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

This done, the Moderator makes a Speech, wherein he declares unto the Brethren, their Acceptance into the Number of the Churches, and mightily exhorts and charges them in the Name of the most Glorious LORD, that they endeavour now in all things, to live according to the Profession which they have thus made, not only before Men, but in the Presence of the Great GOD, and of His Holy Angels; and he invites the whole Assembly to give Thanks unto GOD, for the Blessings of the Gospel, which they are led now to take Notice of.

§. 9. In former times, it was no rare thing for the Public Solemnities of a whole Day, to be assigned unto that one Action, of Gathering a CHURCH, and to defer unto another Day the Action of Ordaining a Pastor to the Church: But in later times these two Actions are generally carried on together; that is to say, on the same Day that the Church is Gathered, the Pastor of the Church is also Ordained. Sometimes on these Occasions, the Action of gathering the Church has been managed more privately in the Presence of the Delegates from the Neighbourhood: and contenting themselves with such a private and previous Management of that, they have then gone to the Meeting-House more publicly, in a great Assembly to carry on that other Action of ⟨p. 10⟩Ordaining the Pastor of the Church. But many Good Men rather choose and wish, that this great Action, may be done in as public a Manner as may be; For 'tis indeed one of the greatest Things that can be done among the Children of Men; 'Tis a Glorious Homage paid unto the Son of GOD, and a Testimony born to His Religion; 'Tis rarely performed when in the Hands of a wise Moderator, without Floods of Tears in the affected Spectators, and lasting Impressions of Piety upon them.

§. 9. In former times, it was no rare thing for the Publick Solemnities of a whole Day, to be assigned unto that one Action, of Gathering a CHURCH, and to defer unto another Day the Action of Ordaining a Pastor to the Church: But in later times these two Actions are generally carried on together; that is to say, on the same Day that the Church is Gathered, the Pastor of the Church is also Ordained. Sometimes on these Occasions, the Action of gathering the Church has been managed more privately in the Presence of the Delegates from the Neighbourhood: and contenting themselves with such a private and previous Management of that, they have then gone to the Meeting-House more publickly, in a great Assembly to carry on that other Action of