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This manuscript was written
by Mr James Stuart of Markethill
circa 1745
Directions for fellowship societyes in accession to the associate presbetrie
Meeting together
for prayer and spiritual confrrance men with men and women with women is a Duty
plainly founded on the word of God Lech 12:12:13 mal:3:16: heb:10:24:24: and
since the Lords people now are joined in witnessing for the covenanted
Reforemation of this Church in a way of secession from the judicatories and
ministers thereof who are carrying on a course of Defection with an high hand
are in a different situation from Christian Societyes in former times it is
expedient there be som regulalations suited to these peculiar sircumstances
where in witnessing societies are plaiced in adorable providence at this Day and
therefore it is proper in the present circumstanced case to observe the
following directions
1st Directions for admitting
of members into societies that none be admitted members of societies bit such as
are of a blamless outward walk and conversation and who in the judgment of
charity to by exercised to godliness
2ly Let non be admited without
consent of the society if all the members are aquainted with the person proposed
and give there consent that he may be admited next meeting providing the meeting
shall be satisfied that the person proposed shall be clear in his judgment anent
the folowing rules but in case a few of the members be acquented with the person
proposed then it is proper a concetent time be alowed the members to enquire
into his carracter and conversation and if any meterial objection is made it is
proper that his admition be deled till the metter is cleared
3ly That they who are to be
admitted approve of the Westminster confession of faith larger and shorter
catehesems as received by this Church and that they resolve through grace to
adhere and witness fore these standards against all errours and opinions
whatsoever that are or may be vented against the same
4ly That they acknowledge that
presbeteryrel Church government and deseiplin as professed from the word of god
in the publick acts and constitutions of this Church accordingly sworn to in our
covenants National and Solemon Leauge is the only form of government in the word
by the Lord Jesus Christ the alon head of his Church to continue to the end of
the world unatterable and that they will support and metain the said
presbeyterial Church Government and discipline together with the purity of
worship established in this Church in opposition to popery judacy independency
lax toleration principles and whatsoever is contrary to the sade covenanted
worship government and discipline.
5ly That they own the
perpetual obligation of the national covenant of Scotland and of the solemon
League and covenant of the three nations and Resolve in ther stations as prever
Christieanes by such means as are Conistant to the Kingdom of Christ which is
not of this world to prosecute the ends of these covenants in aming at the
Reformation of themselves and others both in hast and life
6ly That they approve of the
act – Declaration and testimony remitted by the associate presbotry and tho they
should not withstand every particular word or sentence therin yet they may be in
capacity to approve of the people and disigne of the land act as it is a
testimony for ye docrine worship disupline & government of the Church of
Scotland and against level steps of deficlion therefore both in former and
recent times
7ly ************* all ye
ministers of ye established Church are deeply involved in ye defection of ye
times some by having an active hand in them and others by a sinful silence &
compliance with ye Rist & ******* it is evident that a course of defection is
carrying on in all ye judicatories erroneous men succoured & countinaned
intruders every where around *********** upon Parishes either by open violence
secret fraud the intrinsick fear of the Church & ye headship & sovereignity of
Christ therin given up into ye hand of the Civil magistrate as is eevedent from
ye conduct of ye established Church both with respect to ye act anent Captain
Detours & also their yealding up ye powers of ye Church. Represpentative to
apoint nationall fasts & thanksgivings as Extraordinary calls of providence may
require and further a testimony for truth is how buried in ye pulpits &
judicatories and high Confues ***fficted upon ye ministers of ye assorciate
presterry because they would not give up until ye free & faithfull. Exercise of
there Ministeriall office both in there preaching against ye defection of the
times and also in protesting against ye sinfull acts and decisions of ye
generall assemblys as wel as other inferior Church publications by all which &
severall other steps of defection & apostacy mentioned in ye act & testimony &
also in the Declinatore given into ye generall assembly one thousand seven
hundred and thirty nine a corrupt lax and erroneous ministry has over spread the
land and since there is no other way left for private Christians to testify
against corrupt ministers but by withdrawing from them.
