4 Such a Communion of Churches is that which we plead for, is no Innovation, but that which has ever been the Profession and practice of those that have been called Congregational There is a Book which bears the Title of, An Answer of the Elders of the several Churches in New England to Thirty two Questions, Printed in the year 1643. Of which Book my Father Mather was the Sole Author. And he wrote it in the Primitive Times of these Churches, (viz. in the year 1639) as himself assured me. What he wrote was approved of by other Elders, especially by Mr. Cotton, unto whom he Communicated it. Now in Answer to Q 18. p. 64. are these words, The Consociation ⟨p. 74⟩of Churches into Classes and Synods, […] h•ld to be Lawful, and in some cases Necessary: as namely, in things that are not Peculiar to one Church, but Common to them all. And likewise, […] a Church is not able to End any matter which concerns only themselves, then they are to seek for Counsel and Advice from Neighbour Churches, as the Church at Antioch did send unto the Church at Jerusalem. Act 15.2. The ground and use of Classes and Synods with the Limitations therein to be Observed, is Summarily laid down by Dr. Ames, unto whom we do wholly Consent in this matter. This was, and is the Judgment of all that adhere to the Order of the Gospel Professed in the Churches of New-England. The world is much mistaken in thinking that Congregational Churches are Independent. That Name has indeed been fastened upon them by their Adversaries; but our Platform of Discipline Chap. 2. Sect. 5. disclaims the name. And so does our Renowned Hooker (c)in his Survey of Church Discipline. Likewise those famous Apologists in the Assembly at Westminster, viz. Dr. Goodwin, Mr. Nigh, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Borough's, and Mr. Bridge, say that It is a Maxim to be abhorred, that a single and particular Society of men Professing the name of Christ, should Arrogate to themselves an Exemption from giving an account to, or being censurable by Neighbour Churches about them. That Apostle of this Age, (as Dr. Goodwin calls him) Mr. Cotton, the first and forever ⟨p. 75⟩famous Teacher in this Boston, when he in the Name of the Elders and Messengers of the Churches, gave to Mr.
4 Such a Communion of Churches is that which we plead for, is no Innovation, but that which has ever been the Profession and practice of those that have been called Congregational There is a Book which bears the Title of, An Answer of the Elders of the several Churches in New England to Thirty two Questions, Printed in the year 1643. Of which Book my Father Mather was the Sole Author. And he wro•e it in the Primitive Times of these Churches, (viz. in the year 1639) as himself assured me. What he wrote was approved of by other Elders, especially by Mr. Cotton, unto whom he Communicated it. Now in Answer to Q 18. p. 64. are these words, The Consociation ⟨p. 74⟩of Churches into Classes and Synods, 〈…〉 h•ld to be Lawful, and in some cases Necessary: as namely, in things that are not Peculiar to one Church, but Common to them all. And likewise, 〈…〉 a Church is not able to End any matter which concerns only themselves, then they are to seek for Councel and Advice from Neighbour Churches, as the Church at Antioch did send unto the Church at Jerusalem. Act 15.2. The ground and use of Classes and Synods with the Limitations therein to be Observed, is Summarily laid down by Dr. Ames, unto whom we do wholly Consent in this matter. This was, and is the Judgment of all that adhere to the Order of the Gospel Professed in the Churches of New-England. The world is much mistaken in thinking that Congregational Churches are Independent. That Name has indeed been fastned upon them by their Adversaries; but our Platform of Discipline Chap. 2. Sect. 5. disclaims the name. And so does our Renowned Hooker (c)in his Survey of Church Discipline. Likewise those famous Apologists in the Assembly at Westminster, viz. Dr. Goodwin, Mr. Nye, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Burrough's, and Mr. Bridge, say that It is a Maxim to be abhorred, that a single and particular Society of men Professing the name of Christ, should Arrogate to themselves an Exemption from giving an account to, or being censurable by Neighbour Churches about them. That Apostle of this Age, (as Dr. Goodwin calls him) Mr. Cotton, the first and forever ⟨p. 75⟩famous Teacher in this Boston, when he in the Name of the Elders and Messengers of the Churches, gave to Mr.
- (c)Part 2. Chap. •.
