N02341:280
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.
Some of the Pastors choose to do this Part of their Office after the Pauline way, To teach from House to House. And perhaps no way more significant! The Pastor may send aforehand unto such Families as he intends, an Intimation that he intends at such a Time to Visit them: And coming to the Families, he assays with as decent and as pungent Addresses as he is able, to treat each Person particularly about their Everlasting Interests. And unto the Young People, he puts Questions of the Catechism, from the Answers whereof he makes as lively Applications unto them as he can, for the Engaging of them in the Service of the Lord. No doubt, he seldom ⟨p. 106⟩leaves a Family, without many Tears falling from Souls, desirous to Fear the Name of GOD.
Some of the Pastors chuse to do this Part of their Office after the Pauline way, To teach from House to House. And perhaps no way more significant! The Pastor may send aforehand unto such Families as he intends, an Intimation that he intends at such a Time to Visit them: And coming to the Families, he assays with as decent and as pungent Addresses as he is able, to treat each Person particularly about their Everlasting Interests. And unto the Young People, he puts Questions of the Catechism, from the Answers whereof he makes as lively Applications unto them as he can, for the Engaging of them in the Service of the Lord. No doubt, he seldom ⟨p. 106⟩leaves a Family, without many Tears falling from Souls, desirous to Fear the Name of GOD.
Thus the Pastors do sometimes Imitate the Example of Chrysostom, of whom we find, That he would Inculcate Things on his People, with private Communications. And of Cyprian, who would Go to every one that was committed to his Care, and Exhort them, according to the Ministry of the Lord, and of His Gospel: And of Austin, whose Private Labours to instruct• his Flock are celebrated by Posidonius. They are sensible of what is Urged by Prosper, That Bishops are called Watchmen, because they should Watch the Actions of all Men, and with an Aim of Religious Curiosity spy out, how every one liveth, with his Household in his House: What good Men they approve, they are to Confirm, by Honouring them; whom they observe to be Vicious, they are to Amend, by Reproving them.