.</P>
<P N="3">3. <HI>That</HI> at Our fir&s;t <HI>General Meeting</HI> We &s;hall choo&s;e
<PB N="13" REF="8">
one of Our number to be <HI>MODERATOR;</HI> for, Propounding of Matters Taking of Suffrages. Prevent|ing of Di&s;orders, and Managing all Di&s;coures and con|ferences with due Gravity, Decency, Order, and to the utmo&s;t Edification<NOTE N="y" PLACE="marg">1 Cor. 14.26, 40. Tit. 2.7, 8.</NOTE>: Who &s;hall &s;till begin and con|clude Our Tran&s;actions at every Meeting with <HI>Prayer,</HI> for the <HI>LORD'S</HI> A&s;&s;i&s;tance, Ble&s;&s;ing and Accept|ance<NOTE N="z" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 2.8. and 4.4.5 1 The&s;. 5.17, 18. Eph 6.18, 19, 20. Acts 6.2.</NOTE>. And at the clo&s;e of that, and every &s;uch <HI>Con|ference, General</HI> or <HI>Particular,</HI> We &s;hall &s;till determine upon the Subject-Matter, Time, Place, and another Mo|derator for the next Meeting.</P>
<P N="4">4. <HI>That</HI> al&s;o at our fir&s;t <HI>General Meeting</HI> one of the Brethren A&s;&s;ociated, which &s;hall be deemed fitte&s;t, &s;hall be cho&s;en <HI>Scribe</HI> or <HI>Regi&s;ter.</HI> Who <HI>&s;hall</HI> enter this Our Agreement into a Book forthwith, that it may be Sub|&s;cribed; <HI>Shall</HI> carefully File up and keep all the foremen|tioned <HI>Te&s;timonials; Shall</HI> enter all our Re&s; lves and De|terminations; and <HI>Shall</HI> Regi&s;ter all Our Proceedings with all that &s;hall pre&s;ent them&s;elves to Us for <HI>Ordination</HI><NOTE N="a" PLACE="marg">1 Tim. 4.14. and 5.22. Rom. 13.1, 2, 3. Tit. 1 5. Heb. 5 4.</NOTE>, Keeping &s;afe their <HI>Te&s;timonials,</HI> and Providing all &s;uch <HI>In&s;truments in Writing</HI> as are requi&s;ite thereunto: That any of the&s;e may be produced before the Brethren upon all ju&s;t Occa&s;ions.</P>
<P N="5">5. <HI>That</HI> no di&s;cour&s;es about <HI>Admi&s;&s;ion</HI> or <HI>Non-Admi&s;|&s;ion</HI> of any Mini&s;ter into this Society &s;hall be blazed a|broad by any Brother to the Prejudice of the A&s;&s;ociation, or of any Member thereof.</P>
<P N="6">6 <HI>Th t</HI> all Di&s;putes about le&s;&s;er Points in difference, held by any Brethren Agreeing in the Main, be wholy declined in all our <HI>Meetings</HI><NOTE N="b" PLACE="marg">Acts 15.37, 38, 39. Phil. 2.1.2, 3, 4. and 3.16</NOTE>. Vnle&s;s &s;ome Brother &s;hall Con&s;cientiou&s;ly de&s;ire &s;atisfaction from the A&s;&s;o|ciation in any &s;uch Particular: which &s;hall be endea|voured with all cleerne&s;s of Argument and &s;weetne&s;s of Spirit<NOTE N="c" PLACE="marg">Acts 15.7. to 22. Eph. 4.1, 2, 3, &amp;c. 1 Pet. 3.8. Phil. 2 1, 2, 3, 4.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="7">7. <HI>That</HI> All u&s;urpation of Authority, Authoritative coertion, <HI>Domination</HI> or Jurisdiction, and all exerci&s;e thereof by the Brethren one over another in this A&s;&s;oci|ation be utterly di&s;claimed, abandoned and abhorred<NOTE N="d" PLACE="marg">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.</NOTE></P>
<P N="8"><PB N="14" REF="9">8. <HI>That</HI> All giving of ju&s;t Offence to tho&s;e 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 mo&s;t &s;tudiou&s;ly avoided in all our Tran&s;actions<NOTE N="e" PLACE="marg">Matt. 17.27. 1 Cor. 10.32. 2 Cor. 6.3. Acts 24 16. 1 Cor. 7.20.</NOTE>.</P>
<P N="9">9. <HI>And finally, That</HI> We &s;hall none of us withdraw our&s;elves from this Brotherly Fellow&s;hip, without great and weighty cau&s;es: Nor &s;hall We at any time Neglect or forbear to come to the General or Particular Meetings, which &s;hall be from time to time appointed, without very urgent occa&s;ions.</P>
<P>And in all the&s;e things, We who&s;e Names are hereun|to Sub&s;cribed, have Unanimou&s;ly agreed, <HI>To walk by the &s;ame Rule, and to minde the &s;ame thing</HI><NOTE N="f" PLACE="marg">Phil. 3.16.</NOTE>. Be&s;eeching the <HI>LORD</HI> to lead us by his <HI>Spirit into all truth</HI><NOTE N="g" PLACE="marg">John 16.13.</NOTE>, That as <HI>Fellow labourers</HI> in the Go&s;pel of Chri&s;t We may make a Brotherly improvement of each others Advice and A&s;si&s;tance, that our <HI>Hearts may be comforted being knit together in Love,</HI> whil&s;t we are <HI>following the things which make for Peace and wherewith We may Edify one a|nother in Our mo&s;t Holy Faith</HI><NOTE N="h" PLACE="marg">1 The&s;. 3.2. Philem. 24. Col. 2.2. Rom. 14.19. Jude, ver&s;. 20.</NOTE>.</P>
<CLOSER><SIGNED>Con&s;entimus nos infra-&s;cripti.</SIGNED></CLOSER>
<TRAILER>FINIS.</TRAILER>
<PB REF="9">
</DIV1>
</BODY>
</TEXT>
</EEBO>
</ETS>
