N00061:37
Communion of churches: or, The divine management of Gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils,…
Communion of churches: or, The divine management of Gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils, constituted in order according to the Scriptures. : As also, the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular reforming congregational churches: humbly proposed, as a way which hath so much light from the Scriptures of truth, as that it may lawfully be submitted unto by all; and may, by the blessing of the Lord, be a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties, the Presbyterians and the Congregationals. : As also to prepare for the hoped for resurrection of the churches; and to propose a way to bring all Christian nations unto an unity of the faith and order of the Gospel. / Written by John Eliot, teacher of Roxbury in N.E. ; [Two lines of Scripture texts]Communion of churches: or, The divine management of Gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils, constituted in order according to the Scriptures. : As also, the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular reforming congregationall churches: humbly proposed, as a way which hath so much light from the Scriptures of truth, as that it may lawfully be submitted unto by all; and may, by the blessing of the Lord, be a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties, the Presbyterians and the Congregationals. : As also to prepare for the hoped for resurrection of the churches; and to propose a way to bring all Christian nations unto an unity of the faith and order of the Gospel. / Written by John Eliot, teacher of Roxbury in N.E. ; [Two lines of Scripture texts]
printed by Marmaduke Johnson, 1665
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
VI. Inasmuch as Councils are Public Assemblies, and that not only Ec•lesiastically public, but Civilly also, when they are h•ld with openness and boldness. Hence, Civill Authority hath influence, by Law and Command, to give allowance unto such Assemblies; and so they have an Extrinsical Efficiency in calling Councils: but the Intrinsical and proper Efficients of a Council, are the Churches, who elect and send Messengers to that end.
VI. Inasmuch as Councils are Publick Assemblies, and that not onely Ec•lesiastically publick, but Civilly also, when they are h•ld with openness and boldness. Hence, Civill Authority hath influence, by Law and Command, to give allowance unto such Assemblies; and so they have an Extrinsecall Effi•iency in calling Councils: but the Intrinsecall and pr•per Efficients of a Council, are the Churches, who elect and send Messen••rs to that end.
VII. The Members constituent of a Council, are Church-Messengers.
The persons sent ought to be Elders, of both Orders, Teaching and Ruling, to represent the whole Church; or •n defect of Ruling Elders to represent the people, Faithful Brethren eminent in holiness and wisdom, who are as Elders: Acts 1•.2. Certain other of them Ver. 22. Chosen men chief men among the Brethren. Ver. 32. Being Prophets also