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OF THE
BOHEMIAN ilND MOEAYIM BRETHEEN.
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WITH ▲
TRANSLATION, NOTES, AND INTRODUCTION
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• B. SEIFFERTH,
BISHOP OF THE BEVTBBBN*B CHCBCH.
" iiumanUer aceipi, et benigne ab omnibus in quoruiu manus vcnerint hxc no&tra cognoscl pettmu : et litne potlw ^nam ex adtexMudontiii ant iermonibnt, ant hiitorleomm etiam qnonmdam etallonnn mlnime Teradtmtscriptiai de rebu oostris
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IXTRODTICTTON |
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Eatio DisciPLiNJi Okdinisque Ecclestastici |
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IN TJnitate Fratrdm Bohemorum |
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Tbai^slatiok of the forego rxa |
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Notes |
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Table of Contents |
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IKTItODUOTION
It is an interesting fiu^> that thei^ existed in Bohemia
and Mora^aa a reformed Christian Church, distinguished for the pforify of its &ith and worship, and for its scrip- tural constitution and discipline, in the century pre- vious to the commencement of the Beformation, and sixty years before Luther began his work. It was formed among the more spiritually minded of the fol- lowers of Huss, after the subsidence of those intestine commotions which were consequent on the death of that faithful martyr of Christ. These men felt in conscience bound to withdraw from the Calixtines, who, with the exception of giving the cup to the laity in the Com- munion, retained the nnscriptural dogmas and usages of the Papabchurch. Having obtained permission from. Podiebrad, the Eegent, they retired in the year 1457 to the Barony of lititz, situated in the north-east of Bohemia. Here they were served in the word and sacraments by ministers who had seceded from the Calixtines or &om the Papists. Their numbers were soon increased by the addition of persKjns from the neighbourhood and from other parts of the country, who wore like-minded with themselves. At an early period of this association it assumed the name of " Unitas Pratmm,*^ or Unify of the Brethren; rules were laid down for its regulation, and elders were chosen to pre->
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INTRODUCTION
side over il ; and, as congrcgatious iu couuexion with it were formed in other places, Bynods, consistiiig of the elders^ ministers, nobles^ and representatives of the people, were held from time to time. And thus, before the adoption of that measure, which was to give them a distinct existence as a cbiu ch, they had already declared their adherence to those doctrines of the Christian faith, which they maintained to the last;, and had laid the foundation of that church constitution which is unfolded at large in the following Treatise.
It was in the year 1467, ten years after their secession from the GalixtineB, and after they had in vain inquired for a church holding the faith in its purity, with which they could unite, that the resolution was solemnly taken by them in Synod assembled, to seek episcopal ordina- tion from a congregation of the Waldenses at that time situated in the neighbonring country of Austria. For this purpose three of their iminbcr were deputed to visit the Waldenses, who welcomed them as brethren, and willingly acceded to their request.* The episcopal elemont, wliicli was now introduced, led to a modiUcation of their church constitution. The Bishops had seats in the governing Council (in which the senior Bishop always presided), while the office of ordaining to the different degrees of the ministry was of course dis-
* CamerariiM, IBstorica Narratio, pp. 103, 104. Comenius, Historia Fratrum Bohemorum, § 61. Wengicrsky, Historia Ecclesianiin Sla- Tonicanun, lib. L c. 8. Also Gindely 's Geschichfee der Bdhmiachen Briider» vol. i. p. 37.
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INTRODUCTION. 3
charged solely by them. The whole organization pre- sented a combination of presbyterian and episcopal
^government. The executive power was lodged in a Boards consisting of bishops and presbyters^ while the ultimate authority lay in tlio Synods, which were statedly convened.*
That the system described in the account which we now repubUsh must have been gradually developed, according as circamstances required, may naturally be supposed. Yet in all its main features it existed at an early period. Before the close of the fifteenth century it liad assumed in its outline that definite form wliicli is delineated in the Eatio/^ although^ in regard to the minor arrangements, alterations were subsequently in- troduced. Gindely, a lioman Catholic historian, fixes the period of this permanent settlement at A. d. 1496- 1500.t
When the Brethren sent their several deputations to
Luther, it was this that especially struck with astonish -
* Comeniiis remarks, with reference to the adaptability of tlic consti- tution of the BicLlireii's Chiircli to ditferent forms of political govern- ment: ** It suits a monarchy, l^(M■;n^^c it has a bishop; an aristocracy, because it has a senate; and a democracy, because it has a synod. Ileiicc Calvin ami nm er, who both hig^hly approved of the order of the Brethren, when invited to diverse places for the reformation of churches, so applied it severally as suited the political gov( mmcnt. Calvin instituted pres- bytery in the republic of Geneva, mn\ liuoer left the episcopate in the kingdom of England. Whether they acted rightly in thus separating the things which work better in union, is shown by the strifes which have thence arisen, and which have %vith so much iigiirybeen agitated among brethren.**-i-De Bono Unitatis, § 8.
t Gescbishte der Bohmischeu Briider, tod Anton Qindeljt v^tl*!* P* 80.
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INTRODUCTION.
ment the great Reformer, ''These Brethren/' said he^ '' do not surpass ns in purity' of doctrine, but they
far excel us in the regalar discipline by which tliey blsBsedly govem their churches; and in this matter tiiey haye the greater praise, which it behoves ns to yield to them for the glory of God, and for the sake of tmth/'*
The outlines of this system may be found m tiiuso '' Confessions of Faith,'' which, on several occasions, the Brethren presented to tiieir Rulers^ or other men of authority, for the purpose of romoving prejudices and warding off persecution. In the Confession ad- dressed to King Wladislaw, a. d. 1504, and the two Letters in answer to the charges of a certain Doctor Angastine, in 1508, traces of their church regulations are met with.t But they are, of course, brought out with much more prominence in those documents which were intended for a friendly eye. When the Keformation began to shine on northern Germany, and some of the neighbouring lands, the Brethren found among the newly awakened minds, men who could sympathise with them in spiritual matters, and who felt an interest in becoming acquainted with the regulations as well as with the doctrine of their church. Their Apologia, which was presented in the year 1538 to the Protestant
* LasitiiiB» Oe EccIeBastic& DiadpliiiA, etc. Fratmm Bohemornm.
t These doenments leem to have been fint printed in a fi>Uo volnme entitled Eaadcnlns Benun Expetendamm et Fngiendaninu" A.D. 1535, Golonls.
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nobleman George^ Margrave of Brandenburg^ andwliich
was afterwards published with a Preface by Luther, gives an account of aU these matters in foU accordance with that which is presented to us in the " Eatio." It may be taken for granted, that a system so complete, and which had been so long in operation, would at an early period be found described in written documents. And 8o^ besides the references at less or greater length made to it in the " Confessions^' of the Brethren, already adverted to, we have in the printed volume of the work by Lasitius, a minute account quite in correspondence with the one before ;Us; and which was drawn np by him about the middle of the sixteenth century.*
Lasitius, a Polish noble, and a member of the In- formed Ghnrch, derived his knowledge of these matters from the Brethren themselves, some of ivhose written documents he was permitted to consult. In addition to this, we liavo the testimony of Wengiersky, in his
History of the Sclavonic Churches,^^t that at the Synod of Cosminec, A. D. 1555, in Lesser Poland, which consisted of representatives of the Lutherans and Beformed, as well as of the Brethren, the latter laid before the Synod their Confession with the Apology and the ^'Batio Ordinis et Disciplinas EcdesiasticaB,'^
* Oe Ecdesiasticik DisdpluiA Moribnaqne et Instiftntis Stetntm Boiie* momm Memorabilia.
t Systema HiBtorico-cbrondogicnm opeiftJLdriani Bci^eDYolscii. A.D. 1652, p. 77. The Anthoi^s name was Weogiereky, which is giyen in the 2nd edition.
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that IS, the Account of their Cliurch Order and Dis- cipline/'
lu the Preface to the " Ratio/' now reprinted, will be found a notice of the circomstanceB which gave occasion to its l>eing laid before the States General of Bohemia. The object of the ruling power was, to unite the sereral religious communities, holding Protestant upmious, under one Board of general siiperintendeuce. It may be necessary here to explain, that the powerful Galixtine party, which was originally bitterly opposed to the Brethren, and had instigated or seconded the persecutions that were directed against them, had been- happily influenced by the reformation in Saxony. Many of them renounced the Gompactata or Articles agreed on at the Council of Baslc^ culled themselves " Evan- geUcals^' (the designation of the Lutherans), and in short adopted the Protestant faith. Stransky, one of themselves, informs us that this conduct was laid hold of by the Boman Catholics, who pleaded that they had thereby forfeited their claim to tohutitiou ; so that, in 1568, King Maximilian was induced to issue an edict against them. In 1575 Maximilian came to Prague, and held a Convention of the States General^ when the leaders of the Reformed faith complained of the treatment to which they were subjected, and requested permission, in order that they might free themselves from the charge of heresy, to present to the King theii' Confession of Faith. This the Xing declined, alleging that there were several sects among the Pro-
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UITBODUCTION.
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testants^ and he should like to see them join in one
Confession. This was the occasion of bringiu<^ fully about that good understanding between the Cabxtines and the Brethren^ towards which some steps in advance had akeady been made. " They mutually recognized each other aa brethren^ and of the household of faith, and unitedly sought and obtained of the King, the pablication and confirmation of the Confession they liad recently drawn up. Peace and liberty were granted by the royal word to all who held to that Confession/'* The request for permission to constitute an ecclesias- tical consistory, and to establish a college, the King pat off to another time, giving, however, a solemn promise, that it should be attended to, citLur by himself or by his son Rudolph, whom he had already designated his saccessor.t Marimilian died the following year, and although Rudolph partook of the liberal spirit of his &ther,t upwards of thirty years elapsed before the per- mission was granted. The cause ol this delay is to be traced to the inflnencdof the Romish party, and especially to the intrigues of the J esuits, who even induced the King to renew the edict of Wladislaw against the Brethren as Pioards ; and subsequently, when he was about to make the rec^uired concessions to the other Protestants, led him
* Rcspublica Bohemi^e, a M. Faolo Straxwky deacripta» c. 6. § 9, t Comenii Historia, § 1 18.
^ Mi^^rtmiiiMi was wont to Baj that those who attempt to rule men^s coiuciflDces, aeemed to him to invade the throne of God*** Oomenii Hifltoria Ferseeatumum» c. 39*
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I^TEODUCTION
to propose^ that the Brethren should be excluded from the privilege.* This attempted injustice was, however^ successfully resisted by the States- General, and on July llth» 1609, Lefcters Patent were issued by the King, grunting tlie free exercise of their religion to aU who receive the saxsrament in both kinds, that is, the Evangelicals and those who adopt the Bohemian Confession of faith, and conceding to them the Lower " Consistoryt at Prague for superintend^ce of their united churches, in conformity with their own principles, and without any interference by the Arch- bishop of Prague and moreover, restoring to them the direction of the University of Prague. The King declares that this decree shall be binding on all his successors, and that all former laws or edicts in opposi- tion thereto shall be null and void.^ The States, who were entrusted with authority to carry out the privileges thus conceded, at once set themselves to the task. In constituting the Consistory they resolved that it should consist of twelve members, of whom three should be ministers of the GalixtineSy or Hussites, three of the Brethren^ and the same number of the other Protestants, together with three professors of the University. To this Board was committed the general superintendence of the ecclesiastical aiiairs of the entire kingdom,
Chronolopjische Geschichtc Bohmens vou Fruuz Pubitschka (a Romish priest). VI Ilicil, III Ixuia, p. 338.
f So-called, because it was situated in the lower part of the city.
X The decree is given at length by the Jesuit Balbiuus in his
ilisceliaaea llistorica Re^jni Bohcjuiaj," vol. i. p. 120.
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exclusive of what pertained to the Romish Church.*
One main object which tliey had in view was, to bring about unity of spirit and action among the ditiurent bodies whom they represented ; imiibrmity, however apparently desirable, was not considered to be attainable^ at least for the present. Meanwhile, tlio Brethxen claimed permission to retain their own church discipline and government, and being required to give a precise account of it^ the statement which is coutamed in the following Treatise was presented. This being accepted, the prayer of the Brethren was granted, and it was agreed that their senior Bishop should hold the next place to the Administrator, or President of tlio Consistory, so long as this diversity should continue.f Such is the history of the little work now reprinted, containing an account of the ecclesiastical order and discipline of the Ancient Church of the Bohemian and Moravian Brethren. It is difficult to conceive how any statement of this nature could be presented to us with a stronger guarantee for its authenticity and truthftd- ness.
With regard to the church system which is here
unfolded^ few thoughtful Christians, it is presumed, will withhold their admiration of it, whatever hesitation
they may entertain as to the expediency of some oi' its
* Oomeniiis, HiiiCoTiay § 1S2.
t Ibid. The Articles drawn ap fbr die direction of the Ck>iM]Stoi7 aie foand in the *'Befomiation and Anti-reformation in Boheniiai" toI. i* p. 197, &c.
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parts^ except under peculiar circamstances. There is
evident throughout a simple adaptation to the arraii<;^e- ments of the early churchi as they are discernible iu the New Testament and in the post-apostolic period,* Experience proved that this system was well suited to the pcc>ple amongst whom it was in operation^ and to the state of things which then existed. It \vas greatly conducive to the end which all church rules and institu- tions slioLild have iii view — tlie promotion of holiness, the building up of believers in faith and charity and. good works.f
The character of the Brethren in a moral ^jand religious point of view bore witness to its excellence. Even their enemies at times made this concession. One Lielensten, a Dominican^ who wrote against
* Wifh regard to ktuMm insHtuihntf they openlj avowed tiie principle on which they acted. * When we find them nseful, or not hnitftil, and
not contrary to the word of God, we willingly conform to them ; as sacred feasts and fasts, and otLur things of that kind ; so that we may avoid giving offence, and study peace with all men." — Ad Doctoremi Augustinum, a.d. 1508.
f Comenius relates, that in one of the priiici])al cities of Germany he was in conversation with the head cler{i:3'man of the chnrch, when the - laftc! sai 1, " that he had long wislied to know whether alittle book which he hail oiu e read, entitled ' Katio Disciplinae, Sec./ contained a'tme account of that church, or raerclj the idea how a chnrch should be constituted I inquired why he doubted the fact ? " Because," said he, " I cannot imagine that thexe now existB snch a church in the world." I answered, that it was a history, not a fiction ; that they were actual regulations. "Happy men** exclaimed he, "who had both the keys 1 We have lost one. Although stewards in the house of God, we are compelled to leave everything open, to lock noUiing u^, and so have to give what is holy nnto dogs, and to cast pearls before swine."
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them about the middle of the 16th century^ after
ndducing various charges, ingeiiuously says : " I grant that in regard to morals and life they are good, in speech truthful, and in brotherly love of one mind/'* A Eomish writer of later date, the Jesuit Balbinus, remarks : Many of them had the sacred Scri})tures off by heart, and all were wont to boast that they were well acqoainted with their meaning.'^t And the historian Pubitsclika_, a Romish priest, when endeavouring to account for the continued existence, and even increase of the Brethren, notwithstanding the edict of Wladislaw for their extirpation, ascribes it to the protection of some of the noblesy ^^whom they had won over by their *^ apparently innocent conduct, by the love of righteous- ness which they expressed, by their alleged innocence ''and true faith, which they grounded precisely on the Gospel/'J
Camerarius^ a learned Reformer, and an intimate
friend of Melancthon's, whose life he wrote, drew up a brief history of the Brethren about the year 1570, towards the conclusion of which he gives his estimate of then* character. Among the rest, he says : " Certainly " they who will give their mind to the subject and confess the truth, will not be able to deny that the church of Christ among them (the Brethren) is main-
* Cnmerarii Ilistorica Nurratio, p. 98.
f Miscellanea Historia Kcgui liohemisc, Piap^, 1679, vol, iv. p. 229.
I Franz Puhitschka's Cbronolop-lsrlie Gescliiclitc Buhmcns, VI Thcil, Ilu i I^and, p. 276. See also Usher Dc Christianorum Succc^siune et btatu," c, 6, § 15.
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taiued, administered, and conducted not only iu truth ''and reality, but also visibly, bo that those who find " fault with iliem scarcely seem able to avoid the
^'suspicion of envy and calamuy No
'' ambition will be fonnd among them, no aiming at superiority. There is no quarrelling or altercation, no malevolence, perseontion, or strife against others. , . . . There are no traces apparent of avarice, cupidify, lust. They make no gains either by. usury or by taking advantage of another person. There is among all an entire and striking atiectiou of sincere charity to all. There is no plaoe for idleness and slothful inactivity. They render whatsoever services they can, and to whomsoever. They permit no "discord to arise in their Union, but at onco put it down. Injuries and violence mliicted on themselves they sustain with fortitude ; nor are any indications of anger or indignation given by them, either in the "way of resistance or self-vindication.'^*
Ill til at remarkable era ot' the universal church's history^ the Eeformation, when the conviction of Gospel truth spread with unparalleled rapidity, and men of God eminent for their learning and intellectual power appeared in various countries, as though prepared and called forth for the crisis, — it was to be expected that the spectacle of a reformed church ah'eady in existence would speedily attract their attention. And such was
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* Camcrarii Hist. Narratio, p. H2.
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IS
the Not only the Reformers of Saxony, with
Lather (already mentioned) at their head, but those of Switzerland came in oontactwith the BretihTen, eagerly sought inlbrmation regarding their church, and in one way or another expressed their opinioDS of it* Hence we have the testimonies of Luther and Melaiicthon, of Bucer, Calvin, Capito, Musculus, Beza, Peter Martyr, Peter Eaul Yergerias, Ursinns, Ghr3rtaeas and others, ail concurring in the same judgment. Such a com- bination of testimonies, spontaneoosly rendered by the distinguished men of all parties is, of itsulf, sufficiently striking, and cannot but give a deep im- pression of interest and importance to the fact on which it bears. From these various testimonies we can do no more than select a few eztFacts.*
Luther writes to the Brethren in 1523 : ''Although '^you are aware that you are regarded as the worst of heretics^ I bear witness that in the Gospel you aro far before any that I am acquainted with* I know that by making this avowal I shall gain myself ill-will, but to that, thank God, I am now accustomed/' t The Confessio and Apologia of the Brethren were pubhshed at Wittemberg in 1532 under the eye of Luther, who wrote a commendatory Preface. In that Preface he says, among other things : " I have found
^ Thoie tevtamoiiiai will be fonnd at Uuge In one or anotiher of the ftUowing worke : Camenuriiia, pp. S78-2S1* Lasitias, pp. 154-173. ComeninB» Hiatofia, pasdm, ''ConfeBsio Hdei" of tbe Bnfihrnu Yitebeigia^ a.d. 1573.
t Quoted by Laaitias (p. 156) ftom Liitberi Opera, Tom. ii
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among them (tihe Brethren) one great wonder
" (miraculum), almost unheard of in the liomiah ''Church, namely, that laying aside the dootrm^s of '* men, they meditate according to thoir power day and
night in the law of God, and that they are skilled " and ready in the Scriptures, whereas the very Doctors '' themselves among the Papists utterly neglect the ''Scriptores while boasting of a title deriTcd from ''them/' At a subsequent period he declared that^ " since the times of the Apostles no Christians have " appeared, whose chnrch has approached tnore nearly
to the apostolic doctrine and rites than that of the " Bohemian Brethren/'*
Bucer, in his reply to Latomus, remarks : That is "certainly the best method (viz. of church reform) "which is observed by the Brethren called Picards, " who alone of aU Christendom have, with purity of " doctrine, also retained the discipline of Christ/'f
Calvin, in a letter ad Bohemum, wiites : I heartily " congratulate your churches^ on which the Lord hath '^ conferred so many excellent giffcs in addition to pm-ity " of doctrine. For it is no slight blessing that they " have snch pastors to govern and direct them ; ibat " they are so distmguished for good morals and order ; " that they are formed on so excellent a plan, and are "fm*nished with so commendable a discipline, which " may be justly called the only bond for maintaining
• Comenius, Ilistoria, § 82.
f P. 106 of Appendix to the edition of the Eatio»" a.d. 1653.
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obedience. We, to our grief, know its value by the want of it^ and strive for it in vain/^* Hieronymns Zanchius thus writes to his friend Cratoif "The " Brethren in their work of reformation seem to have aimed, not as many do, to throw down and tear np from their very foundation all that is found in the Romish Ghnroh, but to construct their churches after the true and apostolic, and therefore salutary rule of " piety, rejecting what is bad, correcting what is faulty, and retaining that which is good : which is the true " and legitimate way of reforming churches. Would that we had all done the same, after the example of these worthy Brethren ! We should then have among ns more piefy, peace, harmony, and charity (by which God is glorified and the kingdom of Christ promoted), and we should discern more of these excellencies in others.'^ X Lasitius, before mentioned, having made himself personally acquamted with the congregations of ihe Brethren in Bohemia, drew up an account of them, and sent it to Theodore Beza in the year 1570. . In returning the MS. Beza writes : There are many things in your narrative wliicli I greatly admire* Would that there were any hopes of their being introduced into our own churches ! Some things, however, seem to me not suitable for imitation.
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• This letter was written while Calvin was residing in Strasburg "The quotation is from Coiuenins, ITistoria, § 80. t Crato was physician to the Emperor Maximilian, X Lasitias, De Ecclesiastica Discipliua, &c. p. 164.
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IHTfiODUCnOK.
aa being rather adapted to pecnliar times and circum-
Our object in giving the preceding details has been to prepare the reader for an intelligent pemsal of the followmg work. We have explained its origin aad purpose^ and shown from the testimony of eminent and unbiassed contemporaries the nature and the operation of the system which it onfolds.
It now only remains for us to notice the subsequent history of this little work as a printed book, and to state the reasons wfaicli have induced tbe Editor to undertake the present edition.
We are informed by the original Pre£sce that at the Synod held at Zerawich in Moravia, in 1616, this account was carefully revised, and being approved of by all the members of the Synod, was confirmed by the signature of the Seniors and Conseniors present from Bohemia, Moravia, and Poland. Four years subsequent to this the lierce pcrsecutiuii of Ferdinand II. began, whicb eifqcted the complete elimination of the Brethren's Ghnrch from the two formeir conntries. Many refugees found an asyhim in Poland^ where a branch of the cburch abeady existed. By^ these a
* Appendix to Ratio Disciplinae, &c, a.d. 1633, p. 109. The testimony of Paul Vergcrius, who had been Bishop of Capo d'lstria and Papal Legate in Germany, is very striking, but too lon^ to uJlow of inset Uun here. It is found in his preface to the Brethren' < Confession, printed at Zurich, A.D. 1556, and in his letters quoted by Coiueuius (Hist. § 95-97). He was on the point of entering the Brethren's Church when he vas removed by death.
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Synod was held at Lissa in 1632^ in which it was
resolved that a Latin translation of the Ratio Dis- '^ciplinaB^ &cJ' should be printed. This took place tiie foUowincj' year at Lissa, with a preface in the naiiie of the Seniors and Ministers of the Unity.
In the year 1660 thework was reprinted at Amsterdam by Comenius, the sole surviving Bishop of the Bohemo- Morayian branch. In order to render the subject more intelligible^ he prefixed to it a brief history of the Brethren's Church, and subjoined an address to the Church of England, which was then being re-established, on the excellence of the ecclesiastical order therein set forth, presenting it as a legacy from his own extinct Church. He also added " Annotations/' or notes to the work. Athird edition^comprising also the other portions of Comenius's volume, was published at Halle, in 1702, by Dr. Buddeus, who pre£Ebced it with an interesting dissertation on the importance of church discipline, and the excellence of that of the Brethren, recom- mending the Lutherans, among whom the want of it was so greatly felt, seriously to consider if some parts of this system might not be advantageously adopted among themselves. With this view, ho says, he had been induced to reprint a book which exhibits so clear an image of the holy discipline of the Bohemian Brethren, regarding it as a matter of duty, nay, of necessity at that time, to draw it forth from the obscurity in which it lay hidden.*
* P. 80 of Fkrefiice, '* Dillgenter ergo coiuideraDiiB hanc pulcherrimn Ecdesi» imaginem," &c.
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INTRODUCTION.
The present Editor may repeat the concluding aentiment just quoted as expressing his motive for undertaking thi9 eMtum» Upwards of a century and a half has elapsed since the former was given to the world. The book has become very scarce^ and is so little known, that in an age when the subject of church regulation and government is one of much inquiry and discussion, even writers who have professed t<y treat on the Ancient Brethren seem to have been unacquainted with it* A reprint, therefore, seemed desirable. This is accompanied with a translation ; for these are not the days wherein the learned alone are to be addressed on such matters, nor is the value or interest of the work confined to them. It is believed that there are many thoughtful minds which may derive useful instruction from the study of a system that, under the Divine blessing, was attended in its practical working with such excellent i*esults.
If we bear in mind also the spirit of Christian charity which ever distinguished the Brethren, the perusal of this account of their church constitution may teach us, that the most enlarged love for our fellow Christians is perfectly compatible with a decided pre- dilection for that part of Christ's fold on earth, in which His Providence has placed us, and His grace has blessed us. It may lead us to consider whether the diversity that obtains among the different sections of Protestant Christendom be inconsistent with oneness of spirit and i unity of action ; and if not^ to look forward in our j
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INTRODUCTION. 19
prayers and our efforts to the time, when, notwith- standing the variety which will still exist in the different parts, all shall form one combined and beautiful whole. That the Brethren yearned for communion with kindred spirits, their entire history bears witness. From Borne, indeed, they stood aloof. They regarded her as an* apostate churchy the great realization of the predicted Antichrist, and they bore an unwavering testimony against lier at the risk, and often at the cost, of all that man holds dear on earth.^ But they looked eagerly around for fellow Christians who were guided by the word of truth. Hence, in tiie midst of that palpable darkness which oyerhung the world at the close of the 15th century, they once and again sent out their mes- sengers, as . Noah his dove, to ascertain the state of things, and see if a truly Christian people with whoni they might unite could anywhere be found.t But the search was finiitless ; and the Brethren saw that nothing remained for them but to raise their sighs to God on behalf of His people, and with constancy and patience endure their own trials. J Yet, at a Synod, hold in the year 1486, they adopted the resolution, that if God should anywhere raise up pious teachers and refor- mers of the church, they would join them/'i| Their
* Mr. Elliott considers the Bolieinian Brethren as raising the last testimony aj^ainst llome previous to the death of the w itnesses. I/ai'cc Apcealypticee.
f Camerarius, pp. ll'J, 120 ; Uonicaius, IIi:$toriu, § 66. J Couicnius, Uist. § OS. 11 Ibid. $ 67.
c 2
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20
IMTBODUOTIOK.
joy was great when the lieformation began in Germany. They watched its progress with intense interest. This is that/' said they, which onr fathers foretold, but saw not. To us, their descendants, and to many of Christ's &ithftd people, it is given to rejoice therein " to the glory of God.''* The Brethren soon entered into a cordial interconrse with Lather and the other Reformers, and wore ready to profit by tlieir advice as well as to impart connsel, the result of their own experience. That they did not come into closer union vrith the churches of the Heformation was owing to the fact, that the Brethren considered them materially defective in point of order and discipline.f Subse- quently, when union with other bodies of Christians was practicable, as in J^olaud, and again^ as we kave seen, in Bohemia, in the reign of Rudolph II., they willingly associated with them^ at the same time retain- ing their church constitution.:]: This catholic spirit oi the
* The Apologia. See Lydii WaldeDsia, p. 280.
t The Brethren were jealoufl of anj connexioii which tended to rehut their diidpline. And tnily/* says Jablonsky, " if we Gonsider the con- stitution of the Bohemian Church and its transaetioBS with Lather and other Beformers, it will be evident that the real cause why those good men were unwilling fully to unite and form one body either with tfaoae of the Augsburg or those of the Helvetic Confession was, that in these churches refonned from Popery, they thought there was too laz a dis- cipline, and that more attention was given to sclance than to conscience and serious piety."— Historia Consensus Sendomhiensis, § 10. See also Lasitius, p. '214.
