VI. We shall also, according to our places and callings, in

this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof; and shall not suffer ourselves, directly or indirectlyj hj whatsoever combination, persuasion, or terror, to be di« Vided and withdrawn from this blessed union and conjunc- tion, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of GOD, the good
8 of
bO^f The Solemn League and Covenant.
of the kingdom, and honour of the King ; but shall, all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition, and promote the same, according to our po\ver,against all lets andimpediments whatsoever; and, vvliat we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed : All which we shall do as in the sight of God. And, because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against GOD, and his Son Jesus Christ, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; we profess and declaim, before GOl) :and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of these kingdoms : especially, that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the gospel ; that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof; and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts, Jior to walk w^orthy of him in our Jives ; which are the causes -of other sins and transgressions BO much abounding amongst us : and our true and unfeign- ed purpose, desire, and endeavour for om^selves, and all others under our power and charge, both in publick and in priv^ate, in all duties we owe to GOD and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go l)efore another in the ex- ample of a real reformatioji ; that the Lord may turn away liis wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these churche* and kingdoms in truth and peace. And this Covenant Ave makein the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all hearts^ with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed;, most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his Holy Spirit for this end, and to bless our desires and proceedings with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and en- couragement to other Christian churches, groaning linder, or in danger of, the yoke of antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like association and covenant, to the glory of GOD, the enlargement of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and the peace and tranquillity of Christian king* iloms and commonwealths.
F I N I S»
SOLEMN ACKNOWLEDGMENT
PUBLICK SINS
BREACHES OF THE COVENANT^
A SOLEMN ENGAGEMENT
ALL THE DUTIES CONTAINED THEREIN;
NAMELY,
THOSE WHICH DO IN A MORE SPECIAL WAT KEA-ATE CNTO Tat DANGERS OE THESE TIME?:
TOGETHER WITH
TTie Act of the Commission of the Genentl Assembly 164^, and Act of Parliament I
Y
T}i€ Act of the Commission of the General Assembly Jor rf-
jiftci"''- //'." \'nlii)iii fi.nri/r miff Carrtur I'f ,
T
Edinburgh, October 6. IG-tS.
'Ill', Commission of the General Assembly considering, that a p^reat part of this land have involved themselves in many and p^ross breaches of tlic Solemn Leagne and C'nvenant; and that the hands of many are «;rown slack in following and jmrsning the duties contained therein ; and that many, who not being come to sulhcient age when it was first sworn and subscribed, have not hitherto been re- ceived into the same ; do, upon these, and other grave and ij:ij>urtant considerations, appoint and ordain the Solemn League and Covenant to be renewed throughout all the congregations of this kingdom. And, because it is a duty of great weight and consequence, ministers, after the sight Jicreof, would be careful to take pains, in their doctrine and otherwise, that their people may be made sensible of these things wherein they have broken the Covenant, and be j)t ('pared for the renewing thereof with suitable atfections Jind dispositions. And, that these things may be the better pel rornied, we have thought it necessary to condescend upon a Sr)lemn Acknowledgment of Publick Sins and Breaelif ■; of the Covenant, and a Solenm Kngagement to all the l)uties contained tiierein, namely, those which do in a mor^ special way relate unto tlie dangers of these times: And this Solenm Acknowledgment and Engagement, sent herewith, shall be made use of, and the League and Covenant shall be renewed in such manner as follows : /7/'a/, There shall be an intimation of a solenm })ublick humiliation and fast the second Sabbath of December, to be kept upon the n^xt Thursday, and the Lord's day thereafter ; at which intima- tion, the League and Covenant, and the Publick Acknow- ledgment of Sins and Engagement unto Duties, are to be publickly read by the minister, in the audience of all the people ; and they are to be exhorted to get copies thereoi', that they may be made accpiainted therewith ; and the hu- miliation and fai^t is to be kejH the next Thursday there After, in reference to the breaches of the Covenant, coil-
Y2
t 508 ]
fained in the solemn piiblick Acknowledgment, as the causes tlicreof ; and the next Lord's day thereafter, which is also to be spent in publick humiliation and fasting, immediately after the sermon, which is to be applied to the business of ihat day, the rid)iick Acknowledgment and Engagement is again to be publickly read ; and thereafter prayer is to be made, containing the confession of the breaches mentioned 1 herein, and begging mercy for these sins, and strength of t^iod for renewing the Covenant in sincerity and truth; Tifter wliich prayer the Solemn League and Covenant is to be read by the minister, and then to be sworn by him and all the people, who are to engage themselves for pei'form- ance of all the duties contained therein ; namely, these whicli ai'e mentioned in the Publick Acknowledgment and .Engagement, and are opposite unto the sins therein con- fessed : and the action is to be closed with prayer to God, that his people may be enabled, in the power of his strength, to do their duty, according to their oath, now re- newed in so solemn a way. It is also hereby provided, That all those who renew the League and Covenant, shall again subscribe the same ; and that none be admitted to ] the renewing or subscribing thereof, who are excluded by the other act and direction sent herewith.
A. KER.
The Act of the Coimm'tlee of Estates of Parliament for r nevcing the Solemn League and Covenant.
Edinburgh, October 14. 1648.
THE Committee of Estates being very sensible of the grievous backslidings of this land, in the manifold breaches of tlie Solemn League and Covenant, made and sworn to the most high God; do therefore unaniinously and heartily approve \aiq. seasonable and pious resolution of the Coniiiiission of the General Assembly for a solemn Acknow- ledgment of Publici: Sins and Provocations, especially the breaches of the Covenant, and a solemn engagement to more conscionable performance of the duties therein con- tained, and for renewing the Solemn League and Covenant;
and
[ 509 ]
.111(1 do require and ordain, That the Directions of the said Commission of Assembly, in their act of the 6th of this month, for a puhlick Acknowk'doment of Sins, and K)i- gaojemcnt to Duties, be carefully followed ; that the fast and humiliation, appointed by them, be religiously obser- ved; and that the Solemn League and Covenant be sincerely and cordially renewed and subscribed, in the manner they have prescribed in their said Act.
Extractum, JVIr. THO. HENDERSON.
Y 5 A SQlemn
[ 510 ] A
Solemn Acknowledgment of Publick Sins, and Breaches of the Covenant ;
AND
A Solemn Engagement to all the Duties contained there- in, namely, those which do in a more special Way relate vmto the Dangers of these Times.
TT7E Noblemen, Barons, Gentlemen, JBurgesses, Mini- •^^ sters of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts within this kingdom, by the good hand of God upon us, taking into serious consideration the many sad afilictions and deep distresses wherewith we have been exercised for a long time past; and that the land, after it hath been sore wasted with the sword and the pestilence, and threatened with famine ; and that shame and contempt hath been poured out from the Lord against many thousands of our nation, who did in a sinful way make war upon the kingdom of England, contrary to the testimony of his servants, and desires of his people ; and that the remnants of that army, returning to this land, have spoiled and oppressed many of our brethren ; and that the malignant party is still nume- rous, and, retaining their former principles, wait for an opportunity to raise a new and dangerous v>'ar, not only unto the rending of the bowels of this kingdom, but unto the dividing us from England, and overturning of the work of God in all the three kingdoms; and considering also, that a cloud of calamities doth still hang over our heads, and threaten us with sad things to come, we cannot but look upon these things as from the Lord, who is righteous in all his ways, feeding us with the bread of tears, and making u^ to drink the waters of afflictions, until we be taught to know how evil and bitter a thing it is to depart away from him, ]>y breaking the Oath and Covenant which wc have made with him ; and that we may be huniljjed before him, by confessing our sin, and forsaking the evil of our way.
Therefore
An AckjtuiL ,\ c.'i; i.'icnf of Sm^, i.\
Therefore beiiif^ pressed with so irreat nceessities and rtraits, and warranted by the word ot God, and havini; the
example of God's people of old, who in the time of ilieir troubles, and when they were to seek delivery, and a right '.vay for themselves, that the Lord might be with them to prosper them, did humble themselves before liim, and make
i free and particular confession of the sins of their princes,
their rulers, their captains, their priests, and their people; and did engage themselves to do no more so, but to reform their ways, and be stedlast in this covenant ; and remem- bering the practice of our predecessors in the year 159(i, wherein the General Assembly, and all the kirk-judicatories, with the concurrence of many of the nobility, gentry, and burgesses, did, with many tears, acknowledge before God the
>;each of the National Covenant, and engaged themselves to a rt formation ; even as our predecessors and theirs had before done, in the General Assembly and Convention of Ivstates, in the year 1507; and perceiving that this duty, when gone about out of conscience and in sincerity, hath always been attended with a reviving out of troubles, and with a blessing and success from Heaven ; we do humbly 'V, as in his sight, who is the Searcher of hearts, -' the many sins aud great transgressions of the land : we have done wickedly, our kings, our princes, our nobles, our judges, our oilicers, our teachers, and our people. Albeit the Lord hath long and clearly spoken unto us, we have not hearkened to his voice; albeit he hath followed us with tender mercies, we have not been allured to wait upon him, and walk in his way; and though he hath stricken us, yet we have not grieved ; nay, though he hath consumed us, we have refused to receive correction : we have not re* membered to render unto the Lord according to his good- ness, and according to our own vows and promises, Imt have gom^ away backward by a continued course of backsliding, and have broken all the articles of that Solenm League and tenant, which we swore before (rod, angels, and men. Ibeit there be in the land many of all ranks, who be for a tt^timony unto the truth, and for a name of joy and praise unto the Lord, by living godly, studying to keep their gar- ments pm'e, and being stt^dfast in the covenant and cause of Y4 God;
'612 An Acknowledgment ofSinsy
God ,•- yet we have reason to acknowledge, that most of us have not endeavoured, with that reahty, sincerity, and con- stancy that did become us, to preserve the work of reforma- tion in the kirk of Scotland: many have satisfied themselves with the purity of the ordinances, neglecting the power thereof; yea, some have turned aside to crooked ways, de- structive to both. The profane, loose, and insolent carriage of many in our armies, who went to the assistance of our brethren in England, and the tamperings and unstraight dealing of some of our commissionei's, and others of our na- tion, in London, the Isle of Wight, and other places of that kingdom, have proved great lets to the work of reformation and settling of kirk-government there, whereby error and schism in that land have been increased, and sectaries harden- ed in their way. We have been so far from endeavouring the extirpation of profaneness, and what is contrary to the power of godliness, that profanity hath been much winked at, and profane y)ersons much countenanced, and many tim.es employed, until iniquity and ungodliness hath gone over the face of the land as a flood ; nay, suflicient care hath not been had to separate betwixt tlie precious and the vile, by debarring from the sacrament all ignorant and scan- dalous persons, according to. the ordinances of this kirk.
Neither have the privileges of the Parliaments and liber- ties of the subject been duly tendered; but some amongst ourselves have lalx)ured to put into the hands of our King an ■ arbitrary and unlimited power, destructive to both ; and many of us have been accessory of late to those means and ways, whereby the freedom and privileges of Parliaments have been encroached upon, and the subjects oppressed in their con- sciences, persons, and estates; neither hath it been our care to avoid these things which might harden the King in his evil way ; but, upon the contrary, he hath not only been permitted, but many of us have been instrumental to make him exercise his power, in many things tending to the pre- judice of religion, and of tlie Covenant, and of the peac£ and safety of tlies? kingdoms ; which is so far from the right way of preserving his Majesty's person and authority^ that it cannot but provoke the Lord against him, unto the hazard of l>oth ; nay, under a pretence of relieving and
doincf
and Engagertient to Dutua. 513
[lolng for the Kin^^, whilst he refuses to do what was ne- essarv for the house of God, some have raiiverscd and riokited most ot all the articles of the Covenant.
