PREFACE.

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'HERE is no Constitution on earth, hath ever been established on such sure founation, nor so fully provided for its subsistence, s the Church of God-It being built on the Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Christ himself being he chief corner stone. Hence therefore it hath rom its holy hill, beheld the ruins of the greatst States, and most flourishing Empires; havng continued in safety, free from the fatal acidents of time, and triumphed not only over he rage of men, but also the repeated insults of he gates of hell. And though it hath been of en straitened as to its extent, and lessened as o its number, yet hath remained firm on its >wn basis: Yea, when most reduced, it hath orever made good that motto, Depressa Resurro; and so it shall continue to the end of the world. But to the shame of its offenders, the church hath suffered most from the wounds, which she hath received in the house of her friends, from those wolves that have come to her in sheep's cloathing. Damnable errors and heresies have arisen from within her, whereby she hath sometimes been cast into horrible

shades of darkness, as Rev. ix. 2. When the bottomless pit was opened, the smoke ascending darkened the sun and air. Yet when thus griev ously blackened, a comeliness remained still Otherwhiles she is seen bleeding with the wounds of schism and contention, offensive and hurtful to her sacred head and members, for the undivided head rejoiceth in an undivided body. His undefiled is but one. Cant vi. 9. As she becomes divided, she becomes defiled-and hereby also the mutual offices of the respective members of this undefiled one, are interrupted to the prejudice of the whole. Whence fol low great disorders, as when the eye will not see for the hand, nor the head take care of the feet, nor our union to Christ be acknowledged a sufficient bond to establish a relation between

members in particular. I. Cor. xii. 27. God's Providence forever bears the upper hand in these events, who suffers the corrupt minds of men to run into errors and divisions, that the approved may be made manifest. I. Cor. xi, 19. Such ill minded persons being threatened with a wo that are the authors or promoters of such offen ces The Atheist endeavours to overthrow the whole constitution of religion: The Deist to take away all that part of it that promiseth sinners any safety from the wrath to come, and retain no mort than what is enough to condemn him, and take a way all excuse for his disobedience. Rom. i. 20. The church of Christ hith also been a great sufferer from the immoralities and disorderly

alking of those that are related to her, whose raven hath sometimes hazarded the whole lump. . Cor. v. 6. Whose unseemly practises have iven advantage to enemies to speak evil of the ays of God, and to question the truth of our oly religion, and the sincerity of the professors hereof. These must be acknowledged to be pors and blemishes. II Pet. ii. 13. The wisdom four law-giver, king and judge, who alone ath the original sovereignty of giving being o, and laying the foundations of the church, and whose only is the legislative power therein, ath given such ample rights and privileges to he church, and 4uch excellent rules for its government, as are inviting to strangers, like a city et on a hill, Mat. v, 14. And hath lodged the Executive power in approved hands, that those who love the church may be in peace, and her enemies may find her terrible as an army with banners, and that she might yield seasonable edification to those that walk regularly within her limits, and be able to discharge herself of impenitent and incorrigible offenders. Many of the forementioned mischiefs have to our sorrow afflicted the churches within this government, and, by degrees we have fallen under much decay-Whereupon, our difficulties have been of a long time troublesome, for the healing our wounds, a more explicate asserting the rules of government sufficiently provided in the holy

word hath been thought highly expedient Wherefore,

The Honourable, the General Assembly this Colony out of a tender regard to the wel fare of the Churches within the limits of their government were pleased to appoint the sever al elders of each county with messengers from their Churches to meet in council, in which they should endeavour to agree in some general rules conformable to the word of God for method of discipline to be practised in our Churches. These several councils having met and drawn up some rules for. Church govern ment did by their delegates meet and constitute one General Assembly of the Churches of this colony at Say-Brook, Sept. 9th, 1708. Who after a full consent and agreement unto the Confession of Faith assented unto by the Sy nod of Boston; did, being studious of keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, Eph. iv, 2. Agree that the heads of agreement as sented to by the united brethren formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational in Eng land, be observed by the Churches throughout this colony, which are herewith published, und after consideration of the sever I draughts of the county councils, did with a Christian condescension, and fraternal amicableness, unanimous. ly agree to the articles for the administration of Church Discipline now offered to publick view, all which being presented were allowed of and established by the General Assembly of this

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lony, as by their acts appears, for the better tisfaction of our people, we have undertaken task, acceptable we trust unto many, though escape not the exceptions of some, in subning scriptures for confirmation of the Heads f Agreement, which we have not seen added hereunto. The aforesaid articles consist in wo heads, The one holding forth the power of articular Churches in the management of Disci line confirmed by scriptures annexed.

The other serves to preserve, promote or re over the peace and edification of the Churches by he means of a consociation of the Elders, and Churches, or of an association of Elders: Both which we are agreed have countenance from the scriptures and the propositions in answer to he second question given by the Synod met at Boston 1662. In both which having respect to the divine precepts of fraternal union, and that principle universally acknowledged, Quod tangit omnes debet tractari ab omnibus The scriptures are added for the illustration of the substance of the above mentioned articles, yet with an apprehension that there may be alterations made, and further condescensions agreed upon, which shall afterwards appear necessary for the order and edification of our Church

es.

As we have laboured in this aff ir to approve ourselves unto God, so we are cheerful with humble prayer for his blessing to recommend the Heads of Agreement with the subsequent