A52591:49
A Declaration of the faith and order owned and practiced in the Congregational churches…
A Declaration of the faith and order owned and practiced in the Congregational churches in England agreed upon and consented unto by their elders and messengers in their meeting at the Savoy, October 12, 1658.
London: printed by John Field, 1659
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 Honourable Houses by several Ordinances of Parliament after much consultation, having settled Rules ⟨image 14⟩for Church-Government, and such an Ecclesiastical Order as they judged would best joint with the Laws and Government of the Kingdom, 1did publish them, requiring the practise hereof throughout the Nation; and in particular, by the Ministers of the Province of London. But (upon the former reason, or the like charitable consideration) these Rules were not imposed by them under any PENALTY or rigorous enforcement, though frequently urged thereunto by some.
The Honorable Houses by several Ordinances of Parliament after much consultation, having settled Rules ⟨image 14⟩for Church-Government, and such an Ecclesiastical Order as they judged would best joynt with the Laws and Government of the Kingdom, 1did publish them, requiring the practise hereof throughout the Nation; and in particular, by the Ministers of the Province of London. But (upon the former reason, or the like charitable consideration) these Rules were not imposed by them under any PENALTY or rigorous inforcement, though frequently urged thereunto by some.
- 1Ordinance of March 14. 1645.
Our reverend Brethren of the Province of London, having considered of these Ordinances, and the Church-Government laid down in them, declared their opinions to be, That there is not a complete rule in those Ordinances; also,1 that there are many necessary things not yet established, and some things wherein their consciences are not so fully satisfied. These Brethren in the same paper, have published also their joint Resolution to practise in all things according to the rule of the Word, and according to these Ordinances, so far as they conceive them correspond to it, and in so doing they trust they shall not grieve the spirit of the truly godly, nor give any just occasion to them that are contrary minded, to blame their proceedings.