Brief Discourse of the Troubles at Frankfort, Discipline

Brief Discourse of the Troubles at Frankfort · Discipline

p. CXINowe / folowith the diſcipline both the olde / and that which was by the Magiſtrats appointement / corrected.

The order off the olde diſcipline in the Citie off Franckford.

THere be 2.The olde Diſcip…ine▪ partes off the order off Diſcipline in the churche. The one perteininge to the whole churche. The other perteininge to the miniſters and Elders alone.

Off the firſte parte.

In the Diſcipline perteininge to the whole church / is firſte to be apointed the order off receiuinge men in to the congregation whiche is this.

The manner off receiuinge off all ſortes off perſonnes into the ſaide congregation.

Fyrſte / everie one aſwell man as woman which deſireth …o be receyued ſhall make a declaration or Confeſſion off their faithe / before the paſtor and Seniors ſhewinge himſelff fully to conſent and agree with doctrine of the churche and ſubmittinge themſelues to the diſcipline off the ſame.

Iff anie perſon / ſo deſyrous to be receiued into the congregation / be notoriouſly defamed or noted off any corrupt or euill opinion in doctrine or ſlaunderous behauior in liffe / the ſame maye not by the paſtor and Elders be admitted till he hauehave either purged himſelff theroff / or ells hauehave declared him ſelff …o the paſtor and Elders penitent for the ſame.

The good behauiour and godly conuerſation requyred off ſuch as are receiued.

p. C12Secondarely all the members off the churche ſo admitted and receiued ſhall diligently obſerue and keepe all ſuche godlie diſcipline and orders apoointed with in the churche whiche tend to the increaſe off knowledge and godlyneſſe off liffe / as the appointed times off praier / preachinge / and hearinge goddes worde / the adminiſtration off the Sacramentes / with ſubmiſſion to all godly diſcipline off the churche.

This article I finde raſed in the copie, what they mēt by it▪ I know not.Thirdly / ſuch alſo as beinge in England after knowledg receiued / hauehave communicated with the popiſhe maſſe contrary to their cōſciences by reaſon of feare / weaknes / or otherwiſe / may not be receyued till they hauehave confeſſed their fall before the paſtor and ſeniors / and hauehave ſhewed themſelues penitent for the ſame.

How the youthe ſhalbe Catechiſed.

Alſo for the increaſe off godly knowledg and vertue / all the youthe ſhal… reſorte to the churche euerye ſatterdaie at 2. off the clock at afternoone / and when we hauehave a ſeuerall churche / at one off the clock on the ſundaie at afternoone / there / to be inſtructed in the Catechiſme / and not to be admitted to the communion till they be able to make profeſſion off their faith before the whole congregation. And alſo to hauehave an honeſt teſtimony off towardnes in godly conuerſation / and that eueryevery member off the churche do not refuſe to reade a declaration off their faithe before the paſtor and Elders when ſo euer they ſhall be therto required

Thorder off correction / for priuate and priuie offences.

Fourthly / for as muche as no charge is ſo perfect but offences maye ariſe / for godly charitable redreſſinge and reforminge off ſuche / this order is to be obſerued.

Firſte / yff anye off the congregation be offenſiue in manners or doctrine to anie off the brethern / ſo that offence be priuate p. CXIIIand not publickly knowen / ther can be no better order deuiſed then that which Chriſte himſelff hathe apointed / which is / firſte brotherly to admoniſhe him alone / yff that do no preuaile / call / one or 2. Witneſſes / yff that alſo do not profit / then to declare it to the paſtor and elders / to whō the churche hath geuen authoritie to take order in ſuch caſes according to the qualitie and greuouſnes off the offence and crime.

Off the order off correction for publick and open crimes.

But yff anie perſon ſhalbe a notorious knowen offender ſo as he is offenſiue to the whole churche / then ſhall the paſtor and elders immediatlye call the offender before them and trauel with him to reduce him to true repētance and ſatisfyinge off the congregation whiche / if …e obſtinately refuſe to doo: then▪ the paſtor ſhall ſignifie his offence and contempt to the whole congregation deſiring them to praie for him / and further to aſſigne him a daie to be denownced excommunicate before the churche / except in the meane time the offender ſubmit himſelf before the paſtor and ſeniors to the order of diſcipline

Finally / in caſe any perſon of this congregatiō be knowē to be an hinderer or a defacer of anie of the godly vſages nowe excerciſed in the ſame congregation / either priuely or apertly by worde / letter / or dede: the ſame ſhall acknowledg his offence with ſatisfaction to the churche / according to the true order off Diſcipline.

The 2. parte off diſcipline toncerninge the miniſters and elders / and their elections.

Firſte for the election of miniſters and Elders / the qualities of the ſame are to be examined and conſidered according to the rule off S. Paule 1. Tim. 3. Wheroff this is the ſumme That no man be elected whoſe doctrine or liffe can iuſtlie be reproued and condemned. As concerning the order and forme off Electing / the ſame is to be obſerued whiche hathe already bin practiſed and is here vntounto anexed.

p. CXIIIIOff ther offices and functions.

The paſtor / according to the commaundement off the holye ghoſte in the ſcriptures / ought with all paſtorall care diligently to attende to his flock / in preaching goddes worde / in miniſtring the Sacramentes / in example off Good lyffe / in exhortinge / admoniſhinge / rebukinge / and as the chieff mouthe off the churche / to open and declare all orders taken by him and the elders whiche are to be opened and publiſhed: to whom no man maye in the face off the congregation replye. But yff anie think himſelff to hauehave cauſe to ſpeak let him come before the elders in the place appointed for their meetinge and thereto open his mynde and to be hard with all charitie indifferently.

