IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 11.25 
 
 Itf lM M2.S 
 
 itt lii |22 
 
 [|» U4 "^ 
 
 St U£ HO 
 
 ■■■ 
 
 nRHB 
 
 U 11.6 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sdsices 
 
 CorporatiQn 
 
 4^ 
 
 ■^ 
 
 \ 
 
 <^ 
 
 ^. 
 
 <*** 
 V 
 
 23 WIST MAIN STRUT 
 
 WIISTIR,N.Y. UStO 
 
 (7U)t73-4S03 
 
 
CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHIVi/iCIVIH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Inttituta for Historical IMicroraproductiont / inttitut Canadian da microraproductlons hittoriquas 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notea/Notas tachniquaa at bibliographiquaa 
 
 Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat 
 original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia 
 copy which may ba bibliographically unlqua, 
 which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha 
 raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa 
 tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackaid balow. 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Colourad covara/ 
 Couvartura da coulaur 
 
 I I Covara damagad/ 
 
 Couvartura andommagAa 
 
 Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ 
 Couvartura raataurta at/ou palliculte 
 
 I I Covar title miaaing/ 
 
 La titra da couverture manque 
 
 Coloured mapa/ 
 
 Cartea gAographiquea en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (I.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured platea and/or illuatrationa/ 
 Planchae et/ou illuatrationa en couleur 
 
 n 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Rail* avac d'autrea documonta 
 
 Tight binding may cauae ahadowa or diatortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La re liure aarrie paut cauaer da I'ombra ou de la 
 diatortion la long de la marge IntMeure 
 
 Blank laavea added during reatoratlon may 
 appear within the text. Whenever poaaibia, theaa 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II ae paut que certainea pagaa blanchea aJoutAea 
 lore d'une reatauration apparaiaaent dana la taxte, 
 mala, loraque cela Atait poaaibia, cea pagaa n'ont 
 paa At* filmAaa. 
 
 Additional commanta:/ 
 Commantairea supplAmantairaa: 
 
 L'Inatitut a microfllmi ia mallleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a At* poaaibia de ae procurer. Lea dAtaiia 
 de cet exemplaire qui aont paut-Atre uniquaa du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dana la mithoda normala de flimage 
 aont indlqute ci-deaaoua. 
 
 I — I Coloured pagaa/ 
 
 D 
 
 Pagaa da couleur 
 
 Pagaa damaged/ 
 Pagaa andommagAea 
 
 Pagaa raatorad and/oi 
 
 Pagee reataurAaa et/ou pelliculAea 
 
 Pagaa diacoloured, stained or foxei 
 Pagaa dteolortea, tachettea ou piquAaa 
 
 Pagaa detached/ 
 Pagaa dAtachAea 
 
 Showthrough/ 
 Tranaparance 
 
 Quality of prir 
 
 Qualit* InAgale de rimpreaaion 
 
 Includea supplementary materii 
 Comprend du material auppWmentaire 
 
 Only edition available/ 
 Sauie MItlon diaponible 
 
 |~~| Pagaa damaged/ 
 
 n~1 Pagaa raatorad and/or laminated/ 
 
 rj~| Pagaa diacoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 
 r^ Pagaa detached/ 
 
 rri Showthrough/ 
 
 [~~| Quality of print variaa/ 
 
 r~~| Includea supplementary material/ 
 
 I — I Only edition available/ 
 
 Pagaa wholly or partially obacured by errata 
 slips, tissuea, etc., have been ref limed to 
 enaura tha beat poaaibia image/ 
 Lea pagaa totalement ou partiallement 
 obacurciaa par un fauillet d'errata, une pelure, 
 etc., ont At4 filmiea A nouveau da fapon i 
 obtanir la mallleure image poaaibia. 
 
 Th 
 to 
 
 pc 
 of 
 fii 
 
 Oi 
 ba 
 th 
 sU 
 ot 
 fir 
 sic 
 or 
 
 Th 
 sh 
 
 Ml 
 
 be 
 
 rig 
 rtn 
 m( 
 
 This item is filmed at tha reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document eat film* au taux da reduction indlqu* ci-daaaoua. 
 
 10X 14X 18X 22X 
 
 26X 
 
 aox 
 
 X 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 aox 
 
 a4x 
 
 28X 
 
 a2x 
 
The copy filmed here het been reproduced thenke 
 to the generoeity of: 
 
 Netionel Librery of Cenede 
 
 L'exempleire film6 fut reproduit grAce A le 
 ginArosit* de: 
 
 Bibliothdque nationale du Canada 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quelity 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in iceeping with the 
 filming contrect specifications. 
 
 Original copies in printed peper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the beck cover when appropriate. All 
 other originel copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first psge with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, end ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol ^^> (meening "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol ▼ (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Las images suivantes ont €t6 reproduites avec le 
 plus grsnd soin, compte tenu de la condition at 
 de la nettet* de rexemplaire film6. et en 
 conformity avec las conditions du contrat de 
 filmage. 
 
 Les exemplaires origineux dont la couverture en 
 pepier est imprimis sont filmto en commenqant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la 
 dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second 
 plet, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 origineux sont filmte en commenpant par la 
 premiAre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par 
 la derniAre pege qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la 
 derniAre imege de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le 
 symbols y signifie "FIN". 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at 
 different reduction retios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diegrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre 
 film6s A des taux de reduction diffirents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre 
 reproduit en un seui clichA, il est filmA A partir 
 de I'engle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre 
 d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mAthode. 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
■^J 
 
 ^^^i^^s-'j^ 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 / 
 
f 
 
 l(ff{- 
 
 1 1 
 
 \< 
 
 M 
 
 THE 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD; 
 
 FORM 
 
 ef Ptefiifiij^tevfal efiutcB e oHetnmeiit, 
 
 Ordination of Ministers ; 
 
 AND 
 
 THE DIRECTORY 
 
 FOR 
 
 iFlflllill? WI^0tM%im 
 
 ' — RK-PRINTKO BT JT. UVIf«0« 
 
 1828. 
 
t J 
 
 ( 
 
 1 
 
 A Pi 
 
 ▲n A< 
 
 I 
 
 

 THE 
 
 DIRECTORY 
 
 .. .> I 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD ; 
 
 AGREED UPON BY 
 
 THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES 
 AT WESTMINSTER, 
 
 triTH THB AISI8TXNCB Of 
 
 COMMISSIONER S 
 
 TROM TKB 
 
 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND" 
 
 ^ is 
 
 A Part of the Covenanteil Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Chorch«« 
 of Chrimt in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland. 
 
 WITH 
 
 An Act of the General Assembly and Act of Parliament, both in AriM 1 645, 
 approving and establishing said Dikectoky. 
 
 X CoR. XI v^ 40. Let all things be done decently, and in order, 
 y«r. 2Q,'—Let all thing» &« dont to tdifying^ 
 
 / 
 
andes 
 
 \. > 
 
 THI 
 si( 
 act of th 
 Estates, 
 lideratio 
 proving 
 the thrct 
 Tenant, 1 
 ♦sUblisJi 
 henrlily 
 the act c 
 act, togf 
 ^o, withi 
 and Arii 
 Parliani< 
 Ordain tl 
 pf Parlia 
 the said 
 petnh\y i 
 
 
.rjv 
 
 I 
 
 Charles I. Pari. 3. Sess, 5. 
 
 JIn Act of the Parliamml ofihe Kingdom of Scotland, appfoting 
 and establishing the Directqhy /or Puilic Uorship, 
 
 I 
 
 At Edinbur«ii, February G, 1645. 
 
 IHE Eslalrs of Parliament now convened, in the second Ses- 
 ^ _ sion of this fust triennial Parliannenf, by virsue of the last 
 aci of the last Parliament holdcn by liis Mfijesty and the Three 
 Estates, in anno 1641 ; after the Public reading and seiiuus con- 
 •ideration of the act under-written of the General Assembly, np- 
 iproving the following Directory for the public worship of God in 
 the three kingdoms, Inlely united by the Solemn League and Co- 
 Tenant, together with the ordinnnce of the Parliament of Eiiglaad 
 ♦stabhshing the said Directory, and the Directory itself, do 
 ibearlily and cheerfully agree to ihc said Directory, according ta 
 the act of the General Assembly approving the same. Whxh 
 act, together with the Directory itself, the Estates of Parliament 
 ^o, without a contrary voice, ratify and nf prove in ali the Heads 
 and Articles thereof ; and do irtterpone and add tiie authority of 
 Parliament to the said act of the General Assembly. And do 
 Ordain the same to have the strength and force o^ a law and act 
 pf Parliament, and execution to pass thereupon, for observing 
 the said Directory, according to the said act of the General As- 
 fembly in all points. 
 
 ALEX. GIBSON, Qer, Resistri.^ 
 
 Assembly 
 
4 
 
 ! 
 
 u« 
 
 Assembly at Edinburgh, Februarys, 1645. Sess. 10. It. and c 
 
 to make 
 
 ^ct of ihe General Assemhlij of Ihe Kirk of Scovla^d, for the esla- nimously 
 
 blishing and pulling in Extculion of iht Directory for the Public the (olio 
 
 Worship of God* .•.,••. • the Pre 1": 
 
 That, a 
 
 WHEREAS an happy unity and uniformity in religion intent of 
 amongst the kirks of Christ, in these three kingdoms, uni- practise 
 ted under one Sovereign, having been long and earnestly wished %vhom il 
 for b}/ the godly and well-affected amongst us, was propounded timation 
 as a main article o( the large treaty, without which band and bul- ers of t 
 wark, no safe, well grounded, and lasting peace could be expect- for time 
 ed ; and afterward, with greater strength and maturity, revived be prov 
 in the Solemn League and Covenant of the three kingdoms; and alsc 
 whereby they stand straitly obliged to endeavour the nearest their 
 uniformity in one form of Church-government, Directory of thereof 
 Worship, Confession of Faith, and Form of Catechising ; which known 
 hath also before, and since our entering into that Covenant, been there si 
 Ihe matter of many supplications and remonstrances, and sending Directo 
 Commissioners to the King's Majesty ; of declarations to the 
 Honourable Houses of the Parliament of England, and of letters 
 to the Reverend Assembly of Divines, and others of the ministry 
 of the kirk of England ; being also the end of our sending Com- 
 missioners, as was desired, from this kirk, with commission to 
 treat of unjformity in the four particulars afore-mentioned, with 
 such committees as should be appointed by both Houses of Par- 
 liament of England, and by the Assembly of Divines sitting at 
 Westminster ; and beside all this, it being, in point of conscience, 
 the chief motive and end of our adventuring upon manifold and 
 great hazard?, for ciucnchingthe devouring flame of the present 
 unnatural and bloody war in ICngland, though to the weakenmg 
 of this kingdom within itself and the advantage of the enemy 
 which have invaded it ,- accounting nothing too dear to us, so 
 that this our joy he fuilllled. And now this great work bein^ 
 so far advanced, that a Directory for the Public Worship of God 
 in all the thiet^ kini:j;doms beinj;; agreed nponby the Honourable 
 Houses of iho Parliament of England;, after consultation with the 
 Divines of both kin2;<iom5 there as«,embl(,'d, and sent to us for 
 our approbation, that, being also agreed upon by this kirk and 
 kingdom of Seotlo[wl, it may be in the name of both kingdoms 
 presented to the King for \\h royal con><ent and ratification ; the 
 General Assemlilj^ having most seriously consulered, revised 
 ond examined the l)ire<;tor^ afore-mentioned, after several pub- 
 lic readings oi it, 'alter much dclil.)eration, both publicly and in 
 ate comuiiilees, ailer full liberty given to all i 
 
 r 
 
 >bj( 
 
 mentioi 
 
 not intc 
 
 ferent, i 
 
 receive 
 
 the ele 
 
 th e cor 
 
 this shf 
 
 $uch p 
 
 acts of 
 
 appoin 
 
 Finn 
 
 ackno\ 
 
 bringu 
 
 happy 
 
 t*ie foi 
 
 a near 
 
 us the 
 
 viving 
 
 ings; 
 
 peoph 
 
 aftcct( 
 
 hath ^ 
 
 • 
 
 an ex] 
 do re 
 
 fr'om i 
 contr 
 
I 
 
 Seas. 10. 
 
 for the esfa" 
 the Public 
 
 in rcligioa 
 gdoms, uni- 
 sily wished 
 )ropounded 
 nd and bul- 
 be expect- 
 :y, revived 
 kingdoms ; 
 he nearest 
 irectorjr of 
 ng ; which 
 enant, been 
 and sending 
 ions to the 
 id of letters 
 he ministry 
 iding Com- 
 n miss ion to 
 loned, with 
 uses of Par- 
 s sitting at 
 conscience, 
 lanifold and 
 the present 
 weakening 
 the enemy 
 to us, so 
 vork heiffg 
 ^hip of God 
 lonourable 
 on witli the 
 : to us for 
 s kirk and 
 kingdoms 
 nation ; the 
 d, revised 
 v'cral pub- 
 ]y and in 
 ecL against 
 
 It, and earnest invitations of all who b'>ve any scruple fbout if, 
 to make known the same that they might be satisfied ; doth una- 
 nimously, and without a contrary voice, agree to and approve 
 the (ollowing Directory, in all the heads ther eof, together with 
 the Preface set before it ; and doth require, decern, and ordain, 
 That, according to the plain tenor and meaning thereof, and the 
 intent of the Preface, it be carefully and uniformly observcd-and 
 practised by all the ministers and others within this kingdom 
 whom It doth concern ; which practice shall be begun, upon in- 
 timation given to the several presbyteries from the Commission- 
 ers of thisGcneral Assembly, who shall also lake special care 
 for limeous printing of this Directory, that a printed copy of it 
 be provided and kept for the use of every kirk in this kingdom ; 
 and also that each presbytery have a printed copy thereof for 
 their use, and lake special notice of the observation or neglect 
 thereof in every congregation within their bounds, and make 
 known the same to the Provincial or General Assembly, as 
 there shall be cause. Provided always, that the clause in the 
 Directory, of the administration of the Lord's Supper, which 
 mentioneth the communicants silling about the table, or at it, be 
 not interpreted, as if in thejudgmentof this kirk, it were indif- 
 ferent, and free from any of the communicants not to come to, and 
 receive at the table ; or as if we did approve the di?tribuling of 
 the elements by the minister to each communicant, ind not by 
 the communicants among themselves. It is also provided, That 
 this shall be no prejudice to the order and practice of this kirk, in 
 $uch particular* as are appointed by the books of discipline, and 
 aclsof Gp,neral Assemblies, and arc not otherwise ordered and 
 appointed in the Directory. 
 
 Finally, The Assembly doth, with much joy and thankfulness, 
 acknowledge the rich blessing and invaluable mercy of God, in 
 bringing the so-much wished for uniformity in religion to such a 
 happy period, that these kingdoms, once at so great a distance in 
 t*ie form of worship, are now, by the blessing of God, brought to 
 a nearer uniformity than any other reformed kirks ; which is unto 
 us the return of our prayers, and a lightening of our eyes, and re- 
 viving of our hearts in the midst of our many sorrows and sufior- 
 ings ; a taking away, in a great measwre, the reproach of the 
 people of Go'l, to the stopping of the mouths of malignant and flis- 
 afi'cclcd persons : and an opening unto us a door of hope, that God 
 hath yet thoughts of peace towards us, and not of evil, to give us 
 an expected end ; m the expectation and confidence whcieof we 
 do rejoice ; beseeching the Lord to pre?ervo these kingdoms 
 from heresies, schisms, ofTences, profaneness, and whatsoever is 
 contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of ^odliiio$s j and to 
 
 How to bo 
 publiihcd an4 
 carried into . 
 Exfcutioa ^ 
 
 Unifemiiy i» 
 ReligioQ, a 
 rich bleuinf 
 and invaluablo 
 mercy. 
 
I • 
 
 6 
 
 •ontinue with iif, and the generations following, thes<; his pure 
 and purged ordincincrs,t()2;ethrr with an increase of the power aind 
 life thereof, to the glory of his great name, the enlargement of the 
 kingdom of his Son, the corroboniionuf peace and love helweea 
 the kingdoms the unity and comfort of all bis people, and our edi- 
 fying one another in lo> c. 
 
 THE P-f 
 
 Oftliu A ox 
 OfPul>!'c J 
 or P.iblic 
 Of Prwoctil 
 or Prartr 
 Of the Haci 
 or the Sac 
 pf tlie San 
 
 ■f - =^ 
 
 I 
 
 t; V 
 
 rNthe 
 
 anceii 
 
 things, \ 
 
 roneous 
 
 Cod. ' 
 
 inuch in 
 
 because 
 
 the pub 
 
 of the c 
 
 tui'es re 
 
 &s a bo 
 
 How 
 
 the Lit 
 
 the pail 
 
 proved 
 
 but else 
 
 urging 
 
 crcaset 
 
 ceremr 
 
 by dis< 
 
 pie, w\ 
 
 ordinal 
 
 :ing or 
 
 J hive b 
 
 I divers 
 
I 
 
 5 his pure 
 power a(nd 
 inent of the 
 ve heiwccn 
 nd our cdi* 
 
 OONT23ZIT8. 
 
 THE P-^fn f e |0f x\0i SolofrnJasaJlon of Marriage 
 
 OftliM A-Hiiibling of tb» Congregation, Of the ViiiitMtion or (he Sick. 
 Of Pi(l>lic iteitding of th» Holy Ncripiuros. 
 
 Of Piililif Fraytr bvtoro iha aermon. 
 
 Of Prvdching of th« Word. 
 
 Of Prar«i after Sermon. 
 
 Of the Satramerit of HrfpUfiRi. 
 
 or the Sacrament of the Lord'a Supper, 
 
 Of the Sanctification of the Lord'a Daj, 
 
 y = rr r- . : 
 
 Of the Burial of Ike Dead. \ 
 
 Of Public aolcnin P««ting 
 
 Of the ObrifivatioD of Deje of Publit 
 
 Thanlce|(iving' 
 Of Singinfcof Paalma. 
 An Appendix touching Daytf'tnd PlacM 
 
 of Public Worahip. 
 
 THE 
 
 DIRECTORY 
 
 rOR THE 
 
 PUBLIC WORSHIP OF GOD. 
 
 THE PHEFACE. 
 
 %N the beginning of the blessed Reformation, our wise and pious 
 ^ ancestors took care lo set forth an order for redress of many 
 things, which they then, by the word, discovered to be vain, er- 
 roneous su})er.stitiou», and idolatrous, in the publick worship of 
 God. This occasioned many godly and learned men to rejoice 
 much in the Dook of Common Prayer, at that time set forth , 
 because the mass, and the rest of the Latin service being removed 
 the publick worship was celebrated in our own tongue : many 
 of the common people also received benefit by hearing the scrip- 
 tui'es read in their own language, which formerly were unto them 
 as a book that is sealed. 
 
 Howbeit, long and sad experience hath made it manifest that 
 the Liturg;y used in the Church of England, (notwithstanding all 
 the pains and religious intentions dfthe Compilers of it,) Hath 
 proved an offence, not only to many of the godly at home, 
 but also to the reformed Churches abroad. For, not to speak of 
 urging the readinff of all the prayers, which very greatly in- 
 creased the burden ofif,ihe many unprofitable and burdensome 
 ceremonies contained in it have occasioned much mischief,as well 
 by disquieting the consciences of many godly ministers and peo- 
 ple, who could not yiehl unto them, as by depriving them of the 
 ordinances of God, which they might not enjoy without conform- 
 ing or subscribing to those ceremonies. Sundry good Christians 
 hive been, by means thereof, kept from the Lord's table ; and 
 divers able and faithful minlsturJi dcburred from the exercije of 
 
 The Book of 
 Common Praj 
 er corrected 
 many errora it 
 abueea in th« 
 Public Wor- 
 ship of God, 
 
8 
 
 i 
 
 H '1 
 
 I 
 
 Many unpro- 
 fitable cere- 
 tnonienretoin- 
 •d in the £n- 
 glivh Lilurgj. 
 
 New ones dai- 
 ly obtruded up- 
 OB the Church 
 
 Injurioui con- 
 sequences to 
 Miniaterf and 
 to the Church 
 
 i 
 
 their minislrjr, (to the endangering of many thousand souls, in £ 
 time of such scarcity of faithful pastors,) and spoiled of their live- 
 lihood, to the undoing of them and^their families. Prelates, and 
 their faction, have laboured to raise their estimation of it to suci 
 an height, as if there were no other worship, or way of worshi) 
 of God, amongst us, but only the Service book; to the greai 
 hinderance of the preaching of the word, and, (in some places, 
 espctiailty of late) to the justling of it out as Unnecessary, or at 
 best, as far inferior lo the reading of common prayer ; which 
 was made no better than an idol by many ignorant and supersti- 
 tious people, who, pleasing themselves in their presence at that 
 service, and their lip-labour u\ bearing a part in it, have thereby 
 hardened themselves in their ignorance and carelessness of sa- 
 ving knowledge and true piety. 
 
 In the mean time, Papists eoasted that the book was a com- 
 pliance with them in a great part of their service ; and so were 
 not a little confirmed in their superstition and idolatry, expecting 
 rather our return to them, then endeavouring the reformation of 
 themselves : in which expectation they were of late very much 
 encouraged, when, upon the pretended warrantableness of im- 
 posing of the former ceremonies, new ones were daily obtruded 
 upon the Church. 
 
 Add hereunto, (which was not foreseen, but since hath come to 
 pass,) that the Liturgy hath been a great means, as on the one 
 hand to make an increase an idle and unedifying ministry, which 
 contented itself with set forms made to their hands by others, 
 without putting forth themselves to exercise the gift of prayer, 
 with which our Lord Jesus Christ pleaseth to furnish all his ser- 
 vants whom he caills to that office : so, on the other side, it hath 
 been (and ever would be, if continued) a matter of endless strife 
 and conteniion in the Church, and a snare both to many godly 
 and faithful ministers, who have been persecuted and silenced 
 <ipon that occasion, and to others of hopeful parts, many of which 
 have been, and more still would be, diverted from ail thoughts 
 of the ministry to other studies ; especially in these latter times, 
 wherein God vouchsafeth to his people more and better means 
 for the discovery of error and superstition, and for attaining of 
 Icnowledge in the mysteries of godliness, and gifts in preaching 
 and prayer. 
 
 Upon these, and many the like weighty considerations in re- 
 ference to the whole book in general, and because of divers par- 
 ticulars Contained in it ; not from any love to novelty, or inten- 
 tion to disparage our first reformers, (of whom we are persuaded 
 that, were thry now alive, ihey would join with us in this work, 
 and whom we acknowledge as excclknt instruments, raised by 
 
 lod, to 
 lesire th 
 •runcc, 
 ome ran 
 ^t this li 
 t|sfy ou 
 tfiher re I 
 fuiong o 
 _|n<ieavo 
 jbromiset 
 "larnrst ; 
 inch CO 
 
 •ilc's ;>nc 
 lave agi 
 nib lie w 
 Whrr 
 ►f divine 
 Uideavo 
 lence, 8 
 
 i [leaning 
 ,nd SCO 
 ig knoi 
 hnse th 
 hip of ( 
 idminis 
 |nd ma^ 
 as they 
 |he gift 
 |aking 
 f nd by 
 careful 
 materia 
 (^ccasio 
 
 Of 
 H 
 
 bught a 
 from 
 tence c 
 ;i Let 
 leemlj/ 
 •r bov^ 
 
[] souls, in £ 
 ol" their live-, 
 relates, and 
 f it to such 
 of worshi] 
 o the greai 
 Dme places, 
 sary, or at 
 yet ; which 
 [id supersti- 
 nee at that 
 ave thereby 
 less of sa- 
 
 was a com* 
 and so were 
 expecting 
 formation of 
 e very much 
 ;ness of im- 
 \y obtruded 
 
 ath come to 
 J on the one 
 listry, which 
 J by others, 
 of prayer, 
 all his ser- 
 >ide, it hath 
 endless strife 
 nany godly 
 nd silenced 
 ny of which 
 all thoughts 
 atter times, 
 ;tter means 
 attaining of 
 i preaching 
 
 tions in re- 
 divers par- 
 ly, or inten- 
 i persuaded 
 n this workj 
 , raised by 
 
 rod, to begin the Purging and building of his hon«p, and 
 
 lesire thry may be liacl of us i\nd posterity in everlasting remeni- 
 
 )rancc, with ihanklulness and honour,) but that we may in 
 
 ^onic raoasure answer the gracious providence of God, which 
 
 jRt this lime calleth upon us for further reformation, and may sa- 
 
 tjsfy our own consciences, and answer the expectation of 
 
 ^iher reforuicd churches, and the desires of many of the godly 
 
 imong ourselves, and withal give some public testimony of our 
 
 |n<leavours for unirortnity in divine worship, which \vc huve 
 
 itoromised in our Solemn League and Covenant ; we have, after 
 
 "^arnrst and frequent callinjf upon the name of God, and after 
 
 luch consultat.ion, not with flesh and blood, but with his holy 
 
 forcJ, resolved to lay aside the former Liturgy, with the many 
 
 'lies ;»nd ceifMnonies formerly used in the worship of God ; and 
 
 iave agreed upon this following Directory for all the parts of 
 
 mblic vvoishin, at ordinary and extraordinary times.. 
 
