A34673:207
The covenant of Gods free grace most sweetly unfolded and comfortably applied to a…
The covenant of Gods free grace most sweetly unfolded and comfortably applied to a disquieted soul from that text of 2 Sam. 23. Ver. 5. : also a doctrinal conclusion that there is in all such who are effectually called, in-dwelling spiritual gifts [sic] and graces wrought and created in them by the Holy Ghost / by that reverend and faithful minister of Gods word, Mr. John Cotton, Teacher of the Church at Boston in New-England ; whereunto is added, A profession of faith, made by the reverend divine, Mr. John Davenport, in New-England, at his admission into one of the Churches there.The covenant of Gods free grace most sweetly unfolded and comfortably applied to a disquieted soul from that text of 2 Sam. 23. Ver. 5. : also a doctrinall conclusion that there is in all such who are effectually called, in-dwelling spirituall gifs [sic] and graces wrought and created in them by the Holy Ghost / by that reverend and faithful minister of Gods word, Mr. John Cotton, Teacher of the Church at Boston in New-England ; whereunto is added, A profession of faith, made by the reverend divine, Mr. John Davenport, in New-England, at his admission into one of the Churches there.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1645London: printed for Iohn Hancock, 1645
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
15. Concerning the manner of gathering a Church.
That it is the duty of all Christians, having renounced all false ways of Idolatrous, Antichristian, and superstitious worship, and of sin, and the world (as to instruct and govern their own families according ⟨p. 39⟩to God, so) to join willingly together in Christian communion and orderly covenant, and by free confession of the faith, and profession of their subjection to the Gospel of Christ, to unite themselves unto peculiar and visible Congregations, wherein as members of one body, whereof Christ is the head, they are to worship God according to his Word: To this Church he hath given royal privileges, as the holy Oracles, the Promises, the Seals of the Covenant, his presence, love, protection and blessing in a special manner, here all that acknowledge him to be their Prophet, Priest, and King, are to be enrolled amongst his household servants, and to present their bodies, and souls, and gifts, and solemn services for a spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Being thus united, they, to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures, being approved by the Church, and appointed thereunto, may, and ought to teach publicly the Word of God, by prophesying according to the proportion of faith for edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church, till such time as men may be had, fit for such office or offices, as Christ hath appointed to the public Ministry of his Church; and then they are upon due trial, to proceed to the choice and ordination of those officers according to God: and then the officers are to dispense the seals of the Covenant, viz. Baptism to the seed of the faithful in their Infancy, and to others not yet baptized, when by profession of their faith they are added to the Church: And all of the Church that are of years, and are able to examine themselves, must communicate also in the Lords Supper in both kinds, viz. Bread and Wine.