B20736:130
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 4
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.
SECT. IV.
Having thus declared what are the Officers we desire to supply each of our Churches withal; we come now to declare in what manner they are Chosen and Ordained unto their Offices.
HAving thus declared what are the Officers wee desire to supply each of our Churches withall; wee come now to declare in what manner they are Chosen and Ordained unto their Offices.
When therefore any of the Churches are destitute of any of these Officers, the Brethren of the Church (according to the Apostles advice, in defect of Deacons, and so in defect of all other Officers) they look out from amongst themselves, such persons as are in some measure qualified according to the direction of the Word; Elders according to 1 Tim. 3.2. to 7. Tit. 1.6. to 9. Deacons according to Acts 6.3. 1 Tim. 3.8. to 12. For the Church hath not absolute power to choose whom they list, but ministerial power only, to choose whom Christ hath chosen, hath gifted and fitted for them. If the Church can find out none such in their own body, they send to any other Church for fit supply, and each Church looketh at it as their duty to be mutually helpful one to another, in yielding what supply they may, without too much prejudice to themselves, according to