 Wherein our care hath been to Jiold forth such things as are 
 ►f divine institution in every ordinance, and other things we have 
 iiideavoureu to set forth according to the rules of Christian pru- 
 lence, agreeable to the general rulesof the word of God ; our 
 
 i [leaning therein being oidy, that the general heads, the sense 
 nd scope of the prayers, and other parts of public worship, be- 
 ig known to all, there may be a consent of all the churches in 
 hose things that contain the substance of the service and wor- 
 hipof God • and the ministers may be hereby directed, in their 
 idministrations, to keep like soundness in doctrine and prayer, 
 ind may, if need be, have some iiclj^ and furniture, and yet so 
 is they become not hereby slothTul and negligent in stirring up 
 |he gifts of Christ in them,- but that each one, by medilalion, by 
 inking heed to himself, and the flock of God committed to him, 
 (nd by wise observing the wavs of divine providenqe^ maybe 
 lareful to furnish his heart and tongue with further or other 
 laterials of prayer and exhortation as shall be needful upon all 
 Occasions* 
 
 * . ■ - ^ 
 
 OftheJlssembling of the Cons:r^^nHon.and their Behaviour in the 
 Public Worship of G»d. 
 
 ■''•^■'l 
 
 TheformerLU 
 (uri^y laiilasido 
 & tlie folloW" 
 ing dit«ctorr. 
 agreed upon. 
 
 Object anddl^. 
 sign of the Di- 
 rectory. 
 
 ■j^^^r;/ J 
 
 'HEN the congregation is to meet for public worship, the 
 people (having before prepared their hearts thereunto) 
 ibught all to come and join therein; not absenting themselves 
 from the public ordmances through .negligence, or upon pre- 
 tence of private meetings. • . 
 ^ Let all enter the assembly, not. irreverently, btit in rv grave and 
 teemly mann«jr, taklnjir their seats or places withoJt adoratioij^ 
 »r bowing themselves towards one place or other, 
 
 All ought to 
 aMend Public 
 Woribip. 
 
 Manner of ca« 
 terin;!; tliti At- 
 
 atuibly 
 
 •« 
 
10 
 
 
 f ? 
 
 
 li '■* 
 
 Frayer yrhtm 
 the Congrnga 
 tion hM aattm* 
 
 Bebatrionr in 
 ring Public 
 worship. 
 
 ture* to b« 
 read by Pas-' 
 toraaadtcacb 
 
 AlIffiAeinOR- 
 )eal farryokv t# 
 Hrcad. 
 
 
 The congregation being assembledf the minister, after solemi 
 calling on them to the worshipping of the great naoie of Ood, ii 
 to begin with prayer. 
 
 '' in all reverence and humility acknowledging the incompre- 
 •• hensible greatness and majesty of the Lord, (in whose presence 
 " they do then in a special manner appear,) and their own vile- 
 " ness and unworthiness to approach so near him, with their 
 •* utter inability of themselves to so great a work ; and humbly 
 " beseeching him for pardon, assistance, and acceptance, in the 
 ** whole service then to be performed 5 and for a blessing on that 
 *• particular portion of his word, then to be read: And ail iu 
 " the name and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 The public worship being begun, the people are wholly to at- 
 tend upoii'it, forbearing to read any thing, except what the minis- 
 ter is then reading or citing ; and abstaining much more from all 
 private whisperings, conferences, salutations., or doing reverence 
 to any person present, or coining in ; as also from all gazing, 
 sleeping, and other indecent behaviour, which may disturb the 
 minister or people, or hinder themselves or others m the service 
 of God. 
 
 If any, through necessity, be hindered from being present at 
 the beginning, they ought not, when they come into the congrega- 
 tion, to betake themselves to their private devotions, but reverent- 
 ly to compose themselves to join with the assembly ia that w* 
 dinance of God which is then in hand. 
 
 0/ Public JXeading of the Roly Scripture* 
 
 IJEADINGof the word in the congregation, being part of the 
 •"' public worship of God, (wherein we acknowledge our depen- 
 dence upon him, and subjection to him,) and one mean sanctified 
 by him for the edifying of his people, is to be pei formed by the 
 pastors and teachers. 
 
 Howbeit, such as intend the ministry, may occasionally both 
 f ead the word, and exercise their gift in preaching in the con- 
 gregation, if allowed by the presbytery thereunto. 
 
 All the canonical books of the Old and new Testament (but 
 none of those which are commonly called .^/)ocn/j»fea) shall be 
 publicly read in the vulgar foitgtfe out of the best allowed trans- 
 lation, distinctly, that all may hear and understand. 
 
 How large a portion shall te read at once, is left to the wis- 
 dom of the minister; but it is convenient, that ordinarily one 
 chapter of each Testament be read at ^very meeting ; and some- 
 times more AVb ere the chapters be short, ^rthe coherence of 
 jiiatter requiretb it« 
 
 It is r 
 
 ihat the 
 
 ^he scri( 
 
 bicnt cn( 
 
 , We c< 
 
 lures as 
 
 lilearers, 
 
 When 
 
 ixpount 
 
 hole c 
 
 ad unl< 
 
 le gtrail 
 
 in all ot 
 
 Besid 
 
 xan reac 
 
 |nnd all 
 
 ise, ar 
 
 ible. 
 
 .y^ey ma 
 ind thii 
 a mo 
 face, ai 
 , « To 
 f origii 
 T everli 
 
 prave 
 ;^ body 
 
 ^« or 01; 
 -^ mera 
 
 «^ Lord 
 
 •* men. 
 j J* of m 
 
 * whic 
 /f many 
 
 r meni 
 
 « is fo 
 ; •• not ( 
 ^ sum I 
 .^ scier 
 
 V that 
 
 ■i 
 
11 
 
 fter aolemi % It is requisite that all the eanonical books be read over in order 
 of Oud, is Mhat the people may be better acquainted with the whole body Of 
 ahe scriptures : and ordinarily, where tlie reading in cither Testa- 
 e incompre- ment cndeth on one Lord's day, it is to begin the next. 
 se presence , We commend aUo the more frequent reading of such scrip- 
 r own vile- ^rcs as he that readeth shall think best for edification o£ his 
 with their |iearers, as the boolc of Psalms, and suchlike, 
 nd humbly _,| When the minister who readelh shall judge it necessary to 
 nee, in the ,"|xpound any part of what is read, let it not be done until the 
 ing on that J(r hole chapter or psalm be ended ; and regard is always to be 
 And all in , lad unto the time, that neither preaching, nor other ordinances, 
 .me straitened, or rendered tedious. Which rule is to be observed 
 holly to at- pn all other public performances, 
 at the minis- ^ Beside public reading of the holy scriptures every person that 
 ore fr©m all ;|an read, is to be exhorted lb read the scriptures privately, 
 nnd all others that cannot read, if not disabled by age, or oihrr- 
 ise, are likewise to be exhorted to learn to read) and to have a 
 ible. 
 
 I 
 
 ;^ Of PuhKe Prayer before the Sermon. 
 
 FTER reading of the word, (and singing of the psalm,) the 
 
 minister who is to preach, is to endeavour to get his own 
 
 nd his hearers hearts to be rightly affected with their sins, that 
 
 ey may all mourn in smse thereof before the Lord, and hunE^er 
 
 nd thirst after the grace of God in Jesus Christ, by proceeding 
 
 IP a more full confession of sin,with shame and holy confusion of 
 
 •Jfeice, and to call upon the Lord to this effect ? 
 
 jf " To acknowledge our great sinfulness. First, by reason of 
 
 part of the J* original sin, which (beside the guilt that makes us liable to 
 
 iour depen-' t everlasting damnation) is the seed of all other sins, hath de- 
 
 in sanctified . f praved and poisoned all the faculties and powers of soul and 
 
 med by the ; *f body, doth defile our best actions, and (were it not restrained 
 
 ^' or our hearts renewed by grace) would break forth into innut 
 
 ionally both -^ merable transgressions, and greatest rebellions against the 
 
 in the con- ,^Lord that ever were committed by the vilest of the sons of 
 
 •* men. And next, by reason oi actual sins, our own sins the sins 
 
 tament (but j I* of magistrates, of ministers, and of the whole nation, unto 
 
 ») shall be ff which we are many ways accessary ; which sins of ours receive 
 
 ftwed trans- ^'M many fearlul aggravations, we haying broken all the command- 
 
 J* ments of the Hotv, just, and good law of God, doing that which 
 
 io the wis- ,•' is forbidden, and leaving undone what is enjoined; and that 
 
 inarily one t^* not only out of ignorance and infirmity, but also more pre- 
 
 1 and some- «j^*^ sumptuously, against the light of ©ur minds, checks of our con- 
 
 hereuce of ^^ sciences, and mo! Ions of his own holy Spirit to the contrary, so 
 
 1^*' that we have no cloak tor out sins ; yea, not only despising tht 
 
 ; reverence 
 all gazing, 
 disturb the 
 the service 
 
 ; present at 
 le congrega* 
 )ut reverent- 
 r in that w* 
 
 £*peeia)ly ih% 
 
 bosk of |)MtliBB 
 
 All txhoriai 
 to read the 
 
 Scriptur<>s an4 
 
 Publie prayer 
 b«f«r« torgaea 
 
 Confetaioii 
 of original 
 
 And or actual 
 $io«. 
 
12 
 
 unto 1 
 
 mny r 
 
 
 r 
 
 
 
 Particular dins 
 to b»confes!i- 
 •dand iamen- 
 
 To profess oar 
 f'eliaiice on 
 theLord J«»ui 
 
 Cbritt. 
 
 Vupplicatton 
 for the influ- 
 <ence oftbe 
 Spirit. 
 
 '•i ■ . . 
 
 ,* riches of God's goorlncss, forbearancp, anrl long fJiiflering, W 
 
 *' standifig out against many invitations and tiHbrs of grace in the 
 
 ** gospel ; not endeavouring, as wc ought to receive ("hrist into*'|^ that 
 
 ** our hearts by faith, or to walk worthy of him in our lives. **' •* Wi 
 
 •* To bewad oui blimhiess of mind, hardness ol heart, unbelief ■*» for sa 
 *' impenitencj, security, jukewarmness, barrenness; our not en- # linj: ir 
 ** deavouringaftcF mortification and newness of life, nor after the' 
 *' exercise of godliness m the powpr thereof ; and that the bestt' 
 " of us have not so steadJaslly walked with God, kept (^ur gar 
 " ments so unspotted, nor been so zealous of his glory, and thef 
 *' good of others, as we ought : and to mourn over such othci* 
 *' sinsas thecongretration is particularly guilty of, tiotwithstandingl 
 *' the manifold and great mercies of our God, the love of Christ, | 
 *' the light of the gospel, a;id reformation of religion our ovnii 
 *^ purposes, promises, vows, solemn covenant, and other special 
 ** obligations to the contrary. 
 
 " To acknowledge and confess, that, as we are convinced ol 
 *' our guilt, so, out of a deep sense thereof, we judge ourselvei 
 " unworthy of the smt\llest benefits, most worthy of God's fiercest 
 " wrath, and of all the curses of the law, and heaviest judgmenu 
 ** inflicted upon the most rebellious sinners ; and that he migh 
 " most justly take his kingdom and gospel from us, plague lu 
 *' with all sorts of spiritual and tempoial judgments in this life, 
 " and after cast us inio utter darkness, in the lake tha 
 *' burnelh with fire and brimstone, where is weeping and gnash #* dinai 
 ••' ing of leeth for evermore. # heres 
 
 ' ** Notwithstanding all which, to draw near to the throne ol m' Mm 
 " grace, encouraging ourselves with the hope of a gracious an W sions 
 ** swcr of our prayers, in the riches and all-sulficiency of that onl^ ^f "• T( 
 *• one oblation, the satisfaction and intercession of the Lorc^^'jestj 
 ** Jesus Chri«f, at the right hand of his Father and our Faiher; W' \)ev 
 *' and in confidence of the exceeding great and precious promises.*?' righ 
 •* of mercy and grace in the new covenant, through the same '^* hies 
 " Mediator thereof, to deprecate the heavy wrath and curse ul "1^* pag 
 " God, which we are rot able to avoid, or bear; and humblj % of t 
 " and earnestly to supplicate fcr mercy, in the free and full remis '^^' grca 
 "sion of all our sins, and that only for the bitter sufferings am ^'** the 
 *' precious merits of that our only Saviour Jesus Christ. *^^ Pri 
 
 ** That the Lord would vouchsafe to shed abroad his love ir >•' afil 
 *' our hearts by the Holy Ghos* ; seal unto us, by the same Spirii "^'^ the 
 ** of adoption, the full assurance of our pardon and reconciliation; 1'*' Ch; 
 " comfort all that mourn in Zion, speak peace to the woundeil 1*' an( 
 ** and troubled spirit, and bind, up the broken-hearted : and as||*' mr 
 ** for secure and presumptous sinners, that he would open their 'I '* nol 
 *' eyes, convince their consciences, and turn them from darkncsi |* *' ant 
 
 o 
 
 our di 
 
 cnabl 
 
 God i; 
 
 of blef 
 
 unio t 
 
 ♦«To 
 
 Chfisi 
 
 » of the 
 
 secon 
 
 i* Chun 
 
 t and I 
 
 ' for I 
 
 ' pccia 
 
 and I 
 
 ?^(»lL'n 
 
 * in the 
 
 ' chur( 
 
 God 
 
13 
 
 ufTering, liulj unto light, and fi om the power of Salan unto God, that they aU« 
 
 grace in ihe» m?y receive forgiveness of sin, »nd an inhciitance among theoi 
 
 rhrist inio*f> tha^t arc saiiCtifieJ by f mth in Christ Jesus, 
 
 lives. *** •» Wiih remission of sins through the blood of Christ, to prar 
 
 art, unbclicl'*»for sanctilkation by his Spirit, the mortification of sin dwel- 
 
 otjr not en- # ling in md man/.tinies tyranizing over us : ti.o quiclc^ningof 
 
 our dead spirits with the life of God in Chri?jt ; grace to fit and 
 
 enable us for all duties of conversation and callings towards 
 
 God and men ; strength against temptations ; the sanclified use 
 
 of blessings and crosses, and perseverance in faith and obedience 
 
 unto the end. " 
 
 ** To pray for the propagation of the gospel and kingdom of 
 >ve of Chnst,# Christ to all nations ; for theconvprsion ol the Jews, the fulness 
 n our owiw* of the Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and the hastening of the 
 
 * second coming of our Lord ; for ilic deliverance of the distressed 
 
 * Chuirhcs abroad from the tyratuiy of the antichristian faction, 
 ' and f?-om the cruel oppressions and blasphemies of the Turk ; 
 ' for the blessing of God upon all the reformed churches, es- 
 pecially upon the churches and kingdoms of Scotland, England, 
 and Ireland, now more strictly and religiously united into the 
 ."^ok-mn National League and (.'ovenant ; and for our piantaliohs 
 
 * in the remote parts of the world ; more particularly for that 
 ' church and kingdom whereof we are- members, that therein 
 
 * God would esti)i)libh peace and truth, the purity of all his ©r- 
 ng and gnash I* dinances, and the power of godliness ; prevent and remove 
 
 W heresy, schism, profanencss, superstition, security, and unfruit- 
 he throne oi ^' fulncs^i under the means of grace : heal all our rents and divi- 
 gracious an "f* sions, aud preserve us from breach of our Solemn Covenant, 
 y of that onl^ ^f •' To pray for all in authority, especially for the King's Ma- 
 of the Lore ^^* jesty ; that God would make him rich in blessings, both in his 
 d our Father; W' person and government ; establish his throne in religion and 
 ious promises,^' righteousness, save him from evil counsel, and make him a 
 igh the sam( '^* blessed and glorious instrument for the conservation and pro- 
 and curse ol "*' pagation of the gospel, for the encouragement and protection 
 and humblj '^* of them that do well, the terror of all that do evil, nnd the 
 and full remis >^^^* great good of the ^^ hole church, and of all his kingdoms; fbr 
 sufferings anc M" the conversion of the Queen, the religious education of the 
 Christ. '^^ Prince, and the rest of the royal seed ; for the comforting the 
 
 1 hi?» love ir f •' afflicted Qdern of Bohemia, sister to our Sovereign ; and for 
 le same Spirit *^*' the restitution anrl establishment of the iliustrions Prince 
 ^conciliation; 4'" Charles, Elector Palatine of the Rhine, to all his dominions 
 the woundet!||** and dignities ; ftjr a blessing upon the High Court of Parlia- 
 pted : and as **' mmt, (when sittinj; in any of these kingdoms respectively,) the 
 d open their "I " nobility, the subordinate judges and miagistrates, the gentry, 
 rom darkncsji "and all the coramonality i for ail pastors and teachers, that 
 
 nor after the '1 
 Ihat the bestti 
 [ept our gar- 
 iry, and the.J 
 such other 
 :withstand;ng' 
 
 )lher specie 
 
 convinced oi 
 Ige ourselvei 
 God's fierces! 
 fst JLdgmenu 
 hat he migh 
 IS, plague ns 
 ( in this life, 
 he lake tha 
 
 To fit us for 
 
 duty and aup>. 
 port us unoci 
 temptatiOB. 
 
 Prayer for th« 
 
 Propagation 
 
 ofthcGospal. 
 
 For all in an 
 
 tbority. 
 
 For tha King's 
 
 Majeaty. 
 
 For tbe Higk 
 Court of Par. 
 liament. 
 For tbe nobi- 
 lity and com- 
 monallty. 
 For Pastora J| 
 Teachera, 
 
■:i 
 
 ilVv 
 
 For (b« Vni- 
 vertitiet and 
 all religieui 
 9«minariei. 
 
 For temporal 
 and •piritual 
 bleaiings to 
 the city or 
 foogr^fatioo. 
 
 For aniitanee 
 in tba sancti6 
 cation ofthe 
 JUord'a Daj 
 
 For the Spirit 
 •f Grace to 
 blens the aut- 
 irar4 mtaaa 
 
 for aasistante 
 anJ directions 
 to the Mibia 
 ter and con i 
 gregatioo du- 
 ring the pre- 
 ■ent Mivica 
 
 u 
 
 *♦ God would fill them with his Spirit, make them e»emplarilj|Jjjea|.pyj 
 
 * hoi)*, sober, just, peaceable, and gracious ijj their live* ; souud^vrord, y 
 ' faithful and powerful in their mitiibtrj ; and lollow ail theu* ia*|.rround 
 
 * hours with abundance of success and bles-ting ; aiiU give ttuii*^ them a 
 *all his people pastors according to his own heart ; for the iini«».|jie har 
 
 * versities, and all schools and religious serniuancs of churc|«< hinder 
 
 * and commonwealth, that they may flourish more and more iit|;be so ft 
 
 * learning and piety ; lor the particular city or con{i;regaiior*j,may b 
 
 * that God would pour out a blessing upon the ministry of thie^fapir h< 
 
 * word, sacraments, and discipline, upon the civil governmen^VT e ju( 
 
 * and all the several families and persons therein ; for mercy tiM praye 
 
 * the afflicted under any inward or outward distress, for season' 
 
 * able weather, and fruitful seasons, as the time may retjuiie 
 
 * for averting the judgments that we cither feel or fear, or ar 
 
 * liable untOj as famine, pestilence, the sword, and such like. 
 " And, witli confidence, of his mercy to his whole church, am 
 
 * the acceptance of our persons, through the merits and medi.'i 
 
 * tion of our High Priest, the Lord Jesus, to profess that it is th 
 
 * desire of our souls to have fellowship with God in the reverent^ 
 
 * and con^CIonab1e use of his holy ordinances : & to that purpogi" 
 ' to pray earnestly for his grace and effectual assistance to thi 
 
 * sanctification of his holy sabbath, the Loid's day, in all ihi 
 
 * duties thereof, public and private, both to ourselves, and to al ^It is pi 
 
 * other congregations of his people, according to the riches and 
 •* excellency of the gospel, this day celebrated and enjoyed, 
 
 " And because we have been unprofitable bearers in timet 
 ^ past, and now cannot of ourselves receive, as we should, tb< 
 '* deep things of God, the mysteries of Jesus Christ, which requin 
 •* a spiritual discerning ; to pray, that the Lord^ who teaches tc 
 " profit, would graciously please to pour out the Spirit of grace, 
 " together with the outward means thereof, causing us to attalrtpding 
 "such a measure ofthe excellency of the knowledge of Chrifii^*^ an 
 " Jesus our Lord, and, in him, ofthe thmgs which belong fooujW|t yet 
 ♦' peace, that we may account all things but as dross in compariAil whic 
 ** son of him ; and that we, tasting the first fruits of the glorjI>IW;ati">' 
 ^ that is to he revealed, may long for a more lull and perfet Ordir 
 *' communion with him, that where he is, we may be .also, ^"<^52''^u'^ 
 *• enjoy the fulness of those joys and pleasures which are at hii»?9^^"'^ 
 " right hand for evermore. ^i^*^""^ 
 
 *' More parficr.larly, that God would in a special manner furnWtall se 
 " ish his serv!int (now called to dispense the bread ot life unto^^ett 
 " his household) with wisdom, fidelity, zeal, and utterance, thai g™ Ih 
 " he may divide the word of God aright, to every one his porlPj^'^"*^ 
 '* tion, i'l evidence and demonstration ofthe Spirit and power L^ *^} 
 •* and that the Lord would circtjmcise the ears aittd hearts of tl»«"*») *^^ 
 
 ill thill 
 
 n, or c 
 
 iuted, i 
 
 REA< 
 
 vati( 
 
 ging t 
 
 ttlie 1 
 
 d thos 
 
 mini 
 
 'ghty I 
 
 h art! 
 
 owlcd 
 
 ly scr 
 
 ve 
 d'sS 
 
 *. 
 
15 
 
 exemplariljtfjjeafjiyg^ f^ hear, love, and receive with meekness the ingran.d 
 kvea ; >*>ouutl^^ord, which is able to save their souls ; niaiie them as good 
 f ail their ia»i|ground to receive in the good seed of the word, and strcgthpn 
 ti give tini(<i»^them against the temptations of Satan, the cares of the world, 
 for the •ini«»4he hardness of their own hearts, and whatsoever else may 
 8 of churcli^hindfer fheir profitable and saving hearing; that so Christ may 
 and more iWbeso formed in them, and live in them, that all their thoughts 
 :ongregatior^may be brought .into caplivity to the obedienre of Christ, and 
 heir hearts establishetl in every good word and work for ever." 
 VTe judge this to be a convenient order, in the ordinary pub- 
 prayer ; yet so, as the minister may drfcr (as in prudence he 
 ill think meet) some part of these petitions till after his ser- 
 n, or offer up to God some of the thanksgivings hereafter ap- 
 luled, in his prayer before his sermon. 
 
 lisiry of thi 
 governmen:^ 
 for mercy ti 
 for season- 
 ay require 
 fear, or an 
 uch like. 
 e church, am 
 ts and mcdi.'t 
 s that it is thi 
 the reverent 
 > that purpQfii 
 {stance to thi 
 Yt in all tbt 
 res, and to al ^ 
 e riches and 
 j enjoyed, 
 rers in timet 
 
 0/ th9 Prtaching of the Wor^. 
 
 c should, tbii 
 which requin 
 ho teaches tc 
 pirit of grace 
 
 REACHING of the wordj being the power of God, tinto sal- 
 vation, and one of the greatest and most excellent works be- 
 ging to the ministry of the gospel, should be so performed, 
 t the workman need not be ashamed, but may save himself, 
 d those that hear hinn 
 
 It is presupposed, (according to the f ules for ordination,) thai 
 
 minister of Christ is in some good measure gifted for so 
 
 ighty a service, by his skill in the original languages^ and in 
 
 n arts and sciences as are handmaid unlo divinity; by his 
 
 owledge in the whole body of th-rology, but most of pll in the 
 
 ly scriptureSj having his senses and heart exercised in them 
 
 ve the commort sort of believers ; and by the illumination of 
 
 d's Spirit, and other gifts of edification, which together with 
 
 \ us to ^atlalr finding & studying of the word) he ought still to seek by praj'er, 
 
 edgeof Chrisl^d an huinble heart, resolving to admit and receive an^^ truth 
 
 belong to ouiWjIit yet attained, whenever God shall make it known unlo hitri; 
 
 )S in compari- All which he i« to make use of, and improve, in his private pre- 
 
 of the glorjJpBft'ations, before he deliver m public what he hath provided. 
 
 I and perfet Ordinarily, the subject of his sermon is to be some text of 
 be .also, anfiW^'ipture, holding forth some principle or head of religion^ or 
 
 lich are ai bii^l^table to some special occasion emergent, or he may go on 
 lil some chapter, psalmi or book of ihe holy scripture, as he 
 
 I manner furn^^a^* see fit. _ 
 
 J ot life unto Let the introduction to his text be brief and perspicuous, drawn 
 
 utterance, thal||>™ l'^® text itself, or context, or some parallel place, or general 
 
 ' one his por.%>tence of scripture. 
 
 t and power ;j_^lf the text be long,(as in histories or parables it sometimes 
 
 i hearts of theT 
 
 Miniitflr to b* 
 gui'led by pru« 
 dence in foU 
 lowing tbi« 
 order of pray« 
 «r« 
 
 PreachiDf •! 
 the word. 
 
