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questions and cases of importance which shall be offered by any among themselves, or others, who also shall have power of examining and recommending the candidates of the ministry to the work thereof. Psal. cxxxiii, 1. xx, 17, 28 to 32. Mal, ii, 7. xvii, 8, 9, 10. I Tim. v, 22. II Tim. ii, Tim. iii, 6, 10. Rom. x, 15. I Tim. iv, 14.

Mat. v, 14.

Acts, Deut.

15. Į

XIII. That the said associated pastors shall take notice of any among themselves, that may be accused of scandal, er heresy unto, or cognisable by them, examine the matter carefully, and if they find just occasion shall direct to the calling of the council, where such offenders shall be duly proceeded against. Lev. xix, 17, I Cor. v, 6. Tit. iii, 10, 11. Isa. lii, 11. Mal. iii, 3. Tit. i, 6 to 9. Deut. xiii, 14. III John 9, 10. Rev. ii, 14, 15. I Tim. i, 30, and iv, 14.

XIV. That the said associated pastors shall also be consulted by bereaved churches, belonging to their association and recommend to such churches, such persons as may be fit to be called and settled in the work of the gospel ministry among them. And if such bereaved churches shall not seasonably call and settle a minister among them, the said associated pastors shall lay the state of such bereaved churches before the General Assembly of this colony, that they may take such order concerning them, as shall be found necessary for their peace and edification.

II Cor. xi, 28. Phil. ii, 19, 20, 21. II Tim. 15. Tit. i, 6 to 10. Isa. xlix, 23.

XV. That it be recommended as expedient, that all the associations of this colony do meet in a general association by their respective delegates, one or more out of each association once a year, the first meeting to be at Hartford at the time of the general election next ensuing the date hereof, and so annually in all the counties successively, at such time and place, as they the said delegates shall in their annual meetings appoint. Heb. xiii, 1.

FINIS.

APPENDIX.

THE following extract from the Rev. Dr. Trumbull's History of Connecticut will afford satisfactory information concerning the method in which the Confession of Faith, c. was introduced and established in the Churches of Christ in this State.

Ta meeting of the trustees, at Guilford,

A

letter to the ministers, proposing 66 to have a 66 general synod of all the churches in the colony "of Connecticut, to give their joint consent to "the confession of faith, after the example of "the synod in Boston, in 1680." As this proposal was universally acceptable, the churches and ministers of the several counties met in a consociated council, and gave their assent to the Westminster and Savoy confessions of faith. It seems, that they also drew up certain rules of ecclesiastical union in discipline, as preparatory to a general synod, which they had still in contemplation.

THE Cambridge platform, which, for about sixty years, had been the general plan of discipline and church fellowship in New-England, made no provision for the general meeting of ministers, or for their union in associations or consociations, yet, at an early period, they had a general meeting, both in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and began to form into associations. Their annual meetings were at the times of the general election at Boston and Hartford. At this time, they had handsome entertainments made for them at the publick expense. In these general meetings, they went into consultations respecting the general welfare of the churches, the supplying them with ministers, providing for their stated enjoyment of divine ordinances, and the preservation of their peace and order. The general interests of literature were, consulted, and advice given in cases in which it was requisite. Sometimes measures were adopted to assist the poor and afflicted, in particular instances of distress. The affair of civilizing and christianizing the Indians came under their serious deliberations. Sometimes they consulted measures, and gave general directions respecting candidates for the ministry, and the orderly manner of introducing them into the churches.

THE ministers of particular neighbourhoods, in various parts of the country, held frequent meetings, for their mutual assistance, and to

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