(Kir own conscience within, and God's judgments upon IS without, do convince us of the manifold wilful renewed jreaches of that article which concerneth the discovery and mnishment of malignants, whose crimes have not only been X)nnived at,butdisj)ensed with and pardoned, and themselves eceived into intimate fellowship with ourselves, and intrust- ed with our counsels, admitted into our Parliaments, and put n places of power and authority, for managing the publick dikirs of tlie kingdom; whereby, in God's justice, they got 4t last Into their hands the whole power and strength of the kingdom, both in judicatories and armies; and did employ the same unto the enacting and prosecuting an uidawful en- gagement in war against the kingdom of England, notwith- standing of the dissent of many considerable members of. Parliament, who Iiad given constant proof of their integrity ill the cause from the beginiiing; of many faithful testimo- nies, and free warniirgs of the servants of God; of the sup- plications of many synods, presbyteries, and shires; and of the declarations of the General Assembly and their Connnis- sioners to the contrary; wliich engagement, as it hatli been j the cause of mucli sin, so also of much misery and calamity unto this land; and holds forth to us the grievousness of our sin, of complying with malignants in the greatness of our judgment, that we may be taught never to split again upon the same rock, upon which the Lord hath set so remarkable a beacon. And after all that is come to pass unto us becUuse of this our trespass; and after that grace hath been shewed . unto us from the Lord our God, by breaking these men's yoke from olTour necks, and putting us again into a capacity to act for the good of religion, our own safety, and the peace and the safety of this kingdom, shouhl we again break tjiis commandment and covenant, by joining once more with the people of these abominations, and taking into our bosom those serpents, which had formerly stung us almost unto death ; this, as it would argue great mac'n ss and follv upon ©ur piirt, vo, no duubt, if it he not avylJctl, wiU.pifivoke the
V 5 Loj4:
'^14
Lord against us, to coiisunie ii?, until there be no remnant nor escnr/mg in the land.
And albeit the peace and union betwixt tlie kinodom-? be a great blessing of God unto both, and a bond whi; h we are obliged to preserve unviolated, and to endeavc that justice may be done uj)on the opposers thereof; vi i. sorae in this land, who have come under the bond of tha Covenant, have made it their great study how to dissolve this union ; and fev/ or no endeavours have been us^d by any of ua for'punishing of such.
Wo have suffered many of our brethren, in several parts^ of the land, to be oppressed by the common enemy, without compassion or relief There hath been great inurmuring and repining, because of expence of means, and pains iu doing of our duty. Many, by persuasion or terror, have suffered themselves to be divided and withdrawn, to make defection to the contrary part : many have turned oft* to a detestable indiiferency and neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth the glory of God, and tlie good of the kingdoms ; nay, many have made it their study to walk su, as they might comply with all times, a]id all the revolutions thereof It hath not been our care to countenance, encou- rage, intrust, and employ such only, as from their hearts did affect and mind God^s work ; but the hearts of such many times have been discouraged, and their hands weakened, their sufferings neglected, and themselves slighted; and many, who were once open enemies, and always secret un- derminers, countenanced and employed : nay, even those who had been looked upon as incendiaries, and upon whom the Lord has set marks of desperate malignancy, falsehood, and deceit, were brought in, as fit to manage publick aliairs: many have been the lets and impediments that have been cast in the way, to retard and obstruct the Lord's work ; and some have kept secret, what of themselves they were not able to suppress and overcome.
Besides these, and many other breaches of the articles of tlie Covenant in the matter thereof, which it concerneth every "Dvie of us to search out and acknowledge before the Lord, PS. we would wish his wrath to be turned away from '.'.-:. ; so have many of us failed exceedingly in the manner of
10 our
ami Engagement to Duties. 515
our follovv'mg and pursuing the duties contained tlierein ; not only seeking great things for ourselves, and mixing of our private interests and ends concerning ourselves, and friends, and followers, with those things which concern the pnhlick good; but many times preferring such to the ho- nour of God, and good of his cause, and retarding God's work, until we might carry along with us our own interests and designs. It hath been our way to trust in the means, and to rely upon the arm of flesh for success, allieit the Lord hath many times made us meet with disappointment there- in, and stained the pride of all our glory, by blasting every carnal confidence unto us : we" have followed for the most part the counsels of flesh and blood, and walked more by the rules of policy than piety, and have hearkened more unto men than unto God.
Albeit we made solemn publickjn'ofession before the world, of our unfeigned desires.to be humbled before the Lord for our own sins, and the sins of these kingdoms, especially for our undervaluing of the inestimable benefit of the gospel, . and that we have not laboured for the power thereof, and received Christ into our hearts, and walked worthy of him iu our lives; and of our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, . and endeavour, for ourselves, and all others under our poAver . and charge, both in publick and ju'ivate, in all the duties which we owe to God and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before another in the example of a real re- formation, that the Lord might turn away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these kirks and kingdoms in truth and peace ; yet we have refused to be reformed, and V e walked proudly and ol)stinateIy against the Lord, not Aiing his gospel, nor submitting ourselves unto the obedi- e thereof; not seeking after Christ, not studying to ho- niuir hini in the excellency of his person, nor employ him iu the virtue of his oflices ; nor making conscience of publick ordinances, nor ])rivate nor secret duties; nor studying to edifv one another in love. Ignorance of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, prevails exceedingly in the land ; the greatest part of masters of families, amongst Noblemen, IJa- rons, Gentlemen, Burgesses, and Commons, neglect to seek God in their families^ and to endeavour the reformation
Y 6 thereof;
^16 Jn Ackrwivlcdgmeiit of Sins,
thereof; and albeit it liath been much pressed, yet few of our nobles and great ones, ever to this day, could be per- suaded to perform family-duties themselves, and in their own persons ; which makes so necessary and useful a duty to be misregarded ])y others of inferior rank ; nay, many of the Nobility, Gentry, and Burrows, who shouhl have been ex- amples of godliness and sober w^alking unto others, have been ringleaders of excess and rioting. Albeit w^e be the Lord's people, engaged to hhn in a solemn w^ay; yet to this day w^e have not made it our j?tudy, that judicatories and armies should consist of, and places of power and tru.-t be filled \^ith, men of a])lameless andChristian conversation, and of know^n integrity, and approven fidelity, affection, and zeal, unto the cause of God ; but not only those w»ho have been neutral and indifferent, but disaffected and malignant, and others v^Iio have been })rofane and scandalous, have been intrusted: by which it hath come to pass, that judicatories have been the seats of injustice and iniquity; and many in our armies, by their miscarriages, have become our plague, imto the great prejudice of the cause of God, the great scandal of the gospel, and the great increase of looseness and profanity throughout all the land. It were impossible to reckon up all the abominations that are in the land; but the blaspheming of the name of God, swearing by the creatures, profanation of the Lord's day, uncleanness, drunkenness, excess and rioting, vanity of aj.parel, lying and deceit, railing and cur- sing, arbitrary and uncontrouled oppression, and grinding of the faces of the poor by landlords, and others in place and power, are ])ecome ordinary and common sins; and besides all these things, there be many other transgressions, whereof xh-e lands wherein we live are guilty. All which we desire to acknowledge and to be humbled for, that the world may bear witness with us, that righteousness belongeth unto God, and shame and coiiiusion of face unto us, as appears this day. And because it is needful for those who find mercy, not only to ccnfesii, but also to forsake tlieir sin ; therefore, tliat the reality and sincerity oiour repentance may appear, we do resolve and solemnly engage ourselves, beibre the Lord, ca.'efiiliy to {^.void for th- time t ) co'ne all these offences, wiKi Lu: v.e Ir.-.vc iivW r.iadc .-jclcm publick ac^J.nowjcdgni( nt,
and Engagement to Duties. 517
!iiul all tlic snares; and tentations wliich tend thereunto ; and It) testify the iiitetrrity of our resolution herein, and that we jTiifv 1)0 the better enabled in the jiower of the Lord's itrength to perform the same, we do again renew our Solemn Leai^ue and Covenant : promising hereafter to make eonseience of all the duties whereunto we are obliged, in all the heads and artieles tliereof, particularly of these that follow.
1. Because religion is of all tilings the most excellent and ])reeious, the advancing and jiromoting the power thereof against all ungodliness and j)rofanity, the securing and preserving the purity thereof against all error, heresy, and schism, and namely. Independency, .Anubaptism, Antinomianism, Arminianism, and Socinianism, Familism, Libertinism, Scepticism, and Erastianism, and the carry- ing on the work of uniformity, shall be studied and endea- voured by us before all worldly interests, whether concern- ing the King, ourselves, or any other whatsomever. 2. Because many have of late laboured to supplant the liberties of the kirk, we shall maintain aiid defend the kirk of Scotland, in all her liberties and privileges, against all who shall oppose or undermine the same, or encroach thercujK)!!, under any pretext whatsomever. 5. We shall vindicate and maintain the liberties of the subjects, in all these things which concern their consciences, persons, and estates. 4. We shall carefully maintain and defend the union betwixt the kingdoms, and avoid every thing that may weaken the same, or involve us in any measure of ac- cession unto the guilt of those Avho have invaded the king- dom of England. 5. As we have been always loyal to our King, so we shall still endeavour to give unto God that which is God''s, and to Gesar the things which are Cesar's. 6. We shall be so far from conniving at, complying with, or countenancing of, malignancy, injustice, iniquity, pro- fiinity, and impiety, that we shall not only avoid and dis- countenance those things, and cherish and encourage these persons who are zealous for the cause of God, and walk according to the gospel ; but also shall take a more effec- tual course than heretofore, in our respective places and callings, for punishing and suppressing these evils; and
laithi'uilv
MS An AchiowleJgment of Sins, &c.
faitlifullj endeavour, thai the best and fittest remedies may be anplic'^. for taking away the causes thereof, and advan- cin in tlie Land. And therefore, in the last place, as we shall earnestly pray unto God, that he would give us ahle men,: feariui^ God, men of truth, and hating coveloiL^ness, to judge and bear charge among his people ; so we shall, according to our places and callings, endeavour that judicatories, and all places of power and trust, both in kirk and state, may consist of, and l)e filled with, such men as are of known good affection to the cause of God, and of a blameless and Christian conversation.
And, because there be many, w^ho heretofore have not made conscience of the oath of God, but some through fear, others by persuasion, and upon base ends and human interests, hav? entered thereinto, who have afterwards dis- covered themselves to have dealt deceitfully with the Lord, m swearing falsely by his name ; therefore vre, who do now renpw our Covenant, in reference to these duties, and all ■ other duties container! therein, do, in the sight of him who is the *^earcher of hearts, solemnly profess, that it is not tipon any politick advantage, or private interest or by-end,, or bf'cn.use of any terror or persuasion from men, or hypo- - critically and deceitfully, that we do again take upon us > the oath of God, but honestly and sincerely, and from the ■ sense of our duty ; and that therefore, denying ourselves, . and our own things, and laying aside all seif-in.terest and : ends, we sliall above all things seek the honour of God, the good of his cause, and the v.xalth of his people; and that forsaking the counsels of flesh and blood, and not leaning upon carnal confidences, we shall depend upon the Lord, walk by the rule of his word, and hearken to the voice of his servants. In all which, professing our own weakness, we do earnestly pray to God, who is the Lather of mercies, through his Son Jesus Christ, to be merciful unto uf , and to enable us, by the povrer of his miglit, that • we may do our duty, unto the praise of his grace in the churches. Amen.
? I N I S,
THE
DIRECTORY
FOR THE
PUBLICK WORSHIP OF GOD;
ACUEED WON BY
THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES JT WESTMIXSTEE,
\
COMMISSIONERS
FROM TUE
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,
AS
A Part of the Covcnar.tcd Uiiiforr.ity in Rclijrion betwixt the Churches of CuRisT in the KiBgdoms of Scotland, Englund, and Irclar-d i
WITH
\i\ Act of the General Assembly, and Act of Parliament, both In Anno 164^ approving and establisUiig lite said Dikectort.
1 CoR. xiv. '10. Lit all things be done dccendify and in ordcu \cT. iiG. — Let all things be done to tdifi/ing.
[ 621 J
Charles I. Pari. 3. Sess. 5.
An Act of the Varliament of the Kingdom of Scot* LAKD^ approxing and estahlhlmig the Dijuctort for Public k Worship.
At Edinburgh, Febnia)^ 6. 1645.
T^HE Estates of Parliament now convened, in tlie second •*• session of this first triennial Parliament, by virtue of the last act of the last Parliament holden by his Majesty and the Three Estates, in anno 1611 ; after the publick reading and serious consideration of the act under-Avritten of the General -Assembly, approving the following Direc- tory for the publick worship of God in the three king- doms, lately united by the Solemn League and Covenant, together with the ordinance of the Parliament of England establishing the s:ad Directory, and the Directory itself ; do heartily and cheerfully agree to the said Directory, ac- cording to the act of the General Assendily apjiroving the same. Whicli act, together with the Directory itself, the Estates of Parliament do, without a contrary voice, ratify and approve in all the Heads and Articles thereof; and do interpone and add the authority of Parliament to the said act of the General Assembly. And do ordain the same to have the strength and force of a law and act of Parlia- ment, and execution to pass thereupon, for observing the siiid Directory, according to the said act of the General Assembly in all points.
ALEX. GIBSON, Ckr. Registri.
Assembly
f 522 1
Assembly at Edinburgh^ February 3. 1645. Sess. 10.