The office off preachers and ſuche as are lerned in the congregation.

The office off preachers and ſuch as are lerned in the churche is to aſſiſte the paſtor in preachinge the worde / miniſtringe the Sacraments and in all conſultations and meetinges off him and the Elders eſpecially in cauſes off Doctrine / and alſo at other tymes when they ſhall be required.

The office off Elders.

The office off Elders is to be (as it were) cenſors / ouerſeers off manners and diſorders. And to be with the paſtor in all conſultations / for the publick order off the churche / and that all corrections and exerciſes off diſcipline be done with their common conſaile.

Deacons.

Conſideringe alſo the preſent ſtate off the churche / it is thaught requiſite that the Deacons beſides the ſpeciall office appointed in the Acts off the Apoſtells in caringe and providinge p. CXVfor the poore / do alſo viſit the ſick and be aſſiſtant in Catechiſinge the youthe yff they ſhall be thervnto required.

The ſame order and forme is to be vſed for reformation off offences and crymes in miniſters and Elders whiche is deſcribed for other offenders / and to be donne towardes them rather with more ſeueritie.

Now folowith the Diſcipline reformed and confirmed by the authoritie off the churche and magiſtrate.

IT is moſte cumlie and godly / that Chriſtian people reſorte 1together in place and tyme / The new diſcipline.therunto by common conſent appointed (yff the perſecution off the vngodly will ſuffer the ſame and they themſelues hauehave no vrgent cauſe to the contrary) there to heare the pure doctrine off Gods worde taught / and them ſelues openly with their preſence and voice to declare the conſent off their hartes to the ſame / and to confeſſe with their mouthe agreablely their belieff and faith vponupon god and his holy worde according to the ſcriptures.

The congregation thus aſſembled is a particuler viſible churche ſuch as maye be in diuers places off the worlde verye 2manye. And all theis particuler churches ioyned together not in place (for that is not poſſible) but by the coniunction off true doctrine and faithe in the ſame / do make one whole churche in this worlde. And the electe off God that be in this whole churche and eueryevery parte theroff with all the elect that hath byn from the beginninge off the worlde and ſhall be to the ende theroff doo altogether make that holy catholike and Apoſtolike churche / the ſpouſe off oure ſauiour chriſte wchiche he hathe purified to him ſelff in his blood wheroff mention is made in the creede. I beleue one holie Catholike and Apoſtolike churche. But at this preſent oure conſideration muſte be off the viſible and particuler churche.

p. CXVIThe ſignes and notes off a viſible churche are thies. Firſte 3/ true and goldly doctrine. Secondly / the right miniſtration and vſe off the Sacramentes and common praier: Thirdly: honeſt and godly liffe / yff not in the whole multitude / yet in manie off them: fourthly / diſcipline / that is / the correction off vices / but the 2. firſte notes are ſuche as withowt the whiche no forme off anie godly viſible churche can poſſibly be. Wherfore / they be the principall and chieff notes. And therfore we define a particuler churche viſible / to be the congregation off Chriſten men whither they be fewe or many aſſemblinge together in place and time conuenient to heare Chriſtes true Doctrine taught / to vſe his holy Sacramentes rightly and to make their common praier together / in the whiche their appearethe a ſtudie off honeſt ād godlye liffe / and which hathe in it a godly diſcipline / that is to ſaye / ordinaunces and decrees Eccleſiaſticall for the preſeruation off comely order and for the correction off vices.

Off the doctrine off the churche which is the firſt note.

The Doctrine whiche we holde and profeſſe in oure 4church is the ſame that is taught in the canonicall bookes off the holie bible / conteininge the olde teſtamente and the newe in the whiche is conteined the true and liuelie worde off god and the doctrine off helthe bothe as concerninge faithe and godly liffe / at full / ſufficient for the ſaluation off all the faithfull that vnfainedly beleue therin The ſumme off the whiche as concerninge faithe is briefly and truly comprehended in the 3. creeds / the common creede commonly called the creed off the Apoſtells / the Nicene creed and the crede off Athanaſius: And as concerninge godly liffe / in the ten commaundementes / written in the xx chapter off Exodus.

Off the Sacramentes / and common praier the ſecond note.

p. CXVIIWe obſerue ad kepe the forme and order off the miniſtraon off the ſacramentes and common praier / as it is ſet foorh 5by the authoritie off the bleſſed kinge Edwarde off famous memorye / in the laſte booke off the Engliſh ſeruice: Wheroff notwithſtanding in the reſpecte off tymes and places and other circumſtances certeine rites and ceremonies appointed in the ſayed booke / as thinges in different / maie be left owte / / as we at this preſent doo.

The times and houres for the teachinge and hearing off 6goddes worde and the miniſtration off the ſacramen…es / and and ſaying and hearing of the cōmon praier / ſuch as be nowe vſed / or ſhall heare af…er by common cōſent be thought moſte meete to be vſed / are to be kept and obſerued off all men not hauing lauful cauſe to the contrary.

Off the Miniſters off the worde / Sacra / ments and common praier.

It is thought expedient for the churche at this preſent / 7to hauehave 2. Miniſters or teachers off the worde elected / off dotrine and godly liffe / ſuch as the rule off the ſcripture dothe requyre as muche as maie be / And that the ſayde 2. Miniſters and teachers off the worde ſhall in all things and points be off like authorite and neither off them ſuperior or inferior to other.

