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THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS OF INDIANA YEARLY MEETING 1854
BLIC LIBRARY JAYNE & ALLEN CO., IND.
copil
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02576 9735
Gc 977.2 So11dc Friends, Society of. Discipline of the Society of friends, of Indiana Yearly
MAY 1 5 1942
-
THE
DISCIPLINE
OF THE
Society of Friends,
OF
INDIANA YEARLY MEETING,
REVISED BY THE MEETING
HELD AT WHITE WATER, IN THE YEAR
1854,
AND PRINTED BY DIRECTION OF THE SAME.
V.IL
CINCINNATI : A. PUGH, PRINTER, GAZETTE BUILDING 1854.
..
Allen County Public Library 900 Webstor Pioct PO Box 2270 Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2270
510761
INDEX.
Page.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS,. 93
ADVICES-General,. 83
To Ministers and Elders, 85
AFRICANS-Kindness towards, recommended,. 89
APPLICATIONS to be received into membership, 39,93
By such as have before been members, 94
By such as have gone out in Marriage,
54
APPEALS-General rules of conducting, 25
Reports thereon to be made in writing, 26
Manner of proceeding with females,. 26
Subordinate meetings to resume consideration of cases, in which proceedings have been irregular, 26
ARBITRATIONS-General rules for conducting, 27
Parties to enter into bond to abide award, 27
Parties refusing to submit case, or abide award,
27
Rules for a second reference,. 28
Parties refusing to acquiesce, how dealt with, 28
Legal counsel to be taken when necessary, 28
Cases in which a resort to law may be admissible, 28
Proceedings where a reference is considered unnecessary, 29
Ministers should not be chosen as arbitrators, 30
BELIEF IN GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, 13, 15, 16, 19, 22
And in the Holy Scriptures,. .15, 87
BIRTHS AND DEATHS-A committee or Friends to be appointed, 30 Regulations concerning the holding of meetings at funerals, 30
Solemn pause to be had at all funerals,. 30
A religious meeting, when can be to the honor of Truth, 30
Two or more Friends to be appointed to care of Burying Grounds, 31 Burying Grounds to be kept enclosed, and in decent order, 31
57
Care as to the titles thereof,.
Monuments to distinguish one above another not allowed 31
Mourning habits to be avoided, 31
Grave stones, limitation,. 31
Records Births and Deaths to ept, 31
iv.
INDEX.
Page. Committees to be appointed to examine suclı, 31 Forms for Records,. 32
BLASPHEMY AND PROFANITY, 38
BOOKS-Meeting for Sufferings to examine writings explanatory of our religious principles and testimonies, . 32
Such are to be treated with who publish writings which excite dis- unity and discord, 32
Heads of families to prevent reading pernicious publications, 32 Plays, romances, and novels to be suppressed,. 32
Instructive and suitable Books for families to be procured, 32
Monthly meeting Libraries to be attended to,. 32
An increase of M. M. Libraries to be considered annually, 32
CERTIFICATES -- Form of a Certificate of Removal, 104
Form of a Marriage Certificate, 53
Certificates for Ministers to be recorded, 33
Same to be seasonably returned, 33
Removal Certificates to be lodged in Monthly meetings, 33
A record of all Certificates issued, to be kept, 33
Caution to Friends about removing,. 33
When Certificates are received, persons to be members, 34
Friends removing should apply for Certificates, 34, 83
Proceedings on such application, 34 Certificates granted, how to be forwarded, 34
Certificates received are to be read in both meetings, 34
Members removing without applying for Certificates 34
Proceedings where offenders remove,. 34
Monthly meetings to acknowledge reception of Certificates 35
Certificates from Europe, how acknowledged,. 35
Apprentices and persons under age -- Certificates for, 35
Disorderly persons appearing as Friends coming in,. 35
Certificates not to carry rights of Elders as such, 64
Certificates of Ministers to travel, low obtained,. 65
CHARITY AND UNITY, 36
CHILDREN, RIGHTS OF 46
CIVIL GOVERNMENT-Liberty of conscience, 36
Offices and stations inconsistent should be declined, 36
Those who act inconsistently to be dealt with,.
