406 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. other lawful and convenient means, to further and advance, so far as the laws and peace of the present estate of our church will suffer it, and not enforce the contrary. We promise to guide ourselves and to be guided by it, and according to it. " For a 'more special declaration of some points more important and necessary, we promise uniformly to follow such order, when we preach the word of God, as in the book is by us set down, in the chapters of the office of ministers of the word, of preaching, of sermons, of sacra- ments, of baptisms, and of the Lord's supper. " Further, also, we follow the order set down in the chapters of the meetings, as far as it concerneth the ministers of the word. For which purpose, wepromise to meet together every six weeks in classical conferences; with such of the brethren here assembled, as for their neighbourhood may fit us best, and such others as by their advice,' we shall desire to be joinedwith us. " The like we promise for provincial meetings every half year from our conferences to send unto them, being divided according to the' order following. Also, that we will attend the general assembly every year and at all parliaments, and as often as by order it shall be thought good to be assembled. "JOHN OXENBRIDGE, THOMAS CARTWRIGHT, HUMPHREY FENN, MATTHEW HULME, EDWARD GELLIBRA ND, ANTHONY NUTTER, HERCULES CLEVELEY, DANIEL WIGHT, LEONARD FETHERSTON, EDWARD LORD, JOHN ASHBYE, EDMUND LITTLETON."... From the above curious declaration, we have a more dear and correct insight into the proceedings of the puritanical associations, and into the nature and design of their intended ecclesiastical discipline, than from all the raillery and misrepresentation of Dr. Bancroft and other ligotted historians. , The privateassemblies of the puritans are stigmatized by these writers, as having been dangerous, seditious, and amounting almost to treason ; but the above paper will sufficiently refute and expose the shameful slander. Baker's MS. Collec. vol. xv. p. 71.
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