Item that the ſaied / 2. Miniſters ſhall by themſelues / or fit perſons by them and the Seniors in the name off the 8whole congregation to be appointed / when neceſſarie cauſe ſhall ſo requyre / preach the ordinarie Sermons on wenſdaies / thurſdayes and ſondaies before noone / and after noone inſtruct and Heare the examination off the youthe in the Catechiſme / on ſondaye in the after noone at the howre accuſtomed / and ſhall by them ſelues or other appointed perſons as is afore ſayed Miniſter the Sacramentes dewly / ſaye the common prayers diſtinctly viſet and comfort the ſick ſpecially at their laſt tyme and howre off deathe / bury the dead comely / and obſerue all other comely rites and vges p. CXVIIIin the churche directing all their behauiour actes and life according to the rule off off their vocation / ſet foorth in the 9holie ſcriptures.

Item that ſixe / either fewer or more / (as the habilitie off the churche wil… beare) ſuch as be godly and hauehave nede off the helpe off the churche / be appointed by the Miniſters and Seniors in the name off the whole congregation: Wheroff 4. to be well lerned / who ſhall reade and expownde the chapters / and ſhall helpe the two miniſters off the worde / when nede ſhall require in the doctrine off the worde / Catechiſinge off youthe / Miniſtringe off the Sacramentes / ſainge off common praier and the other two or moo / ſhall ayde alſo the ſayed miniſters Seniors and Deacons in viſitinge off the ſick and ſeinge to ſtrangers and in callinge off the congregation when nede ſhall be / and in all other neceſſarie and comelie thinges and rytes to be done in the churche. Notwithſtandinge / anie other godly and lerned men whiche lyue off them ſelues / and be not burthenus to the churche maye helpe the Miniſters off the worde in the aboue named Eccleſiaſtical functions / iff they themſelues ſo will / and be ther vntounto called by the ſaied miniſters and Seniors.

10Item / for the further inſtruction off you…he and ſeruants it is thought good / that beſides the examination off children in the Catechiſme ordinarely vſed / the ſaid children and ſeruants with the whole congregation / ſhulde be all preſente at oure ordinarie ſermon / to be made purpoſely for them on ſondayes at afternoone / ſo lernedly that it be yet for their capacitie moſt plaine and with all poſſible perſpecu…tie / and that one tenor off Chriſtian doctrine from the beginninge to the ende be obſerued and kepte in the ſaide ſermon / off the whiche no better forme in oure iudgement can be then Caluins Catech…ſme / receiued in ſo manye churches and tranſlated into ſo manie languages▪ yt is thought good therfore that the preacher off the ſaied Catechiſinge ſermon fo…lowe the good order off that Catechiſme in his ſermons and confirme t…e god…y doctrine off the ſame by the ſcriptures / and after the ſame p. CXIXſermon the common praier / and ſeruice to be exerciſed and fyniſhed as at other tymes.

Item / that the one preacher beinge ſick the other ſhall doo 11or ſee donne by other fit perſons / as is before ſaied all the dewtie and dewties to the other ſo ſick belonginge.

Item / that a lecture off diuinitie and diſputations for 12the exerciſe off ſtudents / yff it maie be / be mainteined / or ells that propheſie be vſed eueryevery fortnight in the Engliſhe tong / for the exerciſe off the ſaied ſtudentes and edifinge of the congregation / or bothe diſputations and Propheſie alſo / iff it ſo ſhall ſeeme good vntounto the miniſters and Seniors.

Item / that ſuch as ſhall therunto ſeeme moſte meete off 13the congregation ſhall be appointed to tranſlate into Engliſhe ſome ſuch bookes / as ſhall be profitable either for the inſtructiō or for the comforte off oure countrie in this oure exile and affliction off oure countrie.

Item that the common bookes or librarie off the churche 14/ be a… the appointment off the miniſter and the ſeniors in ſuch place as all the ſtudentes maie moſte conueniently come vntounto.

The thirde note / that is Chriſtian liffe / and Good workes the frutes off godly doctrine.

Item / we teache that ſuch goods workes are to be done as are commaunded by Goddes worde in the ſcriptures / 15ſuch euell deedes to be auoided as are forbiden by the ſame.

And where as concerninge the frutes off godly doctrine 16none is more commaunded in the ſcriptures then the relieuinge off the poore whiche either is donne priuately by eueryevery perſone or ells by the common treaſury off the churche / for the good and right vſe and order off the ſame: it apearethe aſwell by Goddes worde as by the examples off churches rightly reformed / that bothe the keepinge vnd alſo the diſtribution off the treaſure of the churche apperteineth to the Deacons: who be ſo neceſſarie Miniſters in the churche off Chriſte that p. CXXwithowte them it cannot well be. For Chriſte ſaith yow ſhall hauehave alwaies poore men amonge yow. Wherfore they ought to be honored of all men / and they them ſelues ought to hauehave this opinion / that they highlie pleaſe god in that miniſtery.

Wherfore we think it expedient for the churche that 4. 17men of ſpeciall grauitie / authoritie / and credit / in the churche / ſuch as off them ſelues be able to lyue and will do this godlie office rather for Chriſtes ſake and the louelove they beare to him and his poore flock / then for anie there owne neceſſitie or worldly rewarde / be choſen to be Deacons / whiche 4. Deacons ſhall hauehave the cuſtodye off the treaſure and diſtribution off the ſame / and other almes off the churche remaininge in their handes and kepinge / in ſuche ſorte as it ſhall ſ…me good to the miniſters / ſeniors and Deacons for the moſte ſaftie off the ſaid treaſure.

