THE AGREEMENT AND RESOLUTION OF SEVERAL ASSOCIATED MINISTERS IN THE COUNTY OF CORK FOR THE ORDAINING OF MINISTERS.  MAT: 9.37, 38. 
Then saith he unto his Disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the Labourers are few. Pray the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth Labourers into his harvest.  2 TIM: 2.2. 
And the things that thou hast heard of me, among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  
CORK.  
¶ Printed by WILLIAM SMITH for Richard Plummer, and are to be sold at his house in Cork.   

THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY PERPETUALLY NECESSARY TO THE CHURCH-MILITANT.  

§. 1.  THe work of the Ministry is, as well of perpetual necessity, as of spiritual advantage to the Church-Militant; To restrain, 2 Cron: 24.2. To call, 2. Thes: 2.14. To convert, Act: 26.16, 17, 18. To expound the Divine will, Act: 8.31. To make known the manifold wisdom of GOD, Eph: 3.7, ad verse 10, and heart secrets of men, Heb: 4.12. To minister the Spirit, 2. Cor: 3.8. Gal: 3.2, 5; which is not promised to teach any thing but what CHRIST hath spoken before, john. 14.26; and john makes it to be the infallible examen, or trial of the Spirits, whether they be of GOD, or not, That they consent that CHRIST is come in the flesh, 1 john. 4.1, 2, 3, and hear, that is, obey his word by his appointed Ministry, which he professedly determines to be of GOD, verse 6. To work Faith, Rom: 10, 14. 1 Cor: 3.5. Ioh: 17.20. To sanctify, Ioh: 17.17. To establish, Eph: 4.14. To seal, Eph: 1.13. To come with; and convey much assurance, with evidence of Divine Election, 1 Thes: 1.4, 5, & joy in the Holy GHOST, v: 6. To convince Gain-sayers, and stop the Mouths of Deceivers, Tit: 1.9, 11, whereunto the Church Militant is in all Ages obnoxious, 2 Pet: 2.1. 1 Tim: 4.2. Elect Ones shall (if is were possible) be deceived (Math: 24.24) by the uncertain sound of Schisms brazen Trumpets, 1 Cor: 14.8: Zions' Silver ones are needful to call her Assemblies, Numb, 10.7, and alarm her Sons to battle, v, 9 Every Heretic, and deceiver, will in these last, and perilous times be pointing at CHRIST, with a Lo here, Lo there is CHRIST, is if he were there in sober sadness, Math: 24.23, 24: There is a necessity of the continuance of these Philip's to lead doubting Nathaniels unto JESUS, Ioh: 1.46: ignorant Eunuches to a right understanding of the word, Act: 8.30. to v. 35, & to a due participation of the Sacraments, v: 36, 37, 38. The world lies in wickedness, 1 Ioh: 5.19, in thick, gross, Egyptian darkness, Ioh: 1.5.3.19: these Lights must flame on the hill, Math: 5.14: in the Candlestick v. 15: to dispel, and break it, v: 16. False Apostles, will fill their hands, or consecrate themselves, 1 Kings 13.33: these Ephesine Angels must try them, Rev: 2, 2. Jezabel will make herself a Prophetess to teach, and to seduce: these Thyatirian Angels must prohibit her, Rev: 2.20. Diotrephes', men loving pre-eminence, will exercise arbitrary power in the Churches; Others shall not be Ministers; They will be Masters: there must be a succession of authorized john's to remember their deeds, and silence their pratings. 3 Ioh: v: 9, 10. Consusions will multiply in the Church of Corinth, till there be neither measure, nor end of them, unless some Paul's be in being & careful to set things in order when they come, 1. Cor: 11.34. Many Children will want their food; and allowance, if at any time there be none in Office, Stewards of the Mysteries, and manifold wisdom of GOD, 1 Cor: 4.1. 1 Pet: 4.10. CHRIST'S coming can not be as it was in the days of Noah, Math: 24.37, unless some Preacher of righteousness be then living, 2 Pet: 2.5, to warn the sinful world of their wickedness, and danger. The purest grain hath its chaff, 1. Ioh: 1.8, 10. Pro: 20.9: the best need this Fan to cleanse them, Math: 3.12. Sheep are apt to wander, Psal: 119.176. Esa: 53.6: the best need a Nathan to reduce them, 2 Sam: 12.7. All flesh is liable to Fly-blows, Eccl: 7.20: the best need this salt to preserve them, Math: 5.13. Where grace is not, the work of the Ministry is necessary to beget it, 1 Cor: 4.15. Jam: 1.18: where grace is, the work of the Ministry is necessary to continue it, 1 Thes: 5.19, 20. to increase it, Act: 20 28. 1 Pet. 2.2. As long as there is one Sinner to be converted, one Saint to be perfected, one member in the body of CHRIST to be edified, one Christian militant to be made triumphant, the work of the Ministry is necessary, Math: 28.19, 20. Eph: 4.11, 12. Act: 20.32.  

