B20736:249
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 4
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.
1. From the pattern of all the Churches, both in the old and new Testament, God never gave leave to any ordinary Officers ⟨p. 71⟩of his Church, neither did any of them take leave to impose any forms of Liturgy upon any Church. And yet if ever there had been place for prescribing set forms to any, it had been most seasonable in the Jewish Synagogues, whose members being as children under age, (Gal. 4.2, 3.) might stand in most need of such a help. It is easily acknowledged, Moses prescribed a form of blessing, Nunb. 6.23. to 26. and David sundry Psalms of praise and prayers; and the Lord Jesus taught his Disciples not only to pray after this manner, but thus, or these words, Luk. 11.2. But neither were these ordinary Officers of the Churches, neither did they prescribe any use but arbitrary and occasional of these forms; as they might suite our occasions. God by immediate revelation, and by the hand of his extraordinary Messengers, may prescribe this or that form to his Church, but will not warrant ordinary Officers (who have only received a common measure of the Spirit) to do the like. God who forbade his people to make to themselves Images or imaginations, inventions, and forms of worship, hath not restrained himself to set up what images or forms himself seeth good.
1. From the patterne of all the Churches, both in the old and new Testament, God never gave leave to any ordinary Officers ⟨p. 71⟩of his Church, neither did any of them take leave to impose any formes of Liturgie upon any Church. And yet if ever there had been place for prescribing set formes to any, it had been most seasonable in the Jewish Synagogues, whose members being as children under age, (Gal. 4.2, 3.) might stand in most need of such a help. It is easily acknowledged, Moses prescribed a forme of blessing, Nunb. 6.23. to 26. and David sundry Psalmes of praise and prayers; and the Lord Jesus taught his Disciples not onely to pray after this manner, but thus, or these words,