7. Argum. A multitude of unwarrantable ways partly goeth before, partly conveyeth this Church-covenant, As. 1. It is a dream that all are converted by the means of private Christians, without the Ministry of sent Pastors, by hearing of whom Faith cometh, all are made materials and converts in private without Pastors; judge if this be Christs order and way. 2. How it is possible a Church shall be gathered amongst Infidels? this way Infidels cannot convert Infidels, and Pastors as Pastors cannot now be sent, by our Brethren's Doctrine, for Pastors are not Pastors but in relation to a particular congregation, therefore Pastors as Pastors cannot be sent to Indians. 3. They must be assured in conscience, at least satisfied in every one another's salvation, and sound conversion: were the Apostles satisfied anent the conversion of Ananias, Sapphira, Simon Magus, Alexander, Hymeneus, Philetus, Demas and others? 4. By what warrant of the word are private Christians, not in office, made the ordinary and only converters of Souls to Christ? conversion cometh then ordinarily and solely by unsent Preachers, and private persons Ministry. 5. What warrant have the sister Churches, of the word, to give the right hand of fellowship to a new erected ⟨p. 101⟩Church? for, to give the hand of fellowship is an authoritative and pastoral act, as Gal. 2 9. When James, Cephas, and John perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave unto me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that is, saith Pareus, athey received us to the college of the Apostles, so Bullinger band cBeza, now this is to receive them in amongst the number of Churches, as Pareus, and members of the catholic Church, but Churches being all independent, and of a like authority, the Sister Churches having no power over this new erected Church, what authority hath Sister Churches, to acknowledge them as Sister Churches? For 1. They cannot be upon two or three hours ••ght of them, hearing none of them speak, satisfied in their consciences of their Regeneration. 2. By no authority can they receive them as members of the catholic Church, for this receiving it a Church-act and they have no Church-power over them. 3. What a meeting is this of diverse Churches for the receiving of a new Sister Church?
7. Argum. A multitude of unwarrantable wayes partly goeth before, partly conveyeth this Church-covenant, As. 1. It is a dreame that all are converted by the meanes of private Christians, without the Ministery of sent Pastors, by hearing of whom Faith commeth, all are made materialls and convertes in private without Pastors; judge if this be Christs order and way. 2. How it is possible a Church shall be gathered amongst Infidells? this way Infidells cannot convert Infidells, and Pastors as Pastors cannot now be sent, by our Brethrens Doctrine, for Pastors are not Pastors but in relation to a particular congregation, therefore Pastors as Pastors cannot be sent to Indians. 3. They must be assured in conscience, at least satisfied in every one anothers salvation, and sound conversion: were the Apostles satisfied anent the conversion of Anainas, Saphira, Simon Magus, Alexander, Hymeneus, Philetus, Demas and others? 4. By what warrant of the word are private Christians, not in office, made the ordinary and onely converters of Soules to Christ? conversion commeth then ordinarily and solely by unsent Preachers, and private persons Ministery. 5. What warrant have the sister Churches, of the word, to give the right hand of fellowship to a new erected ⟨p. 101⟩Church? for, to give the hand of fellowship is an authoritative and pastoriall act, as Gal. 2 9. When Iames, Cephas, and Iohn perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave unto me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that is, saith Pareus, athey received us to the colledge of the Apostles, so Bullinger band cBeza, now this is to receive them in amongst the number of Churches, as Pareus, and members of the catholick Church, but Churches being all independent, and of a like authority, the Sister Churches having no power over this new erected Church, what authority hath Sister Churches, to acknowledge them as Sister Churches? For 1. They cannot be upon two or three houres ••ght of them, hearing none of them speak, satisfied in their consciences of their Regeneration. 2. By no authority can they receive them as members of the catholick Church, for this receiving it a Church-act and they have no Church-power over them. 3. What a meeting is this of diverse Churches for the receiving of a new Sister Church?
- aPareus, in collei••m apostolorum nos receperunt, dextrit nobiscum junctis, quod intimae conjunctionis nostrae signum fuit & obsignatio.Pareus, in collei••m apostolorum nos receperunt, dextrit nobiscum jūctis, quod intimae conjunctionis nostrae signum fuit & obsignatio.
- bBullinger ib.
- cBeza, a•not.
