Heads of agreement assented to by the united ministers in and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational
      
       
         
           1691
        
      
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             Heads of agreement assented to by the united ministers in and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational
             Howe, John, 1630-1705.
          
           [7], 16 p.
           
             Printed by R.R. for Tho. Cockerill ... and John Dunton ...,
             London :
             1691.
          
           
             Largely the work of John Howe. Cf. DNB.
             "Licensed and entred according to order"
             Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Presbyterian Church -- Relations -- Congregational churches.
           Christian union -- England -- London.
           Congregational churches -- Relations -- Presbyterian Church.
        
      
    
     
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           Heads
           of
           Agreement
           Assented
           to
           by
           the
           United
           Ministers
           In
           and
           about
           LONDON
           :
           Formerly
           called
           PRESBYTERIAN
           AND
           CONGREGATIONAL
           .
        
         
           Licensed
           and
           Entred
           according
           to
           Order
           .
        
         
           LONDON
           :
           Printed
           by
           
             R.
             R.
          
           for
           
             Tho.
             Cockerill
          
           ,
           at
           the
           
             Three
             Legs
          
           ,
           and
           
             Iohn
             Dunton
          
           at
           the
           Raven
           ,
           in
           the
           Poultrey
           .
           MDCXCI
           .
        
      
       
         
         
         
           THE
           PREFACE
           to
           the
           READER
           .
        
         
           ENdeavours
           for
           an
           Agreement
           among
           Christians
           ,
           will
           be
           grievous
           to
           none
           who
           desire
           the
           flourishing
           State
           of
           Christianity
           it self
           .
           The
           Success
           of
           these
           Attempts
           among
           us
           ,
           must
           be
           ascribed
           to
           a
           Presence
           of
           God
           so
           signal
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           concealed
           ;
           and
           seems
           a
           hopeful
           Pledg
           of
           further
           Blessings
           .
        
         
           The
           favour
           of
           our
           Rulers
           in
           the
           present
           Established
           Liberty
           ,
           we
           most
           thankfully
           acknowledg
           ;
           and
           to
           Them
           we
           are
           studious
           to
           approve
           our selves
           in
           the
           whole
           of
           this
           Affair
           .
           Therefore
           we
           Declare
           against
           intermedling
           with
           the
           National
           Church-Form
           :
           Imposing
           these
           Terms
           of
           Agreement
           on
           others
           ,
           is
           disclaimed
           :
           All
           pretence
           to
           Coercive
           Power
           ,
           is
           as
           unsuitable
           to
           our
           Principles
           ,
           as
           to
           our
           Circumstances
           :
           Excommunication
           it self
           ,
           in
           our
           respective
           Churches
           ,
           being
           no
           other
           
           than
           a
           declaring
           such
           scandalous
           Members
           as
           are
           irreclaimable
           ,
           to
           be
           incapable
           of
           Communion
           with
           us
           in
           things
           peculiar
           to
           Visible
           Believers
           :
           And
           in
           all
           ,
           we
           expresly
           determine
           our
           purpose
           ,
           to
           the
           maintaining
           of
           Harmony
           and
           Love
           among
           our selves
           ,
           and
           preventing
           the
           inconveniences
           which
           humane
           weakness
           may
           expose
           to
           in
           our
           use
           of
           this
           Liberty
           .
        
         
           The
           general
           concurrence
           of
           Ministers
           and
           People
           in
           this
           City
           ,
           and
           the
           great
           disposition
           thereto
           in
           other
           places
           ,
           persuade
           us
           ,
           this
           happy
           Work
           is
           undertaken
           in
           a
           season
           designed
           for
           such
           Divine
           influence
           ,
           as
           will
           overcome
           all
           impediments
           to
           Peace
           ,
           and
           convince
           of
           that
           Agreement
           which
           has
           been
           always
           among
           us
           in
           a
           good
           degree
           ,
           tho
           neither
           to
           our selves
           nor
           others
           so
           evident
           ,
           as
           hereby
           it
           is
           now
           acknowledged
           .
        