Office-power perpetually necessary to the work of the Ministry.  

§. 2.  AS much as the Ability, or Gift is in order to the Office, or Administration: So much is the Office in order to the Work, or Operation, 1 Cor: 12.4.5.6. 1 The work of labouring in the word, and Doctrine, is the distinctive character of Pastors. 1 Tim: 5.17. Eph: 4.12. 2 Those only are gifted for the work of the Ministry, for whom CHRIST received, to whom CHRIST gave Gifts; & these in the Holy GHOSTS Register, are only gifted Church-Officers, Eph: 4.11, 12, 13. Psal: 68.18. 3 Office-power is so essential, that if the Office-worke may be done by others then instituted Officers, 1 Positive acts of Religion need not an affirmative warrant. 2 The institution of Officers had been superfluous. 3 GOD'S Judgements against Intruders, had been unjust; (absie) Nor was that, which the Scripture makes to be the extreme of Jeroboams Apostasy, any so great matter, 1. Kings 12.31. cap: 13.33. Nor that sad threatening of the Church of Jsrael by the Prophet Hosea any thing at all, Hos: 4.9. Read also and consider Jer: 23.21. 1 Sam: 13.13. 2 Sam: 6.7.   

The distinction of the Ministeriall-Office.  

§. 3.  TO run without Office-power, argues presumption; to stand still with it, laziness: The former, because the Ministry is a distinct Office: The latter, because it empowers for distinct Works, 1 Tim: 3.1. 1 The Persons impower'd distinct; some, Eph: 4.11: not all, 1 Cor: 11.29; and in relation to their Office, distinguished from other Saints. Heb: 13.24. 2 The Office, & Office-titles distinct; 1 Tim: 3.1. Ier: 3.15. Math: 9.36, 37, 38. 1 Cor: 3.9.4.1.2.15. 2 Cor: 3.6.5.20. Act: 20.28. Rev: 1.16, 20. 3 distinct promises are made to Church-Officers, Mat: 10.19.16.19.18.18.28.20. 1 Tim: 4.16. 1 Pet: 5.4. Dan. 12.3. 4 distinct gifts, and qualifications required in them, 1 Tim: 3.2. Tit: 1.7, 8, 9 5 distinct duties imposed on them concerning others, 1 Pet: 5.2, 3. 1 Tim: 4.13, 14, 15. 2 Tim: 4.2. Heb: 13.17: the neglect whereof procures Woe peculiarly to them, 1 Cor: 9.16; is reproved peculiarly in them, and for the observance, they peculiarly approved, Rev: 2. cap: 3. 6 distinct Duties imposed on others concerning them, 1 Cor: 16.10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18. 2 Cor: 8.23, 24. 1 Cor: 9 Gal: 6.6. 1 Thes: 5.12, 13. 1 Tim: 5.17. Heb: 13.7. Phil: 2.29: the observance whereof in the lowest measure is kindly accepted by CHRIST, Math: 10.40. Ioh: 13.20: the neglect condemned as the worst of Sins, 2 Cron: 36.15, 16. Lu: 10.16. Hos: 4.4: Resisters of them are said to resist the Holy GHOST: Act: 7.51, 52: despisers of them are said to be despisers of GOD, 1 Thes: 4.8: to judge themselves unworthy of eternal life. Act: 13.46: to reject the counsel of GOD against themselves, Lu: 7.30: punished with the worst of judgements, 2 Cron: 36.16, 17. 1 Thes: 2.16. 2 Kings. 2.24. Amos. 2.12, to v. 16. The Apostle Judas, v. 11. taxeth the primitive Heretics with three horrid crimes against Christianity, 1 Cruelty against their Brethren, as Cain. 2 Vassalling Religion under covetousness, as Balaam. 3 Opposition to the ministerial Function, as Core: and adjoines perishing as the necessary product of that contradiction. To this Sin, temporal punnishments are often consequent, 2 Cron: 36.17. Amos. 2.12, to v. 16. 2 Kings. 2.24; Spiritual always. That dreadful judgement threatened Isai: 6.9, 10, and so often repeated in the new Testament, 
Mat: 13. Mar: 4.12. Lu: 8.10. Ioh: 12.40. Act: 28.26. Rom. 11.8.  (where Gods dispensations, both in mercies, and judgements, are especially spiritual) in each of the Evangelists, in the Acts, and in the Epistles, is the special fruit of this impiety. When those who are antiministerial, reel so fast to Atheisine, and a sottish insensibility, let none imagine that GOD leaves them unpunished.   

