N02341:53
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.
§. 6. The Council of Elders and Messengers from the Churches of the Vicinity, convening at the Time and Place assigned, and choosing their Moderator, the Candidates of the New Church appear before them, and present unto them a, Confession of their Faith, and therewithal the Covenant or Engagement, in which they recognize their Obligations, to serve the Great GOD their Saviour, and to walk with one another, in the Faith and Order of the Gospel. They produce also the Testimonials of the Allowance which the Churches whereto they formerly belonged, have given them to Transfer their more immediate Relation unto the Society now to be gathered. In the former times, the Brethren on this Occasion also exhibited, either Orally or in Writing, some account of each Mans Conversion from his unregenerate State unto serious Piety; or, The Reason of the Hope which is in him, that a Saving Work of Regeneration has passed upon him. ⟨p. 5⟩This is for sundry Reasons not now so much insisted on.
§. 6. The Council of Elders and Messengers from the Churches of the Vicinity, convening at the Time and Place assigned, and chusing their Moderator, the Candidates of the New Church appear before them, and present unto them a, Confession of their Faith, and therewithal the Covenant or Engagement, in which they recognize their Obligations, to serve the Great GOD their Saviour, and to walk with one another, in the Faith and Order of the Gospel. They produce also the Testimonials of the Allowance which the Churches whereto they formerly belonged, have given them to Transfer their more immediate Relation unto the Society now to be gathered. In the former times, the Brethren on this Occasion also exhibited, either Orally or in Writing, some account of each Mans Conversion from his unregenerate State unto serious Piety; or, The Reason of the Hope which is in him, that a Saving Work of Regeneration has passed upon him. ⟨p. 5⟩This is for sundry Reasons not now so much insisted on.
§. 7. A vast Assembly of Christians from the Vicinity usually come together on such an Occasion; and fill the Meeting House. But Care is taken to leave some vacant Seats in the Meeting-House, for the Council; who now walk together unto it, First, the Pastors, and then the other Delegates of whatever Quality. The Associated Brethren likewise take a Place together, which is left empty for them.