B20736:192
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 3 › Section 3
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.
First, From the near relation between Christ Jesus, and the Church; as also between the Church and the other persons in the Trinity: the Lord Jesus is the head of the Church, even of the visible Church; and the visible Church is the body of Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. 12.27. The visible Church is said to be the habitation of God by the Spirit, Eph. 2.22. to be the Temple of the holy Ghost, and the Spirit of God to dwell in them, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. to be Espoused to Christ as a chaste Virgin, 2 Cor. 11.2. The members of the visible Church are said to be the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty, 2 Cor. 6.18. and are exhorted to be followers of him as dear children, Eph. 4.1. Now how can the visible Church be the members of the body, or the Spouse of Christ, or the Temple of the Holy Ghost, or the sons and daughters of the heavenly Father, except the members in charitable discretion be (as indeed the holy Ghost describeth them to be) Saints by calling, (1 Cor. 1.2.) and faithful brethren, ⟨p. 57⟩Gal. 1.2. and that not only by external profession, for these are too high stiles for hypocrites, but in some measure of sincerity and truth.
First, From the neare relation between Christ Jesus, and the Church; as also between the Church and the other persons in the Trinitie: the Lord Jesus is the head of the Church, even of the visible Church; and the visible Church is the body of Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. 12.27. The visible Church is said to be the habitation of God by the Spirit,