The distinct ministeriall-werke, and Office proved by Reason.  

§. 4.  THough grace doth unbeast us: yet it doth not unman us. The will of GOD therefore discovered by right reason, binds our observance: and right reason gives in its suffrage to the distinct work, and Office of the Ministry, as 1 From the nature of Religious Ordinances, which are 1 High, and difficult; such as require the whole time, 1 Tim: 4.15: yea more than the whole man, 2 Cor: 2.16. 2 Mysterious, and excellent: mysterious, because religious (of inward grace as well as outward rites) excellent because mysterious; And the difficulty, Act: 6.2, excellency, Heb: 5.4, and mysteriousness, 1 Cor: 4.1. 1 Tim. 3.16, as of every Employment: so especially of that which is sacred, distinguisheth Persons to attend it. 2 From the manner of religious duties; A work done in religion is not done, if the manner of doing confutes the matter of the thing done, 1 Cor: 11.17, 20. Hos: 7.14: But such as are regardless, Who performs religious cuties, are commonly regardless whether, always regardless how, they are performed. 1 Kings. 12.31, 32. 3 From the end of Religion, the deligne whereof is GOD'S glory; i.e. the manifestation of divine excellency. 1 GOD'S Being is manifested, when as in the darker glass of the world: so in the clearer glass of the Church (representing more lively GOD'S Image, 2 Cor: 3.18) by this dependence. of one on another, we are led to him the original of all. 2 GOD'S Power is manifested, when by such neake distinct Instruments of divine appointment, 1 Nations propossessed with enmity, and prejudice, are subdued to own the way of Religion, 1 Cor: 1.27, 28. 2 The heart (which is GOD'S privy-chamber) is reached: Paul a prisoner at the bar, makes Felix, a Judge on the bench to tremble, Act: 24.25. Agrippa becemes almost a Christian at one of the same prisoner-preachers Sermons, Act: 26.28. 3. Supernatural treatures are conveyed by earthen vessels; the power therefore is of GOD, 2 Cor: 4.7: upon which account the Apostle puts Faith, wrought by gospel-preaching in the first rank of the admirable things of the great day, 2 Thes: 1.10. 3 GOD'S universal Sovereignty is manifested by our united services, (as sociable creatures), which are required of us, Heb: 10.25: and can not be performed by us, without distinct Ordinances, nor those orderly administered, without distinct Officers; And as GOD is the GOD of order in the whole Universe: so especially in the Churches of the Saints. 4 GOD'S goodness is manifested by employing 1 such distinct justruments, as are symbolical, and therefore most probable to be effectual, Ex: 20.19. 2 Such as may in their lives exemplify, what in their doctrines they teach, Phil: 3.17 1 Tim: 4.12. 1 Pet: 5.3. 3 such as have their adventurers in the same vessel, 2 Cor: 1.6, 8: So that they can not deceive others, but they must deceive themselves, Math 15.14. 5 GOD'S wisdom is manifested, in the institution of this distinct double witness Ioh: 15.26, 27; double means; 1 Cor: 3.9; inward, and outward. GOD is a Spirit, his conveyances of himself must be spiritual: we are Bodies, our present receptions must be corporeal; so the infinite wisdom of our GOD, that suits his institutes to both; to the former by the Spirit of his grace; to the latter by the Ministry of Man.   

That it is, GOD, who calls to the Office-worke, and power ministerial.  

