B20736:67
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.
Object. 2. But Paul speaketh not of lay Elders ruling in the Church, but of Rulers.
Answ. Neither do we acknowledge ruling Elders in the Church to be lay Elders properly; for to say nothing of the distinction between the Clergy and Laity, which is of a later edition then Apostolic times; the ruling Elders being ordained to the Office by the election of the people, and imposition of hands (as well as the preaching Elders) they are no more lay men, or private Christians, then the Teachers or Pastors are lay Ministers; and though the Pastor & Teacher be either of them Church-rulers, yet the Ruler is here distinguished from them, as a distinct member attending to his action of rule as his proper function.
Answ. Neither do we acknowledge ruling Elders in the Church to be lay Elders properly; for to say nothing of the distinction between the Clergie and Laity, which is of a later edition then Apostolique times; the ruling Elders being ordained to the Office by the election of the people, and imposition of hands (as well as the preaching Elders) they are no more lay men, or private Christians, then the Teachers or Pastors are lay Ministers; and though the Pastor & Teacher be either of them Church-rulers, yet the Ruler is here distinguished from them, as a distinct member attending to his action of rule as his proper function.
Object. 3. Paul speaketh of several gifts, not of public offices in the Churches, for he speaketh of the several powers and action of all the members of the body of Christ; now the officers of the Church, they alone are not the body of Christ, but all the multitude of believers; which of all these gifts in those times, was not common, as well to the people as to the Ministers, and to women as well as to men?
Object. 3. Paul speaketh of severall gifts, not of publike offices in the Churches, for he speaketh of the severall powers and action of all the members of the body of Christ; now the officers of the Church, they alone are not the body of Christ, but all the multitude of believers; which of all these gifts in those times, was not common, as well to the people as to the Ministers, and to women as well as to men?