18Item / that although the Deacons hauehave in their cuſtodie the treaſure off the churche / yet the miniſters and ſeniors ſhall hauehave knowledge of the whole ſumme off the ſayd treaſure. Prouided allwaies that neither the ſaied 4. Deacons miniſters 19/ Seniors / or anie of them ſhall hauehave anie knowledge or make anie inquiſition of the geuer or geuers of anie Almes to the poore off the ſayed churche / otherwiſe then the meſſinger or bringer off the ſaied Almes ſhall of himſelff declare / to whom and as he hathe commiſſion from the geuers ſo to doo / but that the gyfte be receauid and knowen and the geuer and geuers names vnknowen and kept cloſe with all poſſible ſecreſie.

20Item / that the ſaied Deacons once in a monethe / that is the laſt daie of eueryevery mo…ethe ſhall make there accoumpts be fore the miniſters and ſenyors / howe the ſaied treaſures be beſtowed / and that all the ſaied companie / ſo appointed to make the accoumpt ſhall note the remayns of the ſaied treaſure at the daie and yere in the whiche every accoumpt ſhall be taken.

21Item / we thinke good and do decree / that there beinge a ſchole in the ſaied churche (ſeing the ſaied ſcoole is a member of the ſaied churche / as of the whole bodie) the treaſure for the p. CXXImayntenance and for the maintenance off the other poore alſo be all one and ioyned together: that neither in the procuring off the ſaied trea / ſure or in the diſtribution theroff / anie occaſion off diuiſion / emulation / or contention do happen amonge them / who ought to liue togither lyke bretheren / and members of one bodie in all concorde / coniunction and vni…ie: otherwiſe / the ſchole whiche is of it ſelff ſo worthie a member off the bodie / maye by abuſe / cauſe / not onelyonly the hinderance / but alſo the deſtruction off the whole body.

Item / that in the diſtribution off the ſaied treaſure 22a ſpeciall regarde be had of the ſaied ſtudentes that be poore. firſt / for that they be poore / and againe / for that they be deſtinate to be workmen in the lordes vinearde / and ſo worthie members in the bodie. And that as they be ſtudious of the ſcriptures ſpecially / and yet with all of other liberal artes alſo / as myniſters and handemaides to the ſettinge foorth off goddes worde / ſo they maye be liberally handled and receyue goddes bleſſinge / whiche is the liberalitie off the godlie withowt the ſhame and abaſhment as the gyft off god / who geueth to all men and vpraideth no man.

Item / it is decreed and alſo the whole congregation deſirethe the Deacons monthlie to viſit / and ſpeake priuately with 23:the ſaied ſtudentes / that be poore / and other poore alſo: and to examin their ſtates frindly and charitablie and according to eueryevery mannes neceſſitie / as the treaſure of the churche will beare / to offre to euerie one off them with obteſtation to them / that yf they hauehave no nede theroff they receiue it not. For that were nothing ells but to robbe the nedie. for ſo ſhall bothe the ſhamefaſtnes of the honeſt / and liberall natures be ſaued and the treaſure of the churche willingly ſpared. For he that vponupon ſuche obteſtation will not refraine to receiue that is offred / when he hathe no nede: will not be aſhamed to begg and craue when he hath no nede / and that not onelyonly lyinge / but alſo with periurie yf nede be.

Item / yf anie by euident profes / ſuch as cannot be gaine 24ſaied be foūde to hauehave taken or vſed the treaſure of the churche p. CXXII/ hauinge no nede therof that thē / not onelyonly he be exempted frō anie more partakīge of the ſaied treaſure til it appeere that he hauehave euident neede but alſo that he doo make therfore publique ſatiſfaction / before he be admitted to the communion.

25Item / that the Seniors and Deacons ſe that the poore off the congregation be not ydle but diligent in well doeinge.

26Item / that yff ther be anye off the poore / ſick / that then foorthwith one of the Deacons reſorte to them and preſent…y ſuccor their neceſſitie / and the needy ſtraungers off our nation be holpen towardes their traueill and iourney / yff the treaſure off the churche will beare it.

27Item / that in caſe the treaſure off the churche do faile or wax thinne / that then ſuch as be off the welthey ſorte off the congregation / ſhall quarterly contribute accordinge to their habilitie and godly deuotion for the maintenaunce off the miniſterie / poore / and ſtudentes off the congregation. And the ſame at euerie quarter daye to be deliuered into the handes off the Deacons.

28Item / we think Good that declaration be made by the preachers off Goddes worde diuers tymes as iuſt occaſion will ſerue / how comely and profitable for Chriſtes churche / that al mennes liberalitie towardes the poore / do come to the handes off the ſaied 4. Deacons / by them publickly in the name off the whole churche to be miniſtred to the poore: for by this rule / let not thy left hande knowe what they right hande dothe / maye beſte be obſerued: And the blowinge off the trumpet before the almes geuer / and all wordly reward off vaine commendation maie beſt be auoided: and ſo our heauenly father / who ſeethe in ſecret / will rewarde euerie man more abundantly in the daie off the reuelation off the thoughts off all men.

