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

Name: Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…
Author: Cotton Mather

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]

Cotton Mather 1663–1728Boston: printed for S. Gerrish, 1726

[2], iv, 10, 207, [5] p. ; 18 cm. (8vo) · 57k words · Evans 2775

Title page typeset from the transcription.

We Proceed unto the Methods and Customs, IN THE CHURCHES OF New-Eng… › Article 7: ARTICLE VII. The other Ecclesiastical OFFICERS for the Assistance of the PASTORS.We Proceed unto the Methods and Customs, IN THE CHURCHES OF New-Eng… › Article 7: ARTICLE VII. The other Ecclesiastical OFFICERS for the Assistence of the PASTORS.

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.

[ Earlier:346–361 of 557

:346p. 130

But it is after this Manner that they are Introduced into it. The Pastor desires the Brethren, to choose a fit Number of Persons, from among themselves, for the Office of Deacons among them. And some little while after this Desire has been signified, the Brethren bring in their Votes, by Papers, which have written on them the Names of the Persons, which each Man would have to be chosen, according to the Number first agreed upon.

But it is after this Manner that they are Introduced into it. The Pastor desires the Brethren, to chuse a fit Number of Persons, from among themselves, for the Office of Deacons among them. And some little while after this Desire has been signified, the Brethren bring in their Votes, by Papers, which have written on them the Names of the Persons, which each Man would have to be chosen, according to the Number first agreed upon.

:347p. 130–131

The Pastor hereupon calls upon some of the chief Brethren to count the Votes; and from the the Report which they give him, he then declares whom they find the Major Vote fallen upon. If they be any of them (which rarely if ever happens) Persons against whom he hath an Objection that cannot easily be removed, he advises them to another Choice. But if he hath nothing to object, he applies himself unto the Persons chosen, with this Request, That they would so far accept the Call of the Church, as to do the Work ⟨p. 131⟩expected from the Deacons, until such Time, as the Church may proceed, unto the full Observation of the Apostolical Direction, Let the Deacons first be proved; then let them use the Office of a Deacon.

:348p. 131

It has been observed, That because in our Translation, it is enumerated among the Qualifications of a Deacon. [

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Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

ARTICLE VIII. The DISCIPLINE with which the Churches are kept in their Faith and Order.