 (Sifti* neeetfla 
 ry for the per 
 formanc* of 
 thip weighty ^ 
 lerviee. 
 
 ■ !>• 
 
 Sal)jeet of dif 
 course. 
 
 Introductioa. 
 
 And Analyiif 
 Of Uk« tut* 
 
16 
 
 1 
 
 Viff 
 
 H a 
 
 
 ModeofdlvU 
 •ion and anal 
 isM. 
 
 Dortrinei to 
 bo diflcuaaad. 
 
 Row to bt 
 •xpreiaedt 
 
 SoMbts to b« 
 removad. 
 
 Doctrine to 
 be applied 
 ««tbebear«ra. 
 
 Vox matruc-. 
 tibn and inifor. 
 Matioo. 
 
 of, ir need be: in both looking diligonfly to the scopo oftho tox 
 
 and pointing out ihe chief heads and grounds of dDClrine wliini, ^hat cor 
 
 ^e is to rniss fiom it. '' In cm 
 
 Ifi analysing and dividing his tf!Xt, he is to regard more flu 'Eercsy i 
 order of matter than ol words ,• an<J nrilhc" to iuirdcn i!ic uictnu- tiecessa 
 ry of the hearers in the beginning widi loo nnny m; mbera o; confute 
 division, nor to trouble their minds with obscure Icrnis o( ;uf . consciei 
 
 In raiising doclrines from the text, hisr/tre ought to bo, I'lrtt, t ■ In ex 
 That the raattfr be the truth of God. Seco.'fUn, Tliat it be (iiiili t|ie mca 
 •ontained m or grounded on the text, runt \h>^ hoarof; may d , "i In de 
 cerii how God teacheth it from thence. TJiinUif^ Thii bo chioliy Wquire 
 insist upon those doctrines which are principdlly intended, and discover 
 make most for the edification of the hc.arers. tfttendin 
 
 The doctrine is lo be expressed in plain terms ; or if any thitif; oVertak( 
 in it need explication, it is to be oprnrd, and the consc. best wa_ 
 quence also from the text cleared. The parallel places of scrip- In aj)| 
 lure, confirming the doctimc, are rather to he plain and pfrii- dp partic 
 nent, than many, and [if need be] somewhat insisted upon, and Iblly to ; 
 applied to the purpose in iiand. ipirit mi 
 
 The arguments or reasons arc to be solid, and, as much as may ;.; It Is a 
 be, convincing. The illuf-trations, of what kind soever, ought Jf. very i 
 to be full of light, and such as may convey the truth into the f^krience 
 hearer's heart with spiritual delight. 8%n9 cle 
 
 If any doubt obvious from scripture, reason, or prejudice of Bjisiy be 
 the heaiers, seem to arise, it is very requisite to remove it, by llibse gr 
 reconciling4.he seeming differences, answering the reason*, and ^ be gii 
 discovering an J taking away the causes of prejufJice and mistake. nlWnts th 
 Otherwise it is not fit to detain the hearers with propounding or did do 
 answering vain or wicked cavils, which as they are endless, so ([atcited 
 the propounding and answering of tiiem doth more hinder than their d; 
 prcmote edification. upon ex 
 
 He is not to rest in general doctrine, although never so much '^And, 
 cleared and confirmed, but. to bring it home to special use, byliifhich li 
 application to his hearers : which albeit it prove a work of great wSfes, as, 
 difficulty to himself, requiring much prudence, zeal and medita.eth mos 
 tion, and to the natural and corrupt man will be very unpleasant ;inay m( 
 yet he is to endeavour to perform it in such a manner, that his and cod 
 auditors may feel the word of God to be quick and powerful, and This 
 a disccrner of the the thoughts and intents of the heart ; and thatii|;jnn evj 
 if any unbeliever or ignorant person be present, he may haveperienc( 
 the secrets of his heart made manrfest, and give glory to God. tHe peol 
 
 In the use ol instruction or information in the knowledg5 ofviButtj 
 
 some truth, which is a consequence from his doctrine, he mayfi^rin hil 
 
 [when convenient] confirm it by few firm arguments from the !'*]. pj 
 
 text in hand; and other places of scripture, or IVolu the nature of t9. V\ 
 
 w • truth nc 
 
17 
 
 V oftlio fox 
 
 ifine whh;;, l|hat common-plai ^n divinity, •vhrrcof ihat triifli is a branch. 
 
 ' In confutation of false doctrinrs, he is ncilliorto r.iise an old 
 rd more ih. 'fcercsy from ihe grave, nor to mention a blasphemous opinion iin- 
 n I !io mcmn- tiecessariiy : but if the people be in danger of an error, he is to 
 in; inbcra o; confute it soundly, and endeavour to satisfy their judgments and 
 i o( ;ut. consciences against all objections. 
 
 o tip, I'lrst, > ' In exhorting to duiicsj he is, as ho seeth cause, to teach also, 
 
 \l it be Iniili tjlic means that help to the performance of them. 
 
 r-: may di > *< In dehortation, reprehension, and public admonition, (which 
 
 \\. lie chioliv Wquire special wisdom,) \tl him, as there shall be cause, not only 
 
 ended, and discover the nature and greatness of the sin, with the misery 
 
 attending it, but also shew the danger his hearers are in to be 
 
 if any thin.; overtaken and Surprised by it, together with the remedies and 
 
 the coiisC' best way to avoid it. 
 
 ices ofscnu- In applymg comfort, whether general against all templations, 
 
 in and pfrti- 6r particular ai^ainst some special iroublos or tenors, he is rare- 
 
 1 upon, and Iblly to answer such objections as a troubled heart and afflicted 
 
 ipirit may suggest to the contrary, 
 much as may ;:;f It is also sometimes requisite to give some notes of trial, (which 
 ioever, ought 11* very profitable, especially when performed by al>le ai d ex- 
 •uth into the }*lrienced ministers, with circumspection and piudenre, and ihc 
 8^ns clearly grounded on the holy scripture. )w hereby the hearers 
 prejudice o( BdiJiy be able lo examine themselves whether they have attained 
 •emove it. by lllose graces, and performed those duties to which he exhorteth, 
 reasons, and ttj be guilty of the sin reprehended, and in danger of the judg- 
 
 1 and mistake, intnts threatened, or are such to whom the consolations propoun- 
 opounding or did do belong ; that accordingly they may be quickened and 
 re endless, sofetcited to duty, humbled for their wants and sins, affected with 
 
 2 hinder than their danger and strengthened with comfort, as their conditiou, 
 
 upon examination, shall require, 
 jver so much '':And, as he needeth not always to prosecute every doctrine 
 ?cial use, bytifhich lies in his text, so is he wisely to make choice of such 
 work of great oifes, as, by his residence and conversing with his flor k, he find- 
 I and medita.eth most needful and seasonable; and, amongst these, such as 
 y unpleasant; may most draw their souls to Chribt, the fountain of light, holiness 
 ncr, that his and comfort. 
 
 powerful, and This method is not prescribed as n or essnry for every man, or 
 vart ; and thatupon every text ; but on' v recommended, as being found by ex- 
 he may havcptrience to be very much blessed of God. and very helpful for 
 ry to God. tHe pcojile's understandings and n^emoi'irs. 
 knowledge of,.jButthe servant of C-'hrist, whatever his method be, is to per- 
 rine, he maywiirm his whole ministry : 
 
 ents from the./h. Painfully, not doing the work of the Lord nc2;1if:^entiy. 
 the nature o( i"^ 2. Plainly, th^t the meanrj^t may inider=.»nnd ; delivering the 
 
 truth not in the enticiniX words of man's wisdom but in dtmon- 
 
 For confiita* 
 (ion oir iaUt 
 doctrins. 
 
 For exhorta- 
 tion. 
 
 For reproof 
 and public ada 
 monition. 
 
 For cotnfort i't 
 tiieuuiiieteil. 
 
 For trial arid 
 •elf exftmiua- 
 tion. 
 
 The Tno«fii»e 
 ful & nvressa- 
 ry exlKiria- 
 tions to ba 
 chossD, 
 
 Thewlioic mi- 
 iiiftry to be 
 perfr)rined 
 
 Pflinfiilly. 
 Plainly.^ 
 
I: 
 
 If 
 
 i 
 
 i>. ti 
 
 I 
 
 Ftitbfullj 
 
 WiNly 
 
 Sraveljr 
 
 With loving 
 afftetioa 
 
 An taught of 
 God 
 
 Of prayer af- 
 taracrmon. 
 
 18 
 
 I 
 
 "fruit. 
 •• To 
 
 •*» livera 
 
 stration, of the Spirit and of power, lest thr* crosiof Christ shoulfl *' and ft 
 be made of none eiVecl ; ibstaining also from an unprofitable ii>c " To | 
 of unknown tongues, strange phrases, and cndenecs of lounda *^ there 
 and words ; sf)aringly citing sentences of ecclesiastical or other ** and m 
 human writers, ancient or modern, be they never so elegant. " and l 
 
 3. Faithfully, looking al the honor of Chri-^t, the conversion 
 edification, and salvntion of the people, not at his own gain 
 or glory ; keeping nothing back which may promote those holj ** watch 
 ends, giving to every one his own portion, and bearing Indiffer- **ofGoc 
 cnt respect unto all,wiihout negieoiin^ the meanest, or spaiing the '*'lhe ac 
 greatest, in their s>ins. •♦'media 
 
 4. Wisely, framing all his doctrines, exhortations, and especi- ** Christ 
 ally his reproofs, in such a manner as may be most likelv to And I 
 prevail ; shewing all due respect to each man's person and place ^^y a |i 
 and not mixing his own passion or bitterness. we reco 
 
 5. Gravely, as becometh the word of God ; shunning all such And i 
 gesture, voice, and expressions, as may occasion the corruption! balding 
 of men to despise him and his ministry* o^casior 
 
 6. With loving affection, that the people may see all comine thanksgi 
 from his godly xeal, and hearty desire to do them good. And pjpayers, 
 
 7. As taught of God, and persuaded in his own heart, tha fl|e Asse 
 all that he teachethis the trulh of Christ ; and walking b«for( flpce of 
 his flock, as an example to them in it ; earnestly, both in privaii n?rein t( 
 and public, recommending his labours to the blessing of God, ant j|*>se oc 
 watchfully looking to himself, and the flock whereof the Lort ^^ sha 
 hath made him overseer : So shall the doctrine of truth be preser Ofarge 
 
 ved uncorrupt, many souls converted and built up, and himsel 
 receive manifold comforts of his labours even in this life, am 
 afterward the crown of glory laid up for him in the world tc 
 come. 
 
 Where there are more Ministers in a congrr^ntion than one 
 and they of different gifts.each may more especially apniy himsel 
 to doctrine or exhortation, according to the gift wherein he mos 
 excelleth, and as they shall agree between themselves. 
 
 '^ Of Prayer after Sermon. 
 
 fflHE sermon being ended, the minister is '* To give thanks fo 
 •■- '* the great love of God, in sending his Son Jesus Christ un 
 " to us; tor the communication of his Holy Spirit ; for the ligli 
 "and liberty of the glorious gospel, and the fich and heavenli 
 *' blessinijs revealed therein ; as. namely, election, vocation 
 " adoption, j'nsfification, sanctification, and hope of glory ; fu 
 ** the admirable goodness of God in freeing the land from anti 
 " christiandarkness and tyranny, and for all other national cli 
 
 The 
 may be] 
 Christ, 
 let the 
 
 BAP' 
 to 
 b^a 
 Ties of I 
 
 ^rNorl 
 t^t in 
 (ation. 
 
f 
 
 1ft 
 
 hrist should 
 rofitable ii>c 
 of sounds 
 al or oihcr 
 legnnt. 
 
 conversion 
 IS own gain 
 
 those hoi J 
 ing indifffr 
 
 spaiing tht 
 
 and esperi- 
 >8t likely to 
 )n and place 
 
 ling all such 
 e corruption! 
 
 e all coming 
 good. And 
 n heart, thn 
 alking b^fon 
 oth in privaK 
 g of God, am 
 eof the Lore 
 uth be preser 
 ), and himsel 
 this life, an( 
 the world tc 
 
 ion than one 
 ' apnly himsel 
 ticrein he moj 
 iselves. 
 
 ••* liverances ; for the rrformntion of religion; for the covenant ; 
 *• and for many temporal blessings. 
 
 *' To pray for the coiainuriiice of the gospel, and all ordinanros 
 *^ thereof, in thrir ptiriiy, power, and liberty : to turn the chief 
 ** and moat useful heads 01 the sermon inio some few petitions; 
 "and to pray that it may abide m the hear(, and bring forth 
 " fruit. 
 
 •' To pray for preparation for death and Judgment, and a 
 ** walchinjf for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ : to entreat 
 ••of God the forgiveness of the iniquities of our holy things, and 
 '•'the acceptation of our spiritual sacrifice, through the merit and 
 '* mediation of our great High Priest and Saviour ih« Lord Jesus 
 ♦•Christ. 
 
 And because the prayer which Christ taught his disciples is not 
 Otily a pattern of prayer, but itself a moist comprehensive prayer, 
 we recommend it also to be used in th" prayers of the churth. 
 
 And whereas, at the administration of the sacraments, the 
 balding public fasts and days of thanksgiving, and other special 
 occasions, which may afford matters ©f special petitions and 
 thanksgivings, it is requisite to express somewhat in our public 
 j^ayers, (as at this lime it is our duty to pray for a blessing upon 
 ihe Assembly of Divines, the armies ly sea and land, for ihede- 
 ftnce of the King, Parliament and Kingdom,) every minister is 
 li^rein to apply hiimself in his prayer, beforeor after sermon, to 
 itlose occasions : but, for the manner, he is left to his liberty as 
 Cbd shall direct and enable him, in piety and wisdom to dis< 
 charge his dutjr. 
 
 ■ The prayer ended, let a psalm be sun^ if with conveniency it 
 may be done. After which (unless some other ordinances of 
 Christ, that concerneth the congregation ai that time, be to follow) 
 i«t the minister dismiss the congregation with a solemn blessing. 
 
 Of the Administration of the Sacraments. 
 
 Tbtaki|iflBf, 
 
 lattrafMlon. 
 
 Lord*t prayer 
 to be used in 
 the prayete of 
 the church 
 
 On public 
 occaiione 
 Prayer* which 
 are moat auitit 
 ble to bo of- 
 fered up. 
 
 APaalmtobo 
 aung and the 
 conitfrcitaiioa 
 to (ittdianaif- 
 Bed With a 
 blesaing. 
 
 Snd first. Of Baptitm. 
 
 "OAPTISM, as it is not unnecessarily to be delayed, so it is not 
 rive thanks to X> to be adaiiijistercd in any case by any private person, but 
 
 ;su8 Christ un ^j- ^ minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the myste- ».«,:.«,♦««» 
 
 forthe lig^sofGod. ' foT.!"',.. 
 
 and neaveni] , jiJqj. jg jt jQ l3g gj^n^jjjJQtgpgj jjj ppjvate places, or privately, to red by ^.ri- 
 
 lion, vocation i^t in j^g pi^ce of public worship, and in the face of the congre- ^'l*,^''"'"'" 
 
 of glory ; fo gation, where the people may rao^t conveniently see and tear ; pHieoa *'"^"'* 
 ind from anti 
 
 er national di 
 
I 
 
 ]"V\ 
 
 CjiiM to b« 
 rawviitej by 
 be fatLcr. 
 
 f, 
 
 iott baptism. 
 
 1. I 
 
 I 
 
 •n<l not in the places where fonts, in the lime of Popery, wcri ||hcrty 
 
 Uiirtily unci supiTsiiiiouslv placed. dbctrin 
 
 „ > ^ I ijpctriiu 
 
 'IhodiilcJ to be bapiisitl, aftrr notice given to the minister the mxlfc, 
 
 &\y b('(orc, is to br prcftMilrd by the lnlhtr, or (in case of hi- • 
 
 necessary absincc) by some (.;hii»tian frit iid in his place, pro- "To 
 
 Jessing hiw earnest dcsiru lh;it ihe child may be baptized. f* a<'iio! 
 
 Before baptism, th«» minister is to use some words of initruc f^jmpro 
 tiun, tonching the institiilion, nature, use, and ends uf this sacra- fnant a 
 nicnt : showinti;, 
 
 " 'I'hat it is instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ : That it is ; ,^*t To 
 " seal of the covenant of grace, of our ingrafting into Christ, am jybring 
 " of our union with him, of remission of sins, regeneration, adop f^ijan r 
 ♦' lion, and life eirrnrd : That the walrr in baptism, reprcscnielt f^and ic 
 ♦• and signifieth boih the blood of Christ, which takeih away al •♦,chilil, 
 "•guilt of sin, original and actual ; and the sanctifying virtue o flnerfor 
 *• the spirit of Christ against the dominion of sin, and the corru|i This 
 
 . . . • I* ■ #« ■ n^ 1.1 •• alt* •'.'. 
 
 *• death and resurrection of Christ : That the promise is made tr " nances 
 " beli» vers and their seed ; and that the seed and posterity o ** ordin;i 
 "the faithful, born within the church, have, by their birth, ir f^ward I 
 " trrest in the covenant, and right to the sral of it, and to tlit'Kfii;jke i 
 *' outward privileges of the church, under the gospel, ro less tharM|jn, |.p, 
 ** the children of Abraham in the lime of the Old Testament **€f)vcn; 
 <* the covenant of grace, for substance, being the same ;and th»*fi|ikf nr 
 *• grace of God, and the consolation of believers, more plenlifuM feodv 
 *' thin before : That the Son of God admitted little children intc" ijf ss o 
 *' his presmoc, embracing and blessing them, saying For of sud <jVh 
 *• ?.» the Kingdom ofGixl : That children, by baptism, are solemn being 
 " ly received into the bosom of the visible church, distinguished \l b<ipt 
 *' IVom the world, and them that are without, and united wiilii/ofy G/. 
 *' believers ; that all who are baptized in the name of Christ, dc As hf 
 *' renounce, and by ih(:ir baptism are bound lo fight against tliewater : 
 ♦• devil, the world, and the (Icsii ; that thoy arc Christians, an(i8ufficien 
 ** fedcrnlly ho'y before baptism, and therefore are they bapwaleroi 
 *' lizcd : That the inward /rrace and virtue of baptism is not ticdiaony. 
 *' to that very moment of lime wherein it is adiiiintstered ; aiid This 
 ^' that thn fruit ami power thereof rcachclh to the whole coursepurpose 
 »' of our iiff ,' and that outward baptism is not so necessary, thai *f Ac 
 Ihrough the want thereof, the infant is in u tnger of damnatior,**<and 
 or thp parents guilty, if they do not contemn or neglect thc'Vi^nd 
 ordinance of Christ, when and where it may be had." 'f Isintj 
 
 |n these or the like iiKsiructions, the minister is to use his own*tfingul 
 
 y < 
 
 en 
 to 
 
 
I 
 
 21 
 
 )pcry, wen 
 
 Mhcrty ond godl^ wisdom, as the ignorance or errors in the 
 ilDctrinc ut baptism, and itic edification of llie people, shall rc- 
 minister tiic ||pirc. 
 case of hi' • He is also to admonish all (hnt are present, 
 
 place, pro- « To look back to their baptism ; (o rcpont of their sins 
 ized. f* against their covenant with God; to stir up their faith ; fo 
 
 s of instruc f*fjmprove and make right use of their baptism, and of the cove- 
 f this sacra- f'-nant sealed thereby betwixt (»od itnd iheir souls." 
 
 ;■ lie is loexhort the I uenf, 
 
 That it is ; ,;;« To consider the great mercy of Goil to him and his child ; to 
 Chiist, an( f^ijbrinjs; up the child in the knowlcilgc of the grounds of the f'hri<*- 
 ration, adop f^tian religion, and in the nurture and admonition of the Lord ; 
 reprcscnteit f^and to let him know the danjijer of God's wrath to himself and 
 ih a\*ay al •fjchild, if he be negli,c;ont : requiring his solemn promise for the 
 ing virtue o fl^^performrmce of his duly." 
 
 J the corruii This being done, prayer is also to be joined with the word of 
 
 prinkling aru Ingnitulion for Biuiclifyini; the wator to this spiritual use; and 
 
 sin by tlu the minister is to pray to this or the like effect : 
 
 mortificaticr « That the Lord, who hath not left us as strangers without the 
 
 virtue of iIk "covenant of rirotnise, but called us to the privileges of his orUi- 
 
 ise is made if " nances, wc^uld graciously vouchsafe fo sanctify & bless his own 
 
 posterity o "ordinance of baptism at this time : That he would join the in- 
 
 eir birth, in M-ward baptism (»! his Spirit with the outward baptism of water ; 
 
 and to tli('f*in:»ke this baptism to the infanta seal of adoptiosi, remission of 
 
 il, i!0 less thar^*fin, regeneration, and eternal life, and all other promises of the 
 
 d Testament "covenant of grace : That the child may be planted into the 
 
 ame ;and th»"|ik' ness of the denth and resurrection of Christ ,• and that, the 
 
 more plentil"ii*< jbody of sin bein'^ destroyed in him, he may serve God in new- 
 
 : children intc" Of ss of life all his days." 
 
 ng For of sud <:frhen the minister is to demand the nam? of the child ; which 
 m, are solemnbeing told him, he is to say, (railing the child by his name) 
 
 dislinguishciJ J hnptize thn m the nanu of the Father, and of the Son, and oftht 
 \ united wiil'J/a/t/fr/«5/. 
 
 » of Christ, (Ic As he pronounceth theso words, he is to baptize the child with 
 ht against tliewaler : which for the maimer of doing it, is not only lawful but 
 christians, an(:sufficient,and most expedient to be. by pouring orsprinkling of the 
 are they bap water on the face of the child, without adding any other cere- 
 ism is not tie(:iH0iiy. 
 
 nistered ; aid This done, he is to give thanks and pray, to this or the like 
 whole courseporpose : 
 
 Kcessary, thai *' Acknowledging with all iiKinkftilness, that the Lord is true 
 of damnation.**<and faithful in keeping covenant and mercy : that he is good 
 ir neglect the'^#nd gracic us, not only in that i.e numbereth us among his 
 lad." 'f »sints, but is pleased also to bestow Uj)on our children this 
 
 to use his own*! fingular token and badge of his love in Christ. That, in his 
 
 Admonitioft 
 of (boi« wh« 
 «r« prcMot. 
 
 Eihertalioa 
 to tbtpavMt 
 
 Pr«7«r b«f«. 
 boptiHD. 
 
 •<■ '-■8 '.•■.'. 
 
 Mod* %( bap- 
 tiim. 
 
 Tbankvgiving 
 «ft«f baptim. 
 
•ftheceltbra- 
 tion oftbt • 
 Oommunion. 
 
 Who are er- 
 aludedfroin 
 the ordiDMce. 
 
 Public intima- 
 tion to be i;i^ 
 ▼en and due 
 preparation to 
 be made. 
 
 Exhortation, 
 warning, and 
 invitation be- 
 fore the com- 
 nunioa. 
 
 22 
 
 *♦ truth and special providence, he daily bringeth some into the 
 *'Ji)osom of his church, to be partakers of his inestimable 
 *' benefits, purchased by the blood of his dear Son, for ihe con* 
 *' tinuance and increase ol his church. 
 
 " And praying, That the Lord would still continue, and daily 
 "confirm more and more this his unspeakable favour : That he 
 ** would receive the infant now baptized, and solemnly entered 
 " into the household of faith, into his fatherly tuition and defence 
 "and remember him with the favour that he shcweth to his peo- 
 " pie ; that, if he shall be taken out of this life in his infancy, the 
 *• Lord, who is rich in mercy, would be pleased to receive him ^2!l^' 
 *' up into glory ; and if he live, and attain the years of discretion, «*fp,ai 
 '• that the Lord would so teach him by his word and Spirit, 
 " and make his baptism effectual to him, and so uphold him by 
 " his divine power and grace, that by faith he may prevail against 
 " the devil, the world and the flesh, till in the end he obtain a 
 ** full and final victory, and so be kept by the power of God 
 " through faith unto salvation through, Jesus Christ our Lord." 
 
 ns ti 
 
 <?!lov 
 
 •*lhih 
 
 • ;.»'iN 
 *'ftll i 
 **ftny 
 ♦«|he3 
 at 
 
 cial 
 
 «» 
 
 Of the Celebration of the Communien, pr Scferttment of the 
 
 Lord's Supper. • 
 
 te 
 
 sen? 
 
