New-Haven's settling in New-England and some lawes for government / published for the use of that colony : though some of the orders intended for present convenience, may probably be hereafter altered, and as need requireth other lawes added.

Ecclesiasticall Provisions.

FOrasmuch as the word of God, as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures, is a pure and precious light, by God in his free and rich grace given to his people, to guide and direct them in safe paths to everlasting peace. And for that the Preaching of the same, in a way of due Expostion and Application, by such as God doth furnish and send, is through the presence and power of the holy Ghost, the chief ordinary means appointed of God for Conversion, Edification, and Salvation, It is Ordered, That if any Christian (so called) shall within this Jurisdiction, behave himself contemptuously toward the word Preached, or any Mini∣ster thereof, called, and faithfully dispensing the same in any Con∣gregation, either by interrupting him in his Preaching, or falsly charging him with errour, to the disparagement and hindrance of the work of Christ in his hands, every such person or persons, shall be duly punished, either by the Plantation Court, or Court of Magistrates, according to the quality and measure of the of∣fence, that all others may fear to break out into such wicked∣nesse.

And it is further Ordered, That wheresoever the Ministry of the word is established within this Jurisdiction, according to the Order of the Gospel, every person according to the mind of God, shall duly resort and attend thereunto, upon the Lords dayes at least, and also upon dayes of publick Fasting, or Thanksgiving, Ordered to be generally kept and observed. And if any person

within this Jurisdiction, shall without just and necessary cause, ab∣sent or withdraw from the same, he shall after due means of con∣viction used, for every such sinfull miscarriage, forfeit five shil∣lings to the Plantation, to be levied as other Fines.

It is further Ordered, That all the people of God within this Jurisdiction, who are not in a Church way, being Orthodox in judgement, and not scandalous in life, shall have full liberty to gather themselves into a Church estate, provided they doe it in a Christian way, with due observation of the Rules of Christ, re∣vealed in his word; provided also that this Court doth not, nor hereafter will approve of any such company of persons, as shall joyn in any pretended way of Church fellowship, unlesse they shall first in due season, acquaint both the Magistrates, and the Elders of the Churches within this Colony, where and when they intend to joyn, and have their approbation therein. Nor shall any person being a Member of any Church, which shall be gathe∣red without such notice given, and approbation had; or who is not a Member of some Church in New-England, approved by the Magistrates, and Churches of this Colony, be admitted to the freedome of this Jurisdiction.

And that the Ordinances of Christ may be upheld, and com∣fortable provision made and continued, for a due maintenance of the Ministry according to the Rule, 1 Cor. 9.6. to 12. Gal. 6.6. It is Ordered, That when, and so oft as there shall be cause, either through the perversnesse, or negligence of men, the parti∣cular Court in each Plantation, or where no Court is held, the Deputies last chosen for the Generall Court with the Constable, or other Officer for preserving peace, &c. shall call all the Inha∣bitants, whether Planters, or Sojourners before them, and desire every one particularly to set down what proportion he is willing and able to allow yearly, while God continues his estate, towards the maintenance of the Ministry there. But if any one, or more, to the discouragement or hindrance of this work, refuse or delay, or set down an unmeet proportion in any and every such case, the particular Court, or Deputies and Constable as aforesaid, shall rate and assesse every such person, according to his visible estate there, with due moderation, and in equall proportion with his neighbours. But if after that,, he deny, or delay, or tender unsuitable payment, it shall be recovered as other just debts. And

it is further Ordered, That if any man remove from the Plantati∣on where he lived, and leave or suffer his Land there, or any part of it, to lye unimproved, neither selling it nor freely surrendring it to the Plantation, he shall pay one third part of what he paid before, for his movable estate and Lands also. And in each Plan∣tation where Ministers maintenance is allowed in a free way, with∣out Rating, he shall pay one third part of what other men of the lowest rank, enjoying such accomodations, doe pay: But if any removing settle near the said Plantation, and continue still to im∣prove his Land, or such part of it as seems good to himself, he shall pay two third parts of what he paid before, when he lived in the Plantation, both for moveable estate, and Land, or two third parts of what others of like accomodation pay.

Notes

• Esay 49.23. 1 Tim. 2.3.
• Acts 13.10 with Bexa his Note upon it.
• 2 Chron. 31.4. Neh. 13.10. to 15.