B20736:169
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 9
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.
Our Reasons be;
Reason. 1 First, Ordination by imposition of hands, is a work of Church Power, as all men acknowledge: Now as no Church hath Power over another, but all of them stand in Brotherly equality one towards another; so the Presbytery of one Church, hath no Power over the Elders of another. As the Apostles having all of them received the same Commission (Joh. 20.23.) had none of them power over another; so the Churches having received all of them the same power of the keys, (as hath been showed above) they none of them have power over another, and therefore no power of ordination of one another's Officers.
Reason. 1 First, Ordination by imposition of hands, is a work of Church Power, as all men acknowledge: Now as no Church hath Power over another, but all of them stand in Brotherly equalitie one towards another; so the Presbytery of one Church, hath no Power over the Elders of another. As the Apostles having all of them received the same Commission (Joh. 20.23.) had none of them power over another; so the Churches having received all of them the same power of the keys, (as hath been shewed above) they none of them have power over another, and therefore no power of ordination of one anothers Officers.
Reason. 2 As every Church hath equally received the same power of the keys, so ought they to maintain and stand fast in the same; The power of the keys as it is a privilege and liberty purchased to the Church by the blood of the Lord Jesus; so at a less rate it may not be alienated from the Church. Christ by his death and resurrection hath obtained all power, both in heaven and in earth,