in case of trouble of conscience, as in the Church of England is approved, be not better then those extremes, I leave to the wise and learned to judge.

But when none speaketh to the contrary, then some one, two, or three, or more of Testimonials and the Brethren speak their opinions of the party, giving instances in some god

Recommendations.

linesse and good conversation of his, or some other recommendation is made, and that they are willing (if the Church thereto consent) for their part, to give him the right hand of fellowship.

Which done, the Elder turneth his speech to the party to be admitted, and requireth him, or sometimes asketh him, if he be willing to make knowne to the congregation the work of grace upon his soule; and biddeth him, as briefly, and audibly, to as good hearing as he can, to doe the same.

sions of parties to

Thereupon the party, if it be a man, speaketh himselfe; but if it be a woman, her conPublique confes- fession made before the Elders, in private, be received. is most usually (in Boston church) read by the Pastor, who registred the same. At Salem the women speake themselves, for the most part, in the Church; but of late it is said, they... doe this upon the week dayes there, and nothing is done on Sunday, but [p. 8.] their entrance into Covenant. The man in a solemne speech, sometimes a quarter of an houre long, shorter or longer, declareth the work of grace in his soule, to the same purpose, as that before the Elders formerly mentioned.

of faith.

Then the Elder requireth the party to make profession of his faith; which also is done either Their profession by questions and answers, if the party be weake, or else in a 'solemne speech according to the summe and tenour of the Christian faith laid downe in the Scriptures, defining faith, and shewing how it is wrought by the Word, and Spirit of God, defining a Church to be a company of

(

Church.

۱

the

Their duties or

beleevers gathered out of the world, by the Word preached, and holy Spirit, and knit together by an holy Covenant, that there are in the Church remaining such and such officers, and members, as aforesaid: That is to say, Pastors and Officers in Teachers, ruling Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses, or Widowes; and such and such are their offices and duties in particular, viz. the Pastor to exhort, and besides to rule; officers the Teacher to instruct in knowledge, and likewise to rule; the ruling Elder to assist Pastor and Teacher in ruling, as the Levites were given to the priests for helps, and to see to whomsoever comming into, or to goe forth of the Church, by admonition, or excommunication; the Deacon to receive the contributions of the Church, and faithfully to dispose the same ; the Deaconesses to shew mercie with cheerfulnesse, and to minister to the sick and poore brethren; the members Members duties. all, to [p. 9.] watch over and support one an other in brotherly love.

A Sermon of

Notwithstanding, there was a Sermon lately made by Master Cotton in October, Anno 1640. upon 1 Cor. 11. 19, touching heresies, which was since commonly there called the Sermon of the twelve Articles, wherein was declared, that there are twelve articles of Religion, which maintained by any, the Church may receive them, and keepe fellowship with them; but the ignorant of them after instruction and scandalous sins unrepented, exclude from the fellowship of the Church. The said Articles were to this effect: First, that there are three Persons in twelve Articles of one God, the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Spirit. Secondly, that this God made, and governs all the World, and that he is a rewarder of the good, and punisher of the evill. Thirdly, that this God alone is to be worshiped. Fourthly, this

Religion.

>

worship of God is instituted in his written Word, not the precepts of men. Fiftly, that from the fall of Adam, we have not so worshiped God, but have all sinned, and deprived our selves of the reward promised, and therefore are under the curse by nature. Sixthly, that we are by nature utterly unable to rescue our selves from this curse. Seventhly, that Jesus Christ the eternall Sonne of God, in fulnesse of time took upon him our nature, and was made flesh for us, and by his death and sufferings, redeemed his elect from sin and death. Eighthly, that Christ Jesus, and salvation by him, is offered, and given in the [p. 10.] Gospell, unto every one that beleeveth in his name, and onely by such received. Ninthly, that no man can come unto Christ, nor beleeve on him, except the Father draw him by his Word and Spirit. Tenthly, whom the Lord draws to him by his Word and Spirit, them he justifies freely by his grace, and according to his truth, not by works. Eleventhly, where the soule is justified, it is also regenerate and sanctified.' Twelfthly, this regeneration and sanctification is still imperfect in this life. And unto all is added this generall Article, That such as walke after this rule, shall arise to everlasting life; and those that walk otherwise, shall arise to everlasting condemnation, in the day of Judgement: That the knowledge and beliefe of these are of the foundation of Religion: But things touching the foundation of Churches, as Baptisme, Imposition of hands; ignorance in these may hinder the measure of our reward in heaven, not communion with the Church on earth. Exceptions against the Apostles Creed were these: That it is not of necessity to beleeve Christs descent into hell in any sense; That it is not in that Creed contained, that the Scripture is the onely rule of Gods worship; nor doth it so directly set forth the point of Justification.

And also I remember Master Knolles, now one of

Knolls

the Pastors at Watertowne, when he first came to be admitted at Boston, never hostermitted made any mention in his profession of faith, of any Officers of the Church in particular, or their duties, and yet was received.

[p. 11.] The party having finished his Discourses of his confession, and profession of his faith, the Elder againe speaketh to the Right hand of fellowship given congregation: Brethren of the congre- to brethren. gation, if what you have heard of, from this party, doe not satisfie you, as to move you to give him the right hand of fellowship, use your liberty, and declare your mindes therein : And then, after some silence, if none except against the parties expressions, (as often some mem-Church ruleth. bers doe) then the Elder proceedeth, saying, But if you are satisfied with that you have heard of, and from him, expresse your willingnesse, and consent to receive him, by your usuall signe, which is erection and extention of the right hand.

The whole

into Covenant.

This done, sometimes they proceede to admit more members, all after the same manner, for the most part, two, three, foure, or five, or more together, as they have time, spending sometimes almost a whole afternoone therein. And Their enterance then the Elder calleth all them, that are to be admitted, by name, and rehearseth the covenant, on their parts, to them, which they publiquely say, they doe promise, by the helpe of God, to performe: And then the Elder, in the name of the Church, promiseth the Churches part of the covenant, to the new admitted members. So they are received, or admitted.

Then they may receive the Sacrament of the Lords supper with them, and their children bee baptized, but not before: also till then they may not be free men of the Common-wealth, but being received in the Church they may.

Severing in the family.

[p. 12.] Sometimes the Master is admitted, and not the servant, & e contra: the husband is received, and not the wife; and on the contrary, the child, and not the parent. V Also all matters of publique offence are heard & determined in publique, before all the heted in publique. Church, (and strangers too in Boston, not so in other places.) The party is called forth, and the matter declared and testified by two witnesses; then he is put to answer;

Offences, how

The whole
Church ruling

keyes.

* Whether a

grave and judi

Which finished, one of the ruling Elders and usurping the asketh the *congregation if they are satisfied with the parties expressions? If they are, he requireth them to use their liberty, and declare their satisfiednesse ; If not, and that they hold the party worthy of admonition or excommunication, that they witnesse their assent thereto by their silence. If they be silent, the sentence is denounced. If it be for defaults

cious consistorie

of the Bishop

well assisted be

not a great deale our superiours to

better, I leave to

deterinine.

Who denounce

in erroneous opinions onely, the Teacher, they say, is to denounce the sentence; If for matter of ill manners, the Pastor denounceth it; the ruling Elders doe not usually deChurch censures. nounce any sentence: But I have heard, a Captaine † delivered one to Satan, in the Church at Dorchester, in the absence of their Minister.

Ordinarily, matter of offence is to be brought to the Elders in private, they may not otherwise tell the * Church in ordinary matters, and so it hath been declared in publique, by the Pastors of Boston.