Therefore that none should be admitted members but such as have freedom to
withdraw from ye ministry of all that are in ye established Church till they
see there sin & return to ye Lord in the way of Reformation according to his
word & that none be admitted but such as have freedom to own the ministers of ye
associate presbytery as the only lawful pasters in ye Lord while they or any of
them continue steadfast by grace in ye profession of that faith they are
presently contending for & submit to ye associate presby~{& sessions that are
subordinate there to as ye only lawfull & right constitue Courts of Christ at
this day in the land
8ly That none be admitted but
such as have freedom to disapprove of the soul running delutions introduced into
this land by that grand deceiver Mr Whitefield & promoted in several corners of
ye kingdom by several ministers & no warning of testimony against ye same by any
of ye judicatories to this day although it has ye following visible and
lamentable effects first it lead people off from the righteousness of Christ without them in ye
word to build upon something wrought within them as ye ground of there hope (3)
it filleth them with vain apprehensions & empty dreams that ye spirit of God is
poured down upon ye established Church through they be going on in a course of
defection still without ye least apperance of reformation (3) it breeds in them
lax toleration principles or an indifferancy with respect to all professions &
denominations of men provided they be what they call sober & morally serious (4)
it fills them with bitterings of spirit & utter aversion to a testimony for ye
covenanted reformation of this Church as maintained and suffered for in former
times & witnessed unto at this Day now when notwithstanding of ye above & many
other fatale effects ye said delution is normly promoted by many & winked at by
ye Rest it is an additionall ground of secession from ye ministers of ye
established church who have left no stone unturned to cover & peliute their
Defections to bury a testimony for truth as had been contended for in these
lands therefore societies ought to take care not to mingle with persons of such
a spirit or ye favour **** thereof because this would introduce farcing &
contradictory prayers which would marr all valuable ends of Christian fellowship
The above are some regulations for admitting members suited to our present
circumstances
The Derections
that follows are to be observed by those who are joined together in societies
for prayer and conference
First that ye society all meet every week on a work day & spend 2 or 3 hours at
least in prayer & Conference & what ever time of ye six working days of ye week
shall be set apart by ye society for ye above religious exercise let it be
remembered that it is a voluntary separation of that part of time to ye Lord &
therefore cannot without sin be spent otherways than for the prayers designed
unlays there be a call in providence to some other necessary business which
cannot be delayed without a maniefast breach of the morall duties we owe to our
selves or others but this is not to hinder ye societies to alter ye time of
meeting from one day to another as it shall be most suitable to the conveniency
of ye whole & this they may do lawfully because no time in ye six days being in
it self holy it is 2 or 3 hours of these they set apart and not 2 or 3 hours of
any particular day any longer than it may best agree to ye circumstance of the
whole meeting only what over time of ye week is set a part for fellowship prayer
let it be religiously observed for that end & before any adventure to employ it
otherways let them first examine if their reasons for so doing will bear weight
in ye ballance of the sanctuary Eclls:5:5 Better is it thou shouldst not vow
than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.
2ly Let it be recommended to
all the members besides reading ye Holy Scriptures to read frequently ye
confession of faith with ye scriptures at large and to keep in memory ye Shorter
Catichism & to read Vincents explenation of it that being comparatively ye
soundest that can be comunly had that for a clear uptake of ye nature of ye new
covenant ye knowledge wherat is so necessary to Salvation they read Boston on ye
covenant of grace that so by ye Lords blessing upon these means thay may grow in
grace and in ye knowledge of our Lord and Savour Jesus Christ whome to know is
life eternall & also that it be recommended to them to read our covenants
nationall & solmn lague the derectary fro worship & form of Church Government ye
act & testimony emitted by ye associate presbytery together with other papers
that are or may be published in ye defence of ye reformation principles of this
Church that so they may be ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh a reason of ye hope that is in them with weakness & fear 1Dut:3:14
3ly The time of ye meeting
may be spent for ordinary in ye following manner one of ye members by turns
shall begin with addressing ye throne of grace for the Lords promised presence
with them in every part of ye duty they are going about then sing a part of a
psalm then read a portion of ye Lords word & then pray after prayer ye members
that begins for a time may take Vincent on ye catechism in his hand and ask ye
rest of ye members ye questions that Vincent has on one question of ye shorter
catechism & if the members answer to ye same prayers tho not in Vincents words
it may satisfie & let it be remembered by all the members to read and prepare
what Vincent has upon one question of ye catechism against ye time of every
meeting & that they go straight on through the book & if any member be negligent
in preparing ye answers let him be exorted & admonished to more diligence & let
ye members that begins as above always ask ye questions after this is over let
another pray & then after a short intevall wherein spirituallity of meditation &
conversation if there is any ought to be diligently studied let a third prayer &
then let some time be spent in spirituall conference wherein there should be a
communication of experience to one another as fare as Christian prudence and
wisdom will permit either with respect to what has been convincing enlightening
comforting or confirming on ye hearing of the word with respect to the soul
trouble and distresses that any are or have been under together with ye way in
which ye Lord has been pleased to give relief or if conversation may turn upon
any case of conseience or edifying questions with respect to a persons exercise
either in respect to themselves in particular or ye Church of Christ in generall
after this conferance is over let a forth member if there be as many in ye
meeting conclude with singing reading and prayer if there be but three in ye
meeting let ye above conference be after ye 2 prayers & let there be no other
thanksgiving at ye conclusion of ye meeting but that which is included in ye
singing a part of a psalm prayer thanksgiving is a part of prayer and included
in that duty Phil:4:6 in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God agreeable here to is ye location of our
confession Chap: 21 : sect 3 Larger & shorter Catachisms in answer to that
question what is prayer and therefore when societies are met for prayer &
conferrance to conclude with any other formal thanksgiving than what is included
in prayer is an innovation upon ye worship of God and bordering upon ye popish
Doxologies.
