An ORDINANCE OF THE LORDS and COMMONS Assembled in Parliament. Together with Rules and Directions concerning Suspention from the Sacrament of The Lords Supper In cases of Ignorance and Scandall. Also the names of such Ministers and others that are appointed Triers and Judges of the ability of Elders in the twelve Classes within the Province of LONDON.
ORdered by the LORDS Assembled in Parliament, That the Ordinance, Rules, and Directions concerning Suspension from the Lords Supper, with the names of the Ministers and others to try the Elders, be forthwith printed and published.
LONDON, Printed for Iohn Wright at the Kings Head in the old Bayley. 1645.
Die Lunae, 20. Octob. 1645. An Ordinance of the LORDS and Commons assembled in Parliament.
THe Lords and Commons considering the wonderfull providence of God in calling them to this great and difficult worke of reforming and purging his Church and people, his guidance and manifest protection of them in it, doe acknowledge that never any of his servants since the foundation of the world had more high & strong engagements heartily and sincerely to endeavour the compleat establishment of Purity and Ʋnity in the Church of God then they have; they do therefore [Page 2]require all Ministers and Elders, that they be carefull to walke with understanding in the House of God, that by Example, Exhortations, and Admonitions, they endeavour to build up the people of the Lord in love, that with Humility and Meeknesse of spirit they adorne their holy Profession, and win soules to the love of the Truth. That they be diligent and faithfull in the Worke, as those that must give an accompt: And where grosse Ignorance or notorious Scandall shall appeare, for the remedy thereof, and to prevent the evils that may come thereby, The Lords and Commons doe Ordaine, and it is hereby Ordained, That the severall Elderships respectively within their respective Bounds and Limits, have power to suspend from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper all Ignorant and Scandalous persons within the Rules hereafter following, and according to the said Rules and Directions.
RULES and DIRECTIONS concerning suspention from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, in cases of Ignorance.
1. ALl such persons who shall be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper ought to know that there is a God, that there is but one ever-living and true God, maker of Heaven and Earth, and Governour of all things; That this only true God, is the God whom we worship; that this God is but one, yet three distinct Persons, the Father, Son, and holy Ghost, all equally God.
2 That God created man after his own Image, in knowledge, righteousnesse, and true holinesse; That by one man sin entred into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; That thereby they are all dead in trespasses and sins, and are by nature the children of wrath, and so lyable to eternall death, the wages of every sin.
3 That there is but one Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, who is also over all, God blessed for ever, neither is there salvation in any other; That he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and borne of the Virgin Mary; That he dyed upon the crosse to save his people from their sins, That he rose againe the third day from the dead, ascended into Heaven, sits at the right [Page 4]hand of God, and makes continuall intercession for us, of whose fulness we receive all grace necessary to salvation.
4 That Christ and his benefits are applyed onely by faith; That faith is the gift of God, and that we have it not of our selves, but it is wrought in us by the Word and Spirit of God.
That faith is that grace whereby we beleeve and trust in Christ for remission of sins and life everlasting, according to the promise of the Gospel, that whosoever believes not on the Son of God, shall not see life, but shall perish eternally.
That they who truly repent of their sins, do see them, sorrow for them, and turne from them, to the Lord, and that except men repent they shall surely perish.
That a godly life is conscionably ordered according to the Word of God, in Holinesse and Righteousnesse, without which no man shall see God.
That the Sacraments are Seales of the Covenant of Grace in the blood of Christ: That the Sacraments of the New Testament are Baptism and the Lords Supper, that the outward Elements in the Lords Supperare Bread and Wine, and do signifie the Body and Blood of Christ Crucified, which the worthy receiver by faith doth partake of in this Sacrament, which Christ hath likewise ordained for the remembrance of his death, that whosoever eats and drinkes unworthily, is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord, and therefore that every one is to examine him selfe, lest he eat and drink judgement to himselfe, not discerning the Lords Body.
That the soules of the faithfull after death doe immediately live with Christ in blessednesse, and that the souls of the wicked doe immediately goe into Hell torments. That there shall be a Resurrection of the Bodies, both of [Page 5]the just and unjust at the last Day, at which time all shall appeare before the Judgement Seat of Christ, to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether it be good or evill: And that the righteous shal go into life eternall, and the wicked into everlasting punishment.
