B20736:352
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. 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.
Answ. All such disorder is easily and timely prevented by the Elders, who have power from Christ to restrain any mans speech, whilest another is speaking; and to cut off any means speech that groweth either impertinent or intemperate: the Elders having received in speciall manner the power of the keys, they have power to open and shut the dores of speech and silence, in which respect the government of the Church is not meerly democraticall, but (as the best governments be) of a mixt temper; in respect of Christ (whose voyce only must be heard, and his rule kept) it is a Monarchy; in respect of the peoples power in choosing officers, and joynt 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 publike ministery, 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 evill is by the wisdome of Christ safely avoided and prevented.