A37205:214
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.
Association of divers particular Churches, we hold needful, as well as the combination of Members into one Church; yet so, as there be no Schism of one from another, nor usurpation of one over another; that either one should deprive the rest of peace, by Schism, or many should deprive any one of its power by usurpation. Hence a Fraternal Consociation we acknowledge. Consociation; for mutual Counsel and help, to prevent, or remove, Sin, or Schism: Yet Fraternal only, to to preserve each others Power. Consociation of Churches we would have cumulativè (not in words, but in deed) to strengthen the power of particular Churches: Not privativè, to take away any power, which they had from the gift of Christ before. For, as on the one side, it may seem strange, that one Church offending should have no means of Cure by the conceived power of many; so, on the other side, the danger may ⟨p. 149⟩appear as great, and frequently falls out, that, when many Churches are scandalous, one innocent Church may be hurt by the Usurpation of all. And hence we see not, but that Fraternal Consociation is the best Medicine to heal the Wounds of both.
Hereunto I shall add, that, as these godly Learned Brethren speak nothing for the Classical Power of Elders, for which the Presbyterians contend, tanquam pro aris & focis; so in that Communion of Churches, which I with them look at as the Ordinance of Christ, due moderation must be exercised by Neighbour Churches, that their exercising brotherly Communion in testifying against such Acts in a particular Church, as they conceive to be aberrations from the Rule, be according to Scripture-Light, with Humility; and that,
1. Held forth by them, they looking at themselves, though as Elders, yet not as Apostles, nor as infallibly assisted, or carried by the Spirit, above all possibility of erring, in their Determinations and Counsels, and therefore do not in a Masterly way impose their Determinations and Counsels upon others, but propound them in the fear of God, to be examined