§. 5.  BUt all means aught to be proportioned to their proper ends. The Stream can not rise higher than the springhead; As therefore the ends so likewise the institution of the Ministry is supernaturals Not to speak of the Poiest-hood, before, and under Mosaical pedagogy; GOD promiseth, Esa: 66.21, to single, or take out from the rest of believers under the Gospel; some for Priests,) and Levites, ●●es New-Testament Officers, set forth in old Testament characters: And according to this promise, GOD sets such in the Church, 1 Cor. 12.28, 29, 2 Cor: 5, 18.19. Christ 〈◊〉 gives them to the Church, Ephe 4.11 1 Tim. 1.11 12 The Holy GHOST separates them for the Church, Act: 13.2.20.28.   

Ordinary Ministers.  

§. 6.  THis truth reacheth, not only Apostles, Prop hets and Evangelists (extraordinary): but Past ours and Teachers also (ordinary) Church-officers: Thus Apollo, 1 Cor: 3.5. Epaphras, Col: 1.7. Archippus, Col: 4.17. Silvanus, 1 Thes: 1.10, with cap: 2.4. Tychicus, Col: 4.7. Eph: 6.21, ordinary Ministers, received their Ministry from the LORD.   

And mediately by Ministers.  

§. 7.  ANd as it is perpetually necessary, that those, who minister in the things of GOD, should be thereto separated by GOD: so is it perpetually necessary, that by some external act, it might appear, who are thus separated. This Express under the Gospel, Christ at first determined, either by personal, or miraculous signation. Personal, during his humiliation, as the 12 Apostles, Math: 10: Miraculous, after his ascension, as Mathias by Lot Act: 1.26. Paul & Barnabas by vision, Act: 13.2. Timothy by prophecy, 1 Tim: 4.14. But though Miracles cease, yet the Gospell-ministration, and Ministry must continue (2 Cor: 3.11,) in regard that the Churches need of it, (as Sect: 1.), & Gods' care to supply it, is the same to the end, Math: 16.18. & 24.14. Esa: 30.20. Therefore doth CHRIST send gospel-ministers, as the FATHER sent him, Ioh: 20.21: & authorizeth them (acting under him, and in his stead, 2 Cor: 5.20.) to authorise others, 2 Tim: 2.2. And as their work & office shall continue to the end of the world: so he promiseth his presence with them always, even to the end of the world, Mith: 28.18, 19, 20.   

By the way of Ordination.  

§. 8.  THe Ministers of the Gospel thus separated and authorized to separate and authorise others; are herein directed to Gospel Ordination; as GOD'S institution for this end and purpose. Thus Paul; though immediately chosen by GOD, even to an Apostolate, must be ordained, Act: 13.1.2: and the Seven, though ●mediately chosen by the multitude of disciples, but even a Deaconship, must be ordained, Act: 6.3, 6. Paul and Barnabas go from place to place, to ordain Presbyters in every City. Act: 14.23. Titus is left at Crete to ordain Presbyters, Tit: 1.5: all which had been nedless, if qualifications, or popular election (without ordination) had been authoritative mission. Timothy received his commission by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, 1 Tim: 4.14: and though in the negative, he be forbade to lay hands suddenly on any man: yet thereby in the affirmative, he is commanded to lay on hands, i. e. ordain Ministers, 1 Tim: 5.22.   

gospel-ministers (in the County of Cork) excited to ordain Ministers.  

1 By Sense of Duty.  

§. 9  WE do not, we dare not apologise for all, or any the infirmities, errors, offences, scandals &c, of any in the Ministry. It is (the LORD knows) a cause of sadness, and heart-searching to us, as often as we think of them; and the rather, considering how prodigiously provoking, and of what dangerous, destructive consequence, the excesses and obliquities of the Sons of Levi are, which the LORD hath been wont to prosecute with flaming expressions of an hot displeasure, Mal: 2.8, 9: Yet since the unbelief & miscarriages of men can not make the faith of GOD of none effect in any thing that he hath promised to his Church, Rom: 3.3. 2 Tim: 2.13: and since, even in the deepest defection of the aaronical Priesthood, which was to give place in time to the Evangelicall, GOD took care, ere he threw out one, to provide for the substitution of another (as if he would thereby acquaint us, that it is some part of the mystery of his ways, to be angry with men in Office, and well pleased with the institution and Office itself at one and the same time as we may see in that famous portion of Scripture, 1 Sam: 2.27 ad fin: Yea, especially, since we are encompassed with such a cloud of Scripture-testimonies already expressed, That GOD will not leave his Church at any time, after the manifestation and resurrection of his Son, destitute of Pastors, according to his own heart, which shall to the end of the world teach, and make Disciples out of all Nations; unto whom our LORD JESUS hath annexed a Lo of his being present with them always, or every day, Math: 28.20; which word and phrase, in our judgement imports a promise of a clear, and daily manifestation of what a CHRIST present can discover, and hand forth unto them: We have therefore resolved through GOD'S assistance (being confidently & comfortably persuaded of the promised presence of our MASTER with us) to put forth that power, wherewith the LORD hath (in this instance) entrusted us; That in this part of CHRIST'S Church, 1 A gospel-ministry may be regularly continued. 2 Intruders prevented. 3 CHRIST'S Flock preserved, as well from dispersion, as infection.   