X This spirit was acknowleclp^ed and cordially responded to by the gentle Melancthon, whose letter addressed, a. d, 1535, to the Brethren, is well deserving of attention. It is given in Camerarius's volume, p. 277«
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INTRODUCTION. , 21
old Brethren's Church> breathes in the writings of its
latest representatives. Comeuius, in liis Do Bono Unitatis^^' § 11^ stating his reason for setting forth its history and order^ remarks : — I seek no adyantage for my Church, which is now no more ; nor for myself, who am just entering the tomb : but for thee, O Catholic Church, the common mother ; whom I so love and re- verence, that I should desire thy profit in whatever ^vay. Aloof from all party bpirit or strit'e^ I was born, have lived, and die, adhering to Christ alone, along with those whom He had given to me as guides^ or to whom Me had given me in that capacity* 0 that all who call on the luone of Christ were persuaded to be of the same mind, namely to take Christ and Christ alone as their Leader, ignoring other leaders whosoever they may be, and, while having sukly iu view salvation and eternal hfe, to dismiss all trifles, contentions about primacy^ precedency, titleB,revenues, as worldly rubbish, altogether out of place/^
Dr. Jablonsky, who had been attacked in an ano- nymous w riting on account of his advocacy of Christian union in his History of the Consensus of Sendomir, says in his reply, that as a youth he had been educated among the Bohemian Brethren, where honourable men- tion was made of Luther by pious men, many of them venerable for an honoured old age. They regretted that the good understanding with him had been broken off by his successors, and lamented the dissensions that subsisted. He remembered a remark in a book by one
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22
INTRODUCTION.
of the Brethren^ that the doctriDe might be reconciled,
if the doctors could and he had heard one of tlieir distinguished men declare :7-'^If these two Confessions^ the Angnstan and the Bohemian^ shoiild meet in free air^ they would join and embrace like affectionate sisters ; but herebelow on earth, where they lodge among menswayed by their prejudices and feehngs, they ai'e reluctantly compelled to engage in civil war.''*
With regard to the translation of the Ratio'* here given, the Editor begs to state, that his aim has been to make it as literal as was consistent with the idiom of our language, being of opinion that in a documeut of this nature accuracy is the first requisite. The Notes, which are added with a view to give information on various points adverted to in the work itselt^ are partly selected from the Annotations'' of Comenius, and partly derived from other sources. f
* EpUtola Apokgeticft, p* 7.
t Koppen, Lathenm clefgyman at BSenowitz, who pablished his Ger- man translation of the **Batio,'* in 1844, cloeeB his Frefiioe to it with tlicse words: — *'ln conclnnon, it need scarcely be remarked, that the
Renewed Brethren's Church still retains essentially this church order. ** Perhaps thehr choir arrangements are peculiar and new; but that ** which is specially so, is that Missionary activity so richly blessed by
the Lord of the Chnrch, by which she puts to ihamefar richer cfanrch " commtmities."
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RATIO DISCIPLINiE
OBDINISQUE ECCLESIASTICI
IK
UNITATE FRATRUM BOIIEMORUM.
(UT TTPI8 XZSCBIPTA FVIT LESKiEl, HDCXXZU.)
9
*
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PilJiFATIO.
GoKSTAT ex historiis^ pie lector^ gentem Bohemam poBtqiiam loannis Hussi et Hieronyim PragenBis ministerio EvB.iigelii luce feliciter ftdsset coUnsiarata, novis tameu Satanae fraudibus ad apostaticsB sedis obedientiam^ calice solo^ cum aliis quibusdam panels sibi reservatiSy rorsum pellectam fiuBse ; in Basiliensi nimirum Concilio, anno 1433, unica Taborieusium urbe acoeusum lumen sub modium recondi dolente, perque multos annos resistente, et doctannse puritatem^ suam- que in fide constantiam gladio defendente : donee et ipsi partim dolo circumveuti^ partim yi oppressi foenmt. Quicquid ergo piarum adhuc supererat Hussi reliquiarum, divino inflammati zelo denuo resump- seruut ammoSf et a Calixtinis illis pseudo-Hussitis seceBsione facta^ anno 14&7, peculiares coetus multis in locis, sola divina ope fulti^ feliciter erexernnt: quemadmodum et Consistorium peculiare. Paulo euim ante ilia temporaj^ Waldensium e Gallia pulsorum pars in vicina Austria, cum uno et altero Episcopo suo, consederant : ad quos legatione facta nostri ilU pro- positum totum «detegunt^ consiliumque tandem et Christianam coalitionem expetunt. Gollaudant illi propositum, suadentque si coetus illi puram amplec- tentium £vange]ii doctrinam a dissipatione prsB- servari debeant^ yidendum esse ne pastores fidi deficiant.
Non expectandum igitur^ dum UomamsQ ordinationis
26
PBiEFATlO.
aliqui veritatiB amore ad illos transeant^ seque illis
])5istore« dent : sed ordiiiandos esse dorni, pro neces- sitate. Cumque dicti Waideuses^ legitimos se habere EpiBCopos, legitimamque at non interraptomj ab A])ostolis usque, successionem aflfirmarent, crearunt tres e nostrorum miuistris, ritu solcmiii, Episcopos, illisque miniBtros ordinandi contnlerant potestatem. Sed qui in odium tracto ab anticbristiano abosn Episcopomm nomine Seniorum potius et Antistitum appellatione acqmescebanty uti et hactenns. Quantum ad coalitionem ipsam, antequam hsec hi effectnm dednci potuiasetj dig&ipati sunt boni Waldenses denuo^ pri- mariasqne ipsoram Bpiscopus^ StepbanuB^ Tieimse igni ezustus. NoBtri illi in Bobemia multas, pariter expert! persecutioiies, exstirpari tameu, (Deo ipsos protegente) non potuerant. Crevit potius fidelium numeruB adeo, nt circiter annum 1500 prope duoentos essent per Bohem ia in et Moraviam Ecclesiae, e no- bilitate jam multis eas pie foventibus* Qnanto autem sudore et sanguine Amdamenta ilia Qrtbodox» frater- nitatis constiterint, liiatoiiai qute ad manum sunt, docent.
Quod Firatemitatis nomen attinet^ id a re ipsa de-
sumptum fuit. Erant illi revera gcnuiua sancti mar- tyns Hassi propago : quia tamen Calixtini Hussitanm titulum praeripuerant, neque nostri illi contra Spiritus Sancti interdictinn^ I Cor. i. 12, 13, ab bominibus denominari sustinerent : factum est, ut se ipsos in* vicem amabili illo, et Cbristianis conyenientissimo nouiinc, Fr aires et Sorores adpellarent. Apolopfiis vero, et libris suis, fundamcntum causae M. llussi legem i
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PILEFATIO.
Ghristi sofficientom esse ad Eoclesiffi militantis regi- men, sine additamontis leguin liuiiiuuarum") respect- antes^ et ne a fundameuto hoc, vel ipsi vel ])osteri recederent, prsBcavere yolentes^ sobscribebaiit Fratre» legts (seu regulae) Christi, Et quia ordinem inter se certain^ ad servandam fidei et caritatis imanimitatem^ erexerantj appellabant totam congregationem suam Unitatem Fratrum, quemadmodum et hactenus.
Quia vero templa publica a Romanis, vel Paeudo- Hiissitis^ abique occnpabantur^ illi pecaliaria sibi ora- toria oppidatim exstraere, pastoresque (ordinariis desti- tuti reditibus) manuum labore victum quserere necesse habuenint.
Cmn vero postea Germaniae quoque misertus Deas
magnum ilium excitassot Lutlxeram> fratres ad ipsum (aliosque in imperio celebres Eyangelii doctores) ali- quoties legatione institnta^ doctrinae qmdem harmoniam in praBcipuis plehsque omuibus capitibus deprelieude- runt^ ordinis vero et disciplines strictioris landem pro aliis reportarunt ; quemadmodum Lutheri et aliorum, quaa extant ad fratres vel de fratribus epistolas^ tes* tantnr.
Qnamvis autem peroptassent cum ceteris Ecclesiis, in Germania et alibi rei'ormatis^ plane unum fieri : quia tamen inter easdem dissidia oriri varia cemebant> a partinm stndiis abstinendum sibi, amicitia Christiana cum utrisque retenta, censuerunt : suorum interim coatuum curam (quod prassertim Disciplinam attinet) tanto solUcititis gerentes, quanto plus animadvorterant Uiisciplinaa neglcctu, uut languore, uuulcntioucs iilas potissimum invalaisse.
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28 PRJSFATIO.
Postea vero, cum bello Schmalcaldico siipciciLi luis- sent Protestantois ill G eruiaiiia, Ferdinandusque Bohemos etiam suos (utpote ProtestantiumfQederatos) ad pcenam ta^heret^ confiscatis nomiidlorim procera ecclc- sias Fratrum ex istis locis ejecit, Kegnoquc proscripsit, anno 1548. Qui ternoagmine m majorem Poloniaia et Borussiam delati^ ibi quoqne Evangblii doctrisani spar- berunt, Ecclubiii^que nonuullas fimdarunt.
Tandem cum anno 1009^ Proceres Bohemia im- petrata a Bodolpho Imperatore religionis libertate^ omnes Evaiigelicas divursuriiin rituum Ecclesias, ad Syncretismum redigero teutarent^ jussi sunt Fratrum patroni et antis^itea exhibere: Quidnam pra reUquis peculiare haherenty prmertim quod ad disc'qilinam et ordinem, EwJdbueruiU it ague sequeniem seriem : quae cum approbaretuTi nec tamen Ecclesise ad earn formam redigi tarn posse putarentiir^ indultum est Fratribus (ad commune regni consistorium alioqui receptiy) suam retinere disciplmaB ac ordinis formam^ donee peifectius aliqnid, quod onmibns pariter inserviret^ offerret Deus/'
TTt ne autem quid pra3tcrmitfceretur mterim_, quod ad constantem ordiuis ejus boni obseryationem yideretur fiActnrum, certinsqae prsecayeretor elanguescentia, quad vel sensim contingere (amota vigili in talibus providen- tia) solet; consignatio ilia, et velutin tabulas redactio, in Synodo general! Zerawicii Moravoram (anno 1616)^ revisa, completa, totiqne ministerio ad relegendum, gna- viterque secundum omnia perpensaudum, oblata ftdt. Quod cum ageretnr, comprobata ea fuit ab onmibas^ prsBsentiumqae e Bobemiaj Morayia, Polonia Senio- rum atque Conseniorum subscriptionibus confixmata:
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^ PEJfiFATlO. 29
non solum ut certior extardt rei Jiujus ad posteros me- znoria, sed ut arctior quoque evacteret siuguloram, ad
seciulaiii istorum per caritatem mutuatu observationem, obligatio.
Ac qnoniam nec deerant deincops^ qui eandem
consignationem luci dari postularent, exterorumque piorom desideria in Ecclesiis nonnullis id deposcere intelligebantiiT : statntnm fbit tandem in Synodo^ qua^ a dispcrsa fraternitate Lesna) Polonorum celc]:>ra- batur anno 1632, ut typis excriberetur* Yidebatur quidem istis temporibuB jam alia qnadam disciplina nos concastig'are Deus (procul dubio ob desitam inter nos quoque caritatem primam, remissumque feivorem pristinmn^ ApocaL ii. 4.) ; non tamen conyenire ju- dieatum est, ut negligentia quadam nostra in obli- vionem abiret, et tenebris velut sepeliretur, quod semel sancta consideratione a majoribus constitutum^ neque etiam sine profectu pietatis bactenus usurpatnm erat. Cogitationes potius eo conferre decuit, ut reconcinetur, quod luzatum est, eviteturque totalis distortio, sanitaa autem potius restauretur, Hebr. xii. 13. Quod ut inter nos, pariterque universes Cbrxsti Meies confiat, sua nos ccelesti gratia Deus, et renoyare et confirmare dignetur, ob sacrosancti nominis sui gloriam, Amen*
SENIOBES ET MINISTRI
Unitatis Frairum,
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RATIO discipline: OKDINISQUE
ORDO ECCLESFASTICUS IN UNITATE FRATRUM BOHEMORUM.
NuLLAM hominum societatem^ regnum^ civitatem^ domnm^ imo nuUam creatam rem citra ordinem certam consistere posse, sed illico labefactari, Dutare, labi
omnia, totius univcrsi exeniplis constat satis. N'ec igitar Ecclesia, quad domus est Dei/' I Timet, iii. 15, et ''eivitas magni Regis/' Psalm zlviii. 2, et ''regnum Dei/' Mat th. xx. 1, nisi ordine certo con- stare potest. Iliiic Apostolus : Omnia decenter et Bedmidmn ordinem fiant/' 1 Cor. xiv. 40. Qui ordo etiamsi non in omnibus Ecelesiis nnus idemque servari possit, certum tamen est, imamquamque particularem Ecdesiam, quo plus ordinis babet^ eo iirmius stare^ eo jueundius florere. Atque bac consideratione moti primi Unitatis nostraa fuudatores, cum se ab idoiolatris separasseiLt, non id solum egerunt (quamvis primario) ut doetrinaa puritatem, et vitse cbristianaB Rimplieitatem restituerent : sed etiam, ut ordiuis vinculo utrumquu lUud in se, et se in utroque iUo, firmarent. Disposuerunt igitnr, Deo auxiliante, turn se ipsos ad sanctam illam societatem, turn res ad purum Dei cultum, Ecclesiaequo aediticationem ; spectantes, quam optime vel ad apos- toticaa et primitivad- Ecclesias formam poterant, vel piaesens turn in persecutionibus constitutae Ecclesiije
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IN INITATE FKATUUM BOHEMOIiUM. 31
status permittobat. Quod unarraturi modu lu septein tribuemus capita.
I. Primoexhibebitor ordo totiusnnitatis in genere.
n. Ordo Ministrorum et Synodorum.
ni. Ordo Ministehi^ seu modus Sacra mioistrandi pablice.
IV. Ordo Ministrorum domesticus: sive Vitas pri\rat88 Ministrorum ratio.
V» Ordo Aaditomm privatas.
VT. Ordo Visitationum : give inspectionis superiorum
ad inferiores.
VII. Ordo Disciplinse^ qua veluti vinculo ista omnia continentor.
CAP. L
DE ORDINE TOTIUS UNITATIS IN G£N£R£.
OiiDO Uuitatis Pratrum in genere est turn rerum, ad sacrum Dei cultum pertinentium, certa juxta Dei yerbum distinctio ; turn persanarum, in con^i egatione ista unanimiter Deo bcrviuiitium, discretion ccrtisquo officiis erga bo invicem connexio atque colligatio*
ORDO BERUM.
Cum &atres omnia viderent confusa^ nec distinguere quemqaam inter necessaria et non-necessaria^ aut saltern inter magis et minus necessaria^ et quod pejus erat, negligi a plerisqiic fiiiidamentalia saliitis, tractari super- Ecialia : coeperunt rerum in Ghristianismo concurrentium
KATIO DISCI puna: ORDINISQUE
(liscriraen tradere, Jer. xv, 19, Ose. viii. 12, Matt. vii. 9, Gal. iv. 10.
Esse videlicet in Ghristianismo
{Essentialia. MiniaterioHa*
Accidetitalia,
EsserUiaHa ChrisHanismi yocanmt ilia, in quibus homi-
nnm sains immediate sita est : ncmpc ex parte Dei, gratia Dei Fatris, meritum Christie el Spiritua Sancti dona : ez parte yero uostank fides, caritaa, et apes. Per fidem iiitelligendo beneficiorum Dei a^itionein^ et piivatim sibi factam applicationem. Per caritatem, flagrans redamandi Denm et per omnia ei obsequendi, studium. Ferspem, in ntroque illo perse verandi, atque ita fidei £nem assequendi, immotam fiduciam. Absque his neminem salyari posse docuernnt.
Ministerialia vera CkrisHanismi esse diyinitns Eccle- siae data media, per quae gratia Dei Patris, imritum Chrtsti, Spiritusque Sancti operatio, nobis innotesctuit et confertintnr : id est, per quae in nobis fides, caritas et spes accenduutur, foventur, roborantur. Nempe Verbum Dei, Claves, et Sacramenia, Verbum enim Dei essentialia ilia nobis reyelat. Psalm, xix. 7 — 11. Claves assigxiant, Joan. xx. 22. Sacramenta obsignant, Rom. iy. 11. Ideoque ministerium EcclesuB decent esse necessarium, non propter se sed propter ilia essentialia. Nec aliud in miuisterio et per iilud qnsdrendum, quam ut fides reddatur quam pnrissima ; caritas quam flagrantissima ; spes quam tenacissima, in vita et morte, omnibuRque tentationibus misericordiae Dei inhserens indissolubiliter.
I !
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IN UNHATE FKAmUM BOHEMORUM. o3
Acctdentalia vera Chnstiaiiisnu appellubant (quae alii Adiaphora) ea, qu» tempos, locum, modumque mini- sterialia ilia nsurpandi concemunt, id est, cerem&mas ritmqiie reliyionis externos. Qiuc putaruut pro libertnte etprudentia Christiana ita esse usurpanda, ut uou solum non officiant fidei, caritatiy spei (ab iUis nempe abdn- cendo, aut eas obscuraiido, (|iiod utrumquo Idololatric£e et superstitiosae ceremonial) faciunt,) sed magis ut iUastrandifl et incnlcandis ilHs inserviant. Bom. xiv. * per totum, 1 Cor. xiv. per totum, Col. ii. 16, et alibi.
Atque circa base potissimum versatur Unitatis nosti*ae ordo. EasetUiaUa enim et ndnisterialia communia habe- mus cnm nniversis Ghristianis, modo sua bona norint, et satis distincte intelligant, (Kom. x. 12, Eph. iv. 3, 4, 5, 6.) In Accidentalibus aliqaid ab aliis forsan diversum, non tamen aliunde, quam e diyina in Scriptoris varie indigitata ordiiiatione, primitivteque Ecclesia3 exemplis, deduct^. Qoaa qualia sint, et an satis &ii suo respon- deant, in conspectu Ecclesia9 (non salntis cardinem, sed meliorem, et jedificationi commodius inscrvientem ordinem, qaod ipsa praxis nos docuit, in iis collocantes) explicamufl. Neque enim tarn pertinaciter istatnemnr, nt non (si utiliora offerantur) cedere simus parati, Philip, iii. 15, 16, et 1 Tbessal, v. 21, sed neque ob leves causas quidquam mutare »qaam putamus, 1 Cor. xi. 2. Unde est, ut nemini apud nos liceat, vel novos sensus aut opmiones introducere^vel insuetas ceremonias inchoare, libros scribere aut edere, nisi prasvia ezami- natione, et communi omnium consensu.
D
34
SJlTIO DISCiPLIMiS OKDINISQCB
OBDO PERSONABUM. PBIMUH IN PQFULO.
Personarum ardo est talis omniiini discriminatio; ut tmuBquisque suo constitutus loco, cui pr-ccsit aut subsit, et qualem huic aut illi respectum aut curam debeatj ezacte noyerit : tarn in pqpulo, quam in miniatriam
Populum, 9€U mtditores snos, majores nostri (relicto naturali et politico regimine >m vigore suo, nimirum ut mariti uxoribusj parentes liberis^ lieii famoUtio, magi- stratas snbditis prasessent) trifariam juxta gradus laboj'um, circa illos instituendos, partiri soliti sunt :
ilncipietdeaj Proficientes ; et Fer/ecios, sive ad perfectionem tendentesy vide Hebir. v. 13, 1 Cor. ii. 6, et Isid. Kb. 2,
Eccks. cnp. 21.
Incipknieny sive iTdtiales, sunt, qui Catecbesin et prima religionis elementa discont: nt snnt pneri, pastorum jam curae a pareiitibug traditi. Nee non adulti ab idololatris accodentes, vel alias neglecti : qui, si Ministromm inter Fratres cnrsd se permittnnt, institm prius probarique solent, Hebr. v. 11, 12, 13, 14.
Proficientes sunt, qui religionis elementa jam edocti, in pastoralem curam snscepti, ad omnium in Ecdesia mysteriorum participationem admissi, magis magisque in agnitione yoluntatis Dei, ejusque practica observa- tione, se exercent: atqne sio in Ecdesi» ordine se continentes, sanctificationem suam custodiunt, 2 Cor. vii. 1, Hebr. vi, i.
Perfectas appellarunt rerum divinarum cognitione
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IN U^1TAT£ f^UATBUH BOH£MOUUM.
35
notabiliter auctos^ inquo iide^ caritate et spe, adeo roboratoSj nt alios jam qnoque illaminare^ illisque in ordine continendis praefici possent, Rom. xv» 14, 1 Cor. ii. 6, Phil. iii. 15. Ex liis enim eUgi solest :
I. Presbyteriy sen censares morum,
II. Eleeinosyiiarum (Juratores, IIL ^diUs.
Prbsbytbri.
Sunt lionesti, graves, pu, e toto coetu eo fine delecti viri, ut oeteroram omnium conservationi attendant. Quibus alios (in quibus exorbitantiae aliquid animad- vertitur) commonendi, increpandi ; dissidentes item reconciliandi ; et qnamcmique ataxiaa notayerint in ordinem redigendi (siye soUs sive cum pastore^ cui auxiliatores dati sunt) potestas datur.
Nec non in rebus eztemis, rem domesticam concer- nentibus, juniores viri et adolescentes borum concilia exquirere, et ab ipsis fidoliter instrui solciit. Id quud exemplis et praxi autiqufB Ecclesiae omnino fieri debcro credimns. Yideatur Exod. xviii, 21, 22, Deut. i. 18, 1 Cor. vi. 2, 4, 5, 1 Tim. v. 17.
Similiter e ixiuiiobri sexu honestic, priidentes, graves matronsB, attendendum feminis eliguntur, similique po- testate instruuntur. Vide Ilom. xvi. 1, 2, 3, 5, 12. 1 Tim. V. 9, 10. Tit. ii. 3, 4.
Elebmosynabii.
Eleemosynarii sunt viri prudentes, virtute ac fide conspicui, quibus ^zophylacii (quo unusquisque audi- torum quoties vult iiamittit aliquid, ne quod dextra facit sinistra sciat) Matth. vi. 3, cura committitur:
n 2
ttt quotiea opus nummos eximaut^ libris mscribant, et in pauperes (pastore tamen conBcio) erogent. Qaantam enim fieri potest mendicitatem nostroram procavemns, inuuilato nimiruin Dei, Deut. xv. 7 — 11, Rom. xii. 8. Oiiicii qnoque ipsoram est oiphanis, vidois, agrotis, pro Evangelio ezolibuB, ne omni ope destitaantar^ providere.
^diles sunt viri honesti, quibus aBdiuui sacrarum, et qnas ministri inhabitant^ cora committitor. Ideo et coUectas, qaater anno fieri solitas, ad se recipiunt^ 2 lieg. xii. 10, 11, i|iiiuunm (|iiis(iue coufert nominatim consigaant^ in addificiorum reparationes aliosque templi usus, erogant : tandemqne acceptonun et expensoram rationem seniel auno Ecclesioe redduui. Ubi et ordiiiLino (cum operosius sit hoc munus) dimitti^ aliiqae ipsorum loco eligi, solent.
Hic est inter aiiditores Fratrum ordo : cui non inviti sabjecti sunt ii omneSj utpote quem ex verbo Dei, et experientia propria^ aedificationi accommodum esse sciunt. Kee se qmsqnam in nllam functionem ingerit, ut ob id contemui possit : sed quisque a coetu toto le- gitime electuB^ tam confidenter provinciam in se recipit, qnam ad eum confidenter alii transfenmt.
QbDO MlNlSTBOBUM IN TJnITATX FbATSUV.
Mimsiri EecksiiB nobis sunt sacerdotes sen Eccle^ siarum pastores, pro Ohristo legatione fimgentes ad
populuin, 2 Cor. v. 20. Quorum officium est, Verbum, Claves, et Sacramenta^ admiuistrure.
(A Sacerdotum appellatione Eratres non abhorrent,
quatenus ea vox sacris dicatam personam deuotat, uon
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IN UKITATB rSiLTBUH BOHKMOBUM. 37
sacrificom. Sed Bohemica yox, Ksiez, moUior eBt^ populi praepositum sonans^ sicuti et vicina Knize^ principem secularem : quemadmodum nempe Hebraica Coheuj et sacerdotem et principem politicam sonat Quia tamen Latina voce sacerdo9 alios offendi non ignorant^ abstinent plerunqiie^ et cam illis Ecclesise miiiistros appellant* Hie tamen, ubiministroramgradns recensentur^ distincta appellatione opus est.)
Ab bis sacerdotibus suis majores nostri^ neque liu* goanim, neque pbiloBopliiad cognitionem (prsesertim (mm id in Scholarnm defectu esse non posset) requirere soliti sunt. Sed si quem enutritum verbis fidei, ad docendmn aptom^ sobrium, prudentem, et quse prsa- terea in ministro EcdesieB requirit Apostolicus canon, 1 Timothy iii. et Tit. i. viderunt_, eo contenti pro vero Chnsti legato aguoscebant. Quod etiam D. Lutheroa collandavit, snadens nihilominns, nt quantum possent lingnarum adjimgerent studium ; quemadmodum ex eo tempore, quantum potuit, fieri consuevit.
Isti babent sub se novellos, Ecdesisd ministerio de- gtinatos adjutores suos : supra se autem, ad ordinis custodiam, Episcopos seu Antistites suos. Quos sub se habent et fovent^ sunt AeobUhi et IHaeom.
ACOLUTHI.
Acoluthi suntadolesoentuli a Pastoribus Ecclesiamm
ill domesticam societatem, eo fine ut in futurum Ecclesiaa usum litteris et moribus diligentius quam apud parentes, vel alibi insfnnanturi admissi. Sic etenim Samuel apud Eli, 1 Sam. iii. 1, Elisaeus apud Eiiam, 1 Beg. zix. 21, et turba filiorum Prophetarum
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BATIO DISClPLINiE 0RBIMISQUJ6
apud Seniores moB, 2 Beg. ir, 38^ exerceri soliti saut* Sic et Christas discipaloB, anteqnam illis ministerium
coiicredidisset, apiid se fovit et exercitavit. Sic Paulu3 Timotheiimi Titom^ Lucam, pedissequos et comites habnit: imcle et aicoXovOfa ipsis expreBse tribmtor^ Luc. i. 3, 1 Timoth. iv. 6, 2 Timotli. iii. 10, in GrsDCO nimiram texta in evidentiam faabet* Atque hinc 68t, quod jam inde ab Apostolicis temporibas gra- dus isto iu Ecclesia u^m patus fuerit. De qno videatur Cyprian, lib. iii. Epist. xxiii. et Conciliorum canones.
DaKT ADirEH AOOLUTHIS SUIS FbAT&E8 KMC OFPIOIA.
1. Supra ceturaai juventutem compositej modeste^ pie sese gerendo, in obsequio et spontanea Deo ct
Ecclosit© servitute alacritati, atque it a man suet udini discipulis dignae, adsuescere, 2 Tim. iii. 10, 14.