 "to Vi 
 
 **ailai 
 **,«am< 
 •* wea 
 lAfte 
 before 
 oomm* 
 l|*pin 
 bfead 
 vcnieii 
 
 .«4 
 
 F¥1HE communion, or supper of the Lord, is frequently 
 •*• be celebrated ; but how often may be considereti and de- j**jl!!^^' 
 termincd by the ministers, and other church-governors of eacli ,j^il/„ 
 congregation, as they shall find most convenient for the pomfori ^^^^ 
 and edification of the people committed to their charge, And iS r' 
 when it shall be administered, we judge it convenient to be dpnc ^^ . 
 after the morning sermon. ^ P 
 
 The ignorant and the scandalous are not fit to receive this sa- rj^ani 
 crament of the Lord's supper. tirhich 
 
 Where this sacrament cannot with convenience be fr^nuentlj ^-^i 
 administered, it is requisite that public warning be given the sab- ^Ti.*, 
 bath-day before the administration thereof: and that either ^^'^^i^: wjnp \ 
 oron seme day of that week, something concerning that ordi „ |y 
 nance, and the due preparation thereunto, and participatior ,< 
 thereof, be taught ; that, by the diligent use of al! mean* sancti r, i. 
 fied of God to that end, both in public and private, all may conKa'i^ppp 
 better prepared to that heavenly feast. ««'t|pri' 
 
 When the day is come for administration, the minister h^vinju^ .j . 
 ended his serraoa and prayer, shall make a short exhortation : tf pk--^ 
 
 *' Expressino; the inestimable benefit we have by this sacra «t|] 
 " ment, togeihcr with the encs and use thereof: setting forth lh(«|i ' 
 " great necessity of having our comforts and strength ''^^'^^^^'''fi'lnnii, 
 *' thereby m this our pilgrimage and warfare : how necessary itt!,|jijj ^ 
 
 ^laftcr 
 
'^ 
 
 some into the 
 lis inestimable 
 :i, for ihe con* 
 
 nue, and daily 
 vour : That he 
 emniy entered 
 on and defence 
 ^elh to his peo- 
 his intancy, the 
 to receive him 
 's of discretion, 
 »rd and Spirit, 
 iphold him by 
 prevail against 
 id lie obtain a 
 power of God 
 ist our Lord." 
 
 mt oftht 
 
 frequently tc 
 dered and de- 
 ernors of eacli 
 or the pomtbr 
 
 charge. And 
 lent to be dpne 
 
 receive this sa- 
 
 be frequently 
 given the sab- 
 hat either then, 
 ning that ordi 
 d participatior 
 l mean* sancti 
 I, all may comt 
 
 mmister havinj 
 exhortation : 
 by this sacrn 
 ietting forth the 
 ength renewed 
 3W necessary i 
 
 53 
 
 ^. .sthat we come unto it with knowledge, faith, repentance, 
 fflovc and with hungering and thirsting souls after Christ and 
 W'bis benefits : how great the danger to eat and drink unwor- 
 *^lhily. 
 
 iy Next, he is, in the name of Christ on the one part, to warn 
 •*;|ill snch as are ignorant, scandalous, profane, or that live in 
 •^iny sin or offence against their knowledge or conscience, that 
 ♦^fhey presume not to come to that holy table; shewing them, 
 •lihat he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drink- 
 th judgment unto himself : and, on the other part, he is in espe- 
 fcial manner to invite and encourage all that labour under the 
 ense of the burden of their sins, and fear of wraih, and desire 
 o reach out unto a greater progress ni grace than yet they can 
 ^ffittain unto, to come to the Lord's table ; assuring them, in the 
 •|*ame name, of ease, refreshmg, and strength to their weak and 
 ♦#*'earied souls." 
 
 ,:i|After this exhortation, warning, and invitation, the table being 
 fore decently covered, and so conveniently placed, that the 
 municants may orderly sit about it, or at it, the minister is to 
 tii^gin the action with sanctifying and blessing the elements of 
 l|^ad and wine set before him, (the bread in comely and con- 
 venient vessels, so prepared, that, being broken by him, and given j 
 mnay be distributed amongst the communicants ; the wine also 
 liilarge cups,) having first) in a few words, showed that those ele-» 
 nts, otherwise common, are now set apart and sanctified to 
 s holy use, by the word of institution and prayer. 
 Vet the words of institution be readout of the Evangelists, or 
 ouf of the first Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian?, 
 Cf|apl --r xi. 23 / have received of the Lord, <J*c. to the 27th Verse, 
 tKlich the minister may, when he seeth requisite, explain and 
 apply. 
 
 Let the prayer, thanksgiving, or blessing of the bread and 
 wine, be to this effect : 
 
 *• With humble and hearty acknowledgment of the greatness of 
 " our misery, from which neither man nor angel was able to dc- 
 '* liver us, and of our great Unvvorthiness of the least of all God's 
 ** ittiercies ; to give thanks to Cod for all his benefits and es- 
 **'pccially for that great benofit of our redemption, the love of 
 "God the Father, the sufferings and merits of the Lord Jesus 
 *^Chri!5£, the Son ot God, by which wc are delivered ; and fop 
 **^ll nnans of grace, the word and sarraments ; and for taissa- 
 *f|rament in particular, by which Christ, and all his benefits, are 
 **%pplied and sealed up unto us, which, notwithstanding the do- 
 ••^ftial of them unto othtrs, are in great mercy continued unto us, 
 ** after so much and long abuse of them all. 
 
 ryrt 
 
 Consecration 
 ofthaclenenta 
 
 Authority fer 
 theobservancs 
 of the ordi- 
 naiice. 
 
 Prayer, (hiinlni 
 giving and 
 blesMing ofthtf' 
 elementa. 
 
 - t 
 
 , 9 't 
 
 
«< 
 (< 
 tt 
 
 t< 
 
 24i 
 
 ** To piofess, that therft is no other name under heaven lij 
 "which we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ, bjr when 
 *• alone we receive liberty and life have access to the thrune o 
 
 grace, are admitted to eat and drinic at his own table, and an 
 
 sealed up by his Spirit to an assurance ot happiness and ever 
 
 lasting life. 
 
 " Earnestly to pray to God, the Father of all mercies, and Goi, 
 
 of all consolation, to vouchsafe his gracious presen ce, and th; 
 ** effectual working of his Spirit in us ; and so to sanctify these 
 *' elenients both of bread and wine,and to bless his own ordinance 
 " that we may receive by faith the body and blood of Jesus 
 " Christ, crucified fcr us, and so to feed upon him. that he may 
 " be one with us, and we one with him ; that he may live in m 
 " and we in him, and to him who hath loved us, and give. 
 " himself for us." 
 
 All which he is to endeavour lo perform wilh suitable offcctioii! 
 answerable to such an holy action, and to stir up the like in tlit 
 people. ^^ - 'i y 
 
 The elements being; now sanctified by the word and prayer 
 the minister, b*ing at the table, is to take the bread in his hand 
 and say in these expressions,(or other the like, used by Christ oi 
 his apoPtle upon this occasion.) 
 
 "According to the holy insiitutioii, command, and example o 
 *' our blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, I take this bread, and, ha 
 "vinggii'en thanks, break it, and give it unto you; (there tlif 
 " rainister,who is also himself to communicate, is to break the breai 
 •' and give It to the communicants;) 'J ake ye, eat ye ; this is tlu 
 ^* body of Christ which ii broken for you: do this in remembranC'. 
 " of him." ■ •'■ "■■,'- ' ^'' - .;.. -■ : 
 
 In like manner the minister is to take the cup, and say, ir 
 And the cup. these expressions, (or other the like, used by Christ or the Apob 
 tie upon the same occasion :) 
 
 " According to the institution, command and example of our 
 
 ,,• «' Lord Jesus Christ, ! take this cup, & give it unto you ; hefe he 
 
 " giveth it to the communicants ;) This cup is the new Testamenl 
 
 " in the blood of Christ, which is shed for the remission of the sins oj 
 
 ** many : drink ye all of it.'''' 
 
 After all have communicated, the minister may, in a few word 
 put them in mind, 
 
 '■' Of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, held forth in this sacra- 
 *• ment ; and exhort them to walk worthy of it." .... 
 
 The minister is to give solemn thanks to God, 
 
 *' For his rich merry, and invaluable goodness, vouchsafed 'o 
 " them in that sacrament ; and lo entreat for|)ardon for the do' 
 " fects of the whole service, and for the gracious assistance o! 
 
 ittodeof giving 
 and ricaiving 
 the bread 
 
 COmmi 
 ^^Tha 
 "iwiolc 
 
 Ode he 
 
 no 
 ^^Tha 
 
 MIgS of 
 
 i^tpetiti 
 ftccoun 
 COnfere 
 ingoff 
 tiis of] 
 
 ikSzhortation 
 and thank»- 
 giving after 
 the cotnmu- 
 aioa. 
 
er heaven Ij 
 riPt, bj TV' hoi! 
 the thrune o 
 table, and an 
 ess und ever 
 
 rcles, and Goii 
 en ce, and th; 
 sanctify thcsi 
 rvrn ordinance 
 lood of Jesu5 
 , that he may 
 lay live in m. 
 us, and give; 
 
 able affectioiii 
 the like in tb 
 
 d and prajci 
 E)d in his hand 
 id by Christ oi 
 
 md cxamji'e o 
 read, and, ha 
 oil ; (there tli( 
 >reak the breai 
 ye ; this is tlu 
 n remembrancf 
 
 and say, ir 
 it or the Aposi 
 
 ample of out 
 
 }'ou •, heCe lu 
 
 new Testamenl 
 
 m ofthesms oj 
 
 in a few vrordi 
 
 25 
 
 ^ his good Spirit, whereby they may be enabled to walk in the 
 *• strength of that grace, as becometh those who have received 
 '* so great pledges of salvation." 
 
 The collection for the poor is to be ordered, thai no part of 
 tl|e public worship be thereby hindered. 
 
 '•>> ' ,■ . ■ 
 
 J" O/theSanctificationoftheLord^sDay. '■''•■ 
 
 ripHE Lord's day ought to be so remembered before-hand, as 
 *- that all worldly business of our orJmary callings may.be so 
 Ojrdered, and so timely &l seasonably laid aside as they may not 
 1^ impediments to the due sanctifying of the day when it comes. 
 -*'The whole day is to bo celebrated as holy to the Lord, both 
 m public and private, as being the Christian sabbath. To which 
 ffid It is requisite, that there be a holy cessation or resting all 
 
 tat day from all unnecessary Inbours ; and an abstaining, not 
 ilv from all sports and pjstimes, but also from all worldly words 
 ikid thoughts. 
 
 ^iThat the diet on that day be so ordered, as that neither ser- 
 fiints be unnecessarily detained from the public worship of God 
 BOr any other person hindered from the sanctifying that day. 
 • ' Thai there be private preparations of every person and family 
 prayer for themselves, and for God's absistance of the rainis- 
 and for a blessing upon his ministry ; and by such other holy 
 :ercises, as may further dispose them to a more comfortable 
 ►ramunion with God in his public ordinances. 
 jffThatall the people meet so timely for public worship, that the 
 Imolc congregation may be present at the beginning, and with 
 (M^e heart solcn\nly join together in all parts of the public worship 
 jpd not depart till pfter the blessing. 
 
 ATThat what time is vacant, between or after thj» solemn meet. 
 ings of the conL^regation in public be s)>ent in readin:' meditation, 
 ildpetition of sermons / especially by calling their families to an 
 acscount of ivhat they have heard- and cntechising of them, holy 
 conferences, prayer fora blessing upon the puhlicordinanees s)ng- 
 ll^rg of psalms, visiting the sick, relieving Uie poor and such I ke du- 
 (lls of piety, charity, and mercy, accounting the si«lbalh a delight. 
 
 Collection fofr 
 the |)Oor. 
 
 All worldly 
 business to bt 
 laid aside. 
 
 The whole day 
 to be kept 
 holy. 
 
 None to be ■; 
 unnec«'>'8nri?y 
 detained for 
 
 public wor- 
 ship. 
 
 Private prepa- 
 rations to be 
 made. 
 
 All the con- 
 Rrega»icn to 
 b<? present du- 
 divine service 
 
 Marner of 
 8p<": iiiup time 
 bf'twren pub- 
 lic worship. 
 
 in this sacra- 
 
 o 
 
 The Solemnization of Marriage, . • , 
 
 LTTIOUGH marriage be no sacrament, nor peculiar to the Marriatrehovy 
 church ot Cod. l>ut cotntnon to mankind, and of public to he solemR, ^ 
 vouchsafed '0 i(|terest in every eomnonnefvllh : yet because such as marry are "-"J- 
 n for the dr^ tp marry in the Lord and have special need of instruction, di-- 
 asbislance oi ffction, and exhortation, b oin the word ol God, at their entering 
 
HfWiKTf %iy[ f 1 1 ■ irtiiOTW<l«'i'^''-t:: 
 
 Who «r« at 
 
 liberty to 
 marrj. 
 
 Purpose of 
 marritge to 
 bt published. 
 
 Conient of 
 parents to be 
 •btaiaed. 
 
 i Time and 
 
 \ place for so- 
 
 ! leuinizing 
 
 i marriage. 
 
 Frajer be foie 
 iBBiriege. 
 
 S6 
 
 into such a new condition* and of the blessing of God upon them 
 therein we judge it expedient that marriage be solemnized by a 
 lawful minister of the word, that he may accordingly counsel 
 them, and pray for a blessing upon them. 
 
 Marriage is to be betwixt one man and one woman only; and 
 they, nuchas are not within the degrees of consanguinity or affini- 
 ty prohibited by the word of God ; and the parties are to be of 
 years of discretion, fit to make their own choice, or upon good 
 ground.«, to give their mutual consent. 
 
 Before the solemnizing of marriage between any persons, their 
 purpose of marriage shall be published by the minister three se- 
 veral sabbath-days, in the congregation, at the place or places of 
 their most usual and constant abode, respectively. And of this 
 publication the minister who is to join them in marriage sholl 
 have sufficient testimony, before he proceed to solemnize the mar- 
 riage. 
 
 Before that publication of sUch their purpose, (if the parties be 
 under age,) the consent of the parents, or others under whose 
 power they are, (in case the parents be dead,) is to be made 
 knovvn to the church officers of that congregation, to be recorded. 
 
 The like is to be observed in the proceedings of all others, al- 
 though of agd, whose parents are living, for ?heir first marriage. 
 
 And, in after marriages of either of those parties, they shall be 
 exhorted not to contract marriage without first acquainting their 
 parents with it, (if with conveniency it may be done,) endeavour- 
 ing to obtain their consent. ' 
 
 Parents ought not to force their children to marry without 
 their free consent, nor deny their own consent without just causi\ 
 
 After the purpose or contract of marriage hath been thus pub- 
 lished, the marriage is not to be long deferred. Therefore the 
 minister, having had convenient warning, and nothing been ob 
 jected to hinder it, is publicly to solemnize it in the place appoint- 
 ed by authoritji for public worship, before a competent number of 
 credible witnesses, at some convenient hour of the day, at any 
 time of the year, except on a day of public humiliation. And we 
 advise that it be not on the Lord's day. 
 
 And because all relations are sanctified by the word and prayer 
 the minister is to pray for a blessing upon them to this effe' t : 
 
 ** Acknowledging our sins, whereby we have made ourselves 
 " less than the least of all the mercies of God, and provoked him 
 " to embitter all our comforts ; earnestly, in the name of Christ 
 " to entreat the Loid (whose presence and favour is the happiness 
 " of.every condition, and sweetens every relation) to be their por 
 " tion, and to own and accept them in Christ, who are 
 " now to be joined in the honourable estate of marriage, 
 
 (* 
 
i^7 
 
 d upon them 
 nnized by a 
 ngly counsel 
 
 in only; and 
 
 nity or affini- 
 
 are to be of 
 
 or upon good 
 
 persons, their 
 ster three se- 
 ; or placess of 
 And of this 
 larriage sholl 
 nize the inar- 
 
 the parties be 
 under whose 
 to be made 
 
 I be recorded. 
 
 II othersi al- 
 irst marriage. 
 
 they shall be 
 minting their 
 !,) endeavour- 
 
 larry without 
 »ut just causi\ 
 'en thus pub- 
 rhtrefore the 
 ling been ob 
 )lace appoint- 
 ent number of 
 day, at any 
 ion. And wc 
 
 rd and prayer 
 lis effe-.t : 
 ade ourselves 
 )rovoked him 
 ame of Christ 
 
 the happiness 
 ► be the ir por 
 ist, who are 
 
 of marrias*, 
 
 '** the covenant of their God: and that, as he hath brought them 
 * •* together by his providence, he would sanctify them by his 
 •♦^ Spiiit, giving them a new frame of heart fit for their new t state 
 
 ** enriching them with all graces, whereby they may perform the 
 
 *• dutie-;, enjoy the comforts, undergo the cares, and resist the 
 
 *• templaiions which accompany that condition, as bccomcth 
 
 ♦« Christians." 
 
 "^ Tho piayer being ended, it.is convenient that the minister do 
 '^Juriell}' declare unto them, out of the scripture, 
 
 y; •' The insLiiution, use and ends of marriage, with the conjugal 
 '•^ duties, which, in all failhtulness, they are to perform each to 
 
 f other ; exhorting them to study the holy word of God, that they 
 ■'** may iearn to live by fi\lth,and to be content in the midht of all 
 '^ marriage cares and troubles, sanctifying God's name, in a 
 ' ** thankful, sober and holy use of all conjugal comforts ; praymg 
 'V much wiih and for one another ; watchmg over, and provoking 
 
 ** each other to love and good works ; and to live together as the 
 '^ heirs of the grace of lite." 
 
 ' After solemn charging of the persons to be married, before the 
 ^^|reat God, who search^th all hearts, and to whom they must 
 J|ive a strict account at the last day, that if either of them know 
 ■iiny cause, by precontract or otherwise, why they may not law- 
 ^lully proceed to marriage, that they now discover it ; the minis- 
 ;jier, (if no impediment be acknowledged) shall cause first the man 
 
 io take the woman by the right hand, saying these word«: 
 
 ^' / N, (/• take thee N. to he my married wife, and do, in the presence 
 
 'y^God, and before this congregation, promise and covenaui to he a 
 
 'loving and faithful husband unto thee, until God shall separate us 
 
 '%y death. 
 
 ' Then the woman shall take the man by the right hand, and 
 
 lay these words : 
 
 . / N. do take thee N. (o he my married husband, and I do, in th» 
 presence of God, and before this congregation, promise and covenant 
 .to be a lovinjr, faithful^ and obedient wife unlo thee, until God shall 
 depurate us by death, 
 
 ■ Then, without any further ceremony, the minister shall, in the 
 
 face of the congregation, pronounce them to be husband and wife, 
 
 iccording to God's ordinance ; and so conclude the action with 
 
 'prayer to this effect : 
 
 * •• That the Lord would be pleased to accompany his own or- 
 
 ** dinance with his blessing, beseeching him to enrich the persons 
 
 »|* now married, as with other pledges of his love, so particularly 
 
 4* with the comforts and fruits of marriage, to the praise of his 
 
 'f abundant mercy, in and through Christ Jesus." 
 
 loatitutioB, 
 UHe and «ndi 
 of m»rrlag« 
 
 Form of nar • 
 riage. 
 
 Prayer aftar 
 marriBga, 
 
S8 
 
 i 
 
 B'glster of 
 ^arria^es it to 
 be kept. 
 
 Minister to 
 tttcb privately 
 
 To adtnonish 
 all to prepare 
 fur lickneaB 
 
 Timeqofafflic- 
 tion furnish 
 f|)»icial opper- 
 tunities for 
 tnjtructioa 
 
 Sick person to 
 be insiractf tJ 
 fPi-pecting the 
 design of his 
 present afflic- 
 tion. 
 
 If i"' oant to 
 ti2 uxauiineU 
 
 if i]o'i!.-ii>.7 ?o 
 i>« enc'Oura;;pd 
 
 A register is lo be carefully ke))t,wherein the names of the par' t||tan(Hti 
 tiesr' !?o uiarried, with the time of their marriage, are forthwith to mSvu to 
 be fairly recorded in a book, provided for that purpose, for the ^k( j, , 
 perusal of all whom it may concern. Oltehi to 
 
 <, ;'..,' I . ' . pert of t 
 
 Concerning Visitation of the Siek. by tlicrn 
 
 Ot'|hciii; 
 ¥T is the duty of the minister not only to tc<ich the pe«pic com- ^M ^^\{\ 
 
 ■■■ milted to his charge in public, but privately; and particularly lo iSlrcti 
 
 admonish^' exhort, reprove and comfort them, upon all seasonable eMc, an 
 
 occasions, so far as his time, sirenglh, and personal safety will Jjf)i'c;ic 
 
 permit. . situ I. b 
 
 He IS to admonish them, in time of health, to prepare for death, {AIlU. 
 and, for that purpose, ihc>y are often to confer with their minis>ter ' JChe 1 
 about the estate, of their souls; and, in times of sickness, to jaIvc G 
 desire his advice and help, timely and seasonably, before their j^lj-niiti 
 strcnj^lh and undcrsiaiuJirig fail them. call dov 
 
 Times of sickiicss and affliction are special opportunities put be^t lo 
 into his hand by Godto minist* r a word in season lo weary souls; ^^^ of ( 
 because then the consciences of men are or should be more awak« g^^cious 
 eucd to bclhink themselves of their spiritual estate for eternity; ^{jfi) .^w 
 and Satan al«;o takes advantage then to load them more with sore ^bf^Jr cm 
 and heavy temptations : therefore the minister, being sent for, and ujWy be 
 repairing- to the sick, is to apply himself, with all tenderness and ija^ evil 
 love, to adiiiinii-ster some spiritual good to his soul, to this ef gtijpg of 
 feet. : ^ tHat are 
 
 He ma3% fr*»m the consideration of the present sickness, instruct pvi^ the 
 him out of scripture, that diseases come not by chance or by dis-pi^pare 
 tempers of body only, but by the wise and orderly guidance of the be.|ible 
 |;ood h.ind of God to every particular person smitten by them, ar^jsure 
 And that, whether it he laid upon him out of displeasure for sin, joyiful a 
 for his correction f=nd amendment, or for trial and exercise of his Advit 
 graces, or for other special and excellent ends, all his sufferings petjBuasi 
 shall turn to his proHt, and W(»rk together for his good, if he sin- yen, so 
 ccrely labour to make a sanctified use of God's visitation, neither wholly i 
 despising his chasioninj:;, nor waxing weary of his correction. .Jesus *Cl 
 
 If he suspect him of ignorance, he shall examine bim in thejn ti?nth 
 principlcsofrflisiioii, especially touching repentance and faith ;that the 
 and, as he secih cause, in'^fruct him in the nature, uscj excelleneysevfre r 
 and iirrcssity ofihosf; ![rrac(?s; as also touching the covenant ofos is no 
 grace; and C'liiist iho Son ©f God, the Mediator of it; and con-merit fo: 
 ccntiits: rrMni^sion of^Iiis by f;Hlh in him. ' Wher 
 
 He sliali CKJiort the sick pcr<*on to examine himself, to seafd aiv| othc 
 andijy his locitKr ways, and h's estate towards God. if^;|esin 
 
 Aiidifihc !-it,k person shall declare any scruple, doubt or f Cor 
 
m 
 
 1 safety' wil 
 
 are for death, 
 their minister 
 
 es ofthc pnr' f^piation that are upon him, instructions and resolutions shall be 
 ; forthwith to |A(>ti to satisfy and seliie him. 
 
 pose, for the Ijf^f n ippear ihat he hath not a due sense of his sins, endeavours 
 oilghi lo ho us» d to convince hira of his sins, of ihe guilt and de- 
 sert of thcmjol the filth and pollution which the sou\ contracts 
 by them ; and oftlic curse of the law, and wra'h of God, due to 
 ot'lhciii; that ht- may be truiy afl'ccted with &. humViicd for them : 
 B pc«plc com- j,|j^ vvitlial make knoivn the (iung«fr*of dcferrinc; rrpciuancf ; and 
 •articuiarly to nffg!( cling salvation at any time olfered ; to awaken hisconsci- 
 ill seasonable cij|p, an') rouse him up out of a stupid and secure condition, to 
 
 ajj|"^'"^'''^^ ''^*' j^'*'^*^^ ""^ ^'"^^^^ °^^"'^' before whom none cun 
 slAtid, but he that, lost in himself, layeth hold upon Christ by 
 
 faith. 
 
 ' If he hath endeavoured to walk in the ways of holiness, and to 
 sickness, to geifve God in uprigiitncss, although not without many failings and 
 before their iugi-jjiitics ; or, ifhis spirit be broken with the sense o\ sin, or 
 
 ca»l down through want of the sense of God's favour ; then it will 
 )rtunitics put b^'fit to raise him up, V)y setting before hira the freeness and ful- 
 weary souls; ne^ of God's grace, the sufficiency of righteousness in Chiist, the 
 e more awak- gracious offers ui the gospel, that all who repent, and believe 
 for eternity; ^itli all their heart in God's mercy through Christ, renouncing 
 lore with sore ^hgir own righteousness, shall have life and salvation in him. It 
 5 sent for, and m^y be also useful to shew him, that death hath in it no spirit- 
 ?.nderness and ual evil to be feared by those that are in Christ, because sin, the 
 ^b1, to this ef gtiijig of death, is taken iiway by Christ, who hath delivered all 
 
 that are his from the bondiige of the fear of death, triumphed 
 Lness, instruct ov^ the grave, given us victory, is himself entered into glory to 
 nee or by dis- prepare a place for h s people : so that neither life nor death shall 
 uidanceof thebenble to separate them from God's love in Christ, in whom such 
 ten by them, are' sure, though now they must be laid in the dust, to obtain a 
 ?asure for sin, joyful and glorious resurrection to eternal life, 
 ^xercise of hi.s Advice also maybe given, as to beware of an ill-grounded 
 his sufferings petiuasion on mercy, or on the goodness of his condition for hea- 
 ood, if he sin-ven, so to disclaim all merit in himself, and to cast himself 
 at ion, neither f»b9lly upon God for mercy, in the sole merits and mediation of 
 correction. Jesgs Christ, who hath engaged himself never to cast oft' them who 
 e bim in the in truth and sincerity coinc unto him. Care also must be taken, 
 ce and faith ;that the sick person be not cast down into despair, by such a 
 RCj excellencysevfre representation of the wrath ofGod due to him for his sins, 
 I covenant ufos is not niollilied by a sensible propounding of Christ and his 
 it ; and con-merit for a door of hope to every penitent believer. 
 