36
Of promoting elections of Friends to unsuitable offices, 37
Friends cannot join in hostile opposition to officers, 37
CLERKS-Annual appointment of .. .46, 102
CONDUCT AND CONVERSATION-Proceedings with such as may be guilty of lying, drunkenness, &c 37
INDEX. v:
Page.
Blasphemy, Profanity, and denial of divinity of Christ,. 38 Denial of the Holy Spirit,-authenticity of Holy Scriptures,. 38 Strict justice to be observed by Friends, 38 Meekness and moderation, 38
Cruelty to brutes,. 38
CONVINCED PERSONS-Rule of admission to membership 39
Lay hands suddenly on no man,. 39
On being circumspect and subject to divine witness, 39
CURSING-And other scandalous practices, 37
DAYS AND TIMES -- Public fasts, feasts, and holydays, 40
Gratefulness for blessings should be cultivated,. 40
Nightly illuminations and excesses to be avoided, 40
Caution as to unprofitably spending the first day of the week, 41
Retirement and religious reading recommended, 41
A good example to devote the day to religious engagements,. 41
DECLARATIONS OF FAITH,. 13
DEFAMATION AND DETRACTION-To be discouraged and suppressed,. 42
Second Query on,. 81
Treatment with such as are guilty of,. 42
DISCIPLINE AND MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE, 43
To be maintained in the authority wherein they were established, 43 Admonition to be extended to those wlio break the Discipline, ... 43
The connection and subordination of meetings,. 43
Rules for setting up and laying down meetings, 43 How meetings are to be Indulged, 44 Fair records of proceedings to be kept, 44
Monthly meetings should apply to Quarter in cases too difficult, .. 44 Copies of Minutes, &c., to be granted another Mo. or Quar. m'g, .. 44 The same may be granted or refused to individuals, 45
Offenders not to sit in meetings of Discipline after complaint,. 45
Meetings for Discipline to be kept select, 45
Representatives to be appointed by Monthly meetings to Quarter, 45 And also from Quarter, to attend the Yearly Meeting, 45
Representatives should not withdraw without consent,. 45
Reasons for non-attendance to be forwarded,. 45
Accounts of Sufferings to be kept, collected and forwarded, 45
What children shall have birth-right membership, 46
Jugglers, fortune-tellers, and such like, 46
Clerks-a committee annually to nominate, 46
Preparative meetings to forward business seasonably,. 46
DIVINITY OF CHRIST, .13,15,19,22, 38
1*
INDEX.
Page.
DRUNKENNESS,. 37
DANCING, .. 47
DIVORCES -- Not to be permitted,. 53
ETERNAL JUDGMENT-The doctrine of,. 19
FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK-Cautions about spending, 41
To be devoted to worship, retirement, and rest,. 41
Traveling and unnecessary visiting to be avoided, 41
Advices as to spending profitably,. 83
EXECUTORS, ADM'RS, AND TRUSTEES, 29,90,97, 101
FEASTS AND HOLYDAYS,. 40
FORTUNE-TELLERS, 46
FREEMASONS,. 47
GAMING AND DIVERSIONS, 47
Stage plays, horse races, music, dancing, lotteries, wagering, 47
HORSE RACES, 47
HIRELING MINISTRY -- Priests' wages,. 80
IMMORAL AND SCANDALOUS PRACTICES, 37
JUSTICE IN DEALINGS, 38
Contracts and agreements to be strictly fulfilled, 95
Query on, 82
JUGGLERS, . 46
LAW-Members withholding a just debt,
47
Rules for insolvency, .. 47
Insolvent debtors should pay if they should become able, 48
Members not to be sued contrary to Discipline, 48
LOTTERIES, 47, 82
LYING,. 37
MARRIAGES-Admonition to seek divine direction therein, 49
Parents and guardians to be early informed and consent had, 49
Friends to watch carefully over the youth on this subject, 49
How a single person about to marry should proceed,
49
Consent of parents or guardians to be obtained, .. 49
No marriage sooner than a year after death of husband or wife, 49
Marriage with wife's sister, or husband's brother, 49
No misdemeanor to be treasured up, 50
Parties not to dwell in same house-evil reports,. 50 No marriage allowed on day of Monthly meeting, 50
Unnecessary expenses and large companies discouraged, 50
Company with one not a member in order to marry discouraged,. 50
Members not to attend, nor their children, at marriages out. 50
Addresses once approved not to be retracted from,. 51 General Rules for proceeding in marriage, ... 51
INDEX.
vii.