4ly Let no curious questions
be propounded in ye meetings or such as may occasion needlys dabetes about ye
more difficult & dark places of Scripture anent which sound interpreters have
had differant sentiments agreeable to the analogy of faith only let such
questions be proposed as may tend to stir up ye exercise of grace & be helpfill
against corruption within ye temptations of satan & ye world from without & to
establish one another in the present truth
5ly Let all be ware that none
presume to undervalue one anothers gifts & dispise any answer that may be given
to a question although it be weake in regard that none have any miesure Either
of gifts or grace but what they have received therefore let everyone in
lowlyness of mind esteem each other better than himself
6ly Let all beware none
presume to usurpe authority or rule over the rest or like diotecphes to love
pecheminency but let one cary towards another as becometh brethren and those
who would desiar to be fellow members of ye same misticall body
7ly Let there be no
unnecessary impertinent contradiction of one another when speaking to a cause or
question but let ye judgments of every member be patiently heard and if there
shall happen to be any difference of opinion about which any heat is like to
arise it is proper immediately to desire the next in order to pray as ye best
means to obtain light incrace love & keep down sinfull passions & if after
prayers & conference in ye spirit of meekness there shall happen to be
difference in sentiments among members it is proper in that event to report ye
cause in presence of both parties unto ye minister under whose juspection ye
societie is
8ly Let all be ware of
devulging or spreading abroad any thing that is saide in ye society to ye
offence and prejudice of any of ye members of it in regard to this practice
would make Christian freedom open the mouths of enemies & being unjust
reflections on ye Lords cause & such as clave to it
9ly Where any member absents
the meeting or has a habit of coming too late if any ye reasons of his absence
or late coming are not satisfying he is to be admonished in a friendly and
brotherly way to attend more punctually for ye future and if after 2 or 3
admonitions in ye spirit of meekness he continues in ye above offenceive
practice he may be desired to forbare coming any more to ye meting as a member
thereof till he give evidence of his sorrow for his offence in this matter &
promise through grace to reform from this bad practise the time to come & when
the society feel for edifing to proceed this length it is proper that where
there is a fixed minister they presently aquaint ye minister or some member of
ye session with ye whole cause that further pains may be taken upon the
offending party for reclaiming him
10ly That all ye members of
ye meeting carry & behave themselves as becometh ye gospel & wittness for ye
cause of Christ that they live soberly righteously & godly in a present world
that so they may be well reported as by them that are without and particularly
that none presumes to be guilty of or countenance that intebrable society which
is commonly evidenced by dancing at mariges which is nothing but a kind of
madness practices only be ye profane in scripture such as ye idolatrous Isrelits
before ye golden calf Exod:32:6:9 the amalekites 1 Sam:36:16 and ye daughter of
haidies Mark 6:22 besides as dancing is generally promiscuous or in presence of
both sexes so it is reconed among sins forbidden in ye 7th
commandment Larger catechism guest: 139 where also ye scriptures quoted upon
all which accounts this licivous behaviour or bing any ways witness or accessory
thereto a thing unbecoming these who desiare to sigh & mourn for all ye
abominations that are done in ye midst of us and if any shall say there is a
time to dance Ecles:3:4 and that dancing is frequaintly practiced in scripture
such as women that followed Miriam with dances Juds:21:21 and Davids dancing
before the ark 2 Sam:6:14 tis answered that as these were Religious dances which
was a kind of worship under ye old testament which is now quite ceased under the
new and therefore if any member shall be guilty as above or any ways accessory
to the said practice or a volentory witness thereto let him not only be set
aside from ye meeting but also let ye matter be reported to ye minister or some
member of session that pains may be taken to bring him to a sence of his sin in
acting so contrary to his profession
11ly Let none spake
disrespecttivly of any breach of ye testimony as espoused at this day & if any
dificualty accure let ye member have recours first to his own minister if he has
any or some of ye ministers of ye associate Presbetry & represent ye case to
them that he may be well informed before he venture to expose ye conduct of a
judicature of Christ aiming at Reformation according to ye measure of Light
given them from ye word of God & who are not willing or to there knowledge
keeping back any part of ye council of God and whosoever shall act contrary to
this rule in spaking reproachfully without being duly informed they deale most
untenderly & seem to have little regard to ye glory of God & eedit of religion
12ly Let all members of
