The Acts of Famous National Councils of the Reformed Churches in France, 28 (3rd Charenton) · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. Heads of Agreement Aſſented to by the United Miniſters in and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational.
Preface to the Reader.
ENdeavours for an Agreement among Christians, will be grievous to none who deſire the flouriſhing State of Chriſtianity it ſelf; the ſucceſs of theſe Attempts among us, muſt be aſcribed to a preſence of God ſo ſignal as not to be concealed; and ſeems a hopeful pledge of further Bleſſings.
The favour of our Rulers in the preſent eſtabliſhed Liberty we moſt thankfully acknowledge; and to them we are ſtudious to approve our ſelves in the whole of this Affair; therefore we declare againſt any intermedling with the National Church-Form. Impoſing theſe Terms of Agreement on others is diſclaimed. All pretence to Coercive Power is as unſuitable to our Principles, as to our Circumſtances. Excommunication it ſelf in our reſpective Churches, being no other than a declaring ſuch Scandalous Members as are irreclaimable to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to viſible Believers. And in all we expreſsly determine our purpoſe, to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our Selves, and preventing the inconveniences which Human Weakneſs may expoſe to in our uſe of this Liberty.
The General Concurrence of Miniſters and People in this City, and the great Diſpoſition thereto in other Places, perſuade us, this happy work is undertaken in a Seaſon deſigned for ſuch divine Influence, as will overcome all Impediments to Peace, and convince of that Agreement, which has been always among us in a good degree, though neither to our Selves nor others ſo evident, as hereby it is now acknowledged.
Need there any Arguments to recommend this Ʋnion? Is not this what we all have Prayed for; and Providence by the directeſt Indications hath been long Calling and Diſpoſing us to? Can either Zeal for God, or Prudent Regards to our Selves, remiſly ſuggeſt it, ſeeing the Bleſſings thereof are ſo important, and when its become in ſo many reſpects even abſolutely neceſſary; eſpecially as it may conduce to the Preſervation of the Protestant Religion, and the Kingdoms Weal; a Subſerviency whereto ſhall always govern our Ʋnited abilities with the ſame diſpoſition to a concurrence with all others, who are duly concerned for thoſe National Bleſſings.
As theſe conſiderations render this Agreement deſirable, ſo they equally urge a watchful care againſt all Attempts of Satan to diſſolve it, or fruſtrate the good effects thereof ſo manifeſtly deſtructive to his Kingdom. Therefore it's incumbent on us to forbear Condemning and Diſputing thoſe different Sentiments and Practices we have expreſly allowed for; to reduce all diſtinguiſhing Names to that of United Brethren; to admit no Ʋncharitable Jealouſies, or Cenſorious Speeches; much leſs any Debates whether Party ſeems moſt favoured by this Agreement. Such Carnal regards are of ſmall moment with us, who herein have uſed Words leſs accurate, that neither ſide might in their various Conceptions about leſſer matters be contradicted, when in all ſubſtantials we are fully of one Mind; and from this time hope more perfectly to rejoyce in the Honour, Gifts and Succeſs of each other, as our common good.
That we as Ʋnited, may contribute our utmoſt to the great Concernments of our Redeemer, it's mutually reſolved we will aſſiſt each other with our Labours, and meet and conſult without the leaſt ſhadow of ſeparate or diſtinct Parties: Whence we joyfully expect great Improvements in Light and Love, through the more abundant ſupplies of the Spirit, being well aſſured we herein ſerve that Prince of Peace, of the increaſe of whole Government and Peace there ſhall be no end.
HEADS of AGREEMENT.
Theſe following Heads of Agreement have been reſolved upon by the United Miniſters in and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational; not as a Meaſure for any National Conſtitution, but for the Preſervation of Order in our Congregations, that cannot come up to the common Rule by Law Eſtabliſhed.
1. Of Churches and Church-Members.
1. We acknowledg our Lord Jeſus Chriſt to have one Catholick Church or Kingdom, comprehending all that are united to him, whether in Heaven or Earth: And do conceive the whole Multitude of Viſible Belieers, and their Infant Seed (commonly called the Catholick Viſible Church) to belong to Chriſt's Spiritual Kingdom in this World. But for the notion of a Catholick Viſible Church here, as it ſignifies its having been collected into any formed Society, under a viſible human Head on Earth, whether one Perſon ſingly, or many collectively, we with the reſt of Proteſtants unanimouſly diſclaim it.
