October 1645: An Ordinance, together with Rules and Directions concerning Suspension from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in cases of Ignorance and Scandall.

October, 1645

[20 October, 1645.]

Injunctions to Ministers and Elders.; Power to Elderships to suspend Ignorant Scandalous, Persons from the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

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 and strong engagements heartily and sincerely to endeavour the compleat establishment of Purity and Unity in the Church of God than they have, they doe therefore 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 faithfulle 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 for such suspension in cases of Ignorance

Rules and Directions concerning suspension 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 entered into the world, and death by sinne, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; That thereby they are all dead in trespasses and sinnes, 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 hand of God, and makes continuall intercession for us, of whose fulnesse 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 ourselves, 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 Gospell, that whosoever beleeves not on the Son of God, shall not see life, but shall perish eternally.

That they who truly repent of their sinnes, doe 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 Supper are 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 eates and drinkes unworthily, is guilty of the Body and Blood of the Lord, and therefore that every one is to examine himselfe, 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 soules of the wicked doe immediately go into Hell torments.

That there shall be a Resurrection of the Bodies, both of 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 shall 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.

Rules and directions in cases of Scandal.; Ministers guilty of certain crimes may be suspended.; Witnesses to be examined on oath.

The severall and respective Elderships shall 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 than such as are herein expressed, shall be kept from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper; That is to say All persons that shall blasphemously speake or write anything 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 Images, Crosses, Crucifixes, of Reliques; All that shall make any Images of the Trinity, or of any person thereof. All Religious worshippers 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 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-bating, or Beare-baiting, or that shall use Hawking, Hunting, or Coursing, Fishing, or Fowling, or that shall publikely expose any Wares to sale, otherwise than as is provided by an Ordinance of Parliament of the 6 April 1644. Any person that shall travel on the Lords Day without reasonable cause. Any person that keepeth a knowne 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, any person that shall marry a Papist. Any person that shall repaire for any advice unto any Witch, Wizard, a 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 attained 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. 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 of the party accused of any of the scandalous crimes aforesaid, not capitall.

Persons suspended to show repentance before readmission.; Right of Appeal.

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 libertie 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 ensuing cautions.

Cautions to be observed by Elderships.

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 thereof make a certificate unto 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 Presbytery of Eldership shall not have cognizance of anything 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 of Law of any person for any offence.

Standing Committee to consider causes of suspension not contained in is Ord.

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 the 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 have and determine the same.

Members of both Houses exempted.

Provided always that this Ordinance or any clause therein contained, shall not extend to any of the Peers of this Realm, or to the Members of the House of Commons, or Assistant, Attendant or Officer of the House of Peers, or Officer of the House of Commons.

Tryers for the Elders, in the Classis of the Province of London.

A List of the Names of such Persons as shall be, and are hereby Ordained 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 Dueness of their Election, according to such Rules and Directions as have formerly passed both Houses in that Behalf.

The First Classis.

Ministers.

Doctor William Gouge, of Blackfriers.
Mr. George Walker, of John Evangelist.
Mr Lazarus Seaman, of Alhallowes in Breadstreete.

Others.

Mr. Richard Browne Esquire, of Blackfriers.
Mr. Richard Turner Senior, of Austine's Parish.
Mr. William Kendall, of Alhallowes in Breadstreete.
John Clarke, Doctor of Physic, of Martin's Ludgate.
Mr. Tho. Steines, of Mildred in Breadstreet.
Mr. Christopher Merideth, of Faith's.

The Second Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. William Reyner, of John Baptist's.
Mr. Charles Ofspring, of Antholin's.
Mr. William Thomas, of Pancras Soper-lane.

Others.

Mr. Alex. Jones, of John Baptist's.
Mr. Ralph Triplet, of Nicholas Cole-abby.
Mr. Thomas Coffin, of Michael Royall.
Mr. James Hayes, of Bennet Sheer-hogge.
Mr. John Cock, of James Garlick-hith.
Mr. Phillip Owen, of Mary Magdaline's Old Fishstreete

The Third Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. Humphery Chambers, of Stephen's Walbrooke.
Mr. John Rawlinson, of Mary Abchurch.
Mr. John Cardell, of Alhallowes Lumbardstreete.

Others.

Mr. John Warner Alderman, of Stephen's Walbrooke
Mr. Robert Sweet, of Mary Woolnoth.
Mr. Michael Herring, of Mary Woolchurch.
Mr. Richard Young, of Alhallowe's Lumbardstreete
Mr. Richard Warner, of Mary Abchurch.
Mr. Robert Meade, of Laurence Pountney.

The Fourth Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. John Lee, of Mary on the Hill.
Mr. Joseph Carrill, of Magnus.
Mr. Fulk Bellers, of Michael Cornehill.

Others.

