The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…

Object. 1. It is not credible that the office of Ruling Elders should be of Divine or Apostolical Institution, and no footsteps left of it in any Church of Christ, for these many hundred years. Popery it self, though it corrupted all Ordinances, yet retaineth some footsteps of every Ordinance of Christ, though much perverted ⟨p. 34⟩from the first Institution: But there are no footsteps at all of those Ruling Elders extant, in any Church, but those of Geneva, and such as have followed their pattern. For though some tell us of Church-Wardens and Vestry men in the Parish Churches of England, who assist the Preachers in the governing of the Church, yet there is a great difference between them and Ruling Elders; For these Church-Wardens and Vestry men, are appointed not for assistance to the Ministers in governing the Church, but for other purposes: As Church-Wardens for keeping the Churches stock, and laying it out upon necessary repairs of the place of Gods Worship, (called the Church) and the Vestry being a company of the wisest and richest Parishioners, that have been, or are to be Church-Wardens, are exercised in auditing the accounts of the Church-Wardens and Collectors for the poor. And though now and then they are taken up in admonishing an unruly neighbour, yet they do it not by Authority, as Rulers, but by Christian discretion and charity.

Object. 1. It is not credible that the office of Ruling Elders should be of Divine or Apostolicall Institution, and no footsteps left of it in any Church of Christ, for these many hundred yeares. Popery it selfe, though it corrupted all Ordinances, yet retaineth some footsteps of every Ordinance of Christ, though much perverted ⟨p. 34⟩from the first Institution: But there are no footsteps at all of those Ruling Elders extant, in any Church, but those of Genevah, and such as have followed their patterne. For though some tell us of Church-Wardens and Vestry men in the Parish Churches of England, who assist the Preachers in the governing of the Church, yet there is a great difference between them and Ruling Elders; For these Church-Wardens and Vestry men, are appointed not for assistance to the Ministers in governing the Church, but for other purposes: As Church-Wardens for keeping the Churches stock, and laying it out upon necessary repaires of the place of Gods Worship, (called the Church) and the Vestry being a company of the wisest and richest Parishioners, that have been, or are to be Church-Wardens, are exercised in auditing the accompts of the Church-Wardens and Collectors for the poore. And though now and then they are taken up in admonishing an unruly neighbour, yet they doe it not by Authoritie, as Rulers, but by Christian discretion and charitie.