N01544:41
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.
I mention not these things to reflect on any, only Considering that Good and Faithful Pastors in the more Primitive Times, did unawares give a step toward Popery; we should be watchful against any thing that may have the least Aspect that way. The Pastors in the Council at Nice (o)giving the precedency to the Bishop of Rome, was a fatal thing. Before that was done, the Church of Rome (•aith Aeneas Sylvius) had but little Respect.
I mention not these things to reflect on any, only Considering that Good and Faithful Pastors in the more Primitive Times, did unawares give a step toward Popery; we should be watchful against any thing that may have the least Aspect that way. The Pastors in the Council at Nice (o)giving the precedency to the Bishop of Rome, was a fatal thing. Before that was done, the Church of Rome (•aith AEneas Sylvius) had but little Respect.
- (o)Nicenum Concilijum sedem Meretricis qua super septem montes sedet praeparavit. v. Parker pol. Lib. p. 2•9.
4. The Affirmative does not agree with the Doctrine of the most Reformed Churches at this day, Whether Presbyterian or Congregational; If it had been thus Expressed, no Act of the Council shall be decisive without the major part of the Elders, it had been ⟨p. 23⟩(tho' not justifiable) yet less Exceptionable. But as it is now Expressed, it makes Ruling Elders, as well as Brethren in Councils to signify very Little. When the Scripture informs us that the Synodal Decrees of the Council at Jerusalem were Consented to by the Elders; our incomparable Parker observes, that Ruling, as well as Teaching Elders were Comprehended under that Expression. A Ruling Elder has not that Doctrinal Authority, which a Pastor has; nevertheless his Ruling Authority is Equal with the Pastors; and when as Delegates they Sit in Synods, may have an Equal Power. Hence Sutliff, (a Prelatic Protestant) complains that the Synods of the Reformed Churches send two Ruling Elders for one Pastor, and so ( says he ) the major part Carries it against their Pastors. Under the Reforming Parliament in England, there was a Presbyterian Provincial Synod, settled at London