A81977:32
The profession of the faith of that reverend and worthy divine Mr. J. D.…
The profession of the faith of that reverend and worthy divine Mr. J. D. sometimes preacher of Stevens Coleman-street. London. Made publicly before the congregation at his admission into one of the churches of God in New-England. Containing twenty several heads as it was drawn from his own copy. viz. 1. Concerning the scriptures. 2. Concerning the Godhead in the unity of essence, and trinity of persons. 3. Concerning the decrees of God. 4. Concerning creation, and providence. 5. Concerning the fall of man and original sin. 6. Concerning mans restitution. 7. Concerning the person and natures in Christ. 8. Concerning the offices of Christ. 9. Concerning Christs prophetical office. 10. Concerning the priesthood of Christ. 11. Concerning Christs kingly office. 1. in general. 12. Concerning his kingdom. 2. In special. 13. Concerning the application of redemption. 14. Concerning a particular instituted church, and the privileges thereof. 15. Concerning the manner of gathering a church. 16. Concerning the sacraments. 17. Concerning the power of every church. 18. Concerning the communion of churches. 19. Concerning church officers. 20. Concerning giving every man his due.The profession of the faith of that reverend and worthy divine Mr. J. D. sometimes preacher of Stevens Coleman-street. London. Made publiquely before the congregation at his admission into one of the churches of God in New-England. Containing twenty severall heads as it was drawn from his own copy. viz. 1. Concerning the scriptures. 2. Concerning the Godhead in the unity of essence, and trinity of persons. 3. Concerning the decrees of God. 4. Concerning creation, and providence. 5. Concerning the fall of man and originall sin. 6. Concerning mans restitution. 7. Concerning the person and natures in Christ. 8. Concerning the offices of Christ. 9. Concerning Christs propheticall office. 10. Concerning the priesthood of Christ. 11. Concerning Christs kingly office. 1. in generall. 12. Concerning his kingdom. 2. In speciall. 13. Concerning the application of redemption. 14. Concerning a particular instituted church, and the priviledges therof. 15. Concerning the manner of gathering a church. 16. Concerning the sacraments. 17. Concerning the power of every church. 18. Concerning the communion of churches. 19. Concerning church officers. 20. Concerning giving every man his due.
London: printed for John Handcock, 1642
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.
15. Concerning the manner of gathering a Church.
That it is the duty of all Christians, having renounced all false ways of idolatrous, Antichristian, and superstitious worship, and of sin, and the world (as to instruct and govern their own families according to God, so) to join willingly together in Christian communion and orderly covenant, and by free confession of the ⟨p. 7⟩faith, and profession of their subjection to the Gospel of Christ, to unite themselves unto peculiar and visible Congregations, wherein as members of one body, whereof Christ is the head, they are to worship God according to his Word: To this Church he hath given royal privileges, as the holy Oracles, the Promises, the seals of the Covenant, his presence, love, protection, and blessing in a special manner, here all that acknowledge him to be their Prophet, Priest, and King, are to be enrolled amongst his household servants and to present their bodies, and souls, and gifts, and solemn services for a spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Being thus united, they to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures, being approved by the Church, and appointed thereunto, may, and ought to teach publicly the Word of God, by prophesying according to the proportion of faith for edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church, till such time as men may be had fit to such office or offices as Christ hath appointed to the public Ministry of his Church; and then they are upon due trial to proceed to the choice, and ordination of those officers according to God: and then the officers are to dispense the seals of the covenant, viz. Baptism to the seed of the faithful in their infancy, and to others not yet baptized, when by profession of their faith they are added to the Church: And all of the Church that are of years, and are able to examine themselves, must communicate also in the Lords Supper in both kinds, viz. bread and wine.