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articles unto the acceptance and observation of our people, hoping till it please the Lord to send forth further light and truth in these more controversial matters, this method may be a blessed means of our better unanimity and success in our Lord's work for the gathering and edifying of the body of Christ, for which we bespeak the concurring prayers of all that fear the Lord.

Heads of Agreement,

ASSENTED TO BY THE UNITED MIN ISTERS FORMERLY CALLED PRESBYTERIAN & CON

GREGATIONAL.

1. Of Churches and Church Members..

WE

E acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ to have one Catholick Church or Kingdom, comprehending all that are united to him, whether in heaven or earth. And do conceive the whole multitude of visible believers, and their infant seed, (commonly called the Catholick visible Church) to belonging to Christ's spiritual kingdom in this world. But for the notion of a Catholick visible Church here, as it signifies its having been collected into any formed society, under a visible common head on earth, whether one person singly, or many col lectively, we, with the rest of Protestants, unanimously disclaim it. Eph. i, 10, 22, and 44. Eph v, 27. I Cor. xii. 12, 13. Gen. xvii, 7. Acts ii, 39. Mat. xxiii, 7 to 10.

II. We agree, that particular societies of visible saints, who under Christ their head, are statedly joined together, for ordinary communion with one another in all the ordinances of Christ, are particular churches, and are to be owned by each other, as instituted churches of Christ, though differing in apprehensions and practice in some lesser things. 1 Cor. xiv. 2, 3. and i. 2. and xii. 27. Rev. i. iv. Rom. xiv. 1,

III. That none shall be admitted as members, in order to communion in all the special ordinances of the gospel, but such persons as are knowing and sound in the fundamental doctrine of he christian religion, without scandal in their lives; and to a judgement regulated by the word of God, are persons of visible holiness and honesty; credibly professing cordial subjection to Jesus Christ. Pro. xix. 2. Act. viii. 32. 2 Tim. ii. 19. Ezek. xliv. 9. Rom. x. 10, 2 Cor. ix. 13.

IV. A competent number of such visible saints, (as before described) do become the capable subjects of stated communion in all the special ordinances of Christ upon their mutual declared consent and agreement to walk together therein according to gospel rule. In which declaration, different degrees of explicitness, shall no ways hinder such churches from owning each other, as instituted churches. 1 Cor. xiv. 23. Acts xx. 7. and ii. 41, 42. Rom. xiv. 3

Though parochial bounds, be not of divine right, yet for common edification, the members of a particular church ought (as much as conveniently may be) to live near one another. 1 Thes. v. 11, 12, 13. Heb. x. 25.

VI. That each particular church hath right to choose their own officers; and being furnished with such as are duly qualified and ordained according to the gospel rule, hath authority from Christ for exercising government, and of enjoying all the ordinances of worship within itself. Acts, vi, 2. Titus, i, 5, 6, 7. I Tim. iv, 14. Mat. xviii, 17. I Cor. xi, 2.

VII. In the administration of church pow. er, it belongs to the Pastors and other Elders of every particular church, if such there be to rule and govern, and to the brotherhood to consent according to the rule of the gospel. I Tim. v, 17. Heb. iii, 17. I Cor. iv, 1, and v, 4, II Cor. vi, 8, 10.

VIII. That all professors as before described, are bound in duty, as they have opportunity to join themselves as fixed members of some particular Church; their thus joining, being part of their professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and an instituted means of their establishment and edification; whereby they are under the pastoral care, and in case of scandalous or offensive walking, may be authoritatively

admonished or censured for their recovery, for vindication of the truth, and the church profes sing it. Acts, ii 47, and v, 13. II Cor. ix, 13. Heb. x, 24, 25. I Thess. v, 12, 14. Acts xx, 28.

IX. That a Visible Professor, thus joined to a particular Church ought to continue steadfast with the said church; and not forsake the ministry, and ordinances there dispensed without an orderly seeking a recommendation unto another Church, which ought to be given, when the case of the person apparently requires it. Acts ii, 42. Heb. x, 25. Rom. xvi, 1, 2.

II. Of the Ministry.

WE agree that the ministerial office is in

*W

stituted by Jesus Christ for the gath ering, guiding, edifying and governing of his church; and to continue to the end of the world. Eph. iv, 11, 12. Mat. xxviii, 19, 20.

II. They who are called to this office ought to be endued with competent learning and ministerial gifts, as also with the grace of God, sound in judgment, not novices in the faith and knowledge of the Gospel: without scandal of holy conversation, and such as devote themselves to the work and service thereof. Il Tim

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