         
           Need
           there
           any
           Arguments
           to
           recommend
           this
           Vnion
           ?
           Is
           not
           this
           what
           we
           all
           have
           prayed
           for
           ,
           and
           Providence
           by
           the
           directest
           indications
           hath
           been
           long
           calling
           and
           disposing
           us
           to
           ?
           can
           either
           Zeal
           for
           God
           ,
           or
           prudent
           
           regards
           to
           our selves
           remissly
           suggest
           it
           ,
           seeing
           the
           Blessings
           thereof
           are
           so
           important
           ,
           and
           when
           it
           's
           become
           in
           so
           many
           respects
           even
           absolutely
           necessary
           ;
           especially
           as
           it
           may
           conduce
           to
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Religion
           ,
           and
           the
           Kingdoms
           Weal
           ;
           a
           subserviency
           whereto
           ,
           shall
           always
           govern
           our
           Vnited
           Abilities
           ,
           with
           the
           same
           disposition
           to
           a
           concurence
           with
           all
           others
           who
           are
           duly
           concerned
           for
           those
           National
           Blessings
           .
        
         
           As
           these
           considerations
           render
           this
           Agreement
           desirable
           ,
           so
           they
           equally
           urge
           a
           watchful
           care
           against
           all
           attemps
           of
           Satan
           to
           dissolve
           it
           ,
           or
           frustrate
           the
           good
           effects
           thereof
           so
           manifestly
           destructive
           to
           his
           Kingdom
           .
           Therefore
           it's
           incumbent
           on
           us
           ,
           to
           forbear
           condemning
           and
           disputing
           those
           different
           sentiments
           and
           practices
           we
           have
           expresly
           allowed
           for
           :
           To
           reduce
           all
           distinguishing
           Names
           ,
           to
           that
           of
           
             United
             Brethren
          
           :
           To
           admit
           no
           uncharitable
           jealousies
           ,
           or
           censorious
           speeches
           ;
           much
           less
           any
           debates
           whether
           Party
           seems
           most
           favoured
           
           by
           this
           Agreement
           .
           Such
           carnal
           regards
           are
           of
           small
           moment
           with
           us
           ,
           who
           herein
           have
           used
           words
           less
           acurate
           ,
           that
           neither
           side
           might
           in
           their
           various
           conceptions
           about
           lesser
           matters
           be
           contradicted
           ,
           when
           in
           all
           substantials
           we
           are
           fully
           of
           one
           mind
           ;
           and
           from
           this
           time
           hope
           more
           perfectly
           to
           rejoice
           in
           the
           Honour
           ,
           Gifts
           ,
           and
           Success
           of
           each
           other
           ,
           as
           our
           common
           good
           .
        
         
           That
           we
           as
           United
           ,
           may
           contribute
           our
           utmost
           to
           the
           great
           concernments
           of
           our
           Redeemer
           ,
           it
           's
           mutually
           resolved
           ,
           we
           will
           assist
           each
           other
           with
           our
           Labours
           ,
           and
           meet
           and
           consult
           ,
           without
           the
           least
           shadow
           of
           separate
           or
           distinct
           Parties
           :
           Whence
           we
           joyfully
           expect
           great
           Improvements
           in
           Light
           and
           Love
           ,
           through
           the
           more
           abundant
           supplies
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ;
           being
           well
           assured
           we
           herein
           serve
           that
           
             Prince
             of
             Peace
             ,
             of
             the
             increase
             of
             whose
             Government
             and
             Peace
             ,
             there
             shall
             be
             no
             end
             .
          
        
         
           
             This
             Agreement
             is
             already
             assented
             to
             by
             above
             Fourscore
             Ministers
             ,
             and
             the
             Preface
             approved
             of
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         HEADS
         of
         AGREEMENT
         Assented
         to
         by
         the
         United
         Ministers
         ,
         &c.
         
         The
         following
         Heads
         of
         AGREEMENT
         have
         been
         Resolved
         upon
         ,
         by
         the
         UNITED
         Ministers
         in
         and
         about
         London
         ,
         formerly
         called
         Presbyterian
         and
         Congregational
         ;
         not
         as
         a
         Measure
         for
         any
         
           National
           Constitution
        
         ,
         but
         for
         the
         Preservation
         of
         Order
         in
         our
         Congregations
         ,
         that
         cannot
         come
         up
         to
         the
         Common
         Rule
         by
         Law
         Established
         .
      
