N02341:82
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.
Hereupon they hope for an Opportunity, to observe, whether any of these Candidates answer ⟨p. 15⟩the Character which a famous Council at Carthage required in one to be ordained; Before all things, to have a good natural Wit, to be apt to teach, to be moderate in his Conversation, to be sober in his Life, to be diligent, humble, affable, full of Compassion; to be learned, to be instructed in the Law of the L•d, to interpret the Word of GOD soberly and prudently, and to be able in a clear and plain Manner to explain the Doctrines of Faith.
One Reason why the Churches have been heretofore less Explicit and Accurate, than otherwise they might have been, in a Solemn Examination of those whom they Elect and Ordain for their Pastors, has been, because they never Elect any but such as are already admitted as Communicants at the Holy Table in the Churches. And the Churches admit none, but such as give them full Satisfaction of their being Sound in the Faith, and Persons of a godly Life.
§. 2. If there be a Candidate, for which they take a singular Liking, perhaps, they Renew their Invitation unto him, to preach the Word of GOD among them, in a more Constant Way, for some Time convenient. Or, However in Time convenient, the Brethren of the Church meet and pass a Vote of this Importance;