"the new testament in my blood, which is shed for many "for the remission of sins: drink ye all of it.”

The minister himself is to communicate, at such time as may appear to him most convenient.

The minister may, in a few words, put the communi cants in mind

'Of the grace of God, in Jesus Christ, held forth in 'this Sacrament; and of their obligation to be the Lord's; "and may exhort them to walk worthy of the vocation 'wherewith they are called; and, as they have professedly "received Christ Jesus the Lord, that they be careful so "to walk in him, and to maintain good works."

It may not be improper for the minister to give a word of exhortation also to those who have been only specta tors, reminding them

"

"Of their duty; stating their sin and danger, by living "in disobedience to Christ, in neglecting this holy ordinance; and calling upon them to be earnest in making "preparation for attending upon it, at the next time of "its celebration."

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

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

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

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the "dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make "you perfect in every good work to do his will, work"ing in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and "ever. Amen."

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

CHAPTER X.

OF THE ADMISSION TO FULL COMMUNION OF PERSONS BAPTIZED IN INFANCY.

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

II. The years of discretion in young Christians cannot be precisely fixed. This must be left to the prudence of the session.

III. When persons baptized in infancy are to be admitted to full communion with the Church, they shall be examined as to their knowledge and piety, and shall in ordinary cases, with the approval of the session, make a public profession of their faith, in the presence of the congregation.

CHAPTER XI.

OF THE MODE OF INFLICTING AND REMOVING CENSURES.

I. THE power which Christ has given the rulers of his Church is for edification, and not destruction. When, therefore, a communicant shall have been found guilty of a fault deserving censure, the judicatory shall proceed with all tenderness, and restore the offending brother in the spirit of meekness, its members considering themselves, lest they also be tempted. Censure ought to be inflicted with great solemnity: that it may be the means of impressing the mind of the delinquent with a proper sense of his sin; and that, with the divine blessing, it may lead him to repentance.

II. When the judicatory has resolved to pass sentence, suspending a communicant from church privileges, the Moderator shall pronounce the sentence in the following form:

"Whereas you have been found guilty [by your own con❝fession, or by sufficient proof, as the case may be] of the "sin of [here mention the particular offence], we declare "you suspended from the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, till you give satisfactory evidence of repentance."

To this shall be added such advice, admonition, or rebuke, as may be judged necessary; and the whole shall be concluded with prayer to Almighty God, that he would follow this act of discipline with his blessing. In general, such censure should be inflicted in the presence of the judicatory only; but, if the judicatory think it expedient

to rebuke the offender publicly, this solemn suspension may be in the presence of the church.

III. After a person has been thus suspended, the minisister and elders should frequently converse with him, as well as pray for him in private, that it would please God so give him repentance. And, particularly on days prepar atory to the dispensing of the Lord's Supper, the prayen of the church should be offered up for those who have shut themselves out from this holy Communion.

IV. When the judicatory shall be satisfied as to the reality of the repentance of any suspended member, he shall be allowed to profess his repentance, and be restored to fellowship, in the presence of the session, or of the church.

V. When a suspended person has failed to manifest repentance for his offence, and has continued in obstinate impenitence not less than a year, it may become the duty of the judicatory to excommunicate him without further trial. The design of excommunication is to operate upon the offender as a means of reclaiming him, to deliver the Church from the scandal of his offence, and to inspire all with fear by the example of his punishment.

VI. When a judgment of excommunication is to be executed, with or without previous suspension, it is proper that the sentence be publicly pronounced against the offender.

The minister shall, therefore, at a regular meeting of the church, make a brief statement of the several steps which have been taken, with respect to the offender, announcing that it has been found necessary to excommunicate him.

He shall begin by showing (from Matt. xviii. 15, 16, 17, 18; 1 Cor v. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) the power of the Church to cast out unworthy members, and shall briefly explain the nature, use, and consequences of this censure.

Then he shall pronounce the sentence in the following or like form, viz.:

"Whereas A. B. hath been, by sufficient proof, convicted of [here insert the sin], and after much admonition and prayer refuseth to hear the church, and hath manifested no evidence of repentance; therefore, in the jame, and by the authority, of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pronounce him to be excluded from the communion of this church."

After which, prayer shall be made for the conviction and reformation of the excommunicated person, and for the establishment of all true believers.

But the judicatory may omit the publication of the excommunication, when it judges that there is sufficient reason for such omission.

VII. When an excommunicated person shall be so affected by his state as to be brought to repentance, and desires to be readmitted to the privileges of the Church, the session of the church which excommunicated him, having obtained, and placed on record, sufficient evidence of his sincere repentance and deep contrition, shall proceed to restore him, recording, in explicit terms, the grounds on which such conclusion has been reachen

The sentence of restoration shall be pronounced by the Minister, at a regular meeting of the church on the Lord's Day, in the following words:

"Whereas A. B. has been excluded from the communion of the Church, but has now given satisfactory evidence of repentance; in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by his authority, I declare him absolved from the sentence of excommunication formerly pronounced against him; and I do restore him to the communion of the Church, that he may be a partaker of all the benefits of the Lord Jesus, to his eternal salvation."

After which, he shall be commended to God in prayer. VIII. Censures, other than suspension from church privileges, or excommunication, shall be inflicted in such mode as the judicatory may direct..