B20736:81
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 order in which the Apostle reckoneth these governments, will not suffer that; for here the Apostle reckoneth five several ranks, the former expressly precedent in order before the other; God (saith he) hath set in his Church; First, Apostles; secondly, Prophets; thirdly, Teachers; after that Miracles, which is a fourth rank; then in the fifth place, gifts of healing, and helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Now if by Government, had been meant Pastors, he would not have reckoned them in a lower order, so far after Teachers, seeing they are of the same rank with them.
Answ. The order in which the Apostle reckoneth these governments, will not suffer that; for here the Apostle reckoneth five severall rankes, the former expresly precedent in order before the other; God (saith he) hath set in his Church; First, Apostles; secondly, Prophets; thirdly, Teachers; after that Miracles, which is a fourth ranke; then in the fift place, gifts of healing, and helpes, governments, diversities of tongues. Now if by Government, had been meant Pastors, he would not have reckoned them in a lower order, so farre after Teachers, seeing they are of the same rank with them.
Object. Why, but here helps or Deacons are set before Governments; which argueth the Apostle did not regard to rank them in due order.
Object. Why, but here helpes or Deacons are set before Governments; which argueth the Apostle did not regard to rank them in due order.
Answ. It is evident by the words of order, which the Apostle useth, that he intendeth to reckon the four first sorts in their due order, and the fifth sort of them all in a latter order after the former, though in a promiscuous manner, without respect of order amongst themselves; for so he saith; First, Apostles; secondarily, Prophets; thirdly, Teachers; after them Miracles; then gifts of healing, helps, Governments, diversity of tongues. As Apostles are before Prophets, so are Prophets before ordinary teachers, the teachers before workers of Miracles, the Miracles before them that have the gifts of healing; for the gifts of healing follow after works of miracles, with a note of order, Then. But all those last four, gifts of healing, helps, Governments, diversities of tongues, are reckoned without respect of