N00779:47
The order of the Gospel, professed and practised by the churches of Christ in…
The order of the Gospel, professed and practised by the churches of Christ in New England, justified, by the Scripture, and by the writings of many learned men, both ancient and modern divines; in answer to several questions, relating to church discipline / by Increase Mather, president of Harvard College in Cambridge, and teacher of a church at Boston in New England. ; [Five lines of Scripture texts]The order of the Gospel, professed and practised by the churches of Christ in New England, justified, by the Scripture, and by the writings of many learned men, both ancient and modern divines; in answer to several questions, relating to church discipline / by Increase Mather, president of Harvard Colledge in Cambridge, and teacher of a church at Boston in New England. ; [Five lines of Scripture texts]
Boston: printed by B. Green for Benjamin Eliot, 1700
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.
Answ. There is some difference of Apprehension, and yet no breach of Amity or Union, as to this Question between the Brethren of the Presbyterian and the Congregational way, the former giving this power only to the Eldership, the later joining the Fraternity with them. (e)Mr. Cotton, and from him Mr. Norton has Judiciously stated and discussed this Controversy. Let their and some other Arguments be duly weighed in the Balla••• of the Sanctuary.
Answ. There is some difference of Apprehension, and yet no breach of Amity or Vnion, as to this Question between the Brethren of the Presbyterian and the Congregational way, the former giving this power only to the Eldership, the later joyning the Fraternity with them. (e)Mr. Cotton, and from him Mr. Norton has Judiciously stated and discussed this Controversy. Let their and some other Arguments be duely weighed in the Balla••• of the Sanctuary.
- (e)In Resp. ad Apollon. p. 13.
1. They that have power in Admission have power to Judge whether the persons to be Admitted are duly qualified for Admission. But this is true of the Fraternity as well as of the Presbytery. No one can be Admitted ⟨p. 24⟩into the Church by the Elders without the Consent of the Brethren. The Community is concerned in who are Admitted, and therefore should concur therein. Its a received maxim, Quod tangit omnes, debet ab omnibus approbari. And reason says, They that have power to Admit have power to Judge whether the persons who desire it, are fit for that Admittance.