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

Indeed, while no body questions, Whether profane Swearing and Cursing, evident Sabbath-breaking, Drunkenness, Fighting, Fornication and all Scandalous Unchastities, Cheating, Stealing, an Abandonment unto Idleness, Lying, unrighteous Defamations, and such Heresies as manifestly overturn the Foundations of the Christian Religion and of all PIETY, are Censurable Evils; the Churches have sometimes had some Difficulties, about Precocious Nativities. But if a Child evidently come to the Growth which Nine Months, are ordinarily allowed for, be born within about Seven Months after Marriage, it is ordinarily expected, that the Fault of an Unlawful Congress be publicly and penitently acknowledged; except the suspected Persons offer a Purgation by an Oath, or a Declaration that shall be equivalent, for their Innocency. But the Birth may be so Premature, that no such Purgation may be admitted of.

Indeed, while no body questions, Whether profane Swearing and Cursing, evident Sabbath-breaking, Drunkenness, Fighting, Fornication and all Scandalous Unchastities, Cheating, Stealing, an Abandonment unto Idleness, Lying, unrighteous Defamations, and such Heresies as manifestly overturn the Foundations of the Christian Religion and of all PIETY, are Censurable Evils; the Churches have sometimes had some Difficulties, about Precocious Nativites. But if a Child evidently come to the Growth which Nine Months, are ordinarily allowed for, be born within about Seven Months after Marriage, it is ordinarily expected, that the Fault of an Unlawful Congress be publickly and penitently acknowledged; except the suspected Persons offer a Purgation by an Oath, or a Declaration that shall be equivalent, for their Innocency. But the Birth may be so Premature, that no such Purgation may be admitted of.

But a scandalous Offence against Wisdom and Goodness arising, 'tis thus proceeded with.