Page.
Consent to be expressed or produced in writing. 51 Care in case of a widow, having children,. 51
Two Friends to be appointed, to attend and promote order, 51 Where and when marriages may be solemnized,. 51 Solemn engagement of the parties in public (ceremony,). 52 The certificate to be read and signed,. 52
Marriage to be solemnly and gravely accomplished, 52
No intemperance or immoderate feasting, &c.,. 52
Overseers to report whether good order was observed, 52
Certificate to be returned and recorded, 52
Form of the Marriage Certificate, 53
No Divorce allowed,. 53
Near relatives, first cousins &c .. not to join in marriage, 53
Labor with such as are likely to marry unadvisedly,. 53
Elders, overseers, and other Friends to attend thereto,. 54
But such as depart from our good order lose their right, 54
Record thereof to be made, and copy furnished,. 54
Such may return as convinced persons join,. . 54
Parents, &c., attending such marriages to be disowned 54
Parents should exercise religious care over children 54
Suitable connections preferred to large portions,. *54
The increase of breaches of our testimony,. 55
To be prevented by proper care and restraint,. 55
-Marriage a divine ordinance,. 55
Implies a union in spiritual as well as temporal 55
The perplexed situation of mixed marriages,. 55, 56
Caution to prevent falling into them,. 56
Results of wants of watchfulness and obedience,. 56
MEETINGS FOR DISCIPLINE-To be kept select,. 45
MEETING HOUSES, AND BURIAL GROUNDS, 56
Care as to the titles,. 57
Records of trusts and conveyances to be kept and recorded, 57
Care to be taken to lodge records with suitable Friends, 57
MEETINGS FOR SUFFERINGS-How constituted, 57
Times of holding, 57
Rules for its government,. 58
Services to be performed by the said meeting.
58
Quarter or Monthly meeting not to memorialize legislature, 59
Approved ministers, &c., to have a seat,. 59
MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP-To be attended seasonably,. 59
No sleeping, restlessness, or going out, .. 59, 61
Those who wilfully neglect attendance to be disowned,. 60
viii.
INDEX.
Page.
The awfulness of pure and spiritual worship, 60 Children and others to be constantly taken to meeting, 61 Drowsiness in religious meetings offensive, 61 MEMORIALS-To legislature by whom issued, 58, 59
61 MEMORIALS-Of the deceased, how prepared,. 62
MINISTERS AND ELDERS, and their meetings
62 The gift and calling of the ministry, 62, 63
Exhortation to Ministers and Elders,.
63
Exhorted to diligent reading of Scriptures,
Care as to extending communication, 63, 68
None to misapply or misquote the text,. 63
When exception is taken to what is spoken, 63
64
Rules for the appointment of Elders,
Certificates of removal not to convey rights of Elders, 64
Ministers, how recommended, 64, 65
Account thereof to be sent up to Yearly Meeting, 65
How a Certificate to travel is obtained, 65
Limits for appointment of meetings,. 65
When the concurrence of the Quarterly meeting is to be liad, 65
Meetings of Ministers and Elders, when, 66
Answers to their Queries to be made out,. 66
No such meeting to interfere, with other meetings, 67 Ministers losing their standing,. 67
Caution about going forth without proper call, 67
As to conversation and social intercourse in private,. 67
Caution to Montlily meetings as to granting Certificates, 68
Caution to Friends traveling, as to reports,.
68
They should return seasonably, and attend to business,.
