A80640:577
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the…
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A dissuasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book entitled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A disswasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book intituled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.
London: printed by Matthew Simmons for John Bellamie, 1648
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.
But yet this giveth the more just ground of denying the Major Proposition. That to them only are the Keys promised, who are the stewards and servants of the House by Office. The Matter familias in the House, hath Keys of power over her children, and servants, and yet is neither steward nor servant of the House.
But yet this giveth the more just ground of denying the Major Proposition. That to them only are the Keyes promised, who are the stewards and servants of the House by Office. The Mater familias in the House, hath Keyes of power over her children, and servants, and yet is neither steward nor servant of the House.
It is true, the Keys are a symbol of power. And power is either Supreme, and Sovereign; or Subordinate, and Subservient. Sovereign power in the Church belongeth to the Lord Jesus, who is therefore said to have the Key of David, to open and none to shut; to shut, and none to open. Rev. 3.7.
It is true, the Keyes are a symbole of power. And power is either Supreme, and Soveraigne; or Subordinate, and Subservient. Soveraign power in the Church belongeth to the Lord Jesus, who is therefore said to have the Key of David, to open and none to shut; to shut, and none to open. Rev. 3.7.
And yet in proper speech, Christ, is no Church Officer, no officer in the Church, (unless it be to God the Father) no more then the King can be said to be an Officer in the Common-wealth. Officers are of an inferior rank, Deut. 16.18. But subordinate power is two-fold: 1. [Greek or Hebrew], Officiaria Potestas, stewardly Ministerial Office-Power. And secondly, Honoraria Potestas, an honourable Power: such as a King going into a far Country may leave to his Queen; whom though He leave her subject to the Laws and Officers of his Court and Kingdom; yet he betrusteth her with this power, that in defect of officers, she all have power to choose new, according to the Law: and together with the officers, joint power, either to admit servants into her family, or upon just cause to remove any of them out of her Family. And that Christ (the King, and Husband of his Church) being gone himself in bodily presence into a far Country, hath left this honourable power to his Church, as to choose their own officers, to join in admission of Members, and censure of Offenders; I presume Mr Rutterford will not gainsay. To give a touch of each; Plain it is, that when Deacons were to be chosen into office, the Apostles referred the choice of them to the multitude of Brethren, and they performed it.