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…

Name: The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…
Author: John Cotton

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 ...

John Cotton 1584–1652London: printed by M. Simmons for Henry Overton, 1644

[12], 59 p. · 31k words · Wing C6437

Title page typeset from the transcription.

Of the Keys of the Kingdom of HEAVEN, and the Power thereof; accor… › Chapter 7: Touching the first Subject of all the forementioned power of the Keys. And an explanat…Of the Keys of the Kingdome of HEAVEN, and the Power thereof; accor… › Chapter 7: Touching the first Subject of all the forementioned power of the Keyes. And an explanat…

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.

[ Earlier:169–184 of 271

:169p. 34¶1

1. From the charge of rule over the Church committed to them immediately from Christ: For though the Elders be chosen to their office by the church of Brethren, yet the office it self is ordained immediately by Christ, and the rule annexed to the office, is limited by Christ only. If the Brethren of the church should elect a presbytery to be called by them in the Lord, this will not excuse the Presbyters in their neglect of rule, either before the Lord, or to their own consciences. For thus runneth the Apostles charge to the Elders of Ephesus, (Act. 20.28.) Take heed to your selves, and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you over-seers.

1. From the charge of rule over the Church committed to them immediatly from Christ: For though the Elders be chosen to their office by the church of Brethren, yet the office it self is ordained immediatly by Christ, and the rule annexed to the office, is limited by Christ only. If the Brethren of the church should elect a presbyterie to be called by them in the Lord, this will not excuse the Presbyters in their neglect of rule, either before the Lord, or to their own consciences. For thus runneth the Apostles charge to the Elders of Ephesus, (Act. 20.28.) Take heed to your selves, and to the whole flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you over-seers.

:170p. 34–35¶2

2. The same appeareth from the gift of rule, required especially in an Elder, without which they are not capable of election to that office in the church, 1 Tim. 3, 4, 5. He must be one that is able to rule well his own house, or else how shall he order the church of God? The like gift of rule is not necessary to the admission of a member into the church, as to the election of an Elder: If a private brother be not so well able (through weakness in prudence or courage) to rule his own house, it will not justly debar him from entrance into the church; but the like defect will justly debar a man from election to the office of an Elder. Neither hath God given a spirit of

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