That¹ such as yet see not the truth, may hear the public doctrine and prayers of the church, and with all meekness are to be sought by all means: Yet none² who are grown in years to be received into their communion as members, but such as do make confession of their faith, publicly desiring to be received as members, and promising to walk in the obedience of Christ. Neither any³ infants, but such as are the seed of the faithful by one of the parents, or under their education and government. And further not any⁴ from one congregation to be received members in another, without bringing certificate of their former estate and present purpose.

1. Psalm 18:49; Romans 15:9–10; 1 Corinthians 14:24–25; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 2:25 ↩︎
2. Exodus 12:43; 34:12; Leviticus 22:25; Deuteronomy 7; Ezra 4:3; Isaiah 44:5; Acts 19:18; 2 Corinthians 6:14–16 ↩︎
3. Genesis 17:7, 12, 27; Exodus 12:48–49; 20:5–6; Acts 16:15, 33; 1 Corinthians 7:14 ↩︎
4. Acts 9:26–27; Romans 16:1–2; 2 Corinthians 8:23; Colossians 4:10 ↩︎