2. In Theologiee mdimentis ezerceri^ legendo et memorice mandando Catechesin majorem, Evangelia, Epistolasque breviores ad Timotiieum, Titum, Petri. Psalmos item et Hymnos spirituales^ 2 Timoth. iii. 15.
3. Demandatur ipsis ad preces domi textus sacri pra^Iectio : quaudoquc utiam ex eodem textu adoasdem preces exhortatio ; idqne tum ad experiendnm^ qaalem Deus ad docendum in unoquoque aptitndinem/ depo- suerit, tum ad acquirendam paulatim in Deo parrbe- siam, qua sue tempore in Ecclesiae conspecta opus erit> Lnc. i. 4. Officii ipsorum est, ad concionem populum (sicubi non aliter provisum est) caiiipanarum pulsu conyocare^ templum aperire et claudere, lumina (in antelucanis congregationibus) curare: atque ita in- ferioribus istis Ecclcsiae ministrare, 1 Sam. ii. 15.
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nr UKITATI fBlTBUX BOHEKOBUM. 39
4. Liberos Cliristiaiionim in achoIiB oatedhyeim do-
cere, Art. xviii. 25, 26.
6. Prsepositos suos peregere abeuntes comitari; tim mimsterii causa, torn vero nt ipais honestea ubique vitae testes sint, adeoque ipsi honestati ubiqae adsue- scant, 2 Tim. iv. 11, et ii. 3»
6. Necessitatis tempore demandator ipsis qaoque in minori Coetu sacri textus, cum commentario aliquo, prsBlectio; vel etiam (si possunt) memoriter habeuda condimoiik, precesque* Quodet ipsuxn piianditores pie admittunt.
DiAGONI.
Diaconi sunt adultiorcs Acolutlii, futuro minlstorio jam jam sese praeparantes. jELos fratrum ministri pro admuiistris, sive adjutoribus, habent, Apostolomm exemplo. Act. vi. 2, et Philipp. i. 1. Quamvis enim ab Apostolis primario ad meusarum ministeria ordi- ziati erant ; constat tomen et pmdicasse ipsoSj et bap* tizasse (ut Stephanas, Act. vi. 10, et Pbilippus, Act. viii, 5, 12, 35, 38.) et ad gradum superiorem, Mini- sterii nempe sen Ptesbyterii, promotes fiiisse, 1 Tim. iii. 13. Itaqne gradns bic Diaconatns in primitiTa Ecclesia constanter fait servatus: ut ex Conciiiorum Canonibns patet. Qnem proinde, etiamsi ab Anti- christo cum ceteris in abusum tractus sit, ab Ecclesia eliminari non convenit.
ASSIONANT YBBO DiACONIS SUIS FbAIBBS OmCU IiOCO.
]. Constanter et fervide sacro-sanctaa Theologian studio incumbere, et digne ministerio sese pr8aparare> 1 Timoth. iii. 13.
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EATiO DiiiCIFLlNJ: OEDINiSQUE
2. Pubein in Ecclesia et tichola ruligioois i'unda- menta docere.
8. In concionibcui ad popnlum habendis exerceri.
4. Baptismuii^ quoties mandaverit Pastor^ miuis- trare. Nam et Ghristiis discipulis snis^ antequam Claves Regni coelornm ooromisisset, Baptismam permittebat, Joh. iv. 2. Sicut et Petrus discipulis suis, Act. x. 48. Apostolorum vero Diaconos Baptisma peregisse, jam OBtendimiis.
5. Quoties frequeutiori cootu sacra Cdnia adiiiinistra- tur, nec siifficicntes adsunt Ministri^ adhibeutur etiam Diaconi ad distribuendum, non solum calicem, sed et panem : ita tamen, ut non nisi Minister, claviuni potestatem habens, absoiutiouem populo annuntiet et verba institutionis solemniter pmmittat.
Atque isti sunt Ministrorum adjutores^ AcolutU et . Diaconi. Pra^positi MiniBtrorum^ ceu vigiles et Bpecu- latoresi sunt Episcopi et GoepiBCopi^ seu Seniores et Gonseniores : qui junctim constituuBt Senatom Eccle- siasticum^ sive ut alii loquuntur Consistorium Unitatis.
De Aktistitibus seu Senioeibus.
Antistes^ seu Episcopus^ nobis est persona aetate ac donis Dei conspicua^ ad ordinis in tota Unitate costo- diam omnium ministrorum sufiragiis electa, solenui ordinatioixis ritu confirmata^ et 8ic auctoritate pubUca monita; ut omnes reliqui^ sue quisque loco^ officium faciant, opusque Dei sine scandalis et confusione ubique procedat, attendens. Act. xx. 28, 1 Pet. v. 1. Concil. Garthag. 4. Tales Episcopi quatuor^ quinque^ sex (prout necessitas postulayerit) constitui ; ot unicuique
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sua DicBoesis, sive oertus Eeclesiamm et Pastorum niimeras, assignari Bolenti 2 Cor. z. 13^ usque ad 16^
Qal. ii. 9.
Dignitas vero eorum pra3 ceteris Ministris^ nou iu honorum aut redituum^ sed laborum, et pro aliis cura-
Ynm, pra3rogativa fandatur. Qui iniLjor est inter vos sit tauquam minor, et qui praecedit taiiquam ministrator," inquit ChristuSy Matth. zxiii. 11^ Marc. x. 44, Luc. xxii. 26. Et jiixta Apostolorum canones, Presbyter et Kpiscopus unum idemque sunt : nisi quod Episcopus Inspectorem, sive Superintendentem, significat. Ideo- que Episcopi Uiiitatib inter se quoqiie pari honore sunt: excepto quod unus eorum ordmis causa praBsideat. Omnes hi electi et constituti semel^ per vitsB dies in officio (uisi quis minus digne se gerat) relinquuntur.
COHliUNIA AnIISTITUM OfVXGIA H^C SUliT.
1. bincentati doctrinae disciplinaeque vigon, atten- dere per totam Uuitatem : idque mandato Christi, qui servis suis potestatem deditj et cuique opus suum, Janitori vero pnece^t, ut vigilet, Marc. xiii. 34.
2. Providere ut bon» iudolis adolesceutes in futurum Ecclesiae usum diligenter exerceautur : quemadmodum Propliet» iilios^ et Gamaliel secus pedes sues Faulum, erudierej Act. xxii. 3.
>-S. Acolutlios, Diaconos, Ministros et Conseniores^ ad gradus suos ordinare^ Tit. i. 5.
4. Gnram habere Melem omnium Mmistrorum^ Dia- conorum, Acoluthorum^ Yiduarum et Orphanorum, in sua DioDcesi.
5. Catfdogos Ecclesiarum suae Dioeceseos habere^
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KATIU blSCimNJ:: OKDINISQUI
eanuidem necessitates^ auditoresque (saltern prascipuos) nosse.
6. Decemere Eoclesiis pastores idoneos, eosque pro necessitatis ratione (non tameu insciis Coepiscopis) mntare.
7. Ecclesias snaa Dicaceseos singulis annis viaitare
(de quo suo loco inim.)
8. MinistroB et Pastores officium pratergredientes corripere. (Excomimicatio vero ministri non nisi toti
Synodo competit : " Omnia secundum potestatem, qoam dedit Dominua in sedificaticmemj nan in destruc* tionem/' 2 Cor. xiii. 10.)
9. bi quid persecutiouis aut periculi (sive toti Unitati, sive alicai Ecclesiae^ sive personis certis) immineat, atfcradere qnomodo discrimini obviam iri, ant saltern periclitantibus solatii et confortationis aliquid submitti, possit, Act. XX. 27 — 31.
10. Tenetar quisque Antistes Unitatis BibUothecom curare, librisque utilibus, quoad id fieri potest, augere.
11. Typographei Unitatis cnra omnibus ex aequo
incumbit : inspoctio Tero ejusdcm proxirae adhabitanti.
12* £t quia absoiutum agcndi arbitrium periculose nni aut pauds peimittitor, tenetnr quisque iUorom, non solum collegaiaim, sed et Conseniorum judicio Bubesse, admonitioncmque consilium et increpationem admittere. Inde si quidem, tanquam a legitimo judicio Dei, iiou est appellatio nisi ad Synodum generalem ; a qua provocare nou licetj nisi ad earn qui dijudicandi potestatem dedit ficclesisB*
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IN UNITATB FBATBUK BOHEMOBUH. 43
Unus inter Episcopos Prmidia fungitur officio cujus nLimia suntj
1 . Quoties opus censet senatnm EcclesiaBticam con-
scribere ; consciis tamen et consentientibus collegis.
2. Congregatis conventus causa indicata^ et quam incerto smt absque Dei ope mortaUum oogitationes, commonefactione praemissa, ad preces inflammare, eoque subseqaentes operas consecrare.
8. Inquirere num prsecedentis Synodic ant Conventas^ decreta in clfectum deducta sint. Turn proponere in hoc Conyentu agenda : et ut quisque quod deixberandum putet proponatj rogare : consignante illioo propositiones omnes Notario. Mox singnli sententias ex ordine (a junioribus facto initio) dicunt. Praeses autem colligit, ponderatj et quo rationmn momenta inclinant eo con- clusionem dirigit : qu89 a Notario decretis inscribitur*
4. Synodum item generalem, cum opus est, indicere ; ad providendum de necessitatibus extemis aliquos con- stitnere ; inque Synodo totius boni ordinis primum esse ducem, Praesidis est.
KoTABii Unitaiis OmciA.
E SenioriboB uni ]S[otariatus concredi solet. Cujus officia sunt;
1. Acta Synodalia in monumenta referre.
2. Unitatis acta et scripta op time cognita habere.
3. In scripta ab adversariis emissa attendere^ atque si response opus sit^ et mandatum a Senatu fuerit, responsa conscribcre, Senatusque censurse submittere*
RATIO DiSCiPUNii: O&DINISQUE
4. Si quern in (Jiiitatis scrip tis defcctutu aininadvertit, Senatum commonefacere, et pro unanimi deliberationis autegressae statute supplere.
5. Ne quid a quoquam in Umtate private ausu cdatur, attendere. Verbo, omnium editorom et edendomm libromm causas et rationes nosse.
tSiQgiilis Senioribus bini aut term adduutur auxilii loco Conseniores : quos antiquitas Chorepiscopos voca* bant. Horum officia sunt :
1. Una cum belli oribus ISonatum Ecclosiasticum^ seu Consistorium^ constituere.
2. pTfiB reliquis Miniatris ordini bono ubique atten> dere : et quicquid correctione dignum uaquam notave- rint, prtepositum suum commonefacere.
3. TTt leges^ statute^ consuetudinesque laudabiles ab omnibus obscrventur ; omnibus verbo et exemplo praeire, Phil. iv. 3, et 2 Tim. iv. 2.
4* De personis ad ministerii gradns idoneis providere. Tit. i. 5.
5. Ubi, qua in re, et quomodo, Ministromm et Ad- ministrorum qnis utiliter laborare possit, et quid proinde cuique committendum sit, decemere. Act. xvi. 4.
6. Disciplinam in Ministros^ una cum Antistite suo^ ezercere.
7. Ecclesias cam eodem^ vel absque illo cum jusserit> et quus jusserit^ visitare.
8. Convocatos ad ordinandom AcoluthoSj DiaoonoSj Ministros examinare> examinatosque certo cum testi-
monio Sen ion bus siatei'e. (1 Tim. iii. 10.)
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IN UNITATE FEA.TRUM BUUKMOliUM. 45
9. lu Pastores vicinos- districtus 8ui (praBsertim inspectioni bo» pecnliariter commendatoB) quomodo officium faciant attendere : ubi si quid levioris exor-^ 1>itanti8S notaverint^ ipsorum est id corrigere : de gravioribas vero et scaiidalosis, Seniorem ipsnm quan- tocins edocere, 1 Thess. v. 14.
1 0. CoQsiliorum arcana fideliter servare, Prov. xx, 19.
CAR IL
DE SYNODIS, ET ORDINATIOKUM Rmi.
Grayes 6b caitsaB (ad proyidendnm nempe necessitatis
bas,bive totiusUnitatis^sivealicujus Dioeceseos) Synodos celebrare Bolemiis^ vel Generates vel Farticulares*
Generalia Synodus celebratur fere qnovis triennii vel quadriennii spatio : ubi oinnes Seniores et Conseniores, Pastores et Ministri^ aut etiam Diaconi et Acolathi^ imo et Ecdesiamm Patroni (prsesertim vicinioreB), comparenfc. Idque,
1. Benovandae et confirmandad fratemao dilectionis et coBCordiaB canBa, 1 Cor. xvi. 14», 1 Petr. iv. 8.
2. Ad eriii i udum roborandumque omnium animos in opero Dommi, Bom. i. 11, 12.
3. Ad redintegrandttm ordinis et disciplinse vigorem, si qvia iu parte laxalio forte deprelieiidatur, vel metuenda veniat, 1 Cor. i. 10, Epb. iv. 10.
4. Aliqnaiido etiam» ut ezterminentur e mimatrorain numero scaudalosi, aut rursum bulenuiter recipiantur poenitentes.
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RATIO BlSClPLINJi: OIiDIKiSQU£
5. Ad ordinaadum Miiiistros^ in quo gradu turn necessitas ezigai.
Tales generales Synodi non nno certo in loco, sed in diver^is, tarn in Moravia quam in Bohemia cogebautar (Polonia quia dissita est^ delegates tantom ad Synodos mittebat : ut et ez Bohemia qnandoque ad Polonorum syiiodus) hoc ordine,
1« Ad diem et locum destiuatmn comparent omnes Yocati*
2. Divertit unusijuisque in locum pro se destiuatum : id enim mature provider! solet.
3. Sab vesperam ad datmn Gampanae Bignum oon- veniunt omues in templum, dicuntur Deo gratue, Senioreisque paterne hospites saiutant.
4. Goenatar inde juxta mensanim et administrantium distributionem : idque (ut et sequentibus diebus) modeste cum timore Domini, piis et amicis coUoquiis^ Eph. iy. 29^ et v. 4. E Conseniorum vero numero emittuntuT ad coordiuandum omnes; ut et quotidie post ad visendum et salutandum accumbentos.
5. Sequente mane a Seniorum vel Conseniorom aliquo concio babetur, ut et aliis durante Sjnodo diebus : nec non poiuendiaiiie et vespertinje precea, cum commonefactione semper e scripturis, de eo quod communi aedificationi, aut rerum prsesenti statu! serviat.
6. Ministri toto die cougregati iiianent in templo (quemadmodum et Diaconi atque Acoluthi suo loco) in materia a Senioribus oblata^ occupati.
7. feeniores quoque in consessn peculiari de niinistro- xvao., Ecclesiarumve aut patronorum postulatis, aut qoicquid in propositis est^ deliberant et decemunt:
IN nNITAT£ FRATBVM BOHEHORUM. 47
in ^randioribusnegotiistamen non absque Mimstromm
consensu.
8. Qaaties vacantem in Senatu locum expleri necesse est, prssmissis cnm jejunio precibus^ omnes singnlique suffragiis personas certas designant, et obsignatis flcliedalia Senioribas tradont.
9. Bequinmtup et e Diaconis person» MiniBterii gradu dign83: de quorum singidis Almistri^ quicquid laudabile ant secos novenmt^ consignant^ et Senioribus transmittnnt.
10. Testimonio laudabili ornati^ examinautur a S6niorib.ii8 et ConBenioribus.
11. Fit ordimitio publice ad quemvis gradom: de quo infra.
12. Semper autem in generali Synodo Synaxis sacra celebrator, Act. xx. 7, ad redintegraadam nimimim
mutuam dilectionem et in Deo laetitiam. Ubi quut- quot adsunt Miniatri Ecclesise^ et Patroni^ et populua fidelis^ cttta. gandio et exoltatione commimicant*
13. Sub Synodi finem adjunguntur varia) exliorta- tiones^ Act. xx. 25^ Ex. gratia* Ut omnia in hac Synodo gesta in Dei glonam, suamqae asdificationem quisque dirigat : ut ({uisquo in vocatione sua, qua Yocatus est^ digue ambulet^ bonoque exemplo omni- bns qnibns prseest, prseeat, ne qua parte blasphemetur ministerium.^^ Additis quandoque spocialibus, a vitiis et scaudalia his vel illis^ debortationibus, cum intermixtis comminationibus aut promissis divinis.. Tandem cum bcnedictione et gratiarum actione, com- precationibusque (ut m posterum quoque halcjonia Ecclesifld concedat Deus, opusque suum in gloriam suam
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KATIO DISCI I LIN.K OkDINISQUE
feliciter procQdere facial) in pace diuiittitnr Sy nodus. Cum admonitione^ ut lu via pie^ modeste et concorditer, Gren. xly. 24, se gerant omnes : domamqae reyersi Ecclcsias ct Patronos^, domesticosque siios, Scniorum numiae salutent, eisque Edelem pastoralem pateruamque coram^ et coram Deo in precibuB memoriam, perpetimm- que saluti eoram inserviendi promptitadiiiem, renun- cient, Rom. xvi. per to turn, Heb. xiii. Ephes. i. 16, Phil. i. 8, 4>, Colos. i. 3»
14. Acta Synodalia in faturam memoriam con&ig- nantur : qaorum exemplar Seniorum quisque penes se retinet.
Pariiculare9 Spnodi cogi solent^ minore Seniorom et
Ministrorum nuinero, ob necessitates subitaneas^ qua3 ad generalem Synoduiii dilationem non ferrent ; ut etsi forsan non totias UDitatis, sed alicujus districtns, aut certse Eccle.sia3 vel persoDi^ negotium concemitur. Cujusque tamen Sjnodi particularis acta illico absenti- bus fipiscopis, sanctaB nnanimitatis ergo, commnnicantur.
Sed quia in Synodis generalibns ministrorum ordina- tioiies Hunt, de bis, quo ritu fiant, dicendum est.
r L Acoluiharum,
y IT. Diaconormn, Est autem ordinatio < HI. Ministrorum^
J IV. Conseniorum.
(Y.'Senianm.
I. ACOLUTHOBUU ObDINATIO.
Pastorum quisque apnd nos nnum, duos, tres, plu- resve bonorum parentum pueros, apud se alere, et in spem Ministerii educare, instituendumque curare.
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49
tenetor. E quibns adultiores^ ut Mmisterii amore inar^i
descant magis^rui Synodos assumuiitur, ibique institute examine (qui ulteriore cura et promotioue digui vide- antor^ et ut Ecdesi» obstrictos se sentiant) primo Tocationis gradu omantnr ; ut nempe vocentur Acoluthi. Homm ordinatio talis est :
1. Habetur de materia apposita Gondo : ut de imUa. tUme ChrisH; de voeaiiane siptuaginia dSae^indorum; de filiis Prophetarum, i^c,
2. Provocautur nominatim ex ordane, et Be in Ecclesiao conspectum sistont.
3. Interrogantur coram tota Synodu, Tiiim se Ecclesias usibus consecrare velint ? num obaequia promittaut 7
4. PrsBleguntur ipsis officia : de quibus supra.
5. Horum observationem illi manu stipulata promit- tunt.
6. Priores Acoluthi dextrse porrectione in aocietatem eos cooptant.
7. Omnia yotis^ benedictione^ et cautu sacro, oonclu- duntnr.
II» DiACONOBUM ObDINATIO.
Diaooui ex Acoluthis adultioribus eliguntur, hoc
modo :
1. Exammantur a Senioribus, num se totos jam Ghristo et Ecclesi» dediderint^ et quousque in Theo- logke studio progress! sint, 1 Tim. iii. 10, Luc. ix. 62.
2. Vocantur nominatim coram tota Sjnodo: atque hie officia ipsis^ ex 1 Tim« iii. 8^ praalegaHtur.
3. nii Ghristo et Ecclesi» veto se obstringunt.
4. Preces pro ipsis fiiintj Ordinatorque manuum im- positione eos coulirmat, Act. vi. 6.
B
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50 EATIO DISCIPUNiB 0BDINI8QUE
5« Offenint noyi Diaooni Senioribas etMmiBtris obe-
dientiBB sanctse, priores vero Diucum lilis societatis^ dextram. 6. Benedictione actus clauditur.
m. MnnsTROBUv Obbinatio.
1. Cam in Synodo Ministn ordinandi simt. Pastor
quisqiio Diaconum, aut Diaconos siios, secum assump- turus, iadicat EccietJia3 suae, id est Presbyteris, seu momm oensoribns : qui exaratis ad Sjnodnm literia Diaconi sui (aut Diaconorum) vitae et conversationis iuque concionatorio munere profectui, testimonium perhibentj et nnm grada Ministerii dignmn existiment^ explicant. Solent etiam testimonia pablica honestes progenerationis^ ut omni ex parte iuculpati sint^ re- quiri.
2. In Synodo sequitur ordmandoram examen^ idque
triplex, 1 Tim. v. 22. Primu enim offeruntur ordman- dorum nomina Ministrorum (in Temple congregatorum) censnrsB. Ubi de unoqaoqne coUecta testimonia, snf- fragiiique (pro illo vel contra ilium) per delectos Notarios cousignata^ Semoribus remittuntur.
8. Secundum examen a Gonsenioribus peragitur: qui temis aut quatemis simul admissis, singulomm in Theologia profectusj quam enutriti sint verbis £dei^ 1 Tim. iv, 6, intentionis item ad serviendum Christo et Ecclesise, puritatem, 1 Tim. iii. 8, SBtatem denique et judicii constantiam, 1 Tim. iii. 6, explorant.
4. Ablegantur inde, qui digni yidentury ad conscien- ti8B examen, singuli ad Episcopos singnlos : ubi majestate et gravitate muiieris Pastoialis proposita, num con-
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IN UNITAT£ FEATEUM BOUtiMUEUM. 51
scientia pura, 1 Tim. iii. 9, absque omni lucri, honoris, et terreni emolamenti respectn, se Christo serros tra- dant, interrogantur. Morum, si quid in quo minus laadabile eatenus obscrvatum fuit, correctio vividis exhortationibixs suadetar, 2 Tim. ii. 14, Tit. i. *!, 8, Gol. iii. 8 ; in spem deniqne divini atudlii yariis con- solationibus eriguntur, 1 Joan. iii. 21, Heb. iii. 1.
5. Postridie ad ordinationem Tenitnr : prssmisso ta- men pridie ejns diei jejunio, solemnibusque pro neces- sitatibus Ecclesiae supplicationibus^ Act. xiii. 2^ 3.
6. Convocata Synodo, et pradmisso oantu, de officio pastoTaU concio habetor solenmis. Qna finita, prodit OrcUnator,
K Pnelegitqne sacrnm aliquem textnm.
2. Indicat toti congregationi personas quasdam ad S. S. Ministerii fiinctioiiem voeandas et confirmaiidas esse : et converso ad ipsos candidatos sermone, ut vocati in conspectu Dei et Ecclesiad obsequenter se sistant, admonet.
3. Mox Couseniorum unus prodit, ordinandorumque nomina e catalogo recenset, qui ex ordine se sistunt.
4. Quicnfc Ortlinator, utruni aniiuuiu promptum ad ministrandum Christo Kcclesidsque adferant.
5. Annaentibns ilhs modeste, pr»legnntar e Canone Apostolico ad ritum hunc consecrandi facientia qu{^- dam : ut Apostolicis vestigiis insisti yidentes^ eo firmius de codeBti Tocatione persoasi reddantur, 1 Tim. iii. 1,
6. Pergit Ordinator inquirere, ntmm tarn siiblirai mnnere digni sint, ne per ipsos opprobrii aut dedecons aliquid contrahat Ecclesia, 1 Tim. iii. 7. Et tunc pro-
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deont e Consenioribus dao^ atque coram tota congrega-
tione honeste progenitos, sana doctrina imbuto8,vit aequo incalpatse esse, dignosque quibus EyangeliBtarum manus conunittatar^ contestantor.
7. Jubentur (flexis genibus) pastorum principeia Jesum Cbristum invocare ; moxque totos pahter coBtua procambens pro usdem orat.
8. Officia launeris pastoral i s prgeleguntur.
9« nil se £delitatis juramento Deo et Ecclesiaa ob- Biringimt perseveratnros intrahos limites usque ad finem,
10. ConQrinantur maruuini episcopaliuin (<|UQtquot adfuerint) impositioiiej cum invocatione super iis no- miniB Christi, ut eos in censum servomm £delium cooptare, donisquc Spiritus sui i in pi ere dignetur. Cou- senioribus intermix imuistris totoque populo^ simul in genua procumbentibus, et ^'Yeni Sancte Spiritus/' uLc. docantantibus.
11. Exhortationes novas Ministris ad labores, et in advorsitatibus (quibus non carituri sint) patientiam, fiunt, cum poUicitationibus asfcemi, post labores fideliter exantiatos, praemii, 2 Tim. ii. 3, Dan. xii. 3, 1 Petr. T. 4. Ad quod illi alacres^ Senioribns €}t Consenio- ribus obedientias, Ministris vero societatis dextram (nec non Diaconi observant ia3 causa illis) offerunt^ Gal. ii. 9^ 1 Petr. y. 5. (Ecclesia interim^ e centesimo trige- simo terfcio Psalmo compositmn hymnnm decantante.)
12. Actus tandem ille eynaxi sacra onmium cum exultatione terminari solet.
De iNAUaURATIOXE MiNISTBOBUM.
Ordinati apud nos Ministri non involaut in sacrorum
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administrationeiii, nbi et qnando vellent ; Bed visita-
tiones mox a s^Tiodo per eas ecclesias, qiuc uovullua mmistros habent instituuntur. Ubi visitator,
1. Coram prindpis Pastoram Ghristi de Ecdesia deprsedicat, et ad gratam beneficii agnitionem exbor- tatur.
2. Docet N. N. legitime electamj vocatmn^ ordina- tum esse^ nt non seipsnm ingessisse^ Jer. xvii. 16,
Bed vocatum accedere appareat : Populasque Edelis eos, ut operarios, qnos Dommus emittit in meosem snam, Matfe. ix. 38^ agnoscat,
3. ludicat sacri muneris priinitias, in pleuaria cla- vium Cbristi et sacrs^ coense administrationej jam edi- tnrom; prodireqae et alloqm Ecolesiam jubet.
4. Minister ille, postquam vocationem divuiam hu- militer se sequi confessus fuerit^ procibusque Ecclesia^ se commendarit, Ephes. vi. 19, 20, in genua procombit : lit et (visitatore monente) ccetus oimus, precesque pro ilio £iuit.
5. Erectis ad fidadam de precibna ezauditis omnibus, visitator Ministrum mann prehensmn altari (sen ad meusam Domini) admovet, Librum ei Bitualem offert, administrationemqae claidmn Ghristi et sacramento- mm auspicari jubet : inspectante, et pleromque iQa- crymante popiilo. (Hi enim ritus non necessitatis opinione^ Bed ad adumbrandam quomodoconque Mini* sterii dignitatem, ezcitandamque ad hano Gbriati (jBConomiam revcrcntiam, retmcntur.)
6. Peracta a Ministro novo Synaxi, visitator ei et toti Ecdesiae, benedidiionis denuntiatione actnm concludit.
Neque tamen Ministris novis Ecclesiae alicujas regi-
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RATIO DISCIFLINilB OBDINI8QUB
111011 totale committ-i solet illico, sed reliuquuuLur uuius et alterius auni spatio Pastoiibus pro Collegia^ donee ad conscientianimregimencoiifirmatioTeseyadAiit^iisns* que aliciijiis Ecclesia) eorum opcram poscat. Quod si aliquis iaterea ad matnmomam honeste ineuudum aiii- mum applicet^ id quoque non nisi de Senioram consilio et consenyu fieri solot.
