B20736:393
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 7 › Section 1
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.
SECT. I.
WE take not upon us as [Greek or Hebrew], to prescribe unto our Brethren in England, (men of their Churches, and eminent lights in the world) what course to take in pursuing and perfecting the great work of Reformation in England; Nay, we know our own Tenuity, the store of business enough, which we have to attend unto near home: Nevertheless, as we cannot cease to pray for, and seek their good as our own; so we cannot but rejoice with them to behold that open door which God hath set before them, and with that all their hearts were so far enlarged towards the Lord, and to his waves, as we hear his hand is enlarged towards them. Only being absent in body, but present in spirit, we crave leave to bear witness to them, and with them; That if the Lord be pleased to prosper his work amongst them, it is possible to reduce the estate of the Congregations in England, to such a reformation, as is suitable to the pattern revealed in the Gospel, according to the way of Primitive simplicity, described above.
WEE take not upon us as 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, to prescribe unto our Brethren in England, (men of their Churches, and eminent lights in the world) what course to take in pursuing and perfecting the great worke of Reformation in England; Nay, wee know our own Tenuity, the store of busines enough, which wee have to attend unto neere home: Neverthelesse, as wee cannot cease to pray for, and seek their good as our own; so wee cannot but rejoyce with them to behold that open doore which God hath set before them, and with that all their hearts were so far enlarged towards the Lord, and to his waves, as wee heare his hand is enlarged towards them. Onely being absent in body, but present in spirit, wee crave leave to beare witnesse to them, and with them; That if the Lord be pleased to prosper his worke amongst them, it is possible to reduce the estate of the Congregations in England, to such a reformation, as is sutable to the patterne revealed in the Gospel, according to the way of Primitive simplicitie, described above.