       
         
           I.
           Of
           CHURCHES
           and
           CHURCH-MEMBERS
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           WE
           Acknowledge
           our
           
             Lord
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           to
           have
           One
           
             Catholick
             Church
          
           ,
           or
           Kingdom
           ,
           comprehending
           all
           that
           are
           united
           to
           Him
           ,
           whether
           in
           Heaven
           or
           Earth
           .
           And
           do
           conceive
           the
           
           whole
           multitude
           of
           
             visible
             Believers
          
           ,
           and
           their
           Infant-Seed
           (
           commonly
           called
           the
           
             Catholick
             Visible
             Church
          
           )
           to
           belong
           to
           
             Christ's
             Spiritual
             Kingdom
          
           in
           this
           world
           :
           But
           for
           the
           notion
           of
           a
           
             Catholick
             Visible
             Church
          
           here
           ,
           as
           it
           signifies
           its
           having
           been
           collected
           into
           any
           formed
           Society
           ,
           under
           a
           Visible
           human
           Head
           on
           Earth
           ,
           whether
           one
           Person
           singly
           ,
           or
           many
           collectively
           ,
           We
           ,
           with
           the
           rest
           of
           Protestants
           ,
           unanimously
           disclaim
           it
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           agree
           ,
           That
           particular
           Societies
           of
           Visible
           Saints
           ,
           who
           under
           Christ
           their
           Head
           ,
           are
           statedly
           joined
           together
           for
           ordinary
           Communion
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           Christ
           ,
           are
           
             particular
             Churches
          
           ,
           and
           are
           to
           be
           owned
           by
           each
           other
           ,
           as
           Instituted
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           tho
           differing
           in
           apprehensions
           and
           practice
           in
           some
           lesser
           things
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           none
           shall
           be
           admitted
           as
           Members
           ,
           in
           order
           to
           Communion
           in
           all
           
           the
           special
           Ordinances
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           such
           persons
           as
           are
           knowing
           and
           sound
           in
           the
           
             fundamental
             Doctrines
             of
             the
             Christian
             Religion
             ,
          
           without
           Scandal
           in
           their
           Lives
           ;
           and
           to
           a
           Judgment
           regulated
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           are
           persons
           of
           visible
           Godliness
           and
           Honesty
           ;
           credibly
           professing
           cordial
           subjection
           to
           Jesus
           Christ.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           A
           competent
           Number
           of
           such
           
             visible
             Saints
          
           (
           as
           before
           described
           )
           do
           become
           the
           capable
           Subjects
           of
           stated
           Communion
           in
           all
           the
           
             special
             Ordinances
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           upon
           their
           mutual
           declared
           consent
           and
           agreement
           
             to
             walk
             together
             therein
             according
             to
             Gospel
             Rule
             .
          
           In
           which
           declaration
           ,
           different
           degrees
           of
           Expliciteness
           ,
           shall
           no
           way
           hinder
           such
           Churches
           from
           owning
           each
           other
           ,
           as
           
             Instituted
             Churches
          
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Tho
           
             Parochial
             Bounds
          
           be
           not
           of
           
             Divine
             Right
          
           ,
           yet
           for
           common
           Edification
           ,
           the
           Members
           of
           a
           
             particular
             Church
          
           
           ought
           (
           as
           much
           as
           conveniently
           may
           be
           )
           to
           live
           near
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           each
           
             particular
             Church
          
           hath
           Right
           to
           chuse
           their
           own
           Officers
           ;
           and
           being
           furnished
           with
           such
           as
           are
           
             duly
             qualified
          
           and
           ordained
           according
           to
           the
           Gospel
           Rule
           ,
           hath
           Authority
           from
           Christ
           for
           exercising
           Government
           ,
           and
           of
           enjoying
           all
           the
           
             Ordinances
             of
             Worship
          
           within
           it self
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           In
           the
           Administration
           of
           
             Church
             Power
          
           ,
           it
           belongs
           to
           the
           Pastors
           and
           other
           Elders
           of
           every
           particular
           Church
           (
           if
           such
           there
           be
           )
           to
           
             Rule
             and
             Govern
          
           :
           and
           to
           the
           Brotherhood
           to
           Consent
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           
             Rule
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           .
        