2 By experience of divers sad consequents of non-ordination.  

§. 10.  COntraries are best illustrated by their Contraries. We shall therefore particularise some of the sad consequents, which by experience we have observed to arise from entrance into the Ministry by other ways than GOD'S way of Ordination. 1 The most of those, who take upon them the Ministry, without ordination, are far from having such gifts, as are necessarily required in those that are instructours to others. 2 Those Congregations, who give this liberty to persons unordained, are incompetent Judges of their gifts. 3 Conversion-worke went on more lively, when Ministeriall-worke was wholly in the hands of ordained men, and Church-Guides. 4 Such confident Intruders are seldom without their considerable errors, not only in discipline, but doctrine. 5 Popery, & Apostasy have little prevailed, but where and when, either such as pretended to be Ministers, laboured not in the word and doctrine; or such as pretended to labour in the word and doctrine, were not Ministers. 6 Enthusiasms in such we see often pretended to, and no wonder, when Learning, which in an ordinary way, should furnish with abilities, is wanting. 7 Though this Gangrene gins at the foot; yet it suddenly cates to the heart: we seldom see any who are against Ordinances, Sabbaths of Scriptures, CHRIST, but such as were first against ordained Ministers. Some of them who without ordination pretended to be prime Preachers of CHRIST, do now themselves protend to be CHRIST. 8 In such unordained men is easily discernible, not only the bubblings up, but the flow over of a Spirit of pride, & selfe-confidence. 9 They who exclaim against Ministers, as preaching for Tithes, have given shrewd cause of suspicion, that themselves preached for places and employments, 10 Such unordained persons commonly divide and break insunder such Congregations, in which they have liberty to exercise. 11 They ordinarily obtrude themselves on such Congregations, as are conscientiously scrupled, and professedly unsatisfied with them. 12 Many or them neglect the duties of their particular and general Calling; and whilst they pretend to teach whole Congregations, they omit to instruct their Children and Servants. 13 Because of such wild and: irregular practices, the Ordinances of the Gospel come to be contemned, and the offering of the LORD to be abhorred. 14 Men of learning and ability, whose labours might have been of singular and signal advantage, have by this means been slighted, excluded. 15 Even by natural conscience the profane are convinced that duties of Religion ought to be performed, and distinct Persons attend them when therefore they see such as pretend to the power of Religion, to despise the form (which is the utmost their Capacities can reach) they are easily induced by the old Serpent to over value the form, and despise the power; and when they see other profane ones, prise what they prise, and those that pretend to the power, despise the same (by making it common, and of ordinary address) they are rootedly hardened in their profaneness 16 The Irish and Papists are alienated from the Protestant Religion.  
1 Ignorance is the mother of Popish devotion; they therefore respect more the persons of teachers than the things taughts and where these are contemned, they are apt to repute Religion denied:  
2 Orders and Unity are essential properties (in the Papists opinion) of the true Church; but disorder and Schism are the natural consequents of unordained Intruders; and where these are, the Papists do readily conclude that Religion is not.  
3 Many Papists, though so ignorant in the choice principles of Christianity, that their faith is implicate; yet in many things (especially Popish controversied) they clearly discover a greater ignorance and weakness in these Intruders; the discovery whereof, together with the admiration of their own dark Sophisters, confirms them in their persuasions against the Protestant Religion; whereof they judge rather by the weakness and pretences of such Intruders, than by the true grounds of Protestant Religion.  
4 These various unordained Intruders are often contradictory, not only to each other, but to themselves; the observance whereof confirms the Papists, that as there is out one truth, so these contrary ways can not be that truth.  
5 Scripture being wrested by these unstable intruders to patronise their own conceptions, the Papists are confirmed, that Scripture is a Judge insufficient, and unlawful for common use, as being liable to abuse, and if Scripture-adjudication be once rejected, carnal reason will invite to set the highest value on Popish polity.  
6 These unordained Intruders do usually revile gospel-ministers, and the owners of the gospel-ministry as Antichristian: Now when that guilt is charged by these on the Protestants, which the Protestants charge on the Papists, the Papists are thereby confirmed, as if they were as innocent as their professed Opposites and Reprovers.  
7 Vice may be nourished with the milk of virtue. The gospel-ministers are constrained by the distracting disturbances of these Intruders to lay out so much of their time and sweat in the prevention of the evil consequences before instanced, that the Papists (who are opposite in the other extreme) gain ground by this diversion, and are easily persuaded to think the better of themselves, even on this occasion.  
8 Many doctrines delivered by these Intruders are expressly Popish; which some of them deliver because of their ignorance and inability to distinguish betwixt what is Popish, and what not; others out of design to introduce Popery without noise or discovery.  
Many of these consequences (we believe) arise from the nature of unscriptural intrusion into the work of the Ministry without ordination; though possibly others of them arise from the frequent distemper and irregularity of them, who dare be such Intruders; by instance whereof we intent not to justify the distorted illations made by Papists, and profane persons; but to discover the advantage, which by this occasion is ministered to the sly and subtle insinuations of the crooked Serpent, and the Church-shattering, Soule-indangering improvement he makes of that advantage; which jointly with the sense of our special duty, enforceth us to the discharge thereof, in ordaining Ministers.    

