N01348:74
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.
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 Titus 1.6. to 9.
Q. What is the Work and Office of Pastors and Teachers?
A. The Office of a Pastor, is to attend to Exhortation, and therein to Dispense a word of Wisdom. The Teacher is to attend unto Doctrine, and therein to attend to a word of Knowledge. Eph 4.11 Rom 12.7, 8 Ezek 3.18, 19 Heb 13.17.
Q. What is the Office or Work of the Ruling Elder?