B20736:115
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…
The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches walking in brotherly equality, or co-ordination, without subjection of one church to another measured and examined bight golden reed of the sanctuary, containing a full declaration of the church-way in all particulars / by Mr. J. Cotton ...The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches walking in brotherly equalitie, or co-ordination, without subjection of one church to another measured and examined bythe golden reed of the sanctuary, containing a full declaration of the church-way in all particulars / by Mr. J. Cotton ...
London: printed by Matthew Simmons, 1645
THE Way of the Churches of Christ in NEW-ENGLAND, Measured by the G… › Chapter 2 › Section 2
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.
Answ. We do not say, that Church-Wardens and Vestry men, are the same with Ruling Elders; for though they are both chose by the body of the Church, yet in the choice, the qualifications of Ruling Elders are not attended to; nor are they so ordained, either with the like holy Solemnity, or invested with the same measure of spiritual power, nor allowed to continue for life, as Ruling Elders are, and ought to be; But yet such as they be, we may see in them some footsteps and remnants, (and as it were Rudera) of that holy and ancient Ordinance, so much as is escaped out of the ruins of Antichristian Apostasy: For to say nothing of Chancellors, Commissaries, and Officials, (who are mere Lay Elders, and yet administer Church-Government, not in one Church only, but in many scores of Churches,) what other thing soundeth the very name of Church-Wardens, Guardiani Ecclesiae, but Church-Guardians, or Church-Rulers? And what is the company of Vestrymen, but a kind of a Consistory?
Answ. Wee doe not say, that Church-Wardens and Vestry men, are the same with Ruling Elders; for though they are both chose by the body of the Church, yet in the choice, the qualifications of Ruling Elders are not attended to; nor are they so ordained, either with the like holy Solemnitie, or invested with the same measure of spirituall power, nor allowed to continue for life, as Ruling Elders are, and ought to be; But yet such as they be, wee may see in them some footsteps and remnants, (and as it were Rudera) of that holy and ancient Ordinance, so much as is escaped out of the ruines of Antichristian Apostasie: For to say nothing of Chancellors, Commissaries, and Officialls, (who are meere Lay Elders, and yet administer Church-Government, not in one Church onely, but in many scores of Churches,) what other thing soundeth the very name of Church-Wardens, Guardiani Ecclesiae, but Church-Guardians, or Church-Rulers? And what is the company of Vestrymen, but a kinde of a Consistory?
Secondly, Though by the Sophistry of Satan and of his Vicar (the man of sin) a great part of this care is transformed from ordering the spiritual body of the Church, to take care of the body of the material Church or Temple, yet what power of Government is left in any Congregation (besides Preaching the Word) the