A53671:170
A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of…
A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of the New Testament, by way of question and answer with an explication and confirmation of those answers.
London : s.n., 1667
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.
First, that the persons whereof it is constituted do consent together into it for the attaining of the ends which they design. Without this no society of any kind can exist. This is the form of mens coalescencie into societies. And ⟨p. 118⟩that there is in the Church such a consent and agreement hath been showed.
First, that the persons whereof it is constituted do consent together into it for the attaining of the ends which they design. Without this no society of any kind can exist. This is the form of mens coalescencie into societyes. And ⟨p. 118⟩that there is in the Church such a consent and agreement hath been shewed.
Secondly, that there be Rules or Laws for the guidance and direction of all the Members of the society, in order to their pursuit of the proper ends of it. That such Rules or Laws are given and prescribed by the Lord Christ unto the Church, will afterwards appear in our consideration of them in particular; so that the Church is a society of men walking according unto Rule or Law for the attaining of the ends of the society.
Secondly, that there be Rules or Laws for the guidance and direction of all the Members of the society, in order to their pursuit of the proper ends of it. That such Rules or Lawes are given and prescribed by the Lord Christ unto the Church, will afterwards appear in our consideration of them in particular; so that the Church is a society of men walking according unto Rule or Law for the attaining of the ends of the society.
Thirdly, that there be Authority instituted for to see to the due Observation of these Rules and Laws of the society, which consists in this; (1) That some be appointed to Rule and Govern in the Church. (2) Others, to Obey and be Ruled or Governed; both according to the Laws of the society and not otherwise. And both these are eminently found in this Church-state as we shall see in the ensuing Question with their Answers and Explications.