29Item we think good that certeine letters in the ſame ſence be written with an exhortation and hartie praier to all ſuch as will relieue the poore off oure congregation with their godly liberalitie / that they will deliuer or ſend their charitable reliffe to the ſaied 4. Deacons / commonly to be beſtowed off p. CXXIIIthem vpoon all the poore / whither they be ſtudentes or other according to euerie mans neceſſitie: whiche the ſaied Deacons and the churche here preſent can beſt knowe and Iudge / rather then to committ the allmes to anie one perſons hande / to anye priuate vſe / for the auoyding off ſundry ſuſpitions / and many other inconueniences / that maye bothe preſently and here after ariſe and enſewe off the ſame: And the ſayed letters ſubſcribed with as many handes off the congregation as ſhall ſeme good / with a general ſuperſcription to all ſuch as will charitably relieue the poore off oure congregation with owt anye naminge off any perſons / to be ſent where the Miniſters Seniors and Deacons / or the more off them ſhall think good by a moſt faithfull and diſcreet meſſinger / to all places where ſuch good men / by whoſe liberalitie the churche is releived / doe or maie reſorte / that the ſayed letters maye by the ſayed meſſinger be ſhewed as a teſtimonie off credit to the ſaid godly men in places and at tymes moſte conuenient.

This article folowing 29. I alſo fynde in the Copie.

Item / as concerning the relieffe to be had at ſtrangers 30handes / who be not off oure churche: ſuch order is to be taken as ſhall ſeme moſt expediēt to the miniſters of the worde and Sacraments. It ſemeth that this article was put in / in place off the former whiche they could not agree vppon.

Item we thinke it expedient that the ſaied 4. Deacons 31be charged neither with the helping off the Miniſters in the preaching off the worde neither in the Catechiſing off the youthe / neither in miniſtring off Sacramentes / or ſaing off common praier: or ſpecially the viſiting off the ſick / other then the poore for the releyuing of their neceſſitie / as with thinges perteininge to the office off deaconſhipp nor with any other offices other thē is expreſſedly declared in gods worde apperteine to the Deacons: according to the rule off the whiche / p. CXXIIIIthey ſhall by all meanes poſſible direct their dooinges: The ſumme wheroff is / diligently to receiue and kepe all / and all manner off publik and priuate almes / and the ſame faithfully to beſtowe vponupon the poore off chriſtes churche accordinge as eueryevery mannes neceſſitie ſhall requier; and by all meanes poſſible / as well by worde as by writing / to procure the maintenaunce off the ſaied treaſure off the churche / ſo to their credit committed. Notwithſtandinge / it is not ment hereby / but that anie off the ſayed Deacons / being lerned / when good occaſion ſhall therto ſerue / may preach or inſtruct the youthe in the Catechiſme / or doe anie other godly function wherunto they ſhall be called.

32Item / that where there is no godlier acte then to ſuccor ſuch as be bothe ſik and poore for that their burthen is moſte heauy / we think good / yff the habilitie off the churche will extend therunto that there be 4. graue and honeſt wemen either widowes or wyues (ſuch as hauehave nede of the helpe of the churche) appointed and choſen with the conſente off their huſbandes / to keepe the poore / when they be ſicke / and to watche with them by courſe one after an other: and that they hauehave therfore cut off the treaſure off the churche a certeine ſtipende quarterly payde vntounto them.

Off the Diſcipline off the churche which is the 4. and laſte note.

33Firſte / in all matters touchinge conſcience / gods worde / is the perfect rule / as well for thoſe thinges whiche Chriſten men ought to doe / as for ſuch thinges as they are bownd to abſtaine from.

34Item / in all controuerſies ciuill / the ciuill or municipall law off the countrie or citie where the churche is / is a ſufficient rule to be obaied.

Item / all matters touchinge the congregation / or the 35members off the ſame directly apperteining to neither off the two former partes / Eccleſiaſticall ordinance and diſcipline of p. CXXVthe ſaied churche / ought by all members off the ſame to be obaied.

Item / although this worde Diſcipline generally do… 36conteine all Eccleſiaſticall orders and ordinaunces / yet in this place it is properly taken for the rule off owtward honeſt orders and manners and off the puniſhiment and correction off vices.

Item / for the execution off the whiche diſcipline to the mainteining of all comely order and vertue in the churche / and 37correction off diſorder and vice / it is agreed / that 6. men off ſpeciall grauitie / authoritie / and wiſdom / ſuche as the rule off the holy ſcriptures dothe ſet foorthe as muche as maie be ſhal be choſen to be ſeniors / whiche 6. ſeniors with the two Miniſters off the worde ſhall hauehave the execution off the Diſcipline and gouernement off the churche / and ſhall be reuerenced / and in all thinges godly and reaſonable obeied and reuerenced of all perſons in the congregation vnderunder paine off moſte ſharpe diſcipline.

Prouided alwaies that the ſaied Miniſters and ſeniors 38ſeuerally and ioyntly / ſhall hauehave no authoritie to make anie manner off decrees / or ordinances to bynd the congregation or anie mēber therof: but ſhall execute ſuch ordināces and decrees as ſhal be made by the congregatiō and to thē deliuered

Off the election off all Miniſters.

Item it is agreed that all ſeniors / Deacons and all other miniſters (what ſo euer they be) the 2. teachers and miniſters 39off the worde onelyonly excepted / ſhall ones a yere that is the firſt daie off marche take an ende off their miniſterie / what ſo euer it be: And they from that daie / till a newe election be made / which ſhalbe within one forthnight after the ſaied fyrſte day off marche (vnles ſome great cauſes incident do let the ſame) ſhall be all priuate perſons / as other mēbers off the congregation and ſo continewe ſtill / till they be newe elected / to the ſame / or other miniſterie or office: euerie one off them yet notwithſtanding in the meane tyme / from the ſaied firſt daie p. CXXVIoff marche / till newe miniſters be elected / doing the dewt… and dewties to your off…ce belonging.

I…em that publick praier and faſt be made before / and at 40the election off all miniſters / in time and continuaunce / as to the congregation ſhall ſeme good.

