N01348:71
A treatise I. Of faith. II. Twelve fundamental articles of Christian religion. III. A…
A treatise I. Of faith. II. Twelve fundamental articles of Christian religion. III. A doctrinal conclusion. IV. Questions and answers upon church-government. Taken from written copies long since delivered by the late Reverend Mr. John Cotton, teacher of the First Church in Boston, in New-England.
Boston: printed by Bartholemew Green?, 1713
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 4: Questions and Answers upon CHURCH-GOVERNMENT: By Mr. John Cotton. Begun 25.11 m. 1634.
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.
Q. What sorts of Bishops, hath God Ordained in his Church?
A. There are three sorts of them, according as there be three sorts of Elders in the Church, though under two heads; some Pastors, some Teachers, some Ruling Elders; that is to say, such Elders as labour in Word and Doctrine; and such as Rule the Church of God, 1 Tim 1 13 1 Cor 12.28 Rom 12.7, 8 1 Tim 5.17
Q. What manner of persons hath God appointed to be called to the Office of a Bishop, or Elders, in the Church?
A. A Bishop, or Elder, in the Church, must be to himself blameless for Holiness and Righteousness, and of a clean heart from passions and lusts; or at least blameless for passions and lust; also a vigilant man, and of good behaviour; also in his Family of good government, and of good hospitality; in his Name of good report, of them that are without; in his Profession, not a young Plant, a young Christian; but holding forth the word of truth, apt to teach it, and to maintain it, 1 Tim. 3.2, to 7