B20736:193
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.
Secondly, We read Act. 2.47. that the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved; and how then shall we add to the Church such as God addeth not? such as have no show of any saving work upon them to any spiritual discerning? ought not the Lords Stewards to be faithful in Gods house, and to do nothing therein, but as they see the Lord go before them? receiving whom he receiveth, and refusing whom he refuseth, casting out whom he casteth out. Doth not the Apostle Paul upon this ground direct the Romans to receive a weak believer, because the Lord hath received him? Rom. 14.1, 2, 3.
Secondly, We reade Act. 2.47. that the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved; and how then shall wee adde to the Church such as God addeth not? such as have no shew of any saving worke upon them to any spirituall discerning? ought not the Lords Stewards to be faithfull in Gods house, and to doe nothing therein, but as they see the Lord goe before them? receiving whom he receiveth, and refusing whom he refuseth, casting out whom he casteth out. Doth not the Apostle Paul upon this ground direct the Romanes to receive a weak beleever, because the Lord hath received him? Rom. 14.1, 2, 3.
Thirdly, The Lord Jesus maketh the profession of the faith of his name, and such a profession as flesh and blood hath not revealed to a man, but his heavenly Father; to be the rock on which his visible Church is built; for he speaketh of such a Church whereunto he committeth the keys of his kingdom, and that is the visible Church, Mat. 16.16. to 19. Now if such a profession be the rock and foundation of a visible Church, then we shall build a Church without a foundation, if we receive such members into the Church as do not hold forth such a profession, but either through ignorance make no profession at all, or such a verbal profession as savoureth not of any blessed work of the Father by his Spirit upon their hearts. And doth not the lord expostulate with such a guest as comes into the fellowship of his Church, even unto his Table, not having a wedding garment,