A39224:238
Communion of churches, or, The divine management of gospel-churches
Communion of churches, or, The divine management of gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils constituted in order according to the Scriptures as also the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular Reforming Congregational Churches, humbly proposed as ... a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties the Presbyterians and the Congregationals ... / written by John Eliot.Communion of churches, or, The divine management of gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils constituted in order according to the Scriptures as also the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular Reforming Congregationall Churches, humbly proposed as ... a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties the Presbyterians and the Congregationals ... / written by John Eliot.
printed by Marmaduke Johnson, 1665
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.
CHAP. VIII. Touching the Maintenance of these Councils.
I. Though it be meet that all their necessary Charges be born for them; for who goeth on a warfare at his own charge? yet it is in no wise meet that any Profits or Revenues should be annexed unto any of the Councils, from the lowest unto the highest. Worldly Profit, Power and Splendour, are beneath the spirit and aim of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Only the Notaries Place, being a service of much •bour, pains and diligence, it is me•t that some consideration be had for some convenient recompense for their labour.
I. THough it be meet that all their necessary Charges be born for them; for who goeth on a warfare at his own charge? yet it is in no wise meet that any Profits or Revenues should be annexed unto any of the Councils, from the lowest unto the highest. Worldly Profit, Power and Splendor, are beneath the spirit and aim of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Onely the Notaries Place, being a service of much •bour, pains and diligence, it is me•t that some consideration be had for some convenient recompence for their labour.
II. If any godly minded Christian, out of a love unto, and zeal for the honour of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, should desire to give, and annex Maintenance unto any of these forenamed Councils, more then conveniently to bear their Charges (as Noble Constantine did for the worldly splendour of the Bishops) it ought not to be permitted, but religiously opposed: for it will certainly prove an Inlet of great Corruption, Ambition, Avarice, and Strife, unworthy and unfit persons will endeavour to Bribe themselves into Places, more for the Wages, then for the Work.