B20736:404
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
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.
2. Let such of the people, as are of good knowledge in the ways of God, and of approved conversation, take up that course which the Service-book (as hath been said) giveth an hint of; Renew their Covenant formerly made in Baptism, professing their faith and repentance, and promising Reformation of life, not only in their private conversation, but also in their public Communion in the Church of God, yielding professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ in the fellowship of all his holy Ordinances.
2. Let such of the people, as are of good knowledge in the wayes of God, and of approved conversation, take up that course which the Service-book (as hath been said) giveth an hint of; Renue their Covenant formerly made in Baptisme, professing their faith and repentance, and promising Reformation of life, not onely in their private conversation, but also in their publick Communion in the Church of God, yeelding professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ in the fellowship of all his holy Ordinances.
3. Let no Minister, that loves the Lord Jesus better then his own belly, stand upon his advocation from his Patron, but rather expect his vocation from his people.
4. For this end let every Patron restore his jus patronatus to the Church. Or if it seem too hard a thing for them to part so freely with their freehold, (though they ought freely to give unto Christ, who have received freely from him) the Parliament may be pleased to give them a competent part of the revenues of the Benefice, ⟨p. 114⟩(as they call it) and annex it to their own private inheritance, reserving so much to the use of the Church, as may strengthen their hands in a sufficient maintenance of their Ministry; for though things dedicated to sacred use, cannot be alienated, or diverted to private use without sacrilege, yet that holdeth in such things as are so dedicated to sacred use, as that the Lord accepteth as sacred to himself: But God no where in the new Testament, hath expressed his acceptance, or allowance of lands, dedicated to the ministry, but only to the service of the whole Church, and then for the Churches service they may be disposed of by their consent; as sometimes the Kings and Princes of Israel gave away the treasures of the Temple, to save themselves from captivity,