A37205:147
The power of Congregational churches asserted and vindicated in answer to a treatise of…
The power of Congregational churches asserted and vindicated in answer to a treatise of Mr. J. Paget entitled The defence of church-government exercised in classes and synods / by John Davenport.The power of Congregational churches asserted and vindicated in answer to a treatise of Mr. J. Paget intituled The defence of church-government exercised in classes and synods / by John Davenport.
London: printed for Rich. Chiswell and to be sold by John Usher of Boston, 1672
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.
2. The Confirmation, or proof, that such a Church is the first and proper subject of this power; shall be double. 1. By Scripture. 2. By Reasons.
1. By Scripture, it may be proved from sundry Texts. 1. This in hand clearly confirmeth it, if that good ancient rule of expounding Scripture be received, Dictorum intelligentia ex causis dictorum sumenda est. For Christ's question to the Disciples, which was the cause of Peter's confession here, was only concerning the Faith common to the Church. Whom say ye that I am? Hereupon Peter, in the name of the Disciples, made this confession of Faith.1 Christ testified his approbation of it, by calling him Peter, not so much in respect of his Office, as of his Faith thus publicly professed, whence also visible Believers are called lively stones, 1 Pet. 2.4, 5. and Christ added to this praise of Peter a twofold promise. 1. Of edifying and stablishing the Church, upon this Rock. 2. Of affording it sufficient means for the attainment of those ends, viz. the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, &c. Where the Kingdom of Heaven, or visible Church of Christ on earth, is compared to a City, or House, the Door or Gate whereof is Christ; the Keys are all instituted means, ⟨p. 100⟩whereby an entrance into Christ and his Kingdom, visibly, is opened and shut, the subordinate power whereof is here given to the Church immediately.
1. By Scripture, it may be proved from sundry Texts. 1. This in hand clearly confirmeth it, if that good ancient rule of expounding Scripture be received, Dictorum intelligentia ex causis dictorum sumenda est. For Christ's question to the Disciples, which was the cause of Peter's confession here, was only concerning the Faith common to the Church. Whom say ye that I am? Hereupon Peter, in the name of the Disciples, made this confession of Faith.