Dii Ri£u MmisTEOs Ecclesiis in Pastores prj:ficiendi.
Gum tempus est aliquem Ecdesifle Pastorem prae-
ficitiidi (qucniadniodum et cum pastures pro re nata mutantur), fit istud lioc modo :
1. Nullas Magistratus apud nos, nec Ecclesia^ Pa-
Btores sibi qu^runt aut vocant (quemadmodum ncc Mini- stri parocbias aucupantur) sed quo quis destiuatur^ eo (96 confcfft^ Ecdesiaqae ilia earn Ptotorem sumn agnoscit. Quia nimirum Seniorum hsec cura est, quali rectore Ec- clesia quseque indigeat^ et ubi Minister quisque opus Domini utiliter peragere possit providere.
2. Quotiescunque igitur novus Pastor Ecclesise prae- sentatur, peracta per eum concioue visitator prodit^ et matnro Seniorum consilio ilium Ecsclesi» huic pastoi^m dari docet, suscipi eum ut Jesu Ghristi servum suadens, Phil. ii. 29. Miuistrum item ad faciendum strenue offioium vigilandumque super hunc concreditum fibi gregem Domini, hortatur. Fit utrinque protes- tatio, Pastoris ad popuium, et populi (per uuum e Pres* by teris) ad Pastorem ; hie curam pastoralem pronuttiti iHi ut Jesu Ghristi Ministro obsequinm^ Hebr. xiii. 17. Quod et stipulata presbyterorum manu, in con- spectu et nomine totios populi^ iii*matur : precibusque
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et benedictiomB divinaB utrimqiie yoto omnia ilia obsig-
nantur.
3. Codtu sacro dimissOj decessor successori Audit omm cataloguing sacramque et OBConomicam ejus loci sapel- lectilem^ in visltatoris et preBbyterorain prsBsentia tradit ; nec non de bonis externis^ si quid dividendum e&t, amice inter eos tnuungitor.
QuiBus IN Rebus Ministbi Seniobum suobum
CONSILIA EXQOIfifi&£ T£N£ANIUS.
£cclesi£e prsefecto pastori cuique potestas est in gre- gem sibi commissiun^ omnium qn» pastoralis cora re- qnirit : excepto quod,
1. In magis arduis^ casibusque minus usitatis (qui circa consdentiamm regimen occupatis nonmrnqoam ob. venimit) nSiil inconsnlto Seniore agere jubentur: turn ne sibi solis fidere consuescant, tum ut ad eedificandum yalidius sit^ quod plurium consensu agitur.
2. Extra etiam casus ejusmodi, teuetor quisque pastor Seniorem suum de statu suo, EcclcsiaBque sua3, subinde certiorem facere(ad minimum intra semestre) sive coram, sive per litfceras: quo nimirum is inspectoris officio (quid ubivis fiat non ignarus) rectius fungi possit.
8. Magistratuum aut Minis trorum aliquo vita functo. Senior quoque commonefieri solet^ ut ejusdem jussu plures Ministri cumConseniorum aUquo^houestatis ergo, ad funus convocari possint.
4. £t quia yisitationes (de quibus infra) SBstate ple- rumque instituuntur, soletpastorum quisque antePascha, Pentecosten,et in autumuo^abunioreauo sciacitari ipsene
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RATIO DlfldFLINJB 0BBIH18QUS
sacram sjnaxin celebrare^ an visitatorum prffisentiam expectare debeat*
lY. CoirsxNioBUM Obdimatio.
Quoties Eccle&iae senatum redintegrari nccossitas pos- tulate eligiintur e mimstns^ quotquot opus, rerum pr^ ceteris gnari^ pii, exemplareaqne yiri ; idque per Mini- stroruin et Coiiscnionun suSragia. Quorum quisque ut hunc ant ilium oueri parcm existimat^ xta consignatum (obsignata aohednla) Senioribas tradit, vel si absens est, mittit. Illi resi^atis schedulis, quos forte postu- lari vidcnt, eus die aequenti (praemissa de muneris hujus fine^ aliisve neoefisaruBj e Scripturis admonitioiLe) ad Conseniomm nnmenim rita tali confirmant :
Evocati nommatim singuli iu syuodi conspectu se sis- tant : an Deo et EcdesiaB ubexiorem ofibrant et promit- tant operam interrogantur. AnnuentibuR^ praaleguntnr officia futuri muneris. Turn pro lis totiua Ecclcbuu preces Eunt^ manusque eis imponuiitur. Mox illi Seni- oribiis obseqaii^ Consenioribus aatem Bocietatis dex- tram ofibiuut, ut et Ministri ca?tcri ad contestandam - obedientiam, ipsis. Tandem benedictionis diviua& {)re- catione coetus solvitur,
y. Antistitux Oedinatio.
Senionim aliquo demortno qnantociiis synodus co- gitur generalis : aut^ si hsec nnper adeo fait habita^ par- ticularis. Gonseniores aatem congregantur omnes, et ministromm pars^ reliquis snffiragia mittentibus. Ibi vero,
1. Preces cum jejunio, unius diei pr^mittuntui- : ut
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I )i'iis rupLuram explere, et quern elegerit osteiidt>re, dig- netur, Amos. ix. 11^ Act. i. 24.
2. CoiioionepecoHmiinagoEpiBCopibomeSmptim proponitur, et xit omnes talem e medio sui circumspiciant (posthabito alio quocilnque respectu) admonentur.
3. Concione dimissay consignat swam qnisqae vo- tmn^ tam Mmistri^ quam Gonseniores et Seniores (non collatis tamen^ nee communicatiQ sententiis, sed uni- cnique dictante coDscientia) obsignataque conferunt in nnum.
4. Schedulas soli Seniores privatim resignant, et quern plurimorom votis peti vident^ eum a Deo mon- strari firmiter credimt : nec tamen cniqnam revelant.
5. Sequente demum die, congrogato iteruiu ccutu, et invocata SpintuB Sancti gratia^ Ordinator in compec- tum progressaa^ exauditas esse preces, Denmqiie qao-
modo expleri vellct lacunam Ecclcsiae, jam ostendisse, nnntiat.
6* Intentis omnibus^ et qnis ille fbtimis sit expect- antibns^ admonet Ordinator, nt qnicnnque fuerit nomi- natus,Deovocanti obseqnium ne dcneget, sedconfidenter in.Dei etEcdesiaB conspectum se sistat. Moxque Epis- oopomn alte^ prodiens, nomine tenns vprnm erocat.
7. Vocatus igitui*, sistit se, iutorrogaturque : an Yocationem banc at vere vocationem Dei agnoscat, et admittat ! an Deo et Ecclesise operam Biuun promte lubeiuique animo offerat Esa. vi. 8.
8. Cum annuity prasleguntur officia^ ex Apostolico Canone.
9. Tum ille clara voce Deo et EcclesiaB so obligat, Meliter sincere constanter^ facturum officium.
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BATIO DISCIPLINiB 0BJ>INISQU8
10. Procidit totns coetus in genua, Deumque ut
ratum habeat in coelis, quod nomine suo fit in terris^ dunaque servo suo adaugeat^ et ad tantum curarum. onus Spiritn sapientisB et roboris impleat, orant.
1 1 . Mox (coctii adliuc procumbentej et Veni Sancte Spiritus/' decantante) Episcopi manuum imposiiione, et nominis divmimyocationej enm oonfirmant.
12. Ita ordinatione peracta Bpiscopi pwesentes Co- Episcopum. jam suum dextrse societatis oblatione am- plexaqne mntao mconspectu totiafi Eccleaite, sibi coop- tant : Conseniores vero et Mmistri (absentinm quoque nomine) stipulata obsequia promittunt.
13« Tandem hymno sacro cum gaudio et exultatione CGBtus solvitur.
CAP. III.
DE ORDINE MIiMSTEIin, SIVE SACEA PUBLiGfi MINXSTBANDX FOBMA.
FBOPOKXTUE HIC USITATA mm& «OMU,
I. Verbum Dei praedicandi.
II. Baptismum xninistrandi.
III. Ad curam Pastoralem novitios recipiendi.
IV. Sacram Synaxin celebrandi. y. Conjnges noYOs copulandi.
VI. Mortiios fimerandi.
VII. Consuetudines denique nostrse circa dies fei^tos, jejania., eleemosynaB.
IN UNilAiii; IfKATKUM BOHEMOUUM.
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I. OrDO CIECA YhiihL IJiViNI FMDICATIUJSLM.
Quia yerbum Dei pr^cipuam ministeni partem esse constat^ cui sacrament a velut sigilla solum annexa sunt. Mar. xvi. 15^ 1 Cor. i. 17, Rom. iv, 11, prsecipua quo- que Ministns Unitatis ejus docendicura e8t>iiOD diebus solum Dominicis, anniversariisque festivitatibus, sod et diebus profestis^ et quoties occasioue funerum, coimu- biorom, vel alias, datar.
Dieius Domimds (ut qui divino cultui toti desti- nantur) quater popuius ad verbumDei audiendum coit, bis ante bis post meridiem. Li prima ccmcione expU-i cantor dekcti textus Prophetid; in seconda (qnam magnam vocamus) Evangelici; in pomeridiana Apos- tolici; vespertina BibUa sacra ex ordine praBlegontnr cum adjunctis doctrinarom obsenrationibns. ^stiyo etiam tempore (a Paschate facto initio) additur quinta concio meridiana : ubi juyentus congregatnr, eorumque in gratiam eateehetiea doctrina popularissime per- trjiciatnr cum adjuncto singulomm examine. Comparent tameu parentes quoque, et alii; turn at cibo refecti Beum collaudent, torn ut Uberorom et fimmliiai am institutioni intersint.
Forma vero sacros coDtus ageudi haec est. Congre- gate popnlo decantatur bymnus, yel cantilena sacra, (in concione magna et pomeridiana etiam Psalmus) ; turn conciouator e suggestu (praemissa sen oratione cum populo, sen yoto solum) textum praelegit et ez» plicat; respecta semper ad locum commnnem ejus liebdomadae habito. Omnia euim religionis capita ifca sunt ad explicandum per dies dominicos disposita^ ut
CO DISCIFLINJE OEDINISQUE
abbolv^autur aimuatim : qaemadmodum editus ejusmodi locorom commuxiiom^ textanmqae illis explioandis ser- vientiam^ cantioiiTimqae sacramm, index: ostendit. Qui
nimirum anaiiimitati earatione pur omnes Ecclesias ser- yandss concinnatus est^ non autem ut legis iustar sit^ a qua recedere non liceat : libenun enim est pastorifideli, quoties necessitatem videt^ sive textum sacrum loco, tempori^ persuius et occasionibus accommodatiorem^ sibi seligere; sive ex ordinariis teztibns pradenter^ ad qnasvia doctrinas^ dehortationes, consolationes, digredi. Hoc potius Icgis instar est, ut concionum prolizitas vitetur, ad evitandiun in auditoribus fastidiam* Ideo matutana condonon nltra horam, etiam caata annmnerato ; quern- admodom et pomeridiana, profestique diei concio, protendi jubetur. In magna, Evangelico textui expli- cando hora datur : meridiana et vespertina, non ultra Loram mediara. Tandem vcro concioni cuifjuc i>ub- jungitur clausulse loco oratio, benedictio, cantus.
Condone meridiaua et pomeridiana finita, remanent adolescentes ct puella3 adultiores, examinanturque a concionatore (auxiliantibus ibi quidem e Prcsbyteris aHquo, hie autem matronis) quam attentos se ea die in audiendo yerbo Dei prabuerint, quautumque obser- Tavei it quisque. Per tempora vero Quadragesimae, feria quarta et sexta, vespertini quoque coetus coguntur, salve (a cantu, sah>a nos Jem rex cmU) dicti, ubi mysterium redemptionis dUigeutius inculcatur, juventuti potissi- mum.
Forma autem verbum Dei pr^dicandi recepta nobis
est simplex, abs(iuo liiunauaj cloqueutiaB coloribus, phra&ibu8 Scriptural potismmum, ad comervandam doc-
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irinam sanam et irreprehenMUemj uisMatur in Chrisio
Jesu omnis homo i>i lis quce ad jasiitiani perfectuSy et ad omne opus bonum inMructm, 1 Cor. ii. 4, 1 Pet. iy. 11, Tit. i. 9, et ii. 7, CoL i. 28, 2 Tim. iii. 17. Hinc majores nostri distincte habebant condones, alias pro incipientibos, alias pro proficientibus, alios pro perfectis : alias item pro ooalibibus, alias pro conjugibas seorsim. Quod fmcta non caroisse, facile patet.
II. Baftismatis Fobha.
Baptismum ad exemplnm primsd EcclesiflB ministra- mus.
1. Fidelium Hberi, aliquot post nativitatem diebus, per baptismum Ghristo et Ecclesiaa implautaudi ofte- rantar. Gen. xTii. Marc. x. 18, 14.
2. Pra^legitcir sacer textus : quandoquidem peryer- bum Dei et orationem sanctificantur omnia, 1 Tim. iv. 5, inprimis sacramenta.
8. FcedoB gratiee ad fidelium semen quoque se ezten- dere, demonstratur, Gen. xvii. 19, Act. ii. 39.
4. Eidem foBderi publica fidei professione subscribunt parentes et snsceptores, infontis quoque sui nomine. Act. viii. 37.
5* Parentes, a Ministro interrogati, suscipiunt advo- oatos testes pro compatribus et commatribus, jus eis confcreiites, prolis su89 in fide et religione Christiana, totoque foederis cum Deo initi negotio, instituendse : adeoque sui quoque, si negligentiores in officio liberos institnendi fuerint deprehensi, admonendi et increpandi. Vicissim vero snsceptores illis promptitudinem ad earn rem pollicentur, et facturos se circa baptizandum (prad*
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RATIO DISCIPUNil!: ORDINISQU£
Bertim si parentes decedere contingat) gnaviter ofiicium, sese obligant.
6. Tarn ad Demn patrein oonveni omnes, puero nativa) labis per sanguinem Christi emiindationem^ per Spiritnm Sanctum regenerationemj per baptiBmiun in- tenud hnjus graiw obBignationemj et ad sortem elec- torum cooptationem, exorant.
7» Frece fimta^ Minister nomine puero mdito, (ex parentnm Tolimtate) baptizat ilium ex Christi pr»- scripto in nornen PatriSy Filii et Spintm Sancti, aqua simplici et pura.
8. Tandem e:diortatio fit ad parentes et snsceptores, nt obligationis siUB memo«8. pueram tem din et diligenter informent^ donee pie educatum^ et dextre institatam, in conspectu BcclesiaB com laude sistere, et pastorali Ministromm coree commendare^ possint. Yoto denique divinae benedictionis actus clauditur.
III. FOBMA NOVITIOS B£CIPI£NDI.
Pastoralis Ministrorum apud nos cura ad eos solum se extendit^ qui bona Yoiuntate Unitati ejusque ordrni se snbrnittont; pastommqne cur» sese commend&nt: idque ad Apostoli praescriptum : " pascite gregem Dei, qui in vobis est,^^ 1 Petr. v. 2. Ut igitur Ministri qui sibi proprie sint commissi sdrCj majorique parrhesia et fide circa eos, qui se ipsos fidei eoram commendarant, versari possint, utiliter reintroductus est, jam a primaeva Ecclesia nsurpatus^ novitios recipiendi ritns. Apostoli siquidem eos recipiebant solum^ qui semet ipsos dabant primum Domino^ deinde illis, per voluntatem "Dei,*' 2 Cor. viii. 5. Kitus rero apud nos adhibentur^
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alii quidem in recipiendia adultis aliunde venientibusj alii vero in recipiendia domi natis^ baptdzatidj et ad
religionem cliristianam sic satis institutis.
Adultos mterrogamu'^ : Car nobis se applicare deaiderent ? an qnod de doctrinsd Teritate, ordiniaqne et disciplmae utilitate, omnino persuasi sint Si do- prehendimus doctrinas noatrsB et disciplinse guarum^ salutia faudamenta recto caUentem^ vita inculpatum^ recipitiir illico. Sin, diflfertnr: ut tarn ille nos sibi reddat perspectiores, quam nos ipsum nobis, 1 Joan, iv. 1, Bom. zii. 2. . Becipinntur yero tales non publioe (niat graves snbsint cauase) sed privatim, coram prea- byterio. Interroganturque adhuc,
L An pramUiafU Deo in hoc Ecclesia obstquium? faciendo nempe omnem voluntatem Dei, yi foederis gratiae.
2. An MimstrU etiam Ecclesits, Christi loco, obedien- tiam prMtare Hnt parmti ? relict& illia nimirum plena
potestate sui docendi, raonendi, increpandi, eastigandi? praesertim in scandalosis, si contmgant, excessibus.
S* An (mipasumnt anmum ad mbeundas persecutionesque, pro Chrtsto et veriiate ejus ? qnoniam ''onmes in Ghristo Jesu pie vivere volentes, persecu- tionea pati neceaae ait/^ Act. ziy. 22, 2 Tim. iii. 12.
4. Turn admonentar, ut agnitm veritati ad mortem usque adhiBreant comtanter, Apoc. ii. 10,. Phil. iii. 16, manuqne stipulata ad obsequium (non Ministro at ho- mini, aed Chriato ejuaque yerbo). Beceptia poteataa fit sacrne cura aliis fidelihus coniTmuiionis, et ut in omnibus conscientisB necessitatibus ad pastores suos confidenter confngiant.
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04 RATIO DISCIPUN^i: UHDINISQDK
Juniores auteui, religiouis capita doiiii a pai'entibus et Busceptoribus vel a prasceptoribus in schola edocti^ pastoram cnr» tradnntar publico in Scdesia, ante S« coDUic usum, (usitatis^niio sub tempiib visitatiums a Senioribus ipsis,) hoc ritu :
1 • Prcel^antiur verba Christi: Yenite adme omnes/' &c. Matth. xi. 28, cum subjuncta brevissima exegesi.*
2. Pueri et pueiia^ ad id destinati^ et aliquoties priua a pastore examinati, in medio EcclesisB ooUocantar, ordine.
3. Tum interrogantur^ velintne foedus in baptismo cum Deo initnm, renovare^ Dent. xidx. 10, &c. Jos. xxiv. 22, Isa. xliy. 5.
4. AiiimeTitibus, foederis capita explicantur ad for- mam ab Apostolo pradacriptam. Tit. ii. 11, 12, 13, jabentnrque illi aperte coram Ecclesia abrennntiare
Satanfe, nmudoj cann, &c.
5. Keposcitur ab eis ixdei pi^ofessio : illi igitur sym- bolmn Apostolicmu clara voce omnes simnl recitant.
6. Tum genibus flexis, Ministro praseunte, Deum orant^ ut delicta juventutis condouet^ et se ad oumo beneplacitmn voluntatis svm Spihtu Sancto suo cor- roboret : quod *mox et totus populus, pro iisdem deprecans, facit.
7. A precibuB nunciatur novellis illis, ut et toti Ec- clesies, absolutio, jusque filiorum Dei in participanda mensa Domini.
8. Additur tandem ct ritns Apostolicus manuum im- poaitionis. Marc. x. 16, Hebr. vi. 2, Act. viii. 16, 17, ciun invocationc adlmc super illos uuminis diviiii, ad roborandam codlestis gratiae spem, (Yideatur quid de
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■ t,
boc oonfirmationis ritn cohsuluerit Erasmus^ prafatione in ParaphTaain MatthsBi.)
IV. Forma S. Ccenam celebrandi,
Usitate S. cocnam quater anno celebramus. Nod quod nou crebrius possit (solet enim, cum usus fidelium - postulab^ crebrius); sed ob imammitatem. Instante autem synaxi, potissima cura est omnes ad digne par- ticipanduin disponendi. Ideoque,
!• Duabus (vel tribus etiam) ante hebdomadis, sacer ille actus denuntiatur, omnesque officii sui in probandis semetipsis admonentur. Praemittitur etiam conciu de fine^ dignitate, usumysterii kujus, cum exhortationi- bns variis : quoque intermediis per id tempus con- cionibus eodem semper ulludendo. Turn per eosdeni dies peragltur conscientiarum censura et examination hoc modo :
Accessit (ante dcnuntiatam S. cccnam) ad se pastor presbyterium, inquiritque, "Num ad istud vel iilud tem- pus communio sacra indici possit? annon adsint impedi* menta V* Turn inquirit in auditomm vitam et conversa- tiouem^ ^^an non scandali aliquid subortum sit alicubi ? ant num aliquem in aliqua re increpancLum^ monendum^ docendum^ putent.*' Hebr. xii. J 2, 1 3, 1 Cor. i. 1 1 . Prout igitur eonvenerit, ita pastor et communionem iudicit, et conscientiarum examen instituit. Gomparet quisque paterfamilias cum domesticis suis, apud pastorem (die et liora sibi assignatis) ibiqiic examinantur, " quam dili- gentes sint in praBstando divino cultu^ publico et pri- vatim? an precibus quotidianis domi cum prsemissa psalmodia et Scripturarum lectione vactut queiii inde
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capiant iructum et prolectumr" Atqne turn exm^iiuantur, janiores prsBsertiiiij qaomodo hoc illndve intelligaat f Turn de ratione vitas, an honesta conversatione doc- trinam Dei nostii oment ? quoinodo iiberi parentibus^ et famuli heris sois pareaat V Similiter patres- et matres- familias^ ''Nmn satis bono exemplo suis praeeant? nam ad pietatem et bouos mores diligenter satis iiis truant Ubi facile occasiones uiiliter aliquid monendi^ docendi^ dehortandi^ oocmnmt. Qni parom digne se gerens deprehensns fuerit, jus accedendae comumnionis ei nou conceditur, nisi senam serio pollicitus fuerit emenda- tionem. Quod si contomaciam superaddit^ snspenditur omnino ct removctur; donee pracfractam cervicemjugo Christi submittat. Id enim ita fieri debere^ exemplum Apostoloram^ potestasqne a Christo iUis et saooessoribna collata^ 2 Cor. x. 4, 5, 6, 8, nos docuit.
2. Ante ipsum coeua) S, actum verbi divioi praedica- tione omnes ad spiritualem esnriem et eitim excitantiu% Act, XX. 7, 11.
3. Turn precibus ardenter misericordiam Dei im- plorantes» peccatonim remissionem^ et dignam mensse Dominicas participationem^ sibi expetmit.
4. Mox eis nomine Cbristi peccatorum venia (abso- lutio) et jus £liorum Dei^ solemmssime nomine S* S* Trinitatis nimciatur^ Act. xiii. 88^ 89^ 1 JoK ii, 12^ 2 Cor. xiii. 14.
« 5. Kecitat Minister verba Tobtameuti^panem in populi conspectu frangens, et calicem manu prehendens. Tom
adjimgit brevem verborum cxegesin, mysteriiquo liujus ad mentem Cbristi facta declaratione, non in elementis hsDrere^ sed sursum corda toUere docet. Tandem omnes
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digue prseparafcos ad sacrum epulum Cliristi nomine invitat.
6. Accednnt proinde, debita oum veneTatione^primam
pastor cum ministris iJcclesiae quotqiiot adsunt ; post magistratus ; torn seniores EcciesiaB seu presbyteri^ et denique populns reliqnaB^ habita aetatis etiam ratione : ut primo viri, turn Jidolcsceutes, tandem pueri accedant, \mo et altero presbyteris, ne quid indecori admittatur^ aut extraneus aUquis^ vel piH>fannB^ temere se ingerat^ attendente. Demmn foemmse. Procumbitnns autem in genua sacram sumendo coenam, non superstitione ido- lolatrica ; sed quod per tempomm conditionem aliter bactenns non licuit : (majores quippe nostri anno 1494^ stando commuiuonem introduxerant, sed excitata ob id atrociore persecatione^ desistere fuenmt coacti). Quum et ipse hie in genua procnmbendi litus^ pie a piis nsur- patus^devotioncm ipsam,et in conspectuDei humilitatem, adeoque gaudium cum tremore augeat. Interea vero totns populus bjmnis de passione Christie salutiferisque beneficiis^ Deum laudat.
7, Poatremum gratise aguntur Deo (toto iterum coetu in genua proYoluto); exhortatio ad pietatis studia insti* tnitur; benedictionisque divinsB dennntiatione coetus in pace dimittitur, eleemosjna in pauperes gratitudinem contestans suom.
y. FOBHA COKJUOES COFULANDI.
Applicaturis ad matrimonium animum, ne quid
inconsultis parentibus, cognatis^ pastore (qui felices successus a Deo exorare collaboret) tentent agautve^ auctores hortatorosque sumus.
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68 RATIO DlfiCIPLINX OBDHnSQUE
2. ClandestinaB oontractionea prohibemus omnino : in secas feoienteB discipUna extenditar.
3. Ipse copulandi actus publico £t: ubi (prddmisso aliquo sacro texta, et ex ejus occasione de conjugii ratione monitiB utilibus) neogami eyocantnr^ coram
coetu praesente, actorum istoram future teste, quam libere^ Gen. zziv. 57^ 58^ quamque legitime coeant^ interrogantor; yoto conjngali sibi invicem (ad indis- Bolubilem mntui amoris et fidei nexum) obligaiitiir : a. Ministro^ dextris prehensi^ legit imi conjuges prouuu- ciantnr^ verbisque Christi (''quod Dens Gonjmudt homo ne sejungat/^ Matt. xix. 5, 6), in nomine Patris^ et Filii> et Spintus Sancti cou£rmantur.
4. Fiont Yota pro neogamia ad Demn.
5. Neogami in spem divinsB benedictionis ei iguntur^ eaque ipsis nomine Dei confirmatur ; praesentes vero omnes ad pie^ modeste, temperanter conYivandmn . (ebrietate^ Bcurrilitate^ choreis^ aliisque scandalis se-- metis) admonentur.
YI. FoBMA Mqbotos Yisitandi Mobtuosqui; Fun£&andi.
In morbo gravi constitutus nostrorum aliquis Eccle- eim preoibus sese commendat ; qpm pro ipso fiont, Jac. V. 14, 15.
2. Visitatur a Ministro, Matt. xxv. 36, verbo Dei primnm pcenitentiae commonefit, Isa. zxxvui. 1, turn ad fidnciam misericordiad et salntis erigitur. Monetur insuper, ut quicquid Deus de ipso disponere Yoluerit, paratus sit ad utrumque, Phil. i. 23, confidatque post- quom in fide Filii Dei vixit, non itumm e morte in judicium, sed in vitam aeteruam.
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3. Si eacharistidB usu adhuc in spiritu roborari petit^ non abnuitor ; adrocatis tamen aliis qmbnsdam^ nt vere Banctorom commimio sit.
In funeribus deducendis pi us alibi quoque nsitatus BIOS servatnr ; ut ninkirum pastor^ cum jnyentute echo- kstica^ cantn deducant mortuos fideles ad sepnltiiTSd locum : ibique I'unebri concione pro re nata pra3senti populo (ex yerbo Dei) proponatur^ quod institaUonij solatioy caatione^ serviat.
