B20736:194
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.
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, Mat. 22.12? And doth not expostulation intimate a Taxation also of them, by whose connivance he came in, where he saith, how comest thou in hither? And doth not Christ in the parable impute it to the sleepiness (that is, to the remissness and negligence) of his servants, that tares were sown in his field amongst the wheat, Mat. 13.25.38.39.
Thirdly, The Lord Jesus maketh the profession of the faith of his name, and such a profession as flesh and bloud hath not revealed to a man, but his heavenly Father; to be the rocke on which his visible Church is built; for he speaketh of such a Church whereunto he committeth the keys of his kingdome, and that is the visible Church, Mat. 16.16. to 19. Now if such a profession be the rocke and foundation of a visible Church, then wee shall build a Church without a foundation, if wee receive such members into the Church as doe not hold forth such a profession, but either through ignorance make no profession at all, or such a verball profession as savoureth not of any blessed worke 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, Mat. 22.12