 When the sick person is host composed, may be least disturbed, 
 iclf, to sear c' and other necessary oflkes about him least hindered, the minister, 
 )d. jf _^||lesired, shall pr^y with hiin, and for him, to this clTect ; 
 
 pic, doubt or '| Confessing and bewailing of sin original and actual; the 
 
 IfinieflBiblfloC 
 his spiritual 
 condition to be 
 convinced and 
 exhorted tore* 
 pentance. 
 
 If humble and 
 contrite to be 
 raised and 
 comforted. 
 
 To be taught 
 to consider 
 death as a 
 blessing. 
 
 To be 'encoa 
 rngcd to cast 
 himself upon 
 the ^mercy of 
 God tbrnugl^ 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 Prayer to b<% 
 offered up. r 
 
t- • « rV>ll(\rcn of wrath, 
 
 " Redeemei . 
 
 ait 
 
 •fobeatlmo- 
 niahed to act 
 bis house ia 
 order. 
 
 Exhortation to 
 ttiose who at- 
 tend the Bick. 
 
 « o the Lord Jesa. t l.r.s^ u„. -^^ .^ 
 
 '^''rr'Ce in o d'r. thereby to P'-^^^^^^'^^TeltUmio,. .r. p*\tctl 
 
 ,0 set h.» 1^""/^ '" ,^„i of hi. debts, and to make r .,^j ^ r, 
 
 take ^■•'='°'^^J?l" hail'donenny wrong; 1° J. ,, t„ for.ei> 'ml"' 
 
 lisfaciion wheve \«^f" . j-i variance ; and ^'^'J. ■^-^, tijl llic 
 
 those «'<1? '!^"'»,ll' ses a -a'nst bin., as he expects torg.v ^ 
 
 all men their tresspasses a„a „„„;„„ lo r from = 
 
 =" 'r V-Vhl :-is,er may improve '-^^ F-- "^r^ nali. bodily 
 
 ,oSe atuthe sicM-»-:r«ui t. ,^^^;^^ '^ 
 
 when Christ Nv bo IS oui Uie, ,, ^ ^.^^^ 
 
 yrith him m glory. v st^H 
 
of wrath,! 
 
 U ihcrcoi ;i 
 lie Mood otj 
 ™, discovcrl 
 in him?oir,j 
 
 |irn, levea' 
 rive iin^*^l 
 
 lio Uiy ht-M 
 )i" l»is iovcl 
 \'i irom llie 
 
 lim with paA^ 
 
 lance in faiih 
 
 ould vouch. 
 lo rrmovf 
 alk worthy oi 
 rvinj^ of sud 
 ; mtn am ap 
 
 od m the ro 
 
 y the presenti 
 Ion of all hi!^ 
 hrist, as maj 
 outward mat 
 r, cast hirasel I 
 o be dissolve! I 
 )f his faith, til' 
 in(^ interces&i' 
 id all-sufficiec 
 
 31 
 
 Concerning Burial of the Lead. 
 
 'HEN any person departeth this hfe, let the dead body, 
 upon the day of burial, b^ decently attended from the house 
 
 the p!:ico appointed for public burial, and there iUimedialely 
 ^werrcd, without any ceremony. 
 
 And because the customs of IcneeIingdown,and praying by or 
 >wards the dead corpse, and other such usagies, in the place 
 rhcre it lies before il be carried to burial, are superstitious ; and 
 >r that praying, reading, and singing, both in going to and at 
 le grave, have been grossly abused, are no way beneficial to 
 le dead, and have proved many ways hurtful to the living ; 
 jcrcfore let all such things be laid aside. 
 
 Ilowbeit, we judge it very convenient, that the Christian 
 [iends which accompany the dead body to the place appointed 
 >p public burial, do apply themselves to meditations and con- 
 irences suitable to the occasion ; and that the minister, as upon 
 iher occasions, so at this t»t?ic, if he be present, may put them ih- 
 [membrance of their duly. 
 
 (That this shall not cxtenr^ to deny any civil respects or defer- 
 ^ces at the burial, suitable to the rank and condition of the parly 
 fcceased, whiles he was living. 
 
 Concerning Public solemn Fastings 
 
 IlEN some great and notable judgments are either inflicted 
 upon a people or apparently imminent, or by some exiraor- 
 
 3l^ary provocations notoriously deserved ; as also when some 
 > shall be caus( t|;|iecial blesbing is to be sought and obtained, public solemn fast 
 nvenicncies ; i ijfti(vvhich is to continue the whole day) is a duty that God ex- 
 estiiution ors: p^cteth from that nation or people. 
 
 ! rccoticiled A religious fast requires total abstmencc. not only from nil food, 
 
 fully to forei^ (iittless b«)dily weakness do manifestly disable from holding out 
 BCis forgivene till the fast be ended, in which case somewhat may be taken, yet 
 
 very sparingly, to support nature, when ready to faint,) but also, 
 t occasion toe f#«J|n al! worldly labour, discourses, and thoughts, and from all 
 rown mortalii bo<0ly delights, and such like,(although at other times lawful, )rich 
 1- in hcal'h ap^rel, ornaments and suchlike, during the fast; and much 
 all the days inpire from whatever is in the nature or use scandalous and of- 
 inee come, ll f^^'^e, as gaudish attire, lascivious habits and gestures, and 
 ev niay appi' •l^^'' vanities of either sex ; which we recommend lo all ministers, 
 
 i^heir places, diligently and zealously to reprove, as at other 
 
 tijijes, so especially at a last, without respect of persons, as there 
 
 shall be occasion 
 
 D«ad to b« ia- 
 terrtd without 
 certmony 
 
 Sup«rstitioa* 
 uiaKCB to bo 
 laid aaide. 
 
 Friends of th« 
 doceaeed to 
 engage in 
 ■uitable con 
 ference. 
 
 Civil reapect 
 net to be with- 
 held. 
 
 A duty to b« 
 performed t»a 
 particular oc« 
 caaions. 
 
 Mode of ob« 
 aerviiig it. 
 
In piivatt. 
 And In public 
 
 prayer on that 
 oceaiioD< 
 
 «,. Urffe a portion ot tue uay •* r ^j^ ^oivl, \vilh %»";^- 
 
 V,e's;n:?n%ul^^;cre^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ .such a da.y;| 
 
 U,g if psalms, m 10 qmck" ^^ ^,,^ 'tof-^;;';. „,„ Creator.! 
 
 "Givnir B'°'y d .i„r nl all the worW, "'O. "'•"^ i 
 
 .. Prose verAnd supreme Rule , <>' » ' ^^j ^we of h.m ; a - 
 «'ffect us thereby wuh an h">y". lender mercies, cspec.nll. 
 ■ ..knowledging human. oW,g.e^il.«n^' ,ft-ec.tu>lly to ;o.f"=» ""i 
 " to the chuich and n?"™'.'^" rmWy confessing of snw.of al 
 
 Vforall others for whom we f«J^°""V" Pecfal importunity au f? 
 
 ::-Sd^:tssofc.d^^P^-^„st^^^^ 
 
 - ' . 
 
 lerein 
 fast 
 
 V 
 
 Minister and 
 people to be 
 deeply affec- 
 ted. 
 
 Appropriate 
 ■cripturestobe 
 raad and texts 
 choaen. 
 
 Engagement 
 to walk in 
 a«w obedience 
 
 '♦ enlargement ••""" r ^ j for panion, neiiJ, au- ;- , ,^, 
 
 hearers to the ''P<.«'»; *'X,'c\ : insisting mo»t on tho«v P^^. ^^ 
 to humiliation and "=P™ X.^j^non and exp-rienre tc l._ ^ 
 krs which each mm.ste,^;°^;^ ',.;:,,„„ ,„d ,,„„„at>on ot tl« H^^ 
 - XSr w^icU t preac,.th. ^^ ^ -^ - „,.u^,e 
 
 ""Sefrre the close of the public^ --^^j;^ ^^ir be^ - '^^M 
 and the people's names, to ensap ^ ■„„ ^„ ,,!or.» "''^"f tlS 
 lotd's, U V^f-rt'aTmor P-Ucnlarly s,u h .u. a. t ;:^ 
 
 aESSf£?'5ti^si 
 
 obedience, than ever before. 
 
33 
 
 npirt arc I 
 
 is to 
 
 sini^-l 
 
 He is also to admonish the p(»ople, with all importunity, thf\t 
 le work of that i\;\y doiK not end with the public duties of it. 
 iut that they are so lo Improve the remainder of the (hy, and 
 |f their whole life, in reinforcing upon themselves and their fami- 
 |es in private all ihose godly affections and resolations which 
 ley professed in public, as that they may be settled in their 
 irts forever, fiiul themselves nuy more sensibly find that God 
 iih smelt a sueot savour in Christ from their performances, and 
 pr^cificd toward them, by answers ot grace, in pL^rdoningof sin, 
 removing of judgments, in averting or preventing of plagues, 
 )d in conferring of blessings, suitable to the conditions and 
 payers ot his people, by Jesus Christ. 
 Besides solemn and general fasts enjoined by authority, we 
 fjge that, at other tiaics, congregations may keep days> of fasting 
 J). vine Providence shall administer unto them special orca- 
 »n ; and also that families may do the same.so it be not on days 
 lerein the congregation to which they do belong is to meet 
 fasting, or other public duties of- worship. 
 
 Cancerning the Observation of Day of Public Thanksgiving. 
 
 rMTHEN any such day is to be kept, let notice be ^iven of 
 * ▼ it, and of the occasion thereof, some convenient time be- 
 ^ that the people may the better prepare themselves thereunto, 
 "he day being come, and the congregiuion ("after i»rivate pre-r 
 tions) being assembled, the minister is to begin with a word 
 xhorialion, to stir up the people to the duty for which ihey 
 met, and with a short prayer for God's assiPiance and bles.sing 
 at other conventions for public worship,) according to tlic 
 icular occasion ol their meeting. 
 
 et him then make some pithy narration of the delivcrnnce 
 to be rend. aHQJ|l||ftined, or mercy received, or of whatever haih oceasiorrd 
 e hearts of I'l th^l assembling of the cpngregiitJon, that all mny better under- 
 3st dispose th(r.!»ta»4jd it, or be minded of it, and .more alTected with it. 
 
 tliose parii -ti' 4k|i|d because, singing of psalms is of all other the most proper 
 
 "ienee tells hiraofiffll^ancc for exprei?sing of joy and thanksgiving, let. some per- 
 
 rnvatioii of ibxttilti|t psalm or psalms be sung for that piirpos*^, before or or a^ter 
 
 thei|bading of some portion of the word suiiable lo the present 
 
 , j^ ^,... business. , , - ■ .. 
 
 '^ 1'^ ,v ; 'llllcn let the minister, who is to preach, proreed to further cx- 
 
 «fili|ktion and prayer before nis sermon, with special icrerence to 
 
 resent work : after which, let him preach upon some text of 
 
 ture pertinent to the occasion. 
 
 e sermon ended, let him not otdy pray, as at other times 
 preachiiig is. directed, with rcmeinbrancc of the necessities 
 
 y 1j«i 
 
 with 
 h a duly ; I 
 
 ic Creator,] 
 ic better to I 
 of him ; ac-| 
 s, especially I 
 
 soften an;l! 
 
 fsin*' of all! 
 J's riglueoih| 
 /e ; yet huinj 
 for oursclvo?,- 
 ulhority, and]^ 
 ;ordin,<; as tlk'Jj 
 )ovtunity ri!.;' 
 II Lh the pro 
 
 deliverance 
 inini^ the bios- 
 a giving vip oi 
 
 cf the peop 
 on serious «'.i'J 
 Ivv^sanJ tlv.'ir 
 ;reby, esneciA!-, 
 d a 'day of dec- 
 
 Direr" «♦• for 
 ■p«n(liii,( (Mir 
 wboU life. 
 
 he;irt> U) 
 rofor^n wh.ilevc*»^ 
 
 di-un n'^ar unic- 
 v\ah him in n^'y 
 
 Con Krcgat font 
 and fdiniliet to 
 observe dayi 
 of fasting. 
 
 Pr«\io'i« inti- 
 rtiatiou lobt 
 given. 
 
 Minieter tote- 
 niiiid the peo- 
 ple of the par- 
 ticular object ift 
 view. 
 
 Sinpin^ of 
 p-4,ihii<«Muitah!« 
 fi)r -uch an oc- 
 Cdition, 
 
 ^nappropnata 
 text to b« 
 chosen. 
 
 Prayer after 
 aermon. 
 
94 
 
 AteeaiUoB to 
 th« eoogrtgft- 
 
 tira. 
 
 fcnriet iatbt 
 ninaioiag part 
 •f th« i»y. 
 
 Collection for 
 tbo poor anU 
 otbor ebariti 
 Mt dcodf. 
 
 of the Church, King and State, ^if before the lermon thej wfrt 
 omitted,) but enlarge him«elfin uue and solemn thanksgiving for 
 former mercies and deliverances ; but more especially for that 
 which at the present calls them together to^ive thanks: with 
 humble petition for the continuance and renewmg of God*s wonted 
 mercieSf as need shall be, and fr»r sanctifying grace to make a 
 right use thereof. And so, having bung another psalm suitable 
 to the mercf, let him dismiss the congregation with a blessing) 
 that they may have some convenient time for their repast and 
 refreshing. 
 
 But the minister (before their dismission) is solemnly to adino 
 nish them to beware of all excess and riot, tending to gluttony or 
 drunkenness, and much more of these sins thenselve«, in their 
 eating and refreshing ; and to take care that their mirth and re- 
 joicing be not carnai, but spiritual, which may make God's praise 
 to be glorious, and themselves humble and sober ; and that both 
 their feeding and rejoicing may Irendor them more cheerful and 
 enlarged, further to celebrate his praises in the midst of the con- 
 gregation, when they return unto it iri the remaining part of that 
 dav. 
 
 When the congregation shall be again assembled, the like 
 course in praying, reading, preaching, singing of psalms, and of- 
 fering up of more praise and thanksgiving, that is before direc- 
 ted for the morning, is to be renewed and continued, so far as 
 the time will give leave. 
 
 At one or both of the public meetini^s that day, a collection 
 is to be made for the poor, (and in the like manner upon the day 
 of public humiliation,) that their loins may bless ul^ 'and rejoice 
 the more with us. And the people are to be exhorted, at the 
 end of the laiter meeting, to spend the residoe of that day in holy 
 duties and testifications of Cnristian love and chanty one tb- 
 Hit^tdi another, and of rejoicing more and more in the Lord as 
 becdmet those who make the joy of the Lord their strength. 
 
 ^briitiao dutf 
 In public ud 
 •ad privtto; 
 
 " 0/ Singing of Psainu, 
 
 ¥T is tke duty ot Christians to praise God publicly, by singing 
 *• of psalms together in the congregation, and also privately in 
 the family. 
 In singing of j^S^lms, the voice is to be tunably and gravely or- 
 MiAnor of dered ; but the chief care must be to sing with understanding, 
 porforiudf B. ^^^ ^j^j^ grace in the heart, making melody unto the Lord. 
 
 That the whole congregation may join herein, every One that 
 can read is to have si psalm book ; and all others, not disabled 
 hf age or otherwise, are to be exhorted to learn to read. But 
 
 %>> 
 
for the present, where many in the congregition ennnot read, it Tb« wbel* 
 
 » convenient that the minister, or some other fit person appointed roogMfaiioii 
 
 by him and the oth«>r ruling officers, do read the psalm, iise bj *" J^* ^* 
 
 hne, before the singing thereof. wwiost. 
 
 »»»»n^ <^^^^^^w^%v>^^> 
 
 <^^»%^|»^^%%%»^^^>%^^^»<^»H^»»(»<^^ ^%»^nn >»» 
 
 AN 
 
 APPENPIX, 
 
 Touthing Day a and Places for Public Worthip* 
 
 TRERS k no Hj eomniBtftd in Seriptur* to b« kopt boljr undtr th« fMpd 
 but tho Lord*! day, which it tho Chrintiaii Sabbath. 
 
 FMtiT«l-doy«, Tulfarljr otiltd Holy day $, having no wtrrant in the word ^f 
 Clod, art not to 1^ continued. 
 
 Navfrlhfllcca it ia lawAil and Dectiaary. upoh apceial amargant orraaioBa to «o> 
 par*!* a day oi: daya for poblio (aaliny or thaokaniving, aa tha aaveral eninant and 
 Mtraordinary dlapanantlona of Ood'a proTidaaca ahail aduiniatf r cauaa and oppor- 
 tunity to hia popple 
 
 Aa no place if capable of any holintaf, under pretcn^a of wbatadaver de^a* 
 tion or eona^oration ; a« aeitber ia it aubjaet to aueb pollution by any aoperatition 
 formarly uaad, and now laid aaida, aa may render it unlawful or inroaTonient for 
 Chriaiiana lo mnet togethor therein for the public wprahip o*^ God. And f herefere 
 we hold it requiaite, that the plaeee of pukJie aiaenibUBf jei wtrahip among IM 
 •bould be continued and enpl^yfd tn likat me. 
 
 
the 
 
THE 
 
 FORM 
 
 OF 
 
 PRESBYTERIAL CHURCH-GOVERNMENT 
 
 AND 
 OF ORDINATION OF MINISTERS ; 
 
 AORGKD UPON BY 
 
 THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES 
 AT WESTMINSTER, 
 
 1VITH TUB A8SI8TANCB OP 
 
 COMMISSIONERS 
 
 FROM THE 
 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, 
 
 AS 
 
 A Fart of th« Covenanted Uniformity of Relij^ion betwixt theChurehM of 
 CuaiiT iatbe Kiagdomi of Scotland, England, and Ireland : 
 
 WITH 
 An Act of the General Afiembly, Anno 1846, approving th« same* 
 
 lek. zliii. 11. Jind if thef/ he ofthdmed of all that they have doner »hew them 
 the form of the home, and the fashion thereof t and the g^oinge out the'eof, 
 and the comings tn thereof, and all the forma thereoft-^and all the law 
 thereof ; and write it in their eight, that they may keep the vhoU forin 
 thereof t and all the ordinantce thereof, and do them* 
 
38 
 
 Assembly &i Edinburgh, FehrvLWty 10, 1645. Sess. 16. 
 
 Act oj the General Jlssemhly of the Kirk ofSc oxt and, 
 approving the Propositions concerning Kirk-govern* 
 menty »nd Ordination of Ministers, 
 
 THE General Assembly being most desirous and soticitous, not 
 only of the establishment and preservation of the Form of 
 Kirk'govcrnment in this Kingdom, according to the word of God, 
 books of Discipline, acts of General Assemblies, and National 
 Covenant, but also of an unfformity in Kirk-government betwixt 
 these kingdoms, novy more slraitiy and strongly united by the 
 laie Solemn League and Covenant ; und considering, thai as in 
 former times there did, so hereafter there may arise, through the 
 nearness of contagion, manifold mischiefs to ihi.^^ ktik irom a cor* 
 rupt form of government in the kirk of l^^igland : like as the pre* 
 cious opporluuity, of bringing the kirks of Christ in all the three 
 kingdoms to an uniformity in Kirk-governmeni bemg the happi* 
 ness of the present times above the former ; which may also, bj I 
 the blessing of God, prove an effectual mean, and a good founda. 
 tion to prepare for a safe and well grounded pacification, by re* 
 moving the cause from which the present pressures and bloody I 
 wars did originally proceed : and now the Afiserobly having' 
 thrice read, and diligently examined, the propositions (hereunto 
 annexed) conceramg the officers, assemblies, and government of 
 the kirk» and concerning the ordination of ministers, brought unio[ 
 us, as the results of the long and learned debates of the assem- 
 bly of Divines sitting at Westminster, and of the treaty of unifor- 
 mity with the Coii.imissioners of this kirk there residing ; after I 
 mature deliberation, and after timeous calling upon, and warning 
 of all, who have any exceptions against the same, to 'make theml 
 known^ that they might receive satisfaction ; doth agree to and! 
 approve the propositions afore-mentioned, touching Kirk-govern-[ 
 ment and orqinatbn ; and doth hereby authorise the Commission-! 
 •rs of this Assembly, who are to meet at Edinburgh,, tg agr«etu| 
 and conclude in the name of this Assembly, an uniformity be<| 
 twixt the kirks in both kingdoms, in the afore^mentioned parj 
 tkulars, so soon as the same shall be ratified, without any sut 
 stantial alteration, by an ordinance of the honourable Houte^ 
 of the Parliament of England ; which ratification shall be tiipelj 
 inlimate and made known by the Commissioueri this kirk rtl 
 
 t o ••(• 
 
 tll^l 
 ftjfm tk« 
 {•ow«r, 
 world, 
 
 J[av« bin 
 ulnMc 
 that ho 
 uij for 
 •IM. 
 C§mpmi 
 
39 
 
 lulin* at London. Provided always, That this act be no way* 
 piTJudicnl to the further discussion and examination of that arti- 
 cle which holds forth, That the* doctor or teacher hath power of 
 the administration of the sacraments, as well as the pastor ; as also 
 of the distinct rights and interests of presbyteries and people in 
 the calling of noiniRters ; but that it shall be free to debate and 
 discuss these points, as God shall be pleased to give further 
 light. 
 
 THE CONTENTS. 
 
 THE Pref«e«. 
 
 or the Church. 
 
 Of the Officers of the Church. 
 
 Pastors. 
 
 Other Cbureh-governori>. 
 
 Peaconfi. 
 
 Of ^aVticultr C6ngregatioBfl. ' 
 
 Of the OfiKcers of a particular Congre- 
 gation. 
 
 Of the OrdWaoctsina •larilicuIarCon'* 
 gregafion. 
 
 Of Cburch-gorernilneat; and (he se- 
 veral sorts of Asse'inblies for tLa 
 same. 
 
 Of th« power in commcn of all these 
 
 . Assemblies. 
 or Congregational Assembllea, that ie, 
 
 the NIeeting of the ruling Officers of 
 
 a );)aiticular Congregation, for th« 
 
 government thereof, , 
 'OfCIansical ADNembiies. 
 Of Synoclical Assennblies. 
 Of Oidinatioo of Ministers. 
 Todcbingthe Doctrine of Ordination. 
 Touching the Power of Ordinatiun. 
 Concerning the Doctrinal Part of tb« 
 
 Ordination of Ministers. 
 The l)irectory for the Ordination of 
 
 Ministenr^ 
 
 TH« 
 
 FOAM OF PAESBTTERIAL CHUBCH-GOVERNMENT. 
 
 THE PREFACE. 
 
 JESUS t7HKTST,.upon whose shoulders the government is, whose name ia 
 called Wonderful, Couniielior, The mighty God, The e'ver)«Rting Father, Tr.-« 
 Prince of Peace* ; of the inrreasfl of flrhoae government iand peace tliere elia)! b« 
 no end ; who sits upon the throne of David, and upon hiu kingdoin toord«r it, and 
 to establish it with judgment and justice, fronn fcenc'etortb, even forevei ; having 
 all power given unto him in heaven and in earth by the Father, who raised>hi(ii 
 fij^a the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principalities and 
 power, and m^ht^ and dominion, and tvery name that is named, not only in tbb 
 world, but also in that whtch is to come, and put all things under hid feet, aud 
 
 ![ave him t4 be the head ov^r all things to the church, which i« hia body, tbe 
 ulnese of him th#t ifilleth all in ail : he being ascended up far above all heavens, 
 that he liiight fill all Ibiuga, reeei red gifts for bis church, and gave officers nece*^ 
 «ary for the edification of hU church, and perfecting of bin saints f 
 
 •Isa. ix. 6 7 t Mat. xxviii. 18, 10. 20. Eph. i. 20, 21, 22. 29] 
 
 Ctmpmrtd with Eph. iv. S, 11. atui Psal. ixyiii 18, , . 
 
One Gen«ril 
 
 Church to 
 wbieh the or* 
 diaancea are 
 giTcn. 
 
 Pitrticular 
 churches bow- 
 formtd. 
 
 40 
 
 Of the Church. 
 
 r 
 
 rpHERE is one'general church visible, held forth in the New 
 -*• Testament*. 
 
 The ministry, oracles, and ordinances of the New Testament, 
 are given by Jesus Christ to the general church visible, for the 
 gathering and perfecting of it in this life, until his second com- 
 mgt. 
 