And it is further ordained by the Lords and Commons, that those who have a competent measure of understanding concerning the matters contained in these Articles shall not be kept back from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper for Ignorance; And that the Examination and judgement of such persons as shall for their ignorance of the aforesaid points of Religion not be admitted to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, is to be in the power of the Eldership of every Congregation.
Rules and Directions concerning Suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, in cases of Scandall.
THe several and respective Elderships shal have power to suspend from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper all scandalous persons hereafter mentioned, appearing to be such upon just proofe thereof made, in such manner as is by this present Ordinance hereafter appointed, and not otherwise, untill it be otherwise declared by both Houses of Parliament how notoriously scandalous Persons, other then such as are herein expressed, shal be kept from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper: That is to say; All persons that shall blasphemously speak or write any thing of God, his holy Word, or Sacraments. An Incestuous person. An Adulterer. A Fornicator. A Drunkard. A prophane swearer or curser. One that hath taken away the life of any Person maliciously. All worshippers of [Page 6]Images, Crosses, Crucifixes, of Reliques; all that shall make any Images of the Trinity, or of any Person thereof. All Religious worshipers of Saints, Angels, or any meere Creature. Any person that shall professe himselfe not to be in charity with his Neighbour. Any Person that shall challenge any other person by Word, Message, or Writing, to fight, or that shall accept such challenge and agree thereto. Any Person that shall knowingly carry any such challenge by word, message, or writing. Any person that shall upon the Lords Day use any Dancing, playing at Dice, or Cards, or any other Game; Masking, Wake, Shooting, Bowling, playing at Foot-ball, or Stool-ball, Wrestling, or that shall make, or resort unto any Playes, Interludes, Fencing, Bul-baiting, or Bearebaiting, or that shall use Hawking, Hunting, or Coursing, Fishing, or Fowling, or that shall publikely expose any Wares to sale▪ otherwise then as is provided by an Ordinance of Parliament of the 6. of April. 1644. Any person that shall travell on the Lords Day without reasonable cause. Any Person that keepeth a known Stewes or Brothel-house, or that shall solicite the chastity of any person for himselfe or any other. Any person, Father or Mother, that shall consent to the marriage of their childe to a Papist, or any person that shall marry a Papist. Any person that shall repaire for any advice unto any Witch, Wizard, or Fortune-teller. Any person that shall assault his Parents, or any Magistrate, Minister, or Elder in the execution of his Office. Any person that shall be legally attainted of Barretry, Forgery, Extortion, or Bribery. And the severall and respective Elderships shall have power likewise to suspend from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper all Ministers that shall be duely proved to be guilty of any of the crimes aforesaid, from giving or receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
[Page 7] And it is further ordained by the Lords and Commons, That the Eldership of every Congregation shall have power to examine any person complained of for any matter of scandall aforesaid, and upon confession of the party before the Eldership to have committed such an offence, to suspend any such person from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper. The Eldership of every Congregation shall examine upon oath such witnesses as shall be produced before them, either for the acquitting or condemning of the party accused of any of the scandalous crimes aforesaid, not capitall. The Eldership of every Congregation shall judge the matter of scandall aforesaid, being not capitall, upon the testimony of two credible witnesses, at the least. Satisfaction shall be given to the Eldership of every Congregation by sufficient manifestation of the Offenders repentance before a person lawfully convicted of such matters of scandall as aforesaid, and thereupon suspended from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper be admitted thereunto. If any person suspended from the Lords Supper shall finde himselfe grieved with the proceedings before the Eldership of any Congregation, he shall have liberty to appeale to the Classicall Eldership, and from thence to the Provinciall Assembly, from thence to the Nationall, and from thence to the Parliament. And be it further ordained by the Lords and Commons, That the severall and respective Elderships in their severall respective proceedings shall observe these ensuings cautions.
Caution 1. That cognizance and examination of any capitall offence shall be by the Magistrate thereunto appointed by the Law of the Kingdome, who if he shall commit the party questioned to prison, or secure him or her by baile, he shall there of make a certificate unto [Page 8]the Eldership of the Congregation where he or she did last reside, or to any other neighbouring Eldership, who shall thereupon have power to suspend the party from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
2 The Presbetery or Eldership shall not have cognizance of any thing wherein any matter of payment, contract, or demand is concerned or of any matter of conveyance, title, interest, or property, in Lands or Goods.
3 No use shall be made of any confession or proofe made before the Eldership at any triall at Law of any person for any offence.
