B20736:62
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 2 › 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.
SECT. II.
AS for ruling Elders, the same Text of Scripture (Rom. 12.8.) speaketh as expressly for their distinct office also; for there speaking of the several members of the body of Christ (which is his Church) he directing them to attend to their proper work: as the Teacher to teaching, the Pastor to exhortation, the Deacon to give ⟨p. 14⟩with simplicity, he directeth also the Ruler to rule with diligence: and who is that Ruler in the Church, but the ruling Elder? of whom the Apostle saith to Timothy, The Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, 1 Tim. 5.17. But, as the wisdom of man is enmity to God; so the wisdom and wit of man hath found out many inventions and exceptions against every Scripture that holdeth forth this Ordinance.
AS for ruling Elders, the same Text of Scirpture (Rom. 12.8.) speaketh as expresly for their distinct office also; for there speaking of the severall members of the body of Christ (which is his Church) he directing them to attend to their proper work: as the Teacher to teaching, the Pastor to exhortation, the Deacon to give ⟨p. 14⟩with simplicity, he directeth also the Ruler to rule with diligence: and who is that Ruler in the Church, but the ruling Elder? of whom the Apostle saith to Timothy, The Elders that rule well are worthy of double honour, 1 Tim. 5.17. But, as the wisdome of man is enmity to God; so the wisdome and wit of man hath found out many inventions and exceptions against every Scripture that holdeth forth this Ordinance.