B20736:415
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.
13. Till the people be in some sort duly prepared, and grown up to some measure of knowledge, and grace, it were neither meet to receive them to a renewing of their Covenant formerly made at their Baptism, or to the seals of it. But after they have been wrought upon by the Ministry of the Word, to lament after the Lord; as the Israelites did when the Ark had been long absent from them, 1 Sam. 7.29. then let them proceed as other godly Christians were directed to do, Propos. 2, 3, &c. for renewing of their Covenant, for choice of their Ministers, and Officers, and for Communication in all the liberties of the Church of God.
13. Till the people be in some sort duly prepared, and growne up to some measure of knowledge, and grace, it were neither meet to receive them to a renewing of their Covenant formerly made at their Baptisme, or to the seales of it. But after they have been wrought upon by the Ministery of the Word, to lament after the Lord; as the Israelites did when the Arke had been long absent from them, 1 Sam. 7.29. then let them proceed as other godly Christians were directed to doe, Propos. 2, 3, &c. for renewing of their Covenant, for choice of their Ministers, and Officers, and for Communication in all the liberties of the Church of God.
14. For the help of the Universities (of the whole Kingdom, and of all the Churches in it) it were necessary, that some experienced godly learned Nobles and Ministers were deputed, to visit and reform the Universities; That subscriptions to Ceremonies and prescript Liturgies were removed; That degrees in Divinity were not abused unto qualifications for pluralities, and non-residency, nor allowed in the Ministers of Churches, to put a difference between brethren of the same calling, whence Christ hath removed it, Mat. 23.8, 9, 10. The [Greek or Hebrew] there mentioned, is not to be translated Master; for it is a Title common to all Ministers, but Doctors; and the Academical title of Doctors, is fitter for Masters of Colleges, & Readers in the Schools, then for Church-officers. Here also special care would be taken for setting up of such Preachers in both the Universities, as whose spirit, and gift, and Ministry, might be exemplary patterns to young Students.