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ii. 5. I Pet. iv, 10, 11. I Cor. x, 24. Rom. 15. Gal. vi, 10.

V. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders.

WE agree, the office of a Deacon is of di

vine appointment, and that it belongs to to their office to receive, lay out, and distribute the Church's stock to its proper uses, by the direction of the Pastor and brethren, if need be. And whereas, divers are of opinion, that there is also the office of Ruling Elders, who labour not in word and doctrine, and others think otherwise; we agree that this difference make no breach among us, Acts, vi, 3, 5, 6. Phil. i, 1. I Tim. iii 8 to 13. Rom. xii, 8. I Cor. xii, 28. 1 Tim. v, 17. Phil. iii, 15, 16.

VI. Of occasional Meeting of Ministèrs, c.

7. WE agree that in order to concord, and

in other weighty and difficult cases, it` is needful and according to the mind of Christ, that the Ministers of the several Churches be

consulted and advised with about such matters. Prov. xxiv, 6. Acts, xv. 26.

II. That such meetings may consist of smaller or greater numbers, as the matter shall require.

III. That particular churches, their respective elders and members ought to have a reverential regard to their judgment, so given, and not dissent therefrom without apparent grounds from the word of God. Acts, xvi, 4, 5. I Cor. xiv. 32, 33. Gal. i, 8. I Pet. iv. 11.

VII. Of our Demeanour towards the Civil Ma.

WE

gistrate.

E do reckon ourselves obliged continually to pray for God's protection, guidance, and blessing upon the rulers set over us. Tim. ii, 2. Psal. xx, 1 to 4, and Ixxii, 1.

I.

II. That we ought to yield unto them not only subjection in the Lord, but support, according to our station and abilities. Mat. xxii, 21. Rom. xiii, 5, 6. Neh. v, 18.

III. That if at any time, it shall be their

pleasure to call together any number of us, to require an account of our affairs, and the state of our congregations, we shall most readily express all dutiful regard to them herein. Isa. xlix, 23. II Chron. xxix, 4, to 11. Rom. xiii, 1. Tit. iii, 1.

AS

VIII. Of a Confession of Faith.

S to what appertains to soundness of judgment in matters of faith, we esteem it sufficient that a church acknowledge the scriptures to be the word of God, the perfect and only rule of faith and practice, and own either the doctrinal part of those commonly called the Articles of the Church of England, or the Confession or Catechisms, shorter or larger, compiled by the Assembly at Westminster, or the Confession agreed on at the Savoy, to be agree> able to the said rule. II Tim. 1, 13. Eph. iv. 5. Phil. ii, 1, 2.

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

1. WE judge it our duty to bear a chris

I. tian respect to all christians, according to their several ranks and stations, that are not of our persuasion or communion. I Pet. ii, 17. Rom. xii, 10. Gal. vi, 2. Eph. iv. 2. Rom. xiv. tot.

II. As for such as may be ignorant of the principles of the Christian Religion, or of vicious conversation, we shall in our respective places as they give opportunity, endeavour to explain to them the doctrine of life and salvation, and to our utmost persuade them to be reconciled to God. II Tim. ii, 25. II Cor. v, 11, 20.

III That such who appear to have the essential requisites to Church-Communion, we shall willingly receive them in the Lord, not troubling them with disputes about lesser matters. Rom. xiv, 1.

As we assent to the forementioned Heads of Agreement, so we unanimously resolve, as the Lord shall enable us to practise according to them.

ARTICLES,

For the Administration of Church Discipline, unanimously agreed upon and consented to by the Elders and all the Churches in the Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, convened by Delegation in a General Council at Saybrook, September 9th, 1708.

TH

HAT the Elder or Elders of a particular church, with the consent of the brethren of the same, have power and ought to exercise church discipline according to the rule of God's word, in relation to all scandals that fall out within the same. And it may be meet in all cases of difficulty for the respective Pastors of particular churches, to take advice of the Elders of the churches in the neighbourhood, before they proceed to censure in such cases. Mat, xviii, 17. Heb. xiii, 17. I Cor. v, 4, 5, 12. II Cor. ii, 6. Pro. xi, 14. Acts xv, 12.

II. That the churches which are neighbouring each to other, shall consociate for mutually affording to each other such assistance as may be requisite, upon all occasions ecclesiastical.

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