N02341:125
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in the churches of New-England. : With interspersed and instructive reflections on the discipline of the primitive churches. : [Seven lines from Ezekiel]
Boston: printed for S. Gerrish, 1726
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 Churches of New-England, have not yet limited any Number, as necessary to this Action; though rarely fewer than Three, have been employed on this Occasion.
They then laying their Hands on his Head, He who was chosen to that Service, makes an ardent Prayer unto the Glorious GOD; particularly, Acknowledging the Glories of the enthroned ⟨p. 30⟩JESUS, and the Great Things done for and in the Church, by that Prophet, and Priest, a•• King thereof; and Petitioning the Lord now to accept that Servant of His which is here set apart for the special Service of His Gospel and Kingdom in the World.
The Prayer being finished, he proceeds, (Their Hands continuing still imposed) with a Speech unto the Person under their Ordination, which is a most solemn and awful Charge unto him faithfully to attend the Duties of his Ministry: In some such Terms as these.
Whereas You, on whom, we now, to declare so much, do Impose our Hands, are called unto the Work of the Evangelical Ministry in the Church of the Living GOD, and unto the Office of a Pastor in the Particular Church of the Lord, with which we are now assembled; we do now introduce you into that awful Station. We therefore charge you, before the Great GOD, and our SAVIOUR the Glorious Head of the CHURCH, That you take heed unto the Ministry which you have Received from the Lord, plainly, and faithfully, and watchfully to fulfil it, and as one that must give up an Account unto Him; That you feed the whole Flock whereof you are now made an Overseer; and therein study to show yourself approved of GOD, and a Workman that needs not be ed; That you Pray without Ceasing, and give yourself to Reading and Meditation, and Preach the Word, Instruct, Reprove, Exhort, with all the Long Suffering that becomes a Servant of GOD; That you administer the Sacraments of the New Covenant,