HEADS of AGREEMENT Assented to by the United Ministers In and about LONDON: Formerly called PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGREGATIONAL.

Licensed and Entered according to Order.

Edinburgh, Re-printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Prin­ter to Their Most Excellent Majesties, Anno DOM. 1691.

THE PREFACE to the READER.

ENdeavours for an Agreement among Christians will be griev­ous to none who desire the flourishing State of Christianity it self. The Success of these Attempts amongst us, must be ascribed to a Presence of God so signal, as not t [...] be concealed; and seems a hopeful Pledge of further Blessings.

The favour of our Rulers in the present established Liberty, we most thankfully acknowledge; and to Them we are studious to ap­prove our selves in the whole of this Affair. Therefore we Declare against intermedling with the National Church-Form: Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others, is disclaimed: All pretence to Coercive Power, is as unsuitable to our Principles, as to our Cir­cumstances: Excommunication it self in our respective Churches, being no other than a declaring such scandalous Members as are ir­reclaimable, to be incapable of Communion with us in things pecu­liar to Visible Believers: And in all, we expresly determine our purpose, to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our selves, and preventing the inconveniencies, which humane weak­ness maay expose to in our use of this Liberty.

The general concurrence of Minister and People in this City, and the great disposition thereto in other places, perswade us this happy Work is undertaken in a season designed for such Divine in­fluences, as will overcome all impediments to Peace, and convince of that Agreement, which has been always among us in a good de­gree, tho neither to our selves nor others so evident, as hereby it is now acknowledged.

Need there any Arguments to recommend this Ʋnion? Is not this what we all have prayed for, and Providence by the directest indications hath been long calling and disposing us to? can either Zeal for God or prudent regards to our selves remissly suggest it? seing the Blessings thereof are so important, and when it's be­come in so many respects even absolutely necessary especially as it may conduce to the preservation of the Protestant Religion, and the Kingdoms Weal; a subserviency whereto, shall always govern [Page] our United Abilities, with the same disposition to a concurrence with all others who are duly concerned for those National Blessings.

As these considerations render this Agreement desirable, so they equally urge a watchful care against all attempts of Satan to dissolve it, or frustrate the good effects thereof, so manifestly destructive to his Kingdom. Therefore it's incumbent on us, to forbear con­demning and disputing those different sentiments and practices we have expresly allowed for: To reduce all distinguishing Names, to that of United Brethren: To admit no uncharitable jealousies, or consorious speeches; much less any debates, whether Party seems most favoured by this Agreement. Such carnal regards are of small moment with us, who herein have used words less accurate, that neither side might in their various conceptions about lesser matters be contradicted, when in all substantials we are fully of one mind; and from this time hope more perfectly to rejoyce in the Honour, Gifts, and Success of each other, as our common good.

That we as United, may contribute our utmost to the great con­cernments of our Redeemer, it's mutually resolved, we will assist each other with our Labours, and meet and consult, without the least shadow of separate or distinct Parties: Whence we joyfully ex­pect great Improvements in Light and Love, through the more abundant supplies of the Spirit; being well assured we herein serve that Prince of Peace, of the increase of whose Govern­ment and Peace, there shall be no end.

This Agreement is already assented to by above Fourscore Ministers, and the Preface approved of.

HEADS of AGREEMENT Assented to by the United Ministers, &c.

The following Heads of Agreement have been Resolved upon, by the United Ministers in and about London, formerly called Presby­terian and Congregational; not as a Measure for any National Constitution, but for the Preservation of Order in our Congrega­tions, that cannot come up to the Common Rule by Law Established.

I. Of Churches and Church-Members.

1. WE 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 Church) to belong 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 humane Head on Earth, whether one Person singly, or many collectively, We, with the rest of the Protestants, una­nimously disclaim it.

2. We agree, That particular Societies of visible Saints, who under Christ their Head, are statedly joyned 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, tho differing in appre­hensions and practice in some lesser things.

3. 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 Doctrines of the Christian Religion, without Scandal in their Lives; and to a Judgment regulated by the VVord of God, are persons of [Page 2] visible Godliness and Honesty; crediby professing cordial sub­jection to Jesus Christ.

