A34674:505
The Covenant of Grace
The covenant of grace discovering the great work of a sinners reconciliation to God / by John Cotton ... ; whereunto are added Certain queries tending to accommodation [sic] between the Presbyterian and Congregational churches ; also a discussion of the civill magistrates power in matters of religion ; by the same author.The covenant of grace discovering the great work of a sinners reconciliation to God / by John Cotton ... ; whereunto are added Certain queries tending to accommodadation [sic] between the Presbyterian and Congregationall churches ; also a discussion of the civill magistrates power in matters of religion ; by the same author.
London: printed by M.S. for Francis Eglesfield and John Allen, 1655
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Query. How, and how far doth the sentence of a Synod bind?
Quere. How, and how far doth the sentence of a Synod bind?
Answ. We must distinguish between the Synods declaration of the truth, and the political imposition of the truth declared by the Synod.
Answ. We must distinguish between the Synods declaration of the truth, and the politicall imposition of the truth declared by the Synod.
The Synods declaration of the truth binds not politically, but formally only, ⟨p. 65⟩(i. e.) in foro interiori (i. e.) it binds the conscience, and that by way of the highest institution that is merely doctrinal. The political Imposition of the truth declared by the Synod, is Ecclesiastical, or Civil: Ecclesiastical, by particular Churches, and this binds not only formally, but politically, in foro exteriori, i. e. it binds the outward man, so as the disobedient in matters of offence, is subject unto Church censure, affirmatively, towards their own Members; negatively, by non communion, as concerning others, whether Church or Members. 1Civil, by the Magistrate strengthening the truth thus declared by the Synod, and approved by the Churches, either by his mere Authoritative suffrage, assent, and testimony, (if the matter need no more) or by his authoritative Sanction of it by Civill punishment, the nature of the offence so requiring.
The Synods declaration of the truth binds not politically, but formally onely, ⟨p. 65⟩