N00594:104
Johannes in eremo. Memoirs, relating to the lives, of the ever-memorable, Mr. John Cotton,…
Johannes in eremo. Memoirs, relating to the lives, of the ever-memorable, Mr. John Cotton, who dyed, 23.d. 10.m. 1652. Mr. John Norton, who dyed, 5.d. 2.m. 1663. Mr. John Wilson, who dyed, 7.d. 6.m. 1667. Mr. John Davenport, who dyed, 15.d. 1.m. 1670. Reverend and renowned ministers of the Gospel, all, in the more immediate service of one church, in Boston; and Mr. Thomas Hooker, who dyed, 7.d. 5.m. 1647. Pastor of the church at Hartford; New-England. / Written, by Cotton Mather. ; [Three lines of Latin quotation]
Boston : Printed for and sold by Michael Perry, at his shop, under the west end of the Town-House., 1695
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.
But the Ecclesiastical Constitution of the Country, was that on which, he Employed his Peculiar Cares; and he was one of those Olive Trees, which afforded a Singular measure of Oil, for the Illumination of our Sanctuary. Now that the World may know the First Principles of New-England, it must be known, That until the Platform of Church Discipline, Published by a Synod in the year 1648 and Composed (chiefly) by ⟨p. 33⟩Mr. Richard Mather, Next unto the Bible, which was the Professed, Perpetual, and only Directory of these Churches; they had no Platform of their Church Government; more Exact, than their famous JOHN COTTONS Well-known Book of, THE KEYS; which Book, Endeavours to lay out the just Lines and Bounds of all Church-Power, and So defines the matter; That as in the State, there is a Dispersion of Powers into Several Hands, which are to Concur in all Acts of Common Concernment; from whence arises the Healthy Constitution of a Common-Wealth: in like sort, he assigns the Powers in the Church unto the several Subjects, wherein the United Light of Scripture and of Nature, have placed them, with a very Satisfactory Distribution He Asserts, That a Presbyterated Society of the Faithful, hath within it self; a Complete Power of Self-Reformation, or if you will; of Self-Preservation, and may within it self manage its own Choices of Officers, and Censures of Delinquents. Now, a Special Statute Law of our Lord having Excepted Women and Children from Enjoying any part of this Power, he finds only Elders and Brethren to be the Constituent Members, who may Act in such a Sacred Corporation; the Elders he finds the First Subject Entrusted with Government, the Brethren Endowed with Privilege, insomuch that though the Elders only are to Rule the Church, and without Them, there can be no ⟨p. 34⟩Elections, Admissions, or, Excommunication• ▪ and they have a Negative upon the Acts of the Fraternity, as well as 'tis They only that have the Power of Authoritative Preaching, and Administering the Sacraments […] Yet: the Brethren have such a Liberty, that without their Consent, nothing of Common Con•••rnment, may be Imposed upon them.
But the Ecclesiastical Constitution of the Country, was that on which, he Employ'd his Peculiar Cares; and he was one of those Olive Trees, which afforded a Singular measure of Oyl, for the Illumination of our Sanctuary. Now that the World may know the First Principles of New-England, it must be known, That until the Platform of Church Discipline, Published by a Synod in the year 1648 and Composed (chiefly) by