         
           8.
           
           That
           all
           Professors
           as
           before
           described
           ,
           are
           bound
           in
           duty
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           opportunity
           ,
           to
           join
           themselves
           as
           
             fixed
             Members
          
           of
           some
           particular
           Church
           ;
           their
           thus
           joining
           ,
           being
           part
           of
           their
           professed
           subjection
           to
           the
           
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           
           and
           an
           instituted
           means
           of
           their
           Establishment
           and
           Edification
           ;
           whereby
           they
           are
           under
           the
           
             Pastoral
             Care
          
           ,
           and
           in
           case
           of
           scandalous
           or
           
             offensive
             walking
          
           ,
           may
           be
           Authoritatively
           Admonished
           or
           Censured
           for
           their
           recovery
           ,
           and
           for
           vindication
           of
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           the
           Church
           professing
           it
           .
        
         
           9.
           
           That
           a
           
             visible
             Professor
          
           thus
           joined
           to
           a
           
             particular
             Church
          
           ,
           ought
           to
           continue
           stedfastly
           with
           the
           said
           Church
           ;
           and
           not
           forsake
           the
           Ministry
           and
           Ordinances
           there
           dispensed
           ,
           without
           an
           orderly
           seeking
           a
           recommendation
           unto
           another
           Church
           .
           Which
           ought
           to
           be
           given
           ,
           when
           the
           case
           of
           the
           person
           apparently
           requires
           it
           .
        
      
       
         
           II.
           Of
           the
           MINISTRY
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           WE
           agree
           ,
           That
           the
           
             Ministerial
             Office
          
           is
           instituted
           by
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           for
           the
           Gathering
           ,
           Guiding
           ,
           Edifying
           ,
           and
           Governing
           of
           his
           Church
           ;
           and
           to
           continue
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           world
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           They
           who
           are
           called
           to
           this
           Office
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           endued
           with
           
             competent
             Learning
          
           ,
           and
           
             Ministerial
             Gifts
          
           ,
           as
           also
           with
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           found
           in
           Judgment
           ,
           not
           Novices
           in
           the
           Faith
           and
           Knowledg
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ;
           without
           scandal
           ,
           of
           holy
           Conversation
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           devote
           themselves
           to
           the
           Work
           and
           Service
           thereof
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           ordinarily
           none
           shall
           be
           Ordained
           to
           the
           work
           of
           this
           Ministry
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           are
           called
           and
           chosen
           thereunto
           by
           a
           particular
           Church
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           in
           so
           great
           and
           weighty
           a
           matter
           ,
           as
           the
           calling
           and
           chusing
           a
           Pastor
           ,
           we
           judg
           it
           ordinarily
           requisite
           ,
           That
           every
           such
           Church
           consult
           and
           advise
           with
           the
           Pastors
           of
           Neighbouring
           Congregations
           .
        
         
           5
           :
           That
           after
           such
           Advice
           ,
           the
           Person
           consulted
           about
           ,
           being
           chosen
           by
           the
           Brotherhood
           of
           that
           particular
           Church
           over
           
           which
           he
           is
           to
           be
           set
           ,
           and
           he
           accepting
           ,
           be
           duly
           ordained
           ,
           and
           set
           apart
           to
           his
           Office
           over
           them
           ;
           wherein
           t
           is
           ordinarily
           requisite
           ,
           That
           the
           Pastors
           of
           
             Neighbouring
             Congregations
          
           concur
           with
           the
           Preaching-Elder
           ,
           or
           Elders
           ,
           if
           such
           there
           be
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           whereas
           such
           Ordination
           is
           only
           intended
           for
           such
           as
           never
           before
           had
           been
           ordained
           to
           the
           
