A50206:117
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.
For the ordering of the Time, it may be fit that the Sermon should end at Eleven a Clock, and after it the Conference follow, and continue so long, as shall be found meet and seasonable. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself who is the Counsellor, the Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, grant unto all his Churches truth and Peace always, and •y all means: and He counsel and guide the hearts of his people to discern and embrace all such ways as himself hath sanctified, to those holy Ends. Amen.
For the ordering of the Time, it may be fit that the Sermon should end at Eleven a Clock, and after it the Conference follow, and continue so long, as shall be found meet and seasonable. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself who is the Counsellour, the Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, grant unto all his Churches truth and Peace alwayes, and •y all means: and He counsel and guide the hearts of his people to discern and embrace all such wayes as himself hath sanctified, to those holy Ends. Amen.
Thus far Mr. Cotton. And that this is according to Congregational Principles, is evident from other Testimonies; For the Messengers of an hundred and twenty Congregational Churches, who met at the Savoy in London, Anno 1658. do in their declaration of the order appointed ⟨p. 34⟩in the Churches of Christ (Thesis 26.) thus declare. In Case of difficulties or differences either in point of doctrine, or in Administrations, wherein either the Churches in general are concerned, or any one Church in their Peace, Union, and Edification, or any member, or members of any Church are injured in, or by any proceeding in Censures not agreeable to Truth and Order: It is according to the mind of Christ, that many Churches holding Communion together, do by their Messengers meet in a Synod or Council to Consider and give their Advice in or about the matter in difference, &c. And Doctor Owen (who was a great part of that Assembly) in his Catechism concerning Church discipline, (pag. 224, 226, 227.) thus expresses his Judgement. Churches being gathered and settled according to the mind of Christ, ought to preserve a mutual holy Communion amongst themselves, and to exercise it in the discharge of those duties, whereby their mutual good and Edification may be promoted. In desiring or making use of the Counsel and advice of one another in such Cases of doubt and difficulty, whether Doctrinal or practical, as may arise in any of them,