ry, and for vindication of the truth, and the church professing it.

Acts, 2:47, and 5: 13; 2 Cor. 9:13; Heb. 10: 24, 25; 1 Thes. 5: 12, 14; Acts, 20: 28.

IX. That a visible professor, thus joined to a particular church, ought to continue steadfast with the said church; and not forsake the ministry, and ordinances there dispensed, without an orderly seeking a recommendation unto another church; which ought to be given, when the case of the person apparently requires it. Acts, 2: 42; Heb. 10: 25; Rom. 16: 1, 2.

II. Of the Ministry.

I. WE agree that the ministerial office is instituted by Jesus Christ for the gathering, guiding, edifying, and governing of his church; and to continue to the end of the world.

Eph. 4: 11, 12; Matt. 28: 19, 20.

II. They who are called to this office ought to be endued with competent learning and ministerial gifts, as also with the grace of God, sound in judgment, not novices in the faith and knowledge of the Gospel: without scandal, of holy conversation, and such as devote themselves to the work and service thereof.

2 Tim. 2: 24; Rom. 12:6; 1 Tim. 3: 2 to 7; Tit. 1: 6,7; 1 Tim. 4: 10.

III. That ordinarily none shall be ordained to the work of this ministry, but such as are called and chosen thereunto by a particular church.

Acts, 14: 23.

IV. That in so great and weighty a matter as the calling and choosing a pastor, we judge it ordinarily requisite, that every such church consult and advise with the pastors of neighboring congregations.

Prov. 11: 14, and 15: 22.

V. That after such advice, the person consulted about, being chosen by the brotherhood of that particular church over which he is to be set, and he accepting, be duly ordained and set apart to his office over them; wherein 'tis ordinarily requisite that the pastors of neighboring congregations concur with the preaching Elder or Elders, if such there be.

Acts, 14: 23, and 1; 23, and 13: 23; 1 Tim. 4: 14.

VI. That whereas, such ordination only is intended for such as never before had been ordained to the ministerial office; if any judge, that in case also of the removal of one formerly ordained, to a new station, or pastoral charge, there ought to be a like solemn recommending him and his labors to the grace and blessing of God, no different sentiments or practice herein

shall be any occasion of contention, or breach of communion among us.

Phil. 3; 15; Eph. 4: 2, 3.

VII. It is expedient that they who enter on the work of preaching the Gospel, be not only qualified for the communion of saints; but also, that except in cases extraordinary, they give proof of their gifts and fitness for the said work, unto the Pastors of churches of known abilities, to discern and judge of their qualifications; that they may be sent forth with solemn approbation and prayer; which we judge needful, that no doubt may remain concerning their being called unto the work; and for preventing, (as much as in us lieth) ignorant and rash intruders.

1 Tim. 1: 22, and 3: 6.

III. Of Censures.

I. As it cannot be avoided, but that in the purest churches on earth, there will sometimes offences and scandals arise by reason of hypocrisy and prevailing corruption; so Christ hath made it the duty of every church to reform itself, by spiritual remedies, appointed by him, to be applied in all such cases, viz: Admonition and Excommunication.

Matt. 8 7; Heb. 12: 15; Tit. 3: 10; 1 Cor. 5: 6.

II. Admonition, being the rebuking of an offending member in order to conviction, is in case of private offences to be performed according to the rule in Matt. 18: 15, 16, 17; and in case of public offences openly before the church, as the honor of the Gospel, and the nature of the scandal shall require; and if either of the Admonitions take place for the recovery of the fallen person, all further proceedings in a way of censure are thereon to cease, and satisfaction to be declared accordingly.

1 Tim. 1: 20; Matt. 18: 15, 17.

III. When all due means are used according to the order of the Gospel, for the restoring an offending and scandalous brother, and he, notwithstanding, remains impenitent, the censure of Excommunication is to be proceeded unto; wherein the Pastor and other Elders (if there be such) are to lead and go before the church; and the brotherhood to give their consent in a way of obedience unto Christ, and to the Elders, as over them in the Lord.

Matt. 18: 15, 16, 17; Tit. 3: 10; 1 Cor. 5; 1 Thes. 5: 5, 12.

IV. It may sometimes come to pass, that a church member, not otherwise scandalous, may fully withdraw and divide himself from the communion of the church to which he belong

eth In which case, when all due means for the reducing him prove ineffectual, he having thereby cut himself off from that church's communion; the church may justly esteem and declare itself discharged of any further inspection over him.

Heb. 10:25; Rom. 16: 17; 2 Thes. 3: 14.

IV. Of Communion of Churches.

I. WE agree that particular churches ought not to walk so distinct and separate from each other, as not to have care and tenderness towards one another. But their Pastors ought to have frequent meetings together, that by mutual advice, support, encouragement, and brotherly intercourse, they may strengthen the hearts and hands of each other in the ways of the Lord.

Acts, 15: 23, and 20: 17, 28.

II. That none of our particular churches shall be subordinate to one another, each being endued with equality of power from Jesus Christ. And that none of the said particular churches, their officer or officers, shall exercise any power, or have any superiority over any other church or their officers.

Rev. 1:4; Cant. 8; 8; 1 Cor. 16: 19; Acts, 15: 23.