448 KingjamesI. 1605. The HISTORY of the PvaITANt. Chap.I. CHAP. II. Concerning the church. T. " They hold and maintain, that every congregation or affembly « of men, ordinarily joining together in the true worfhip of God, is " a true vifible church of Chrift. 2. " That all fuch churches are in all ecclefiaftical matters equal, " and by the word of God ought to have the fame officers, admi- " niftrations, orders, and forms of worfhip. 3. " That Chrift has not fubjehted any church or congregation. to any " other fuperior ecclefiaftical jurifdifion than to that which is within " itfelf, fo that if a whole church or congregation fhould err in any " matters of faith or worfhip, no other churches or fpiritual officers, have power to cenfure or punifh them, but are only to counfel and " advife them. 4. " That every church ought to have her own fpiritual officers " and miniflers refident with her; and thofe fuch as are enjoined by Chrift in the New Teflament, and no other. 5. " That every church ought to have liberty to choofe their own " fpiritual officers. 6. " That if particular churches err in this choice, none but the " civil magiftrate has power to controul them, and oblige them to " make a better choice. y. " That ecclefiaftical officers or minifters in one church, ought not " to bear any ecclefiaftical office in another ; and they are not to for- " fake their callings without juft caufe, and fuch as may be approved by " the congregation ; but if the congregation will not hearken to rea- " fon, they are then to appeal to the civil, magiftrate, who is bound " to procure them juflice. 8. " That a church having chofen its fpiritual governors, ought to " live in all canonical obedience to them, agreeable to the word of " God , and if any of them be fufpended, or unjuftly deprived, by " ° other ecclefiaftical officers, they are humbly to pray the magiftrate " to reflore them; and if they cannot obtain it, they are to own them " to be their fpiritual guides to the death, though they are rigoroufly " deprived of their miniftry and fervice. " That the laws and orders of the churches warranted by the " word of God, are not repugnant to civil government, whether mo- " narchical, ariftocratical, or democratical; and we renounce all juri( " diEtion
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=