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:350–365 of 557

:350p. 132–133

So the Pastor, taking the most convenient Place that he can find in the Assembly for it, calls them to him, and laying his Two Hands on the Heads of the Two Persons (if there be so many, and when there is but one Passion, there can be no more Ordained in One Action,) he first makes a ⟨p. 133⟩short Prayer; Acknowledging the Glory of a Great SAVIOUR, and His Government and Interest in His Churches, and His Favours to that particular Church; and petitioning for His Countenance to the Present Action. He then with his Hands yet imposed, applies himself to them with a Charge to this Purpose.

So the Pastor, taking the most convenient Place that he can find in the Assembly for it, calls them to him, and laying his Two Hands on the Heads of the Two Persons (if there be so many, and when there is but one Pasio•, there can be no more Ordained in One Action,) he first makes a ⟨p. 133⟩short Prayer; Acknowledging the Glorie of a Great SAVIOUR, and His Government and Interest in His Churches, and His Favours to that particular Church; and petitioning for His Countenance to the Present Action. He then with his Hands yet imposed, applies himself to them with a Charge to this Purpose.

:351p. 133

Whereas You, upon whom these Hands are now imposed, have been chosen to the Office of Deacons in this Church of the Lord, I do now in the Name of that Glorious Lord, and on the behalf of this People, solemnly set you apart unto the Discharge of that Office; And before the Great GOD our SAVIOUR, and before His Elect Angels, I do solemnly charge you, to do all the Work of your Office, with all good Integrity: In the Doing whereof, you are to be Grave, not Double-tongued, not given to much Wine, not greedy of filthy Lucre: You are to hold the Mystery of Faith in a Pure Conscience, and to be blameless in well using the Office of a Deacon: You are to rule your own Houses well, and so to behave your selves that you may have great Boldness in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ; Unto whose Grace you are now to be recommended.

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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.