N01348:75
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 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?
A. Seeing the Kingdom of Christ is not of this World, but Heavenly and Spiritual; and the Government of his Kingdom is not Lordly, but Stewardly and Ministerial, and to labour in Administration of Exhortation and Doctrine, is the proper work of Pastor & Teacher: It remains to be the Office of the Ruling Elder, to assist the Pastor & Teacher, in all other Acts of Rule besides, as becomes good Stewards of the Household of God. And therefore to put Instances: As, First, To open & shut the Poors of God's House, by Admission of Members, by Ordination of Officers, by Excommunication of notorious and obstinate Offenders. Secondly, To see none in the Church live inordinately, without ⟨p. 22⟩