Mr. James Bunce Alderman, of Bennet Grace Church.
Mr. Edward Hooker, of Mary on the Hill.
Mr. John Bellamy, of Michael Cornehill.
Mr. John Gase, of Andrew in Hubbert.
Mr. John Hatler, of Magnes.
Mr. William Bramwitch, of Peter's Cornehill.

The Fifth Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. John Conant, of Botolph Aldersgate.
Mr. Anthony Tuckney, of Michael at Corne, alias Querne.
Mr. Simon Ashe, of Bride's.

Others.

Sir John Wollastone Knight, of John Zacharies.
Mr. Edward Honywood, of Michael at Corne, alias Querne.
Mr. William Hart, of Christchurch.
Mr. John Johnson, of Botolph Aldersgate.
Mr. Richard Flood, of Peter's Cheape.
Mr. John Sherman, of Anne Aldersgate.

The Sixth Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. Edmund Calamy of Mary Aldermanbury.
Mr. John Arrowsmith, of Martin's Iremonger Lane.
Mr. Arthur Jackson, of Michael's Wood streete.

Others.

Mr. Walter Boothbey, of Mary Aldermanbury.
Mr. William Webb, of Martin's Iremonger Lane.
Mr. William Bisby, of Laurence Jury.
Mr. Thomas Bregstwell, Giles Criplegate.
Mr. Robert Manwaring, Giles Criplegate.
Mr. Laurence Brinley, of Mary Magdalen's Milkstreete.

The Seventh Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. Robert Harris, of Botolph Bishopsgate.
Mr. Samuell Clarke, of Bennet Fynk.
Mr. Charles Newton, of Michael Basingshaw.
Mr. Leonard Cooke, of Michael Basingshaw.

Others.

Mr. Christopher Packe, of Michael Basingshaw.
Mr. James Russell, of Stephen's Coleman Street.
Mr. William Williamson, of Christopher's.
Mr. Robert Launt, of Peter's Poore.
Mr. James Story, of Bennet Fynk.
Mr. Samuel Harsnet, of Bartholomew Exchange.

The Eighth Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. William Spurstow, of Hackney.
Mr. Thomas Porter, of Katherine Creed Church.
Mr. Elidad Blackwell, of Andrew Undershaft.

Others.

Sir David Watkins Knight, of Andrew Undershatt.
Mr. John Smith, of Andrew Undershatt.
Mr. George Clarke, of Hackney.
Mr. Richard Shute, of Cree Church.
Mr. Alexander Bence, of Algate.
Mr. Thomas Hutchins, of Hellens.

The Ninth Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. Thomas Clandon, of Alhallowes Barking.
Mr. Thomas Valentine, of Mary Whitechurch
Mr. Thomas Carter, of Olaves Hart-street.

Others.

Sir Edward Harrington Knight, of Olives Hart-street.
Mr. Francis West, Lieutenant of The Tower.
Mr. Edmund Trench, of Alhallowes Staining.
Mr. Maurice Thomptson, of Dunstan's East.
Mr. Stafford Clare, of Dunstan's East.
Mr. Salomon Smith, of Katherine Tower.

The Tenth Classis.

Ministers.

Mr. Thomas Gattaker, of Rotherhithe.
Mr. Jeremy Whitaker, of Mary Magdalen Bermonsey.
Mr. Samuel Bolton, of Mary Overy.

Others.

Mr. Thomas Hudson, of Olaves 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.

Ministers.

Mr. Harbert Palmer, of Newchurch Westminster.
Mr. Richard Vines, of Clement's Danes.
Mr. Henry Cornish, of Giles in the Fields.
Mr. Cawdry, of Martin's in the Fields.
Mr. Gibson, of Margaret's Westminster.

Others.

Sir William Ashton, of Westminster.
Mr. John Packer, of Westminster.
Mr. Thomas Fauconbridge, of Westminster.
Mr. Laurence Swetnam, of Westminster.
Mr. John Brigham, 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.

Ministers.

Mr. Obadiah Sedgswick, of Andrew's Holborne.
Mr. Immanuel Bourne, of Sepulchre's.
Mr. Andrew Perne, of Dunston's West.

Others.

Mr. Roger Drake, Docter of Physic, of Andrew's Holborne.
Mr. William Jesop, of Andrew's Holborne.
Mr. Thomas Smith, of Sepulcher's.
Mr. Nathaniel Camfield, of Sepulcher's.
Mr. William Ball, of Dunston's West.
Mr. Francis Allen, of Dunston's 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 Tryers that be present (not being under the Number of Seven in each Classis) shall be esteemed as the Act of all the Tryers of that Classis.

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.

Resolved, &c., That the Peers, and Assistants of the House of Peers, shall be Tryers within that Classis whereof the Parish wherein they live is a Part.

Die Martis, 14 Octob. 1645.

Tryers of the Classis of the Elders of the Serjeants Inns.

Ordered, by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That Doctor William Gouge, Andrew Perne, Minister of Dunston's 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 Sergeants Innes.