2. We agree that particular Societies of Viſible Saints, who under Chriſt their Head, are ſtatedly joyned together for ordinary Communion with one another in all the Ordinances of Chriſt, are particular Churches, and are to be owned by each other as Inſtituted Churches of Chriſt, tho differing in apprehenſions and practice in ſome leſſer things.
3. That none ſhall be admitted as Members in Order to Communion in all the ſpecial Ordinances of the Goſpel, but ſuch Perſons as are knowing and ſound in the Fundamental Doctrins of the Chriſtian Religion, without ſcandal in their Lives, and have a Judgment regulated by the Word of God, and are Perſons of viſible Godlineſs and Honeſty, credibly profeſſing cordial Subjection to Jeſus Chriſt.
4. A competent number of ſuch viſible Saints (as before deſcribed) do become the capable Subjects of ſtated Communion in all the ſpecial Ordinances of Chriſt, upon their mutual declared Conſent and Agreement to walk together therein according to Goſpel Rule: In which Declaration, different degrees of Explicitneſs ſhall no way hinder ſuch Churches from owning each other as Inſtituted Churches.
5. Tho parochial bounds be not of Divine Right, yet for common Edification, the Members of a particular Church ought (as much as conveniently may be) to live near one another.
6. That each particular Church hath right to chuſe their own Officers; and being furniſhed with ſuch as are duly qualified and ordained, according to the Goſpel Rule, hath authority from Chriſt for exerciſing Government, and of enjoying all the Ordinances of Worſhip within it ſelf.
7. In the Adminiſtration of Church Power, it belongs to the Paſtors and other Elders of every particular Church (if ſuch there be) to rule and govern; and to the Brotherhood to conſent, according to the Rule of the Goſpel.
8. That all Profeſſors as before deſcribed, are bound in duty, as they have opportunity to joyn themſelves as fixed Members of ſome particular Church; their thus joyning being part of their profeſſed Subjection to the Goſpel of Chriſt, and are inſtituted means of their Eſtabliſhment and Edification, whereby they are under the Paſtoral Care; and in caſe of Scandalous or Offenſive Walking, may be authoritatively admoniſhed or cenſured for their Recovery, and for vindication of the Truth, and the Church profeſſing it.
9. That a Viſible Profeſſor thus joyned to a particular Church, ought to continue ſtedfaſtly 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.
2. Of the Miniſtry.
1. 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.
2. They who are called to this Office, ought to be endued with competent Learning, and miniſterial Gifts, as alſo with the Grace of God found in Judgment, not Novices in the Faith and Knowledg of the Goſpel; without Scandal of Holy Converſation, and ſuch as devote themſelves to the Work and Service thereof.
3. That ordinarily none ſhall be ordained to the work of this Miniſtery, but ſuch as are called and choſen thereunto by a particular Church.
4. That in ſo great and weighty a matter as the calling and chuſing a Paſtor, we judge it ordinarily requiſite, that every ſuch Church conſult and adviſe with the Paſtors of Neighbouring Congregations.
5. 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; wherein 'tis ordinarily requiſite that the Paſtors of Neighbouring Congregations concur with the Preaching Elder or Elders, if ſuch there be.
6. That whereas ſuch Ordination is only intended for ſuch as never before had been ordained to the Miniſterial Office; if any judge, that in the 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 Labours to the Grace and Bleſſing of God; no different Sentiments or Practice herein, ſhall be any occaſion of Contention or breach of Communion with us.
7. It is expedient, that they who enter on the work of Preaching the Goſpel, be not only qualified for 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 to the Work; and for preventing (as much as in us lieth) Ignorant and Raſh Intruders.
3. Of Cenſures.
1. As it cannot be avoided, but that in the pureſt Churches on Earth, there will ſometimes Offences and Scandals ariſe by reaſon of Hypocriſie and prevailing Corruption; ſo Chriſt hath made it the duty of every Church to reform it ſelf by Spiritual Remedies, appointed by him, to be applied in all ſuch Caſes; viz. Admonition and Excommunication.
2. 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 Matth. 18. ver. 15, 16, 17. and in caſe of Publick Offences openly before the Church, as the Honour of the Goſpel, and nature of the Scandal ſhall require: And if either of the Admonitions take place for the Recovery of the fallen Perſon, all farther proceedings in a way of Cenſure are thereon to ceaſe, and Satisfaction to be declared accordingly.
3. 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 unto the Elders, as over them in the Lord.
