B20736:350
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. 2. Though the government were democratical (as it is not) yet there is no tumultuous disorder, where not the will of each man beareth the sway, but the voice of Christ alone is heard, who is the Head and wise Monarch of the Church.
Answ. 2. Though the government were democraticall (as it is not) yet there is no tumultuous disorder, where not the will of each man beareth the sway, but the voyce of Christ alone is heard, who is the Head and wise Monarch of the Church.
Object. If it be said, tumult, and disturbance, and confusion cannot be avoided where the multitude have all of them, not only leave, but power to speak, and one will be ready to take the word out of the others mouth, and one of them to thwart and contradict one another; and will not this make the Church of Christ a confluence of Cyclops?
Answ. All such disorder is easily and timely prevented by the Elders, who have power from Christ to restrain any mans speech, whilst another is speaking; and to cut off any means speech that groweth either impertinent or intemperate: the Elders having received in special manner the power of the keys, they have power to open and shut the doors of speech and silence, in which respect the government of the Church is not merely democratical, but (as the best governments be) of a mixed temper; in respect of Christ (whose voice only must be heard, and his rule kept) it is a Monarchy; in respect of the peoples power in choosing officers, and joint power with the officers in admitting members, in censuring offenders, it is a Democracy; in respect of the officers instruction and reproof of the people in the public ministry, and in ordering of all things in the Assembly, it is an Aristocracy; what is found ⟨p. 101⟩good in any civill government, is in Church-government; and what is found evil is by the wisdom of Christ safely avoided and prevented.