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juft Exception against them. 4. 18. 27. Rom. 16. 1,2. 2 Cor. 3. 1. 1 Cor. 12. 13.

IV. That we ought not to admit any One to be a Member of our refpectiveCongregations, that hath joyn'd himself to another, without Endeavours of mutual Satisfaction of the Congregation cancerned. Heb. 13. 1. 1 Cor. 14.40.

V. That oneChurch ought not to blame the proceedings of another, until it hath heard, what that Church charged,its Elders or Meffengers, can fay in vindication of themfelves from any charge of Irregular or Irjurious Proceedings. Mat. 7. 1. Prov. 18. 17. Deut. 13. 14.

VI.. That we are most willing and ready to give an Account of our Church proceedings. to each other, when defited; for preventing or removing any Offences, that may arise among

US.

Likewife we fhall be ready to give the Right Hand of Fellowship, & walk together according to the Gofpel Rules of Communion of Churches 1 Pet 3 15. Rom. 14.19. A&t.11.2,3, 4.18. 7o. 22.13.21,30. Gal. 2 9. Col. 2.5. I Pet.4.10, 11. Cor. 10.24 Rom. 1, 15Gal.6.10

V. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders.

W

E agree, the Office of a Deacon is of Divine Appointment, & that it belongs to their Office to receive,lay out, and diftribute

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the Churches Stock to its proper Ufes, by the direction of the Paftor,& Brethren, if need be. And whereas diverfe are of Opinion, that there is also the Office of Ruling Elders, who labour not in Word and Doctrine; and others think otherwife; we agree that this Difference make no breach among us. A&. 6. 3,5,6 Phil. 1. 1. 1 Tim.3. 8, to 13 Rom. 12. 8. I Cor. 12.28. I Tim. 5. 17. Phil. 3 15, 16.

VI. Of occafional Meeting of Minifters, &c.

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E agree that in order to Concord, and in other weighty and difficult cafes, it is needful and according to the mind of Chrift, that the Minifters of the feveral Churches be confulted & advised with about fuch Matters. Prov. 24. 6. A.15. 26.

II. That fuch Meetings may confift of fmaller or greater Numbers, as the Matter fhall require.

III. That particular Churches, their refpeetive Elders and Members, ought to have a reverential Regard to their Judgment,fo given, and not diffent therefrom without apparent Grounds from the Word of God. A&.16.4,5. 1 Cor. 14. 32,33. Gal. 1. 8. 1 Pet. 4. 11.

VII. Of our Demeanour towards the Civil

Magiftrate.

I.WE E do reckon our felves obliged contitinually to pray for God's protection, Guidance and Bleffing upon the Rulers fet o ver us. 1Tim.2.2 Pfal.20.1, to 4. & 72.1.

II. That we ought to yield unto them not only Subjection in the Lord, but Support according to our Station and Abilities. Mat.22. 21. Rom. 13. 5,6. Neb. 5.18.

III. That if at any time, it fhall be their pleasure to call together any number of us, to require an Account of our Affairs, & the State of our Congregations, we fhall moft readily express all dutiful regard to them herein. Ifa 49 23. 2Cbron.29. 4,to 11. Rom. 13.1. Tit. 3.1.

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VIII. Of a Confeffion of Faith.

S to what appertains to foundness of Judgment in matters of Faith, we efteem it fufficient that a Church acknowledge the Scriptures to be the Word of God, the perfect and only rule of Faith & Practice, & own either the Doctrinal part of thofe commonly called the Articles of the Church of England, or the Confeffion or Catechifms, fhorter or larger compiled by the Affembly at Westminster, or the Confeffion agreed on at the Savoy, agreeable to the faid Rule. Eph. 4. 5. Phil. 2, 1,2,

2 Tim.

IX. Of our Duty and Deportment towards them that are not in Communion with us.

I.WE judge it our Duty to bear a Chrif

tian refpect to all Chriftians, according to their feveral Ranks and Stations, that are not of our Perfwafion or Communion. 1 Pet 2. 17. Rom. 12. 10. Gal. 6. 2. Eph. 4. 2. Rom. 14. tet.

II. As for fuch as may be Ignorant of the Principles of the Chriflian Religion, or of Vicious Converfation, we fhall in our respective places as they give opportunity, endeavour to explain to them the Doctrine of Life & Salvation, & to our utmoft perfwade them to be reconciled to God: 2 Tim. 2. 25. 2 Cor. 5.11,20

III. That fuch who appear to have the Effential Requifites to Church Communion, we fhall willingly receive them in the Lord, not troubling them with Difputes about leffer Matters. Rom, 14. I.

As we affent to the fore-mentioned Heads of Agreement, fo we unanimoufly refolve as the Lord fhall enable us to practise according to them.

ARTICLES:

ARTICLES.

For the Administration of Church Difcipline, Unanimoufy Agreed upon and Confented to by the Elders and all the Churches in the Colony of Conneticut, in New England, Convened by Delegation in a General Council at Say-Brook, Sep. 9tb. 1708.

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1. THAT the Elder, or Elders of a parti cular Church, with the confent of the Brethren of the fame, have power and ought to exercife Church-Difcipline according to the Rule of God's Word, in Relation to all Scandals, that fall out within the fame. And it may be meet in all cafes of Difficulty for the Refpective Paftors of particular Churches, to take advice of the Elders of the Churches in the Neighbourhood, before they proceed to cenfure in fuch Cafes. Mat. 18. 17. Heb. 13. 17. * Cor. 5. 4, 5 12. 5.49 2 Cor. 2. 6. Prou. 11.

#4: AG. 15. 2.

II. That the Churches, which are Neigh Bouring each to other, hall Confociate for mutual affording to each other fuch Affiftance, as may be requifite, upon all occafions EceleGaftics!!

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