A61661:10
The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God
The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God by Solomon Stoddard ...
London: printed for Ralph Smith, 1700
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.
It is certain that God does fully direct us in the Scripture, concerning the Affairs of his House; as the Word of God doth perfectly direct us how we should behave our selves in the Family and in the Common-wealth, so in the Church: There is no need of any Addition to the Scriptures: There needs an Interpretation of the Word, but nothing at all to be added to it: God doth not give us some broken pieces of a Platform; but hath revealed his whole will in that matter: We are not left under a necessity of missing the Rule or guessing at it. God hath described to us the whole Body of Church Affairs: For the Scripture is a perfect Rule of Life, Psal. 19.7. 2 Tim. 3.17,18. Men shall be blamed for nothing at the Day of Judgment, but what the Scripture does Condemn, Rev. 20.12. What God hath not revealed to us, is no Rule to us: And God hath no where else revealed the Rule but in the Scripture. As we have no extraordinary Prophets to reveal the mind of God; So there are no unwritten traditions to make known the mind of God in this matter.
It is certain that God does fully direct us in the Scripture, concerning the Affairs of his House; as the Word of God doth perfectly direct us how we should behave our selves in the Family and in the Common-wealth, so in the Church: There is no need of any Addition to the Scriptures: There needs an Interpretation of the Word, but nothing at all to be added to it: God doth not give us some broken pieces of a Platform; but hath revealed his whole will in that matter: We are not left under a necessity of missing the Rule or guessing at it. God hath described to us the whole Body of Church Affairs: For the Scripture is a perfect Rule of Life, Psal. 19.7. 2 Tim. 3.17,18. Men shall be blamed for nothing at the Day of Judgment, but what the Scripture does Condemn, Rev. 20.12. VVhat God hath not revealed to us, is no Rule to us: And God hath no where else revealed the Rule but in the Scripture. As we have no extraordinary Prophets to reveal the mind of God; So there are no unwritten traditions to make known the mind of God in this matter.