Act of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland^ for the establishing andpuiting in Ea:ecntion of the Directory for the Public k Worship of God,
TTTHEREAS an happy unity, and uniformity in religion ^^ amongst the kirks of Christ, in these three king- doms, united under one Sovereign, having been long and earnestly wished for by the godly and well-aifected amongst us, was propounded as a main article of the large treaty, without which band and bulwark, no safe, well-grounded, and lasting peace could be expected; and afterward, with greater strength and maturity, revived in the Solemn League and Covenant of the three kingdoms; whereby they stand straitly obliged to endeavour the nearest uni- formity in one form of Church-government, Directory of Worship, Confession of Faith, and Form of Catechising ; which hath also before, and since our entering into that Covenant, been the matter of many supplications and re- monstrances, and sending 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 uniformity in the four particulars afore-men- tioned, with such committees as should be appointed by both Houses of Parliament of England, and by the Assem- bly 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 hazards, for quenching the devouring tlame of the present unnatural and bloody war in England, though to the weakening of this kh)gdom within itself, and ihe advantage of the ene- my which have invaded it ; accounting nothing too dear to us, so that this our joy be fulfdled. And now this great work being so far advanced, that a Directory for the
Fublick
I 525 ]
Publick Worship of God in all the three kingdoms being ' f llngland, after consultation with the Divines of both KUDgdoms there assembled, and sent to us for our approba- Nfen, that, being also agreed upon by this kirk and kingdom of Scotlaird, it may be in the name of both kingdoms pre- sented to the King, for his royal consent and ratification ; the General Assembly, having most seriously considered, :fevised, and examined the Directory afore-mentioned, •ifter several publick readings of it, after much deliberation, both publickly and in private committees, after full liberty jriven to all to object against it, and earnest invitations of all who have any scruples about it, to make known the same, that they might be satisfied ; doth unanimously, and without a contrarv voice, agree to and approve the foUow- * ig Directory, in all the heads thereof, together with the reface set before it ; and doth require, decern, and ordain, "bat, according to the plain tenor and meaning thereof, d the intent of the Preface, it be carefully and uniformly served and practised by all the ministers and others ithin this kingdom whom it doth concern ; which practice |iall be begun, upon intimation given to the several pres- byteries from the Commissioners of this General i\ssem- who sliall also take special care for timeous printing this Directory, that a printed copy of it be provided and )t for the use of every kirk in this kingdom ; also that h presbytery have a printed copy thereof for their use, d take special notice of the observation or neglect there- in every congregation withhi their bounds, and make own the same to the Provincial or General Assembly, as ere shall be cause. Provided always, That the clause in e Directory, of the administration of the Lord^s Supjxr, which mentioneth the communicants sitting about the tabk% or at it, be not interpreted, as if, in the judgment of this kirk, it were indifferent, and free for any of the com- municants not to come to, and receive at the table ; or as if we did a|)prove the distributing of the elements by the mi- nister to each conmiunicant, and not by the communicants among themselv'-. It is also provided. That this sliail he no prejudice to the order and practice of this kirk, in such
particulars
[ 524 ]
r
particulars as are appointee!, by the books of discipline, and acts of General Assemblies, and are not otherwise ordered and appointed in the Directory.
Finally, The Assembly doth, with much joy and thank- fulness, acknowledge the rich blessing and invaluable mer- cy 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 the 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 reviving of our hearts in the midst of our many sorrows and suffer- ings ; a taking away, in a great measure, the reproach of the people of God, to the stopping of the mouths of malig- nant and disaffected 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 ; in the expectation and confidence whereof we do rejoice ; beseech- ing the Lord to preserve these kingdoms from heresies, schisms, offences^ profaneness, and whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of godliness ; and to con- tinue with us, and the generations following, these his pure and purged ordinances, together with an increase of the power and life thereof, to the glory of his great name, the enlargement of the kingdom of his Son, the corroboration of peace and love between the kingdoms, the unity and comfort of all his people, and our edifying one another in iove.
THE
THE CONTENTS.
rHK Preface.
Of the Assembling of the Congrega- tion,
Of Publick Reading of the Holy Scriptures.
Of Publick Prayer before the Ser- mon.
Of Preaching of the Word.
Of Prayer after Strmon.
Of the Sacrament of Baptism.
Of the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per.
Of the SanctificdtioD of the LorJ*« Day.
Of the Solemnization of Mar- riage.
Of the Visitation of the Sick.
Of the Burial of the Dead.
Of Publick solemn Fasting.
Of the Observation of Days of Pub- lick 'i'hankseiving.
Of Singing of Psalms.
An Appendix touching Days and Places of Publick Worship.
THE
DIRECTORY
FOR THE
PUBLICK WORSHIP OP GOD.
THE PREFACE.
I
N tlie beginning of tlie blessed Reformation, our wise and pious ancestors took care to set forth an order for redress of many things, v/hich they then, by the word, dis- covered to be vain, erroneous, superstitious, and idolatrous, in the publick worship of God. Tiiis occasioned many godly and learned men to rejoice much in the Rook of Common Prayer, at that time set forth ; because the mass, and the rest of the J^atm service being removed, the pub- liclcworship was celebrated ifi our own tongue : many of the common people also received benefit by bearing the scriptures read in their own language, which formerly were uuto tJ]; 'n as a book thai is sealed.
Ho.vbcit, long and fad experience hath made it manifest, that the Liturgy used in the Church of England, (notwitl:- standing all the pains and religious intentions of the Compi- lers
520 The Preface.
!ers of it,) hath proved an oflTence, not only to many of tlie godly at iionie, but also to the reformed Churches abroad. For, not to speak of urging the reading of ail tie prayers, "vvhicii very greatly increased the burden of it, the many un- prufitabie and burdensome ceremonies contained in it have oc( : sioned much mischief, as well by disquieting the con- sciences of many godly mniisters and people, who could not yield unto them, as by depriving them of the ordinances of God, which they might not enjoy without conforming or sub- -scribing to those ceremonies, Suridry good ChristiariS have been, by means thereof, kept from the Lord's table ; and divers able and faithful ministers debarred from the exercise ■of their ministry, (to the endangering of many thousand souls, in a time of such scarcity of faithful pastors,) ar.d spoiled of their livelihood, to the undoing of them and their families. Prelates, and their faction, have laboured to raise the estimation of it to such an height, as if there were no other worship, or way of worship of God, amongst us, but only the Service-book ; to the great hinderance of the preaching of the word, and (in some places, especially of late) to the justling of it out as unnecessary, or at best, as far inferior to the reading of common prayer ; which was made no better than an idol by many ignorant and super- stitious people, who, pleasing themselves in their presence at that service, and their lip-lal3our in bearing a part in it, iiave thereby hardened themselves in their ignorance and carelessness of saving knowledge and true piety.
In tlie mean time, Papists boasted that the book was a compliance with them in a great part of their service ; and 80 were not a little confirmed in their superstition and ido- latry, expecting rather our return to them, than endeavour- ing the reformation of themselves: in which expectation they were of late very much encouraged, when, upon the pretended warrantableness of imposing of the former cere- monies, new ones were daily obtruded upon the Cliurch.
Add hereunto, (which was not foreseen, but since hath come to pass,) that the Liturgy hath bee\i a great means, as on the one hand to make and increase an idle and unedifying mini- stry, which contented itself with set forms made to their hands by others, without putting forth themselves to exercise the
sift
The Preface. S27
pft of prayer, with which our Lord Jesus Christ pleaseth to iuriiish all his scr\'ants whom he calls to that oilice : so, on the other side, it hath been (and ever would he, if continued) f. matter of endless strife and contention in the Church, and fi snare both to many godly and faithful ministers, who have l>een persecuted and silenced upon that occasion, and to others t>f hopeful parts, many of which have been, and more still u'ould be, diverted from all thoughts of the ministry to other 5-tii ' \\ to his j>eoplc more and better means for the discovery i»i t-rror and superstition, and for attaining of knowledge in the mysteries of godliness, and gifts in preaching and prayer.
Upon these, and many the like weighty considerations in reference to the whole book in general, and ])ecause of divers particulars contained in it; not from any love to novelty, or intention to disparage our first reformers, (of whom we are [K?rsuaded, that, were they now alive, they would join with us in this work, and whom we acknowledge as excellent in* struments, raised by God, to begin the purging and building of his house, and desire they mav l)e had of us and posterity n everlasting remembrance, with thankfulness and honour,) ')ut that we may in some measure answ(!r the gracious provi- dence of God, which at this time calleth upon us for fur- ther reformation, and may satisfy our own consciences, and inswer the expectation of other refonned cliurches, and the desires of many of the godly among ourselves, and withal ^vc some publick testimony of our endeavours for unilor- mity in divine worship, which we have promised in our SoK inn League and Covenant ; we have, after earnest and Tequent calling upon the name of God, and after much con- sultation, not with flesli a;ul blood, but with his holy word, •esolved to lay aside the former Liturgy, with the many rites uid ceremonies formerly used in the worship of God; and lave agreed upon this following Directory for all the parts :'f publick worship, at ordinary and extraordinary times.
Wherein our care hath been to hold forth sucli things as ire of divine institution in every ordinance; and other things ive have endeavoured to set forth according to the rules of [Christian pnidence, agreeable to the general rules of the ivord of God ; our meaning therein being only, that the
general
62B The Direclorj/for the Puhlkk Worship of God.
general heads, tlie sense and scope of the prayers, an( other parts of publick worship, beuig known to all, then may be a consent of all the churches in t^ose things tha contain the substance of the service and worship of God and the ministers may be hereby directed, in their admini strations, to keep like soundness in doctrine and prayer, anc may, if need be, have some help and furniture, and yet so a they become not hereby slothful and negligent in stirring uj the gifts of Christ in them ; but that each one, by medita tion, by taking heed to himself, and the flock of God com mitted to him, and by wise observing the ways of divint providence, may be careful to furnish his heart and tongu) with further or other materials of prayer and exhortation as shall be needful upon all occasions.
Of the Assembling of the Congregatio7i, and their Behaviour i, the Publick Worship of God.
T T7HEN the congregation is to meet for publick worship ^ ^ the people (having before prepared their hearts there unto) ought all to come and join therein ; not absenting themselves from the publick ordinances through negligence or upon pretence of private meetings.
Let all enter the assembly, not irreverently, but in a grav^ and seemly manner, taking their seats or places without ado ration, or bowing themselves towards one place or other.
The congregation being assembled, the minister, afte solenni calling on them to the worshipping of the great nam' of God, is to begin with prayer,
" In all reverence and humility acknowledging the in " comprehensible greatness and majesty of the Lord, (ii " whose presence they do then in a special manner appear, *' and their own vileness and unworthiness to approach s " near liim^ with their utter inability of themselves to s. " great a work; and humbly beseeching him for pardon *' performed; and lor a blessing on that j^articular portio: " of his word then to be read : And all in the name an- " mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ."
The publick worship being begun, the people are wlioll to attend upon it, forbearing to read any thing, except wha
U th
HPr^
e Directory for the PuhUck }yorsh'p of God. 529
he minister is then reading or citing; and a])staining much iiore from all private whisperings, conferejices, sahilations, >r doing reverence to any person j)rescnt, or coming in ; as () from all gazing, sleeping, and other indec(*nt behaviour,
^vhich may disturb the minister or people, or hinder them- clves or others in the service of Goil.
If any, through necessity, be hindered from being present t the beginning, tliey ought not, when tliey come into the ongregation, to betake themselves to tlicir private devo- ions, but reverently to compose tliemselves to join with the
iissemblv iu that ordinance of God which is then in hand.
R
Of Puhlick Reading of the IloUj Scriptures.
EADING of the word in the congregation, being part of the publick worship of God, (wherein we acknovs ledge our dependapce uj)on him, and subjection to him,) and one nean sanctified by him for the edifying of his people, is to )e performed by the pastors and teachers.
ll()w!)rit, such as intend the ministry, may occasionally H)th read the word, and exercise their gift in preaching iu the congregation, if allowed by the presbytery thereunto.
All the canonical books of the Old and New Testament (but none of those which are comnmnly called Apocrypha) hiill be publickly read in the vulgar tongue, out of the best jllowed translation, distinctiv, that all may hear and under- tand.
I low lai'ge a portion shall be read at once, is left to the j\i.sdom of the minister; but it is convenient, that ordina- rily one chapter of eat h Testament be read at every meet- ng; and sometimes more, where the chaj)ters be short, or ;hc coherence of matter requireth it.
