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blishment and Edification; whereby they are under the PaftoralCare, and in case of scandalous or offenfive Walking, may be Authoritatively admonished or cenfured for their Recovery, for Vindication of the Truth and the Church profeffing it Als 2 47 & 5 13 2 Cor 9 13 Heb 10 24,251 The 5 12, 14 Acts 20 28

IX That a Visible Profeffor thus joined to a particular Church ought to continue steadfast with the faid Church; and not forfake the Miniftry, and Ordinances there difpenfed without an orderly feeking a Recommendation unto another Church, which ought to be given, when the Cafe of the Perfon apparently requires it. Als 2 42 Heb 10 25 Rom 16 1 2

II Of the Ministry

IWE agree that the Ministerial Office is

inftituted by Jefus Chrift for the Gathering, Guiding, Edifying and Governing of his Church; and to continue to the end of the World Eph 4 11,12 Mat 28 19,20

II They who are called to this Office ought to be endued with competent Learning & MiniBerial Gifts, as alfo with the Grace of God, found in Judgment, not Novices in the Faith and knowledge of the Gofpel: without fcandal, of Holy Converfation, and fuch as devote themselves

themselves to the Work and fervice thereof. 2 Tim. 2. 24. Rom. 12. 6. 1 Tim. 3. 2, 3,4, 5,6,7. Tit. 1. 6;7. í Tim. 4. 16.

III. That ordinarily none fhall be ordained to the Work of this Miniftry, but fuch as are Called and Chofen thereunto by a particular, Church. Als 14. 23.

IV. That in fo great and weighty a Matter as the Calling and Chufing a Paftor, we judge it ordinarily requifite, that every fuch Church confult and advife with the Paftor of neighbouring Congregations Pro.11.14&15.22

V. That after fuch Advice the Perfons confulted about, being cholen by the Brotherhood. of that particular Church over which he is to be fet, and he accepting, be duly Ordained & fet apart to his Office over them; wherein tis ordinarily requifite that the Paftors of Neighbouring Congregations concur with the Preach-, ing Elder or Elders, if fuch there be. A. 14. 23. & 1. 23. & 13.23. 1 Tim. 4. 14.

VI. That whereas fuch Ordination is only intended for fuch as never before bad beenOrdained to the MinisterialOffice; if any judge, that in the cafe alfo of the removal of one formerly Ordained, to a new Station, or PaftoralCharge, there ought to be a like, folemn recommending him and his Labours to the Grace & Bleffing of God O

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no different Sentiments or Practice herein, fhall be any occafion of Contention or Breach of Communion among us. Phil. 3. 15. Eph.4. 2,3.

VII. It is expedient that they who enter on thework of preaching theGospel,be not only qualified for the Communion of Saints; but alfo, that except in Cafes Extraordinary, they give proof of their Gifts & Fitness for the faidWork, unto the Paftors of Churches of known Abilities to difcern and judge of their Qualifications; that they may be fent forth with folemn Approbation and Prayer; which we judge needful, that no Doubt may remain concerning their being called unto the Work; and for preventing (as much as in us lyeth) Ignorant & rash Intruders. 1 Tim. 1. 22. &

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3. 6.

III. Of Cenfures.

S it cannot be avoided, but that in the purest Churches on Earth, there will fometimes Offences& Scandals arife by reafon of Hypocrifie & prevailing Corruption, so Chrift hath made it the duty of every Church, to reform it felf by Spiritual Remedies appointed by him to be applyed in all fuch Cafes, viz. Admonition & Excommunication. Mat. 8. Heb. 12 15. Tit. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 5. 6.

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Admonition, being the rebuking of anOf-
Member in order to Conviction, is in

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cafe of private Offences to be performed according to the Rule in Mat. 18 15,16,17.and in cafe of Publick Offences openly before the Church, as the Honour of the Gospel, and the nature of the Scandal fhall require, and if either of the Admonitions take place for the recovery of the fallen Perfon, all further Proceedings in a way of Cenfure are thereon to cease, & fatisfaction to be declared accordingly. 1 Tim.1.20 Mat. 18. 15. 17.

III. When all due Means are ufed, according to the Order of theGofpel for the restoring anOffending & fcandalous Brother, and he notwithftanding remains impenitent, theCenfure of Excommunication is to be proceeded unte; wherein the Paftor & other Elders (if there be fuch) are to lead & go before the Church; and the Brotherhood to give their Confent in a way of Obedience unto Chrift, and to the Elders, as over them in the Lord. Mat. 18. 15, 16, 17. Tit. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 5.1 Thef. 5. 5. 12.

IV. It may fometimes come to pass, that a Church Meraber, not otherwife fcandalous may fully withdraw, and divide himself from the Communion of the Church to which he belongeth: In which cafe, when all due means for the reducing him, prove ineffectual he having thereby cut himself off from thatChurches Communion; the Church may justly eftcem & dec!

felf discharged of any further Inspection over him. Heb. 10.25. Rom. 16. 17. 2 Thef. 3.14

IV. Of Communion of Churches.

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E agreethat particularChurches ought not to walk fo diftinct and feparate from each other, as not to have Care & Tendernefs towards one another. But their Paftors ought to have frequent Meetings together, that by mutual Advice, Support, Encouragement, & Brotherly Intercourfe, they may ftrengthen the Hearts & Hands of each other in the Ways of the Lord. A. 15. 23. & 20. 17,28.

II. That none of our particular Churches fhall be fubordinate to one another, each being endued with equality of Power from. Jefus Chrift. And that none of the faid particular Churches, their Officer or Officers, fhall exercife any Power, or have any Superiority, over any other Church or their Officers. Rev. 1. 4. Cant. 8. 8. Cor. 16. 19. A. 15. 23.

III. That known Members of particular Churches conftituted as aforefaid, may have occafional Communion with one another in the Ordinances of the Gofpel, viz. the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, finging of Psalms,difpenfed according to the mind of Chrift: Uniefs that Church, with which they defire Communion, hath any

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