 Particular visible churches, members of the general church, 
 are also held forth in the New TestanientJ. Particular churces 
 in the primitive times were mnde up of visible saints, viz, 
 of siiph as, being of age, professed faith in Christ, and obedi- 
 ence unto Christ, according to the rules of faith and life, taught 
 hy Christ and his apostles ; and of their children||. 
 
 Some officer! 
 cxiiaordinary 
 Other' ordi-* 
 nary and per« 
 petual. 
 
 Of the Officers of the Chuireht 
 
 FTHHE officers which. CHrist hath appointed far the edification 
 •■- of his church, and the perfectinsj of the saints, are, some ex- 
 traordinary, as apostles, evangelists, and prophets, which are 
 ceased. 
 
 Others ordinary and perpetual, as pastors, teachers, and other 
 church-governors, and deacons. 
 
 Duties of the 
 Pti!tor. . 
 
 To pray for l^ 
 with hia flock. 
 
 To read the 
 
 Scriptures 
 
 publicly. 
 
 Pastors, 
 
 rilHE pastor is an ordinary and perpetual officer in the church§ 
 -*■ prophesying of the time of ih gospel*. 
 
 First, it belongs to his office, 
 
 To pray for and with his flock, as the raoulh of the people 
 unto Godt, Acts vi. 2, 3,4. and xx. 36. where preaching and 
 prayer are joined as several parts of the same officet. The office 
 of the elder (that is, the pastor) is to pray for the sick, even in 
 private, to which a blessing is especially prtjmised ; much more 
 therefore ought he to perform this in the public execution of his 
 office, as a part thereof||. 
 
 To read the scriptures publicly ; for the proof of which, 
 1. That the priest and Leviies in the Jewish church 
 
 were 
 
 trusted with the public reading of the word, is provecl§. 
 
 •ICor. xii. 12 18 28. jl Cor. xii. 28, £ph. \vA S.comp. with 10 11 12 IS 16 16. 
 |:Gal. i. 21 fc 22 ; Rev. i. 4, 20 ; Rev. ii. 1. || Acts ii. 38 41 47, compared with 
 Acta V. 14 ; 1 Cor. i. 2 ;2 Cor. ix. 13 ; Acts. li. 89 ; I Cor. vii. 14 ; Rom. xi. 
 16 ; Mark x. 14 ; compared with Matt. xix. 13 14 ; Luke xviii. 15 16. §Jer. iii 
 16 16 17. •! Peter v. 23 4 ; Eph. iv. 11 12 13. f.Vcts iv. 2 3 4; .^cta. xx. 36. 
 f James v. 14 15. ||1 Cor. xiv.l5 16. §Deut. xui.9 10 11 ; Neb viii. 1. 2 S 13^^ 
 
 'M 
 
 
estament, 
 , for the 
 )nd com* 
 
 , church, 
 r churces 
 lints, viz, 
 id obedi- 
 ie, taught 
 
 edification 
 some ex- 
 k'hich are 
 
 and other 
 
 41 
 
 i. That the minister* of the gospel have as ample a charg^ 
 Sjnd commission to dispense the word, as well as other ordinancrs 
 as the priests and Levitcs had under the law, proved; Isa. Ixvi. 
 21. Mat. xxiii. 34. where our Saviour cnfitleth ihe officers of the 
 New Testament, whom he will send forth, by the same names of 
 the teachers of ihe Old*. 
 
 Which propositions prove, that therefore (the duty bcins; of a 
 tnorpl nature) it folioweth by just consequence, that the public 
 readihg of the gcrlpturea belongeth to the pgstor's office. Duties of tliii 
 
 To feed the flock, by preaching of the word, according to Pabtor. 
 which he is to teach, convince, reprove, exhort, and cornforif. 
 
 To catechise, which is a plain laying down the first principles 
 of the oracles of God|, or of the doctrine of Christ, and is a part 
 of preaching* 
 
 To disp'inse dtfier divine niyslerlesil. 
 
 Toadmmister the sacramentp§. 
 
 To bless the people from God, Numb. vi. 23, 24, 25. 26. Com-' 
 pared with Rev. xiv. 5. (where the same blessincjs, aad persons 
 from whom they come, are expressly mentioned*,) Isa. Ixvi. 21. 
 where under the names of priests and Lovitestobe continued/ 
 undei the gospel, are meant evangelical pastors, vlho therefore 
 are by office to bless the people!. 
 
 To take care of the poor|. 
 
 And he hath also a rulmg power over the flock as a pastorlj. 
 
 e church§ 
 
 \e people 
 ling and 
 
 The office 
 {, even in 
 
 L.ch more 
 
 ion of hii 
 
 ich, 
 
 rch were 
 
 12 13 15 16. 
 mpa red with 
 Rom. xi. 
 6. §Jer. iii 
 xt». \x. 30. 
 1.1. 2 3i«« 
 
 Teacher 9r Doctor 
 
 THE scripture doth hold out the name and title of tfeach^ 
 er, as well as of the pastors§. ^ 
 
 W ho is also a minister cf the word, as well as the pristorj and 
 hath power of administration of the sacraments^ 
 
 The Lord having given different gifts, and divers exercies ac- 
 cording to (hrsc 5;{fis. in the ministry of the word* ; though these 
 different gilLs may meet in, and accordingly be exercised by, . 
 one and the same ministert ; yet, where be several ministers in 
 the same congregatit^n, they may be designed to pcvtral cm- 
 
 •Ifia. Jxvr ?A Matt . xxiii. 34. f 1 Tim. iii, 2 ; 2 Tim. iii. 16 '7 ; Tit. i. 9. 
 JHcb y. 12 IllOor, iv. 1 2. §Ma»t. xxviii. 19 20 ; Mark xvi. 15 10 ; 1 Cor. xi. 
 23 24 25coirptr*d wiih I Cor. .v. 26. • 
 
 *N''mb»'r« v». 23 24 25 nnd 2ti compnred with Rpv. i. 4. 5 ; I"in. Ixvi. 21.-, 
 •fD^-Kt. «. 8 ; 2 Cor. xiJi. J 1; Eph. 1. 2. JAoti« xi. 30 ; iv. 34 35 S() 37 ; AcIb 
 y\..2 84 ; 1 Cor. xvi. 12 3 4 ; Gal. 11.9-10. ||1 Tim. v 17 ; Acts ax 17 28 f, 
 1 T><'fs. V \2 ; Hfb. xiii. 7 17. §1 Cor. xii 28 ; Eph. iv II. , ,■ 
 
 *Uoi«. xii. 6 7 S ; 1 Cor. xii. 14 6 67. fl Cor. xiv 3 ; 2 rim.iv. 2 Tit. i f. 
 
 A, minister of 
 the word. 
 
42 
 
 Wfao txcelflin 
 the sx pout ion 
 of tciipture. 
 
 Other Govern- 
 ors in the 
 church called 
 Bldere. 
 
 1$ 
 
 Office perpo 
 «u«l. 
 
 l>1xed eoogre- 
 gatioae 
 
 ployments» according to the different gifts in which each of them 
 doth most excel |. And he that doth more excel in ezpo^itiun 
 of scriptures, in teaching sound doctrine, and in convincing gain, 
 sayers, than he doth in application, and is accord inj^ly employed 
 therein, may be called a teacher, or doctor, (the places alleged 
 by the notation of the word to prove the proposition.) Never* 
 theless, where is but one minister in a particular congregation he 
 is to perform, so far as he is able,the work of the whole mmistr^rlj. 
 A teacher* or doctor, is of most excellent use in schools and 
 universities ; as of old in the schools of the prophets, and at 
 Jerusalem, where Gamaliel and others taught as doctors* 
 
 Other Church- Governors, 
 
 AS there were in the Jewish church elders of the people join* 
 ■**• ed with the priests and Levites in the government of he 
 church§ ; so Christ, who hath instituted government, and govern- 
 ors ecclesiastical m the church, hath furnished some in his 
 church, beside the ministers of the word, with gifts for govern- 
 ment, and with commission to execute the same when called 
 thereunto, who are to join with the minister in the government 
 of the church*. Which officers reformed churches commonly 
 call Elders. 
 
 Deaeonn. 
 
 ' • * 
 
 THE scripture doth hold out deacons as distinct officers in the 
 churcht. 
 Whose office is perpetual^. To whose office it belongs not to 
 preach the word, or administer the sacraments, but to take special 
 care in distributing to the necessities of the poor|]. 
 
 Ofpartieutar Congregations, 
 
 IT is lawful and expedient that there be fixed congregations, 
 •■ that is, a certain company of Christians to meet in one assem' 
 bly ordinarily for public worship. When believers multiply to 
 such a numbei', that they cannot conveniently meet in one place, 
 it is lawful and expedient that they should be divided into distinct 
 and fixed congregations, for the better administration of such 
 ordinances as belong unto them, and the discharge of mutual 
 duties§. 
 
 - " 
 t[8ee in note § immedlietelr /precedini;} I Pet. ir. 10 11. ||2 rim. iv. 2: 
 Tit. I. 9. ; 1 Tim. iv. 2. $2 -Chron. xix 8 § id. 
 ^ Rom xii. 7 8 ; 1 Cor. xii 28, fPhil. I. 1 { I tim. iii. 8. *! Tim. iii. 8. 
 I See in the Bible to v. 15 ; Acta vi. 1 2 8 4. || Acti vi. 1,^4. [See before in 
 aotet. ^ICor. xiv. 26 88 40. 
 
ets, and at 
 
 3eoplejoin» 
 lent of he 
 ,nd govcrn- 
 ome in his 
 or govern- 
 len called 
 ;ovcrnment 
 commonly 
 
 cers in the 
 
 ongs not to 
 ake special 
 
 [fregations, 
 one assem* 
 lultiply to 
 one place, 
 nto distinct 
 n of such 
 of mutual 
 
 2 Tim. iv. 2; 
 
 Tim. iii. 8. 
 M bsfert is 
 
 4S 
 
 The ordinary way of dividing Christians into distinct congre- 
 gations, and most expedient for edification, is by the respective 
 bounds of their dwellings. 
 
 First, Because they who dwell together, being bound to all 
 kind of moral duties one to another, have the better opportunity 
 thereby to discharge them ; which moral tye is perpetual ; fw How to ^ 
 Christ came not to destroy the law, but to hilfil it*. divided. 
 
 Secondly f The communion of saints mMst be ao orderedi as may 
 stand with the most convenient use of the ordinances, and dis- 
 charge of moral duties, without respect of personst. 
 
 Thirdly, The pastor and people must so nearly cohabit toge 
 ther, as that they may mutually perform their duties each toother 
 with most conveniency. 
 In this company some must be set apart to bear office. go„, ^^ y^^ 
 
 oflBot. 
 
 Of the Officers of a particular Congregation. 
 
 TpOR officers in a single congregation, there ought to be one at 
 
 the least, both to labour in the word and doctrine, and to Minitt«ri. 
 rulej. 
 
 It is also rec^tuisite that there should be others to join in govern- Elder* 
 
 ment||. 
 
 And likewise it is requisite that there be others to take special Deacons 
 care for the relief of the poor§. 
 
 The number of each of which is to be proportioned according 
 to the condition of the congregation. 
 
 These officers are to meet together at convenient and set times 
 for the well ordering of the affairs of that congregation, each ac- 
 cording to his office. 
 
 It is most expedient that, in these meetings, one whose office 
 is to labour in the word and doctrine, do moderate in their pro- 
 ceedings*. 
 
 Of the Ordinances in a particular Congregation, 
 
 ^H£ ordinances in a single congregation are, prayer, thanks- 
 giving, and singing of psalms,t the word read, (<ilthough there 
 follow no immediate explication of what is read,) the word ex- 
 pounded and applied, catechising, the sacraments administered, 
 collection made for the poor, dismissing the people with a bles- 
 sing. 
 »>^. »■»>■.. ____^____________________________ 
 
 •Deut. »v. 7 11 ; Melt. wii. 89 ;v. 17. fl Gor. xir. 26 ; Heb. x. 24 25, 
 Jimee ii. 1 2. X ftoy. xxix. 18 ; 1 Tim. v. 17 ; Heb. xiii. 7. ||l Cor. zii. 9f. 
 §Acte y'\ 2 8. •! Tim. v. 17. tl Tim. ii. X ; 1 Cor.xiv. 16 16. 
 
 To holdregu* 
 lar meetiags 
 
u 
 
 /Initituted by 
 ChrJat 
 
 Cburcb go- 
 ,verr.ed by 
 different as- 
 ••mblie*. 
 
 Power oftbese 
 JLssembliea. 
 
 power of Con» 
 ^re^atioR Aii- 
 'kemblies . 
 
 k ■ . 
 
 w 
 
 Of Church' Oovernment, and the several Sorte of A$$emhliu 
 // I for the same, 
 
 /CHRIST hath inslituted a Government, and Governors eccle- 
 '^^'^iastical in the Church : To ihat purpose, the Apostles did 
 iinnoiedlately receive the Keys from the hand of Jesus Christ, and 
 did lise andexercise them in all the Churches of the world upon 
 ail occasions, - 
 
 And' Chi ist hath since continually^ furnished some in hisChurch 
 with gifts of Government, and with commission to execute the 
 same, whep called thereunto. 
 
 ' It is lawful and agreeable to the word of God, that the Church 
 be governed by several sorts of Assemblies which aw congrega- 
 tional, classical and sv nodical. 
 
 Of the Power in common of all these Assemblies. 
 
 ¥ T is lawful and agreeable to the word of God, that the several 
 •*• Assemblies before mentioned, liave power to convent, and caH 
 before them any perscin, within their several bounds, whom the 
 ecclesiastical business which is before them doth concern|. 
 
 They have poweir to hear ai.d determine such causes and dif 
 fercnces as do orderly come before them. 
 
 . It is lawful and agreeable tp the word of God, that all the said 
 Assemblies have some power to dispense Church censures. 
 
 0/ Congregational Assemblies, that is, the meeting of the ruling Officers of 
 a particular Congregation for the Government thereof. 
 
 rpHE ruling Officers of a particular Cpngregration have power 
 ■■- authoritatively, to call before them any member of the Con- 
 gregation, as they shall see just occasion. 
 
 r To erK|uiie into the knowledge and spiritual estate of the scve 
 ral members of the Congregation. 
 V To admonish and rebuke. 
 
 Which three branches are proved by Heh, 13. 17. 1 Thess, 5. 
 12. \3.Xzek. 34 4ll. ' ' "> ';' ' " ' 
 
 Authoritative suspension from the Lord's T?ible, of a person 
 not yet cast out of ihe church, is agre-eable to the Scripture. 
 
 First, Because the ordinance itself must not be profaned. 
 
 Secondly, Because we are charged |o wjthdraw from those that 
 walk disorderly. ' •' 
 
 Thirdly, Because of the great «in and dangpr both to him that 
 comes unworthily, and also to the whole Church§. And there 
 
 IMnt.xv.ii. 15 r6~1718 1920. ||Heb. xiii. 17 ;lTheB8. v.l2l4i;Ezek xxxVv. 4. 
 4-Mat. vii. 6 ; 2Th«8s. tii 6 15 ; 1 Coi. xi. 27. See oa Uie end of iii>« chapter. 
 {Jomparcd with Judo, ver. 23 ; 1 'Vino. V. ^2, 
 
 La.. 
 
45 
 
 was power and authority undrr the old Testament, to keep un 
 clean persons from holy things*. 
 
 The like power and authority, by way of analogy, continuei 
 under the new Testament. 
 
 The ruling oflkers of a particular Congre/i^ation, have power 
 authoritatively to suspend irom the Lord's tabic, a person not yet 
 cast out of the Church, 
 
 Fimtt Because ihose who have authority to judge of, and admit 
 such as are fit to receive the sacrament, have authority to kept 
 back such as shall be found unworthy. 
 
 Secondly^ Because it is an ecclesiastical business of ordinary 
 practice belonging to that congregation. 
 
 When congregations are divided and fixed, they need all mu- CDngregationg 
 tual help one from another, both in regard of their instrinsical tual amivtaocii 
 weaknesses and mutual dependence, as also in regard of enemies to each othet. 
 from without. 
 
 bowiormed. 
 
 ^ Of Clasaieal Jtt$emblie$. 
 
 rpUE scripture doth hold out a presbj'tery in a churchf. 
 •*• A Presbytery consisteth of Ministers of the word, and s.uch 
 other ptiblic officers as are agreeable tp, and warranted by the Prp«byteryl 
 word of God to be Church-governofs^p to join with the rainisicrs 
 in the Government of the ChurchJ. * 
 
 The scripture doth hold forth, that many particular Congrega- 
 tions may be under one prcsbyterial Government. 
 
 This Proposition is proved by Instances : 
 
 I. First, p{ ihc church of J ervs ale m which consisted of more 
 congregations than one, arid all these congregatiops were under 
 one presbyterial government. 
 
 This appeareth thus : 
 
 Firi'l, The Church of Jtruaahm consisted pf more congre 
 jfgtions than one, as is raianifest. 
 
 Is/. By the multitude of bciicvers mentioned in divers ; both 
 before the dispersion of the bcliovery therp, by means of the per- 
 secutionU ,* and also after the dispersio!i§. 
 
 ?rf/t/, By the many apostles and other preachers in the church 
 of Jerusalem. And li" there were but one congrega'ijn there, then 
 each apostle preached butsckiom* ; which will consist with Acts 
 
 vi, 2. 
 
 ■ ' ■ Ill " I 
 
 •Lev. xiii. 5 ; Number? ix 7 ; I Cor. xxiii. 19. 
 
 +1 Tim. iv.l4 ; Acta xv 2 4 6. tRom. xiJ. 7 8 ; 1 Cor. xii.28, 
 II Acta viii. 1 ; 4. 16 ; li. 41 46 47 ; iy. 4 ; v. 14 ; vi. X 7. §Acts ix 81 % 
 f iL 24 i xzi. 20. *Acts. vi. 2. 
 
 Presbyterial 
 government 
 proved 
 
 First by the 
 chnrrh of !•• 
 rusalein. 
 
46 
 
 iilf, hj the 
 ebarck ot 
 
 Sj/y, The diversity of languagp^ among tlie beiicvfrs, mention- 
 ed both in ihc second and sixth chnpters of the Acts, dolh argue 
 more congregations than one in that church. 
 
 Secondly, All thos>e congregations were under one presbjterial 
 governmenl ; because, 1*/, They were one churcht. 
 
 2r//y, The elders of the church are mentionedj. 
 
 3rf/y,'i'he apostles did the ordinary acts of presbyteries, nj» pres- 
 bytcrs in that kirk; which proveth a presbylerial church belbre 
 the diflpersiun, Actsvi. 
 
 ithlyf The several congregations in Jerusalem hein^one church 
 the eldet-s of that church are mentioned as meeting tOi;eiher for 
 octs of government}! ; which proves that those several congrega- 
 tions were under one presbyierial government. 
 
 And whither these congregations were lixed or not Axed, in 
 regard of officers or members, il is also one as to the truth of the 
 proposition. 
 
 Nor doth there appear any material difference betwixt the se- 
 veral congregations in Jerusalem, and the many congrejjalions 
 now in the ordinary condition of the church, as to the point of 
 fixedness required of officers or members. 
 
 Thirdly, Therefore the scripture dolh hold forlh,that many con- 
 gregations may be under one pre.sbyterial government. 
 
 II. Secondly, by the instance of the church of Ephesus ; fop, 
 
 Firsts That there vfe.rs more congregations than one in the 
 church of Ephesus, appears by Acts xx. 3l.§, where is mention 
 of Paul's continuance at Epijesus in preaching for the space of 
 three years ; and Acts xix. 18, 19,20. where the special effect 
 of the word is mentioned* ; andver. 10. and 17. of the same 
 chapter, where is a distinction of Jews and Grcekst; and I Cor. 
 *vi. 8, 9, where is a reason of Paul's stay at Ephesus, unti||Pen- 
 tecostj ; and ver. 19. where Js mention of a particular church ia 
 the house of Acjuila and Priscilla, than at Ephesus}), as appears, 
 Acts xviii. 19, 24, 26§. All which laid together, doth prove 
 that the multitudes of believers did make more congregation* 
 lh?in one in the church of Ephesus. 
 
 Secondly, That there were many elders over these many con- 
 gregations as one flocks appearelh*. 
 
 Thirdly, That these many congregations were one church, and 
 that they wtre under one presbyierial govern ment appearetht. 
 
 tActs viii. 1 ; ii. 47 compared with Acf« v. 11 ; Acts xii. 5 ; Acts xv. 4 
 JActB ti. 30 ; XV. 4 6 22 ; xxi. 17 19. H Act« xi. ."Ja ; xv. 4 6 22 ; xxl 17 IS 
 and so forward. §Actii xx 31. *Acta xJx. Iftig 20. 
 
 tActs xix. 10 17. tlOor. xvi. 8 9. iri Cor. xvi. 19. §Actt xviii. 19 24 2«. 
 *Acts XX. 17 25 28 30 36 37. fRev. ii. 1, 2 &A 5 6 joined witii Acts xx. 17 St. 
 •ce in note *. 
 
 mHE 
 
 A the 
 gnliona 
 
 f*astc 
 other fi 
 bcis of 
 have a 
 
 Syno 
 vincial, 
 
 It IS 
 
 subordi 
 tional a; 
 
 UNDl 
 ed, 
 
 VOm! 
 ^ wor 
 
 Ordin 
 
 Ordin 
 public cl 
 
 Ever) 
 hands, a 
 to wh^ 
 
 It is a; 
 such as i 
 licular c 
 
 Helh 
 boih for 
 apostlesll 
 
 He is 
 to be ore 
 
 No ms 
 g«tion, il 
 tion agai 
 
 I Acts xr.i 
 i- 6 ; I Tin 
 "Numb. V 
 
 fiii 8. I A 
 UlTim. iii 
 ^*1 rim. i 
 
47 
 
 Of SrjmdUal Jls$emblU$, 
 
 mHK scripture doth hold out another sort ofassombh'es for 
 ■■• the j{ov< rnrnont of thi: chirch, beside classical and congre* 
 galional, all which ^\o call Synodicall. 
 
 f'astors and teachers, and other church-govei-nor*, (as also 
 other fit persons, when it shall be deemed expedient,) are mem- 
 bers of those asvsemhiic* w hich we call Synodical^ where they 
 have a lawlul calling thereunto. 
 
 Synodical assemblies may lawfully be of several sorts, as pro- 
 vincial, national, and oecumenical. 
 
 It IS lawful, and agreeable to the word of God, that there be a 
 subordination of congrey;alional, classical, provincial, and na- 
 tional assemblies, for the government of the cjiujrch. 
 
 Synoilieal ••• 
 Hemblin how 
 forunad. 
 
 Ofdiffertof 
 nont in rabor- 
 dination to 
 each otbtTiJ 
 
 Of Ordination of Minister^. 
 
 fjNDER the head of Ordination of Ministers is to be consider- 
 ^ ed, either the doctrine of ordination, or the power ofit. 
 
 Touching the Doctrine of Ordinatiotu 
 
 NO man ought to take upon him the ofTiqe of a minister of the Oidin»llo»» 
 
 h* cloniiioo* 
 ii«(ar« nA 
 Ibiia. 
 
 word without a lawful callii!g;|. 
 
 Ordination is always to becontinned in the church§. 
 
 Ordination is the solemn setting apart of a person to some 
 public church office*. 
 
 Every minister of the word is to be ordained by imposition of 
 hands, and praying, with fasting, by those preaching presbyters 
 to wh^ It doth belong!* 
 
 It is agreeable to the word of God, anjl very expedient, that 
 such as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to some par- 
 ticular church, or other ministerial charge|. 
 
 He that is to be ordained minister, must be duly qualified, 
 both for life and muiisterial abiliiies, according to the rules of the 
 apostles||. 
 
 He is to be examined and approved by those by whom he is oi^Iinittwi 
 to bfe ordained§* 
 
 No man is to be cdaln^d a minister for a particular consjrc- 
 gation, if they of that congregation can show just cause of excep- 
 tion ajjair.st him*. 
 
 QualMieiitiofi 
 
 Mcu xr. 2 6 22 23. 
 
 , 1 Tim. V, 21 22. 
 'Numb, 
 
 ||1 JoliD iii. 27 ;Rom. x. 14 15 ; J«r, xiv. 14 4. §!'«. 
 
 viii. 10 11 14 19 22 ; Acti vi. 3 5 6. fl Tim. v. 22 ; Acts xir, 23 j 
 xiii 8. jActfl xiv. 23. [see before] Tit i. 5 ; Acta xx. 17. 
 ||1 Tim. iii. S 3 4 5 6; Tit. i. 5 6 ? 8 9. §1 Tim. iii 7 10 ; 1 Tim. v. 22. 
 ^*1 Tim. iii. a;Tit.i. 7. 
 
 
48 
 
 The act of 
 Preibyterj. 
 
 ■ingle congre- 
 gation! hatb 
 no auch power 
 
 Touehttig th* Power of Ordination. 
 
 I^RDIN \T10N IS the act of a prrshylcryf. 
 ^-^ The power of ordering the whole work of ordination is In 
 the whole presbytery, whirli when it is over more congrcj^.i lions 
 than one, whether those congregations be fixed or not fixed, In 
 regard of olficers or members, it is indifTcrcnt as to the point of 
 
 ordination-l 
 
 It is very requiaile, that no single congregation, that can con- 
 veniently a.HS0ciaXe, do assume to its all and sole power in ordina- 
 tion : 
 
 1 Because there is no example in scripture that any single coiv 
 gregation, which might conveniently aspociatci did assume to 
 Itself all and sole power in ordination ; neither is there any rule 
 which may warrant such a practice. 
 