It is requisite that all the canonical books he read over in nler, that the people may be better ac(juaintwl with the ivhole body of the scii])tures ; and ordinarily, where the eading in either Testament endeth on one Lord's day, it 3 to begin tlie next.
AVe commend also the more frequent reading of such icriptures as he that readeth shall think best for edifica- ion of his hearers, as the book'of Psalms, and such like. Z AVheii
630 The Director!/ for the Puhlick Worship of God.
When the minister who readctli shall judge it necessary to expound any part of what is read, let it not be done until the whole cha})ter or psalm be ended ; and regard is always to ])e had unto the thnc, that neither preaching, nor other ordinances, be straitened, or rendered tedious. Which rule is to be observed in all other publick performances.
Beside publick reading of the holy scriptures, every per- son that can read, is to be exhorted to read the scriptnres [)rivately, (and ail others that cannot read, if not disabled by age, or otherwise, are likewise to be exhorted to learn to read,) and to have a Bible.
A^
Of Publick Praj/er before the Sermon.
FTER reading of the word, (and singing of the psalm,) the minister who is to preach, is to endeavour to get lii'i own and his hearers Iiearts to be rightly affected with their sins, that they may all mourn in sense thereof befon; the Lord, and hunger and thirst after the grace of God in Jesus Christ, by proceeding to a more full confession of sin. ^vith shame and holy confusion of face, and to call upon the Lord to this effect :
'* To acknowledge our great sinfulness, First, by reason ** of original sin, which (beside the guilt that makes us liable '* to everlasting damnation) is the seed of all other sins, hath '' dejwaved and poisoned all the facvdties and powers of sou '• and body, doth defile our best actions, and (were it nol| " restrained, or our hearts renewed by grace) would brea" '•' forth into innumerable transgressions, and greatest rebel '' lions against the Lord that ever were committed by the] " vilest of the sons of men. And next, by reason of actua " sins, our own sins, the sins of magistrates, of ministers *•' and of the whole nation, unto which we are many way " accessory : which sins of ours receive many fearful aggra '« vations, we having broken all the commandments of th( " holy, just, and good law of God, doing that which is for '* bidden, and leaving undone what is enjoined ; and thai " not only out of ignorance and infirmity, but also more *'' presumptuously, against the light of our minds, checks ol "our consciences, aad motions of his own Holy Spirit to the
" contrary
The Directory for the Puhlick Worship of God. 551
■* contrary, so that we have no cloak for our sins ; yea, not
'* only desj)isin^ the riches of God's goodness, forbearance,
(i long-snircrini^, but stanchngout against many invita-
lis and oilers of grace in the gospel ; not endeavouring,
we ought, to receive Christ into our liearts by faitli,
to walk worthy of Iiini in our lives.
To bewail our blindness of mind, hardness of heart,
r uuhelief, impenitency, security, lukewarnniess, barren-
' ness; our not endeavouring after niortitication and new-
^s of life, nor after the exercise of godliness in the pow-
t hereof ; and that the best of us have not so stedfastlj
walked with God, kept our garments so unspotted, nor
been so zealous of his glory, and the good of others, as
we ought : and to mourn over such other sins as the
congregation is jmrticularly guilty of, notwithstanding the
manifold and great mercies of our God, the love of Christ,
the light of the gospel, and reformation of religion, our
* own purposes, j)romises, vows, sok nm covenant, and
other special obligations to the contrary.
'• To acknowledge and confess, that, as we are convinced
' of our guilt, so, out of a deep sense thereof, we judge
' ourselves unworthy of the smallest benefits, most worthy
' of God's fiercest wrath, and of all the curses of the law,
' and heaviest judgments infiicted upon the most rebellious
sinners ; and that he might most justly take his kingdom
and gospel from us, plague us witli all sorts of spiritual and
' tenijjora! Judgments in thi;j life, and after cast us into utter
' darkness, in the lake tliat bunielh with fire and brimstone,
' wliere is weeping and gnasliiug of teeth for evermore.
*• Notwithstanding all wliick, to draw near to the throne ' of grace, encouraging ourselves wiih hope of a gracious answer of our prayers, in tlie riches and all-sufl[iciency of tliut only one oblation, tlie satisfaction and intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ, at the right hand of his Father and our Father ; and in confidence of the exceeding great and pririous promises of mercy and grace i n the new covenant, through the same Mediator thereof, to deprecate the heavy- wrath and curse of God, which we are not able to avoid, or bear; and hum])ly and earnestly to supplicate for mercy, ill the free and full remission of all our sins, and that only Z 2 " for
532 The Directory for the Piihlick Worship of God
'' for the bitter sufferings and precious merits of that ou " onlj Saviour Jesus Christ.
''^ That the Lord would vouchsafe to shed abroad his lov " in our hearts by the Holy Ghost ; seal unto us, by th *'' same Spirit of adoption, the full assurance of our pardo *' and reconciliation ; comfort all tliat mourn in Zion, spea '« peace to the wounded and troubled spirit, and bind u '* the broken-hearted : and as for secure and presumptuou *' sinners, that he would open their eyes, convince thei *' consciences, and turn them from darkness unto light, an " from tlie power of Satan unto God, that they also ma *' receive forgiveness of sin, and an inheritance among ther *^ that are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus.
" With remission of sins through the blood of Christ, t *' pray for sanctification by his Spirit ; the mortification c ** sin dwelling in and many times tyrannizing over us ; th "quickening of our dead spirits with the life of God i ** Christ ; grace to fit and enable us for all duties of cor *' versation and callings towards God and men ; strength £ *' gainst temptations; the sanctified use of blessings andcrof ** ses; and perseverance in faith and obedience unto the en(
" To pray for the propagation of the gospel and kingdoi ** of Christ to all nations ; for the conversion of the Jew.- *' the fulness of the Gentiles, the fall of Antichrist, and th *' hastening of the second coming of our Lord ; for the df " liverance of the distressed churches abroad from the t) '' ranny of the antichristian faction, and from the cruel oj ** pressions and blasphemies of the Turk ; for the blessin " of God upon all the reformed churches, especially upo '' the churches and kingdoms of Scotland, England, an " Ireland, now more strictly and religiously united in th ** Solemn National League • and Covenant ; and for on *' plantations in the remote parts of the world : more pai " ticularly for 'that church and kingdom whereof we ai " members, that therein God would establish peace an " truth, the purity of all his ordinances, and the power ( *' godliness ; prevent and remove heresy, schism, profant *' ness, su})erstition, security, and unfruitfulness under th " means of grace; heal all our rents and divisions, an *' preserve us from breach of our Solemn Covenant.
« T
The Dircctori/ for the Puhlick Worahip of God. !:}33
*' To pray for all in authority, especially for the King'*
* ]\Iajesty ; tliat God would make hiui rich in blessings, both ' i I lis jKTson and goveinnient ; establish his throne in re-
* 1. !on and righteousness, save him from evil counsel, and
* I ike liim a blessed aud glorious instrument for the con- ' . vation and propagation of the gospel, for the enccniragc- ' nt and protection of them that do well, the terror of
that do evil, and the great good of the whole church, 1 of all his kingdoms ; for the conversion of the Queen, ^ luo religious education of the Prince, and the rest of the "• royal seed ; for the comforting the afflicted Queer, of Bo- ^ heiiiia, sister to our sovereign ; and for the restitution and '•^ establishment of the illustrious Prince Charles, Elector Pa- latine of the Rhine, to all his dominions and dignities; for a blessing upon the High Court of Parliament, (when sit- '^ ting in any of these kingdoms respectively,) the nobility, '* the subordinate judges and magistrates, the gentry, and all '* the commonahty; for all pastors and teachers, that God f* would fill them with his Spirit, make them exemplarily '* holy, sober, just, peaceable, and gracious in their lives ; " sound, faithful, and powerful in their ministry ; and fol- " low all their labours with abundance of success and bless- hig; and give unto all his people pastors according to his *' own heart ; for the univer.^itics, and all schools and reli- cs seminaries of church and commonwealth, that they ly flourish more and more in learning and piety ; for the '• 1 ilicuiarcity or congregation, that God v.ould pour out '' " discipline, upon tlie civil government, and all tlie several " famihes and persons therein ; for mercy to the alfiicted " under any inward or outward distress ; for seasonable ** weather, and fiuitful seasons, as the time may recjuire; for " averting the judgments that we either feel or fear, or are " liable unto, as famine, })estilence, the sword, and such like. . " And. with confulence of his mercy to his whole church, " and the acceptance of our persons, through the merits and " mediation of our High Priest, the Lord Jesus, to profess " that it is the desire of our souls to have fellowship witU " God in the reverend and conscionable use of his holy ordi- " nances ; and, to that purpose, to pray earnestly for his Z 5 " grace
^jo'l The Director}/ for the Ptiblick Worship of God. \
" grace and efTectiial assistance to the sanctification of hii *' holy sabbath, the Lord's day, in all the duties thereof *' publick and private, both to ourselves, and to all othei '* congregations of his people, according to the riches anc *' excellency of the gospel, this day celebrated and enjoyed
" 4nd because we have been unprofitable hearers in time; *' past, and now cannot of ourselves receive, as we should, '* the deep things of God, the mysteries of Jesus Christ ** which require a spiritual discerning; to pray, that thi ^* Lord, who teacheth to profit, would graciously please tc *' pour out the Spirit of grace, together with the outwarc ••* means thereof, causing us to attain such a measure of the " excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. '' and, in him, of the things which belong to our peace. *' that we may account ail things but as dross in compari- *' son of him ; and that we, tasting the first-fruits of the " glory that is to be revealed, may long for a more full ^' and perfect communion with him, that where he is, we *' may be also, and enjoy the fulness of those joys and plea- *'^ sures which are at his right hand for evermore.
" More particularly, that God would in a special man- ** ner furnish his servant (now called to dispense the bread ♦' of life unto his household) with wisdom, fidelity, zeal, and •' utterance, that he may divide the word of God aright, *' to every one his portion, in evidence and demonstration *' of the Spirit and power ; and that the Lord would cir- ** cumcise the ears and liearts of the hearers, to hear, love, *' and receive with meekness the ingrafted word, which is ** able to save their souls ; make them as good ground to *' receive in the good seed of the word, and strengtlien ** them against the temptations of Satan, the cares of the *' world, the hardness of their onn hearts, and wliatsoever ** else may hindei' their profitable and saving hearing ; that ** so Christ may be so formed in them, and live in them, ** that all their thoughts may be brought into captivity tp *' the obedience of Christ, and their hearts established in " every good word and work for ever."
We judge this to be a convenient order, in the ordinary publick prayer; yet so, as the minister may defer (as in pru- dence he shall think meet) some part of these petitions till
after
I
Tilt iJinclnrjij fur the Puhlick Worship of Gmh 635
r his sermon, or offer up to God some of the thaiiksi^I- gs hereafter appointed, in his prayer before his sennon.
Of the Preaching (f the }Vord.
•pRE ACHING of ttie word, being the power of Cod unto * salvation, and one of the greatest and most excellent works ])vlon }io performed, that the workman need not be ashamed, but may save himself, and those that hear him.
It is presupposed, (according to the rules for ordination,) zha.t the minister of Christ is in some good measure gifted for so weighty a service, by his skill in the original lan- guages, and in such arts and sciences as are handmaid unto divinity; bv his kjiowledge in the whole body of theology, but most of all in the holy scriptures, having his senses and heart exercised in them above the conmion sort of believers; and by the illumination of God's Spirit, and other gifts of edification, which (together with reading and studying of the word) he ought still to seek by prayer, and an humble heart, rt'solving to admit and receive any truth not yet attained, whenever God shall make it known unto him. All which he is to make use of, and improve, in his private prepara- tio)is, }>efore he deliver in puhlick what he hath |)rovided.
Ordinarily, the subject of his sermon is to be some text cf scripture, holding forth some principle or head of reli- gion, o:- suitable to some special occasion emergent ; or Im may go on in some chajiter, psalm, or book of the holy scripture, as he sliall see fit.
Let the introduction to liis text be brief and perspicuous drawn from the text itself, or context, or some parallel place, or genernl ser.tence of scripture.
If the text be long, (as in histories or parables it some- times must be,) let him give a brief sum of it ; if short, a paraphrase thereof, if need be : in both, looking diligently to the scope of the text, and pointing at the chiet heads^and grounds of doctrine which he is to raise from it.
In analysing and dividing his text, he is to regard more the order of matter than of words ; and neither to burden the memory of the heai'ers in the beginning with too many
Z 4 member;^.
Ci56 The. Director}/ for the Puhlick Worship of God.
members of division, nor to trouble their minds with obscure terms of art.
