B20727:262
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.
It is also wholesome, as tending to maintain brotherly love, and soundness of doctrine in Churches, and to prevent many offences, which may grow up in this or that particular Church, when it transacteth all such things within it self without consent.
It is also wholsome, as tending to maintain brotherly love, and soundnesse of doctrine in Churches, and to prevent many offences, which may grow up in this or that particular Church, when it transacteth all such things within it self without consent.
It is likewise an holy ordinance of Christ, as having just warrant from a like precedent. The Apostles were as much independent from one another, and stood in as little need of one another's help, as Churches do one of another. And yet Paul went up to Jerusalem, to confer with Peter, James and John, lest he should run in vain in the course of his ministry, Galat. 2.2. And though in conference the chief Apostles added nothing to Paul, ver. 6. yet when they perceived the Gospel of the uncircumcision was committed to Paul and Barnabas, as that of the circumcision to Peter, James and John, they gave unto one another the right hand of fellowship. ver. 9. Now then it will follow by just proportion, that if the Apostles who are each of them independent one of another, had need to consult and confer together about the work of their ministry, to procure the freer passage to their calling, and to their doctrine: then surely Churches, and Elders of Churches, though independent one of another, had need to communicate their courses and proceedings in such cases one with another, to procure the freer passage to the same. And if ⟨p. 56⟩the Apostles, giving right hand of fellowship one to another, did mutually strengthen their hands in the work of the ministry: then the Elders of Churches, giving right hand of fellowship to one another in their ordination, or upon any fit occasion, cannot but much encourage and strengthen the hearts and hands of one another in the Lords work.