And it is further ordained, that the Members of both Houses that now are members of the assembly of divines or any seven of them be a standing Committee of both Houses of Parliament, to consider of causes of suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, not contained in this Ordinance; unto which Committee any Eldership shall present such causes, to the end that the Parliament, if need require, may heare and determine the same. That if any other notorious and scandalous sinnes besides those nominated in this Ordinance, which may be conceived to be a cause to suspend from the Lords Supper shall be certified to any Classis either from any Congregationall Eldership, or otherwise, which the said Classis shall thinke fit, to present to the standing Committee of Parliament. That the said Classis shall present the same to the said Committee, to the end that the Parliament if need require may heare and determine the same.
Die Veneris 26. Sept. 1646. A List of the names of such Persons as shall be, and are hereby Ordeyned to be Tryers and Judges of the Integrity and Ability of such as are to be chosen Elders in the Twelve Classis within the Province of London, and of the duenesse of their Election, according to such Rules and Directions as have formerly passed both Houses in that behalfe
The first Classis
- DOctor William Gouge of Black-Friers.
- Mr. George Walker of John Evangelist.
- Mr. Lazarus Seaman of Alhallowes in Breadstreet.
- Mr. Richard Brown Esquire of Black-Friers.
- Mr. Richard Turner Senior of Austins Parish.
- Mr. William Kendall of Alhallowes in Breadstreat.
- John Clarke Doctor of Phisick of Martins Ludgate.
- Mr. Tho. Steines of Mildred Breadstreet.
- Mr. Christopher Merideth of Faiths.
The second Classis.
- Mr. William Reyner of John Baptists.
- Mr. Charles Of-spring of Antholins.
- Mr. William Thomas of Pancras Soperlane.
- [Page 10]Mr. Alex. Jones of John Baptists.
- Mr. Ralph Triplet of Nicholas Cole-Abby.
- Mr. Thomas Coffin of Michael Royall.
- Mr. Iames Hayes of Bennet Sheerhogge.
- Mr. Iohn Cock of James Garlickhith.
- Mr. Philip Owen of Mary Magdalins Old Fishstreet.
The third Classis.
- Mr. Humphrey Chambers of Stephens Walbrook.
- Mr. Iohn Rawlinson of Mary Abchurch.
- Mr. Iohn Cardell of Alhallowes Lumbardstreet.
- Mr. Iohn Warner Alderman, of Stephens Walbrooke.
- Mr. Robert Sweet of Mary Wolnoth.
- Mr. Michael Herring of Mary Woolchurch.
- Mr. Richard Young of Alhallowes Lumbarstreete.
- Mr. Richard Warner of Mary Abchurch.
- Mr. Robert Meade of Laurence Pountney.
The fourth Classis.
- Mr. Iohn Lee of Mary on the Hill.
- Mr. Ioseph Carill of Magnus.
- M. Fulk Bellers of Michael Cornehill.
- Mr. Iames Bunce Alderman, of Bennet Grace church.
- Mr. Edward Hooker of Mary on the Hill.
- Mr. Iohn Bellamy of Michael Cornehill.
- Mr. Iohn Gase of Andrew in Hubbert.
- Mr. Iohn Hatler of Magnes.
- Mr. William Bramwitch of Peters Cornehill.
The fifth Classis.
- Mr. Iohn Conant of Botolph Aldersgate.
- Mr. Anthony Tuckney of Michael at Corne, alias Querne.
- Mr. Simon Ashe of Brides.
- Sir Iohn Wollastone Knight, of Iohn Zacharies.
- Mr. Edward Honywood of Michael at Corne, alias Querne.
- Mr. William Hart of Christchurch.
- Mr. John Iohnson of Botolph Aldersgate.
- Mr. Richard Flood of Peters Cheape.
- Mr. Iohn Sherman of Anne Aldersgate.
The sixth Classis.
- Mr. Edmund Calamy of Mary Aldermanbury.
- Mr. Iohn Arrowsmith of Martins Iremongerlane.
- Mr. Arthur Iackson of Michael Woodstreete.
- Mr. Walter Boothbey of Mary Aldermanbury.
- Mr. William Webb of Martins Iremongerlane.
- Mr. William Bisby of Laurence Jury.
- Mr. Thomas Bregstwell. Giles Cripplegate.
- Mr. Robert Manwaring. Giles Cripplegate.
- Mr. Laurence Brinley of Mary Magdalens Milkstreete.
The seventh Classis.
- Mr. Robert Harris of Botolph Bishopsgate.
- Mr. Samuel Clarke of Bennet Fynk.