 5. Because there is in scripture example of an ordination in a 
 presbytery over divers congregations ; as in the church of Jeru- 
 salem, where were many congregations i these many congrega- 
 tions were under on« presbytery, and this presbytery did ordain. 
 
 The preaching^ presbyters orderly associated, either in cities 
 or neighbouring viiliages, arc those to whom the imposition of 
 hands doth appertam, for those congregations within their bounds 
 respeciivelyk 
 
 Concerning the Doctrinal Part of Ordination ofMiniattrt. 
 
 I'VTO man ought to take upon him the office of a minister of the 
 •*-^ word whhout a lawful calling|| 
 e. Ordination is always to>be continued in the church.§ 
 
 3. Ordination is the solemn setting a part of a person to some 
 public church office*. 
 
 4. Every minister of the word is to be ordained by imposition 
 Ordinafion, he of hands, and prayer, with ft^sliog, by these preaching presby- 
 eontinuiince, ( lers to whom it 'ioth belong.! 
 
 nature&form. 5. The povver of ordering the whole work of ordination is in 
 the whole presbytery, which, when it is over more congregations 
 than one, whether those coD^jrogations be fixed or not fixed, in 
 regard of officers or members, it is indilTerent as to the point of 
 ordinationj. 
 
 6. h is agreeable to the word, and very expedient, that such 
 as are to be ordained ministers, be designed to sone particular 
 
 fl rim. iy, 14. Jl Tim. iv. 14 [h**© before.] ||See b'fore in notf *.|| SSee berore 
 in note^. *See before m note* fSee bafore ia notef. ijiSee before :a aotej;. 
 
 churc! 
 
 7. 
 both U 
 the up 
 
 R. 
 he is t( 
 
 9. 
 gregat 
 except 
 
 10. 
 or neifi 
 h:)nd.s 
 res pec 
 
 U. 
 he don 
 as pos 
 
 12. 
 ordinal 
 of mini 
 
 |T be 
 
 ■"•take 
 
 law^Villj 
 
 ordinati 
 
 and so!( 
 
 be obse 
 
 1. Jf 
 
 people, 
 
 place, a 
 
 him ii If 
 
 doDs ;o 
 
 grceu he 
 
 th^c' of 
 
 twenty-f 
 
 2. W 
 
 proceed 
 
 he be ol 
 
 gostjfl r 
 
 and toiK 
 
 and, m ] 
 
 II See b 
 fSee befon 
 ux. 1 8 ' 
 
49 
 
 ition is in 
 
 grej^.i lions 
 
 fixed, in 
 
 3 poinl of 
 
 t can con- 
 inordina- 
 
 inglc coiv 
 assutite lo 
 ; anv rule 
 
 \alion in a 
 h olJcru- 
 coiigregii- 
 3id ordain. 
 r in cities 
 position of 
 icir bounds 
 
 tr$. 
 
 ister of the 
 
 a 10 some 
 
 imposition 
 g presby- 
 
 lion is in 
 grcgations 
 , fixed, in 
 )e point of 
 
 thai such 
 pHrlicular 
 
 SSee befor* 
 ia aotet'. 
 
 Minlitflratobt 
 duly q'li.ifii'U* 
 to *iv approved 
 
 churoli, or oMi^r ministerial ch;>rge||. 
 
 7. lie ihai IS It) he ordiiini il n»ini«ter, mn^t be duly qnalified, 
 both tor life and ministerial ubililicg, according lo the rules of 
 the aposilp§. 
 
 n. He is lo be examined and approved by those by whom 
 he is to be ordaintd*. 
 
 9. No man is to bpordainod a minister for a particular con- tf-ti onuiried 
 gregatioii, il they of that congregation can shevr just cause of *>yPf««i»yt«rf. 
 exception against himt. 
 
 10. IVcachinu' presbyters orderly asaonated, cither in cities 
 or neighbouring villagos, are those to whom the imposition of 
 hands doth appertain, for those congregalious within their bounds 
 respcclivolyj. 
 
 11. In extraordinary cases, something extraordinary may 
 be done, until a spttlcd order may be had, yet keeping as near 
 as possibly may be lotherulc||. 
 
 1 2. There is at this time (.is we humbly conceive) an extra- 
 ordinary occasion for a way ol ordination for the present supply 
 ofuiinialcrs. 
 
 The Diretlory for the Ordination of Minister$, 
 
 ■fT being manifest by the word of God, that no man ought to 
 ■■• take upon him the oflicc of a minister of the gospel, until he be 
 lawfully cUU'd and ordained thereunto ; and that the work of 
 ordination is to be performed with all due care, wisdom, ejravity 
 and solemnity, we hUmbly tender these directions, as rciquisite to 
 be observed. 
 
 1. He that is to be ordained, being either nominated by the 
 people, or otherwise coma)<'nd<'fi to the presbytery, for any 
 place, must address himself n the presiiytery. and bring with 
 nim ii testimonial of his taking ihe Covenant of the three king- 
 doms ; of his dilijfcnoe and proficiency in his studies j what de- 
 gree* he hath taken in the university, and what hath been the 
 timo of his abode there ; and withal of his age, which is to be 
 twenty-four years ; but especially of his life and conversation. 
 
 2. Which being considered by tijn presby terVj they are to 
 proceed to enquire touching the grace ofrJocf in him, and whether 
 he be of such holiness of life as is requisite in a minister of the 
 gospel .• and to exam'n«j him touching his learning and sufficiency 
 and touehiug the evidences of his calling to the holy ministry; 
 and, m particular, his fair and ('irect calling to that place. 
 
 No in«n ta 
 takft upnn him 
 the Offic* of 
 Miciitw. 
 
 Ht who ii (• 
 
 b« ordaiotd 
 moat Mpply t9 
 tliePreiitiytery 
 niuttt produce 
 hiHiealimontala 
 and b« azaini'* 
 ned bjr th»«* 
 
 IJSee before in note |. §See before 
 fSee before in oott ♦. ^i Tim. iv. H. 
 uz. a 3 4 S. ' J. 
 
 in note ||. *See before in note $ 
 112 Cbron. xxix. 34 95 86. 2Ci)rb>. 
 
6o 
 
 The Rulei for Examination art these : 
 
 SuIm for t% 
 aminalioo. 
 
 To frtneb 
 thtGoip«I. 
 
 " (1.) That the party examined be dealt withal in a brotherly 
 " way, with mildness of spirit, and with sptxiul respect to the 
 *» gravity, modesty, and quality of every one. 
 
 "(2.) He shall be examined touching his skill in the original 
 " tongues, and hi? trial to be made by reading the Hebrew and 
 ••• Greek Testaments, and rendering some portion of some into 
 **Latin; and if he be defective in them,enciuiry shall be made more 
 " strictly after his other learning, and whether he hath skill in 
 »* logick and philosophy. 
 
 *• (3.) What author«i in divinity he hath read, and is best ac- 
 *• quainted with : and trial shall be made in his knowledge of the 
 " grounds of religion, and of his ability to defend »he orthodox 
 t< doctrine contained in them against all unsound and erroneous 
 *' opinions, especially these of the present age ; of his «5kill in the 
 ** sense and meaning of such places of scripture as shall be 
 *' proposed unto him,in cases of conscience,and in the chronology 
 *' of the scripture, and the ecclesiastical history. 
 
 ** (4.) If he hath not before preached in public with approba- 
 ♦' tion 01 such as are able to judge, he shall, at a competent time 
 " assigned him, expound belore the presbytery such a place of 
 " scripture as shall be given'him. 
 
 ** (*.) He shall also, within a competent time, frame a discourse 
 •* in Latin, upon such a common place or controversy in divinity 
 "as shall be assigned to him, and exhibit to the presbytery such 
 *' theses as express the sum thereof, 'and maintain a dispute upon 
 •» them. 
 
 ** (6.) He shall preach before the people, the presbytery, or 
 ** some of the ministers of the woid appointed by them, being 
 ** present. 
 
 " (7.) The proportion of his gifts in relation to the place unto 
 *' which he is called shall be considered. 
 
 ** 8, Beside the trial of his gifts in preaching, be shall un- 
 ** dergo an examination in the premises two several days, and 
 " more, if the presbytery shall judge it neces<;ary. 
 
 " (9. And as. for him that has formerly been ordained a min- 
 ** ister; and is to be removed to another charge, he shall bring a 
 *' testimonial of his ordination, and of his abilities and conversa- 
 *' tion. whereupon his fitness for that place shall be tried by his 
 '* preachinjr there, and (if it shall be judged necessary) by a fur- 
 ** ther examination of him." 
 
 3. In all which he being approved, he is to be sent lo the 
 church where he is to serve, there to preach three several dnys, 
 and to converse with the people, that they may have trial of 
 
61 
 
 I brotherly 
 lect to the 
 
 ihe original 
 
 ebrew and 
 
 some into 
 
 made more 
 
 alii skill ill 
 
 is best ac- 
 ledge of the 
 e orthodox 
 I erroneous 
 «<kill in the 
 IS shall be 
 chronology 
 
 :h approba- 
 pelent time 
 h a place uf 
 
 > a discourse 
 V in divinity 
 aytery such 
 lispute upon 
 
 sbytcry, or 
 cm, being 
 
 place unto 
 
 shall un- 
 days, and 
 
 led a rain- 
 lall bring a 
 conversa- 
 'led by his 
 r) by a fur- 
 sent to the 
 IvcrHil dnys, 
 ie trial of 
 
 his gifts for their edification, and may have time and occasion to 
 enquire into, and the better to know, his life and convr ivauon. 
 
 4. In th<^ last of these three doj?s apjjointed for the trial of his 
 gifts in preachinej, ihtre shall be sent from the presbytery to the 
 congregation, a puhlir intimation in writing, which sh.dl be pub- 
 licly read before the people, and after uliixed to the church 
 door, to signify, that such a dayi a competent number of the 
 inpmbers of that congregation, noininalcd by ihomselves, j>hall 
 appear before the presbytery, le give their consent and appro- 
 bation to such a man to be their minister : or othcrv\ise, to put 
 in, with all Christian discretion and meek ness,;W hat exceptions 
 they have against him. And if, upon the day appointed, there 
 he no just exception against him, but the people give their con- 
 sent, then the presbytery shall proceed to ordination. 
 
 5. Upon the day appointed for ordination, which is to be per- 
 formed in that church where he that is to be ordained is to serve, 
 a solemn fast shall be kept by the congregation, that they may 
 the more earnestly join in prayer for a blessing upon the ordinance 
 of Christ, and the labours of his servant for their good. The 
 presbytery shall come to the place, or at least three or four 
 ministers of the word shall be sent thither from the presbytery ; 
 of which one appointed by the presbytery shall preach to the 
 people concerning the office and duty of ministers of Christ, and 
 now the people oup;ht to receive them for their work's sake. 
 
 6. After the sermon, the minister who hath preached shall, 
 in the face o( the congregntion, demand of him who is now to be 
 ordained, concerning his faith in Christ Jesus, and his persua- 
 sion of the truth of the reformed reliojion, according to the scrip- 
 ture ; his sincere intentions and ends in desiring to enter into this 
 calling ; his diligence in praying, reading, meditation, preachine 
 ministering the sacraments discipline* and doing all ministerm 
 duties towards his charge ; his zeal and faithfulness in maintain- 
 ing the truth of the gospel, and unity of the church, h; uinst error 
 and schism ; his care that him?«^lf and his family may be unblaraea- 
 ble, and examples to the flock ; his willingness and humilitf , in 
 meekness of spirit, to submit unto the admonitions of his brethren, 
 and discipline of the church ; and his resolution to continue in 
 Jiis duty against all trouble and persrculion. 
 
 7. In all which having declared himself, professed his willing- 
 jiess, and promised his en'Ioavoura, by the help of God; the 
 minister likewise shall donumd of the people concerning their 
 \vilHngnes8 to receive an>l acknowledge him as the minister of 
 Christ ; and to obey and submit unto him, as having rule over 
 him in the Lord ; and to maintain, encourage, and assist him iri 
 f li the parts of his office* 
 
 I<itimatiAn of 
 bi» Ordinittioa 
 to be given. 
 
 To be ordaia 
 ed with Fast 
 tin;;, aad the 
 minJB'.ryof tliO 
 word. 
 
 Addrenlethe 
 miBUter. 
 
 And f topU 
 
52 
 
 ^ode of Or- 
 dinatioa. ' ' 
 
 Vxbortatioiu 
 
 ordained in 
 England. 
 
 And in Scot- 
 land how to 
 l»a admitted. 
 
 Hecords to be 
 kept by Pret- 
 
 S. 'Which beinsj mutunlly promised by the people, the presby. 
 tery, or li»f ministers iTnI Uom tliein for ordination, shall solemn- 
 ly set him apart lo ihe olhct and work of ih«. irii>5s,tiy, by laying 
 tlifir hands , on him, which is to be accompanied nith a short 
 prtyer or bles-si/ig. lo this pfi"'-ct : 
 
 " I'hanktully rifkntivvlcdgiiii:; ihe gi'oat mercy ofGod in sending 
 "Jesus C'hrisi for ihe rcdeivipiion csf his people; and tor his ascent- 
 " sion lo the right hand of^Uod the Father, find thence pour- 
 *' iiig out his S|)irit,ani! giving gif'ia to men, apoPtlcsfvangrlists 
 *' prophe'?,pi5tors, and teachers ; for the gnthtring and building, 
 " up of his rhun h ; nnd for fitting ond iiir-linin*,' this man to ihis 
 *'frrrnt work*: to entreat him to fit him with his Holy Spirit, to 
 •'give him [who in his name we thus set apart to this holy >er 
 " vice] to fulfil the work of his ministry in all things, that he may 
 *' bo'h save himself, and his people committed to his charge." 
 
 9. This or the like form of prayer and blessing being ended, let 
 the minister who preached, briefly exhort him to consider of the 
 greatness of his office and work, the danger of negligence both Lo 
 himself and his people, the blessing which will accompany his 
 faithfulness in this lile, and that to come ; and withal exhort the 
 people to carry themselves to him, as to their minister in the Lord, 
 according to their solemn promise made before. And so by pray- 
 er commendmg both him and his flock to the grace o( Cod after 
 singing of a psalm.let the assembly be dismissed with a blessing 
 
 10. If a minister be designed to a congregation, who halh been 
 formerly ordained presbyter according to the form of ordination 
 which hath been in the church of Ii^ngland, which we hold for 
 substance to be valid, and not to be disclaimed by any who have 
 received it ; then, there being a cautions proceecing in matters of 
 ffxamination, let him be admitted without any new ordination. 
 
 11. And in case any person al'-eady ordsined minister in Scot- 
 land, or in any other reformed church, be designed to another 
 congregation in England, he is to bring from that church to the 
 presbytery here, within which that congregation is, a sufficient 
 testimonial of hi? ordination, of his life and conversation while 
 he lived with them, and of the causes of his removal ; and to 
 undergo such a trial of his fitness* and sufficiency, and to have 
 the ss^me course held with him in other particulars, as is set 
 down in the rule immediately going before, touching examination 
 and admission. 
 
 12. That records be carefidlvkept in the several presbyteriegr, 
 of the names of the persons ordaiuf^d, with their testimonials the 
 lime and place of their ordination, of ihe presbyteis who did im- 
 pose hands upon them, and of the charge to which they arc ap^ 
 pointed. *Here I«t them impose bandi en bis head. 
 
; presby- 
 
 11 sole in n- 
 oy laying 
 Lh a short 
 
 in sending 
 his ascen" 
 ice |)our- 
 vangf'lisls 
 
 building, 
 lan to ihis 
 r Spirit, to 
 
 holy ."Cr 
 jl he may 
 
 pHfled, let 
 ider of the 
 ce both Lo 
 ipany his 
 ^xhoit the 
 I the Lord, 
 ) by pray- 
 Cod after 
 i blessing 
 halh been 
 ordination 
 e hold for 
 who have 
 |ma tiers of 
 inalion. 
 T in Scot- 
 another 
 h to the 
 sufficient 
 lon while 
 ; and to 
 to have 
 as is set 
 mi nation 
 
 jbyterieg, 
 
 Iniale the 
 
 lo did im- 
 
 are ap** 
 
 53 
 
 13. That no money ©r fjift, of what kind soever, shall be re- No gift to b« 
 ceived from the person to He urdniued, or iroiB any on his beUalf received for 
 for ordin'xfioii, or ought else lu Ian .jug to it, b^ any ol the prosby- o'tlinaiion. 
 tery, or any appertaiiiiiig to any of thein, upon what pretence 
 soever. 
 
 Thuifar of ordinary Rulas, and course ttf Ordination^ in the. ordinary way 
 
 that which concerni the extruonUnrtiy uu.y, rejuirite to 
 
 be now practised, jouoiceUu 
 
 1. In these present exigencies, while we rarinot have any 
 presbyteries formed up to their whole power and work, and that 
 many mmisiers arc to be ordained for the service of the armies & 
 navy.ardjto many congrcsjations where there is no minister at all; 
 and where (by reason of the public troubles) the people cannot 
 either themseivs enquire and find out one who may be a faithful 
 minister unto them, for such a solemn trial as was before menti- 
 oned in the ordinary rules; especially when there can be no pres- 
 bytery near unto them, lo w hom they may address themselves.or 
 which may come or send to them a fit man to be ordained in that 
 congregation, and for \h:\* nrop'.r; and yet notwiihstanding, it is 
 requisite that ministers L^ o. '-ired for them by some, who being 
 set apart themselves forth ( -k of the ministry, have power 
 to join in the setting apart oiuers, who are fuund fit and worthy 
 In those cases, until hv ( od's blessing, the aforesaid difliculiies 
 may I e in some good nif usure removed, let some godly ministers, 
 in or about the city of London, be designed by public authority, 
 who, being associated, may ordain ministers for the city and the 
 vicinity, keeping as nearto the ordinary rules fore-mentioned as 
 possibly they may : and let this association be for no other intent 
 or purpose, but only for the work of ordination. 
 
 2. Let the like association be made hy the same authority in 
 great towns, and the neighbouring: p .rishes in the several coun- 
 ties, which are at the present quiet aiid undisturbed, to do the like 
 for the parts adjacent. 
 
 3. Let such ss are chosen, or appointed for the service «f the 
 armies or navy, be ordained, as aforesaid, by the associated min- 
 isters (Jf London, or some others in the country. 
 
 4. Let them do the like, when any man shall duly and lawful-* 
 ly be rccommendiil lo ih*m for the ministry of any congregatioa 
 who cannot enjoy liberty to have a trial of his parts and abilities, 
 and desire the help of such ministers soassoeialed, for the better 
 furnishing of them w'th spch a person as by them shall be judged 
 fit for the service of that church and people. 
 
«K/%VVVVVVVV%VV%VVVVVVVV%%^/V«VVV\/V%VVV\/VVV^VVVVV%%>V%VV%VV%VV«'VV\%V\VV^VV% 
 
 THE 
 
 DIRECTORY 
 
 FOR 
 
 F A M I L Y-W O R S H I P, 
 
 APPROVED BY THE 
 
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 
 
 OP THE 
 
 CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. 
 
 roR 
 
 PIETY and UNIFORMITY in Fncrft and Private WORSHIP, and 
 mutual EDIFICATION, 
 
 WITH 
 
 An Act of the General Aasembl/, Anno 1647, for observing the ■ame. 
 
 WW%VV%«VVVV%WVW\VW%WV'VV«WVVW^^)|» 
 
?t ani 
 
 55 
 
 Assembly at Edinburgh, August 24, 1647, Scss. 1 ). 
 
 Act for observing the Jjircctions of the General..":- 
 semblyfor secret and private Worship, andimUi I 
 Edification^ and cenauriug such as neglect Fa'inj 
 worship. 
 
 fllHE General Assembly, alter mature delihoralion, dotli r"^- 
 -■■ prove ihfc following; Rules and directions for chrnhhitic: : - 
 ty, and prevc^.tmg division and schism ; and doth appoint m:-- 
 ters and ruling elders in each congregation to lake special r :;i 
 that these Directionh he observed and followed ,• as likewise, t! t 
 presbyteries and provincial synods enquire and make ni;d v, ! . 
 thcr the said Directions be duly ob.->crved in their bounds; : I 
 to reprove or censure (according to the quality of the c{\r\:r-y 
 such as shall be found to be reproveable or ceiis'.irable ihrri ! » 
 And, to the end that these Directions may not be rcndrred i". - 
 fectual and unprofitable amone; some, through the usual no.', t 
 of the very substance of the duty of Family-worship, the A--- - 
 bly doth further re({iiiro and appoint ministers and ruling r!;: ; 
 to make diligent seaVch and encjuiry, in the ronsfrrgaMons r •- 
 mitled to their charge respeciively, whether there be amour, '! • - \ 
 any family or familifs which use to tieglcct this necessary (1 ' ■ ; 
 and if any such family be found, the he<d ofthc fanily i'* ('' r 
 first admonished privately to amend his fault ; and, in c.o^.o cl ■ '; 
 continuing therein, he is to be gravely and sadly rryirove I : ' 
 the session ; after which reproof, if he be found still to ne: fit 
 Family-worship, let him Ic, for his ohstin;»cy in such an ofiV- '•, 
 suspended and deb-arrcd from the I. orfPs supper, as bemg y. .!v 
 p$:cemed unworthy to cominuiilcatc therein, till he amend. 
 
 lame. 
 
 DIRECTIO^rS^ 
 
 kWVVW^^r^ 
 
56 
 DIRECTIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 f ccret and 
 Family wor- 
 ship to bt) set 
 lip and main- 
 tained. 
 
 Necesoity and 
 important of 
 MCf et worship 
 
 Mode ftf por- 
 formfiig family 
 worship. 
 
 Scriptures to 
 be read. 
 
 G E N E R A L A S S E M B L Y, 
 
 Concerning secret and private Worship, and mutual Edification ; 
 for cherishing Piety, for maintaining Unity, and avoiding 
 Schism and Division. 
 
 T>ES1DES the public worship in congregations, mercifully esta- 
 -*-' blibhed in this land in great purity, it is expedient and neces- 
 sary that secret worship of each person alone, and private w«)r- 
 ship of families, be pressed and set up ,• that with national refor- 
 in-'tiion, the piufession and power of godliness, both personal and 
 domestic be advanced. 
 
 I. And first, (or secret worship, it is most necessary, that every 
 one apart, and by themselves, be given to prayer and meditation, 
 the unspeakable benefit whereof is best known to them who are 
 most exercised therein ; this being the mean whereby, in a 
 special way, communion with God is entertained, and right pre- 
 paration for ail other duties obtained ; and therefore it becometh 
 not only pastors, within their several charges, to press persons 
 of all sorts to perform this duty morning and evening, and at 
 other occasions ; but also it is incumbent to the head of cvevy 
 family to have a care, that both themselves, and all within their 
 charge, bedf\ily diligent herein. 
 
 II. The ordinary out ieSi comprehended under the exercise of 
 piety, which should be in families, when they are convened to 
 that effect, are these '.First. Prayer and praises pei formed with a 
 speria! referptjce. as well to the public condition of the kirk of 
 G()d, and ihis kinguo'n, as to the present case of the family, and 
 cv<^ry member thereof. Next, Reading of the scriptures, with 
 catechising in a plain way, that the understandings of the simpler 
 may be the better enabled to profiJ under the public ordinances, 
 and they mHcie ioore capable to understand the scriptures when 
 they are read : together with godly conferences tending to the 
 edification of ail the members in the most holy faith : as also, 
 admonition a.nd rebuke, upon just reasons, from those who have 
 authority in the family. 
 
 III. \s the charge and office of interpreting the holy scriptures, 
 is a part of the ministerial calling, which none (however other- 
 wise qualified] "hould lake upon him in any place, but he that is. 
 duly called thereunto by God and his kirk; so m every family 
 iivhcre there it any that can read, the holy scriptures ghould bs 
 
51 
 
 lification ; 
 avoiding 
 
 fully esta- 
 ind nrces- 
 vate w«)r- 
 [lal refor- 
 'sonal and 
 
 hat every 
 leditation, 
 I who are 
 'ehy, in a 
 [•ight pre- 
 becometh 
 iS persons 
 ig, and at 
 1 of every 
 iihin their 
 
 xerr.ise of 
 ened to 
 jod with a 
 kirk of 
 miiy, and 
 irrs. with 
 )e simpler 
 dinances. 
 res when 
 ng to the 
 : as also, 
 IV ho have 
 
 cripturcs, 
 er oiher- 
 e that is. 
 y family 
 hould be 
 
 tead ordinarily to the family ; and it is commendable^that there- 
 afiep they confer, a ml by way of conference make some good 
 use of wnat hath been read and heard. As, for example if any 
 sin be reproved in the word read, use may be made thereof to 
 make all the family circuirspect and watchful ag;ainst the same ; 
 or if any judgment be threatened, or mentioned to have been in- 
 flicted, in thai portion of scripture which is lead, use may be 
 made to make all the family fear, lest the same or a worse judg- . 
 ment befall them, unless they beware of the sin that procured it : 
 and, finally, if any duty be requiicd, or comfort held forth in a 
 promise, use may be made to stir up themselves to employ Christ 
 f»r strength to enable them for doing the commanded duty, and 
 to apply the oflfered comfort. In all which '-e master of the 
 family is to have the chief hand ; and ^' 7 n.. , 'er of the family 
 may propone a question or doubt for rtoolutiou. 
 