societies beware of bakbiteing & deceiving one another by a secret whispering
and reviling ye character any of there brethren while in ye mean time they carry
smoothly to there face there being nothing more opposite to ye nature of
Christian fellowship than such an abominable practice it is also a manifest
breach of ye 9 commandment as may be seen from what is forbidden therein Larger
Catachism
Ques:144 with ye scriptures quoted
13ly If ye members are
masters of families let them have the worship of God in there familys by reading
singing & prayers morning & evening & catechiseing there children & servants if
they have any according to ye eight direction of ye general assembly for secret
& private worship & if any of ye members are only children or servants or
lodgers that they use there best endeavers to prosuade ye masters of ye family
above duty morning & evening or to alow them to do it for them & ye society
should enquire now & then if this as well as other directions be observed
14ly As members should beware
of conniving at ye offences escapes or silently passing over ye sinfull
practices of there brethren according to Levit:19:17 thou shalt not hate thy
brother in thine hart thou shall in any wise rebuke ty neighbour & not suffer
sin upon him or according to ye marginal note that thou bear not sin for him so
upon ye other hand members ought to take special care that they do not receive
easily an evil report of any of there bretheren or entertain groundless
prejudices against them but if it be found upon due enquirey that any are not
walking agreeable to ye law and testimony if ye offence is private or known only
to one or two of ye meeting then they are to beware of devilging ye matter at
first instance but to dale with him privately between him and them alone & if he
satisfy them it is needless to report it to ye meeting or any body else who
knows nothing of it but if he do not satisfy then let them aquant ye meeting
therwith and if he protests his sorrow to the meeting after dealing with him let
him be restored in the spirit of meekness but if after all he continue obstinate
in ye offence let him not only be desired to forbare attending ye meeting but
also let ye matter be reported to ye minister or members of session that he may
be farther dalte with and all this according to ye scriptures Rule Math:
3:15:16:17 if thy brother trespass against thee go and tell him his fault alone
if he hear thee thou hast gained thy brother but if he will not hear thee thou
shalt take with thee one or two more that in ye mouth of two or three witness
every word may be established if he neglect to hear them tell it to ye church
15ly If any
difference shall happen between ye members anent civil matters let them beware
of going presently to law with one another for this will readily tend to expose
both themselves & ye cause they are professing but let them submite ye matter to
2 or 3 judicious men who are skilled in ye affair about which the controversie
is this direction is founded in 1 Cor:6:1;2:3:5:6:7
16ly There being no warrant in
ye new testament to set apart any day weekly monthly or yearly to recour in a
stated way for fasting or thanksgiving these extraordinary duties are to be
exercised according to ye call of providence which is variable & if any members
of societies be religious overseres of providence they will be ye more frequent
in practising these necessary duties and therefore when ye societies has a call
in providence to set apart some time for solmn privet fasting and humiliation
besides the particular causes which may occasion ye immediate call to them let
them also consider these causes contained in if act & testimony or these
contained in the solmn actnowledgement of sins which are designed to be
published in a short time by the authority of ye presbey and for ye more
distinct and comfortable management of this dutie of fasting let ye members
beforehand read attenentively Mr Bostons memorial concerning personall & family
fasting which the will find very helpful for ye evengelicall practice of this
important duty & it would tend much to ye furtherance of preatuall Godliness if
members would stir up one another to ye more freqyaint exercise of ye dutie of
personall fasting therein recommended from ye holy scriptures
Lastly where there
is a fixed ministery & consequently a session which is one of the judicatures of
Christ’s house there is no occasion for a correspondent meeting 2 or 3
neighbouring societies who meet on different days may send one of their numbers
to correspond in prayers & conference with each other if they so agree any other
correspondence consisting of one or two out of each meeting to superintend all
ye meetings may soon come to be of dangerous consequences & invade ye particular
rights of ye pastoral office or of eclesiasticall judicatories of which there
have been some fatall instances & therefore such corresponndant meetings ought
not to take place especially where there is a fixed ministrey but this is to be
no prodjudice to any associate congregation to meet together in correspondence
about ye ordering of their civil affairs
Finis
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