N01544:34
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.
1. In the Synod at Jerusalem (the first and only Council of Churches mentioned in the Scripture) The Pasto•• there did not Assume to themselves a Negative over the other Messengers; therefore neither ought it to be so now. It is clear, that not only […], but Brethren acted in that Council; and that Brethren, and not Pastors only should be sent to Synods, it acknowledged by us all. It has been disputed between Protestants and Papists, whether the Brethren, or Pastors only have a definitive Suffrage in Synods. Papists are for Pastors only, and ⟨p. 9⟩so are our Prelatical Writers; one of them lately giveth it for the definition of a Synod, That it is an Assembly of the Hierarchical Order in Consult for the Conduct of the Churches. But our most Eminent Protestant Divines maintain, that Ruling Elders and Brethren have equally a definitive Voice with the other; and this they prove, because it was so in the Synod at Jerusalem, they argue strongly; Why was the Cause brought to the Brethren, and not to the Pastors only if they had not power to judge and to determine concerning the Question before them? The Decrees of that Synod were sent to the Churches in the name of the Brethren, as well as of the Apostles and Elders. Acts 15. 22. It pleased the Apostles and Elders, with the whole Church to send Chosen Men; and ver. 23. They wrote Letters by them after this manner; The Apostles, and Elders, and Brethren, send greeting; and ver. 25. It seemed good to us, viz. Brethren as well as Elders; and ver. 28. It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay no greater burden then these necessary things. The Council at Basil would not admit of ⟨p. 10⟩the Pope's Superiority over the whole Council, as if the Council could not make a Valid Act, if the Pretended Pastor over all the Churches did not Concur; and they reasoned thus, (as I find our Protestant Divines have done) that word Edoxe, which is translated, it pleased, or it seemed good to us (which word is used three times by the Synod at Jerusalem) being spoken not of Pastors only, but of others also; it does evidently import, that those others, viz. the Brethren in the Assembly had a Power of Judgment and Determination in the Question under debate. They in whose Names the Synodal Decrees were sent to the Churches, had undoubtedly a suffrage, and the right of a definitive Sentence in them.