Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…

§. 3. The Apprehension that appears to govern the Churches of New-England, is, That be a Church-State never so specious, it will be but a Dead Carcass in the Eyes of the Everliving GOD, yea, the Holy One will say, Bury it out of my Sight, if there be not real and vital Piety animating of it. The Church is not the King's Daughter, nor is there any true Glory belonging to her, if she be not all Glorious within, by an heavenly Piety Disposing and Adorning of her; The Piety, which lies in living to GOD, and by the Faith of the Son of GOD, and paying the constant Homage of our Souls unto Him, and Loving our Neighbour, and expressing that Love to the Life, in a continual Endeavour to do as we would be done unto. As this is the truest and only Wisdom, so ⟨p. 90⟩'tis the truest and only Basis for an Union in the Churches of GOD. Accordingly 'tis the Design of these Churches, to make the Terms of Communion run as Parallel as may be with the Terms of Salvation; and exclude none from their sacred Fellowship, who have truly their Fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ; and receive all that our SAVIOUR will Receive unto the Glory of GOD. If any of the Churches insist on any little Modalities in their Admissions, they are all with an Eye the necessary Qualifications of the most Substantial PIETY; and it is to be hoped, they will be softened and ordered, and on Occasions Varied accordingly.

§. 3. The Apprehension that appears to govern the Churches of New-England, is, That be a Church-State never so specious, it will be but a Dead Carcase in the Eyes of the Everliving GOD, yea, the Holy One will say, Bury it out of my Sight, if there be not real and vital Piety animating of it. The Church is not the King's Daughter, nor is there any true Glory belonging to her, if she be not all Glorious within, by an heavenly Piety Disposing and Adorning of her; The Piety, which lies in living to GOD, and by the Faith of the Son of GOD, and paying the constant Homage of our Souls unto Him, and Loving our Neighbour, and expressing that Love to the Life, in a continual Endeavour to do as we would be done unto. As this is the truest and only Wisdom, so ⟨p. 90⟩'tis the truest and only Basis for an Union in the Churches of GOD. Accordingly 'tis the Design of these Churches, to make the Terms of Communion run as Parallel as may be with the Terms of Salvation; and exclude none from their sacred Fellowship, who have truely their Fellowship with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ; and receive all that our SAVIOUR will Receive unto the Glory of GOD. If any of the Churches insist on any little Modalities in their Admissions, they are all with an Eye the necessary Qualifications of the most Substantial PIETY; and it is to be hoped, they will be softened and ordered, and on Occasions Varied accordingly.