VII. CoNsuETUDO CIRCA Dns Fbstos.
Inter dies fesiios primam tribuimns dignitatem np^
timo dieiy dominico : quern arbitramur nemini hominuni ad operas externas et serviles^ ullo etiam iibertatis christianaB prsBtexta adhibere licere. Idqne propterea, qnod institationem ejas non pro oeremonia^ sed pro parte moralis^ a&ternum inviolabilisj legis agnoscimus* Qnoniam,
1. Ante ipsam scriptam legem jam inde ab orbe
condito institutus, et quasi universe muiido indictus^ peculiarique benedictione consecratus est Gen. ii. 3«
2« In ipsa quoque lege diem septimnm, non inter cerecionialia instituta reperimus,, acd iu ipsishimo calogo : qui non a Mose^ ceremoniarum et umbrarum promulgatore^ sed ab ipso Deo coelitusj voce majestatis promulgatus, et in tabulis lapideis digito Dei scriptus fuit^ Exod. zx. 8^ 22, xxxi. 18*
8. Non reperimus ullum praBceptum toties per legem et Frophetas repetitnm, et tantopere efflagitatum^ ut praeceptum de Sabbato. Non verisimilo est^ Deum ceremoniam tanti facere potuisse; praasertim protesta*
70
B^TIO DISCIPUNiK 0£DINISQU£
turn, non se requisivisse ceremoniaSj Psalm. L 8^ Jer» yii. 22, 23.
4. Nasquam Deiis totics ad proprium excmplum provocate ut in Loc prascepto : quia nempe ipse quicvit ab opere sao extemo^ ut et nos qmescamuSj Exod.
XX. 11.
5. In Kujus mandati violatores tantopero Deus ex- ardetj ut eos simpUoiter morfce toUi velit^ Exod. xxxL. 1 4f, Kum. XV. 35. Observatoribus contra, hujus et sBternsa vitaB praemia pollicetur, Isa. Ivi. 2, et Iviii. 13, 14.
6* Neo abscondit rationem Deus, cur tarn ardenter hoc desideret a populo suo. Quia, inquit, " hoc signum est inter me et vob, per generationes vestras, mc esse Jehovam, qui vos sanctifioat/^ Exod. xxxi. 13, Ezech* XX, 12.
7. Ideo Christus, quamvis Domiuus sabbati. Marc, ii. 28, sabbatis tamen feriabatur : non quidem Phari* saico ceremoniali ritu, sed ita ut semper fere Sabbatis
verbum Dei doceret, operaque miHericordiaB segrotos restituendo, exerceret, Luc. iv. 16, 17. Similiter Apos- toli translata Sabbati gloria in piimum diem, accurate
dies illos observabant : ad cogendos nimiriim coetus sacros, in ilUsque habenda pietatis exercitia, adeo ut saepius vesperi etiam, et ad noctis medium, una con- gregati perdurarent, 1 Cor. xvi. 2, Act. xx. 7, 10, unde et nomen ei, dominid diet, iudiderunt, Apoc. i. 10. Sanctificamus vero diem dominicum boo modo : 1. Quit'scondo a laboribus externis : a vectando nimi- rum, bajulando, et tractando, qusa ad victmn et opificia externa, negotiationemque, spectant; ut famulitium quoquu, et jumoiita, traucj^uillie respiratiuiii vacare pps-
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siiifc, Exod. XX. 10, Nohem. xiii. 15. Magis vero ab- stmendo ab operibua carnis, ebrietate, choreis, alea, otiosis divagationibus, et nugis ; itemque a nuptiaUbas conviviis, nandinia, et mercatibus. Sed et hoc moris erat (prsBsertim sub magistrata Ecclesise patrocinante) ut die sabbati dominicumprsecedente mature, ante solis occasum, omnes a laboribus externis desisterent, et cum adventante yespera, diei Deo sacratse sanctificationem anspicarentor.
2. Tractando spiritnalia et divina: decantando ni- mirum hynmos, et legendo Scripturas^ jam ipso Sabbato vespori : mane autem et toto dominico die, coetus fire- qiicutiuidoj sacra mcdiUtado et agoiido ; non somel taatum vel bis^ sed (at ante dictum) quater vel quin- qmes. Quia enirn Dens totum hunc diem a censn ali* orumexemit, sibique soli, tanquam sanctum suum diem, attribuit, Exod. xx. 9, 10, Isa. Iviii. 13, couvementissi- mom putabant majores nostri, si potior ejus pars in communi fidelium congrogatione trausigatnr, eaque ra- tione supervacaneis divagationibus, otio, vanitatibus aliis (quas Deus a sancto die sno abesse vult, Isa* Iviii. 13.) preecavendis^ occasio sit. Tdeo etiam a revidendis rcditibus^ recognoscendis accepti et expensi tabulis, a debitisque exigendis dehortamur : ut omnes tempo- rariorum potius obliti setema meditari discant, Heb. iv. 9.
Celebramus pr^Bterea praecipuorum Cbristi opcrum memoriam certis diebns : nempe adventm (sen tftcar-
nationis), natitntatis, mortis, remrrectitmis, ascermonhs, Epiritus Saudi missionis, item circumcisio/m, epiphani<B, iranafiguratioma. Praoterea Apoatohrum et aliquot
72
martyrum dies ; md kos eadem Christiana liberate^ qua csBterij znemoriflB solimi causa, et in oceasionem constan- tia3 atque patientise exempla in'martyribas proponendi, atque subinde aliquid utile populum admouendij Heb. xiii. 7* Peracta enim conoionej et precibos^ ssque ut casteris diebus ad operas omnes se conferunt^ ESxod. XX. 9.
YIIL fijTDS oiacA Dies Pbbcuic^ sbu Sufpugatiwis
PuBLlCiE ET SoLiiMKiS.
Quater axmo^ seu trimestri quovis^ certos dies obser- vamus, ad redintegrandum in populo poenitentdiB sta- dium. Ubi (die mercurii et die veneris) congregatus di- ligenterpopulus e verbo Dei, pro temporum necessitate, instituitur : turn peccatorum fit confessio» Deique mi- sericordia, poenarum cum deprecatione, imploratur : ut Deus Ecclesise pacem, operarios fideles, nutritios pics, concedat^ concessos Spiritn sapienti® et consilii gu- bemet ; lapses et aberrantes convertat et erigat, infide* lium quoque gentium miser t us Ecclesiee suae aggreget. Et quia dies iUi nobis pcenitentiales dicuntor, admonetar populns recipiscentias Yeree, jejunii^ sobrietatis^ elee- niosynarum. Matt. v. 44, 45, et ix. 38, 2 Thess. iii. 1. Et ut toto die in domibus suis, rota et suspiria ad Deom repetant ; praesertim bora meridiana, pomeridiana, ves- pertina, quisque paterfamilias cum snis.
IX. Brrus Jbjuniobuh,
Bocemus jejunium consisteru, non in dborum delectn, sed abstinentia ab omni cibo et potu, somnique etiam
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evitatione^ ad certam tempuB: saltem ad vesperam usque^ nisi alicajas valetado non ferat.
2. Kon usui^amus id opimone meriti, aut cultus divim partem ; sed at canuB mortificandsd^ hmnilitatis* que et super peccata contritionis ezdtandie, ibediiuii; et ut ad divina meditandum mens sit sedatior, Zech. vii. 5^ Isa. lyiii. 5.
3. Ejusmodi jejtmia indicaro solemns*
1. Diebus precum solemnium, ut modo dictum est.
2. Instante aut ingmente pericnlo qaopiam belU, pestis; persecutioiiisj vel nmns etiam Ecclesisd^ ant
hominis.
3. Cum ministri Ecclesise deligeudi et ordinandi sunt in Synodis.
Stimnlamur vero ad usurpanda ejusmodi jejunia, tarn exiiortationibus, quam exemplis Scrip turae sacraa^ JoeL ii. 12, lb, 2 Cor. vi. b, PsaL zxrr. 13^ Jon. iii* 8, Act. Xiii. 3,
X« Dx Elibhosynis.
Has nt nltroneas oblationes infenmt auditores amrio
Ecelesiastico^ pro yoluntate sua^ iu usum pauperum &detinm,Lac.xxi.l.
2. Id vero ntUbemm est qnoties aliciii allnbescit, ita conjunctim non nisi diebus precum, et jejunii, sacra^que conuannionifl^ atque si eztraordinarie necessitas ingmat^ colligi Solent^ 1 Cor. xyi. !•
3. Erogari autem sclent et distribui inter pauperes, pro necessitate cujasque : sive quosdam in ptocho-tro. phiis nntriendo et convestiendo^ sive alias morbis yel setate conf(?ctis, opis aliquid subministrando.
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RITIO DISCIPLlNJi: OEBINISQUE
4. QuaDlibet Eccleisia suas Labet Eleemosynas» quibus sois paaperibus saccarrat* 8i qn» auiem eg^ntior sit, qnam ut Buis pauperibns snfficiat, ez aliis Ecclesiis
aliqiiid iinpcrtiri solot : nt juxta Apostoli prjjescriptum, '^aliorum abundantia sappleat aliojrom d^ectum/^ 2 Cor. yiii* 14.
o. Neque Elecmosyiiac; nomiue id solum nobis venit, quod in a^rariuiu Ecclesiss depoui solet; sed omnia qnoqne inise!ricordi88 opera. IN^empe quicqidd humani- * tatis in Ghristi nomine proximo qnis exhibet^ cibum, potum^ vestem^ habitationemj xnedicamentumj aliaque vit» necessaria prsdbendo.
6. Ad quas Eleemosynas bomines exoitari solent doctrina Scripturarum : quaa ad eas exhortantur et in- struunt, iisdemque prsemia largissima promifctunt^ Deut. XV. 7f 8y Frov. xix. 17^ Math. vi. 3^ 4^ Luc. xiv. 12^ 13^ 14, Hobr. iiii. iG.
CAP. IV.
DE ORDINE DUMESTICO MINISTEORUM.
Pastores Fratrum in domibus suis secum adolescen- tulos^ houoBte natos, bene a parentibus educatos^ et quod ad ministerimn animimi applicatnroB speti sit, an- * tiqua consuetadine alm:itj litteris divinia et pietate imbnunt, admoresquelionestos^ modestiam^ obedientiam, * formant: qnandoque etiam laboribuB extenuB^ nt et adultiores acoluthos, diaconoB, miniBtros noyellos (tarn otii vitaudi causa, quam inopise neceaisiUte, 2 iieg. vi.
nr UKITATB FBATBUM BOHBMO&UM. 75
1, 4, 1 Cor. iv. 12)^ adhibent. Gojasmodi eureitia ordine certo procedimt : nt nempe destioata sit liora
surgendi^ preces agendi, studia et labores tractandi, prandeudi^ coaiuuidi cubitumque eondij Eccles. iii. 1. Dato enim campaniila signo^ sorgnnt omneB; lotiqne et induti, genibas siniul ilexis Deura laudant, Psal, v. 3. Tom se ad lectionem ac ineditationem Bacrorum quisque confertto Post horam circiter iteram dator signuniy et conveniunt jam omnes pariter domestici, Psal. Ixxxviii. * 13, et cxix. 147, 148, Prov. viii. 34, ibique oantu psalini • aut byinni prsBmisso, Scriptam partem ptselegit, de- clorai^ ezindeque titilia monet, et ad Denm laudandnm et invocandum cohortatur, sive pastor ipse, sive cujus ea die vices sunt, (Omnes enim miniaterio destinati, ad pueros usque, taUbus exercitiis adHbentnr.) Peractis precibus, redit qiiisque ad operas suas, legcudo, scri- bendo, memoriae mandaado, yel etiam (ubi scholss liabentur) lectiones latinas andiendo* Atque ex his postmodum quidam ad scliolas oxteras, parentum vel antistitum sumpta, emittuatur; prout vel necessitas ex- igit, yel res angusta domi permittit. Pomeridianmn tempns, tanqnam stndns minus accommodatnm, pie- romque exteruis opens transmittitur, usque ad coenam : exoeptis, qni in juventute civioa instituenda occnpan- tor. Hora tamen pomeridiana secunda iteram ad preces (Apostolico exem})lo, Act. iii. 1), conveniunt, iisquo peractis ad operas redeunt omues. Quantum a coena temporis superest, vel mnsic» exercend», vel psalmo- diec datur. Tandem vespertinte preces, Psal. Iv. 17, ^em imponunt, et quilibet ad quietem se coufert: neque noctumaB sessitationes, multo minus domo egres-
76
KAiio disciflinj: ordinisqub
ttioiics, cuiquani pLMiiiitiunt iir. Ideoque domus tem" pesiive clauditur, clavesque vel patrifamiliaSj vol cufitodi seqnentiB diei tradantar. Prandii et coen» tempos nee eilentio^ Dec nugis, transmittitur ; sed recitant me- moriter pueri vel morum preecepta, vel catechesin, vel cantilenas ant psalmos, quos memoriss mandare josai snnt ; adnltioreB yero partem aliquam textas sacri ex ordine. Quantum supersit temporis, proponitur The- ologica qucepiam (ordinorie ad locmn communem ejus liebdomadis spectans) qurastio ; m qna enodonda qais*- quc (ab inlimiH facto initio) suas uxperitur vires, pastor deuique concludit. Aliquando etiam (quaestionis illioa loco) aliquid prsBlegi jubetor. Habent et distributa inter so otiicia ordinis domestici omnes: ut omnes jam A puontia attentioni et solertisa cuidam^ ad vocationia munia dextre obennda neceasariao adsuescant, nec quia* qiiam frnstra pane yeBcator. (Majoribns majora^ mi- nora minoribus committuntur : minoribus nempe cura malluyii^ mensaram instraendoram^ conclaTium erer- rendorom, etc. ; majoribna cnra ostii domus^ cellae^ gra- uarii, hortorura, horolojopi, bibliothecaB, munditiei, ut nemo sine atteutione exercenda reliuquatur^ sao et com* mnni bono.)
Munia Gohhunu^ sed fbb Obbinem Aj>mmBTRLSDJi,
nUPLICU SUNT*
Qnaedam domestica^ ministris^ diaconis, acolathisi
communia : (luibuB unus una dies fungitur, secundus secuuda^ tertius tertia, usque ad postremum. Decurio- nem^ sen ordinis custodem possis dicere : cujus offida
IN UNITATE BOHEMORUM. 77
, suntj 1. Surgendi campana signum dare; 2. Lyclnium accendere; 3. Gantum ante preces moderari; 4. Tex« tain prselegere ; 5. Pamnesin institnere ; 6. Si qnis a precibus aut studiis absit, notare \, 7. Sub prandium qnaestionem aliquam duacursni subministrare^ (quod et pariter de coena et precibus yespeiiinis intelligendum); 8. Tandemque sub noctem domum untiique occludere; clayesque pastori, aut cui debeutur, assignare.
Alia sunt mama pnAHca, solorum qui concionibus ad populum baboudis exercentur, diebus nempe profestis. Id quoque procedit per ordmem ; ut mature quisque se praeparare^ omnea vero m prophetaudi dono profieere, possint, Numer. xi. 29, 1 Cor. xiv. 31. Cui fini hoc etiam iuservit : quod ubique per yiciniam auditores sunt, qui ob distantiam josto majoremj vel ob morbos^ non satis commode coetum communem frequentare possunt, emittit pastor diaconoS| vel acolutboa (sive singulis diebus domiuicis, sive per intervalla)^ qui eis verbuni Dei loquantur. Quod utrinque prodest : auditoribus scilicet nullibi neglectis ; ministerii vero canditatis ubique et semper augmeuta capientibus. Ideo mature se meditationi teztuum dominicalium accingcre sclent cinnos ; vel triduo ante. Die enim Sabbati matutina prece peracta^ inquirit pastor^ quid meditatus jam sit unusquisque» super crastinum textum i enanant igitur> acoluthi primum, turn aHi consequenter. Pastor denique coucludit^ et quo potissimom respectare, aut quid urgere (pro tempomm et occasionum diversitate) omnes^ ut et quo unusquisque abire et ubi docere debeant, indicat.
Huic etiam legi, ob evitanda varia incommoda^ omues qui Fratemitati nomen dedemnt^ subjacere tenentur^ ut
78
BATXO DISCI FLIN£ OKDINISQUE
ne quid proprio arbitratu audeant: sive domo egrediendo (mconsoio pastore ant administro)^ sive sibi utensilinm
all (m 1(1 comparaiido, sive cpistolas (alicujus momenti) aliquo mitteiidOj sive aliquid reram suaruui alio conce- dendo^ sive aUenam quid in depositmn anmendo ; multo minus vero operam soani ad consignandos contractns, testamenta^ ckirograpliOB (verbo ad \illa politica) com- modando*
Minares, pueri et acolniihi^ sastineiit hebdomadatim
examen, quid egerint^ quid didicerint, quam decore in omoibus se gesserint. Annuatim yero omnium domes- ticoium officionun renovatio fieri solet^ drca anni pri-
mordia : non solum quia pcrsonfe mutari, et ab alio pastore ad alium (pro necessitate) transferri, solent ; sed etiam ut redintegratio fiat oFdinis boni^ in omni- basque amor et obsequium ejus conscientiaeque studium excitetur, Atque hie etiam ratio reddi solet, quern auctorem quia eo anno et quanto com frncta evolvit; novmnqne aliqnod penaam anno seqnenti datnr.
Tandem Uuitaiis institutum est^ nequis pastomm aut adjutorum anonim absque necessitate^ et qnantam fieri potest, Senioris sni consensuj peregre proficiscatnr : et (iULim profieiscitur, ne alibi quam in Fratrum domibus (nisi ubi desint) divertat^ et pemoctet. Hie enimexcipi, et pro re nata tractari solent. ParsBneses Tero sive ad preces privatas, sive ad populum e siicfgestu, liospitum corolla sunt : a.d contestandam et stabiliendam doctrinsB et animorom harmoniam; nt hac etiam re primitivae Ecclesiae vestigia premantur. Act. xiii. 15.
iN UNITATE FRATRUM BOHEMORUM,
79
CAP. ¥•
D£ OBDINE DOMESTiOO AUDITOBUM.
Non se solos Fratrum mmistii ordine bono continent, sed anditoribns quoque fidei sn» commissis, idem per
domos suas imitandi aiictores sunt ; ncmpe,
1. Ut quemadmodam yocavit unumqaemque Dens, constitnitque, Ave patrem vel matrem&milias, swe liberum, sive servum^ ita qnisquo stationem suani in timore Dei tueatur, 1 Cor. vii. 20, Ephes. iv. 1.
2. Ut cnltoi diyino vacant omnes, matutinis, men* dianis, vespertinisque horis, ante at post cibum : Deuni invocando, hymnos cantando, sacra legendo, 1 Tim. ii. 1, et iy. 5j Dent. viii. 10.
8. Gcetne sacros nedeserant seddiligenterireqttentent, snosque secum ducant^ Heb. x. 25.
4« Liberos et famulitiuin in religione pie instituant : diebns dominicia potissimmn^ quantum qnis e concio- nibus sacris obscrvarit, sub piandii ot ccBnae tempus diligenter exigendo, Deut. vi. 7, Ephes. vi. 4.
5. Patres- et matres-familias nt stndeant suia bono praeire excinplo, eosquc ad imitationeiii adigant.
6. Mundauas dissolutiones, ebrietatem^ choreas, peje* rationea, sennones turpes, aleam, et similia neo intra domos ferant^ nee suis alibi permittant.
7. Opens debitis sues famulos et liberos quotidie exerceant: otiaque, nt adolescentiaB venenum, fbgere faciant.
8. Pietatis, juxta moralem legem, omnes aiut obser- vantissimi.
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BATio discipline: oedinisque
9. Patresfamilias per caupoiias et popinas ne diva- gentar ; otiio^ potaiionibus^ lasibos^ tempas ne tevant ; neque noctn domo absint^ sed rebus suis intenti super suos etiam excubias agant.
10. Yictum quserendi rationes illaudatas et sospectas nt fogiimt : foenerationiboB et usnris onmino abstinentes, propter interminationes Dei, concmreDtesque varias ini- qiiitates^ 1 Thess* iv* 6, Exod* zzii. 25, Psal. xv. 5.
11. Ad tribtmaUa ne qnis facUe se proripiat, sed intervenientes dissensiones amice potius inter fidei con- sortes at componaatur ; sive in presbyterio, sive per delectoB arbitros.
12. Observatum id quoquo fuit a majoribus, ut tarn abeuntes peregre negotiorum causa, quam. migrantes ad habitandnm alio, pastoribus id indicarent^ preces EcclesisB pro se peterent, testimonininqna ad alios pas- tures sumerent : ut si alicubi consilio, instructione, ministerio opus, fides certins constaret. Ordinis enim gratia nee auditores ad aUomm pastomm ministeria ^e conferre, nec pastores alienis auditoribus ministrare, debent: ne inordinata ista licentia iuabusum, et dis- ciplinsd detrimentumj abeat.
Oujusmodi piis institutis adi^uotus populus, non in- yitus intra hos se contiuet cancellos. Si quid vero exorbitationis intercurrit, per admonitiones sedulas redigitur in ordinem 1 Joan. iv. 6, 2 Cor. vii. 15, 1 Cor. xyi. 16> et 2 Cor. ii. 9.
IN UNITATB FRATRDM DOIfEVOKUM.
81
CAP. VI.
DE VISiTATlUAlBUS.
Certmn est, nullum vcl exquisite institutum ordinem sine attenta inspectione durare posse, Ephes. iv. IG, Heb. zii. 18. Eo enim fine magiater saos diacipuloSj paterfamilias operarios, imperator milites, snbinde in- tervisit et spectat ; quia impossibile est, sine adhorta- tiombns, dehortationibiifiqae, in officio retineri homines. Atqae bac de cansa in Fratrum ITnitate, non solum inspectio pastorum in auditores, ut jam dictum, sed et inspectio episcopomm inpaatoresipsos, totasqae Eccle* sias, introducta est : Apostolomm scilicet exemplo^ qui quas fuiidarant Ecclesias,ea8dem visit«indo confirmabant. Act. xiv. 21,22, et xy. 36, 41. De visitatiouibus igitur Ecclesianim dicendum,
1. Quando institui soleant ? -
2. A quo peragi ?
3. QosB sint visitatoram ezpeditiones f
1. Yisitationes institnnntur ita, utsemel ainiu
sia quasvis lustretur; quodusitate vemo, aestivoauteiu, autumnalive tempore fit. Necessitate autem exigente (ut si pastor EcclesisB praBsentandns, aut scandalo cui- piam obviam eundum) etiam hyeme. Si uon sufficiant visitatores eodem anno Ecclesiis omnibus, dififeruntur sequentem in annum ese, in quibus urgentis necessitatis mmus observatur.
2. In cum bit vero cura haec episcopis proprie, ut per suam dicBcesin quisque cum consenioribus collegis Ec- clesias visitet, Quodsi legalibus proliibcatur impedi-
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BATIO I>I8CIPL1N£ O&DINISQUB
mentis^ conseniores mittit* Apostolicoexemplo 1 Thess* Hi. 2. ABsami qnoqne sclent e vicinia pastores^ unus
et alter, ad majorem populi, pastorum coneordiam spec- tantisj, de omnibuB quae hie fiimt, fiduciam. Pastor yero Tiaitandiia mature commonefleri solet.
3. ( )j)era visitatorum t^a£edaiii sunt ordinari<By alicB extraordinaruB»
Ordinarim vel privatim cam certis peraoms; vel publicxB in toto coctn, expediendaB.
Quam primum cnim visitatores locum attingunt (vel ante meridiem sabbati die) moz,
1« Pastorem ipsam Beorsim sciscitantnr, qnomodo se EcclesidB suse rcs liabeant ? quid expediendum maxime veniat ? Tom inqnimnt in emn ipsnm^sitne ''serTns fidelis et operariaB inoonfoBibiHB 2 Tim. ii. 16, qnam atten- dat lectionij exbortatioiii, doctrinal 1 Tim. iv. 13, quam praaeat pietatis exemplo ? ib* y. 12. Turn quo- modo vitam suBtentet? Quomodo akmno» Umtatis odiicct ? Qualcm se coriiiu qiiisquc exKibeat ? quomodo obediat ? quomodo proficiat ? Postea in populum, eras- catne an decrescat grez; (jubentqne sibi catalogomejc- hiberi). Habeatne aliquos scandalosos, qui bus remedii aliquid esset adhibeudum? presbyten et presbytersB^ eleemosynariiqnej qnomodo officinin faciant f
2. Accersmitur pastoiis adjutoreBetalmnni (ministri, diaconi, acoluthi) inteiToganturque: an proposito sanc- tificationis su» perstent? qnomodo iu pietatis studio progrediantnr r quomodo concordiam iroternamqne dilectionem colant ? Colos. iv. 8 ; quomodo a past ore traetentur ? annon damnosTim aliquem patiantor defec- tum f quantum temporis ad studia sibi conoedatnr ? et
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IN UNIIAT£ FAATBUM BOHSUOBUM. 83
qaomodo id impendant f quid per id tempos anusquisqae e^eritf (Solent enim a visitatoribns quandoque tarn
pastori, qttam contuberDio ejus auctores legendi submi- nistrari : id igitur an^ et quo cum fructu sit factum^ rnqniiitur, et aliud quid eyolvendninj describendiini^
perageudum, inj unj^^i t ur.)
3. Turn advocantur presbyteri, quibus abseutiam senionmi et Ecclesianixa nomine salnte nimciata> quae- stio fit de pastore. Quomodo officium faciat : an verbo et opere sedificet f an non per ipsum aut aliquem do- mesticornm ejoSj aliqnid Buboriator scandali ? deniqne, ntram aliqnid notentpnblioe ezpediendam^ quod totias Ecclsiae intersit?
4. Presbyteras qnoque accersitaB alloqauntur: quo** mode mnnere suo^ junioribns 80xx>ribna attendendo, fun- gantur? an non intercedant inter aliqnas odia^ invidiae, dissidia^ calumnise^ loxus vestiarioB^ etc.
h. Solent etiam revideri (vel prosentibas aBditnis et presbyteris) inventaria supellectilis domesticaD j aDdificia itemque, an non pessnmire sonatur aliquid?
6« Ubi magistratns cum coetu est consentiens^ bunc quoqne yisitatores salntant^ et^ an pastore suo sit con- tentus cognoscunt. ^
Fubiicm autem visitatorum oper» in Ecclesia Bunt^ 1. Yerbi * Dei prsadicatione ad amoris Dei ardorem inflammare : 2. Sacrae coenae administratione omnes in fide et caritate Christi confirmare : 8. Exhortationi- busqne variis pro ratione status^ ad fiEtcienda alacriter posthac officia, excitare.
Extraordinarii vmtatorum labqres, aliquando tantum intervenientesj sunt : yel recondUatio disHdentiim, cui
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84
EATIO DISClPLlN.i: ORDINISQUE
pastor non sufficiebat (at si inter ccctum et pastoreni aut magistratum, litis aliquid lutercedat) ; vel initiatio noveUi mmatri (de qna ceremonia supra) ; vel ixtroduetio novi pasioris ; vel ordinatio presbyterorum ; vel denique templi dedicatio.
I. PaBSBTTBROBUM POLmOOBITlf ObDDTATIO.
FresbyteroruiD ordinatio^ quum opus est, hoc ritaper- agitor. Jubentnr ante ooncionem vespertmam matnre se sistere omnes viri^ ibiqne pmmissa a visitatoribas
admoiiitione^ elignnt liberis votis quos mnnere illo dignos ezistimaiit. Pluribus itaque votis designatii vespertina concione finita a visitatore evocantnr^ iUis-
que oiiicia louneris hujus (toto auscultantc coitu) prae- leguntur : illi vero voce et stipulata mauu antistitibus XlBitatis, pastori^ Ecclesiseqae sfm, fidem et diligentiam obstringunt. Atquo iit in tt mplo quoquc inspectorum munere fungi possint, pecuiiari etiam sessionis loco (ad commodiorem populi intuitum) cobonestantar.
