B20736:345
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 5 › 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.
Answ. 1. There is no word in the Text that attributeth any power to the Presbytery apart, or singularly above the rest: But as the reproof is directed to them all, for not mourning and taking the offence to heart, that the offender might be taken away from amongst them, (ver. 1.2.) so is Commandment directed to them all, when they are gathered together, to proceed unto the casting of him out: In like sort, in the end of the Chapter, he exhorteth them all again, Put away therefore (saith he) from amongst you that wicked person, ver. 13. and that by a judicial power, (to wit, as under Christ) do not ye judge them that are within, ver. 12. And lest this Judgement should be restrained to the Presbyters only, he magnifieth the judgements of the Saints, taking occasion from hence to stretch their Judicature, in some cases, even to Civill matters also; Know ye not (saith he) that the Saints shall judge the world? yea the Angels, 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. And thereupon he encourageth them to betrust the deciding of any Civill Cause depending between Brethren, to the Judicature of the meanest Brother in the Church, (ver. 4.) rather then to fly suddenly unto Civill Magistrates, especially amongst the Heathen.
Answ. 1. There is no word in the Text that attributeth any power to the Presbytery apart, or singularly above the rest: But as the reproofe is directed to them all, for not mourning and taking the offence to heart, that the offender might be taken away from amongst them, (ver. 1.2.) so is Commandement directed to them all, when they are gathered together, to proceed unto the casting of him out: In like sort, in the end of the Chapter, he exhorteth them all againe, Put away therefore (saith he) from amongst you that wicked person, ver. 13. and that by a judiciall power, (to wit, as under Christ) doe not yee judge them that are within, ver. 12. And lest this Judgement should be restrained to the Presbyters onely, he magnifieth the judgements of the Saints, taking occasion from hence to stretch their Judicature, in some cases, even to Civill matters also; Know yee not (saith he) that the Saints shall judge the world? yea the Angels, 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. And thereupon he incourageth them to betrust the deciding of any Civill Cause depending between Brethren, to the Judicature of the meanest Brother in the Church, (ver. 4.) rather then to fly suddenly unto Civill Magistrates, especially amongst the Heathen.