The Reformed School, Part 2
Firſt of the Aſſociation.
1. The Aſſociation ſhould be only of free Perſons: therefore we ſhall not conſent to joyn with any (ſpecially with women) but ſuch as are free to diſpoſe of themſelves this way, either by their owne right, as being under no Parents or Tutors to whom they are accountable of their actions: or by the full conſent of freinds that may pretend to have ſome right to overſee them, and controll their proceedings.
2. Thoſe that aſſociat ſhould not come together to live an eaſie life without all cares; but their whole aime ſhould be, to advance the life of Chriſtianity in themſelves and others, with all diligence.
3. The way of … the Societie, of ſtaying in it, and of going out of it, ſhould be free: only at the coming in, and going out; the expreſſe motives ſhould be declared for which the Aſſociation is taken up, or left off; that all things may be done openly and to edification, as it becometh the Children of light.
4. The form of the Societie ſhould conſiſt in the cohabitation of thoſe that are aſſociated in one houſe, for the joint exerciſe of daily worſhipping of God, for the furtherāce of profitable employments by mutuall concurrence, for the comfort of Table-communion, and for mutuall aſſiſtance in neceſſary conſultations.
As concerning the place of cohabitation, it may eaſily be found when the number and names are known, of thoſe that will aſſociat.
The daily worſhipping of God ſhould be performed in Prayers, Meditations, and Conferences about the word of God: whereof, the exerciſes ought to bee regulated in Privat and Public, jointly & ſeverally, according to the capacity and free willing inclinations of thoſe that ſhall engage to entertaine the ſame.
… furtherance of profitable employments ſhould be partly for the improvement of Rationality, Diſcretion and Prudency, to manage Rightly the affaires wherin every one by his calling is bound to do ſervice unto others. Partly for the improvement of handy-works and tradings proper to either ſex, which may become a relief to the poore; according to the proportion which every one ſhall be willing to enlarge himſelf in.
For the enioyment of Table-Societie; there ſhould be a certain rate ſet down for dyet and other things; and a Steward appointed who ſhould have the care of providing all things according to the rates appointed; who ſhould give in his accounts weekly and monethly of all his disburſments.
The mutuall aſſiſtance to be given in neceſſary conſultations ſhould reſpect three things: Firſt, the matters of ſpirituall concernment in common; Secondly, the matters of common outward concernment; and Thirdly, the matters of particular concernment whether Spirituall or Bodily.
Concerning all matters of common concernment, whether ſpirituall or outward; there ſhould be of courſe ſome ſet times appointed, wherin, firſt, the ſpirituall ſtate of the Societie, and then the outward affaires, ſhould be taken into conſideration.
As for the ſpirituall ſtate; matters of commō edification are to be minded therein, as the fruit of that watchfulneſs which Chriſtians ought to have over each other in the common profeſſion of the name of Chriſt.
As for the outward affaires; all orders tending to regulate the ſame ſhould be ſetled by mutuall and free conſent: concerning which, this fundamentall Rule is to be obſerved: that, nothing is to be counted a matter of common concernment, but that wherein every one doth knowingly and judiciouſly profeſſe himſelf to be concerned freely and willingly.
Concerning matters of particular concernment; any time ſhould be free for thoſe that ſtand in need of Councell, to call the reſt of their Aſſociats, either all or ſome, to give them aſſiſtance there … ▪
If theſe Generall Rule… …e firſt aſſented unto by thoſe who are willing to …gage in ſuch a way; the particulars may be afterward ſet downe to be ratified by common conſent, concerning the exerciſes of daily worſhip, meditation and conferences how to advance … Chriſtianity in each other thereby, and concerning the courſe of their daily employments in other things.