"by living in disobedience to Christ, in neglect"ing this holy ordinance; and calling upon "them to be earnest in making preparation for "attending upon it, at the next time of its cele"bration."

Then the minister is to pray and give thanks to God,

"For his rich mercy, and invaluable good"ness, vouchsafed to them in that sacred com"munion; to implore pardon for the defects "of the whole service; and to pray for the ac"ceptance of their persons and performances; "for the gracious assistance of the Holy Spirit, "to enable them, as they have received Christ "Jesus the Lord, so to walk in him; that they "may hold fast that which they have received, "that no man take their crown; that their con"versation may be as becometh the gospel; that "they may bear about with them, continually, "the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also "of Jesus may be manifested in their mortal "body; that their light may so shine before "men, that others, seeing their good works, "may glorify their Father who is in heaven."

The collection for the poor, and to defray the expense of the elements, may be made after this; or at such other time as may seem meet to the eldership.

Now let a psalm or hymn be sung, and the congregation dismissed, with the following or some other gospel benediction:

"Now the God of peace, that brought again "from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great "Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of

"the everlasting covenant, make you perfect "in every good work to do his will, working "in you that which is well-pleasing in his "sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be "glory for ever and ever. Amen."

VI. As it has been customary, in some parts of our church, to observe a fast before the Lord's supper; to have a sermon on Saturday and Monday; and to invite two or three ministers on such occasions; and as these seasons have been blessed to many souls, and may tend to keep up a stricter union of ministers and congregations; we think it not improper that they who choose it may continue in this practice.

CHAPTER IX.

OF THE ADMISSION OF PERSONS TO SEALING ORDINANCES.

1. CHILDREN, born within the pale of the visible church, and dedicated to God in baptism, are under the inspection and government of the church; and are to be taught to read, and repeat the catechism, the apostles' creed, and the Lord's prayer. They are to be taught to pray, to abhor sin, to fear God, and to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. And, when they come to years of discretion, if they be free from scandal, appear sober and steady, and to have sufficient knowledge to discern the Lord's body, they ought to be informed it is their duty and their privilege to come to the Lord's supper.

II. The years of discretion, in young Christians, cannot be precisely fixed. This must be left to tne prudence of the eldership. The officers of the church are the judges of the qualifications of those to be admitted to sealing ordinances; and of the time when it is proper to admit young Christians to them.

III. Those who are to be admitted to sealing ordinances, shall be examined as to their knowledge and piety.

IV. When unbaptized persons apply for admission into the church, they shall, in ordinary cases, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith, in the presence of the congregation; and thereupon be baptized.

CHAPTER X.

OF THE MODE OF INFLICTING CHURCH

CENSURES.

I. THE power which Christ hath given the rulers of his church is for edification, and not for destruction. As, in the preaching of the word, the wicked are, doctrinally, separated from the good; so, by discipline, the church authoritatively makes a distinction between the holy and the profane. In this, she acts the part of a tender mother, correcting her children only for their good, that every one of them may be presented faultless, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

II. When any member of the church snal have been guilty of a fault, deserving censure the judicatory shall proceed with all tenderness, and restore their offending brother in the spirit of meekness; considering themselves, lest they also be tempted. Censure ought to be inflicted with great solemnity; that it may be the means of impressing the mind of the delinquent with a proper sense of his danger, while he stands excluded from the privileges of the church of the living God; and that, with the divine blessing, it may lead him to repentance.

III. When the judicatory has resolved to pass sentence, suspending a member from church privileges, the moderator shall address him to the following purpose:

"Whereas you are guilty [by your own con❝fession, or convicted by sufficient proof, as the "case may be] of the sin of [here mention the "particular offence] we declare you suspended "from the sacraments of the church, till you "give satisfactory evidence of the sincerity of "your repentance." To this shall be added such advice, admonition, or rebuke, as may be judged necessary; and the whole shall be concluded by prayer to almighty God, that he would follow this act of discipline with his blessing. We judge it prudent, in general, that such censures be inflicted in the presence of the judicatory only; but, if any church think it expedient to rebuke the offender publicly, this solemn suspension from the sacraments may be in the presence of the congregation.

IV. After any person hath been thus suspended from the sacraments, it is proper that the minister, and elders, and other Christians, should frequently converse with him, as well as pray for him in private, that it would please God to give him repentance. And it may be requisite, likewise, particularly on days preparatory to the dispensing of the Lord's supper, that the .prayers of the church be offered up for those unhappy persons who, by their wickedness, have shut themselves out from this holy communion.

V. When the judicatory shall be satisfied as to the reality of the repentance of any offender, he shall be admitted to profess his repentance; and be restored to the privileges of the church. Which restoration shall be declared to the penitent in the presence of the session, pr of the congregation, and followed with prayer and thanksgiving.

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VI. When any offender has been adjudged to be cut off from the communion of the church, it is proper that the sentence be publicly pronounced against him.

VII. The design of excommunication is, to operate upon the offender as a means of reclaiming him; to deliver the church from the scandal of his offence; and to inspire all with fear, by the example of his punishment.

The minister shall give the church or congregation a short narrative of the several steps which have been taken with respect to their offending brother, and inform them, that it has been found necessary to cut him off from the