N01544:31
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.
These things being premised, I proceed to what I have principally designed in this Disquisition. There are two Problems relating to Ecclesiastical Council•, which I▪ have been desired to Express my Thoughts and Judgment concerning ⟨p. 7⟩them. One of the Questions is,
These things being premised, I proceed to what I have principally designed in this Disquisition. There are two Problems relating to Ecclesiastical Council•, which I▪ have been desired to Exdress my Thoughts and Judgment concerning ⟨p. 7⟩them. One of the Questions is,
Whether no Acts of Councils are to be received as Concluding and Decisive, for which there is not the Concurrence of the Major part of the Pastors therein Concerned?
The Affirmative I can in no wise Concur with. I may suppose, that I have as much reason to know what has been the practice of these Churches, as most Men now alive; having been (however unworthy) in the Teaching Office among them for more than two and fifty years; (which so far as I understand, no other Minister now in New-England has) and assisting in many Councils of the Churches, in which I never knew but that the Concurrence of the Major part of the Delegates was Decisive: Nor was it ever declared, that one half of the Pastors in Synods should have a Negative on the whole Council; nor Asserted, That •••tors have a greater Authority than […] Elders, which is implied in the Question under Consideration. Shall we […] that if there should be a Council. […] sisting of ten Pastors and ten […]