In raising doctrines from the text, his care ought to be, Fir fit ^ That the matter be the truth of God. Secondhj, That it be a truth contained in or grounded on that text, that the hearers may discern how God teacheth it from thence. Thirdly, That he chiefly insist upon those doctrines which are principally intended, and make most for the edification of the hearers.
The doctrine is to be expressed in plain terms; or, if any thing in it need explication, it is to be opened, and the con- sequence aLso from the text cleared. The parallel places of i»cripture, confirming the doctrine, are rather to be plain and pertinent, than many, and (if need be) somewhat insisted upon, and applied to the purpose in hand.
The arguments or reasons are to be solid, and, as much as may be, convincing. The illustrations, of what kind so- ever, ought to be full of light, and such as may convey the truili into the hearer's heart with spiritual dehght.
If any doubt obvious from scripture, reason, or prejudice of the hearers, seem to arise, it is very requisite to remove it, by reconciling tlie seeming dilTerences, answering the reasons, and discovering and taking away the causes of pre- judice and mistake. Otherwise it is not fit to detain the hearers with propounding or answering vain or wicked ca- vils, which, as they are endless, so the propounding and an- swcrin;:^ of them doth more hinder than promote edification.
He is not to rest in general doctrine, although never so r.iuch cleared ar.d confirmed, but to bring it liome to special U'^e, by application to his hearers: which albeit it prove a v/ork of great difficulty to himself, requiring nuich prudence, xeal, and meditation, and to the natural and corrupt man will be very unpleasant ; yet he is to endeavour to perform it in such a manner, that his auditors may feel the word of God to be quick and powerful, and a discerner of thethoughts and intents of the heart ; and that, if any unbeliever or ig- norant person be present, he may have tlie secrets of his heart made manifest, and give glory to God.
In the use of instruction or information in the knowledge €>f some truth, which is si consequence from his doctrine, Iiq
may
The Directory for the Pubh'ck Wovsh'p of God. o31
may (when convenient) CDiifirni it ])v a few firm arguments fioin the text in hand, and other phices of scripture, or from the nature of thnt coninion-phice in divhiity, whereof that truth is a hranch.
In confutation of false doctrines, he is neither to raise-aii ohi heresy from the 2[rave, nor to nientioii a blasjihemous. (►pinion unnecessarily: but, if the people he in danger of iin error, lie is to confute it soundly, and endeavour to .sa- tisfy their judgments aiid conticienees against nil objections.
In exhorting to duties^ he.is, as he seeth cause, to teach also the means that help to the performance of them.
In dchortation, rej)rehensioM, and publiek admonition, (which require sj)ecial wis*lom,) let hun, as there shall be eause, not .only discover the nature and gnatness of the sin^ with the misery attending it, but also shew the danger his iiearers" are. in t« U* overtaken and sur{)ri.ved by it, together • withrfhe remedies and best way to avoid it.
In applying a^mfort, whether general agninst. all tempta- tions, or jmrticular against .some special troubles or terrors^ lie is carefully to answer such objeetion.s as a. troubled heart. and afflicted spirit may suggest to the contrary.
It is also .sometimes requisite to give some notes of trial, (>vhich is very profitable, especially when performed by lihle and experienced ministers, with circumspect Ion and pru- ■ denco, and the signs clearly grounded on the holy .scripture,) whereby the hearers may be able to examine themselves whether they have attained those graces, and performed those duties, to which he exhortelh, or be guilty of the sin reprehende or are such to whom the consolations propounded do be- long; that accordingly they may be quickened and excited to duty, humbled for thieir wants and sins, afFected wilK . their danger, and strengthened with comfort, ;ii> their condi-!-- tion, upon examination, shall require.
Ami, as he needeth' not always ta prosecute every doc- trine Avhich lies- in his text, so is he wisely to make choice of such uses, as, by his residence and conversing with hii flock, he findeth most needful and seasonable: and, among.st • these, such as may most draw their souls to Christ, the fountain of light, holiness, and comfort.
Z5 Tliifi.,
55S The Duxclorij for the Puhlick Worship of God.
This method is not prescribed as necessaiy for every man, or upon every text ; bat only recommended, as being found by experience to be very much blessed of God, and very helpful for the people^s understandings and memories.
But the servant of Christ, whatever his method be, is to perform his whole ministry :
1. Painfully, not doing the work of the Lord negligently,
2. Plainly, that the meanest may understand ; delivering the truth not in the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect ; abstaining also from an unprofitable use of unknown tongues, strange phrases, and cadences of sounds and words; sparingly citing sentences of ecclesiastical or other human writers, ancient or modern, be they never so elegant.
3. Faithfully, looking at the honour of Christ, the con- version, edification, and salvation of the people, not at his
^wn gain or glory; keeping nothing back which may pro- mote those holy ends, giving to every one his own portion, and bearing indifferent respect unto all, without neglecting the meanest, or sparing the greatest, in their sins.
4. Wisely, framing all his doctrines, exhortations, and especially his reproofs, in such a manner as may be most like- ly to prevail ; shewing all due respect to each man's person and place, and not mixing his own passion or bitterness.
5. Gravely, as becometh the word of God ; shunning all such gesture, voice, and expressions, as may occasion the corruptions of men to despise him and his ministry.
6. With loving affection, that the people may see all coming from his godly zeal, and hearty desire to do them good. And,
7. As taught of God, and persuaded in his own heart, that all that he teacheth is the truth of Christ ; and walking before his flock, as an example to them in it ; earnestly, both in private and publick, recommending bis labours to the blessing of God, and watchfully looking to himself, and the flock whereof the Lord hath made him overseer : So shall the doctrine of truth be preserved uncorrupt, many souls converted and built up, and himself receive manifold com- forts of his labours even in this life, and afterward the crown of glory laid up for him in the world to coine.
Where
llie D i rector 1/ for the Publick Worship of God. 539
\\ iicre there are more ministers in a congregation than one, and tliey of different gifts, each may more especiallr aj)ply Iiimself to doctrine or exhortation, according; to the gilt wherein he most excelleth, and as tliey shall agree between themselves.
Of ProT/cr after Sermon.
'^PIIE sermon being ended, the minister is " To ^^ivc ^ " thanks for the great love of God, in sending his Son *• Jesus Christ unto us; for the communication of his Holy *' Spirit ; for the light and liberty of the glorious gospel, *' and the rich and heavenly blessings revealed therein ; as, *' namely, election, vocation, adoption, justification, sancti- *' fication, and hope of glory ; for the admirable goodness ** of (toil in freciiig the land from antiihrihtian darkr.c.s *' and tyranny, and for jdl other national deliverances ; ii)C " the reformation of religion; for the covenant; and for *' many temporal blessings.
*' To pray for the continuance of the gospel, and all or-
'• dinances thereof, in their purity, power, and liberty : to
^* turn the chief and most useful heads of the sermon into
r
^* heart, and bring forth fruit..
** To pray for preparation for death and judgment, and " a watching for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ : to " entreat cf God the forgiveness of the iniquities of our ** holy thin^^s, and the iicceptation of our spiritual sacrifice, *' through the merit and mediation of our great High Priest '* and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.*"
And because the prayer which Christ taught his disciples is not only a pattern of prayer, but itself a most compre- hensive prayer, Ave recommend it also to be used in the prayers of the church.
And whereas, at the administration of the sacraments, the holding publick fasts and days of thanksgiving, and other special occasions, which may afford matter of special petitions and thanksgivings, it is requisite to express somewhat in our
Sublick prayers, (as at this time it is our duty to pray for a lessing upon the Assembly of Divines, the armies by sea and Z 6 land,
UO The Dnrdon;fir the Puhlich Worship of God,.
knd, for the deft^ce of the King, Parliament, and KFng- dor.),) every minister is herein to apply himself in his pray- er, before or after sermon, to those occasions : but, for the manner, he is left to liis liberty as God sliall direct and en- abln him, in piety and wisdoni to discharge his duty.
The prayer ended, let a psalm be sung, if with conveni- ency it may be done. After which (unless some other or- dinance of Christ, that concerneth the congregation at that time, be to follow) let the minister dismiss tlie coiigregation with a solemn blessinir.
Of the Administration of the Sacraments.
Andjirsty Of Baptism.
TDAPTISM, as it is not unnecessarily to be delayed, so it •^ is not to be administered in any case by any private person, but by a minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the mysteries (A God.
Nor is it to be administered in private places, or private- ly, but in the ])lace of publiek worsliip, and in the face of the congregation, where the people may most convenient- ly see and hear ; and not in the places where fonts, in the time of Po])ery, were unfitly and sii])erstitiously placed.
The child to be baptized, after notice given to the minister tlie day before, is to be presented by the father, or (in case- of his necessary absence) by some Christian friend in liisplace, professing his earnest desire that the child may be baptized".
Before baptism, tlie minister is to use some words of in- jftruction, touching the institution, nature, use, and ends of this sacrament: sliewing,
" That it is instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ: TJiat it ** is a seal of the covenant of grace, of our ingrafting into " Christ, and of our union with him, of remission of sins,. *^ regeneration, adoption, and life eternal : That the water, '* in baptism,, representeth and signifieth both the blood of *' Christ, which taketh xiway all guilt of sin, original and ** actual ;.and the sanctifying virtue of the Spirit of Christ *^ against the dominion of sin, and the corru}:U:ion of our »^ sinful nature : That baptizing, or sprinkling and washing H' with. water, siguifieth the cleansing from sin by the blood
11^;
e Directory for (lie Puhlkk Worship of God. 541
and for the merit of Christ, tocrcther with the mortifioa-
Kioii of sin, a!id rising from sin to newness of life, Ijy virtue ►f the death an(i resurrection of (,'Iirist : Tliat the promise »s made to beUevers and their seed ; and that the seed and '* posterity of the faithful, born within the church, have, by
• tlieir birth, interest in the covenant, and right to the seal
• of it, and to the outward privih'ges of the church, under '* the gospel, no less tlian the children of Abraham in the '' time of the Old Testament; the covenant of grace, for '* substance, being tlie same ; and the grace of God, and the '• consolation of believers, more plentiful than before : That '* the Son of God admitted little children into his presence, " embracing and bles{>ing them, saying, For of such is the ** Ixiii^dom of God : That children, by baptism, are solemnly ** received into the bosom of the visible church, distinguished '• fiom the world, j^nd them that are without, and united with ** believers; and that all who are l.aptized in the name of ** Christ, do renounce, and by their baptism are bound to '' light against the devil, the world, and the flesh : That ** they are Christians, and federally holy before baptism, and *' therefore are tiiey baj>tized : That the inward grace and ** virtue of baptism is not tied to that very moment of time "• wherein it is administered ; and that the fniit and power " thereof rcacheth to the whole course of our life ; and that
I" outward baptism is not so necessary, that, through the f' want thereof, the infant is in danger of damnation, or the ** pai'ents guilty, if they do not contemn or neglect the ** ordinance of Christ, when and where it may be had."
In these or the like instructions, the minister is to use his Dv.n bberty and godly wisdom, as the ignorance or errors in the doctrine of baptism, and the edification of the people, shall require.
He is also to admonish all that are present,
** To look back to their baptism ; to repent of their sins
** against their covenant with God ; to stir up their faith ;
'* to improve and make right use of their baptism, and of
" tile covenant sealed thereby betwixt God and their souls.**'
He is to exhort the parent,.
" To consider the great mercy of (iod to him and" his
" child ; to bring u^ the child in the knowledge of the
" grounds
542 The Diredorj/ for the Puhlick Worship of God.
^' grounds of the Christian religion, and in the nurture and " admonition of the Lord ; and to let him know the danger " of God's wrath to himself and child, if he be negligent: re- *' quiring his solemn promise for the performance of his duty.""
This being done, prayer is also to be joined with the word of institution, for sanctifying the water to this spiritual use ; and the minister is to pray to this or the like effect :
" That the Lord, who hath not left us as strangers with- " out the covenant of promise, but called us to the privi- *' leges of his ordinances, would graciously vouchsafe io '' sanctify and bless his own ordinance of baptism at this " time : That he vrould join the inward baptism of his Spi- " rit with the outward baptism of water ; make this bap- *' tism to the infant a seal of adoption, remission of sin, re- ** generation, and eternal life, and all other promises of the " covenant of grace : That the child may be planted into " the likeness of the death and resurrection of Christ ; and " that, the l)ody of sin being destroyed in him, he may " serve God in newness of life all his days.""
Then the minister is to demand the name of the child ; which being toid him, he is to say, (calling the child by his name,)
/ baptize thee in the name of the Father^ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoat.