More, than others.  

§. 11.  THat we herein begin, will be no temptation (we hope) of prejudice to any Brethren; for 1. Some must begin. 2. England affords many precedents. 3 of all, in this County, we apprehend the opportunity to associate is most, because the Ministers are most and nearest: the necessity most, because the Congregations are most and greatest; and many members of them rationally judge, that those intent to climb over the Wall, who refuse to enter in by the Door.   

More, than formerly.  

§. 12.  THat we rather engage in this duty at present, than formerly, hath these inducements. 1. The Protestant Inhabitants were necessitated formerly to live in, or nigh Garrisons; and so might be supplied by such ordained Ministers, as GOD had there set: but at present, they disperse themselves into the Country; wherefore to attend them, the increase of the number of Ministers, becomes necessary; and to that end (by GOD'S institution) ordination is necessary. 
More gospel-ministers settled in Ireland, since the LORD HENRY-CROMWELL arrived here, and owned the public Ordinances of Christ, than in 15 years' precedent. Think upon him O God for good, according to all be hath done for thy People.  2 Through the LORDS goodness, & the benign aspect of our Magistrates, gospel-ministers are encouraged, and we find, that both the harvest is great, and the Labourers not so few as formerly; who (in GOD'S way) must either seek ordination from our Brethren, the Scots in Ulster; the inconveniences whereof (the present State of affairs considered) are too obvious to need our instances: or from our Brethren in England; But 1 They may probably want means of support for such a journey. 2 Certificates from persons at this distance, may possibly be counterfeited, or if true; discredited, because the Subscribers unknown: by the former, unfit persons may be ordained; by the latter, fit persons discouraged, if not rejected: by both, the Church of CHRIST prejudiced, and the work of the Gospel obstructed.   

More, than to other acts of discipline.  

