B20736:226
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 4 › Section 1
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 reason hereof (one in stead of many) is taken from the extent of the Commission of the Lord Jesus given to his Apostles, which is as large as ever was given to any Church-governors, and yet reacheth no further then to teach the people to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Mat. 28.20. If the Apostles themselves teach the Churches to observe more then he hath commanded them, they go beyond the bounds of their Commission. The Apostles in the Synod in Jerusalem, laid upon the Churches no other burden then necessary things, Acts 15.29. Necessary ⟨p. 66⟩they were, some of them in their own nature, others for the present estate of things to avoid offence, and when they ceased to be offensive, the prohibition of them ceased to bind.
Our reason hereof (one in stead of many) is taken from the extent of the Commission of the Lord Jesus given to his Apostles, which is as large as ever was given to any Church-governours, and yet reacheth no further then to teach the people to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Mat. 28.20. If the Apostles themselves teach the Churches to observe more then he hath commanded them, they goe beyond the bounds of their Commission. The Apostles in the Synod in Hierusalem, laid upon the Churches no other burden then necessary things, Acts 15.29. Necessary ⟨p. 66⟩they were, some of them in their own nature, others for the present estate of things to avoid offence, and when they ceased to be offensive, the prohibition of them ceased to binde.
Object. If any shall say, the Apostles Commission reacheth only to matters of substance, not circumstances, of worship and forms of necessity, not indifferency.