N02341:553
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.
A Table of the Contents.
I. AN Attestation by the late Rev. Increase Mather, D. D. II. An Introduction, containing a brief Account of the Faith and Principles of the New-English Churches. III. The Methods and Customs in the Churches of New-England in 10 Articles. ARTICLE I. The Gathering of a Church. Pag. 1 Their Preparations for it. Page 1 Their calling a Council. Page 3 Preparatory Acts & Exercises on the Day of Incorporation. Page 4 Their Incorporation by Solemn Covenant Page 6 A Vindication of it. Page 10 ARTICLE II. The Ordaining of a Pastor. Page 14 The Church's Preparation for it. Page 14 Their Choosing & Endowing their Ministers Page 15 Their calling a Council for the Ordination Page 22 Preparatory Acts & Exercises on the Day of Ordination. Page 24 The Imposition of Hands, & Charge given Page 29 The Right Hand of Fellowship. Page 32 The Instalment of a Pastor formerly Ordained. Page 41 ARTICLE III. The usual Services of the Lords-Day Page 4• The Congregation Assembling Page 4• Public Prayer. Page 4• Singing Scriptural-Hymns. Page 52 The Minister Preaching. Page 55 Of Reading the Scriptures in Public. Page 63 ARTICLE IV. The Administration of the Sacred Baptism. Page 6• Subjects of Baptism. Page 68 The Baptismal Covenant. Page 7• Baptism performed in Public. Page 72 Done by Sprinkling. Page 76 ⟨image ?⟩ARTICLE V. The Administration of the Holy Supper. Page 80 Qualifications […] Communicants. Page 80 Examination […] the Pastor. Page 86 Manner of A•nission to full Communion Page 90 A Covenant of such Admission. Page 91 The Celebration of the Lord's Supper. Page 94 ARTICLE VI. The Pastoral Care in its more Private Services. Page 103 Catechizing. Page 103 Visitation of the Sick. Page 106 Celebration of Marriages. Page 114 Service at Funerals. Page 117 Trial of Candidates for the Ministry. Page 117 ARTICLE VII. Ecclesiastical Officers for the Assistance of the Pastors. Page 121 Of Ruling Elders, & their Office. Page 122 Deacons, & their Office. Page 128 Their Choice, Ordination, & Charge. Page 130 ARTICLE VIII. The Discipline of the Churches. Page 134 Of Pastors dispensing the Seals in other Churches. Page 134 Letters of Recommenda. & Dismission. Page 136 Church Censures. Page 141 Restoration of Penitents. Page 155 ARTICLE IX. Councils upon Emergencies. Page 158 Upon Aggrieved Members. Page 158 Upon Offending Pastors. Page 162 Upon Translation of Pastors. Page 167 Synods of Churches.