A34675:266
A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of self contradiction, charged on…A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of selfe contradiction, charged on…
A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of self contradiction, charged on him by Mr. Dan. Cawdrey written by himself not long before his death ; whereunto is prefixed, an answer to a late treatise of the said Mr. Cawdrey about the nature of schism, by John Owen ...A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of selfe contradiction, charged on him by Mr. Dan. Cavvdrey written by himselfe not long before his death ; whereunto is prefixed, an answer to a late treatise of the said Mr. Cavvdrey about the nature of schisme, by John Owen ...
Oxford: printed by H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658
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.
1. That is be done occasionally, and not in ordinary course.
2. By men of such Abilities, as are fit for office.
3. Not assuming this to themselves, but as they are allowed, and designed to it by such, as have Power.
4. That their Doctrine be subjected to the Teaching Elders of the Church. Grant these limitations, and I never scrupled (to my remembrance) the liberty of Prophesying by private Brethren, ⟨p. 75⟩yea this liberty I should further grant, that though the private Brethren be not furnished, with abilities fit for public office, yet there may be occasion, to call them forth to exercise their gifts; as in the sudden sickness or absence of the Minister, and other officers, why may not a private brother be called forth by the Church, or stirred up by the Spirit of God in himself to stand up, and with leave, instruct and exhort the Church, to make a Sanctified use of such a sudden stroke of Providence? Or what if a private Brother of good credit in the church shall observe the Doctrine of the Ministers not so much valued as were meet? why may he not take occasion, to speak some words of encouragement, and confirmation, both to the Minister and to the Congregation? Jehoshaphat's Nobles, though Princes, yet were but as Private Brethren in the Church, as bearing no Public Church-office: yet they taught in the Cities of Judah, what Respect was due to the Ministry of the Levites,