B20727:97
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.
For 1. It cannot well be conceived that the whole Presbytery should be proceeded against, but that by reason of their strong influence into the hearts of many of the Brethren, a strong party of the Brethren will be ready to side with them: and in case of finding dissension and opposition, the Church ought not to proceed without consulting with the Synod. As when there arose dissension in the ⟨p. 16⟩Church at Antioch, and SIDING, (or as the word is [Greek or Hebrew]) they sent up to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, who in way of Synod determined the business, Act. 15.2. to 23. A precedent and pattern of due Church proceedings in case of dissension, when some take with one side, some with another. But of that more here after.
For 1. It cannot well be conceived that the whole Presbytery should be proceeded against, but that by reason of their strong influence into the hearts of many of the Brethren, a strong partie of the Brethren will be ready to side with them: and in case of finding dissension and opposition, the Church ought not to proceed without consulting with the Synod. As when there arose dissension in the ⟨p. 16⟩Church at Antioch, and SIDING, (or as the word is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉) they sent up to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem, who in way of Synod determined the businesse, Act. 15.2. to 23. A precedent and patterne of due Church proceedings in case of dissension, when some take with one side, some with another. But of that more here after.
2. Excommunication is one of the highest acts of Rule in the Church, and therefore cannot be performed but by some Rulers. Now where all the Elders are culpable, there be no Rulers left in that Church to censure them. As therefore the Presbytery cannot excommunicate the whole Church, (though Apostate) for they must tell the Church, and join with the Church in that Censure: so neither can the Church excommunicate the whole Presbytery, because they have not received from Christ an office of rule, without their Officers.