N00497:84
Blessed unions. An union with the son of God by faith. And, an union…
Blessed unions. An union with the son of God by faith. And, an union in the church of God by love, importunately pressed; in a discourse which makes divers offers, for those unions; together with a copy of those articles, where-upon a most happy union, has been lately made between those two eminent parties in England, which have now changed the names of Presbyterians, and Congregationals, for that of United Brethren. / By Cotton Mather ; [Six lines from Mead]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Samuel Phillips, 1692
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.
That being my self now Satisfied Concerning the my I might If I pleased Offer that Satisfaction unto any or all of the Churc•• who looked for it, at our usual Opportunity. These Concessions immediately opened Their way, in Ours, unto the Table of the Lord, […] any Difficulty unto either of […]. […] it all this while be Remembered; That I am not proving what must be done; I am only showing what may be done, to prevent Fires, when they may be like to follow other-wise.
That being my self now Satisfy'd Concerning the my I might If I pleas'd Offer that Satisfaction unto any or all of the Churc•• who look'd for it, at our usual Opportunity. These Concessions immediately opened Their way, in Ours, unto the Table of the Lord, 〈…〉 any Difficulty unto either of 〈…〉. 〈…〉 it all this while be Remembred; That I am not proving what must be done; I am only showing what may be done, to prevent Fires, when they may be like to follow other-wise.
Again, Our Churches are some of them furnished, with Elders, whose whole Office tis [God help 'em to Do it Well] To Watch •ver the Conversation of the Church-Members with Authority. It is pleaded, That nothing is Plainer in Scripture, Than Elders, who Rule well, and are Worthy of Double Honour, though ⟨p. 62⟩they do not Labour in Word and Doctrine whereas if there were any Teaching Elders, who do not Labour in Word an Doctrine, they would be so far from being Worthy of Double Honour, th• they would not be Worthy of any Honour, at all. On the other side, some cannot see any such thing as what w• call a Ruling Elder directed and appointed in the Word of God; ye• some do still mention the Thing wi such Exorbitant and Vilifying Term as are far from decent in any thing which themselves own to be so Disputable. And what shall now […] done in this case? I would modestly offer thus much. Let it be first Recognized, That all the other Church-officers are the Assistants of the Pastr who was himself (as you find, even about what the Deacon has now to do) Entrusted with the Whole Care of all, until the further pity and kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, joined other Officers unto him, for his Assistance in it. I suppose, None will be so Absurd as to Deny This at least; That