 IV. The head of the family is to take care that none of the 
 family withdraw himself from any part of family-worship : and. 
 seeing the ordinary peiformiiiice of all the parts of family-wor- 
 ship belbngeth properly to the head of the family, the , 
 minister is to stir up such as are lazy, and to tram up such 
 as are weak, to a fitness lo these exercises ; it being always free 
 to personss of quality lo entertain oi.e approved by the presby- 
 tery for performing famtly-exercises. And in other families 
 where the head of the family is unfit, that another, constantly 
 residing in the family, approved by the minister and session, 
 may be employed in that service, wherein the minister and ses- 
 sion are to be countable to the presbytery. And if a minister by . 
 divine Providence, be brought to any family, it is requisite that 
 at no time he convene a part of the family for worship, secluding 
 the rest, except in singular cases, especially concerning these, 
 parties.which (in Christian prudence) need not, or ought not, to 
 be imparted to others. 
 
 V. Let no idler who hath no particular calling.or vagrant per- 
 son under a pretence ofa callin2:,be suffered to perform worship in 
 families, to or from the same ; seeing persons tainted with errors 
 or aiming at division, maybe ready (after that manner) to creep 
 into houses, and lead captive silly and unstable souls. 
 
 VI. At family worship a speeial care is to be had that each 
 family keep by themselves ; neither requiring, inviting nor ad- 
 milting persons from divers families, unless it be those who are 
 lodged with them, or at meals, or otherwise with them upon some 
 lawf'ui occasion. 
 
 VII. Whensoever have been the efferis and fruits of meetings 
 ofperponn of divers families in the times of corruption or trouble, 
 in which cases many things are commendable, which ot'^- - 
 
 How th« 
 Scripturet 
 ought to be 
 read and ap 
 plied. 
 
 Who are to 
 porform tbia 
 aervico. 
 
 Idltraand Ta- 
 granta probU 
 bU«d. 
 
 I'^I•^V|C«» 
 
58 
 
 Meetings of 
 divert familie* 
 to be diiicou- 
 teged. 
 
 How fami'.icB 
 ought to epeud 
 tire Lord's day 
 
 How the spirit 
 ot prayer 
 •ughr to be 
 itirrec! ap. 
 
 arc not tolerable,) yet, when Qod hath blessed us with peace nn(l 
 purity ol" the gospel, such meetings of persons of divers families 
 (except in cases mcntionrd in these Directions) are to be disap- 
 proved, as tending to the hinderance of the religions exercise of 
 each family by iiself» to the prejudice of the public ministry, to 
 the rendinof ot the families of particular congregations, and (in 
 progress of time) of the whole kirk. Besides many oflt-nces 
 which may come thereby, to the hardening of the hearts of carn- 
 al men, and grief of the godly. 
 
 VIII. On the Lord's day, after every one of the family apart, 
 and the whole family together, have sought the Lord (in whose 
 hands the preparation ot men's hearts are) to fit them for the pub- 
 lic worship, and to bless to them the public ordinances, the mas- 
 ter of the family ought to take care that all within his charge re- 
 pair to the public worship, that he and th%y may join with the 
 rest of the congregation : and the public worship being finished, 
 after prayer, he should take an account of what they have heard ; 
 and thereafter, to spend the rest of the time which they may 
 spare in catechising, and in spiritual conferences upon the word 
 of God : or else (going apart) they ought to apply themselves to 
 reading, meditation, and secret prayer, that they may confirm 
 and increase their communion with God : that so the profit which 
 they found in the public ordinances may be cherished and pro- 
 moved, and they more edified unto eternal life. 
 
 IX. So many as can conceive prayer, ought to make use of 
 that gift of God ; albeit those who are rude and weaker may be- 
 gin at a set form of prayer, but so as they be not sluggish in 
 stirring up iu themselves (according to their daily necessities) 
 the spirit of prayer, which is given to all the children of God in 
 some measure : to which effect, they ought to be more fervent 
 and frequent in secret prayer to God, for enabling of their hearts 
 to conceive, and their tongues to express, convenient desires to 
 God for iheir family. And, in the mean time, for their greater 
 encouragement, let these materials of prayer be meditated upon, 
 and made use of, as followctb. 
 
 ** Let them confess to God how unworthy they are to come in 
 ** his presence, and how unfit to worship his Majesty ; and there- 
 *• fore earnestly ask of God the spirit of prayer. 
 
 ** They are to confess their sins, and the sins of the family 5 
 ^* accusing, judging, and condemning themselves for them, till 
 ** they bring their souls to some measure of true humiliation. 
 
 »* They are to pour out their souls to God, in the name of 
 *' Christ, by the Spirit, for forgiveness of sins ; for grace to repent 
 ^* to believe, and to live soberly, righteously, ond godly ; and 
 
 
 «i 
 
 tt 
 
 «» i 
 
 <( 
 
59 
 
 lace tinci 
 
 families 
 
 )e disap- 
 
 ercise of 
 
 nistry, to 
 
 , and (in 
 
 offtnces 
 
 of carn- 
 
 ily apart, 
 in whese 
 thepub- 
 tiie maa- 
 harge re- 
 with the 
 : finished, 
 ve heard ; 
 hcj may 
 the word 
 iselves to 
 f confirm 
 ofit which 
 and pro- 
 
 ke use of 
 : may be- 
 uggish in 
 ecessities) 
 )fGod in 
 re fervent 
 leir hearts 
 esires to 
 greater 
 xtcd upon, 
 
 o come in 
 and there- 
 
 family 5 
 ihera, till 
 iation. 
 
 name of 
 
 to repent 
 
 »dly ; and 
 
 Material* 
 prayar. 
 
 for 
 
 * that they may serve God with joy and delight, walking before 
 « him. 
 
 " Thry sre to give thanks to God for his many mercies to his 
 •' people, and to themselves, and especially for his love in Christ, 
 *• and for the light of the gospel. 
 
 " They arc lo pray for such particular benefits, spiritual and 
 '•temporal, as ihcy stand in need offer the time.(ulicthcr it be 
 " morning or evening.) as anent health or jticknesg, prospf rity 
 " or adversity. 
 
 •• They ought to pray for the kirk of Christ in general, lor 
 *' all the reformed kirks, and for this kiik in parlicnbr, and for 
 " all that sufter for the name of Christ; for all our superiors, 
 *• the king's majesty, the queen, and their children; for the 
 *' magistrates, ministers, and whole body of the congregation 
 •' whereof they are members, as well for their neiejhbours absent 
 *' in their lawful affairs as for those that arc at home. 
 
 V The prayer may be closed with an earnest desire that God 
 ** may be glorified in the coming of the kingdom of his Son. and 
 ** in doin^ of his will, and with assurance that themselves are 
 " accepted, and what they have asked according to his will shall 
 " be done." 
 
 X. These exercises ought to be performed in f^reat sincerity, 
 without delay, laying aside all exercises of worldly business or 
 hinderances, notwithstanding the mockings of atheists and pro- 
 fane men; in respect of the great mercies of God to this land, toboparform 
 and of his severe corrections wherewith lately he hath exercised *"* 
 
 us. And, to this effect, persons of eminency(and ail elders of 
 the kirk) not only ought to stir up themselves and families to dili- 
 gence herein, but also to concur effectually, that in ail other 
 tamilies, where they have power and charge, the said exercises 
 be conscionably performed. 
 
 XI. Besides the ordinary duties in families, which are ab<ive 
 mentioned, extraordinary duties, both of humiliation and thanks- Extraorjintfy 
 giving, arc to be carefully performed in families, when the Lord duties. 
 
 by extraordinary occasions, (private or public,) calleth for 
 them. ^ 
 
 XII. Seeing the word of God requireth, that we should con- 
 sidcr one another to provoke unto love and good works; there- 
 fore, at all times, and especially in this time, Wherein profanity 
 abounds, and mockers, walking after their own lusts, think it 
 strange that others run not with them to the same excess of riot ; 
 every member of this kirk ought to stir up themselves, and one 
 another, to the duties of mutual edification, by instruction, ad- 
 monition, rebuke ; exhorting one another to manifest the grace 
 of God, in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and in Ihiug 
 
 How tbeae cz», 
 
 erciHes ought 
 
60 
 
 I{ow Cbrii- * 
 tUiM ought to 
 livt. 
 
 Instruction to 
 be sougbt 
 fromtha pas- 
 tor. 
 
 Family wor- 
 ship not to be 
 Bsglectsd. 
 
 |od1y, soberly, and righteously, in this present world; by com- 
 torling the leeble-minued, and praying with or for one another. 
 Which duties rcspcctiveljr are lo be performed upon special oc- 
 casions offered by Divine Providence ; as namely, when under 
 any calamity, cross or great difficulity, counsel or comfort is 
 sought ; or when an oOcnder is to be reclaimed by private admo- 
 nition, and if that be not effectual, by joining one or two more m 
 the admonition, according to the rule of Christ ; that in the 
 mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 
 
 XUl. And because it is not given to every one to speak a 
 word in season to a wearied or distressed conscience, it is expe- 
 dient, that a person (m that case) finding no ease, after the use 
 of all ordinary means, private and public, have their address to 
 their own pastor, or some experienced Christian : but if the per- 
 son troubled in conscience be of that condition, or that sex, 
 that discretion, modesty, or fear of scandal, requireth a godly, 
 grave, and secret friend to be present with them in their said ad- 
 dress, it is expedient that such a frif nd be present. 
 
 XIV. When persons of divers families are brought together 
 by divine Providence, being abroad upon their particular voca- 
 tions, or any necessary occasions ; as they would have the Lord 
 their God with them withersoever they go, they ought to walk 
 with God, and not neglect the duties of prayer and thanksgiving, 
 but take care that the same be performed by such as the com- 
 pany shall judge fittest. And that they likewise take heed that 
 no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouths but 
 that which is good, to the use of edifying, that it may minis- 
 ter grace to the hearers. 
 
 The drift and scope of all these Directions is no other, but that 
 upon the one part, tne power and practice of godliness, amongst 
 all the ministers and members of this kirk, according to their 
 several places and vocations, maybe cheiished and advanced, 
 and all impiety and mocking of religious exercises suppressed : 
 and, upon the the other part, that, under the name and pretext 
 of religious exercises, no such meetings or practices be allowed, 
 as are apt to breed error, scandal, schism, contempt, oi misre- 
 gard of the public ordinances and ministers, or neglect of the 
 duties of particular callings, or such other evils as are the works, 
 not of the Spirit, but of the flesh, and are contrary to truth and 
 peace. 
 
 A. KER. 
 
 govei 
 their 
 
 if 
 
J com- 
 nother. 
 iial oc- 
 \ under 
 nfort is 
 e admo- 
 nore in 
 i in the 
 blished. 
 speak a 
 is expe- 
 the use 
 dress to 
 the per- 
 hat sex, 
 a godlv, 
 said ad- 
 
 togethcr 
 lar voca- 
 the Lord 
 
 to walk 
 kksgiving, 
 the com- 
 Iheed that 
 louths but 
 
 ly ininis- 
 
 I, but that 
 amongst 
 to their 
 Idvanced, 
 (pressed : 
 pretext 
 allowed, 
 II misre- 
 of the 
 \c works, 
 •uth and 
 
 u KER. 
 
 A:i?sajT®3;z% 
 
 THOSE who pre desirous to procure a moro full & satisfactorj 
 account ol the Coiisiilution,docirine,\vcnship, di8cipline,arid 
 government ol the Ivslablishcd Cliurchof Scoibnd may cohsnU at 
 their leisure, the tollo\''itig publications, from uluch much in- 
 teresting and us< ful inlorrnriiion may be obtained : 
 
 1. The first Hook oi" Discipline, published in ihe yo?.r 1560 as 
 the form nnd order ol the Church of Scollund at the Roformation 
 from Fop cry. 
 
 2. The >eoond Book of Di^riplln" asrrrd upon by the Gene- 
 ral Assembly 13 78, ins*»rie<i mine Kc^iot-'is o; A5S( nibiles 15R1. 
 
 3. The Confession oi Faith, th"' La^icer ri:KJ Shorter CatechitiU'S, 
 together with the sum ot saving know let.ge, Ctiv^nniita, N.ilional 
 and Solemn league, Ackno"^ lerlgemcn'. of sins, ;»n(l Fji^'iffement 
 to duties, Directories lor Public and F.invly Worship, Foriri of 
 Presbyterial Church Government, &c. Of I'ublic Anihoriiy of 
 the Church of Scotland. 
 
 4. The Form of Process in the J'jdicator'eF of the Church of 
 Scotland wifh relation to Scandals, and Censures, approved by an 
 Act of the General Ass* mbly 1707. 
 
 6. The Acts of the General Assemblios of the Church of Scot 
 laiid which have met since the year 163.^ to the preseiA Uuv.. 
 
 6. Collections and Observations MetljCflizec^ con'-icr'.iinf; the 
 worship,Discipline and Government of the Church of ocotiand in 
 four Books by Walter Stewart, Es(^. of Perdivnu. 
 
 7. An Abridgment of the Acts of the Gcnofa! Assemblies of 
 the Church of .Scotland from the year lt*38iOj8lO innjusive. 
 Alphabetically arranged by the Rev. Robert Gilian, iVIibister of 
 
 Hawick. 
 
 8. View of the Constitution of the Church of Sod i".< I-- the 
 late George Hill, r>. D. Principal of St. IVlarv*^ Col;<g. • the 
 Univeis'ty of St. Andrews. < .,. . 
 
 9. View of tne Principles and Formr, of ♦> •• Chiivch ot Scotland 
 as by Inw established, by G^-orge Buni', I'D. MM)isi<:*of St. 
 Andrews Church, St. John, Nr w BrunswK^k, 
 
 10. The nature of the Prcstyirnan lonn of Uharr.li Govc.i- 
 raent explai'ied, ;uvJ Its co'iiP'T«j*ivK afivafliai;'-"s i|»o'.nied out j / 
 Benjamin M'Dowall, D. D. scniot Mims'Lf ol 'h- Srors Ciii.n-ii 
 St. MaryV Abbey, Dublin, 
 
 11. \ Defence of the Church Govcrnsn'-nt, faith, fVojsh'pnnd 
 Spirit of the Presbyterians, by John AivJerbon, xV..M. iMiuisier 
 of the Gospel at Dumbarloa. 
 
It. A Vinrlication of tho Prcsbyrprian form of Thurch Govern* 
 racntas exprosscd in the Standards of ihr Chiir'^h of Sroilaiul 
 in reply to thr animadversions of fhr Ancjfuu and IModrin in- 
 depcndanls. lij John Urown, D. D. Minislor, ol the (josj)ci Lanj^- 
 ton. 
 
 13. The Historj of the Reformation of Kclijion within the 
 Realm of Scotland, Together with ihc life of John Knox, the Au- 
 thor, and several curious pieces written by him. 
 
 M.Wodrow's History of the suftbringsof theChnrch of Srotland 
 from the Restoration to the Revolution, collected from the Public 
 Records, Original Papers and Manuscripts of that time, and 
 other well attcsteil Narratives. To which is prefixed a Memoir of 
 Author. By the Rev, Robert Burns, 
 
 15. The Scottish Reformers or a brief historical account of 
 the most eminent Scf)ts Worthies. Noblemen, (lonilcmcn, Min- 
 isters and others, from Mr. Patrick Hamilton to Mr. James Ren- 
 wrick. Bj John Howie, of Lochgoin. 
 
 16. History of the Reformation in Scotland with an Introduc- 
 tory Book, and an Appendix. By George Cook D. D. F. R. S. E. 
 Minister of Lawrence Kirk, 3 vols, 
 
 17. The History of the Church of Scotland from the Esta- 
 blishment of the Reformation to the Revolution illustrating; a 
 most interestin/if period of the poliiicnl History of Britain. By 
 Geprge Cook, D. D, F. R. S. E. Minister of Lawrence Kirk, 3 
 vols. 
 
 18. Historical Dissertations on the Law and Practice of Great 
 Britain and particularly of Scotland with regard to the Poor, on 
 the Modes of Charity and on the means of promoting the Im- 
 
 groTement of the People. By the Rev. Robert Bums, one ol the 
 [inistcrs of Paisley. 
 
 1 9. Life of Dr. John Erskine ont of the Ministers of Edinburgh. 
 By the Kcv. Sir Henry Moncreil Wei wood, Bart. D. D. lenior 
 Minister of St. Cuthberts. 
 
 20. The life oJ John Knox containing illustrations of the His 
 lory of the Reformation in Scotland,wiih Biographical notices of 
 the Principal Rrformers & sketches of the Progress of Literature 
 in Scotland, during a great part of the sixteenth century. By 
 Thomap M'Cric, D. D. Minister of the Gospel, Edinburgh, 2 vols 
 
 21. Life of Andrew Melville containing illustrations of the 
 Ecclesiastical and Literary History of Scotland, wiih an Appcn 
 dix consisting of original Papers. By Thomas M'Crie, D. D. 
 Minister of the Gospel. 2 vols. 
 
 22. Thf lliitoiy of Scotland during the Reign of Queen Marj! 
 and of King James Vl.wiih a Review of the Scottish History pre 
 vious to that period. Bj William Robertson, D.D, late Principa 
 
 Ofth 
 jcsty 
 23. 
 of the 
 accoui 
 Scotia 
 ely, til 
 John / 
 24. 
 every 
 
 Htj 
 
 I. "] 
 
 to ohs( 
 
 the pre 
 
 Anc 
 
 hearr^ri 
 
 »Socinia 
 
 Antinoi 
 
 they in 
 
 ol supei 
 
 Holy C 
 
 the Got 
 
 and of f 
 
 their sei 
 
 nantof ^ 
 
 His reco 
 
 die the 
 
 inlheju! 
 
 purchase 
 
 manage 
 
 rence of 
 
 practice 
 
 gospel tc 
 
 fivesobei 
 
 which ac 
 
 insist not 
 
 Jesus Ch 
 
 tance for 
 
 of all the 
 
 cond tab] 
 
 to God's ( 
 
 the sincei 
 
 ing the pr 
 
ScoiIhikI 
 iilrin in- 
 jci L;\ng- 
 
 illiin the 
 ;, the Au- 
 
 'Srotlftnd 
 he Public 
 ime, and 
 Memoir of 
 
 [cconnt of 
 icn, Min- 
 imes Ren- 
 
 Introduc- 
 ^ R. S. E. 
 
 the Esta- 
 istrating a 
 ritain. By 
 ,ce Kirk, 3 
 
 g 
 
 ce of Great 
 ic poor, on 
 the Im- 
 one ol the 
 
 Minburg;h. 
 D. ifnior 
 
 jf the His- 
 
 fl notices of 
 Literature 
 
 ?ntury. By 
 rgh, 2 vols. 
 )ns of the 
 Ian Appcn- 
 ]ie, D. P. 
 
 leen Marj 
 
 [isiory pre 
 
 Principa 
 
 of the Uiiivcrwity ofEdniburgh, and If istoriographcr to His Ma 
 jcsty for bcoiland, 2 vols. 
 
 23, 'I'he flistorv of Scotland from the Union to the Abolition, 
 oi the Hcriiuble Jutisdiclicns ia 1743 cunvaining an impartial 
 account of the Rise 6l Progress of the various Ueii^iout Bodies, in 
 Scotl.'uid. To which i& subjoined a Review of the Progress of Soci- 
 ety, the State of the Acts, &,c, ,n Scotland to the ytar 1827. By 
 John Struthers. 
 
 24. The Edinburgh Christian Instructor published ihe 20th of 
 every month, by William Blackwood, Edinburgh, 28 volumes. 
 
 APPENDIX No. 2 
 
 I. Tis recommended to all ministers and preachers, seriously 
 to observe and consider the directory of this church concernifig 
 the preaching of the word, approven by general assembly 1645 : 
 And in particular, That they be careful to warn their 
 hcarrirs against any thing tending to Atheism, Deism, Arianism, 
 f^ocinianism, Arminianispj, Bc^urignianism, Popery, Superstition, 
 Antinomianism, or any other errors ; and that in their sermons 
 they insist frequently upon the truth, necessity and excellency 
 ol supernatural revelation, the Supreme Deity of the Son and 
 Holy Ghost, as well as the Frlher, together with the oneness of 
 the God-head, our sinful state by nature, the necessity of grace, 
 and of faith in Christ; and that they make it the great scope of 
 their sermons to lead sinners from a covenant of works to a cove- 
 nant of grace for life and salvation, and from sin to Christ : And 
 His recommended to all who preach the gospel, when they haa- 
 die the doctrine of God'a redeeming love, and of his free grace 
 in the justification of sinners, the blessings of the Redeemer's 
 purchase, and the privileges of the new covenant, to study so to 
 manage these subjects, ae to lead their hearers into an abhor- 
 rence of sin, the love of God and of our neighbour, and the 
 practice of universal holiness, seeing it is one great end of the 
 eespel to destroy the works of the Devil, and to teach men to 
 live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Upon 
 which account it is incumbent on all who preach the gospel, to 
 insist not only upon the- necessity and excellency of faith in 
 Jesus Christ for salvation, but also upon the necessity of repen- 
 tance for sin, and reformation from it, and to press (he practice 
 of all the moral duties, both with respect to the first and se- 
 cond tables of the law, as indispcnsibly necessary in obedience 
 to God's command, to testify our gratitude to him, to evidence 
 the sincerity of our faith, for the benefit cf human society, adorn- 
 ing the profession of religion, and making us meet for eternal life, 
 
 n 
 
64 
 
 srelng without holiness no man can see the Lord. And Uis st- 
 riously recommended to ull minisicrs and preachers of the gos- 
 pel, I hat hi presising moral duties, 04- obedience to the law, they 
 shew the nature and excellency of gospel holiness, and entorce 
 corfornuty to.lheraoral law, both in heart and life, not from princi- 
 ples of reason only, but also, and more especially, of revelation : 
 And in order thereto, it is necessary to shew men the corruption 
 arid depravity of human nature by their fall in Adan,theii natural 
 ii.ipoteoce for, and aversion to what is spiritually goo«l, and lead 
 them 10 !he true and only source of all grace and holiness, viz. 
 union ulth Christ) by the Holy Spirit's working faith in us, and 
 renewing us more and more after the image of (Jod .* And to let 
 their hearers know, that they must first be grafted into Christ 
 as their root, before their fruit can be savoury unto God ; that 
 they must have a new principle to animate, and a new end to 
 direct them before their actions become gracious and a' ceptable 
 in the sight of God .* And that they teach them the necessity of 
 Jiving by failh on the Son of God, in a constant looking to, and 
 dependence upon him, as the great author of all gracious influ- 
 ences for the performance of every duty ,• and withal, that atler 
 their bei,t performances and attainments they must count them- 
 selves but loss and dung, in point of justification before God ; 
 and to make it their great desue onlj' to be found in Christ, and 
 his righteousnt.ss : And that mmisters in application of their 
 feermons, endeavour rightly to divide the word of truth, speaking 
 distinctly to such various cases of the converted and unconverted, 
 .js arise natively from the subjectthey have been handling : And 
 that in the whole of their discourses, they take care to suit them-^^ 
 selves to ihe capacity of their henrers, as to metliod, matter, and 
 expression, and to the prevailing sins of the time and place, with 
 all prudent and zealous freedom and plainness : As also, that 
 they make gospel subjects there main theme and study, and press 
 with all earnestness the practice of moral duties in a gospel man - 
 ner: And thai they forbear delivering any thing »r> public, that 
 may tend more to amusement than edification, and beware of 
 bringing into ihrir sermons and public discourses, matters of 
 doubtful disputation, which tend to engender strife, rather than 
 promote the edification of Christians : And all are exhorted to 
 study to maintaiki the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace : 
 And finally 'tis recommended to all professors of divinity, to use 
 their best endeavours to have the students under their care well 
 acquainted with the true method of preaching the gospel as abovej 
 directed \ and that presbyteries at their privy censures, enquir 
 concerning the observation of this Act 7. ^^». 1?36, 
 
LndUis St- 
 of ihe gos- 
 5 law, they 
 id entorce 
 Vomprinci- 
 •evelation : 
 corruption 
 leii natural 
 1, and lead 
 mess, viz. 
 in us, and 
 And to let 
 into Christ 
 God ; that 
 ew end to 
 acceptable 
 lecessity of 
 ng to, and 
 cious infill- 
 , that aher 
 >unt them- 
 fore God; 
 [Christ, and 
 )n of their 
 1, speaking 
 iconverted, 
 Iling: And 
 suit them-'4> 
 natter, and 
 place, with 
 also, that 
 , and press 
 Dspel man - 
 lubhc, that 
 beware of 
 natiers of 
 atiier than 
 xhorted to 
 of peace : 
 nity, to use 
 r care well 
 el as above 
 Ds, enquire