MODERATION AND TEMPERANCE-Recommended,. 68
Proper Moderation preserves from bankruptcy, &c., 69
The ruinous effects of Intoxicating Liquors, .. 69
Friends exhorted to consider evils of Intemperance, 69
Use of liquors in harvest-furnishing vessels, g.c., 69
None to sell or grind for distillation, 69
MUSIC,. 47
OATHS-None allowed to be taken or administered 70
OVERSEERS-Proper number to each meeting, 71
On complaints, how to be treated, 71
In what spirit parties to be dealt with, 71
Committees to consider change of Overseers, 72
PARENTS AND CHILDREN-Exhortation to parents, 72
68
Two or more Elders in each Monthly meeting, 64
INDEX . ix
Page.
Children should be instructed in the law of God, 72
And carefully restrained, &c., 73
To be kept out of the vain fashions, &c.,.
To be guarded against reading plays, romances, &c.,. 73 73
Exhortations to the youth as to vanities, &c.,. .73, 74
As to yielding themselves to obedience, and the cross, 74
Those who run into vain fashions to be disowned,. 74
Parents who willingly indulge such, to be disowned, 74
Children to be brought up to habits of industry,. 75
PLAINNESS IN DRESS AND ADDRESS-Explained, 75
Not only the form of godliness, but the power,.
76
Address, singular numbers, days of week, &c.,
76, 77
True civility and due respect,. . 78
Cowardly compliance with the world,. 78
POOR-Mercy, compassion and charity recommended, 79
Women's meetings to relieve their own sex,
79
Query on relieving ..
82
PRIESTS WAGES, OR HIRELING MINISTRY 80
PRIZE GOODS-Not to be purchased or sold, 99
QUERIES-General, 80
82
For Ministers and Elders, 84
How often to be read and answered,. 81
REPRESENTATIVES-To the Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, .. 45
To forward Reports seasonably .102
Not to withdraw without leave,. 45,102
To send reasons for failure in attendance,. 45
REPORTS -- From Monthly and Quarterly meetings, 45
To be signed by Clerk, and conveyed by Representatives, 45
RESURRECTION -- Sincerely believed in, 18
SCHOOLS-Quarterly and Monthly meetings to promote, 85
Suitable Teachers to be procured,. 86
Not only literary instruction, but religious,. 86
The Holy Scriptures should be used therein, 86, 88 Each scholar should be supplied with a copy,. 86
SCRIPTURES OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS, 86
Exhortation to instruct children in doctrines of,. 86
And to excite them to the diligent reading thereof, 86
They set forth the birthi, holy life, &c., of the Savior 87
Holy Scriptures were given by divine inspiration, .15, 87
What they are profitable for, and what able to do, 15, 87 How true understanding is discerned, 87
Annual,.
x.
INDEX.
Page.
All our doctrines to be tried by them,. 87 Exhortation to daily reading in families collected,. 87,88 More frequent use in Schools recommended, 88 Monthly meetings to have each family supplied with a copy, 88
86
Each scholar that can read, to be supplied,. 85 Query as to reading, 81-Ministers and Elders,
SLAVERY, AND THE PEOPLE OF COLOR,: 89
Slavery repugnant to christian religion, 89
Sympathy for Africans to be cultivated,. 89
Kindness to people of color, and education of children, 90
Hiring slaves forbidden-also purchasing 90
Executors and administrators 90
Their youth should be trained in good habits, S.c., 90
Members to be disowned who deal in slaves,. 91
STOCK-To be renewed by collection from each ' Quarter,. 91
The necessary sums to be raised in proportions, 91
Women's Stock,. 92
SUFFERINGS-Account of to be kept, 45
Stage Plays 47
Swearing,. 37
TALE-BEARING-To be discouragad and suppressed, 42
Second Query on,. 81
TAVERNS, PUBLIC HOUSES, §.c .- Not to be frequented, 92
Members discouraged from keeping public houses, 92
Unnecessary number of, not to be encouraged,. 92
TEMPERANCE-Abstinence from Intoxicating Liquors, &c,, 69
Fourth Query on,. 81
TESTIMONIES OF DISOWNMENT, 92
Rules for receiving acknowledgments,. 93
Monthly meetings may, not always require acknowledgments, 93
When disowned party to be supplied with a copy, 93
Females who transgress the Discipline,. 93
Rules of proceeding in disowning offenders, 94
Persons applying for membership who had been disowned, 94
Consent to be liad before receiving such, 94
Form of Testimonial, 104
TRADE-Care recommended, as to entering into business 95
Not to go beyond their ability, and at risk of others, 95
Contracts and agreements to be strictly fulfilled, 95
Deceptive probability of hazardous enterprises, 95
Recommendation to inspect state of affairs, 95
Persons in failing circumstances to call creditors together, 95
INDEX. xi.