4. 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, differerent degrees of Expliciteness, shall no no way hinder such Churches from own­ing each other, as Instituted Churches.

5. Tho 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.

6. That each particular Church hath Right to chuse 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 it self.

7. In the Administration of Church Power, it belongs to the Pastors and other Elders of every particular Church (if such there be) to Rule & Govern: and to the Brotherhood to Consent, according to the Rule of the Gospel.

8. 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, and for vindication of the Truth, and the Church professing it.

9. That a visible Professor thus joined to a particular Church, ought to continue stedfastly with the said Church; and not for­sake the Ministry and Ordinances there dispensed, without an orderly seeking a recommendation unto another Church; [Page 3] Which ought to be given, when the case of the person ap­parently requires it.

II. Of the Ministry.

1. WE agree, That the Ministerial Office is instituted by Jesus Christ, for the Gathering, Guiding, Edify­ing, and Governing of his Church; and to continue to the end of the World.

2. 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.

3. That ordinarly none shall be Ordained to the Work of this Ministry, but such as are called and chosen thereunto by a particular Church.

4. That in so great and weighty a matter, as the calling and chusing a Pastor, we judge it ordinarly requisit, That every such Church consult and advise with the Pastors of Neighbour­ing Congregations.

5. That after such Advice, the Person consulted about, be­ing chosen by the Brotherhood of that particular Church, over which he is to be set, and he accepting, be duly ordained, and set apart to his Office over them; wherein 'tis ordinarly requifite, That the Pastors of Neighbouring Congregations concur with the Preaching-Elder, or Elders, if such there be.

6. That whereas such Ordination is only intended for such as never before had been ordained to the Ministerial Office; If any judge, that in the case also of the removal of one formerly Or­dained to a new Station, or Pastoral Charge, there ought to be a like Solemn recomending him and his Labours to the Grace and Blessing of God; no different Sentiments or Practice here­in, shall be any occasion of Contention or Breach of Communion among us.

7. It is expedient, that they who enter on the work of Preaching the Gospel, be not only qualified for Communion of Saints; but also that, except in cases extraordinary, they give proof of their Gifts and fitness for the said work, unto the Pastors of Churches of known abilities, to discern and judge of their qua­lifications; That they may be sent forth with Solemn Approba­tion and Prayer; which we judge needful, that no doubt may remain concerning their being Called to the work; and for pre­venting (as much as in us lieth) Ignorant and rash Intruders.

III. Of Censures.

1. AS it cannot be avoided, but that in the purest Churches on Earth, there will sometimes Offences and Scandals arise, by reason of Hypocrisie and prevailing corruption; so Christ hath made it the Duty of every Church, to reform it self by Spiritual Remedies, appointed by him to be applied in all such cases; viz. Admonition, and Excommunication.

2. Admonition, being the rebuking of an Offending Member, in order to conviction, is in case of private offences to be perfor­med, according to the Rule in Mat. 18 v. 15, 16, 17. And in case of Publick offences, openly before the Church, as the Ho­nour of the Gospel, and nature of the Scandal shall require: And if either of the Admonitions take place for the recovery of the fallen Person, all further proceedings in a way of censure, are thereon to cease, and satisfaction to be declared accordingly.

3. When all due means are used, according to the Order of the Gospel, for the restoring an offending and scandalous Bro­ther; and he notwithstanding remains Impenitent, the Censure of Excommunication is to be proceeded unto; Wherein the Pastor and other Elders (if there be such) are to lead, and go before the Church; and the Brother-hood to give their consent, in a way of obedience unto Christ, and unto the El­ders, as over them in the Lord.

4. It may sometimes come to pass, that a Church-Member, not otherwise Scandalous, may sinfully withdraw, and divide himself from the Communion of the Church, to which he be­longeth: In which case, when all due means for the reducing him, prove ineffectual, he having hereby cut himself off from that Church Communion; the Church may justly esteem, and declare it self discharged of any further inspection over him.

