N01544:50
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 Churches or Persons, whose Case calls for a Council, ought no• to have their Liberties Infringed, but they may, and ought to address themselves to such as from whom they may Expect the Clearest Light in the difficulties before them. Why did the Church in Antioch go to the Church at Jerusalem for Council, but because they had reason to think that there was the greatest Light. There were undoubtedly many other Churches nearer ⟨p. 32⟩to them than that at Jerusalem; for the Synod did not meet there before the Year of Christ 49, which was sixteen or seventeen years after our Lord's Ascension. Within that time Christianity had wonderfully Increased. The Disciples were called Christians six years before that. Paul was Converted fourteen years before that, and had (as well as other Apostles) settled many Churches in Syria, which were not so remote from Antioch as Jerusalem was; why then would they […] far as Jerusalem? but because they knew the most able Counsellors in Church Affairs resided there, some of the Apostles especially, and those particularly who seemed to be Pillars, viz. Peter, James, and John. It is supposed that no other Apostles, besides these were present in the Synod at Jerusalem.
1 Churches or Persons, whose Case calls for a Council, ought no• to have their Liberties Infringed, but they may, and ought to address themselves to such as from whom they may Expect the Clearest Light in the •ifficulties before them. Why did the Church in A•tioch go to the Church at Jerusalem for Co•ncil, but because they had reason to think that there was the greatest Light. There were •ndoubtedly many other Churche• nearer ⟨p. 32⟩to them than that at Jerusalem; for the Synod did not meet there before the Year of Christ 49, which was sixteen or seventeen years after our Lord's Ascension. Within that time Christianity had wonderfully Increased. The Disciples were called Christians six years before that. Paul was Converted fourteen years before that, and had (as well as other Apostles) settled many Churches in Syria, which were not so remote from Antioch as Jerusalem was; why then would they far as Jerusalem? but because they knew the most able Counsellours in Church Affairs resided there, some of the Apostles especially, and those particularly who seemed to be Pillars, viz. Peter, James, and Jhn. It is supposed that no other Apostles, besides these were present in the Synod at Jerusalem.