N02341:365
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.
They also admit unto Occasional Communion, those who have any living Testimonies of their having been Communicants in Scotland, or Holland, or any Reforming Churches in England, or Ireland, or elsewhere, tho' they should happen to be not furnished with written Credentials.
But when a Brother in a Church alters and removes his Habitation, and intends an Abode with the Church, whereto he would be Recommended; or, for weighty Reasons finds it necessary to consult his own Edification, in changing a Society; he applies himself unto his own Pastor for LETTERS OF DISMISSION, or for some Authentic Signification of the Church, whereto he has hitherto belonged, allowing a Translation of ⟨p. 138⟩his more immediate Relation, unto the Church he would more constantly sit down withal. The Literae Dimissoriae mentioned by some old Councils, as peculiar to the Clergy, are directed for the Brethren. Too many removing without some such Instrument, consigning the Church Watch upon the Remover, from one Church to another; This Omission has been an Occasion of some Disorders, and caused some Difficulty in the Execution of their Discipline.
And hence it comes to pass that sometimes a Person does for many Years enjoy a constant Communion with a Church at the Table of the Lord, and yet remains uncapable of Acting and Voting with the Church as a Member of it.