44 The HIST'OR Y of the PuRITANS. Vor,. lh .I<:. Charles I. whereas in tru th there were. not above fix independents in the affembly; ~ and not one New-Eng/and minifl:er that l know of. If the reader will carefully perufe the lifl:, be will find in it forne of the moll confiderable la wyers and abldl: divin.es of the lafl: age; and th0ugh they might hav() miltaken notioi1s of church difcipline, and were no bett~r acquainted with. the rights of confcience and private judgment, . than their predtcef– fors the bifbops, yet with all their faults, impartial pofl:erity mull ac– knowledge the far greater number were men of exempla ry piety and dev.otion, who had a real zeal for the glory of God, and the purity of the chrifl:ian faith and praCtice. Mr. Eachard confeffes, that lord Cla– rendon had, perhaps · with too mnch feverity faid, that feme of thefe divines were infamous in their lives and charaCters-; but Mr. Baxter who was better acquainted with them than his lordfbip, or any of h!s followers, affirms " that they were men of eminent learning, godlinefs; The affimb/y opens. Rulesagrud to by tbe of– [embly. " minifl:erial abilities, and fidelity.~· · The aifembly was opened on Saturday July r. w1th ~fermon preached by Dr. Twijje in king Henry the feventh's chapel, both houfes of par– liament being prefent. The ordinance for their convention was thea read, and the names of the members called over, after which they ad.: journed to Monday, and agreed on the following rules. (L) "That every fefi!on begin and end with a prayer. (z.) '' That after the firft prayer, the names of the aifembly be call " led over, and thofe that are abfent marked; but if any member comes "in afterwards, he fhall have liberty to give in his name · to the "Jcribes. (3.) " That every member before his admiilion to fit aad vote, do " take. the following vow or. protefl:ation. ''I A. B. do feriou!ly and folemnly, in the prefence of-almighty God, " declare that in this atTembly whereof I am a member, I will not " maintain any thing in matter of doCtrine but what I believe in my, " confcience to be moft agreeable to the .word 'of God ; or in point of " difcipline, but what I {hall conceive to conduce moll: to the glory of '' God, and the good and peace of his church,"; And to refrefb the:ir memories this protejlationwas read in the affembiy every Monday moming.
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