             Ministerial
             Office
          
           ;
           If
           any
           judge
           ,
           that
           in
           the
           case
           also
           of
           the
           removal
           of
           one
           formerly
           Ordained
           ,
           to
           a
           new
           Station
           or
           
             Pastoral
             Charge
          
           ,
           there
           ought
           to
           be
           a
           like
           Solemn
           recommending
           him
           and
           his
           Labours
           
             to
             the
             Grace
             and
             Blessing
             of
             God
          
           ;
           no
           different
           Sentiments
           or
           Practice
           herein
           ,
           shall
           be
           any
           occasion
           of
           Contention
           or
           
             Breach
             of
             Communion
          
           among
           us
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           It
           is
           expedient
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           enter
           on
           the
           work
           of
           
             Preaching
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           be
           not
           only
           qualified
           for
           Communion
           of
           Saints
           ;
           but
           also
           that
           ,
           except
           in
           
             cases
             extraordinary
          
           ,
           they
           give
           proof
           of
           their
           Gifts
           and
           fitness
           
           for
           the
           
             said
             work
          
           ,
           unto
           the
           Pastors
           of
           Churches
           of
           
             known
             abilites
          
           to
           discern
           and
           judge
           of
           their
           qualifications
           ;
           That
           they
           may
           be
           sent
           forth
           with
           
             Solemn
             Approbation
          
           and
           Prayer
           ;
           which
           we
           judge
           needful
           ,
           that
           no
           doubt
           may
           remain
           concerning
           their
           being
           Called
           to
           the
           work
           ;
           and
           for
           preventing
           (
           as
           much
           as
           in
           us
           lieth
           )
           
             Ignorant
             and
             rash
             Intruders
          
           .
        
      
       
         
           III.
           Of
           CENSURES
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           AS
           it
           cannot
           be
           avoided
           ,
           but
           that
           in
           the
           
             Purest
             Churches
          
           on
           Earth
           ,
           there
           will
           sometimes
           Offences
           and
           Scandals
           arise
           by
           reason
           of
           Hypocrisie
           and
           
             prevailing
             corruption
          
           ;
           so
           Christ
           hath
           made
           it
           the
           Duty
           of
           every
           Church
           ,
           to
           reform
           it self
           by
           
             Spiritual
             Remedies
          
           ,
           appointed
           by
           him
           to
           be
           applied
           in
           all
           such
           cases
           ;
           
             viz.
             Admonition
          
           ,
           and
           Excommunication
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Admonition
           ,
           being
           the
           rebuking
           of
           an
           
             Offending
             Member
          
           in
           order
           to
           conviction
           ,
           
           is
           in
           case
           of
           
             private
             offences
          
           to
           be
           performed
           according
           to
           the
           Rule
           in
           Mat.
           18.
           v.
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           and
           in
           case
           of
           
             Publick
             offences
          
           ,
           openly
           before
           the
           Church
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Honour
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           and
           
             nature
             of
             the
             Scandal
          
           shall
           require
           :
           And
           if
           either
           of
           the
           Admonitions
           take
           place
           for
           the
           recovery
           of
           the
           
             fallen
             Person
          
           ,
           all
           further
           proceedings
           in
           a
           way
           of
           censure
           ,
           are
           thereon
           to
           cease
           ,
           and
           satisfaction
           to
           be
           declared
           accordingly
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           When
           all
           
             due
             means
          
           are
           used
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           
             Order
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           for
           the
           restoring
           an
           offending
           and
           
             scandalous
             Brother
          
           ;
           and
           he
           notwithstanding
           remains
           Impenitent
           ,
           the
           Censure
           of
           Excommunication
           is
           to
           be
           proceeded
           unto
           ;
           Wherein
           the
           Pastor
           and
           other
           Elders
           (
           if
           there
           be
           such
           )
           are
           to
           lead
           ,
           and
           go
           before
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           the
           Brotherhood
           to
           give
           their
           consent
           ,
           in
           a
           way
           of
           obedience
           unto
           Christ
           ,
           and
           unto
           the
           Elders
           ,
           as
           over
           them
           in
           the
           Lord.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           It
           may
           sometimes
           come
           to
           pass
           ,
           
           that
           a
           Church-Member
           ,
           not
           otherwise
           Scandalous
           ,
           may
           
             sinfully
             withdraw
          
           ,
           and
           divide
           himself
           from
           the
           