Page. Proceeding in trade at risk of others, reprehensible, 96
Want of punctuality in fulfilling contracts,. 96
Query as to contracts, engagements, and paying debts,
Strict justice to be observed in dealings, 82
Failures, assignees, and trustees,. 96
38
Parties failing should pay, if ever able, . 96
Accounts should be kept clear and accurate, 95
One creditor not to be paid in preference to another, 96
Subscriptions, donations, and bequests, from insolvents, 96
Assignees, &c., to be active in settling up, 97
Securityship to be avoided,. 97
Inordinate desire of worldly riches discouraged, 97
WAR-Ancient testimony against it,. 98
On fines for non-performance of military services, 98
Furnishing wagons or other means of conveying stores, 98
Tax for the purchase of drums, &c. for uses in war,. 98
Attending and viewing military operations,. 99
Trade and business promotive of War, prize goods, &c. 99
Persons paying fines, &c. to be disowned, 100
Dealing in Certificates issued as compensation, 100
No fine to be paid for refusing to muster, &c., 100
Exhortation to live peaceably, 100
WILLS-Advice to make Wills in time of health 83,101
And not to omit doing so until time of sickness, 101
Competent persons should be employed to write Wills, 101
- Executors and Trustees to act faithfully,. 101
YEARLY MEETING-How set off, and composed,. 102
Time of holding, 102
Representatives to choose a Clerk annually,. 102
Reports to be put in hands of Clerk before opening 102
No Representative may withdraw without leave, 102
Communications to be perused by nomination,. 102
Good order, unity, and concord to be maintained, 102
YEARLY MEETING MINISTERS AND ELDERS-When held, 102
NOTE .- The word [London] should be inserted before Yearly Meeting, on the cap- tion on page 19, also on page 22.
INTRODUCTION.
IN the morning of the gospel day, the apostles and disci- ples found it necessary to meet together for the consolation and strength one of another; when, pursuant to the nature and design of the gospel, which brings peace on earth and good will to men, a care arose for the edification of the church; and that all, being of one family, might be of one mind.
And as it hath pleased the great Head of the church, to gather us a people to himself, and to inspire us with degrees of the same universal love and good will, by which was ush- ered in the dispensation of the gospel, we are engaged not only to meet together for the worship of God, but also for the exercise of a christian care over each other, for the preserva- tion of all in unity of faith and practice, answerable to the de- scription which He, the ever-blessed Shepherd, gave of his flock, " by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John xiii. 35.
For this important end, and as an exterior hedge of preser- vation to us, against the many temptations and dangers to which we are exposed, the following Rules, which have been occasionally adopted by the society, now form our code of Dis- cipline. In the exercise whereof, it is to be observed that if any member be found in a conduct subversive of its order, or repugnant to the testimonies with which we believe we are entrusted for the promotion of truth and righteousness, it be- comes our indispensable duty to treat with such in christian meekness and brotherly compassion, without unnecessary de- lay or improper exposure ; according to the direction of our Lord to his church, " if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault, between thee and him alone : if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother ; but if he will not
2
10
INTRODUCTION.
hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be estab- lished. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church ; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and a publican." Matthew, xviii. 15, 16, 17.
This is the extent of the censure of the Society against irre- claimable offenders, and whilst we disown them from being members of our religious community, it is recommended to be done in such a disposition of mind as may convince them, that we sincerely desire their recovery and restoration. From the right exercise hereof, we believe no degree of persecution or imposition can be justly inferred ; for the imposition rests on the part of those who (as has sometimes happened ) insist on being retained as members, whilst at open variance with our religious body, either in principle or practice.