41Item / that before the election off the miniſters / Seniors and Deacons the places off the ſcriptures for that purpos moſt fit be …penlye redd / and a ſermon to be made vppon the ſame / As for the preſent purpoſe ſhall be moſt conuenient.

42Item / that election be made by bills / euerie man bringing a litle bill rolled vp / the names off ſuch perſons appointed / as they ſhall think moſte meete for the office wherunto the election is then made.

Item / that impoſition off handes with praier be vſed at 43the inſtitution off the ſaied miniſters / ſeniors / and Deacons / according to the doctrine and examples of the ſcriptures.

Off the callinge and aſſembling off the congregation.

44Item that the miniſters and ſeniors thus electe / hauehave nowe authoritie as the principall members of the congregation / to gouerne the ſaied congregation accordinge to goddes worde / and the diſcipline of the churche as is aforſaied: And alſo / to call together and aſſemble the ſaied congregation for cauſes and at tymes / as ſhall to them ſeme expedient.

Prouided alwaies that yff anie diſſention ſhall happen betweene the miniſters and the ſeniors / or the more parte off them and the bodye off the congregation or the more parte off it: and that the ſaied miniſters and Seniors in ſuch controuerſie / beinge deſired therto / will not aſſemble the congregation / that then the congregation maye of it ſelff cum together / and conſulte and determine as concerninge the ſaied controuerſie or controuerſies and the ſaied aſſembly to be a lawfull congregation / and that which they the more parte of them ſo aſſembling p. CXXVIIſhall iudge or decree / the ſame to b… a lawfull decre… and ordinaunce of ſufficient force to bynde the whole congregation and eueryevery member off the ſame.

Item / that no man being ſommoned or warned either 45by the miniſters and Seniors or in the name off the congregation ſo as afore is ſaied aſſembled / to appere in the congregation ſhall abſent himſelff but vppon a lawfull cauſe / vnderunder paine off diſcipline: And that none ſhall departe owt off the ſaid congregation ſo aſſembled till it be broken vp / with ow… licence off the whole or the more parte remaining / vppon paine of diſcipline before the whole congregation therfore.

Item in caſe ſome do departe / that yet notwithſtanding 46thoſe whiche ſtill remaine (yff they be the greater parte) to be a lawfull congregation: and that whiche they or the more parte off them ſhall decree / to be a lawfull decree / off force to bynde the whole body / miniſters / ſeniors / Deacons and euerie other member or members theroff withowt exception.

Item / that no checkinge or taunting be vſed in the ſaied congregation / by anie perſons / vnderunder paine off Diſcipline / 47and that in ſpeakinge / all other ſhall holde their peace and keepe ſilence: abſteining alſo from priuate talke that all thinges maie be donne comely and in order.

Item / that it ſhall be lawfull that euerie member off the 48congregation / making proteſtation off licence before / to the miniſters / ſeniors / and the whole congregation / maie ſpeak his mynd in the congregation / ſo he ſpeake quietly and not againſte goddes truthe / for in caſe he ſpeake vngodly / that then it ſhall be lawfull for the miniſters / ſeniors / or anie off them to commaunde him ſilence by and by.

The manner or receauing all ſortes off perſons into the ſaied congregation.

Firſte / for the auoidinge off all hereſies and ſectes in oure 49churches eueryevery one aſwell men as wemen which deſier to be receiued ſhall make a declaration / or confeſſion off their p. CXXVIIIfaithe before the miniſters and elders / ſhewinge him ſ…ff…ully to conſent and agree w…th the doctrine off the churche and ſubmi…tinge them ſelues to the D…ſcipline off the ſame / and the ſame to teſtifie by ſubſcribing the…t… yf they can wryte.

Item yff anye perſon ſo deſyrous to be receyued into the 50congregation be notoriouſly defamed / or noted off any corrupt behauiour / or euill opinion in doctrine / or ſlaunderous behauiour in liffe / the ſame maie not by the Miniſters and Elders be admitted … till he hauehave either purged himſelff theroff or ells hauehave dec…ared himſelff to the miniſters and elder… penitent for the ſame.

Off admiſſion to the holie communion.

Item / that none off the youthe be admitted to the communion 51till they be able to make profeſſion off their fa…the before the whole congregation / and alſo to hauehave an honeſt teſtimony off towardnes in godly conuerſation.

Item / that none openly noted as an hereticke / ſectarye 52Idolater or other notorious offender / ſhall be admitted to the communion / before he either purge or reconcile himſelff publiquely before the whole congregation / And that eueryevery member off the congregation do not refuſe to render a declaration off their faithe / before the Miniſters and Elders / when ſo euer they ſhall by them be therunto requyred.

Thorder off proceadinge to the execution off the Diſcipline and correction off offences.

53For as muche as no churche is ſo perfect / but offences may riſe / for godly and charitable redreſſing and reforming off ſuche / this order is to be obſerued: Firſte / yff anye off the congregation be offenſiue in manners or doctrine / to anie off the brethern / ſo that the offence be priuate and not publickely p. CXXIXknowen / there can be no better order deuiſed then that whiche Chriſte himſelff hathe appoi…ted: whiche is firſte brotherly to admoniſhe him alone. Iff that do not preuaile / to calle one or two witneſſes: yff that alſo do not profit: Then to declare it to the Miniſters and Elders: To whom the congregation hathe geuen authoritie to take order in ſuche caſes accordinge to the Diſcipline off the churche.