- Mr. Charles Newton, of Michael Basinshaw.
- Mr. Leonard Cooke. of Michael Basinshaw.
- [Page 12]Mr. Christopher Packe, of Michael Basingshaw.
- Mr. James Russell of Stephens Coleman-street.
- Mr. William Williamson, of Christophers.
- Mr. Robert Launt, of Peters poore.
- Mr. Iames Story of Bennet Fynk.
- Mr. Samuel Harsnet, of Bartholomew Exchange.
The eight Classis.
- Mr. William Spurstow, of Hackney.
- Mr. Thomas Porter, of Katherine Creed-Church.
- Mr. Elidad Blackwell, of Andrew-Undershaft.
- Sir David Watkins, Knight. of Andrew Undershaft.
- Mr Iohn Smith. of Andrew Undershaft.
- Mr. George Clarke of Hackney.
- Mr. Richard Shute, of Cree-church.
- Mr. Alexander Bence, of Algate.
- Mr. Thomas Hutchins, of Hellens.
The ninth Classis.
- Mr. Thomas Clandon, of Alhollowes Barking.
- Mr. Thomas Valentine, of Mary Whitchurch.
- Mr. Thomas Carter, of Olaves Hart-street.
- Sir Edward Harrington Knight of Olaves Hart-street.
- Mr. Francis West, Lievtenant of the Tower.
- Mr. Edmund Trench, of Alhallowes Staining.
- Mr. Maurice Thomptson of Dunstans East.
- Mr. Stafford Clare of Dunstans East.
- Mr. Salomon Smith, of Katherine Tower.
The tenth Classis.
- Mr. Thomas Gataker, of Rotherhithe.
- Mr. Jeremy Whitaker, of Mary Magdalen Bermonsey.
- Mr. Samuel Bolton, of Mary Overy.
- Mr. Thomas Hudson, of Georges Southwarke.
- Mr. George Snelling, of Olaves Southwarke.
- Mr. Robert Haughton, of Olaves Southwarke.
- Mr. George Thompson, of Olaves Southwarke.
- Mr. Daniel Santon, of Mary Overy.
- Mr. Henry Helmer, of Mary Magdalen Bermonsey.
The eleventh Classis.
- Mr. Harbert Palmer, of New-Church Westminster.
- Mr. Richard Vines, of Clements Danes.
- Mr. Henry Cornish, of Giles in the fields.
- Mr. Cawdry, of Martins in the fields.
- Mr. Gibson, of Margarets Westminster.
- Sir William Ashton. of Westminster.
- Mr. Iohn Packer. of Westminster.
- Mr. Thomas Fauconbridg of Westminster.
- Mr. Laurence Swetnam. of Westminster.
- Mr. John Briham. of Westminster.
- Mr. George Pryn. of Westminster.
- Mr. Edward Martin. of Westminster.
- Mr. James Prince, of Clement Danes.
- Mr. Silvanus Taylor, of Clement Danes.
- Mr. Walter Biggs, of Giles in the fields.
- Mr. Edward Carter, of Covent Garden.
The twelfth Classis.
- Mr. Obadiah Sedgswick, of Andrewes Holborne.
- Mr. Immanuell Bourne, of Sepulchres.
- Mr. Andrew Perne, of Dunstons West.
- Mr. Roger Drake, Dr. of Phisick, of Andrewes Holborn.
- Mr. William Iesop, of Andrewes Holborn.
- Mr. Thomas Smith, of Sepulchres.
- Mr. Nathaniel Camfield, of Sepulchres.
- Mr. William Ball, of Dunstons West.
- Mr. Francis Allen, of Dunstons West.
Resolved by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled:
THat in all these twelve Classes, that which shall be done by the major part of the Triers that be present, (not being under the number of seven in each Classis) shall be esteemed as the act of all the Triers of that Classis.
Resolved, &c.
That the Peeres and assistants of the house of Peeres shall be Triers within that Classis whereof the Parish wherein they live is a part.
Resolved, &c.
That all the Members of the house of Commons shall be Tryers within that Classis whereof the parish wherein they live is a part.
Die Martis, 14. Octob. 1645.
ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Dr. William Gouge, Andrew Perne Minister of Dunstons West, Samuel Browne Esquire, Edmund Prideaux Esquire, William Ellys Esquire, William Prynne Esquire, shall be Tryers and Judges of such persons as shall be chosen to be Elders for the Classis of the two Serjants Innes.