N02341:239
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 Candidates of the Communion, at the proper time for it, standing forth, now the Pastor calls upon the Brethren of the Church, to signify their Consent unto the Admission of these Persons unto their Communion, by lifting up their Hands; [For in all these Points, their Church-Government is not unlike the Government reported by Plato to have been sometimes in Athens, which Grotius also tells us was the Government of the Primitive Churches; ΑΡΙΣΤΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ΜΕΤΑ ΕΥΔΟΚΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΛΗΘΟΥΣ. An Aristocracy ordering all things with the good liking of the People.
This being signified, the Pastor then applies himself unto the Candidates, after some such Manner of this.
In the Fear of GOD, you are now to attend unto His most Gracious COVENANT; and may you by the Help of His Grace, give a most hearty Consent unto it.
You do now sincerely and very solemnly give up your selves unto the Glorious GOD, who is the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and receive Him as your GOD and Portion; Desiring to live unto Him. You do give up your selves unto the Lord JESUS ⟨p. 92⟩