Similiter proceditur cum elignntur presbyterae ; ex- cepto, quod solo foeiumeo aexu prsesente res peragitur.
II. Tehpli Dedioatio.
Templorom dedication seu comecratio^ apud uos hoc fit mode :
1. Oongiegata Ecclesia, praemissoque sacro cantu^ declarat visitator, cui fini domus iiasc exaedi6cata sit ? nempe ut sit Bethel, domus Dei, et porta cqbU, Genes, zzviii. 17, 19, Isa. Ivi. 7, Lnc. xix. 46, iUi itaque usui
nunc dedendam et consecrandara esse.
2. Memorat, sanctificatorem omnium unum, solum.
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IN UNITATE FBATfiUM BOHEMOBUM. S5
perfectum, Deum esse, qui dicit : ego sum Jcliova sanctificaas vos^'^ Exod. zxxi. 13. £t de tabemaculo a Mose erecto : sanctificabo tabernacnlum foederis, et
jsarictificabitur in gloi iiL mea/* Exod. xxix. 43, 44. Et ad Salomouem de tempi o ex8Bdi£cato, exaudivi ora- tionem tnam, et aanctificavi domnm banc, nt coUocem bic noraen meum^^^ 1 Reg. ix. 3. Ideoque hortatur, ut nunc ad Deum omues convertaut oculos^ kumilli- meque orentj ut bic etiam ponat nomen smim^ Deut. xii. 5, 11.
3. Procumbunt itaque in genua, totus coetus, et ora- tione pia, ad Salomoms imitationem, 1 Beg. ym, Deam ardenter inyocant.
4. Admonitio fit, cum protestatione^ ne ad alios usus adbibeatur sacer ille locus, quam ad babendos sacros ccetus, samimque saactisBimi Dei cultam, in prasentia electorum augelorum peragondum.
5. Et quia "omnia per verbum Dei et orationem saxicti£caiikir/' 1 Tim. iy. 5, babetur etiam. mox verbi divini praedicatio, sacraque Synaxis.
6. Tandem denno invocatur nomen Dei; votoque benedictioius divinsBj omnibns corde recto bic Deo seryitmris afifaturaD, actus i^lauditor.
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EATJO PISClPLlKii: 0£DINISQII£
CAP. VII.
DS OBDINE ET QBADIBUS DISCIPLINES
ECCLESIASTICiB.
Quoiiiodo per iiispectionemvariam ordinis fiat custodia in Unitato^ dictum est. Jam an tern nou satis esse hortu- lanmn plantas^ proceptorem discipnlos^ patrem&anilias operarios, intervisere ; sed illi esse stolones putaudos, isti mendas tollendas^ huic ignavos iucrepandos et cas- tigandoBj ratio dictitat. Opus igitur Ecclesiad qaoque disdpUnay qua exorbitantes inclamentnr^ obseqni re- nuentes confundantur, praefracti castigentur, putrida denique et tabida membra amputentur ao abjiciaator. Ideo ChristiiB: ''Bonmn est sal^ habete igitur sal in vobis, ct pacem liabete invicem/^ Marc. ix. 50. Item,
si peccaverit in te frater taus, vade et corripe eum/* Mattb. xviii. 15. Item^ si te scandalizat manns tna, vcl pus tuiis^ iil)scinde ca^ et ahjice/' ver. 8, 9. A|)ostolus denique tcstatur, disciplinam esse filiorum Dei tesseram :
Si disdplinam snstinetis (inqnit); tanquam filiis vobis offert se Deus. Si autem absque disciplina estis, cujus participes sunt omnes filii» utique nothi estis, et non m/' Heb. adi. 7, 8.
Atque his de causis tarn salubri institute divino, dis^ ciplifUB, subdideront se jam inde a primordiis Unitatis nostrse omnes, qoi in sanctom hoc fidei et caritatis consortium confluxerant; summit imi; seniofes^ con. seniores; mim&tri, adniinistri; audi tores omnes, nobiles et ignobiles ; ipsique adeo magistratus : antidotmn peccati id esse credentes, si sciant esse^ qui vitae et
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IN UNITATE FBATSUM £OU£H0EUK
87
converaationi suae attendeutes, monendi et revocandi, adeoque in periculosa deviatione retrahendi potestatem Iiabeant^ Psal. cxix. 71, et cxH. 5, 2 Cor. vii. 8, 9, 10, 11. Hactenua igitur disciplinae subjacent omnes in Uiutate^ ab infante nsque ad senem^ a snbdito usque ad dominiun, ab acolutho usque ad episcopum: idque bono suo^ et aliorum. Homo etenim cum sit unusquisque, labi potest, FroY. zxiv* 16, Jac* iii. 2* Sed ne in lapsu perseveret^ atque ita conlangnesoat^ emoriatur, pereat, romedium a Cliristo uiiiinarum archiatro praasoriptum est, dis- cipiina, ut vidimus. Qu^ cum admmistratur caute, prodest non iUi soli in quo exercetnr, sed et aliis» Hino Apostolus: ^^peccantes coram omnibus argue^ ut et cseteri timorem habeant," 1 Tim. v. 20.
Gradusautem disciplinad (ex Cbristi pr8BSc!ripto^ Matt, xviii* 15), sunt tres :
I. Admonitioi sive correptio^ occulta. 2* Increpatio^ et coniusioj publica.
3« Excommunicatio^ et ab ecclesia. exterminatia^ to* talis.
Prime enim dooentur bio omnes, id juris a Christo concessum esse, imo legem impositani, ut curam quit'
que habeat fratris sui : ac, si videat ddmquere, erroHs fraterm commonefaciat, 1 ThessaL y« 11, Heb. iii. 13. Ut igitor ansit firater fratrem, soror sororem, conuno- ncru, piTuscrtira senior quisque juniorem, id suadent. &i quis antem iuiuionitionem talem neglexerit ; ut abus majoris auctoritatisj qui cum illo eodem nomine in spi- ritu mansuetudinis agat, subometur : quod potissimum alicui e presbytorio, aut pas tori ipsi, competit.
II. De disciplina publiea kniori.
06 UATIO DISClPiJNJi: 0£DIK1SQU£
Si uuila sequitur emendatio^ sistitur toti presby terio^ et admonetur yarie> ut peccatum agnoscat et desistat. Si flectitiiry cum admonitione et consolatione dimilftitiir:
si contumax esse pergit, conscientia ejus clavium po- testate ligatur^ et a commumoue sacrsB codusd suspen- ditnr, donee ad se redeat^ moresqae eorrigat.
Id ill IcWoribus delictis ita : in gravioribus vero^ et uotonis peccatisj aliter proceditur. Nempe citato pec- catori ad pastorem et presbyterimn, quoties opus est, peccatum exaggeratur. Si gravitatem agnoscit, et intra so confusus vere dolet, erigitur in veniae spem. Act. iii- il, 18, 19, certia tamen conditionibus. Nimimm
Primoj ut aliqoandiu in pcenitentia vera Denm pec- uata deprecandoj camem mortificaDdo, vitaeque emen- dationem re ipsa ezhibendo^ sese exerceat (cajosmodi poenitentisB exercitium vel ad proximam communionem, vel ultra, extenditur, prout se fructns poenitentias pro- ferunt : non uegiigente interim Ecclesia pro lapsis ad Deum Yota.)
Secundo, ut postmodum EcclesiiX) tristitia affectae (omnes scandalizatos publice, aliquando per se, ali- quando per pastorem deprecando) satisfadat, eique se ratione ista reconciliet. Quod si tamen peccatum non oinnino pubiice notum est, deprecatione coram presbyterio acqaiescitnr* Omnia eo fine, ut eonfhsns peccator verius resipiscendi, atque cautius posthac agendi, caeteri vero alieno periculo sapiendi, occasionem habeanty 1 Tim y. 20.
III. l)e ej;comffmmca^t(m« incorn^M/nem.
Si scelus nirais flagitiosum sit,aut peccator pceniteutiae loco contumaciam exerceat, transitur ad extremum
IN UJiilTATE FRATK&M BOHEHO&UM. 89
clavium gradum^ excommufdcationem : quam Christus et Apostoli in Ecdesia umirpariyolantj Matth. xviii. 1 7, 1 Cor. V. 5, Ac. Hie igitur peccator a sanctorum cora- munione totaliter exclusus^ SatanaD traditur^ nisiadhuc resipiscat. Exoonmimiicatione publico promulgata^popu- las totns^ obsignaturas quasi quod n«mine Ghristi actum est^ exclamat. Amen: non absque suspiriis et lacrymis piorum. Ita excommunicati obstiuati peccatores pro publicanis et ethnicis habentar^ quemadmodum jussit Christus. Neque tameu spes gratiae ulli negatur, si per seriam poeuitentiam a damnatiouis via in salutis yiam rcgrodi velit. Quod si cui poenitentiaB gratiam duri vident, grutulaiitiir : et ])().st sufficientem poeni- tentiae, utrum seria sit, probationem, publico itcrum cam IsBtitia toiius Ecclesi®^ recipiunt^ 2 Cor. ii» ?• Atque ita alteram clavium partem (poenitentibus coolum aperiendo) adininistrant.
Disciplina hado ficclesiastica^ per omnes gradus, nee bypocritice, nec impetuose et tyrannice, sed ut Apostolus mouuit> Gral. vi. 1, in spiritu lenitatis, et cum com- paasione intima/' 2 Cor. ii, 4, 5, 6, 7 ; nomine et auctoritate Ghristi/' 1 Cor. v. 4; ^'in rodifica- tionem, nun destructionem/^ 2 Cor. x. 4, 5, 6, et xiii. 10^ in delinquentes extendi, a poenitentibus auferri, fiolet*
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90 BATIO DISCIPUNJE OEDINISQUE^ STC
CONCLUSIO.
Atque hi smit ritiiB ordinis nostri Eoclesiastici, quos
majorcs nostri e vurbo Deihaustos amplexi^ pcr duo jain seculaj multa cum j»ersecutxone et patientia^ sed multo Bao et popnU Dei cam fincta^ obsearvamnti paiitoque nos (niHl hactenus sBdificationi propins semens anim- advertentes) obseryarej cum Deo anuitimur. Si quibus Ecclesiis aliia eandem hanc^ aot similem^ ordinis rationem sequi allabescit^ son invidere^ coUaadare potius Deum parati sumus ; modo obtineat Apostolicum iUud, omnia decenter et secnudmn ordinem fiaut/' 1 Cor. xir. 40.
Deus misericors eundem sibi complacentem ordinem sanctum inter noSj et ubique per christianitatem suam^ Btabiliat^ firmet^ perficiat^ in EcclesisB snee salutarem ssdificationem^ uumiuib auLem bui iuudem 1 Amen.
Ly GoOgl
ACCOUliT
OF THE
IS THE
UNITY OE THE BOliEMIAN B£ETHEEN.
PREFACE.
History informs us that the Bohemian nation, after they had heen happily enlightened with the Gospel by the mmiBtry of John Hubs and Jerome of Ftagne, were yet enticed back again into obedience to the apostate See by fresh devices of Satan, at the Council of Bas1e> a.d. 1433 ; the cnp^ with a few other things^ being all the concessions they obtained. The city of Tabor alone, unwilling that the light which had been kindled should be hid under a bnshelj held out for many years, defending with the sword their purity of doctrine and their constancy in the faith ; until they also fellj partly overreached by gnile^ partly oyerbome by force. However, as many as yet remained of the pious followers of Huss, being animated by a divine zeal, again took courage, and seceding from those pseudo- HnssiteSj the Caliztines, in the year 1457, happily succeeded, with Divine assistance, in forming congrega- tions in many places, and also a consistory of their own. For shortly before that time, a body of the Waldenses, being driven from France, had settled with one or two of their bishops in the neighbouring part of Austria; and to them our people sent a deputation with the view of explaining their entire purpose, as well as of seeking their advice, and forming a christian union with them. The Waldenses applauded their
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PBSfAGS.
object, and advised that provision should be made against a deficiency of faithful pastors, if those con- gregations now embracmg the pure doctrine of the Oospel were to be kept together, and that therefore they should not wait until individuals who had received the Bomish ordination^ induced by love of the truth, might, come OTer to them^ but have an ordmation among themselves, as the necessity of the case required. And since the Waldenses athrmed that they had regular bishops^ and a regular Buccession uninterrupted from the Apostles^ they in a solemn manner created three of our ministers bishops, and conferred on them the power of ordaining ministers* But as the name of bUhops had become odious through the anti-chriBtian abuse of it, they preferred to employ that of Seniors and Anii-- 9tite$, which has been the practice up to the present day. As to the proposed union^ before it could be carried into effect, these good Waldenses were again dispersed^ and their chief bishop Stephen burnt alive at Yienna. Our brethren in Bohemia likewise endured many persecutions, yet by the protecting care of God they were preserved from extirpation. Indeed^ the number of the faithful rather increased, so that towards the close of the l«5th century there were about two hundred congregations in Bohemia and Moravia, many of the nobiliiy piously giviog them countenance. Bat how much labour and blood it cost to lay the founda- tions of this orthodox fraternity appears from the histories which are in our possession.
With respect to the name of the Fraternity, it waa derived from the circumstances of the case. These
. PBKFACB.
95
men were in truth the genubie offspring of the holy
martyr Huss ; yet the Calixtines had forestalled the de- nomination of Hussites ; and moreover our people would not Tenture to take their title from znen^ contrary to the prohibition of the Holy Spirit.* They therefore called themselves by the most commuiidable name of Brethren and Sisters, an appellation most suitable for Christians. Bat in tiieir public Apologies, and in their books they termed themselves '^Brethren of the Law (or rule) of Christy' with reference to the leading principle of Huss, that the law of Christ is sufficient for the government of the church militant, without the addi- *'tion of human laws," and being anxious to guard against a departure firom this principlej either by them- selves or their posterity. And because they had estab- lished a settled order among themselves for the preservation of unanimity in £Ekith and charity, they designated their entire body 7%« XJmty of the Brethren/' as it is applied at the present day. And as the churches were everywhere occupied by the Bomanists, or by the psendo-Hussites, the Brethren were under the necessity of erecting oratories of their own indifferent towns; and their pastors having no regular incomes had to support themselves by the labour of their 5wn hands.
Afterwards, when God, in compassion to Germany, raised up the great Luther, the Brethren sent several deputations to him and to other distinguished teachers of the Gospel in the Empire; when they discovered that there was indeed a harmony of doctrine between
• 1 Cor. i. 12, 13.
96
PHKFACK.
tlicm m the principal and in most points^ but in reg'ard to order and a stricter discipline, they bore away the palm in comparison witb others ; as is testified by the letters still extant of Lutlier and others, either addressed to the Brethren or having reference to them.
Now, although they would have preferred an absolute union with the other reformed chiirclics in Germany and elsewhere, yet perceiving various dissensions springing up among them, they judged it to be their duty to stand aloof from party disputes, and cultivate Christian Mendship with both sides ; bestowmg mean* while the more solicitous care on their own congrega- tions, especially with regard to discipline, the more they perceived that the prevalence of those contentions was the consequence of neglect or laxity of discipline.
Subsequently, when the Protestants in Germany had been vanquished in the war of Smalcald^ and Ferdinand inflicted punishment on his Bohemian subjects, as confederates of the Protestants; having confiscated the propertievS of several of the nobles, he ejected the oongK Li itions of the Brethren thence, and in the year 1548 expelled them from the kingdom. These proceeded in three companies into Great Poland and Prussia, where they disseminated the doctrine of the Gospel^ and founded several congregations.
At length, when, in the year 1609, the Bohemian States had obtained from the Emperor Rudolph the free exercise of religion^ and proceeded to reduce to one uniform plan all the evangelical churches that haddiverse rituals, — the patrons and antistites of the Brethren were directed to explain what they had peculiar to
PREFACE.
iheiiiselveSy especially with regard to discipluie and order, when they produced the following statement. This met with approbation^ but as it was not thought practicable at that timo for the churches to be reduced to this form^ the indulgence was granted to the Brethren (who were^ moreover^ admitted to the common con- sistory of the kingdom), to retain their own form of discipline and order, ''until Providence should offer
something more perfect, which might be alike suit- " able to aH/'
But that nothing might, in the meantime, be omitted which seemed conducive to the constant observance of this good order, and, that remissness might be the more surely euardud against, whicli is apt to creep in gradually, unless there be a watchful foresight in these matters ; this formulary, containing, aa it were, a recog- nized code of laws, was revised and completed in the General Synod held at Zcrawich in Moravia, in the year 1616, and presented to the entire body of the ministry for perusal and thorough consideration in all its parts. This having been done, it was approved by all, and confirmed by the signatures of the Seniors and Gonseniors present from Bohemia, Morayia, and Poland j to the end that not only a more certain account of this matter might be left to posterity, but also that the obligation of every individual to a careful observance of these regulations in mutual charity might be the more binding.
And moreover, as there were those who wished this formulary to be published, while some pious persons in other countries and belonging to other churches were
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98
PfiEFACE
understood to have the same desire, it was at len^li determined in tke Synod, which was held by the dis- persed Fraternity in the year 1632 at Lissa in Poland, that iL should bo printed. During* those times, indeed, God seemed to be chastising us with another kind of discipline (doubtless for our desertion of our first love, and declension from our former zeal) ;* yet was it judged unfit, that, through any negligence of ours, what had once after holy consideration been settled by our ancestors^ and up to this time found in practice beneficial for the promotion of piety, should go into oblivion, and be as it were buried in darkness. It was rather fitting to devise means that what is out of joint may be set risrht^ and entire distortion avoided, nay rather that perfect soundness may be restored.f And that this may take place among us, as well as among all Christ's faithfiil people, may Grod vouchsafe to renew and establish us with His heavenly grace, for tke glory of His most holy name. Amen.
THE SENIORS AND MINISTERS of the Unity of the Brethren.
♦ Rev. u. 4. t Heb. xii, 13.
ECCLESIASTICAL OllDER
*
IX THR
UNITY OP THE BOHEMIAN BRBTHBEN.
It is snfficiently evident from instances furnished by '
the world at large, that no society of men, no kingdom, state, or family, yea, no created thing, can subsist without a fixed order ; but that all things would other- wise fall at once into confusion and ruin. So neither oan the Church, which is ^Hhe house of God/' and ^^the city of the Great King,'' and '^the Kingdom of God/"* consist without a fixed, order. [1] Hence the Apostle, *^Let all things be done decently, and in order/'t And although precisely the same order may not be found in all churches, yet it is certain, that in proportion as any particular church is distinguished in this respect, will be the degree of its stability and prosperity. Induced by this consideration, the original founders of our Unity, [2] having withdrawn them- selves from the idolaters, had in view not solely, although chiefly, to restore purity of doctrine and simplicity of Christian life, but also by the bond of order to maintain these blessings among themselves, and to promote their own advancement in them.
* I Tim. iu. 15; F0. xlviu. 2; Matt. xx. 1. ^ I Cor. xiv. 40.
H 2
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CHUECH CONSTITUTION
Thercfuro, with the help of God, they both disposed themselves for that holy fellowship, and adapted their regulations for the pure worship of God, and the edi£- cation of the clmrch ; considermg how they might best effect this^ either after the model of the apostolic and primitive churchy or as the conditions of their churchy then exposed to persecutions, permitted. This we now proC'Ced to describe, arranging it in seven chapters,
!• The order of the whole Unify in general will be set forth,
II. The order of the Ministers and Synods.
III. The order of the Church Service, or the mode of publicly performing Church rites.
IV. The domestic order of the Ministers, or manner of the private life of the Ministers.
Y. The private order of the Church Members.
VI. The order of visitation or of the inspection exercised by superiors over those placed under them.
VII. The order of discipline, by which all these are held together as by a chain. '
OE TI1£ BOHEMIAN BliETHEfiN. 101
CHAPTER L
CONCERNING THE ORDER OF THE WHOLE UNITY IN
GENEKAL.
•
TiiE order of the Unity of the Brethren in general consists^ partly in a certain distinction of things per- taining to the sacred worship of God^ in accordance with His word ;* and partly in a classification of persons who are with one accord engaged in the aervice of God in that congregation, and the connection and union of them with one another by certain duties.
Obdeb of Things.
As the Brethren perceived tliat all tlmigs were in confiision, and no distinction made between what was necessary and what was not, or at least between what was more necessary and what was less so ; and, still worse, that the fundamentals of salvation were generally neglected, while attention was bestowed on what was external ; they commenced by laying down a distinction of the things which are comprised in Christianity c'f'
Kamely, that i^ere are in Christianity
i Essentia I J Auxiliary, (ministerialia) Accidental.
Essentials of Christianity tliey termed those things in which the salvation of man is immediately placed : namely, on the part of God, the grace of God the
* Jcr. XV. 19 i Hos. viii. 12; Mutt. vii. 0; Gal. iv. 10.
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CHURCH CONSTITUTION
Father y the merit of Christy and the gifts of the Holy Spirit ; and on our part, faith, hve, and hope. By faith f understanding an aoknowledgment of tlie benefits of God, and the especial application thereof to our- selves ; by love, an ardent zeal to love God in return, and to obey him in all things; by hope, *an unshaken assurance of persevering in these graces, and thus of attaining the end of faith. Without these they taught that no one could be saved.
As the AuxiliarieB of Christianity they regarded those nuaiis divinely bestowed upon the Church, by which ike grace of God the Father, the merit of Christ, and the operation of the Holy Spirit become known to^ and are conferred upon us ; that is, by which faith, love, and hope are enkindled, cherished, and strengthened in us. These are the word 0/ God, the keys, and the sacra" ments. For the word of God reveals those essentials to us;* the keys assign them^f the sacraaients seal them.j: Hence they teach that the ministry of the Church is necessary, not on its own account, but because of those essentials ; and that there is no other object to be sought in or by the ministry^ than the advancement of purity of faith, ardour of love, and firmness of hope, — ^liopo, tliat in life and death, autl in the midst of all temptations, may cling unshakenly to the mercy of God.
Accidentals of Christianity they called those things (termed by others adiaphora, or things indifferent) which relate to the time^ place, and mode of exercising those auxiliaries; that is^ the ceremonies and external
* P{«. xix. 7—11. t ^^^^ 3ix. 22. { Roiu. iv. 11. ^
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OF THE BOEEMUN BRETHEEN. 103
rites of religion. These things, they were of opinion, should be used in accordance with Christian Uberty and pradence, in such a manner as that they might not only prove no obstacle to faith, love, and hope (by withdrawing the mind from them, for instance, or by obscuring tiiem; both of which effects follow from, idolatrous and superstitions ceremonies), but rather that they might serve to illustrate and impress them.*
Now^ it is these things that the order of our Unity has chiefly in view. For the Essentiab and Auxiliaries of Christianity we have, in common with all Christians, if they were but aware of their own privileges, and had a distinct understanding of thein.t In the AccidentaU we possess wLai is perchance diverse from others, but yet derived from no other source than the Divine direction variously indicated in the Scriptures^ and drawn from the examples of the primitive church. [3] The nature of them, and their adaptation to the .end proposed^ we now proceed to explain in the presence of the Church j not representing them as involving what is necessary to salvation, but as presenting a better order, and one more conducive to edification, as our own experience has taught us. Yet we neither so pertinaciously maintain thorn, as that we would not give them up, if anything better were offered in their place ; % nor, on the other hand, do we think it right to make any change on slight grounds. § Hence it is that no one among us is allowed to introduce new
* Bom. xIt. ; I Cor. xiv. ; Col. ii. 16. f Bom. X. 12 £ph. ir. 8--6.
X i'UU. iii. 15, 16 ; I Thess. v. 21. § 1 Cor. xi. 2.
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senses or opinions, or to perform new ceremonies, or to write or publish books, without previous examina*
tion, and the general approbation.
THE ORDER OF PERSONS.
FlBST, AMONO TH£ p£OPL£.
Tlie order of Persons is such a classification of all, that eacli one in the place assigned him may know exactly what authority he should exercise, or what obedience he should yield, and what regard or duty he owes to this or the other person ; as well in respect to the people as the ministers.
Onr ancestors were used to arrange their people or hearers in three classes, according to the degrees of labour to be undertaken on their account, — Cleaving the natural and political goyemment in full force, as of husbands in regard to their wives, parents to their children, masters to theur servauts, and magistrates to their subjects :
^Namely, as Beginners,
Projicients, and
Perfect, or going on unto perfection.*
Beginners are such as are learning the Catechism, and the iirst elements of religion; as the children who have been placed by their parents under the care of the pastors also adults who have come to us irom the idolaters, or such as have been otherwise neglected; and who, if they commit themselves to the care of the' ministers among the Brethren, usually pass through a period of previous instruction and probation.f
* llcb. V. 13; I Cor. ii. 6; et laid. Ub. 2, Eccics. cap. 21. t Ileb. V. 11—14.
OF THB BOHSHIAN BRETHBIN.
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Proficients are Bach as having become well acqiiainte4 with the elements of religion^ being received under the
pastoral Cfll'G, li. lid iidiiiittcd to a participation of all the mysteries of the churchy exercise themselves more and more in the knowledge of the will of Grod> and in its practical observance, and thus conforming them- selves to the order of the churchy mamtain their sancti- fication.*
77te Perfect [4] they termed such as had made eminent attaiiimeiits in the knowledge of Divine things^ and had become so established in iaiih, love, and hope^ as now to be able to enhghten others^ and to exercise a superintendence over them for the pre- servation of order.f
From these are usually elected :—
1. The Civil Elders, or Overseers,
2. The Curators of the Alms,
3. TkeJEdUes.
Thjb GmL Eldbbs.
These are respectable^ grave^ and pious men^ chosen from the whole congregation, in order to watch over the conservation of all the rest. To them is given authority to warn and reprove others, in whom any
impropriety is observed ; to reconcile persons at vari- ance ; and to reduce to order whatever irregularity they may have remarked and this, either by themselves,
or together with the pastor, to w^hom they arc assigned as helpers.
* 2 Cor. vii. 1 ; llch. vi. 1.
t Ivum. XV. 14; 1 Cor. ii. 6; Tliil. iii. 15.
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106 CUUKCH CONSTITUTION
Also iu outward matters touching their domestic affairs, the yoimger men and youfhs are wont to seek their advice, and are faithfully counselled by them: a
regulation wliicli, judging by the examples and the practice of the ancient church, we think ought by ail means to be maintained.'!'
In like manner, from the fi males there are chosen respectable, prudent, and grave matrons^ to attend to their own sex, who are famished with like autho- rity, t [5]
The Almon££S.
The Almoners are prudent men, distinguished for
their virtue and faithfulness, to whom is committed the charge of the treasury, in which each of the hearers deposits his contributions, whenever he pleases, so as his left hand may not know what his right hand doeth.t These, as often as is requisite, draw money from thence, insert the amount in the books, and dis- tribute it amongst the poor, but with the cognizance of the pastor. As far as is in our power we guard against mendicity among our people, according to the command of God. § It is their duty also to make pro- vision for orphans, widows, the. isick, and those who are in exile for the Gospel, that they may not be utterly destitute.
The JEdiles,
The ^diles are men of repute, to whom is com- mitted the care of the sacred buildings, and those
* Exod. xviii. 2t, 22; Dent. i. 13 ; 1 Cor. vi. 2, 4, 5$ 1 Tim. v. 17.
t Rom. xvi. I. 3, 12; 1 Tim. v. 9, 10; Tit. ii. 3, 4,
X Matt. vi. 3. § Dcut. xv. 7 — 11; Rom, xii. 8.
