N02341:417
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.
Tho' the Churches of New-England have been called Independents, they have not yet arrived unto the Degree of Independency, which was challenged in the Days of Austin; Habet omnis Episcopus pro licentiâ Potestatis et Libertatis suae Arbitrium proprium; Judicari ab alio non potest, quomodo nec ipse Judicure; sed expectemus universi Judicium Christi, qui solus habet de actu nostro Judicandi potestatem.
The Person aggrieved applies himself to the Pastor, and by him to the Church, with humble Remonstrances of the Hardships which he apprehends used upon him; desiring them to Review his Case: And if this don't obtain, then to accommodate him in calling a Council of Neighbour Churches, (chosen with mutual Satisfaction,) to judge of the Proceedings.
If they refuse to do it, he may do it without them: Only still informing them what he does.
He writes Letters, to what Churches in the Neighbourhood he pleases; briefly declaring, That he apprehends himself to suffer by an Administration that needs to be more thoroughly enquired into; and entreating the Pastors, with the Delegates of the Churches to whom he now makes his Address, to come to the Place, and at the Time, that are specified in the Letters, and consider the Case, whereof a full Representation shall then and there be laid before them; and give their Advice, which he hopes will be with all Sincerity and Humility hearkened to.