N01544:46
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.
There is a doctrinal Authority belonging to Pastors. 1 Tim 5. 17. I suppose Mr. Cotton intended no more than this, that if the Brethren in the Council at Jerusalem had Concurred in their Advice, if all the Elders and Apostles had not Concurred with them, their Decrees would have had little or no Authority. And who will say otherwise? Mr. Norton in his Catechism, has this Question, What is the Power of a Council? Answ. To declare the Truth, not to Exercise Authority▪ Nevertheless, in his Answer to Apollo ny, p, 118. He proves that the Sentence of a Council is to be Decisive.
There is a doctrinal Authority belonging to Pastors. 1 Tim 5. 17. I suppose Mr. Cotton intended no more than this, that if the Brethren in the Council at Jerusalem had Concurred in their Advice, if all the Elders and Apostles had not Coucurred with th•m, their Decrees would have had little or no Authority. And who will say otherwise? Mr. Norton in his Catechism, has this Question, What is the Power of a Council? Answ. To declare the Truth, not to Exercise Authority▪ Nevertheless, in his Answer to Apoll• ny, p, 118. He proves that the Sentence of a Council is to be Decisive.
3. The words in the Question very much differ from Mr. Cotton's Assertion. For he mentions Elders, when as the Question speaks of Pastors only, which has a Prelatic Aspect. He allows as much Authority to Ruling Elders in Synods, as to Pastors, which the Question as Expressed does not do, but is Exclusive as to their having a Negative on the Acts of the Council.
3. The words in the Question very much differ from Mr. Cotton's Assertition. For he mentions Elders, when as the Question speaks of Pastors only, which has a Prelatick Aspect. He allows as much Authority to Ruling Elders in Synods, as to Pastors, which the Question as Expressed does not do, but is Exclusive as to their having a Negative on the Acts of the Council.