N02341:13
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.
We look upon Reforming Presbyterians, as our dear Brethren: Among whom we have in particular a most brotherly Affection, for those in Scotland. When any come from thence, furnished with Testimonies of their Good Conversation in CHRIST, they are as welcome to our Communion, as any Members of our own Churches. When the Persons of Both Persuasions in London became united Brethren, the Tidings thereof were highly acceptable to the Churches of New-England, in which they are ever so.
We look upon Reforming Presbyterians, as our dear Brethren: Among whom we have in particular a most brotherly Affection, for those in Scotland. When any come from thence, furnished with Testimonies of their Good Conversation in CHRIST, they are as welcome to our Communion, as any Members of our own Churches. When the Persons of Both Perswasions in London became united Brethren, the Tidings thereof were highly acceptable to the Churches of New-England, in which they are ever so.
In the Title Page of our, Platform of Discipline, which was agreed by the Elders, and Messengers of the Churches in the Synod at Cambridge; 1648. it is said to be, Gathered out of the Word of GOD. It appears by the Historical Relation here faithfully given of what is Practised in the Churches according to that Platform, that it agrees as with the Apostolical Time, so with the Practises of the Christians in the Age next unto the Apostles; ⟨p. iv⟩except in some Superstitions, which the Churches of New-England never had among them.
The Churches here, were Planted a noble Vine. Indeed it was not with respect to the Fundamentals in Doctrine, that our Fathers came into this Wilderness. For they agree to the Doctrinal Articles of the Church of England, (as fully as any, and more fully than many,) of the Conformists in that Church. But it was with Regard unto Church Order and Discipline, that our pious Ancestors the Good old Puritan Nonconformists, transported themselves and their Families, over the vast Ocean to these goings down of the Sun. On which Account, a Degeneracy from the Principles of pure Scriptural Worship and Order in the Church, would be more Evil in the Children of New-England, than any other People in the World.