A61661:120
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.
That there are National Churches, does appear, First, from the light of Nature, the light of Nature teaches us, that Man was made for the Worship of God, that Man is fitted for Society, and the great end why he is so, is, that in Society he may carry on the Worship of God, and as the light of Nature teaches us, that lesser Societies ought to carry on the Worship of God in Conjunction, so that Kingdoms and Countries should join together in promoting and advancing the Worship of God; it is most agreeable to the light of Nature, that they that are one People, should Unite together in carrying on Gods Worship, and should have Power to regulate and govern the several parts of that Body. Nature teaches, that every Kingdom should see that the Worship and Ordinances of God, be attended in the several Congregations therein.
That there are National Churches, does appear, First, from the light of Nature, the light of Nature teaches us, that Man was made for the Worship of God, that Man is fitted for Society, and the great end why he is so, is, that in Society he may carry on the Worship of God, and as the light of Nature teaches us, that lesser Societies ought to carry on the Worship of God in Conjunction, so that Kingdoms and Countrys should joyn together in promoting and advancing the Worship of God; it is most agreeable to the light of Nature, that they that are one People, should Unite together in carrying on Gods Worship, and should have Power to regulate and govern the several parts of that Body. Nature teaches, that every Kingdom should see that the Worship and Ordinances of God, be attended in the several Congregations therein.
2dly, From Gods appointing the Nation of the Jews to be one Church, Act. 7.38. And God has not appointed any new forms of Churches in the times of the New Testament; there are no other kinds of Churches appointed now; Congregational Churches are no new kind of Churches, but according to the Old Institution; for every Synagogue of the Jews was a Congregational Church, they had Ecclesiastical Rule and Government in them; they are called Churches by Christ,