The moderator

As first, there may and ought to be a mutual condescension towards the settling of ways and expedients of different sorts, of orderly proceedings at several places and times in public meetings, for the confirmation of the unity of the spirits of brethren, in the common profession, and for the avoiding of confusion. As for example, at the public meetings in some places they have no Assessors adjoined to him that is the Prolocutor, in other places they have; in some places the Prolocutor or Mediator of the meeting is perpetually the same, in other places▪ he is continually changed; and that either by a new election through the plurality of votes, or without any election by a vicissitudinary succession of one after another, into the office of presiding over the meeting: in some places nothing is determined without the consent of all, in other places it is otherwise: and where the consent of all is required, in some places the Preses of the action is obliged to ask every mans vote distinctly and in order; in other places that custom is not precisely observed, but it is free for any one to speak when he can get a turn, and if matters go against his sense, to enter his dissent; and elsewhere, who doth not give his consent, is not obliged to the determination. In all such ways of orderly proceedings, if those that entertain the meetings for their mutual edification do alter their constitutions according to circumstances of times, places, persons, and ⟨p. 65⟩affairs upon grounds which they think valid for the end for which they meet, (I say) in all such ways a condescension may and ought to be mutually intended; and there ought not to be any breach of unity and affection for the difference of opinions amongst Brethren in matters of this nature. Only a care is to be• had, that the general rules of order and decency be observed according to the Apostles commandment; 1 Cor. 14. 40.

As first, there may and ought to bee a mutuall condescension towards the setling of wayes and expedients of different sorts, of orderly proceedings at severall places and times in publick meetings, for the confirmation of the unitie of the spirits of brethren, in the common profession, and for the avoiding of confusion. As for example, at the publick meetings in some places they have no Assessors adjoyned to him that is the Prolocutor, in other places they have; in some places the Prolocutor or Mediator of the meeting is perpetually the same, in other places he is continually changed; and that either by a new election through the pluralitie of votes, or without any election by a vicissitudinary succession of one after another, into the office of presiding over the meeting: in some places nothing is determined without the consent of all, in other places it is otherwise: and where the consent of all is required, in some places the Preses of the action is obliged to aske every mans vote distinctly and in order; in other places that custome is not precisely observed, but it is free for any one to speak when hee can get a turne, and if matters goe against his sense, to enter his dissent; and elsewhere, who doth not give his consent, is not obliged to the determination. In all such wayes of orderly proceedings, if those that entertain the meetings for their mutuall edification do alter their constitutions according to circumstances of times, places, persons, and