A34674:525
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 2 In what case may the Churches call a Synod without the consent of the Magistrate?
Querie 2 In what case may the Churches call a Synod without the consent of the Magistrate?
Answ. In case the Magistrate be defective, and not to be prevailed with for the performance of his duty; just cause, providence, and prudence concurring: The Churches may both Call and Constitute a Synod: The Reason why the Churches can Constitute a Synod without the consent of the Magistrate, although the Magistrate cannot constitute a Synod without the consent of the Churches, is because the essentials of a Synod, together with such other cause, as is required to the being (though not so much to the better being) of a Synod, ariseth out of particular Churches: as appears from the following Enumeration of the Causes thereof:⟨p. 73⟩ The Essential Cause: Remote The Authoritative Call of the Magistrate. Next The Ministerial Call of the Churches. The Material Cause: The Members of the Synod (i. e.) qualified Church-Messengers. The Formal Cause: The meeting together of such Church-Messengers in the name of Christ. The Final Cause: To consider of, and clear the truth in question from the word of God.
Answ. In case the Magistrate be defective, and not to be prevailed with for the performance of his duty; just cause, providence, and prudence concurring: The Churches may both Call and Constitute a Synod: The Reason why the Churches can Constitute a Synod without the consent of the Magistrate, although the Magistrate cannot constitute a Synod without the consent of the Churches, is because the essentialls of a Synod, together with such other cause, as is required to the being (though not so much to the better being) of a Synod, ariseth out of particular Churches: as appears from the following Enumeration of the Causes thereof: