ASSEMBLY AT EDINBURGH, AUGUST 24, 1647. SESS. 10. ACT for observing the Directions of the GENERAL ASSEMBLY for secret and private worship, and mutual Edification; and censuring those who neglect Family-worship. [See Matthew 18:15-17]
"THE General Assembly, after
mature deliberation, doth approve the following Rules and Directions
for cherishing piety, and preventing division and schism; and
doth appoint ministers and ruling elders in each congregation
to take special care that these Directions be observed and followed;
as likewise, that presbyteries and provincial synods enquire and
make trial whether the said Directions be duly observed in their
bounds; and to reprove or censure (according to the quality of
the offence), such as shall be found to be reprovable or censurable
therein. And, to the end that these directions may not be rendered
ineffectual and unprofitable among some, through the usual neglect
of the very substance of the duty of Family-worship, the Assembly
doth further require and appoint ministers
and ruling elders to make diligent search
and enquiry, in the congregations committed to their
charge respectively, whether there be among them any
family or families which use to neglect this necessary duty;
and if such family be found,
[Note the steps of Matthew 18 applied]
- "first the head of the family
is to be admonished privately to amend his fault;
- "and, in case of his continuing
therein, he is to be gravely and sadly reproved
by the session [of elders];
- "after which reproof, if he be
found still to neglect Family-worship,
let him be, for his obstinacy in such an offence, suspended
and
debarred from the Lord’s supper,
as being justly esteemed unworthy to communicate therein,
- "till he amend."
[Emphasis added]
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