Item / that it maye be the better knowne / what is ment 54by this worde diſcipline / or correction off vice / we thinke that there be 3. degrees off Ecceſiaſticall diſcipline: The firſt / that the offender / acknowledg his faulte / and ſhewe himſelff penitent before the Miniſters and the Seniors: The ſeconde / that yff he will not ſo doe / as well his originall cryme as alſo his contempt off the Miniſters and Elderss who hauehave the authoritie off the churche / be openly declared by one off the Miniſters / before the whole congregation / and that he therfore make ſatiſfaction / bothe for his originall crime and alſo for his contempt off the Miniſters before the whole congregation and that he be not admitted to the communion before he hauehave ſatiſfied. The thirde / that yff he remaine ſtill obſtinate before the whole congregation after a tyme to him by the whole congregation limited to repent in / he then ſhall be openly denounced excommunicate which excommunication / ſeing it is the vttermoſte penaltie off Eccleſiaſticall power / ſhall not therfore be executed / vntill the matter be hard by the whole churche or ſuch as it ſhall ſpecially appoint therunto.

Item / yff anie perſon ſhall be a notorious knowen offender 55ſo as he is offenſiue to the whole congregation / then ſhall the Miniſters and elders …mmediatly call the offender before them and trauell with him to reduce him to true repentaunce and ſatiſfyinge off the congregation. Whiche / yff he obſtinatly refuſe …o do then one off the Miniſters ſhall ſ…gnifie his offence and contempte to the whole congregation / deſyring them to praie for him: and further to aſſigne him p. CXXXa daye to be denownced excommunicate before the congregation: except in the meane time the offendor ſubmit himſelff before the whole congregation to the order off the diſcipline.

Item / that neither the Seniors and Miniſters / nor the whole congregation ſhall medle in anie ciuill matters / as iudges 56or determiners off the ſame / but onelyonly as arbitres For peace makinge / that the magiſtrates be troubled as litle as maye be with oure controuerſies: but in caſe the Seniors and firſt / and afterwardes the congregation / or ſuch as the congregation ſhal appoint / can make no peaceable ende / by waye off arbitrement / then the iudgement off the ſaied matters to be referred to the Magiſtrates off the citie and there to be ended.

Item / we thinke good for oure quietnes ſake and for the conſeruinge off the good reporte of oure nation / that all matters 57and controuerſies amonge oure ſelues / yff they cannot priuately be pacified (whiche firſte ought to be attempted) be brought before the Seniors and Miniſters and there to be harde: And in caſe they cannot ende them / then afterward to be referred to the whole congregation or ſuch as the congregation ſhall apoint to the hearinge and determininge theroff yff they can: and that no matter be brought vntounto the magiſtrate or ſenate / to hinder / derogate / or let the authoritie off the churche or the diſcipline theroff / before theis waies be proued vnderunder paine off diſcipline before the congregation / vnleſſe the thinge appeteine directly to the ſtate off the citie / or offence againſt the lawes / Senate / or magiſtrate / off the ſame. In whiche caſes euerie man maie and ought forthwith to complaine to the magiſtrates.

Item / where as the beſt waie off Chriſtian reconciliation 58is / that the parties priuately betwene them ſelues agree: and the next / that agrement be made by mediation off ſome paceable and godly men: We decree that in caſe 2.4.6. moo or leſſe do conſult amonge themſelues / or trauell with the parties / for peace making quietly and charitably / then the ſaied parties / in ſo doinge / do nothinge againſt good order off diſcipline p. CXXXI/ but according to the dewtie and office off Chriſtian and peaceable men.

Item that the miniſters and Seniors ſhall hauehave authotie t… heare and determine / on the behalff off the whole churche all offences (determinable by the congregation) committed 59by any perſon in the congregation: vnleſſe the partie called before them hauehave iuſt occaſion to take exceptions to the ſayed miniſters and Seniors: or to appeale from them as not competent iudges.

Item / yff anye hauehave iuſt occaſion to take exception to ſome off the Miniſters and Seniors / and not to the more parte: that then thoſe off the Miniſters and Seniors / to whom 60the exception is made / in this caſe ſhall not be iudges / but in this caſe for the tyme remoued / from the miniſtery and that the reſt off the Miniſters and Seniors to whom no exception ſhall be made / with as maine off the congregation ioyned to them / as they be in nomber whiche ſhall be excepted / ſhalbe arbitres and iudges in the ſaied cauſes: and that the ſaied perſons ſo to be ioined to the Miniſters and Seniors / ſhalbe appointed by the congregation / the Miniſters and ſeniors not excepted / geuinge their voices as others off the congregation.

Item / yf exception be taken / to the more parte of the miniſters 61and Seniors / that then the churche ſhall appointe 6. moo to be Iudges wirh the reſte off the miniſters / agaynſt whom exception is not made: the ſame reſte off the miniſters hauing their voices in the election off the 6. as other members off the churche.

Item yff all the miniſters and Seniors be ſuſpected or 62ſounde parties / or yff anie appeale be made from them / that then ſuch appeale be made to the bodie off the congregation. The miniſters / ſeniors / and parties excepted. And that the body off the congregation maye appoint ſo manie off the congregatiō to heare and determine the ſayed matter or matters as it ſhall ſeeme good to the congregation.

Item / iff anie perſon doo vniuſtly take exceptions to anie p. CXXXII63off the Miniſters or appeale from the whole miniſtery: that then ſuch perſons / beſides the puniſhement for the principall cauſe ſhall alſo be puniſhed as a contemner off the miniſterie and a diſturber off the churche.

