Neal - Houston-Packer Collection BX9333 .N4 1754 v1

X32 The HISTORY of the PURITANS. Chap. VI. Queen " If fubfcription to the articles and book of common prayer fhail be Elizabeth, x< again urged, it is thought that the book of articles may be fubfcribed rÚ" according to the Stat. 13 Eliz. that is, To fuch only as contain thefum of the chrian faith, and the doctrine of the facraments. But neither " the common prayer-book, nor the red of the articles may be allowed ; no, thougha man fhould be deprived of his minidry for refuting it." Concerning Church- wardens. " It feems that church- wardens, and collectors for the poor, may be thus turned into elders and deacons. "'Let the church have warning of the time of eleétion, and of the or- dinanceof the realm, fifteen days before-hand; but efpecially of Chrifl's ordinance, touchingappointing of watchmen and overfeers in his church, who are to take care that no offence or fcandal arife in the church; and if any fuch happen, that it be duly abolifhed." Of Colleo`tors for the Poor, or Deacons. " < Touching deacons of both forts, viz. Men and women, the church shall be admonithed what is required by the apodle; and that they are not to choofe men of cuftom or courfe, or for their riches, but for their faith, zeal and integrity ; and that the church is to pray in the mean time, to be fodireáted, that they maychoofe them that are meet. " Let the names of thofe that are thus chofen, be publifhed the next lord's day, and after that, their duties to the church, and the church's duty towards them ; then let them be received into their office, with the general prayers of the whole church. Of Claffes. " The brethren are tobe requefted toordain a diftribution ofall churches, <C according to the rules fet down in the fynodical difcipline, touching claf- " fcal, provincial, comitial, and afembliesfor the whole "kingdom. " "The claffes are to be required to keep ads of memorable matters, " and to deliver them to the comitial affembly, and'from thence to the " provincial affembly. " They are to deal earnedly withpatrons, to prefent fit men, when- " foever any church falls void in their claßìs. " The comitial affemblies are to be admonifhed to make collet<tions for " the relief of the poor, and of fcholars, but efpecially for the relief of fuch minifters as are deprived for not fubfcribing the articles tendered " by the bifhops ; alfo for the relief of Scots miniders, and others ; and for other profitable and neceffary ufes. . Provincial CC CC <t <6

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=