B20736:148
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 7
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. VII.
Object. 1. The Church is not the first subject and receptacle of all Ecclesiastical power; For though the Church elect a Pastor or other Elder, yet the office of a Pastor is from Christ, Eph. 4.8. And so is his Authority from Christ also; And if he have neither his Office, nor his Authority from the Church, how can he be ordained by the imposition of the hands of the Church?
Object. 1. THe Church is not the first subject and receptacle of all Ecclesiasticall power; For though the Church elect a Pastor or other Elder, yet the office of a Pastor is from Christ, Eph. 4.8. And so is his Authoritie from Christ also; And if he have neither his Office, nor his Authoritie from the Church, how can he be ordained by the imposition of the hands of the Church?
Answ. 1. Though the office of a Pastor in general be immediately from Christ, and the authority from him also, yet the application of this office, and of this authority to this elect person, is by the Church; and therefore the Church hath sufficient and just warrant, as to elect and call a Presbyter unto office, so to ordain him to it, by imposition of hands: They that have Power to elect a King, have power also to depute some in their name to set the Crown upon his head.
Answ. 1. Though the office of a Pastor in generall be immediately from Christ, and the authoritie from him also, yet the application of this office, and of this authoritie to this elect person, is by the Church; and therefore the Church hath sufficient and just warrant, as to elect and call a Presbyter unto office, so to ordaine him to it, by imposition of hands: They that have Power to elect a King, have power also to depute some in their name to set the Crowne upon his head.