A57976:105
A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbytery in Scotland, or, A modest and…A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbyterie in Scotland, or, A modest and…
A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbytery in Scotland, or, A modest and brotherly dispute of the government of the Church of Scotland wherein our discipline is demonstrated to be the true apostolic way of divine truth, and the arguments on the contrary are friendly dissolved, the grounds of separation and the independency [sic] of particular congregations, in defence of ecclesiastical presbyteries, synods, and assemblies, are examined and tried / by Samuel Rutherfurd ...A peaceable and temperate plea for Pauls presbyterie in Scotland, or, A modest and brotherly dispute of the government of the Church of Scotland wherein our discipline is demonstrated to be the true apostolick way of divine truth, and the arguments on the contrary are friendly dissolved, the grounds of separation and the indepencie [sic] of particular congregations, in defence of ecclesiasticall presbyteries, synods, and assemblies, are examined and tryed / by Samuell Rutherfurd ...
London: printed for John Bartlet, 1642London: printed for Iohn Bartlet, 1642
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.
11. Conclusion. A multitude of believers sincerely professing the faith, is the first visible mystical Church, because the definition of a visible mystical Church agreeth to them, being redeemed professors of the Gospel. So the saints at Coloss, Corinth, Philippi, as not including their guides, is a true visible Church. Before I come to the third conclusion, I must show what our brethren hold anent this present question. 1The English puritanism holdeth every Congregation or Assembly of true believers,2 joining together according to the order of the Gospel in the true worship of God, to be a true visible Church.3 And that this name is unproperly given to Synods or Assemblies (of office-bearers) so also the Guide to Zion.4 Parker maketh the Church of believers in any particular congregation, to be the highest and most supreme Church in majority and power of jurisdiction above their own Eldership, or Presbytery, having power to ordain or depose them, above all Synods of Pastors and Elders. William Best, citeth and approveth the mind of the English Church (as he calleth it) at Frankfurt: the Ministers and Seniors severally and jointly, shall have no authority to make any manner of decrees or ⟨p. 33⟩ordinances to bind the congregation, or any member thereof, but sh•ll execute such ordinances, as shall be made by the congregation, and to them delivered. Hooker against Paget, They which had complete and perfect Ministers,5 before any Classes had power to call those Ministers, they have authority above the Ministers.6 But a particular congregation had perfect and complete Ministers, perfectly and completely called before any Classes.7 To this agreeth the confession of faith, of the unjustly called Brownists, that every Christian congregation, yea two or three sequestered from the whole, hath ower from Christ of election,