For the more regular and effectual support of the order of the Society, it will be observed, that besides the usual meet- ings for the purpose of divine worship, others for the exercise of our Discipline are instituted, subordinate to each other; all of which are either immediately or remotely accountable to the Yearly Meeting. These meetings have distinct allotments of service, and experience has abundantly shown, that when this service is attended to in uprightness and dedication of heart, with a single eye to the honor of our holy Head, and the benefit and edification one of another, in the love where- with He hath loved us, our assemblies are favored with His aid and direction.
Although this code of Discipline is printed for the use of our own Society, yet should it meet the public eye, it is not doubted but the serious and candid reader will observe, throughout the whole, the earnest endeavors of the Yearly Meeting for the promotion of virtue and religion.
And whilst we earnestly recommend this work to the notice and regard of Friends, we are not without a clear prospect that an acquaintance with the letter of our Discipline, will be in- sufficient to produce the desired effect, unless, in the exercise thereof, we are careful to move and act under the immediate influence of the spirit of Christ, in the pure love of the gospel.
May we therefore, in our meetings for the exercise of the Discipline, humbly seek to be clothed with the spirit of wis- dom and charity ; this will divest the mind of a dependence on on our own strength and abilities, endue us with patience and
-
11
INTRODUCTION.
condescension towards each other, and being preserved in fel- lowship agreeably to the declaration of our Lord, " One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren," a qualifi- cation will be experienced in our several stations and move- ments to build up one another in that faith which works by love, to the purifying of the heart.
Nor can we conclude, without desiring in an especial man- ner, that our youth, of the present and succeeding generations, may be early and fully instructed in our religious principles, and in the nature and design of our christian Discipline ; and through divine assistance be enabled to adorn our holy pro- fession by a conversation and conduct consistent with godli- ness and honesty ; thereby avoiding the reproach which many, through a defection in principle, or a degeneracy in practice, have brought, both upon themselves and the religious body of which they profess to be members.
EXTRACTS
FROM
DOCUMENTS OF FRIENDS
CONTAINING
Declarations of their Christian Faith.
Extract from George Fox's epistle to the Governor of Barbadoes, 1671.
WE own and believe in God, the only wise, omnipotent, and everlasting God, the Creator of all things in heaven and earth, and the Preserver of all that he hath made ; who is God over all, blessed for ever ; to whom be all honor, glory, dominion, praise and thanksgiving, both now and for evermore! And we own and believe in Jesus Christ, his beloved and only be- gotten Son, in whom he is well pleased ; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin Mary ; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins ; who is the express image of the invisible God, the first- born of every creature, by whom were all things created that are in heaven and in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, dominions, principalities, or powers; all things were created by him. And we own and believe that he was made a sacrifice for sin, who knew no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ; that he was crucified for us in the flesh, without the gates of Jerusalem ; and that he was buried, and rose again the third day by the power of his Father, for our justification ; and that he ascended up into heaven, and now
14
DECLARATIONS OF FAITH.
sitteth at the right hand of God. This Jesus, who was the foundation of the holy prophets and apostles, is our founda- tion; and we believe there is no other foundation to be laid but that which is laid, even Christ Jesus ; who tasted death for every man, shed his blood for all men, is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world : according as John the Baptist testified of him, when he said, "Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world," John, i. 29. We believe that he alone is our Redeemer and Savior, the captain of our salvation, who saves us from sin, as well as from hell and the wrath to come, and destroys the devil and his works ; he is the Seed of the woman that bruises the serpent's head, to wit, Christ Je- sus, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He is (as the Scriptures of truth say of him) our wisdom, righteousness, justification, and redemption ; neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we may be saved. He alone is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls : he is our Prophet, whom Moses long since testified of, saying, " A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me ; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you : and it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people." Acts, ii. 22, 23. He is now come in Spirit, "and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true." He rules in our hearts by his law of love and life, and makes us free from the law of sin and death. We have no life, but by him ; for he is the quickening Spirit, the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, by whose blood we are cleansed, and our consciences sprinkled from dead works, to serve the living God. He is our Mediator, who makes peace and reconcilia- tion between God offended and us offending; he being the Oath of God, the new covenant of light, life, grace, and peace ; the author and finisher of our faith. This Lord Jesus Christ,
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