4. It may ſometimes come to paſs, that a Church Member not otherwiſe Scandalous, may ſinfully withdraw, and divide himſelf from the Communion of the Church to which he belongeth: In which caſe when all due means for the reducing him prove ineffectual, he having hereby cut himſelf off from that Churches Communion, the Church may juſtly eſteem and declare it ſelf diſcharged of any further inſpection over him.
4. Of Communion of Churches.
1. We agree that Particular Churches ought not to walk ſo diſtinct and ſeparate each from 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.
2. 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 Officer, ſhall exerciſe any Power, or have any Superiority over any other Church, or their Officers.
3. That known Members of particular Churches, conſtituted as aforeſaid may have occaſional Communion with one another in the Ordinances of the Goſpel, viz. the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Singing Pſalms, diſpenſed according to the Mind of Chriſt; unleſs that Church with which they deſire Communion, hath any juſt Exception againſt them.
4. That we ought not to admit any one to be a Member of our reſpective Congregations, that hath joyned himſelf to another, without endeavours of mutual Satisfaction of the Congregations concerned.
5. That one Church ought not to blame the Proceedings of another, untill it hath heard what that Church charged, its Elders or Meſſengers can ſay in Vindication of themſelves from any Charge of irregular or injurious Proceedings.
6. That we are moſt willing and ready to give an Account of our Church-Proceedings to each other, when deſired, for preventing or removing any Offences that may ariſe among us. Likewiſe we ſhall be ready to give the Right Hand of Fellowſhip, and walk together according to the Goſpel Rules of Communion of Churches.
5. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders.
We agree, the Office of a Deacon is of Divine Appointment, and that it belongs to their Office to receive, lay our, and diſtribute the Church's Stock to its proper Ʋſes, by the Direction of the Paſtor, and the Brethren if need be. And whereas divers are of Opinion, that there is alſo the Office of Ruling Elders, who labour not in Word and Doctrin; and others think otherwiſe: We agree, That this difference make no Breach among us.
6. Of Occaſional Meetings of Miniſters.
1. We agree that in order to Concord, and in any other weighty and difficult Caſes, it is needful, and according to the Mind of Chriſt, that the Miniſters of ſeveral Churches be conſulted and adviſed with about ſuch matters.
2. That ſuch Meetings may conſiſt of ſmaller or greater Numbers, as the matter ſhall require.
3. That particular Churches, their reſpective Elders and Members ought to have a reverential regard to their Judgment ſo given, and not diſſent therefrom, without apparent Grounds from the Word of God.
7. Of our Demeaner towards the Civil Magiſtrate.
1. We do reckon our ſelves obliged continually to pray for God's Protection, Guidance and Bleſſing upon the Rulers ſet over us.
2. That we ought to yield unto them not only Subjection in the Lord, but ſupport according to our Station and Abilities.
3. That if at any time it ſhall be their pleaſure to call together any Number of us, or require any account of our Affairs, and the ſtate of our Congregations, we ſhall moſt readily expreſs all dutiful regard to them herein.
8. Of a Confeſſion of Faith.
As to what appertains to ſoundneſs of Judgment in matters of Faith, we eſteem it ſufficient, That a Church acknowledg The Scriptures to be the Word of God, the perfect and only Rule of Faith and Practice; and own either the Doctrinal Part of thoſe commonly called the Articles of the Church of England: Or, The Confeſſion, or Catechiſms, Shorter or Larger, compiled by the Aſſembly at Weſtminſter, or the Confeſſion agreed on at the Savoy, to be agreeable to the ſaid Rule.
9. Of our Duty and Deportment towards them that are not in Communion with us.
1. We judge it our Duty to bear a Chriſtian Reſpect to all Chriſtians, according to their ſeveral Ranks and Stations, that are not of our Perſwaſion or Communion.
2. As for ſuch as may be ignorant of the Principles of the Chriſtian Religion, or of Vicious Converſation, we ſhall in our reſpective places, as they give us opportunity, endeavour to explain to them the Doctrin of Life and Salvation, and to our utmoſt perſwade them to be reconciled to God.
3. That ſuch who appear to have the Eſſential Requiſtes to Church-Communion, we ſhall willingly receive them in the Lord, not troubling them with Diſputes about Leſſer Matters.
As we aſſent to the forementioned Heads of Agreement, ſo we unanimouſly reſolve, as the Lord ſhall enable us, to practiſe according to them.