N01544:17
A disquisition concerning ecclesiastical councils. Proving, that not only pastors, but brethren delegated by…
A disquisition concerning ecclesiastical councils. Proving, that not only pastors, but brethren delegated by the churches, have equally a right to a decisive vote in such assemblies. : To which is added, proposals concerning consociation of churches, agreed upon by a synod, which convened at Boston, in New-England. : With a preface, containing a further vindication of the Congregational discipline. / By Increase Mather. D.D. ; [Ten lines of quotations]
Boston: printed for N. Boone, 1716
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
It has ever been their declared Judgment, that when there is Want of either Light or Peace in a Particular Church, it is their Duty to ask for Council, with which Neighbour Churches ought to assist by sending their Elders, and other Messengers, to advise and help them in their Difficulties. And that in Momentous Matters of common Concernment, Particular Churches should proceed with the Concurrence of Neighbour Churches. So in the Ordination of a Pastor, much more in the deposing of one. Thus it has ever been in the Churches of New England. And so it was in the more Primitive Times of Christianity, when the People had Chosen a Pastor, they desired Neighbour Pastors to Concur ⟨p. x⟩in his Ordination. When (n)Alexander was Chosen a Bishop or Pastor at Jerusalem, it was with the Concurrence of the Neighbours. Cyprian (o)says, that when Cornelius was Ordained, it was the Approbation of Sixteen Pastors. So when any Church had sufficient Cause to depose a Pastor, they would not do it without the Advice of a Council. When Paulus Samosetanus (p)was deposed for his Heretical Opinions, it was with the Concurrence of a Council, which met at Antioch, about that Affair. When Privatus the Bishop of Lambese (q)was deposed, it was with the Advice of many other Pastors.
It has ever been their declared Judgment, that when there is Want of either Light or Peace in a Particular Church, it is their Duty to ask for Council, with which Neighbour Churches ought to assist by sending their Elders, and other Messengers, to advise and help them in their Difficulties. And that in Momentous Matters of common Concernment, Particular Churches should proceed with the Concurrence of Neighbour Churches. So in the Ordination of a Pastor, much more in the deposing of one. Thus it has ever been in the Churches of NewEngland. And so it was in the more Primitive Times of Christianity, when the People had Chosen a Pastor, they desired Neighbour Pastors to Concur ⟨p. x⟩