B20736:66
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.
Answ. The Church and family are two distinct bodies: the Apostle speaketh here not of the members of the families, (as such) nor of the functions and duties of family-members, but of the family of the Church, and of their functions and duties one towards another: His words are plain, (vers. 4, 5.) As we (saith he) have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office; so we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. One body in Christ is not one family (in Scripture phrase) but one Church; and of this body of the Church, the members they be, whom Paul directeth to the due dispensing of their several functions and gifts; namely, the public officers of the Church, (Teachers, Pastors, Deacons and Elders,) to attend upon their proper work, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, vers. 6, 7, 8. and all the rest of the members to walk in such duties of love and pureness, brotherly kindness and modesty, diligence and fervency, &c. as are requisite for every Christian, vers. 9. to the end of the Chapter.
Answ. The Church and family are two distinct bodies: the Apostle speaketh here not of the members of the families, (as such) nor of the functions and duties of family-members, but of the family of the Church, and of their functions and duties one towards another: His words are plain, (vers. 4, 5.) As we (saith he) have many members in one body, and all the members have not the same office; so we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. One body in Christ is not one family (in Scripture phrase) but one Church; and of this body of the Church, the members they be, whom Paul directeth to the due dispensing of their severall functions and gifts; namely, the publique officers of the Church, (Teachers, Pastors, Deacons and Elders,) to attend upon their proper work, teaching, exhorting, giving, ruling, vers. 6, 7, 8. and all the rest of the members to walk in such duties of love and purenesse, brotherly kindnesse and modesty, diligence and fervency, &c. as are requisite for every Christian, vers. 9. to the end of the Chapter.
Object. 2. But Paul speaketh not of lay Elders ruling in the Church, but of Rulers.