A41335:259
Weighty questions discussed I. Whether imposition of hands in separating a person to the…
Weighty questions discussed I. Whether imposition of hands in separating a person to the work of the ministry be necessary?, II. Whether it be essential to the right constitution of a particular church, that the teaching elders and the members meet always in one place? : whereunto is added a prediction of Mr. Daniel Rogers, minister in Essex, long before the beheading King Charles I and Arch-Bishop Laud, foretelling that they should not dye a natural death / by Giles Firmin ...Weighty questions discussed I. Whether imposition of hands in separating a person to the work of the ministry be necessry?, II. Whether it be essential to the right constitution of a particular church, that the teaching elders and the members meet alwayes in one place? : whereunto is added a prediction of Mr. Daniel Rogers, minister in Essex, long before the beheading King Charles I and Arch-Bishop Laud, foretelling that they should not dye a natural death / by Giles Firmin ...
London : Printed for the author, 1692
A Weighty Question DISCUSSED. › Question 2: Second Question.
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.
But if his Argument from Examples be so Cogent, then he must bring us Examples out of these Cities, where there were more Christians than could meet in one place, at one time, and so were forced to meet in more places, and these made more distinct Churches. If these Examples can be brought, then I yield the Question from Examples.
But if no such Examples can be brought, [as I am sure there is not one in all the Gospel] then the Argument from Examples falls, and is of no force.
Obj. If they did meet in distinct places, they were, and must be distinct Churches?
Answ. But his Proof is all from Example, and that implies there were such Churches de facto, else there could be no Example.
2. I deny the Consequence; for tho' a Number of Christians did swarm out of the first Church, yet they might have but one Teaching Elder, and so could not carry on all Church-work; and there ought to be many Elders in one Church, saith the Dr. be they six or seven Congregations, it comes to the same. I have heard that in Lancashire there is one great Parish Church, and several Chapels belong unto it, in which Ministers Preach and Administer the Lords Supper, which do shadow out what I aim at.