A Manifesto of the New Church in Boston, Declaration
A MANIFESTO OR Declaration, Set forth by the Undertakers of the New Church Now Erected in Boſton in New-England, November 17th. 1699.
INASMƲCH as GOD hath put it into our hearts to undertake the Building a New Meeting Houſe in this Town for His Publick Worſhip; And whereas through the gracious Smiles of Divine Providence on this our Ʋndertaking, We now ſee the ſame Erected, and near Finiſhed: We think it Convenient, for preventing all Miſapprehenſions and Jealouſies, to publiſh our Aims and Deſigns herein, together with thoſe Principles and Rules we intend by GODS Grace to adhere unto.
We do therefore as in the Preſence of GOD our Judge, and with all the Sincerity and Seriouſneſs, which the nature of our preſent Engagement Commands from us, Profeſs and Declare both to one another, and to all the World, as follows.
[I.]
Firſt of all, We approve and ſubſcribe the Confeſſions of Faith put forth by the Aſſembly of Divines at Weſtminſter.
[II.]
We deſign only the true and pure Worſhip of GOD, according to the Rules appearing plainly to us in His Word; Conformably to the known practice of many of the Churches of the UNITED BRETHREN in London, and throughout all England.
We judge it therefore moſt ſuitable and convenient, that in our Publick Worſhip ſome part of the Holy Scripture be read by the Miniſter at his diſcretion.
In all other parts of Divine Worſhip as (Prayer, Singing, Preaching, Bleſſing the People, and Adminiſtring the Sacraments;) We conform to the ordinary practice of the Churches of Chriſt in this Country.
[III.]
It is our ſincere deſire and intention to hold Communion with the Churches here, as true Churches; and we openly proteſt againſt all Suſpicion and Jealouſie to the contrary, as moſt Injurious to us.
[IV.]
And although in ſome Circumſtances we may vary from many of them; yet we joyntly profeſs to maintain ſuch Order and Rules of Diſcipline as may preſerve, as far as in us lies, Evangelical Purity and Holineſs in our Communion.
[V.]
In purſuance whereof we further Declare, that we allow of Baptiſm to thoſe only who … their faith in Chriſt and Obedience to him, and to the Children of ſuch; yet we dare not refuſe it to any Child offered to us by any profeſſed Chriſtian, upon his engagement to ſee it Educated, if God give life and ability, in the Chriſtian Religion.
But this being a Miniſterial Act, We think it the Paſtors Province to receive ſuch Profeſſions and Engagements; in whoſe prudence and conſcience we acquieſce.
[VI.]
As to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, we believe that as the Ordinance is Holy, ſo the Partakers in it (that it may not be viſibly profaned) muſt be perſons of viſible Sanctity.
[VII.]
We judge it therefore fitting and expedient, that whoever would be admitted to partake with us in this Holy Sacrament, be accountable to the Paſtor to whom it belongs to inquire into their knowledge and Spiritual State, and to require the Renewal of their Baptiſmal Covenant.
[VIII.]
But we aſſume not to our ſelves to impoſe upon any a Publick Relation of their Experiences; however if any one think himſelf bound in Conſcience to make ſuch a Relation, let him do it.
For we conceive it ſufficient, if the Paſtor publickly declare himſelf ſatisfied in the perſon offered to our Communion, and ſeaſonably Propound him.
[IX.]
We alſo think our ſelves obliged in faithfulneſs to God, our own Souls, and theirs who ſeek our Communion, to inquire into the life and converſation of thoſe who are ſo propounded; and if we have juſt matter of objection to prefer it againſt them.
[X.]
But if no objection be made, before the time of their ſtanding propounded is expired, it ſhall be eſteemed a ſufficient Conſent and Concurrence of the Brethren, and the perſon propounded ſhall be received to our Communion.
[XI.]
If ever any of our Communion ſhould be ſo unhappy as to fall into any ſcandalous Sin (which God by his Grace prevent) we profeſs all dutiful ſubmiſſion to thoſe Cenſures, which the Scripture directs, and the Churches here practice.
[XII.]
Foraſmuch as the ſame power that Admits, ſhould alſo Exclude, We judge it reaſonable, that the Paſtor in Suſpending or Excommunicating an Offender, have the conſent and concurrence of the Brethren.
[XIII.]
We apprehend that a particular Church, as ſuch, is a Society of Chriſtians by mutual agreement, uſually meeting together for Publick Worſhip in the ſame place, and under the ſame Miniſtry, attending on the Ordinances of God there.
[XIV.]
In every ſuch Society, the Law of nature dictates to us, that there is implied a mutual promiſe and engagement of being faithful to the Relations they bear to each other, whither as private Chriſtians, or as Paſtor and Flock, ſo long as the Providence of God continues them in thoſe Relations.
[XV.]
We moreover Declare our ſelves for Communion of Churches, freely allowing our Members occaſionally to Communicate with other Churches of Chriſt, and receiving theirs occaſionally to the Table of the Lord with us. And in extraordinary caſes, when the Providence of God makes it needful, we conceive that any Authorized Miniſter of Chriſt, may upon our requeſt, Adminiſter the Sacraments unto us.
[XVI.]
Finally, We cannot confine the right of chuſing a Miniſter to the Male Communicants alone, but we think that every Baptized Adult Perſon who contributes to the Maintenance, ſhould have a Vote in Electing.
Yet it ſeems but juſt, that perſons of the greateſt Piety, Gravity, Wiſdom, Authority or other Endowments, ſhould be leading and Influential to the Society in that Affair.
THESE are the Principles we Profeſs, and the Rules we purpoſe through the Grace of GOD, to govern our ſelves by; and in ſome of theſe particulars only, and in no other, do we ſee cauſe to depart from what is ordinarily Profeſſed and Practiſed by the Churches of CHRIST here in New-England.
End of the text · Benjamin Colman, A Manifesto of the New Church in Boston (1699)