A43183:8
Heads of agreement assented to
Heads of agreement assented to by the united ministers in and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational
London: printed by R.R. for Tho. Cockerill, 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The favour of our Rulers in the present Established Liberty, we most thankfully acknowledge; and to Them we are studious to approve our selves in the whole of this Affair. Therefore we Declare against intermeddling with the National Church-Form: Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others, is disclaimed: All pretence to Coercive Power, is as unsuitable to our Principles, as to our Circumstances: Excommunication it self, in our respective Churches, being no other ⟨image 3⟩than a declaring such scandalous Members as are irreclaimable, to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to Visible Believers: And in all, we expressly determine our purpose, to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our selves, and preventing the inconveniences which humane weakness may expose to in our use of this Liberty.
The favour of our Rulers in the present Established Liberty, we most thankfully acknowledg; and to Them we are studious to approve our selves in the whole of this Affair. Therefore we Declare against intermedling with the National Church-Form: Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others, is disclaimed: All pretence to Coercive Power, is as unsuitable to our Principles, as to our Circumstances: Excommunication it self, in our respective Churches, being no other ⟨image 3⟩than a declaring such scandalous Members as are irreclaimable, to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to Visible Believers: And in all, we expresly determine our purpose, to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our selves, and preventing the inconveniences which humane weakness may expose to in our use of this Liberty.
The general concurrence of Ministers and People in this City, and the great disposition thereto in other places, persuade us, this happy Work is undertaken in a season designed for such Divine influence, as will overcome all impediments to Peace, and convince of that Agreement which has been always among us in a good degree, tho neither to our selves nor others so evident, as hereby it is now acknowledged.