A50206:104
The first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptism & communion of churchesThe first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptisme & communion of churches
The first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptism & communion of churches : collected partly out of the printed books, but chiefly out of the original manuscripts of the first and chief fathers in the New-English churches : with the judgment of sundry learned divines of the congregational way in England, concerning the said questions : published for the benefit of those who are of the rising generation in New-England / by Increase Mather ...The first principles of New-England concerning the subject of baptisme & communion of churches : collected partly out of the printed books, but chiefly out of the original manuscripts of the first and chiefe fathers in the New-English churches : with the judgment of sundry learned divines of the congregational way in England, concerning the said questions : published for the benefit of those who are of the rising generation in New-England / by Increase Mather ...
printed by Samuel Green, 1675
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.
Likewise, Mr. Prudden late faithful Pastor of the Church in Milford in New-Haven Colon, in New-England in a Letter to the same Reverend person, which the last mentioned was sent unto, does not, only express his own thoughts, but gives Reason for his belief, concerning the Question under Agitation, with whose Testimony we shall conclude, And because his Letter is of Weighty and worthy Consideration, ⟨p. 25⟩Consideration, albeit part of it (as of that of Mr. Rogers) is already published in the Preface to the Synod Book yet) we shall here insert, the substance of it, which now follows,
Dear Brother. I was glad at the receipt of your Letters, but I am sorry to hear of such breaches in Churches, and no way nor means found out and applied for healing, which I fear with you does strengthen the Presbyterian Objection against our Congregational way, when the writings of some for our defence, and our practice agree not in that particular. I think with you that man to be much blessed, whom God should make helpful in those things; though as he ha's but little encouragement to attempt it, so can he expect less thanks from man who possibly may have erred, but loth to be judged so to have done.—Touching your own Exercises you are not alone in them, the power of the Elders in preparing matters of offence and other things for the Church, has been much questioned by some, But me-thinks hat which Mr Hooker ha's written in the Case (Survey pt. 3d. pag. 33.) should satisfy those who are not of a Contentious Spirit, I had Conference with him about this matter, in his life time. And the Sum of what he hath now written, he then expressed and told me withal, that if a Case should be presented to the Church, in any other way by the Brethren he would refuse to act in it, unless the Church would first dispute the point which he would offer, but act against his Judgement he would not, It's true that the Rule requires to tell the Church in due order by the Officers, as he that Commands one to go into his house, intends that he should go in by the door. The Elders are Captains, and Leaders, and Rulers, Heb. 13.17