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OJr THE BOHSMIAM BRETHBBN* 107
>vhich the ministers occupy. Therefore they receive
the collections which are usually made once a (.quarter ;* they enter separately the contributions of each^ and expend the money on repairs of the bnildingSj and for other purposes of the church ; and once a year they render to the congregation an account of their receipts and payments; when they are usually released from the office^ which is somewhat laborious^ and olihers are chosen in their place.
Such is the order among the Brethren as regards the hearers ; to which all without reluctance conform, as knowing, both from the word of Grod and their ovm experience^ that it is conducive to edification. Nor does any one obtrude himself into any office, as thereby he would be an object of contempt : but each one, being regularly elected by the whole assembly, under- takes the duty with as much confidence as the rest feel in committing it to him.
The Oeder of the Ministers in the Unity of the
Breth&en.
The Miaistters of the Church are with us priests^ or pastors of the congregatUma, ambassadors for Christ to
• 2 Kings xii. 10, U.
t The Brethren do not object to the terra priest^ as far as it denotes a
person dedicated to sacred thinirs, and not one wlio otters sacrifice. Yet the liohcmiaii word A'jtiz is lietter, signilyin;^^ a ))Ci-S()n set over tlie jKjople, for like the Hebrew Cohen ^ it means both a priest and a prince. Yet as they are not ignorant that some othi rs are otFended with the r^atin term succt'dos^ they genenilly avoid it, and (as tliej do) call them the Ministers of the Church. However, in tfiis place, where the mini&terial degrees arc spokoi of, it is needful to employ a dlbtinct appellation.
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CHUKCH CONSTITUTION
the people."^ Their office is to administer the word, the keys, and the sacraments.
From these pnests our ancestors were accustomed to require neither the knowledge of languages nor of philosophy, more especially as, through want of scholastic institutions, this could not be obtained. But if they saw a man well nourished in the words of faith, with ability to teach, sober, prudent, and possessing the other qualifications which the apostolic canon requires in a minister of the church,t — content there- with, they recognized such an one as a true ambassador of Christ. This practice met with the approbation of Doctor Luther, at the same time that he advised them to add, as far as was in their power, the study of lan- guages ; which from that time, where practicable, has been done.
These have under them novitiates destined for the service of the church, as their assistants ; and above them, for the maintenance of order, their Bishops or
Antistites.
Those who are under their authority and care are the Acohths and Deacons.
ACOLTJTHS.
Acoluths are youths admitted by the pastors of the
congregations into their households, that they may be trained for the future service of the church in learning and morals with more care than they could be with
their parents or uLse where. Thus Samuel was trained
* Cor. V. 20. t 1 Tim. iii. and Tit i.
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OF THE BOHEMIAN BUETHREK.
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under Eli,* Elisha under Elijah,t aad the compfiny of the sons of iihe prophets under their elders4 T^huB also Clirist fostered aud trained the disciples before He entrusted them with the ministry. So Paul had Timothy, Titus, Luke, as his attendants and com- panions ; whence also itKoXovOla (acoluthia) is expressly ascribed to them.§ And hence it is, that this degree has obtained in the Church ever since the apostohc times. II
The Bbxthjbsk assign thesb Duties to theis Acoluths.
1. That while they distinguish themselves beyond
other youths by an orderly, modest aud pious deport- ment, they should be accustomed to show alacrity in obedience, and in the spontaneous service of God and the Church, and so exhibit the gentleness which becomes disciples.^
2. That they should exercise themselves in the rudi- ments of Theology, by reading and committing to
memory the larger Catechism, the Gospels, and the shorts Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and those of Peter ; also Psahns and Spiritual Hymns.^*
8. The reading of Scripture at family prayers is committed to them ; and sometimes an exhortation on the same occasion from the passage read ; and this,
both m order to prove wliat measure of aptitude for te aching God may have conibrred upon any one, smd
• 1 Sam. iii. 1. t 1 Kings xix. 21. t 2 Kings iv. 38. § In the Greek Text, John xxiii. 22 ; 1 Tim. iv. 6 ; 2 Tim. iii. 10. II Vide Cyprian, lib. iii. Epist. xxiiL ; and the Canons of the Councils. % 2 Tim. iii. 10, 14. ** 2 Tim. iii. 15.
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C'llUKCII CUN.nTITITION
for tlie gradual tittaiument of that b(jldne.ss ot speakiug* in the power of God^ the exercise of which in the presenca of the church will in due time be needed.* It is their office (whensoever it is not otherwise prov^ided) to call the people to the pubUc service by tolling the bells^ to open and close the churchy to light the chnrch at the early services before day light ; and thus to fulfil these, the inferior ecclesiastical functions.f
4. To teach the Catechism in the schools to the children of Christian parents. J
5. To attend their superiors on their journies^ both for the purpose of rendering them service^ and that they may everywhere be witnesses of their seemly manner of life^ and so learn to conduct themselves everywhere with propriety. §
6. In case of necessity, the reading of the Scriptures^ together with some commentary^ is entrusted to them also in the smaller public assembly ; or even, if thej are capable of it, the ddivering firom memory of a short address and prayer. This the pious hearers receive with indulgence.
Thb Dxaoons.
The Deacons are elder Acolnths^ now in the course
of preparation for tlic Tinnistry. These the ministers of the Brethren employ as their assistants^ after the example of the Apostles. || For although they were
originally ordained by the Apostles for the service of
* Luke i. 4. f 1 Sam. iii. 1,15. t Acts xviii. 25, 26. § 2 Tim. iv. 1 1» and ti. 3. || Acis vi. 2, kc. ; Fliil. i. 1.
OF TUl! BOHi>;HIAN BRETHREN. Ill
tables^ yet it is evideDt tlmt tlicy both preached and baptized (as Stephen and Philip)^* and were advanced to a higher deprree^ namely, of the Ministry or Pres- bytery, t Hence this degree of the diaconate was uniformly maintained in the primitive churchy as is evident from the canons of <he Gonncils; on which account^ although like many other things it has been tamed to abnse by Antichrist^ it ought not to be banished out of the church.
Thi Bbsthsbn assign thbsb Dums Tq thxib Deacons.
1. To apply constantly and intently to the study of
sacred theology, and prepare themselves suitably for the ministry. J
2. To instruct the youth in church and school in the fundamentals of religion.
3. To exercise themselves in delivering discourses to the people.
4. To administer baptism, whenever directed by the
pastor ; for Christ also allowed his disciples to baptize before he committed to them the keys of the kingdom of Heaven.§ So also Peter allowed his,|| and we have already sliovsii that the deacoas of the Apostles admimstcrcd baptism.
5. When the Holy Supper is celebrated in a large congregation, and there are not sufficient Ministers present, the Deacons are also employed in distributing not only the cup, but the bread ; yet the Minister alone, having the power of the keys, may pronounce
• Acts vi. 10, and viii. 5, 12, 35, 38. f ^ Tim. iii. 13. t I Tim. Hi. 13. § Jolin iy. 2. || Acts x. 48.
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CHUHCH CONSTITUTION
the absolution to the people^ and soieimiiy deliver tho words of mstitiition. So the Acolaths and Deacons are the assistants of the
Ministers. The Bishops and Coadjutors, or Seniors niid Couseiiiors, are thje rulers of the Ministers^ or Watchers and Overseers, who jointly form the eccle- siastical Senate, or as others denominate it, the Con- sistory of the Unity.
GoNCBBKmo THB AiiTisnTSS OB ^Seniors.
The Antistes or Bishop is with ns a person distin*
gnished by his age and divine gifts, elected by the su&*ages of all the Ministers for the maintenance of order in the whole Unity^ confirmed by the solemn rite of ordination, and then supported by public authority ; taking care that all the rest, each in his place, may discharge their duty, and that the work of God may proceed everywhere free from scandals and confusion.* Of such Bishops there are four, five, or six, as necessity may requii-o ; to each of whom is assigned a diocese, or a certain number of churches and pastors, f [7] Their eminence, in comparison with the other ministers, consists in no distinction of honours or revenue, but of labours and cares for otiiers: ^'He that is greatest among you,** saith Christ, " let him be as the younger ; and he that is chief as he that doth serve/^J And according to the canons of the Apostles^ Presbyter and Bishop are one and the same^ save that the term Bishop
* Acts xz. 2S; 1 1.; Condi. Carthag. 4.
t 2 Cor. K. 13—16; Gal. ii. 9.
{ Lukezxii. 26; Matt, xxiii. U; Markx. 44.
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OF TH£ BOU£MIAN BEETHREN. 113
siguifies inspector or superintendent. And thus also the Bishops of the Unity are of equal rank^ save that one of them has the presidency for the sake of order.
All these, having been once elected and appointed, remain in office during life, unless any one should con* daot himself miworthily.
The Duties which the Aiitistitbs hate in coxkon
1. To watch over purity of doctrine and efficiency of discipline throughout the whole Unity : in accordance with the command of Christ, who hath given authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and hath *^ commanded the porter to watch'**
2* To provide that youths of - good ports^ may be carefully trained for the future service of the Church ; as the prophets instructed their sons, and Gamaliel brought up Paul at his feet.t
3. To ordain aooluths, deacons, ministers, and con- seniors to their reapective degrees, t
4« To exercise faithful care over all the ministers, deacons, acolnths, widows and orphans in his diocese.
5. To keep lists of the churches in his diocese, and to acquaint himself with their wants, and with the members, at least the principal of them.
6. To assign suitable pastors to the churches, and to change them as circiiui stances may require, yet not without the cognizance of the other Bishops.
7. To make an annual visitation of the churches of his diocese (concerning which we shall treat hereafter.)
* Virk xiii. 94. tAet8Xzii.S. {Tit.!. 5.
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CHURCH CONSTITUTION
8. To administer reproof to ministers and pastors who overstep theu* office. (But the excommiinication of a minister is competent only to a whole Synod : all things " according to flie power which tiie Lord hath given to edification^ not to destruction.")*
9* If any persecntion or danger is impending, either over the whole Unity or some particular chnrch, or individuals, it is their duty to consider how the peril may he met, or how, at least, some comfort and relief may be famished to those who are the subjects of it.
10. Each Antistes of the Unity is bound to care for the Library, and to increase it as much as he can with nsefnl books.
11. The care of the printing-office of the Unity
devolves upon all alike : but the oversight of it falls to the one who lives nearest.
12. And since it is hazardons to eonomit absolute power to a single individual, or to a few, each is bound to defer to the judgment, not only of his colleagues^ but also of the Conseniors, and to receive their admoni- tion, advice, and reproof» From this decision, as the legitimate judgment of Ood, there is no appeal, except to a general Synod; from whence an appeal cannot bo made, except to Him who hath conferred the power of giving judgment upon the Church.
The Duties oi* the P&esident,
One of the Bishops has the office of President r hi»
duties are :—
* 2 Cor..xiii 10.
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OF THE BOHEMIAN BRETHREN.
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1. To convene the ecclesiastical council (Senatum) as often as he thinks it needful ; yet with the knowledge and consent of his coUeagnee*
2. When they are met, to explain the occasion of their assembling, and after reminding them of the un- certainty of ali human deliberations without Divine assistance, to excite them to prayer^ and thus consecrate the subsequent transactions^
3. To inquire whether the decisions of the preceding Synod or assembly have been carried into effect. Then to state what is proposed to be done in the present as- sembly ; and to request each to mention^ what he thinks should form a subject of deliberation: the Secretary
immediately recording tlie propositions. Aiterwards they deliver their sentiments m order, beginning with the younger members. The President collects the opi* nions, weighs them, and according as the chief reasons preponderate, forms the conclusion^ which is entered by the Secretary in the Minutes*
4» It is also tiie President's duty to convene a gene- ral Synod when needful ; to appoint persons to provide all things requisite for the occasion ; and to take the lead in maintaining good order at the Synod«
The Duties op the Secebtaey of the Unity4
The office of Secretary is usually entrusted to one of
the Seniors. His duties are : —
!• To record the Synodal Acts in the churdi docu* ments.
2. To possess a thorough knowledge of the acta and writings of the Unity«
1 2
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116 CHOBCH COKSnTUnON
8« To Bee to the writizigB pabliahed by our adrer- saries ; and if an answer be required, and the Conncil
give directions^ to compose answers and to submit them to their judgment. 4h, To apprize the Conncil if he perceives any defect
in the writing's of the Unity, and to supply it, in accord- anco with their unanimous judgment previously signi- fied.
5. To take care tliat no individual in the Unity publish anything of his own will« In a word> to make himself acquainted with the causes and purport of all the books pubUshed and intended for pubfication* [8]
DUTUBS 01 THS CoN8£NIO&S,
To every Senior are added two or three Gonseniors^ for i^e purpose of assistance ; whom the ancients termed
Chorepiscopi. [9] Their duties nve : —
1. To constitute, in conjunction with the SeniorSj the ecclesiastical Council^ or Consistory.
2. To attend^ beyond the other ministers, to the maintenance of good order every where ; and to ap- prize their superior^ of whatever they have any where observed to require correction.
3. By word and example to lead others to the ob- servance of the laws^ statutes^ and praise-worthy customs.^
4. To look out for persona lit fur the several degrees of the ministry. t
6. To determine where, in what department^ and
* FliiL vr. 3; 2 Tim. it. 2. f Tit. t 6.
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OF TAB BOHSMIAN BBETHBBK.
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how, each minister and asaifltant may labour with advantage^ and what may therefore be committed to
each.
6. In coiijimction with their Antistes^ to exerdse discipline over the ministers.
7. To visit the church<3S in conipauy with him ; or without him in case he directs, and those churchesv which he does so direct.
8. To examine llio acolullis, d{3;icons, and ministers called up for ordination ; and after examination to present them with a &ithM testimonial to the Seniors.*
9. To watch over the neighbouring pastors of their own district (especially such as are immediately com- mitted to their orersight)^ and obsenre in what manner
they discharge their duty. If they remark a slight irregularity, it is their duty to correct it ; but in the case of graver and scandalous offepces, they must as soon as possible apprize the Senior.f
10. To maintain ^yiolable secrecy respecting the deliberations of the conferences.]: [10]
* 1 Tim. ill 10. i i TbMt, t. 14. t Ptwr.xx. 19.
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CHUSGH CONSTITUTION
CHAPTEii il.
CONCERNING THE SYNODS, AND THE BITB Of
OllDINATION.
For weighty reasons (namely to provide for tlie ne- cessities either of the whole Unity, or of some one diocese) we hold either general or particulmr Synods*
A General Synod is usually held every tiiree or four years ; at which attend all the Seniors and Conseniors, the pastors and mimstersj also the deacons and aoo* luths, nay even the patrons of ehurches^ especially those living near. This is
1. For the purpose of renewing and confirming bro- therly love and concord.^
2. To stimulate aud strengthen the mindb of all in the work of the Lord.f
3. To restore tho vigour of order and discipline, if laxity should be any where detected, or is to be ap- prehended*!
4. Occasionally also, that scandalons individuals may- be expelled the ministry, or that the penitent may be solemnly readmitted.
5. To ordain ministers in whatever degree may be required.
These General JSvnods were not held in one fixed place, but in different places, as well in Moravia as in Bohemia. Poland, on account of its distance, only sent
delegates to the Synods ; as was at times the case from Bohemia to the Synods in Poland. [11]
* Bom. i. 11, 12. t 1 Cor. xvi. 14} 1 Pet iv. S. X 1 Cor. i. 10.
OF TB£ fiOUKMlAN BR£XUK£N. 119
This is the ordur of the Synods :— .
1. All who are summoned appear on the day and at the place appointed.
2. Each takes up his abode in the place assigned to him ; which is usually arranged in good time. [12]
3. In the eyeningy at the sound of the bell, all as- semljlc in the church ; thtinks are otfered up to God, and the Seniors give a paternal welcome to their guests.
4. After this they go to supper^ according to the arrangement of the tables and the attendants, which is conducted (as it is also on the following days) with moderation^ in the fear of Godj and seasoned with pious and friendly conversation.^ Some of the Con- seniors are appointed to regulate all; as also daily afterwards to visit and salute them when sitting down at table.
5. The following morning a sei'Dion is delivered by one of the Seniors or Conseniors, and so every day while the Synod lasts : there are also prayers in the afternoon and evening, with an admonition always from Scripture, on a topic suited to their common edifica- tion^ or to the present state of things.
6. The ministers remain the whole day assembled in the church (as do also the deacons and acoluths in the place assigned to them), occupied with the subjects laid before them by the Seniors. [13]
7. The Seniors also in a separate room deliberate and determme regarding the positions of ministers^ churches^ or patrons, or whatever may be before them ; yet in afiairs of moment not without the consent of the ministers. [14]
• £pb. ir. 29, & r. 4.
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CHUECH CUNSTiTUTION
8. Whenever it is needful to supply a vacancy in the Council, aftor prayor and fasting, they all .severallj write down the names of the persons for whoia they vote, and deliver their papers sealed to the Seniors.
9. Also persons suitable for the degree of the mi- nistry are selected from the deacons, regarding eacli of whom tlie miuisters state in writing whatever they have remarked, whether praiseworthy ur otherwise, and send it under seal to the Seniors.
10. Such as are accredited by faVonrable testimonials are exjymined by the Seniors and Conseniors.
1 1 . Ordination to each degree is publicly performed : concerning which hereafter.
12. Moreover, at a General Synod the Holy Com- munion ia always celebrated,* in order to renew mutual love, and joy in God; when all the ministers of the Church who are present, together with the patrons and the believing people, communicate with joy and thanks*
giving*
13. Towards the conclusion of the ISynod various exhortations are deli vored.t For example: "That each
would apply all that had been done in this Synod to the glory of God, and his own edification ; that " each would walk worthily in the vocation wherein he has been called, and set a good eiLample to all under him, so that the ministry be not evil spoken of in any respect.'^ JSometimcs also special warnings are added against this or that vice and scandal, intermixed with the Divine threatenings and promises. Finally, the Synod is dismissed in peace, with benediction and
* Acts xz« 7. t Acts zx. 25.
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thanksgivings with tho prayer that God would hence-* forward grant a period of peace to the Church, and
cause His work to prosper to His glory. Au admuiniiuu is added that they should all conduct themselves de- vonily, modestly, and in concord on their journey and at their retiu n liouiu salute their churches, patrous, and Jometitics in thu name of the Seniors, and assure them of their faithfal pastoral and paternal sohcitade, their remembrance of them in prayer before God, and their unabated zeal to promote their welfare. f [1^]
14. The Synodal Acts are registered for future reference^ and each of the Seniors has a copy of them.
Particular Synoda, consisting of a smaller nmnber of Seniors and ministers, are called on account of sud- den emergeucies, which cannot be delayed till a general Synod: the business also not concerning the entire Unity, but a particular district; or a single church or individual. Yet the acts of such a particular Synod are immediately communicated to the absent Bishops, for the sake of holy unanimity*
As the ordinations of the ministers take place at the general Synods, we now proceed to describe them.
I. of AcolutLs, Ilr of Deacons, There is an ordination III* of Ministers,
* IV. of Conscniors, V, of Senioi*s.
• Gen. xlr. 24.
\ Bom. JLvi. throughout; lieb. xui.; Kph. i. 16.; Pliil i. 3, 4; Coi. i. &
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I, Tub 0BDIKAT102I Of ACOLUTHB*
Every pastor among us is under obligation to board one, two, three, or more boys of good parents in his hoQse^ to bring them np with a view to the ministry,
and to take care for their instruction. In order to sti- mulate their love for the ministry, the elder of these yonths are taken to the Synods, and, after undergoing an examiuation, for the ])uq3oso of ascertahiino^ which of them may seem worthy of further care and promo- tion, and also that they may feel themselves bound to the Church, they receive the first degree of their vo- cation, that is, as acoluths.
Their ordination is conducted thus :—
1. A discourse is delivered on a suitable topic : as for instance, on the imitation of Christ, the calliny of tke seventy disciples, the sons of the prophets, etc.
2. They are called out in succession by name, and presunt thcmsclv^es before tlio Churcli.
3. They are interrogated before the whole Synod, whether they are willing to devote themselves to the service of the Church ? whether they promise obe- dicnco ?
4. Their duties are read to them, (as stated be- fore).
5. These they promise to observe, by giving their hands. «
6. The former acoluths receive them into their com- pany, by giving them their right hand.
7. The whole is concluded with prayer, the benedic- tion, and singing.
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II. The Ordination of Dsacons.
The Deacons are chosen from the elder acolaths^ in this manner :—
1. They are examined by the Seniors whether they have now surrendered themselves entirely to Christ and the Church, and as to what degree of progress '
they liave made in the study of theology.*
2. They are called by name before the whole Synod, when their duties are read to them firom 1 Tim. iii. 8^ etc.
3. They bind themselves by a vow to Christ and the Church.
4. Prayers are oflTered for them, and the Ordainer
confirms them with the imposition of hands. t
5. The new deacons present the right hand to the Seniors and ministers, in token of holy obedience, and
the former deacons do the same to thenij in tukuu of fellowship.
6* The solemnity is condnded with the benediction*
*
ni. The Ordination of Ministsbs.
1. When Ministers are to be ordained at a Synod, every pastor who is about to take with him his deacon
or deacons, gives notice to his church, that is, to the Presbytery, or civil elders ; who, in a letter addressed to the Synod, furnish a testimonial of the life, and con- versation, and proficiency 'in preaching of their deacon or deacons, stating whether they consider them worthy of the ministerial degree. PubUc testimonies are also
* 1 Tim. uL 10 ; Luke iz. 62. f ^i. 6.
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wont to bo TLH^uirud of the legitimacy of their birth, tiiat they may in every respect be free from reproach.
2. Thea follows^ in the Synod, the examination of the persons to bo ordained, which is threefold.* For first, the names of the candidates for ordination are submitted to the consideration of the ministers assembled in the church ; where the testimonials re- garding each, with the votes for or against this or that individual, are sealed up by secretaries chosen for the purpose, and transmitted to the Seniors.
3. The second examination is conducted by the Con- seniors^ who, admitting three or four at a time, inquire into their individual proficiency in theology, how far they have beon nourished up in the words of faith ;'^t a^lso as to the purity of their intention in serving Christ and the Church ;X lastly, respecting their and stability of judgment. §
4. After this, each who has passed his examination thus far, is sent to a Bishop for an examination of his
con science, where the greatness and weight of the pastoral otiice are set before him^ and he is asked if he can give himself up as a servant to Christ with a pure conscience, II and without any view to gain, honour, and earthly advantage. If any thing censurable had been remarked in the morals of any one of them, the cor- rection of it is earnestly urged upon him.^ Finally, they are encouraged to hope, for Divine assistance by various consolatory assurances.** [IG]
* 1 Tim. V. 22. f 1 Tim. v. 6. 1 1 Tim. iii. 3.
§ I Tim. iu. 6. |i 1 Tim. iii. 9 ^ 1 Tim . ii. U v Tit. i. 7, 8$ Col. iii. 8.
** Ueb. iii. 1 1 John iii. 21.
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6. Next day the ordination takes place ; a fast having
been observed on the day previous, and solemn sup- plications ofifered up on behalf of the necessities of the Ohnroh.*
6. The Synod being assembled, after sino^ing, «t, solemn discourse is dciivei*ed on the pastoral office. This being ended^ the Ordainer comes forward, and
1 . Reads a passage of Scripture.
2. He gives notice to the whole congregation, that certain persons are to be called to the holy functions of the ministry, and confirmed therein ; and directing his address to the candidates themselves, requests that when called upon they would obediently present them- selves in the presence of God and the Church.
8. Afterwards; one of the Conseniors comes forward and repeats from a list the names of those who are to be ordained, who present themselves in order.
4. The Ordainer inquires, whether they bring a ready mind for serving Christ and the Church.
5. On their giving a modest assent, then are read from the apostoHc canon certain portions applicable to this rite of consecration, t that seeing they are treading in the footsteps of the Apostles, they may have the firm persuasion of their heavenly calling.
6. The Ordainer goes on to inquire whether they are worthy of so important an office, lest the Church shoold incnr reproach or disgrace through them.]: On which two of the Conseniors come forward, and declaro before the whole congregation that these men are of
• Acts zm.2, 3. 1 1 Tim. at J 1 Tim. lii 7.
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CHOfiCU COKSTmJTlOK
honest descent, are imbued with sound doctrine, and BTB of blameless life, and worthy of being intrusted with the office of evangelists. [17]
7. Kneeling down, they are directed to call upon Jesus Christ, the chief Shepherd $ afiber which all the congregation on their knees offer np sapplications for them.
8. Xhe dnties of the pastoral office are read over to them.
9. They bind themselves with an oath of fidolity to God and the Church, that they will continue within these prescribed limits to the end. [18]
10. They are ordained by the imposition of the hands of the Bishops present, with invocation over them of the name of Christ, that He may yonchsafe to admit them into the number of His faithful servants, and to fill them with the gifts of His Spirit. Meantime the Con- seniors, ministers, and all the people kneel, and sing " Come Holy Ghost," Ac.
11. Tlic new ministors aro exhorted to the exercise of patience in trials, from which they will not be exempt, and are enconraged with the promises of an eternal reward after their labonrs have been Mthfiilly fulfilled.* Then they cheerfully offer the right hand to the Seniors and Conseniors in token of obedience, and to the ministers in token of fellowship ; while the deacons do the same to them as a mark of respect. f Meantime the Church sings a hymn composed ^m the hundred and thirty**third Psahu.
• 2 Tim. ii 3 ; Dan. xii. 3 j 1 Pet. v. 4. f Gal. li. 9 j 1 Pet. v. 6,
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12. This solemnity is wont to beooacludad vvith tho I10I7 oommunion, all joining therein ^ith thanks*'
giving.
On th£ Inauguration of Ministers.
«
Ministers ordained among us do not msli into the administration of the sacred office, where and when they please ; but, soon alter the Synod, visitations are held in tlioso cliuxclies, wiiicii have new ministers* When the visitor
1. Treats on the care which Christ the chief Shep- herd exercises over his Church, and exhorts them to a grateful acknowledgment of the favour.
2. He informs l^em that N. N. has been regularly chosen^ called, and ordained, in order that it may appear that he has not obtruded himself^* but como on being called; and that the believing people may acknowledge such as labourers whom the Lord send» into liis harvest.f
3. He signihes that he will now make a commence-' ment of his sacred ofiSce, in the plenary administration of the keys of Christ, and of the holy Supper ; and he directs him to come forward and address the Church*
4. The minister^ after a profession of humility in following the Divine vocation, and having commended himself to the prayers of the Church,} kneels down, aa do also the whole congregation, at the monition of the TiBitor, and prayers are offered for him.
5. The minds of all being now animated with con- fidence that their prayers are heard, the visitor takes the minister by the hand, and leading him to the altar>
• Jer. xvii. 16. f 38. t vi 19» 20.
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or tablo of the Lord, presents him with the Ritual, and directs him to enter upon the administration of the keys, and of the sacramentB of Christ; the people mean- time looking on, and often shed* liny tears. (For these ceremonies are not retained from an idea of their necessityj but to shadow forth in some measure the dignity of the ministry, and to excite reverenoe for this oeconomy of Christ's.) [19]
6, The CoDunnnion is then celebrated by the new minister, after which the visitor prononnces the bene» diction on. him and the whole church, and thus con- cludes the solemnity. Yet the entire management of any church is usually not committed at once to new ministers, but they remain for the space of a year or ^ two as assistants to pastors, till they have acquired greater experience for the direction of conscience, and till the need of any particular church may require their services. And if meantime any one should purpose marrying, this can only take place under the advice . and with the consent of the Seniors*
On thb Mann£B ov appointing Ministees as Pastors
Of Churches.