As he pronounceth these words, he is to baptize the child with water : which, for the manner of doing of it, is not only lawful but sufficient, and most expedient to be, by pour- ing or sprinkling of the water on the face of the child, with^ out adding any other ceremony.
This done, he is to give thanks and pray, to this or the like purpose :
'' Acknowledging with all thankfulness, that the Lord is • *' true and faithful in keeping covenant and mercy: That he- *' is good and gracious, not only in that he numbereth us, •* among his saints, but is pleased also to bestow upon our.^ " children this singular token and badgeof his love in Christ : ; ** That, in his truth and special providence, he daily bringcth *' some into the bosom of his church, to be partakers oft' *' his inestimable benefits, purchased by the blood of his
*•- And.;
The Directory for the Puhlick Worship of God. 5i3
" 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 so- " lemnly entered into the household of faith, into his father- *' ly tuition and defence, and remember him with the fa- " vour that he sheweth to his people; that, if he shall be *' taken out of this life in his infancy, the Lord, who is rich '* in mercy, would be j)leased to receive him up into glory ; " and if he live, and attain the years of discretion, that the *' Ilord would so teach him by his word and Spirit, and '' make his baptism effectual to him, and so uj)hold him *' by his divine power and grace, that by faith he may pre- *' vail 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 tlirough faith unto salvation, through ** Jesus Christ our Lord.""
Of the Ccltbration of the Communion, or Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper. *nPlIE communion, or sup})er of the Lord, is frequently to -*- be celebrated ; but how often, may be considered and determined by the ministers, and other church-governors of each congregation, as they shall find most convenient for the comfort and edification of the people committed to their charge. And, when it shall be administered, we judge it convenient io be done after the morning sermon.
The ignorant and the scandalous are not fit to receive this sacrament of the Lord's supper.
Where this sacrament cannot with convenience be fre- quently administered, it is requisite that publick warning be given the sabbath-ilay before the administration thereof: and that either then, or on some day of that week, some- thing concerning that ordinance, and the due preparation thereunto, and participation thereof, be taught ; that, by the diligent use of all means sanctified of God to that end, both in publick and private, all may come better prepared to that heavenly feast.
When the day is come for administration, the minister, having ended his sermon and prayer, shall make a short exhortation ;
** Expressijjg
SH The Directory for the Pulh'ck Worship of God.
" Expressing the inestimable benefit Ave have by this sa *' crament, together with the ends and use thereof: settin *' forth the great necessity of having our comforts an " strength renewed thereby in this our pilgrimage and " warfare : how necessary it is that we come unto it with " knowledge, faith, repentance, love, and with hungering ** and thirsting souls after Christ and his benefits : how *' great the danger to eat and drink unworthily.
'^' Next, he is, in the name of Christ, on the one part, ** to warn all such as are ignorant, scandalous, profane, or " that live in any sin or offence against their knowledge or ** conscience, that they presume not to come to that holy " table ; shewing them, that he that eateth and drinketh «' unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself: " and, on the other part, he* is in especial manner to in- " vite and encourage all that labour under the sense of the " burden of their sins, and fear of wrath, and desire to ** i'each out unto a greater progress in grace than yet they " can attain unto, to come to the Lord's table ; assuring " them, in the same name, of ease, refreshing, and strength " to their weak and wearied souls."
After this exhortation, warning, and invitation, the table being before decently covered, and so conveniently placed, that the communicants may orderly sit about it, or at it, the minister is to begin the action with sanctifying and blessing the elements of bread and wine set before him, (the bread in comely and convenient vessels, so prepared, that, , being broken by Lim, and given,, it may be distributed amongst the communicants ; the wine also in large cups,) . having first, in a few words, . sht^wed that those elements, otherwise common, are now set apart and sanctified to this . holy use, by the word of institution and prayer.
Let the words of institution be read out of the Evange-r lists, or out of the first Epistle of the Apoftle Taul to the Corinthians, Chap. xi. 25. / have rccclccd of the Lord, 8:c. to the 27th Vei^se, which 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 great. ** jiess of our misery, fromwhich neither man nor .ingel was
** able-
• The Directory for the Puhlich Worship of God, 6\o
*' fible to deliver us, and of our ^reat unworthiness of tlie ** least of all God's mercies ; to give thanks to God for all *' his benefits, and especially for that great benefit of our *• redemption, the love of God the Father, the sufferings *' aiul merits of the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, by ** which we are delivered ; and for all means of grace, the " word and sacraments ; and for this sacrament in particu- *• lar, by which Christ, and all his benefits, are applied and *' sealed up unto us, which, notwithstanding the denial of " them unto others, are in great mercy continued unto us, " after so much and long abuse of them all.
" To profess, that there is no other name under heaven ** by which we can be saved, but the name of Jesus Christ, " by whom alone we receive liberty and life, have access " to the throne of grace, are admitted to eat and drink at " his own ta})le, and aro sealed up by his Spirit to an •* assurance of happiness and everlasting life.
" Earnestly to pray to God, the Father of all mercies, *' and God of all consolation, to vouchsafe his gracious pre- *' sence, and the effectual working of his Spirit in us; and *• so to sanctify these elements 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 for us, *^ and so to feed u})on him, that he may be one with us, and *' we one with liim ; that he may live in us, and we in him, ** and to him who hath loved us, and given himself for us."
All v.hich he is to endeavour to perform v*'ith suitable^ aflections, answerable to such an holy action, and to stir Up the like in the people.
The elements being now sanctified by the word and prayer, the minister, being at the table, is to take the bread in his hand, and say, in these expressions, (or other the hke, used by Christ or his apostle upon this occasion :)
*' According to the holy institution, command, and ex- ** ample of our blessed SaviourJesus Christ, I take this bread, " and, having given thanks, break it, and give it unto you ; " (there the minister, who is also himself to communicate, ♦' is to break the bread, and give it to the communicants;^ " Taki' i/e, cat i/e ; this is the body nf Christ which is brohcn, ^^f^rj^oti : dit (his in remembrance of him, '^
M6 The Diredoiyfor the Puhlick Worship of God.
In like manner tlie minister is to take the cup, and sav, in these expressions, (or other the like, used by Christ or the apostle upon the same occasion :)
" According to the institution, command, and example *' of our Lord Jesus Christ, I take this cup, and give it unto '* you ; (here he giveth it to the communicants ;) This cup '* is the new testament in the blood of Christ, ii-hich is shed for *' the remission of the sins of many : drink ye all ofit^
After all have communicated, the minister may, in a few words, put them in mind,
" Of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, held forth in this " sacrament ; and exhort them to walk worthy of it."
The minister is to give solemn thanks to God,
" For his rich mercy, and invaluable goodness, vouch- " safed to them in that sacrament ; and to entreat for par- **' don for the defects of the whole service, and for the " gracious assistance of his good Spirit, whereby they may '* be enabled to walk in the strength of that grace, as be- '* Cometh those who have received so great pledges of sal- « vation."
The collection for the poor is so to be ordered, that no part of the pubiick worship be thereby hindered.
Of the Sanctification of the Lord^s Bay,
TpHE Lord's day ought to be so remembered before-hand, •*■ as that all worldly business of our ordinary callings may be so ordered, and so timely and seasonably laid aside, as they may not be impediments to the due sanctifying of the day when it comes.
The whole day is to be celebrated as holy to the Lord, both in pubiick and private, as being the Christian sabbath. To which end, it is requisite, that there be a holy cessation or resting all that day from all unnecessary labours; and an abstaining, not only from all sports and pastimes, but also from all worldly words and thoughts.
That the diet on that day be so ordered, as that neither servants be unnecessarily detained from the pubiick worship of God, nor any other person hindered from the sanctifying that day.
That
The Directory for the Puhlick Worship of God. 547
That there be private j)reparations of every peVson and fiimily, bv prayer for themselves, and for Gotrs assistance of the mniister, and for a blessing upon his ministry ; and by such other holy exercises, as may further dispose tluin to a more comfortable communion with God in his publick ordinances.
That all the people meet so timely for publick worshij^, that the whole congrei^ation may be present at tlie begin- ninij, and with one heart solemnly join togetlier ir all parts of the publick worship, and not depart till after the blessing.
That what time is vacant, between or after the solemn meetings of the congregation in publick, be spent in read- ing, meditation, repetition of sermons ; especially by calling their families to an account of what they have heard, and catechising of them, holy conferences, prayer for a blessing upon the publick ordinances, singing of psalms, visiting the sick, relieving the poor, and such like duties of piety, cha- rity, and mercy, accounting the sabbath a delight.
The Solemnization of Marriage,
A LTHOUGH marriage be no sacrament, nor peculiar •^^ to the church of God, but common to mankind, and of publick interest in every commonwealth ; yet, because such as marry are to marry in the Lord, and have special need of instruction, direction, and exhortation, from the word of God, at their entering into such a new condition, and of the blessing cf 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.
Marr/age is to be betwixt one man and one woman only; And they, such as are not within the degrees of consangui- nity or affinity prohibited by the word ot God ; and the par- ties are to be of years of discretion, fit to make their own choice, or, upon good grounds, to give their mutual consent. Before the solemnizing of marriage between any persons, their purpose of marriage shall be published by the minister three several sabbath-days, in the congregation, at the place or places of their most usual and constant abode, respectively.
And
548 The Directory for the PuhUck Worship of God.
And of this publication the minister who is to join them in marriage shall have sufficient testimony, before he proceed to solemnize the marriage.
Before that publication of such their purpose, (if the par- ties be under age,) the consent of the parents, or others un- der whose power they are, (in case the parents be dead,) is to be made known to the church officers of that congrega- tion, to be recorded.
The like is to be observed in the proceedings of all others, although of age, whose parents are living, for their first marriage.
And, in after marriages of either of those parties, tliey shall be exhorted not to contract marriage without first acquainting their parents with it, (if with conveniency it may be done,) endeavouring to obtain their consent.
Parents ought not to force their children to marry with- out their free consent, nor deny their own consent with- out just cause.
After the purpose or contract of marriage hath been thus published, the marriage is not to be long deferred. There- fore the minister, having had convenient warning, and no- thing been objected to hinder it, is publickly to solemnize it in the place appointed by authority for publick worship, be- fore a competent nnmber of credible witnesses, at some con- venient hour of the day, at any time of the year, except on a day of publick humiliation. And we advise that it be not on the Lord's day.
And because all relations are sanctified by tlie word and prayer, the minister is to jiray for a blessing upon them, to this effect :
" Acknowledging our sins, whereby we have made our- *' selves 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 Lord (whose presence " and favour i.s the happiness of every condition, and ** sweetens every relation) to be their portion, and to own " and accept them in Christ, who are now to be joined in " the honourable estate of marriage, the covenant of their *' God : and that, as he hath brought them together by his ^ providence, he would sanctify them by his Spirit, giving
'* them
The Directory for the PulAick Worship of God, 549
•• them a now frame of heart fit for their new estate; en- *•' ricliinfir tht'in witli all graces, whereby they may perform " the duties, enjoy the comforts, undergo the cares, and re- *' sist the temptations which accompany that condition, as '' becometh Christians."*^
The prayer being ended, it is convenient that the mini- ster do briefly declare unto them, out of the scripture,
" The institution, use, and ends of marriage, with the *' conjugal duties, which, in all faithfulness, they are to per- " form each to other; exhorting them to stiuly the holy " word of God, that they may learn to live by faith, and to " be content in the midst of all marriage cares and troubles, ** sanctifying God's name, in a thankful, sober, and holy *' use of all conjugal comforts; praying much with and for ** one another; watching over, and provoking each other " to love and good works ; and to live together as the *' heirs of the grace of life/'
After solemn charging of the persons to be married, be- fore the great God, who searcheth all hearts, and to whom - tliey must give a strict account at the last day, that if either ■of them know any cause, by precontract or otherwise, why ''they may not lawfully proceed to marriage, that they now discover' it ; the minister (if no impediment be acknow- ledged) sliall cause first the man to take the woman by the right hand, saying these words :
/ N, do take thee N. fo he mi/ married uife, and do^ in (he presence of God, and before this cnngreg;ation^ promise and covenant fo he a hcin£( aifd faithful husband unto thee, until God shall separate ns by diath.
Then the woman shall take the man by the right hand, and say these words :
/ N. do take thee N. to be m\j married husband, and I do, in the presence of God, and before this cftnirrciration, promise and covenant to be a lorinii;, faithful, and obedient uifc unto thee, until God shall separate us bj/ death.
