he times and places of assemblage for the preaching of the divine
Word. Chapter 3. Of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Chapter 4. Of the
Sermon of Repentance (Boetpredicatien) and the absolution before the
administration of the Lord's Supper. Chapter 5. Of the administration of
the Most Holy Supper. Chapter 6. Of Christian Discipline and the Ban.
Chapter 7. Of Marriage. Chapter 8. Of the Visitation of the Sick and of
the Poor, who cannot come to church. Chapter 9. Of the Burial of the
Dead.

Part II. The Christelijcke Ordonnantie of the Congregation in Amsterdam,
of the Conventu Ecclesiastico or Consistory, of the Calling, Office,
Ministrations of the Preachers, Deputies (Deputy Elders 1682) and
Deacons. Chapter 1. 'Of the Consistory. To the Consistory belong the
Preachers, with the Deputy Elders (Gedeputierden Ouderlingen); such
other persons may attend as by the usage of the Congregation are called
thereto. At the meetings first of all the Holy Spirit shall be invoked,
in prayer, and the session shall close with the giving of thanks. The
oldest Pastor shall preside, and he, or the oldest Elder, shall present
the matters for consideration, call on each for his opinion, and take
the vote. In matters of doctrine, where we have the Word of God, the
Preachers alone shall decide according to the same (after consultation
with the Elders, 1682), but in matters of government the majority shall
decide. In matters of great importance, as the calling of the Preacher,
all former Elders, and also the Deacons, shall be called to take counsel
and the majority of all votes shall decide (1682 all former Elders,
called Oudste Raeden, and all former Deacons). Occasions of discipline
of Preachers, Elders, Deacons, or other members were subject to action
by the Consistory.

Chapter 2. Of the Call, Office, Duties, Salary and Dismissal of
Preachers. The Call, which consists in a nomination and an election,
shall be made by the Preachers, Deputy Elders, former Elders (Oudste
Raeden), Ruling Deacons and former Deacons (Oude Diaconen). The
Candidate, if previously a Pastor, must present testimonials from his
previous charge of his irreproachable life and of his adherence to the
pure doctrine of our Confession and our Symbolical Books, or if
unordained be fully examined and approved, and his ordination promised
by the proper authorities, and he must subscribe and obey this
constitution with all its provisions. Provision is made for the trial of