             Communion
             of
             the
             Church
          
           to
           which
           he
           belongeth
           :
           In
           which
           case
           ,
           when
           all
           
             due
             means
          
           for
           the
           reducing
           him
           ,
           prove
           ineffectual
           ,
           he
           having
           hereby
           cut
           himself
           off
           from
           
             that
             Churches
             Communion
          
           ;
           the
           Church
           may
           justly
           esteem
           and
           declare
           it self
           discharged
           of
           any
           further
           inspection
           over
           him
           .
        
      
       
         
           IV.
           Of
           COMMUNION
           of
           CHURCHES
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           WE
           Agree
           ,
           that
           
             Particular
             Churches
          
           ought
           not
           to
           walk
           so
           distinct
           and
           separate
           from
           each
           other
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           have
           care
           and
           tenderness
           towards
           one
           another
           .
           But
           their
           Pastors
           ought
           to
           have
           frequent
           meetings
           together
           ,
           that
           by
           mutual
           Advice
           ,
           Support
           ,
           Encouragement
           ,
           and
           Brotherly
           intercourse
           ,
           they
           may
           strengthen
           the
           hearts
           and
           hands
           of
           each
           other
           in
           the
           
             ways
             of
             the
             Lord.
          
           
        
         
         
           2.
           
           That
           none
           of
           our
           particular
           Churches
           shall
           be
           subordinate
           to
           one
           another
           ;
           each
           being
           endued
           with
           
             equality
             of
             Power
          
           from
           Jesus
           Christ.
           And
           that
           none
           of
           the
           said
           particular
           Churches
           ,
           their
           Officer
           ,
           or
           Officers
           ,
           shall
           exercise
           any
           Power
           ,
           or
           have
           any
           Superiority
           over
           any
           other
           Church
           ,
           or
           their
           Officers
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           known
           Members
           of
           particular
           Churches
           ,
           constituted
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           may
           have
           occasional
           Communion
           with
           one
           another
           in
           the
           
             Ordinances
             of
             the
             Gospel
          
           ,
           viz.
           the
           
             Word
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             Sacraments
             ,
             Singing
             Psalms
             ,
          
           dispensed
           according
           to
           the
           mind
           of
           Christ
           :
           Unless
           that
           Church
           with
           which
           they
           desire
           Communion
           ,
           hath
           any
           just
           exception
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           That
           we
           ought
           not
           to
           admit
           any
           one
           to
           be
           a
           Member
           of
           our
           respective
           Congregations
           ,
           that
           hath
           joined
           himself
           to
           another
           ,
           without
           endeavours
           of
           mutual
           Satisfaction
           of
           the
           Congregations
           concerned
           .
        
         
         
           5.
           
           That
           
             one
             Church
          
           ought
           not
           to
           blame
           the
           Proceedings
           of
           another
           ,
           until
           it
           hath
           heard
           what
           
             that
             Church
          
           charged
           ,
           
             its
             Elders
          
           ,
           or
           Messengers
           ,
           can
           say
           in
           vindication
           of
           themselves
           from
           any
           charge
           of
           irregular
           or
           
             injurious
             Proceedings
          
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           That
           we
           are
           most
           willing
           and
           ready
           to
           give
           an
           account
           of
           our
           
             Church
             Proceedings
          
           to
           each
           other
           ,
           when
           desired
           ;
           for
           preventing
           or
           removing
           any
           offences
           that
           may
           arise
           among
           us
           .
           Likewise
           we
           shall
           be
           ready
           to
           give
           the
           right
           hand
           of
           fellowship
           ,
           and
           walk
           together
           according
           to
           the
           
             Gospel
             Rules
          
           of
           Communion
           of
           Churches
           .
        
      
       
         
           V.
           Of
           DEACONS
           and
           
             RULING
             ELDERS
          
           .
        