Item / yff all the miniſters and ſeniors from whom it 64ſhall be appealed / as is aforeſaied / ſhall ſaye and chalenge the more parte off the congregation as not indifferent iudges / that then they maye appeale from the congregation to the magiſtrate. prouided that iff any miniſter or ſenior aopeale to the Magiſtrate and be founde to hauehave done it with owte iuſte cauſe that then / by that facte / he ſhall be remoued from his miniſterie and ſhall neuer after be admitted in the miniſtery before he hathe made publick ſatisfaction for the ſame.

Item / that the Miniſters and Seniors and euerie off 65them be ſubiect to Eccleſiaſticall Diſcipline and correction / as other priuate members off the churche be. And that in caſe anie perſon or perſons accuſe anie off the Miniſters or elders or the more parte off them / or them all / of anie crime or crimes the ſame order off proceadinge in all pointes be vſed as it is heretofore particulerly expreſſed in the making off the exception / to ſumm / or the more part / or all / the ſaied Miniſters and Seniors / as parties / or otherwiſe incompent arbitres.

Item / that no accuſation againſt any off the Miniſters 66and Seniore be adm…tted vnderunder 2. Witneſſes at the leaſte. And that yff anie do vniuſtlie accuſe the Miniſters and Seniors or any off them / that he or they ſhall therfore be moſte ſharply diſciplined as a cōtemner and defacer of the miniſterie and a diſturber off the whole churche.

Item / yf anie controuerſie be vppon the dowtfull meaning 67off anie worde or wordes in the diſcipline that firſt it be referred to the miniſters and Seniors. And yff they cannot agree therupon / then the thing to be brought and referred to the whole congregation.

Item / for the auoyding off occaſ…on off contention hereafter 68that bookes of diſcipline cōcerning this churche heretofore made be of no effecte hereafter / but voyde and Canceled.

p. CXXXIIIItem / that all bookes and writinges off recorde concerning actes and orders in this churche / be deliuered / and remaine 69in the cuſtodie off the miniſters and elders for the tyme being.

Item / that a R…giſter booke be kept by the miniſters and 70Seniors off all ſuche names as be in the congregation and ſuch as ſhall be here after admitted to be wri…ten / in the ſame.

Item / that mariages Chriſtenings and burialls with the daye and yere theroff be regiſtred in the ſame booke.

Item / for the auoyding all controuerſyes / that hereafter maye happen / it is ordeined / that all teſtamentes and willes made / by any off oure nation / dyinge in this congregation 72/ ſhall be brought foorthe and exhibited to the Seniors off this congrega…ion for the tyme being / for a perpetuall teſtimonye off the truthe in that behalff.

Item / that bicauſe all mennes doinges be vncerteine and changeable / the diſcipline and orders off the churche ſhalbe 73read openly once eueryevery quarter / and warninge theroff before / ſhall be geuen to the whole congregation bothe / that euerie member therof maye knowe their dewtie / and that euerie man maye with librrtie / quietly ſpeak his minde for the chaunging and amending of it or anye parte therof / according to goddes worde / and the ſame exhibited in writinge with the arguments and reaſons off that his requeſte.

The names off ſuche as ſubſcribed to this diſcipline / and were off the churche.

THomas Crawley

Chriſtopher Hales.

Thomas Aſhley

Edmond Oldſworth

Edmonde Sutton

Thomas Acworth

Richard Alvaie.

VValter Franck

Richard Le…ler.

Richard Maſon

Richarde Be…sley.

p. CXXXIIIIRichard Nago…

Robart beſte.

Henry Reignoldes

Perciuall Harrington.

Richard Porter.

Magnus Elyot.

Henry Perryus

Iohn Browne

Dauid VVhitthead

Iohn Mullins.

Iohn Pedder.

Iohn Hales

Gre. Railton

Alexander nowell

Iohn VVilford

Iohn Fauconer

Thomas Serbis

Thomas VVilſo…

Iohn Bedell

Iohn Olde

Iames Peers

Thomas Sandes

Edward Parpoint

Thomas VValker.

Iohn Kelke

Thomas VVatts.

Leonarde parry

Robarte Crowley.

VVilliam Maſter

Laurance Kent.

Thomas Knolle

Peter ſade

Iohn Vates

VVilliam Raulinges.

Thomas VVater

Thomas VVillobie

Edmond Tomſon

Richard Luddington.

Thomas oldſworthe.

Edmond Harries.

Philipp Adiſhe.

Gawin dixſon.

Iohn Geoffrie.

Anthony Donning…

Edward Colton.

Iohn Turpin.

The 21. off December 1557. theis were added to the churche.

Sir Frances Knolls

Edward Boyes.

Iohn Browne.

Frances VVilforde.

Thomas Knot.

Thomas Donnell

Arthure Saule

Richard Sandell

Robart Ioyner

Henry VVood

Richard Lynbro…ghe

Ralfe Selye.

p. CXXXVHenry Knolls

Thomas VVilford.

VVilliam Dauage

Reignolde Baker.

Robarte Hodgſton

Iohn Penteny

Mighell Coke

Thomas Tod Chamber

Alaxender Nowell

Iohn Ade

Thomas Bagſter.

Daniell Rogers.

Now that yow hauehave harde bothe the olde diſcipline / and that whiche was by the authoritie off the magiſtrate deuiſed order requireth that I place here the reaſons whiche Maiſter Horne and the reſt off his ſide brought againſt the newe diſcipline eſtabliſhed.

And to the ende this volume ſhuld not excede meaſure in greatnes / I think it expedient to do here / as I hauehave done allready / and minde to do through owt the whole ſtory / whiche is / off a leaf… / to take / (as I might ſaie) a ly…e or two / as one lothe too weary yow ſith a taſte maie ſuffice.