§. 15.  NEither do we think the procedure preposterous, to engage in the duty of Ordination, before other acts of Ecclesiastical discipline; for 1 Herein we walk in the same method, as the reverend Assembly late at Westminster, in their advice propounded. 2. Ordination of Ministers, properly and peculiarly belongs to Ministers. 3 Several particulars (urged by many, under this Head of discipline) are to us very dark: but ordination of Ministers by Ministers, is to all of us a clear duty: those therefore are fittest for further debate; this for present observance. 4 Many acts of discipline are only necessary to the well-being of the Church visible: but ordination of Ministers to its very being. (At least considered as orgainzed, or as continuing.) 5 We have mutually engaged ourselves to the LORD, and to each other, to improve the advantage of our frequent meetings, in wrestling with the LORD by prayer; and considering and admonishing each other; both in relation to our particular walking, and in relation to the Flock of CHRIST, over which the HOLY GHOST hath made us Overseers.  
WE conclude with a few words of advice to the Readers of this Account of our Principles, and intended Practice; and especially to our People, and the several Congregations commited to our charge; whose spiritual improvement, flourishing growth, & eternal welfare in the Heavens, our very Souls do pantingly breathe after.  
1 Let that which was the Bereans commendation, (Act: 17.11.) be yours, Search the Scriptures daily. Many places and passages in sacred Writ you will finde quoted by us, which we entreat you to turn to, & examine: A passing over them in haste, & with a transient glance, may not gain a steady consent, but leave you hesitant & dubious; at least in some of the instanted particulars. It's a narrow search, and curious inquisition that tends to; & terminates in a clear conviction & full satisfaction. It's of grand concernment, that you be well grounded in this main Head of Divinity. The gospel-ministry (which is indeed the Devil's smarting eyesore, being the great Engine designed by CHRIST to Batter down the Wails of the Kingdom of darkness) is on all hands beleaguered, assaulted, struck at; though from some quarters, & regions, the storm be more violent and impetuous than from others. An huge dust is raised by Objectors, & men by great heaps lose themselves in a mist of dangerous mistakes; & all for want of pondering & weighing things in the Balance of the Sanctuary: However, this we may depend on, & comfort ourselves with, That it shall contmue till the second coming of our LORD, maugre all combined & boisterous opposition in order to its subversion & abolition. When Ordinances shall cease, than Ministers shall be no more, & not till then. Particular Ministers (like boughs) may be, & have been lopped off by the hand of violence; but Ministry (like a mighty Tree (whose fruit the LORD hath appointed for the healing of the Nations) is too deeply & firmly rooted, to be blown cowne. In vain is that Port assaulted, that hath a promise of CHRIST'S presence and powerful assistance, Math: 28.20. This is an Age abounding with suggestions & insinuations of several shapes; which, if obtruded under the notion of a clearer light, & an higher way of Communion, have a potent and captivating influence on persons, whose Hearts are better than their Heads, and who have warm Affections, and but feeble Intellectuals. It will be your wisdom (abhorring all easy; yielding, corrupt compliances upon the wretched, unworthy account of promoting or securing an interest in the World) to have recourse to the Law & to the Testimony, confidently concluding, that if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them, what ever sparkling & beamy brightness may be pretended to, Esa: 8.20.  
2 And since it is a duty incumbent on the people to pray for their Pastors, 2 Thes: 3.1: And since there is a great door and effectual opened, but not with out the waspish activity, and retarding obstructions of maligning adversarias, 1 Cor: 16.9: And since we are but men, subject to the same passions and infirmities with yourselves; and knowing only in part, 1 Cor: 13.9; & our Strength no way proportionable to the weightiness of that work that lies upon us, 1 Cor: 2.16: we shall earnestly entreat, that in your addresses to the Throne of Grace, you would frequently & affectionately make mention of us, & importuaately pray unto the Father of Lights, that he would enlighten us with his truth, and show us the way that he would have us to walk in, and teach us how we ought to behave ourselves at such a time as this is; That he would encourage our hearts, & strengthen our hands in his own way and work; That he would bless the sincere, though feeble endeavours of his Servants for the propagating of the Gospel, and promoting of the interest of his SON; & that out of tender regard unto his Church's welfare, he would blow upon and blast all antiministerial designs. The Harvest is great, the Labourers few: O pray unto the LORD of the Harvest, that he would send forth painful Labourers into his Harvest, Math: 9.37; 38; and make them suceessfull for the bringing of many sheaves into CHRIST'S barn. Our motions are slow, because not furthered and assisted by your prayers, which should serve as oil unto our Chariot wheels, to make them run the more smoothly and swiftly. The time that many spend in whispering, complaining, backbiting, quarrelling, contending, exclaiming, censuring, do you spend in praying. The LORD forbidden that we should sin, in ceasing to pray for you, whom we expect to be our glory, and crown of rejoicing in the presence of our LORD JESUS CHRIST at his coming: And the LORD forbidden that you should sin, in ceasing to pray for us, who watch for your Souls, as those that must give an account; and are willing to spend, and to be spent for the Churches good.   
FINIS.