         
           WE
           agree
           ,
           The
           Office
           of
           a
           Deacon
           is
           of
           Divine
           Appointment
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           belongs
           to
           their
           Office
           to
           receive
           ,
           lay
           out
           ,
           and
           distribute
           the
           
             Churches
             Stock
          
           to
           its
           
             proper
             uses
          
           ,
           by
           the
           direction
           of
           the
           Pastor
           ,
           and
           the
           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
           .
        
      
       
         
           VI.
           Of
           Occasional
           MEETINGS
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           WE
           agree
           ,
           That
           in
           order
           to
           concord
           ,
           and
           in
           any
           other
           weighty
           and
           difficult
           cases
           ,
           it
           is
           needful
           ,
           and
           according
           to
           the
           
             mind
             of
             Christ
          
           ,
           that
           the
           Ministers
           of
           several
           Churches
           be
           consulted
           and
           advised
           with
           about
           such
           matters
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           such
           Meetings
           may
           consist
           of
           smaller
           or
           
             greater
             Numbers
          
           ,
           as
           the
           matter
           shall
           require
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           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.
           
        
      
       
         
         
           VII
           .
           Of
           our
           Demeanour
           towards
           the
           CIVIL
           MAGISTRATE
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           WE
           do
           reckon
           our selves
           obliged
           continually
           to
           pray
           for
           God's
           
             Protection
             ,
             Guidance
          
           ,
           and
           Blessing
           upon
           the
           Rulers
           set
           over
           us
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           we
           ought
           to
           yield
           unto
           them
           not
           only
           
             subjection
             in
             the
             Lord
          
           ,
           but
           support
           ,
           according
           to
           our
           station
           and
           abilities
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           That
           if
           at
           any
           time
           it
           shall
           be
           their
           pleasure
           to
           call
           together
           any
           Number
           of
           us
           ,
           or
           require
           any
           account
           of
           our
           Affairs
           ,
           and
           the
           state
           of
           our
           Congregations
           ,
           we
           shall
           most
           readily
           express
           all
           
             dutiful
             regard
          
           to
           them
           herein
           .
        
      
       
         
           VIII
           .
           Of
           a
           CONFESSION
           of
           FAITH
           .
        
         
           AS
           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
           agreeable
           to
           the
           said
           Rule
           .
        
      
       
         
           IX
           .
           Of
           our
           Duty
           and
           Deportment
           towards
           them
           that
           are
           not
           in
           Communion
           with
           us
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           WE
           judge
           it
           our
           duty
           to
           bear
           a
           
             Christian
             Respect
          
           to
           all
           Christians
           ,
           according
           to
           their
           several
           Ranks
           and
           Stations
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           of
           our
           Persuasion
           or
           Communion
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           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
           us
           opportunity
           ,
           endeavour
           to
           explain
           to
           them
           the
           
             Doctrine
             of
             Life
             and
             Salvation
          
           ,
           and
           to
           our
           uttermost
           persuade
           them
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           God.
           
        
         
         
           3.
           
           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
          
           .
        
         
           
             As
             we
             Assent
             to
             the
             forementioned
             
               HEADS
               of
               AGREEMENT
            
             So
             we
             Unanimously
             Resolve
             ,
             as
             the
             Lord
             shall
             enable
             us
             ,
             to
             Practice
             according
             to
             them
             .
          
           ;
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
           ADVERTISEMENT
           .
        
         
           THE
           Reasonableness
           of
           Reformation
           ,
           and
           the
           Necessity
           of
           Conversion
           ;
           the
           true
           Methods
           of
           making
           all
           men
           happy
           in
           this
           world
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           world
           to
           come
           ;
           seasonably
           discoursed
           ,
           and
           earnestly
           pressed
           upon
           this
           licentious
           Age.
           By
           J.
           F.
           
             a
             sincere
             Lover
             of
             his
             Native
             Countrey
             ,
             and
             the
             Souls
             of
             Men.
             Printed
             for
          
           Tho.
           Cockerill
           ,
           
             at
             the
          
           Three
           Legs
           
             in
             the
          
           Poultrey
           .
        
         
           In
           Twelves
           ,
           Price
           Bound
           ,
           
             One
             Shilling
          
           .