Then, without any further ceremony, the minister shall, in the face of the eongregation, j)ronounce them to be hus- band and wife, according to God's ordinance; and so con- clude the action with prayer to this eliect :
" Then
6o0 The iJi rectory for the Puhlick Worship of God.
" That the Lord would be pleased to accompany Iiis " own ordinance with his blessing, beseeching hini to en- *' rich the persons now married, as with other pledges of *' his love, so particularly with the comforts and fruits of *' marriage, to the praise of his abundant mercy, in and ** through Christ Jesus."
A register is to be carefully kept, wherein the names of the parties so married, with the time of their marriage, are forthwith to be fairly recorded in a book, provided for that purpose, for the perusal of ail whom it may concern.
Co?iccrnuig Visitation of the Sick.
JT is the duty of the minister not only to teach the people •^ committed to his charge in publick, but privately ; and particularly to admonish, exhort, reprove, and comfort them, upon all seasonable occasions, so far as his time, strength, and personal safety will permit.
He is to admonish them, in time of health, to prepare for death ; and, for that purpose, they are often to confer with their minister about the estate of their souls ; and, in times of sickness, to desire his advice and help, timely and season- ably, before their strength and understanding fail thon.
Times of sickness and affliction are special opportunities put into his hand by God to minister a word in season to v.eary souls : because then the consciences of men are or should be more avvakened to bethink themselves of their spi- ritual estate for eternity ; and Satan also takes advantage then to load them more with sore and heavy tenij)tations : therefore the minister, being sent for, and repairing to the sick, is to apply himself, with all tenderness and love, to administer some spiritual good to his soul, to this effect.
He may, from the consideration of the })resent sickness, in- struct him out of scripture, tliat diseases come not by chance, or by distempers of l)ody only, but by the wise and orderly guidance of the gt)od hand of God to every particular per- son smitten by them. A nd that, whether it be laid upon hirn out of displeasure for si)i, for his correction and amendment, or for trial and exercise of his graces, or for other special and excellent ends, all his sufferijigs shall turn to his profit, and
work
Thi' Director J/ fur iht PahUck Wtn'shi'ofTifjStdli
work tocjether for his good, if he sincenly ItJTtiur try niak^; a sanctified use of God's visitation, ncitlie^Xfespising his chast(Miinn^, nor waxing weary of his corn-ctN^i. ..,
If he suspect him of ignorance, he shall extifn^nfe/^i/ii in tl;e principles of religion, especially touciiiug r>^{j and faith ; and, as he seeth cause, instruct iiiiJi in the mrkt^c^jjl! use, excellency, and necessity of those graces ; as also touch- ing the covenant of grace ; and Christ the Son of God, tiie IVIcdiator of it ; and concerning remission of sins by faith in him. ^
He shall exhort the sick person to examine himself, to se:»rch and try his former ways, and his estate towards God.
And if the sick person shall declan; any scruple, doubt, or temj)tation that are upon him, instructions and rosolutious shall bo given to salisty and settle him.
If it appear that he hath not a due sense of his siiis, endea- vours ought to be used to convince him of his sins, of the guilt and desert of them; of the filth and pollution which the soul contracts by then\ ; and of the curse of tlie law, and wrath of God, due to them; that he may be truly alT'ect- ed with and humliled for them : and withal make known the danger of deferring repentance, and of neglecting salva- tion at any time ofiered; to awaken his conscience, and rouse him up out of a stupid and secure condition, to apprehend the justice and wrath oi" (locI, before whom r.one c:a\ stand, but he that, lost in himsell', layeth hold upon Christ by faith.
If he hath endeavouretl to walk in the ways of holiness, and to serve God in uprightness, although not without many failings and infirmities; or, if Iiis spirit be broken with the sense of sin, or cast down through want of the sense of God^s favour; then it will be fit to raise him up, by setting before him the freeness and fuhu'ss- of God's grace, the sufficiency of righteousness in Clu'ist, the gracious of Vers in tlie gospel, that all who re[)ent, and believe with all their heart in God's mercy through Christ, renouncing their own righteousness, shall have life and salvation in him. It may be also useful to shew him, that deatli hath in it no spiritual evil to be feared ' ' tliose that are in Christ, because sin, the sting of death, is v.'ii awayby Christ, who hath delivered all t}i;:il are his from itke bondage of the fear of death, triumphed over the grave,
ill given
662 The Directory for the Puhlick Worship of God.
given lis victory, is himself entered into glory to prepare t place for his people : so that neither life nor death shall b( able to separate them from God's love in Christ, in whon such are sure, though now they must be laid in the dust, t( obtain a joyful and glorious resurrection to eternal life.
Advice also may be given, as to beware of an ill-ground ed persuasion on mercy, or on the goodness of his conditio! for heaven, so. to disclaim all merit in himself, and to casi himself wholly upon God for mercy, in the sole merits anc mediation of Jesus Christ, who hath engaged himself nevei to cast off them who in truth and sincerity come unto him Care also must be taken, that the sick person be not casi down into despair, by such a severe representation of th( wrath -of God due to him for his sins, as is not mollified b} a sensible propounding of Christ and his merit for a door o; hope to every penitent believer.
AVhen the sick person is best composed, may be least di- sturbed, and otlier necessary offices about him least hinder- ed, the minister, if desired, shall pray with him, and fo] him, to this effect :
" Confessing and bevrailing of sin original and actual ; *' the miserable condition of all by nature, as being childrei '• of wrath, and imder the curse ; acknowledging that al " diseases, sicknesses, death, and hell itself, are the propej '' issues and effects thereof; imploring God's mercy for th( *' sick person, through the blood of Christ ; beseeching thai ^' God would open his eyes, discover unto him his sins " cause him to see himself lost in himself, make known t( " him the cause why God smiteth him, reveal Jesus Chrisi *-* to his soul for righteousness and life, give unto him hii '' Holy Spirit, to create and strengthen faith to lay liok *' upon Christ, to work in him comfortable evidences of hi; " love, to arm him against temptations, to take off his hear ** from the world, to sanctify his present visitation, to fur ** nish him with patience and strength to bear it, and t( '^ give him perseverance in faith to the end.
" That, if God shall please to add to his days, he wouk '* vouchsafe to bless and sanctify all means of liis recovery '* to remove the disease, renew his strength, and enable hin *' to walk worthy of God, by a faithful reniembrance, an(
20 " diligen
Tht Directory for the Publkk Worahip of God. 5A5
*• diligent obsening of such vows and promises of holiness '' and obedience, as men are apt to make in times of fcick- " ncss, that he may glorify God in the remaining part of " his life.
" And, if God liave determined to finish his days by the present visitation, he may find such evidence of the pardon of all his sins, of his interest in Christ, and eternal life by " Christ, as may cause his inward man to be renewed, wliile *' his outward man decayeth ; that he may behold death .*' without fear, cast himself wholly upon Christ without *' doubting, desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, and *' so receive the end of his faith, the salvation ef his soul, *' through the only merits and intercession of the Lord Jesus *' Christ, our alone Saviour and all-sufFicient Redeemer.""
The minister shall admonish him also (as there shall be cause) to set his house in order, thereby to prevent incon- yeniencies; to take care for payment of his debts, and to make restitution or satisfaction where he hath done any wrong ; to be reconciled to those with whom he hath been at variance, and fully to forgive all men their trespasses against him, as he expects forgiveness at the hand of God, Lastly, The minister may improve the present occasion to exhort those about the sick pirson to consider their own mortality, to return to the Lord, and make peace with him ; in health to prepare for sickness, death, and judgment ; and all the days of their apjxjinted time so to wait imtil their change come, that when Ciirist, who is our lifo, shall appear, they may appear with him in glory.
Concerning Burial of the Dead.
HEX any person departeth this life, let the dead body, upon the day of burial, be decently attended rom the house to the place appointed for publick burial, d there inunediately interred, without any ceremony. And because the customs of kneeling down, and praying jy or towards the dead corpse, and other such usages, in the Mace where it lies before it be carrieil to burial, are supersti- ious ; and for that praying, reading, and singing, both in jomg to and at the grave, have been grossly abused, are no
A a wav
554 The Directory for the Puhlich Worship of God,
way beneficial to the dead, and have proved many ways hurtful to the living ; therefore let all such things be laid aside.
Howbeit, we judge it very convenient, that the Christian friends, which accompany the dead body to the place ap- pointed for publick burial, do apply themselves to medita- tions and conferences suitable to the occasion ; and that the minister, as upon other occasions, so at this time, if he be present, may put them in remembrance of their duty.
That this shall not extend to deny any civil respects or deferences at the burial, suitable to the rank and condition of the party deceased, whiles he was living.
Concerning Puhlich solemn Fastin
in'
w
"HEN some great and notable judgments are either inflicted upon a people, or apparently imminent, or by some extraordinary provocations notoriously deserved ; as also when some special blessing is to be sought and obtained, publick solemn fasting (which is to continue the whole day) is a duty that God expecteth from that nation or people.
A religious fast requires total abstinence, not only from al food, (unless bodily weakness do manifestly disable from hold- ing out till the fast be ended, in which case somewhat may be taken, yet very sparingly, to support nature, when reader to faint,) but also from all worldly labour, discourses, anc thoughts, and from all bodily delights,and such like,(althougI at other times lawful,) rich apparel, ornaments, and such like during the fast ; and much more from whatever is in tlie na ture or use scandalous and offensive, as gaudish attire, lasci vious habits and gestures, and other vanities of either sex which we recommend to all ministers, in their places, dili gently and zealously to reprove, as at other times, so especiail; at a fast, without respect of persons, as there shall be occasiorF
Before the publick meeting, each family and person apail are privately to use all religious care to prepare their heaiij 10 such a solemn work, and to be early at the congregatioi[
So lai^ge a portion of the day as conveniently may be, to be spent in publick reading and preaching of the woi >\ith singing of psalms, fit to quicken affections suitable 4j
SU(
The Dircdon/ for the Puhlkk Worsh'p of God. 555
such a duty : but especially in prayer, to this or the like effect :
" Giving ixlory to the great Majesty of God, the Creator, " Preserver, and supreme Ruler, of all the world, the better *' to affect us thereby with an holy reverence and awe of him; " acknowledging his manilold, great, and tender mercies^ *' especially to the church and nation, the more effectually *' to soften and abase our hearts before him; humbly confess- *' ing of sins of all sorts, with their several aggravations ; '•justifying God's righteous judgments, as being iar less than *' our sins do deserve ; yet humbly and earnestly imploring '' Iiis mercy and grace for ourselves, the church and nation, " for our king, and all in authority, and for all others for. *' whom we are bound to pray, (according as the present *' exigent rcfjuireth,) with more special importunity and en- iii *' largement than at other times ; applymg by ft-ith the pro- ** misesanilgoodnessof(irodforj)ardon,helj), and deliverance 13 " from the evils felt, feared, or deserved ; and for obtaining i *' the blessings which we need and expect; together with a '• giving up of ourselves wholly and for ever unto the Lord."^ In all these, the ministers, who are the mouths of the people unto God, ought so to speak from their hearts, upon serious and thorough premeditation of them, that both themselves and their people may be much affected, and even melted thereby, especially with sorrow for their sins; that it may be indeed a day of deep humiliation and afflicting of the soul. Sj)ecial choice is to be made ol' such scriptures to be read, and of such texts for preaching, as may !)est work the hearts of the hearers to the special business of the day, and most dis- j)osc them to humiliation and repentance: insisting most on those particulars which each minister's observation and expe- rience tells him are most ccmducing to the edification and reformation of that congregation to which he preacheth.
Before the close of the publick duties, the minister is, in his own and the people's names, to engage his and their hearts to be the Lord's, witli professed purpose and resolution to re- form whatever is amiss among them, and more particularly such sins as they have been more remarkably guilty of; and to draw near unto God, and to walk more closely and faith- fully with him in new obedience, than ever before.
A a 2 He
6^ The Dircctorij for the Puhlick Worship of God.
He is also to admonish the people, with all importini!t}% that the work of that day doth not end with the publick duties of it, but that they are so to improve the remainder of the day, and of their whole life, in reinforcing upon themselves and their families in private all those godly affections and resolutions which they professed in publick, as that they may be settled in their hearts for ever, and themselves may more sensibly iind that God hath smelt a sweet savour in Christ from their performances, and is pacified towards them, by answers of grace, in pardoning of sin, in removing of judgments, in averting or preventing of plagues, and in conferring of blessings, suitable to the conditions and prayers of his people, by Jesus Christ.
