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Francis Johnson his articles, wch he vrged to be vnder written by the Englishe Marchants in Middleboroughe in October. 1591. withstoode by me Thomas Ferrers, then Deputie of the Companie there.
Wee whose names are vnderwritten, doe beleeve and acknowledge the truthe of the Doctrine and faythe of our Lorde Jesus Christe, wch is revealed vnto vs in the Canon of the Scriptures of the olde and newe Testament.
Wee doe acknowledge, that God in his ordinarie meanes for the bringinge vs vnto and keepinge of vs in this faythe of Christe, And an holie Obedience thereof, hath sett in his Churche teachinge and rulinge Elders, Deacons, and Helpers: And that this his ordinance is to continue vnto the ende of the worlde as well vnder Christian princes as vnder heathen Magistrates.
Wee doe willinglie ioyne together to live as the Churche of Christe, watchinge one over another, and submittinge our selves vnto them, to whom the Lorde Jesus committeth the oversight of his Churche, guidinge and censuringe vs according to the rule of the worde of God.
To this ende wee doe promisse henceforthe to keepe what soever Christe our Lorde hath commanded vs, as it shall please him by his holie spiritt out of his worde to give knowledge thereof and abilitie there vnto.
His opinions and exposicions vpon these fower Articles, as afore.
That for anie wch haue bene of this Churche and will not vnder-write these wth promisse (as God shall inhable them) to stande to the forme and everie poynte of them, againste men and Angells vnto the deathe; otherwise he may not be receaved as a member in this Churche.
And allso that any man once havinge adioyned him selfe to this Englishe churche in Middleboroughe, he cannot fynde any warrant by the worde of God, that after the same partie is to adioyne him selfe to anye other Churche, either in Englande or els where; but therem as the Discipline is rightlie established, as in this Churche. |