B20727:136
The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…
The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word of God / by Mr. John Cotton ...The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word of God / by Mr. Iohn Cotton ...
London: printed by M. Simmons for Henry Overton, 1644
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.
3. It may so fall out, that the state of all the churches in the country may be corrupted; and beginning to discern their corruption, may desire the concurse and counsel of one another, for a speedy, and safe, and general reformation. And then so meeting and conferring together, may renew their covenant with God, and conclude and determine upon a course, that may tend to the public healing, and salvation of them all. This was a frequent practice in the old Testament, in the time of Asa, 2 Cron. 15.10. to 15. in the time of Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 29.4. to 19. In the time of Josiah, 2 Chron. 34.29. to 33. and in the time of Ezra, Ezra 10.1. to 5. These and the like examples were not peculiar to the Israelites, as one entire national church: For in that respect they appealed from every Synagogue and Court in Israel, to the national high Priest, and Court at Jerusalem, as being all of them subordinate thereunto (and therefore that precedent is usually waved by our best Divines, as not appliable to Christian churches:) but these examples hold forth no superiority in one church or court over another, but all of them in an equal manner, give advice in common, and take one common course for redress of all. And therefore such examples are fit precedents ⟨p. 25⟩for churches of equal power within themselves, to assemble together, and take order with one accord, for the reformation of them all.
3. It may so fall out, that the state of all the churches in the countrey may be corrupted; and beginning to discern their corruption, may desire the concurse and counsell of one another, for a speedy, and safe, and generall reformation. And then so meeting and conferring together, may renew their covenant with God, and conclude and determine upon a course, that may tend to the publike healing, and salvation of them all. This was a frequent practice in the old Testament, in the time of Asa, 2 Cron. 15.10. to 15. in the time of Hezekiah, 2 Chron. 29.4. to 19. In the time of Josiah,