The Christian Religion Expressed, Proclamation 3
THE Author thought it not unfit here to annex the Description of that Order and Discipline which is exercised by him, with his Assistant fellow-Pastors, in the Parish-Church of Kederminster; in Association with many Pastors of those parts, who have Agreed to exercise so much of the Ministerial Office, as by the consent of the Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Congregationall, belongeth to them. Which being published, 1. May prevent mens injurious mis-reports of our Associations, and Discipline, which they may be drawn to by fallacious fame. 2. And may be an example for those Churches that by the Magistrates are left at liberty, to worship God in that Communion and Order which they judge most agreeable to the Word of God, and the Vniversal Consent and Practice of the Primitive Church.
The Order and Discipline of this Church, agreeable to the Word of God.
I. WE are willing to Teach all in our Parish, the doctrine of Life, that are willing to learn: And desire them all to hear the Word publikely preached, and to come to us to be Catechized or Instructed.
II. We own all those as visible Christians and members of the Universal Church, that make a credible Profession of Christianity, and destroy it not by Heresie, or ungodly lives.
III. So many of these as also Consent to hold Communion with this Church as members of it, submitting to the Ministers and Discipline of Christ, we shall esteem our flock and special charge, and faithfully perform the duties of our Office for their good, as we are able.
IV. We desire that all the Youth of the Parish will learn the principles of the Christian Religion: and as soon as they understand it, and are heartily resolved to give up themselves to God in Christ through the spirit, and to lead a holy life, that they will come and acquaint us with their Faith and Resolution; and before the Church will make a solemn Profession thereof, and give up themselves to God in the personal owning their Baptismal Covenant; either reciting the fore-going Creed or Profession, or, if they are unfit for publike speaking, by Consenting when we propound it to them; or by any other fit expressions. That so we may publikely pray for their confirmation; and if they Consent also to hold Communion with this Church, we may know them as our Charge, and Register their names.
V. Those Parishoners that desire us to Baptize their children, or to be themselves admitted to the Lords Supper, and are not members of this Church, (because they will not), we desire to come to us, some dayes before; that so we may be satisfied of their Faith and Life: And if they seem true Christians, and either bring a Certificate that they are members of any other Church, with (which we are to hold Communion, or shew that it is not from ungodliness that they refuse to live under Order and Discipline, we shall Baptize their children, and occasionally admit them to our Communion. But if they are scandalous, we shall require them first to Profess their serious Repentance: And if they return to scandal, we shall after stay till we see their Reformation (or of one of the parents in case of Baptism.)
VI. If any member of this Church do differ from us about the gesture in the Lords Supper (or any such Circumstance) we desire them first to come to us, and hear our Reasons: and if we cannot satisfie them, we will not hinder them from receiving it in any decent gesture they desire.
VII. All members of the Church must ordinarily hold Communion with it, in the Lords Supper and all Ordinances: and if a Brother grosly offend, they must orderly and prudently admonish him; and if he hear them not, tell the Church.
VIII. Once a MonethMonth we have a meeting of the Magistrates, Ministers, Deacons, and above twenty persons chosen annually by the Church, as their Trustees or Deputies: Here the offendours must be accused, and heard, and dealt with, before the case be opened in the Church. And any that are justly offended with any member, may have Church-Justice. (The Magistrates presence being only ad melius esse) and the chosen Trustees or Deputies being no Ecclesiastical Officers, nor pretending to Divine Institution as such: but only the fittest of the people chosen to do those things which belong to the people (who cannot all so frequently meet) and having no authoritative ruling Votes.
IX. Those that Repent not upon publike Admonition, must be cast out of our Communion, and avoided as Heathens: But those that are Penitent, must be Absolved, and lovingly received.
X. If any of our People be offended at any thing in our Doctrine or Life, we desire them before they vent their offence behind our backs, to come and lovingly tell it us, and hear us speak. And if we do not satisfie them, we desire them to open the matter before the Ministers of this Association, who are here Assembled every MonethMonth. And we shall before them, be responsible, for our Doctrine, our Administrations, and our Lives. (As we are also willing to be to the Magistrate, who only hath the power of the sword, even over the Pastors of the Church, and whom in all things Lawful we must obey, and not resist.)
FINIS.
End of the text · Richard Baxter, The Christian Religion Expressed (1660)