B20736:291
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 6
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.
Neither is it credible, that the Apostles would baptize any, that is, apply to them the seal of the Covenant given unto the Church, before they had taught them the Covenant it self, and entered them into it, in which regard we cannot easily think, that when Peter baptized Cornelius and his family, he did only perceive they had received the holy Ghost, and evidently professed the same in new tongues, (Acts 10.45, 46, 47.) but that he did also gather them into one body, directing them to the spiritual use of the newly received gifts in the Communion of Saints, and baptized them into the fellowship of the Lord Jesus, and of one another in his Name.
Neither is it credible, that the Apostles would baptize any, that is, apply to them the seale of the Covenant given unto the Church, before they had taught them the Covenant it selfe, and entred them into it, in which regard wee cannot easily thinke, that when Peter baptized Cornelius and his family, he did onely perceive they had received the holy Ghost, and evidently professed the same in new tongues, (Acts 10.45, 46, 47.) but that he did also gather them into one body, directing them to the spirituall use of the newly received gifts in the Communion of Saints, and baptized them into the fellowship of the Lord Jesus, and of one another in his Name.
Thirdly, We answer, as the Apostles were transcendent Officers of the Church, so they received transcendent power to administer ⟨p. 83⟩their work. As the Father sent Christ, so Christ sent them, Job. 20.21. to wit, Cum amplitudine & plenitudine potestatis, with all fullness of power, so that any one Apostle received both the gifts and power of all the Officers of the Church. Any Apostle might do the work, not only of an Apostle, but of a Prophet, of an Evangelist, of a Pastor, of a Teacher, of a Deacon.