When the time arrives for appointing some one as pastor to a church, as also when pastors are on account
of circumstances changed, the transaction takes place in this manner :
1* No magistrates or churches among us seek or
call pastors for themselves, as neither do the ministers canvass the parishes ; but each one goes where he is appointed, and that church acknowledges him as its
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pastor. For it is tlio Imsincss of tlie Seniors to con- sider what kind of ruler each church may needj and in what sitaatioii eveiy minister may be able Bncceasfiilly to carry on the work of the Lord. [20]
2. Hence, whenever a presentation to a church takes place^ after the new pastor has preached a sermon^ the visitor comes forward and informs them that this indi- vidual is assigfned by the Seniors as pastor to this churchy after mature consideration, and entreats that he may be received as a servant of Jesus Christ.* He likewise exhorts the minister to the zealous discharge of his duty, and to watch over this flock of the Lord committed to him. A protestation is then made by ' both parties, of the pastor to the people, and of the people (by one of the lay elders) to the pastor ; the former promises pastoral care, the latter obedience as to a minister of Jesus Christ ;t wliich is also confirmed by the elders jiving their hands to the minister, in the sight and imthe name of all the people^ and the whole is finally sealed by prayers and the expression of mutual wishes for the Divine blessing.
3. The sacred assembly having been dismissed, the, minister about to retire delivers to his successor, in presence of the visitor and the elders, a Ust of the hearers, together with the furniture belonging to the church and to the minister's dweUmg ; an amicable agreement is also made regarding other goods, in case a division is remiiaite.
* FhiL U. 29. f Heb. ztii. 17.
I
K
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CMUKCU OOVSnrUTION
Cases in which the Ministers are bound to seek THE Advice oi* thsib Senioss.
Every pastor set over a church has power over the flock oonmiifeted to him, in regard to, all iihat the pastoral care requires : except that,
1. In more difficult cases, and such as are less usual (which Bometimea present themselveB to those engaged in the direction of conscience), they are instructed to do nothing without consulting the Senior, both that they may be accustomed not to depend on themselves alone, and also that what is done with the consent of several persons may be more calculated to promote edification.
2. Also, besides cases of this kind, each minister is
bound to fumish his Senior from time to time (at least once in half a year) with an account of himself and of his congregation, either personally or by letter, that the latter may be the better enabled to discharge his office of superintendent, as not being ignorant of what is everywhere going on.
3. On the death of a magistrate or minister, the Senior is usually informed, that by his direction several ministers with one of the Conseniors may be able to
' ^ Attend the funeral as a mark of respect.
4. And as visitations (concerning which we shall treat hereafter) generally take place in the summer, every pastor usually makes inquiry of his Senior before Easter, Whitsuntide, and in autumn, whether he should celebrate ';he holy communion, or wait for the presence of the visitors.
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IV. Ordination oi* thb Consenioss.
Whenever necessity requires that the Council of the Church Bhould. bo filled up^ therq are chosen from the ministers as many men as may be wanted, distiingiiiahed for their knowledge of affairs, their picty^ and tlioir exemplary lives. This is done by the votes of the ministers and* Conseniors, each of whom, aceording as hie regards this or the other equal to the dniy, delirers his name under seal to the Seniors, or if at a distance sends it. . They, after opening the votes^ and ascer- taining who have the majority, confirm these the jiext day among* the number of the Conseniors in the following manner, after the delivery of a charge from Scripture on the intent of this officOj or other needful
topics :
Being called upon severally by name they stand for- ward before the Synod. They are asked whether they will engage to present more abundant service to God and the Church. On theu: expressing their determina- tion to do so, the daties of the o£Sce about to be com- mitted to them are read. Then the prayers of the whole church are offered up for them, and they receive the imposition of hands. After this they present the right hand to the Seniors in token of snbmission, and to the Conseniors in token of fellowship, and the other ministers do the same to them as an assurance of obedience. Fioally, after pray^ for the Diyine bless* ing, the assembly is dismissed.
Y. Obdination or thb Antistitzs*
On the death of one of the Seniors a general Synod
E 2
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is called m soon as possible ; or^ if one has hem held l&iiily, than a particular Synod. However, all the Con- seniors assemble^ and a part of the ministers^ the rest sending thdr Totes. [21] On this occasion,
1. A day is first spent in prayer and fasting", that God may vouchsafe to ^^dose np the breach/' and
show whom he has chosen.''^
2. In a special meeting the account of a good Bishop is laid before them from the Scriptures, and they are eizhorted to look out snch an one from the midst of them, laying aside every other consideration.
5. The assembly having separated, each writes down his vote, as well mimsters as Conseniors and Seniors (yet without comparing or commnnicating their senti- ments^ but each as conscience dictates), and these votes when sealed are collected.
4. The Bishops alone in private open the papers,
and firmly believe that ho who is designated by the votes of the majority, is pointed out to them by God. However, they do not reveal the result to any one.
5. At length, on the following day^ the company being again assembled^ and having invoked the grace of the Holy Spirit, the Ordainer coming forward before them, announces that tiieir prayers have been heard, and that God has now shown in what manner he would have the vacancy of the church filled up*
6. While all are intent, waiting to know who it may be, the Ordainer gives the admonition, that whoever may have been nominated, he should not refuse obedi. ence to God who calls him, but present himself with
* AmoBUC. Hi Actsi. S4.
09 THX BOHEMIAN BBlTHHUr. 133
confidenoe in the prefienoe of God and of the Church. Afterwards another of the Bishopa cornea forward and
calls on the individual by liaino.
7. Thus called upon, he presents himself, and is aiAked whether he acknowledges and admits this as bcini^ truly the call of God ? and whether he oilers hia services to God and the Church promptly and with a willing mind f*
8. On expressing his assent, the duties of the office are read over to him from the Apostohc canon.
9. He then distinctly pledges himself to Ood and the Church, that he wiU discharge the duty faithfully, sincerely, and constantly.
10. The whole assembly fall on their knees and beseech 6od that He would ratify in heaven what is done in His name on earth, that He would bestow in- crease of gifts upon His servant^ and M him with the spirit of wisdom and power for so great a weight of cares.
11. The Bishops then ordain liim with imposition of hands> az^ invocation of the name of God^ while the congregation continue kneelingi and sing: **Gome, Holy Ghost,'' &c.
12. The ordination being over, the Bishops present admit among them this their co-Bishopj by presenting to him the right hand of fellowship, and by a mutual embrace before the whole church ; but the Conseniora and ministers promise obedience by pledging the hand both for themselves and in the name of their absent brethren.
13* At length the assembly is dismissed^ after singing a hymn with joy and thanksgiving.
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CHUBCH COHfCriTUTlOH
CHAPTEE in.
ON XH£ Oaj)m OF TH£ WJSOSTBJlTIO^B, OB THE FORM OF PUBUCLY PERFORMING CHURCH RITES.
Here will be stated tiie form used by nsj
I. Of preacliiug the word of God.
II. Of administering baptism.
in. Of receiving noviciates under pastoral care.
IV. Of celebrating the Holy Cuinmuuiou.
V. Of marrying.
VI. Of bniying.
VII. Lastly^ our customs regarding festivals, fabts^ and aims.
L Tab Qbdbb bioabdiko the pbsaobiko ov tab
Word of God.
Since it is evident, that the word of Grod is the principal part of the ministry, to which the sacraments
are annexed only as seals,* the ministers of tlie Unity also bestow their principal care in teaching it, not only on Lord's^ys and anniversary festivals, bat also on week-days, and as often as an opportnnity is afforded by occasion of a funeral, a marriage, or other- wise.
On LorePS'dapSf as being entirely set apart for divine
worship, the people assemble four several times to hear
• Mark xvi. 15$ 1 Cor. i 17 ; Rom* iv. II.
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the word of God ; twice before noon and twice after. In the first meeting select passages from the prophetB are explained ; in the second (which we term the great service) passages from tho Gospels; in the afternoon from the apostolic writings; and in the evening the Holy Bible is read in order, accompanied with instmc- tive remarks. In the summer season also, beginning at Easter, there is added a fifth meeting at noon ; when the youth are assembled, and for their benefit cate* cheiical instruction is given in as popular a manner as possible, and they are also individually questioned. Howeyer, the ^ parents and others likewise attend, both that they may return thanks to God after having taken refreshment, and that they may be present at the mstructionr of their children and domestics.
The mode of conducting onr sacred assemblies is this. When the people are met, a hymn or sacred song is snng (in the great service, and at that in the afternoon also a psalm) ; then the preacher (after having prayed in the pulpit either with the people or only mentally), reads his text and explains it; reference being always made to the common place of that week; For all the chief points of religion are so distributed for explication on the Lord's-days, as that they may be gone throngh annually : as is shown by the published index of such common-places, and of texts serving to elu- cidate them, and of sacred songs. The object for which this was prepared was to preserve unanimity through* out the congregations, not that it should be like a law^ from which it is not allowed to deviate ; for the faithful pastor is at liberty, as often as he sees necessary, either
OHUBCH CONSTITUTION
to choose for himself a text better suited to the place, time^ persouSj and occaBions ; or prudently to digress from die ordinary texts to other points of instruction, cli>siL'i<ioTi, ur consolation. It is rather to be regarded as a law, that prolixity in preackmg should be avoided, 80 to avoid weariness in the hearers. Hence it is ordered that the morning meeting should not last above an hour, including the singing ; so also as to that in the afternoon, and a meeting on a week*day. But in the great service an hour is allowed for unfolding the text from the Gospels. The meeting at noon and that in the evening are hmited to half an hour each. Each sermon concludes with a prayur^ followed by the blessing and singing. [22]
At the conclusion of the noon and afternoon service^ the elder youths and girls remain, and are examined
by tho preacher (one of tlic cldiTs assisting him with the former, and one of the matrons with the latter) to ascertain what attention they have paid that day in hearing the word of God, and how much each has retained. Moreover, during the Lent season, on ' Wednesday and Friday evening, meetings are heldj termed saha (from the hymn 8aha nos Jem, rem emit, *^ Save us, Jesus, heavenly King/^) iu winch the mystery of redemption is dihgently inculcated, especially upon the young.
The manner adopted by us of preaching tho word of God is simple, without the colouring of human eloquence, and chiefly m the terms of Scripture, /or the preserving of sound and unblamable doctrine, that every man may be presented perfect in Christ Jesus, in those things which
OF THE BOHEMIAN fifiETHBEN.
137«
pertain to righteousness^ thoroughly furnished unto all good works.* Hence our anoeetorB held separate addresses to the different classes, the beginners^ tho proficients^ the perfect ; also to the single, and again to the married by themselves : which practice it is evident was not without its advantage.
U. The FofiH of Baftish.
We aJministei* baptism according to the example of the primitive Church.
1. The children of believers, a few days after birth, are presented to be implanted lu Christ and the Church by baptism.t
2. A portion of Scripture is read^ since all things are sanctified by the word of God and by prayer, especially the sacraments.j;
3. It is shown that the covenant of grace extends also to the seed of believers. §
4. To this covenant the parents and sponsors assent in the name of the infant by a public profession of faith. II
6. At the inquiry of the minister, the parents take certain witnesses who have' been invited to be present, as godfathers and godmothers, conferring on them the
right of instructing' their offspring in the Christian faith and religion, and in all that relates to the covenant entered into*with God; and so also of admonishing
and reproving themselves, if they should bo found
♦ 1 Cor. u. 4; 1 Pet. iv. U ; Tit. i. 9,ii. 7; Col. i. 28; 2 Tim. iii. 17. t G»Mi, xviii,; Mark x. 13, 14, J 1 Tim. iv. 5.
§ GeiL zvii. 19; Acts ii. 39. i| Acts viii. 37.
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CHIIBCH CONSnTUTiON
negligent in the duty of training their children. The sponsoFB also in their tmn give assnrance of their promptitnde in this matter^ and bind themselves actively
to discharge their duty towards the infant to be baptized^ especially in case of the death of tlie parents.
6. Then all tnming to God the Father^ pray that the^ child may be cleansed from its native taint by the blood of Christ, regenerated by the Holy Spirit, receive tha seal of this internal grace by baptism^ and be chosen to the lot of the elect.
7. Prayers being ended, the minister, after giving the child a name according to the choice of the parents^ baptizes it in conformity with Ghrisfs command, in the name of the Father, the Sorij and the Holy Gho^t, with simple and pnre water.
8. An exhortation is then addressed to the parents- and sponsors, that being mindfhl of their obligations, they may diligently continue to educate the child, until they can present him with credit before the church aa being piously trained and well taught, and thus com- mend him to the pastoral care of the ministers. Lastly^ the tFansaction is closed with prayer for the Divina blessing.
m. Thb Mode ov BBCxiyiNO NoviciArrEs.
The pastoral care of onr ministers extends only to
those who, of their own free will, submit to the Unity and its order^ and commit themselves to the care of the pastors; in accordance with the direction of the
Apostle, Feed the flock of God which is among you.'^*-
♦ 1 Pet. V. 2.
X
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Therefore, in order that the ministers may know thd
persons who are specially committed unto them, and may act with the greater boldness and faithMness towards those who have entmsted themselves to their
charge, the rite already used by the primitive Church on the admission of new persons has been revived with advantage among us : since &e Apostles received snch only as first gavo theniselves to the Lord , and then to them by the will of Gix>d.^^* But when i*eceivmg adults who come to ns from other qiiartersj we nse different rites from those which we observe on the admission of snchj as having been bom and baptized among us^ have teen instracted in the Christian religion.
As to the adults, we inqniine: ''Why they wish to join ns? whether they are fully convinced of the truth of ^'onr doctrine^ and of the utility of onr order and ''discipline?'* If we find the individual properly acquainted with our doctrine and discipline, having a correct understanding of the essentials of salvation, and being of a blameless life, he is at once admitted ; if not, his reception is deferred that ho may gain ii better know- ledge of us, and we of him.f These persons are not received publicly (except there be special reasons for it)^ but in private before the elders. They are moreover asked :
1. Whether they promise obedience to God in this Church ? that is^ doing all tiie will of God by virtae of
the covenant of grace.
2. Whether they are prepaared to sulmit also to the
* 2 Con viii. 6. t I ^oha. iv. 1 5 Bttm.xii, 2.
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CaU&CU CONSHiUTION
nUnUters of the Church, in the place of Christ ? that is, giving them fall power to teach, advise, reprove, and pmush them, especially in case of gross miscon- duct.
8. Whether they have made up their mind to mtffer ignominy and persecution for Christ and hie truths
''since all tlKit will live godly in Clirist/ Jesus, shall suifor persecution.'^*
4« They are then admonished, etedfastly to adhere to the truth they have acknowledged even unto death :f and
on pledging their hand in token of obedience (not to the minister as a man, 'but to Christ and His word), they receive permission to enter into sacred fellowship
with the other believers, and to liave recourse in all diiiiculties of conscience, with conhdence, to their pas- tors.
But young persons, who have been instructed in the chief poiuts of rehgion at home by their parents and sponsors, or by their teachers at school, are pablicly committed to tiie care of their pastors in the church, before the celebration of the Lord's Supper, most com- monly at the time of a visitation by the Seniors, after this manner :
1. The words of Christ are read: Come unto me, all ye that labour/^ etc.^ accompanied with a brief exposition*
2. The boys and girls to be confirmed, and who have already been repeatedly examined by the pastor, are placed in order in the middle of the church.
* 2 Tim. iii. 13; Acto ziv. 22. f Ber. ii. lO; FhiL iii. 16.
t Matt. xi. 28.
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3. They are then nskid if they are willing to renew the covenant made with God in. baptism ?*
4. On expressing their assent^ the chief points of the coYenant are explained, after the form prescribed by the Apostle, Tit. iL 11, 12, 13, and they are desired openly, in the presence of the church, to renounce Satan, the world, the flesh, etc.
5. A profession of faith is required of them, on which they repeat the Apostles' creed, all together, and in an audibleyoice.
6. Then kneeling down, and repeating after the mi- nister, they pray to God that He would forgive the sins of iheir youth, and strengthen them by his Holy Spirit to do all the good pleasure of his will : the same is also done by all the congregation supplicating on their behalf.
7. After prayer, a declaration of absolution is made
to these new members, as also to the whole church, and of their privilege as children of (xod to partake at the table of the Lord.
8. Lastly, the apostolic rite of imposition of hands follows,t with the invocation of the Divine name over them, for the confirmation of their hope of Divine grace-t [23]
ft
IV. The Form of celebrating the Lord^s Supper.
We ordinarily celebrate the Lord^s Supper four times a year, not that it may not be held more frequently ;
* Beat. xzix. 10; Josh. zxiv. 22; laa. zliv. 5« f Matt X. 16; Hflb. 2; Acte viif. 16, 17.
X The opinion of Enimns, regarding this rite of 9onfirmation, maj be seen in the Preface to bis Ftophnue of Matthew.
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CHUBCH CONSTITDTIOir
for such is the case when the advantage of believers calls for it ; but as a general rule for the sake of una- nimity. On the approach of the Communion especial care is taken to prepare for .i Avoriliy participation.
1. Two or three weeks previous, notice is given of this sacred rite^ and all are admonished of their duty to
prove their own selvesV A discourse is also delivered on the object, the dignity, and the use of this mystery^ with various exhortations ; and it is frequently allnded to in the discourses delivered during the intennediate time. Besides, during these days a careful inquiry and examination is instituted with reference to the state of consciences — after this manner :
Before notice is given of tlie celebration of tlio Lord's Supper, the pastor sends for the civil elders, and in- quires " whettier the Holy Communion can be appomted " for this or that tune ? or whether there are impedi-
ments in the way ? " He then inquires into the life and conversation of the members, " whether any thing
of a scandalous nature has any where arisen f or *^ whether they think that any one requires reproof,
admonition, or instruction, regarding any matter V*^ Accordingly therefore as it is settled, the pastor ap- points the Communion, and institutes his examination of consciences. Every head of a family, with his domestics, waits on the pastor on the day and hour appointed, and they are there examined, as to their
diligence in attending Divine worship publicly and
privately 7 whether they keep up daQy prayers at
home, preceded by psalmody and the reai^g of the
* Heb. xii. 12, 13; 1 Gor. u 11.
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Sciiptares V* They are then qnestioned^ espeoially
the y dinger, ''how they understand this or that?^' Tlien^ regarding tlieir conduct, whether they adorn " the doctrine of our &od by an honest conyersation 7 ** how the children obey their parents^ and servants their masters V In like manner the masters and mistresses of families ; whether they set a good ex- ample to thear household t whether they diligently train them in piety and good morals?" On wlncli occasions opportunities readily occur of giving useful admonition, instnictionj and warning. If any one is found to hare miscondnoted himself, the privilege of coming to the Commonion is not granted to him, unless lie seriously promises a thoroagh amendment. But if he shows himself stubborn, he is altogether sus* pended and set aside ; until he yields an obedient neck • to the yoke of Christ. This mode of procedure we learn from the example of the Apostles, and the power conferred by Christ on tliem and their successors.* '
2. Before the celebration of the Lord's Supper all are stirred np to spiritual hunger and thirst by the preaching of the Divine word.f
3. Then earnestly imploring the mercy of God in prayer, they seek the remission of their sins, and a worthy participation of the Lord's table.
4. Afterwards^ in the name of Christ, the forgiveness of sins, (absolution), and the right of the children of God is most solemnly declared to them in the name of the most iloly Trinity, f
♦ 2 Cor. X. 4. 5, 6, 8. f Acts xx. 7, U.
X Acts xiii. 38, 39; 1 John ii. 12; 2 Cor. xiii. 14.
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5. TliG minister recites tlio words r tf tlio New Test-a- ment, breaking the bread in the sight of tlio people, and taking the cap in his hand. He then adds a brief ex- planation of the words ; and Laving made a declaration of this mjsteiy, according to the mind of Christ, he teaches them not to cleave to the elements, bat to raise their Hearts on high. At lengthy in tbe name of Ghrisfe he invites to the sacred feast all who are worthily pre- pared.
6. On this, with dne reverence, they approach : first,
the pastor, with the ministers of tho eliurch, as many as are present ; next the magistrates ; then the elders or presbyters of the church; and lastly, the rest of the people, according to age ; as first the men, next tho young men , and then the boys approach, with one or two elders to take care that no disorder may occur, or any stranger or profane person shonld rashly intrude. Af- terwards the women draw near. When partaking of tho holy supper we kneel, not firom idolatrous super* stition, but because the circnmstances of the times have not permitted us to act otherwise, (for our ancestors, in the year 1494, had introduced the Communion stand- ing, but were compelled to give it up by the fierce persecution which was excited on that account) . More- over, this very posture of kneeling being used by pious persons religiously, tends to deepen their devotion itself, and their hmnility before God, and thus the more incites them to rejoice with trembling/' During this time the whole congregation join in praising Ood, in hymns treating of the passion of Christ, and its saving* beueHts.
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7. Lastly^ thanks are offered to God while the whole assembly again fall on their knees. An exhortation is
delivered, inciting them to the pursuit of piety ; and with the Divine benediction the assembly is dismissed in peace^ testifying their gratitude by alms to the poor.
V. The Fobm of Mabbiagib.
1. We advise and exhort those who intend to many to do nothing in that respect without oonsolting their parents^ relatires^ and the pastor^ who may unite with them in imploring of God a happy result.
2. We entirely prohibit clandestine engagements^ discipline is enforced on those who are guilty of them.
3. The marriage ceremony is performed iu public ; when, after a passage of Scripture has been read, and utiefol admonitions on the marriage relation founded
« thereon, the parties are called forward before the con- gregation present, (who are to be the witnesses of these transactions)^ and are asked whether they freely and lawfully unite. Hereupon they mutually bind them- selves to each other with the conjugal vow in an in- dissoluble bond of love and fidelity. The minister then taking their right hands, pronounces them lawful * man and wife^ aud confirms this with tlie words of Christ, What God hath joined together let not man put asunder/^* in the name of the Father^ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
4. Prayer is put up to God on behalf of the newly married p^air.
5. The parties are encouraged with the hope of the
* Matt. xix. d> 6.
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Bivine blessing, which is confirmed to them in the name of God : and all present are admonished to observe piety, modesty, and temperance in their feasting, avoiding dnmkennesSj buffoonery, dancings and &11 other offensrre tilings.
VI. The Form of Visiting the Sick, and op
1^ When any one of our people is seriously ill, he commends himself to the prayers of the church, which are offered up for him.^
2. Being visited by the ininister,t he is reminded of the need of penitence according to the word of
''^ Qod,X and then is encouraged to exercise confidence in God's mercy and salvation. He is, moreover, admonished, that whatever it may please God to do with him he should be prepared for it,§ and should rest assured that after having lived in the faith of the Son of God, he will not pass from death to judgment, but into life eternal.
3. If he still wishes to be strengthened in spirit by partaking of the Eucharist, this is not refused him ; yet some other persons are invited to join, that it may really be a communion of saints.
In conducting funerals a pious custom is observed, which is also in use elsewhere, namely, that the minister and the school-children accompany the faith- ful dead to the place of sepulture with singing, and then, in a funeral address, is set before those who
* James t. 14, f ^ waaaUL U
§ FhU. L 88.
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are present what^ out of the Word of God, may serve for instruction, for consolation, or for warning.
yn. CUSTOX RBGABDINO FESTIVAL DaYS.
Of all festivals we assign the chief dignity to the seventh or LoraPs day, whiclij we consider, it is lawM for no one to employ in outward or servile works, tinder any pretext, even of Christian liberty, and for this reason., because we acknowledge the institution of it not as a ceremony, but as port of the moral law, for ever inviolable. For,
1. It was instituted before the written law, even, firom the very creation, and proclaimed, as it were, to all the worlds and consecrated with a special blessing.*
2. Moreover, in the law we find the seventh day not among tiie ceremonial institutions, but in the very Decalogue, which was published, not by Moses, the promulgator of ceremonies and shadows, but by God himself from heaven, with the voice of majesty, and written by the finger of Ood on tables of stone.f
3. "We do not find any precept so often repeated in die law and the prophets, and so strongly insisted on, as the precept respecting the Sabbath. It is not pro- bable that Gud would have attached such weight to a ceremony, especially as he protested that he required not ceremonies4
4. On uo occasion does God so often appeal to his own example as in this precept ; namely, that because he himself rested from his work, even so should we rest.§
* Gen. ii. 3. f Exod. xx. 8, 22 i xxxi. 18.
t Fs. L 8j Jer. vii. 22, 23. ^ £xod. xx. 11.
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5. The anger of 6od agaiuBt those who yiolate tliis
comiaandment is so great that lie will have them put to death; * oa the other hand, to those who observe it, he proznisea the rewards of this life and of life eter- nal.f
6. Nor does God conceal the reason why he so earnestly desires this of his people : Eor,'^ saith he^
it is a sign between me'and you throughout your gene- rations^ that I am Jehovah^ who doth sanctify you," J
7* Thus Ohrist^ although Lord of the Sabbath^§ yet observed the Sabbath ; not^ indeed^ in a pharisaic ceremonial way, but so that his custom was to teach the Word of Gtod on Sabbath-days, and to perform works of mercy, as restoring the Bick«|| In like man- ner the apostles, having transferred tlio glory of the Sabbath to the first day, carefully observed those days, by convening, for instance, their sacred assemblies, and celebrating religions services in them, so that they often continued their meetings till evening, nnd midnight,l[ and have designated it the LoTd?% day.** We hallow the Lord^s-day after this wise : 1. By resting from outward labour ; for example, from carrying goods, from bearing burdens, and from those pursuits which relate to subsistence, to manu- factures, and to trading, in order that the domestics and the cattle may enjoy a season of repose.ff But still more by shunning the works of the flesh, drunken-
• Exod. xxxi. 14; Numb. xv. 85. ♦ Ib. Ivi. 2; Iviii. 13, 14,
I Exod. xxxi. 13; Essfik. xx. 12. § Markii. 28.
II Luko iv. 16, 17. 1[ 1 Cor. xvi. 2; Acts xx. 7—10. ** Bev. i. 10. ft Exod. xx. 10 ; Neh» xiii. 15.
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nesSj dancmg, gaming, journeys of pleasure, and tritiing; also avoiding nuptial festiviiiea^ fairSj and markets. It was also the cnstom^ especially when nnder a magistrate who was patron of the Church, that on the Saturday preceding the Lord^s-day, early before sun-set, all laid aside their secnlar employments, and with the approach of evening commenced the sanctification of the day dedicated to God.
2. By occupying ourselves with things spiritual and divine, singing hymns, for instance, and rciiding the Scriptures on the Saturday evening itself; and on the morning and during the whole of the Lord^s-day, frequenting the public services, meditating on and attending to sacred things, not once only or twice, but as before mentioned, four or five times* For since God has set apart this day from the rest, and has claimed it for himself alone, as his own sacred day,* our ancestors thought it most suitable that the greater part of it should be spent in the common assembly of believers, and that this would be the means of avoiding unneces- sary journeys, idleness, and other follies, which God prohibits on his holy day.f So also we disapprove of the revision of income, the making up of accounts of receipts and expenses, and demanding payment of debts ; that all may rather be forgetfol of ^e things of time, and learn to meditate on those which are eternal^
We also celebrate the memorial of the principal works of Christ on certain days ; namely, hij9 Advent or N(Uwity, his Deaths Resurrection, and Ascension, the
* £xod. zx. 9, 10 i hui. Iviii. 13. f Isa. Iviii. 13. X ^^. 9.
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