B20736:158
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 8
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. Timothy and Titus were not left to ordain Elders as Bishops, but as Evangelists, whose office was alike extraordinary in the Church, as that of Apostles and Prophets, (Eph. 4.11.) Their work being to follow the Apostles, and so set forward the work which the Apostles had begun, whereto the Apostles called them forth, and directed them; And not to keep settled residence in any one Church, as Elders do, or in any one Nation of Churches, as Bishops do: Timothy is expressly commanded to do the work of an Evangelist, 2 Tim. 4.5. And Titus was not ordained a Bishop at Crete, but left in Crete, as having travelled up and down with Paul, Gal. 2.3. and coming to Crete was left to direct the Cretan believers in their Church-affairs, after Pauls departure: afterwards he departed to Dalmatia, 2 Tim. 4.10. Sometimes Paul appointed him to meet him at Nicopolis, Tit. 3.12. Sometimes he sent him to Corinth, 2 Cor. 12.18. And commends him (as his partner and fellow-helper) to the Church of Corinth: And at Troas, Paul found no rest in his spirit, because he found not Titus his Brother, 2 Cor. 2.13. And in Macedonia he found much comfort, because he found Titus there, 2 Cor. 7.5, 6. Which argueth his calling was not Episcopal to rest in a certain charge, but to travel up and down with the Apostles, or after them, or whither the Holy Ghost should lead them forth to help forward the work of Christ, and the Apostles.
Answ. Timothy and Titus were not left to ordaine Elders as Bishops, but as Evangelists, whose office was alike extraordinary in the Church, as that of Apostles and Prophets, (Eph. 4.11.) Their work being to follow the Apostles, and so set forward the work which the Apostles had begun, whereto the Apostles called them forth, and directed them; And not to keepe setled residence in any one Church, as Elders doe, or in any one Nation of Churches, as Bishops doe: Timothy is expresly commanded to doe the work of an Evangelist,