IV. Of Communion of Churches.

WE Agree, that Particular Churches ought not to walk so distinct and separate from each other, as not to have care and tenderness towards one another. But their Pastors ought to have frequent meetings together, that by mutual Advice, Support, Encouragement, and Brotherly intercourse, they may strengthen the hearts and hands of each other, in the ways of the Lord.

2. That none of our particular Churches shall be subordinat to one another; each being endued with equality of Power from Jesus Christ. And that none of the said particular Church­es, their Officer, or Officers, shall exercise any Power, or have any Superiority over any other Church, or their Officers.

3. That known Members of particular Churches, consti­tuted as aforesaid, may have occasional Communion with one another in the Ordinances of the Gospel, viz. the Word, Prayer, Sacraments, Singing Psalms, dispensed according to the mind of Christ: Unless that Church, with which they desire Communion, hath any just exception against them.

4. That we ought not to admit any one to be a Member of our respective Congregations, that hath joyned himself to another, without endeavours of mutual Satisfaction of the Congregations concerned.

5. That one Church ought not to blame the Proceedings of another, until it hath heard what that Church charged its Elders, or Messengers, can say in vindication of them­selves, from any charge of Irregular or Injurious Proceedings.

6. That we are most willing and ready to give an ac­count of our Church Proceedings to each other, when de­sired; for preventing or removing any offences that may arise among us. Likewise we shall be ready to give the right hand of fellowship, and walk together according to the Go­spel-Rules of Communion of Churches.

V. Of Deacons and Ruling Elders.

WE agree, The Office of a Deacon is of Divine Ap­pointment, and that it belongs to their Office to re­ceive, lay out, and distribute the Churches Stock to its pro­per uses, by the direction of the Pastor, and the Brethren, if need be. And whereas divers are of opinion, That there is also the Office of Ruling Elders, who labour not in Word and Doctrine; and others think otherwise; We agree, That this difference make no breach among us.

VI. Of Occasional Meetings of Ministers, &c.

1. WE agree, That in order to concord, and in any other weighty and difficult cases, it is needful, and according to the mind of Christ, that the Ministers of se­veral Churches be consulted and advised with about such Matters.

2. That such Meetings may consist of smaller or greater Numbers, as the Matter shall require.

3. That particular Churches, their respective Elders, and Members, ought to have a reverential regard to their judge­ment so given, and not dissent therefrom, without apparent grounds from the word of God.

VII. Of our Demeanour towards the Civil Magistrat.

1. WE do reckon our selves obliged, continually to pray for God's Protection, Guidance, and Blessing u­pon the Rulers set over us.

2. That we ought to yield unto them, not only subjection in the Lord, but support, according to our station and abilities.

3. That if at any time it shall be their pleasunt to call to­gether any Number of us, or require any accoun of our Af­fairs, and the state of our Congregations, we shall most readi­ly express all dutiful regard to them herein.

VIII. Of a Confession of Faith.

AS to what appertains to soundness of Judgment in mat­ters of Faith, we esteem it sufficient, That a Church ac­knowledge the Scriptures to be the word of God, the per­fect, and only Rule of Faith and Practice; and owne either the Doctrinal part of those, commonly called the Articles of the Church of England, or the Confession, or Catechisms, Shorter or Larger, compiled by the Assembly at Westminster, or the Confession agreed on at the Savoy, to be agreeable to the said Rule.

IX. Of our Duty and Deportment towards them, that are not in Communion with us.

1. WE judge it our duty to bear a Christian Respect to all Christians, according to their several Ranks and Sta­tions, that are not of our Perswasion or Communion.

2. As for such as may be ignorant of the Principles of the Christian Religion, or of vicious conversation, we shall in our respective Places, as they give us opportunity, endeavour to explain to them, the Doctrine of Life and Salvation, and to our uttermost perswade them to be reconciled to God.

3. That such who appear to have the Essential Requisites to Church-Communion, we shall willingly receive them in the Lord, not troubling them with Disputes about lesser matters.

As we Assent to the forementioned Heads of Agreement; So we Ʋnanimously Resolve as the Lord shall enable us, to Practise, according to them.

FINIS.

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