B20736:38
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 1 › Section 2
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.
Now because (through the grace of Christ) our Christian Magistrates are nursing Fathers to the Church, and the Churches already established, are carried not only with a pious desire to enlarge the kingdom of Christ, but also with brotherly love to such as intend so good a work; those Christians therefore that desire to enter into Church-fellowship together, do acquaint the Governor, and some of the nearest Magistrates, and those Churches which are next adjoining to them, with their intentions to enter into Church-fellowship, and crave the presence of some from amongst them (at the day appointed, some few weeks after) to help them with their prayers, and with their counsel, (if need should be) in so weighty a business, as being themselves for the most part, less experienced in the ways of Christs Kingdom, then those who have gone before them in such a work; as also desiring to approve themselves and their course, to the consciences of the Brethren of other Churches, that they may more freely give them the right hand of fellowship, and so receive them to all Brotherly communion in the Lord, amongst the rest of the Churches; and this agreeth with the last part of the fifth Proposition.
Now because (through the grace of Christ) our Christian Magistrates are nursing Fathers to the Church, and the Churches already established, are carried not onely with a pious desire to enlarge the kingdome of Christ, but also with brotherly love to such as intend so good a worke; those Christians therefore that desire to enter into Church-fellowship together, doe acquaint the Governour, and some of the neerest Magistrates, and those Churches which are next adjoyning to them, with their intentions to enter into Church-fellowship, and crave the presence of some from amongst them (at the day appointed, some few weeks after) to helpe them with their prayers, and with their counsell, (if need should be) in so weightie a businesse, as being themselves for the most part, lesse experienced in the wayes of Christs Kingdome, then those who have gone before them in such a worke; as also desiring to approve themselves and their course, to the consciences of the Brethren of other Churches, that they may more freely give them the right hand of fellowship, and so receive them to all Brotherly communion in the Lord, amongst the rest of the Churches; and this agreeth with the last part of the fift Proposition.