B20736:88
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.
A third witness to the office of ruling Elders in the Church, is that well known and much agitated Text in Timothy, 1 Tim. 5.17. The Elders who rule well, are worthy of double honour; especially they who labour in Word and Doctrine. This text, though it have been much vexed and racked to look and speak another way; yet when all is done, it still giveth a clear and steadfast evidence to this office. The most learned Adversaries of this Ordinance would fasten four other interpretations of the place, and each of them (as they pretend) more pertinent to the scope and sense of the Apostles words, then this of ruling Elders.
A third witnesse to the office of ruling Elders in the Church, is that well knowne and much agitated Text in Timothy, 1 Tim. 5.17. The Elders who rule well, are worthy of double honour; especially they who labour in Word and Doctrine. This text, though it have been much vext and rackt to looke and speake another way; yet when all is done, it still giveth a cleare and stedfast evidence to this office. The most learned Adversaries of this Ordinance would fasten foure other interpretations of the place, and each of them (as they pretend) more pertinent to the scope and sense of the Apostles words, then this of ruling Elders.
1. Say they, by ruling Elders may be meant Deacons; for the Apostle giving Timothy to understand, what manner of persons they be, with whose maintenance the Church is to be charged, having before informed him of widows, now telleth him the Deacons also are to be maintained, yea, and with a double portion above them; and either the Deacons are not to be maintained at all at the Churches charge, or else the Apostle provideth for their maintenance in this place, or no where.
1. Say they, by ruling Elders may be meant Deacons; for the Apostle giving Timothy to understand, what manner of persons they be, with whose maintenance the Church is to be charged, having before informed him of widowes, now telleth him the Deacons also are to be maintained, yea, and with a double portion above them; and either the Deacons are not to be maintained at all at the Churches charge, or else the Apostle provideth for their maintenance in this place, or no where.