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

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:367–382 of 557

:367p. 139

But now, the Pastor having first asked and gained the Consent of the Church unto it, he writes to the other Church, something of this Importance; That [such an One] having for allowable Reasons requested a Dismission from this Church to that, it is hereby Testified on on his behalf, that he has been for some time, a Communicant with them in all special Ordinances, and by a good Conversation in CHRIST, approved himself worthy of it. But now in answer to his Just Request, they Dismiss him to the more immediate Fellowship of them with whom he is now to Reside; Entreating them to receive him into their Fellowship, and extend that Love and Care unto him which is directed in the Rules of the Gospel. So with Wishes and Prayers for their Prosperity, the Pastor Subscribes, with the Consent of the Brethren.

But now, the Pastor having first asked and gained the Consent of the Church unto it, he writes to the other Church, something of this Importance; That [such an One] having for allowable Reasons requested a Dismission from this Church to that, it is hereby Testifyed on on his behalf, that he has been for some time, a Communicant with them in all special Ordinances, and by a good Conversation in CHRIST, approved himself worthy of it. But now in answer to his Just Request, they Dismiss him to the more immediate Fellowship of them with whom he is now to Reside; Entreating them to receive him into their Fellowship, and extend that Love and Care unto him which is directed in the Rules of the Gospel. So with Wishes and Prayers for their Prosperity, the Pastor Subscribes, with the Consent of the Brethren.

:368p. 139–140

The Churches of New-England, are encouraged in such Usages, by the Discipline of the French Protestants, whereof it was an Article, That when any one for his necessary Affairs was forced to Travel, Recommendatory Letters to the next Church, were to be Asked and Granted. And the Synod of Sardis, A. C. 347. Established the the Use of such Letters in the Churches of those Early Days. In the Primitive Churches they were called, Literae Communicatoriae. Tertullian calls them, Literas Pacis: And the Greek Churches called them, Systatic Epistles. That famous Dutchman, Hornbeck, does commend the ⟨p. 140⟩

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