Besides solemn and general fasts enjoined by authority, we judge that, at other times, congregations may keep days of fasting, as divine Providence shall administer unto them special occasion ; and also tliat families may do the same, so it be not on days wherein the congregation to which they do belong is to meet for fasting, or other publick duties of worship.
Concerning the Ohservation ofDa^s of Publick Thanksgivings
WHEN any such day is to be kept, let notice be given of it, and of the occasion thereof,- some convenient time before, that the people may the better prepare them- selves thereunto.
The day })e.ing come, and the congregation (after private .preparations) being assembled, the minister is to begin with a word of exhortation, to stir uj) the people to the duty for w^hich they are met, and with a short prayer for God's assist- ance and blessing, (as at other conventions for publick wor- ship,) according to the particular occasion of their meeting. Let him then make some pithy narration of the deliverance obtained, or mercy received, or of whatever hath occasioned that assembhng of the congregation, that all may better understand it, or be minded of it, and more affected with it. And, because singing of psalms is of all other the most proper ordinance for expressing of joy and thanksgiving, let some pertinent psalm or psalms be sung for that puiyose, be- fore
The Directory for the PubUdc Worship of God. 557
fore or after the readin able to the present business.
Then let the minister, who is to preach, proceed to fur- ther exhortation and prayer before his sermon, with special reference to the present work : after which, ht him preach upon some text of scripture pertinent to the occasion.
The sermon ended, let him not only pray, as at other times after preaching is dijtctcd, witii remembrance of tlie ne- cessities of the Church, Kin^r, and State, (if before the ser- mon they were omittCil,) l)Ut eidarge himself in due and so- emn thanksgiving for former mercies and deliverances ; but more especially for that which at the present calls them to- gether to give thanks: with humble j)etition for the conti- nuance and renewing of God's wonted mercies, as need shall 3e, and for sanctifying grace to nuike a right use thereof. And so, having sung another j)salm suitable to the mercy, let im dismiss the congregation with a blessing, that they may lave some convenient time for their repast and refreshing.
But the minister (before their dismission) is solemnly to admonish them to beware of all excess and riot, tending to gluttony or drunkenness, and much more of these sins them- selves, in their eating and refreshing; and to take care that their mirth and rejoicing be not carnal, but spiritual, which may make God's praise to be glorious, and themselves hum- ble and sober; and that both their feeding and rejoicing may render them more cheerful and enlarged, further to celebrate his praises in tlie midst of the congregation, when they return unto it in the remaining part of tliat day.
When the congregation shall be again assem!)led, the like course in praying, reading, preaching, singing of psalms, and ofKring up of more praise and thanksgiving, that is be- fore directed for the morning, is to be renewed and conti- nued, so far as the time will give leave.
At one or both of the publick meetings that day, a collec- tion is to be made for the poor, (and in the like manner up- on the day of publick humiliation,) that their loins may bless IS, and rejoice the more with us. . And the people are to )e exhorted, at ilic end of the latter meeting, to spend the ■esidue of that day in holy duties, and testifications of Chri- Jtiau love and charity one towards another, and of rejoicin
A fl /^ TV»v-»r'/i
558 The Birectori/ for the Puhlkk Worship of God,
more and more in the Lord ; as bccometh those who make the joy of the Lord their strength,
Of Singing of Psalms,
TT is the duty of Christians to praise God publickly, by -*■ singing of psahns together in the congregation, and also privately in the family.
In singing of psalms, the voice is to be tuhably and gravely ordered ; but the chief care must be to sing with understanding, and with grace in the heart, making melody unto the Lord.
That the whole congregation may join herein, every one that can read is to have a psalm-book ; and all others, not disabled by age or otherwise, are to be exhorted to learn to read. But for the present, where many in the congregation ^^annot read, it is convenient that the minister, or some other iit person appointed by him and the other ruling officers, iio read the psalm, line by line, before the singing thereof.
APPENDIX,
Touching Days and Places for Puhlick Worship.
THERE is no day commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord's day, which is the Christian Sabbuth.
Fe.tival-days, vulgarly called Ilolj^-daj^s^ having no warrant in the word of C'od, are not to be continued.
Nevertheless, it is lawful and necessary, upon special emergent occasions, to separate a day or days for publick fasting or tlianksgiving, as the several eminent and extraordinary dispensations of God's providence shall administer cause and opportunity to iiis people.
As no place is capable of any holiness, under pretence of whatsoever dedi- cation or consecration ; so neither is it subject to such pollution by any super- stition formerly used, and now laid aside, as may reiider it unlawful or in- convenient for Christians to meet together therein for the publick worship «jf God. And therefore we hold it requisite, that the places of publick assembling for worship among us should be continued and employed to that me.
FORM
OF
PRESBYTERIAL CHURCH-GOVERNMENT,
AND
GF ORDINATION OF MINISTERS;
AGREED UPON BV
THE ASSEMBLY OF DIVINES AT WESTMINSTER,
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF
COMMISSIONERS
FROM THE
CHURCH OF SCOTLAND,
AS
A Part of the Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of Christ in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland:
WITH
An Act of the General Assembly, Anno 1G45, approving the same.
Ezek. xliii. 11. And if they be ashamed of all that they have doncy shev: them thr form of the house, and the fashion thereof and the goings out thereof and the cojnint^s in thereof and all the forma thereof — and all the laves thereof; and write it in their si^tt, that they may keep the Kholefurm thereof and alt the ordinances thereof and do them.
I 561 ]
fissembly at Edinhm^gJi^ Fcbruiii y 10. 1G4.;. Sess.l6.
XcT of the Gerieral Assemhlij of the Kirk of Scot- LAXD^ approving the Propositions concerning Kirk- government^ and Ordination oj Ministers.
"pIIE General Assembly he'm^j most desirous and solicit- ^ oils, not only of the establishment and preservation of lie Form of Kirk-«^overnment in this kin o the nord of God, ])0()ks of Discipline, acts of (ieneral Assemblies, and National Covenant, but also of an uni- ormity in Kirk-govennnent betwixt these kingdoms, now nore straitly and strongly united by the late Solemn League and Covenant ; and considering, that as in former imes there did, kg hereafter there may arise, through the learness of contagion, manifold mischiefs to this kirk from i corrupt form of govermnent in the kirk of Kngland : ikeas the precious opportunity of bringing the kirks of Christ in all the three kingdoms to an uniformity in Kirk- government being the hap})iness of the present tnnes above he former: which may also, by the blessing of God, ^rove an effectual mean, and a good fouudaiion to prepare or a safe and well grounded pacification, by removing the :ause from which the present pressures and bloody wars
Kd originally proceed: and now the Assembly having irice read, and diligently examined, the propositions [hereunto annexed) concerning tlie officers, assemblies j Itid government of the kirk, and concerning the ordina- 'on of ministers, brought unto us, as the results, of the |ng and learned debates of the Assembly of Divines sit^ flbig at Wcstn.i'.ister, and of the treaty of uniformity ^th the Commissioners of this kirk there residing; after nature deliberation, and after timeous callinf^ upon, and warning of all, who have any exceptions against the same,, to make them known, that they might receive satisfaction; doth agree to and approve the propositions afore-mention»- ed, touching Kirk-government and Orditii'tLow ; iinJ dolU bereby autlioridc the Commissioners of this As.sembly, who
A a 5 ar«
[ ACS ]
fire to meet at Ediiil)iir the name of this Assembly, an uniformhy betwixt the kirks in both kingdoms, in the afore-mentioned particuhirs, so soon as the same shall be ratified, without any substantia] alteration, by an ordinance of the liononrable Honscs ol the Parliament of England; which ratification shall b€ timely intimate and made known by tl le Commissioners oi tills kirk residing at London. Provided always, That tills act be no ways prejudicial to the further discussion p.nd examination of tliat article which holds forth, That the doctor or teacher hath power of the administration ol the sacraments, as well as tlie pastor ; as also of the distinct rights and interests of presbyteries and people in the calling of ministers; but that it shall be free to debate and discuss these points, as God shall be pleased to give tiuiher ligiit.
THi
THE CONTENT^/
THE Preface.
Of the Church.
Of rhe Officers of the Church.
Panors,
Other Church-governors.
Deacons.
Of particular Congregations.
Of the Officers of a paricular Con- gregation.
Of the Orilinances in a particular Congrepction.
Of Church-government, and the several sorts of Assemblies for the same.
Of the Power In common of all these Assemblies.
Of Coftgregatlonal Assemblies, thai is, the Meeting of the ruling Officers of a particular Congre- gation, for the government there- of.
Of Classical Assemblies.
Of Synodicul Assemblies.
Of Ordination of Ministers.
Touching the Doctrine of Ordi- nation.
Touching the Power of Ordina- tion.
Concerning the Doctrinal Part of the Ordination of Ministers.
The Directory for the Ordination of Ministers.
FORM OF PRESBYTERIAL CHURCH-GOVERNMENT.
THE PREFACE.
JESUS CHRIST, upon -whose shoulders the government is, whose name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace ^ ; of the increase of whose government and peace there shall be no end ; who sits upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and justice, from henceforth, even for ever ; having all power given unto him in heaven and in enrth by the Father, who raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, far above all principalities and power, and might, and do- minion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in thut which is to come, and put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him th;'.t filleth all in all : he being ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things, received gifts for his cliurch, and gave ofTicers necessary for the edification of hii church, and perfecting of his saints b.
a Isa. ix. f, 7. b Mat. xxviU. IS, 1?, 20. Eph, L 20, £1, 22, £3. Compared xu'tlh
El>lu iv. F, 1 1. and Psal. Jxviu. IS.
OftJie Church,
'T'HERE is one general church visible^ held forth in the ^ New Testament *. .
The
* 1 Cor. xii. 1'2. For as the body body, being many, r.re one body; so is one, and hath many members, also is Christ. Ver. 13. For by and all tlie members of that o'.:e one Spirit are we all baptized in-
A a6 to
564.
Tho Form of Chiirch-Govcrnmcnt,
The ministry, oracles, and ordinances of tjie New Testament, are given by Jesus Christ to the general church visible, for the gathering and j)erfecting of it in this life, until his second coming^'.
Particular visible churches, members of the general church, are also held forth in the New Testament '. Par- ticular churches in the primitive times were made up of visible saints, viz. of such as, being of age, professed faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according to the rules of faith and life, taught by Christ and his apostles; and of their children ' •
Of
to one body, whether we be Jews •T Gentiles, whether we be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Ver. 28. And Ood hath set some in the church ; fnst, apostles; secondarily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healings, helps, govern- ments, diversities of tongues. [Tb- gethcr ivhh the rest of the Chapt:r?^ b 1 Cor. xii. 28. \See k-fore.] £ph. iv. 4. There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of yovir calling; Ver. 5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. Comharcd with Ver. 10. He that de- scended is the same also that ascend- ed up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Ver. 11. And he gave some apostles, and some propliets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers ; Ver. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ ; Ver. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the know- ledge of the Son of God, unto a per- fcct man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Ver. 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto him in all .things, which Is the head, even Christ; Ver, i6. i'vcni '?vhoai the
whole body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effecturil working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the boily, unto the edifying of itself in love.
^ Gal. i. -2\. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia ; Ver. 22. And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judea which were in Christ. Rev. i. 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come ; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne. Ver. 20. The mystery of tlie seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven gol- den candlesticks. The seven stars ure the angels of the seven churches ; and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Rev. ii. 1. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write ; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
tl Acts ii. .^S. Then Peter said unto them. Repent, and be bap- tized every one of you in the nume of Jesus Christy for the re- mission
The Form of Church-Government, Of the OJivers of the Church,
665
THE ofticcrs whicli Clirist hatli appointed for the edifi- cation ot" his church, and the pericctin ares some extraordinary, as apostles, evangelists, and pro- phets, which are ceased.
Others ordinary and perpetual, as pastoi^s, teachers, and otligr church-governors, and deacons.
Pastors.
THE pastor is an ordinary and perpetual officer in the church % prophesying of the tune of the gospel ^
First,
lTji«lon of Sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ver. 41. Then they that gladly reeeived his word were baptized : and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Ver. 47. Praibing God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Comjutrcd ivHh Acts V. 14. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. 1 Cor. i. 2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanc- tified in Christ Jesus, called to be suiuts, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our l^ord, both theirs and ours. Com- pared -with 2 Cor. ix. 13. Whiles by the experiment of this ministnition they glorify God lor your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men. Acts ii. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar ofi", even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 1 Cor. vii. 1 4. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the uobelicving
wife Is sanctified by the husband ; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy. Rom. xi. 16". For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy ; und if the root be holy, so are the branches. Mark