B20727:185
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. Now we come to the third branch of the third Proposition, which was this. That the Church of a particular congregation, Elders and Brethren walking and joining together in truth and peace, are the first subject of all Church-power, needful to be exercised within themselves, whether in the election or ordination of officers, or in the censure of offenders in their own body.
3. Now we come to the third branch of the third Proposition, which was this. That the Church of a particular congregation, Elders and Brethren walking and joyning together in truth and peace, are the first subject of all Church-power, needfull to be exercised within themselves, whether in the election or ordination of officers, or in the censure of offenders in their own body.
The truth hereof may appear by these Arguments. 1 In point of ordination. From the complete integrity of a Ministers calling (oven to the satisfaction of his own and the peoples conscience) when both the Brethren and the Elders of the particular Church whereto he is called, have put forth the power which belongeth to them about him. As, when the Brethren of the Church have chosen him to office, and the Presbytery of the Church have laid their hands upon him: and both of them in their several acts have due respect to the inward ministerial gifts whereunto God hath furnished him: he may then look at himself as called by the holy Ghost, to exercise his talents in that office amongst them, and the people may and ought to receive him, as sent of God to them.
The truth hereof may appear by these Arguments. 1 In point of ordination. From the compleat integritie of a Ministers calling (oven to the satisfaction of his own and the peoples conscience) when both the Brethren and the Elders of the particular Church whereto he is called, have put forth the power which belongeth to them about him. As, when the Brethren of the Church have chosen him to office, and the Presbyterie of the Church have laied their hands upon him: and both of them in their severall acts have due respect to the inward ministeriall gifts whereunto God hath furnished him: he may then look at himself as called by the holy Ghost, to exercise his talents in that office amongst them, and the people may and ought to receive him, as sent of God to them.