A87820:39
A moderate answer unto Dr. Bastwicks book; called Independency not Gods ordinance. Wherein is…A moderate answer vnto Dr. Bastvvicks book; called Independency not Gods ordinance. Wherein is…
A moderate answer unto Dr. Bastwicks book; called Independency not Gods ordinance. Wherein is declared the manner how some churches in this city were gathered, and upon what terms their members were admitted; that so both the Dr. and the reader may judge, how near some believers who walk together in the fellowship of the gospel, do come in their practice to these apostolical rules which are propounded by the Dr. as Gods method in gathering churches and admitting members. / By Hanserd Knollys. Printed and published according to order. Imprimatur, Ja: Cranford.A moderate answer vnto Dr. Bastvvicks book; called Independency not Gods ordinance. Wherein is declared the manner how some churches in this city were gathered, and upon what tearmes their members were admitted; that so both the Dr. and the reader may judge, how near some beleevers who walk together in the fellowship of the gospell, do come in their practice to these apostolicall rules which are propounded by the Dr. as Gods method in gethering churches and admitting members. / By Hanserd Knollys. Printed and published according to order. Imprimatur, Ja: Cranford.
London: printed by Jane Coe, 1645London: printed by Iane Coe, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
Now this liberty have all the disciples in the like case, because Jerusalem the Mother church is the pattern of all other the Daughter Churches, as the Doctor confesseth, yea affirmeth, page 97. And saith, all men acknowledge, That the Mother Church must give an example of government to all the Daughter churches. And this is also by the Doctor acknowledged, page 102. to be a part of the power of the Keys, to open and shut the doors of the Church; that is, to admit such as are for their Faith, Knowledge and Repentance sufficiently qualified, and fitted to be made members, and to refuse such, as are not fit to be received into the fellowship of the church; either for their Ignorance or other sins and offences, &c. Now, then when it doth evidently appear. That the Disciples or Brethren (not to say Sisters, though they are Disciples also) of the Church in Jerusalem (in her most flourishing condition) had this liberty to ⟨p. 17⟩declare their fears, and the ground thereof against Paul, who was at that time a Believer, a Baptized person, & a Preacher, or minister of the Gospel, so that although, he came, and assayed, to be joined to the Disciples, and be admitted a member among them, that he might have fellowship with them in the worship, and ordinances of the Gospel: Yet was thereby hindered from admittance until Barnabas witnessed his condition and conversation to the Apostle, and then he was with them coming in & going out at Jerusalem. How can the Doctor make good, that 'The Presbyters alone without the consent of Brethren may admit members, and cast out members, and that the Brethren or the congregation hath nothing to do to hinder any such thing, page 102.106.
Now this liberty have all the disciples in the like case, because Ierusalem the Mother church is the pattern of all other the Daughter Churches, as the Doctor confesseth, yea affirmeth, page 97. And saith, all men acknowledge, That the Mother Church must give an example of government to all the Daughter churches. And this is also by the Doctor acknowledged, page 102. to be a part of the power of the Keyes, to open and shut the doores of the Church; that is, to admit such as are for their Faith, Knowledge and Repentance sufficiently qualified, and fitted to be made members, and to refuse such, as are not fit to be recived into the fellowship of the church; either for their Ignorance or other sins and offences, &c. Now, then when it doth evidently appear. That the Disciples or Brethren (not to say Sisters, though they are Disciples also) of the Church in Jerusalem (in her most flourishing condition) had this libertie to declare