CHAP. VI.

Of the Preaching of the Word.

THE

Sect. I. HE preaching of the word being an inftitution of God for the falvation of men, great attention should be paid to the manner of performing it.-Every minifter ought to give diligent application to it; and endeavour to prove himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth.

Sect. II. The fubject of a fermon fhould be fome verfe, or verses of scripture; and its object, to explain, defend, and apply fome part of the fyftem of divine truth; or, to point out the nature, and ftate the bounds, and obligation of fome duty. A text fhould not be merely a motto: but should fairly contain the doctrine proposed to be handled. It is proper also that large portions of scripture be fometimes expound. ed, and particularly improved, for the inftruction of the people in the meaning and use of the facred oracles.

Sect. III. The method of preaching requires much study, meditation and prayer.-Ministers ought, in general, to prepare their fermons with care; and not to indulge themselves in loose, extemporary harangues; nor to ferve God with that

which coft them nought. They ought, however, to keep to the fimplicity of the gospel; expreffing themselves in language agreeable to fcripture, and level to the understanding of the meanest of their hearers; carefully avoiding oftentation, either of parts or learning.-They ought alfo to adorn, by their lives, the doctrine which they teach; and to be examples to the believers, in word, in converfation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Sect. IV. As one primary defign of public ordinances is to pay social acts of homage to the maft high God, minifters ought to be careful, not to make their fermons fo long as to interfere with, or exclude the more important duties of prayer and praise; but preferve a just proportion between the feveral parts of public worship..,

Sect. V. The fermon being ended, the minifter is to pray, and return thanks to almighty God: then let a pfalm be fung; a collection raifed for the poor, or other purposes of the church; and the affembly difmiffed with the apoftolic benediction.

CHAP. VII.

Of the Adminiftration of Baptifm.

Sect. I.

BA

APTISM is not to be unneceffarily delayed; nor to be administered, in any cafe, by any private person;

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but by a minister of Christ, called to be the steward of the mysteries of God.

Sect. II. It is ufually to be administered in the church, in the prefence of the congregation; and it is convenient that it be performed imme. diately after fermon.

Sect. III. After previous notice is given to the minifter, the child to be baptized is to be presented, by one or both the parents fignifying their defire that the child may be baptized.

Sect. IV. Before baptifm, let the minifter ufe fome words of inftruction, refpecting the inftitution, nature, ufe and ends of this ordinance: fhewing,

"That it is inflituted by Chrift; that it is a feal of the righteousness of faith; that the feed of the faithful have no less a right to this ordi'nance, under the gofpel, than the feed of Abra'ham to circumcifion, under the Old Teftament; 'that Christ commanded all nations to be baptized; that he bleffed little children, declaring that of fuch is the kingdom of heaven; that 'children are federally holy, and therefore ought 'to be baptized; that we are, by nature, finful, 'guilty and polluted, and have need of cleanfing 'by the blood of Chrift, and by the fanctifying influences of the Spirit of God."

The minister is alfo to exhort the parents to the careful performance of their duty; requiring,

"That they teach the child to read the word of God; that they inftrue it in the principles of our holy religion, as contained in the feriptures of the Old and New Teftament ; an excellent fummary of which we have in the confef'fion of faith of this church, and in the larger and fhorter catechifms of the Weltminster affembly, 'which are to be recommended to them, as a 'dopted by this church, for their direction and affistance, in the discharge of this important du ty; that they pray with and for it; that they fet an example of piety and godlinefs before it s and endeavour, by all the means of God's ap"pointment, to bring up their child in the nur " ture and admonition of the Lord.'

Sect. V. Then the minister is to pray for a bleffing to attend this ordinance;. after which, calling the child by its name, he fhall fay,

'I baptize thee, in the name of the father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft.'

As he pronounces these words, he is to baptize the child with water; by pouring or fprinkling it on the face of the child, without adding any other ceremony: and the whole fhall be concluded with prayer.

Although it is proper that baptifm be administered in the presence of the congregation; yet there may be cafes, when it will be expedient to adminifter this ordinance in private houfes; of which the minifter is to be the judge.

CHAP. VIII.

Of the Adminiftration of the Lord's Supper.

TH

Sect. I. HE communion, or fupper of the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently; but how often, may be determined by the minifter and elderfhip of each congregation, as they may judge most for edification.

Sect. II. The ignorant and fcandalous are not to be admitted to the Lord's fupper.

Sect. III. It is proper that public notice fhould be given to the congregation, at least, the fabbath before the adminiftration of this ordinance, and that, either then, or on some day of the week, the people be inftructed in its nature, and a due preparation for it; that all may come in a fuitable manner to this holy feast.

Sect. IV. When the fermon is ended, the minifter fhall fhew,

"That this is an ordinance of Chrift; by read'ing the words of inftitution, either from one of 'the evangelifts, or from 1 Cor. xi. chapter; 'which, as to him may appear expedient, he ་ 'may explain and apply; that it is to be observ'ed in remembrance of Chrift, to fhew forth his death till he come; that it is of ineftimable be'nefit, to ftrengthen his people against fin; to 'fupport them under troubles; to encourage and