N01544:53
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.
4. We have lately seen a miserably divided Church at Hull, very happily restored to Peace, by the blessing of God ⟨p. 34⟩the Endeavours of a Council from Neighbour Churches; which would not have been obtained, if the Method proposed in this Question had been followed.
Thus have I impartially declared my Judgment on the Controverted Questions. Whether the Arguments which satisfy me, will satisfy others, I must Leave with the Divine Providence: Some I believe will on Second Thoughts Change their Sentiments. I come now to that which was the main thing Inducing me to this Disquisition. I would not by what I have written be misunderstood, as if I were disaffected to the Consociation of Churches, in order to the preservation of the Faith and Order of the Gospel professed by them. I know no man that has appeared in this Cause more than I have done. For as to the Consociation of Churches, agreeing among themselves, that no new Churches shall be owne• by them, or Pastor Ordained or Deposed, or the like matters of Common Concernment done without the approbation of Neighbouring Pastors and Churches: I have more than once declared publicly my ⟨p. 35⟩Judgment concerning it, as that which is not only lawful, but absolutely necessary for the Establishment of these Churches. The Light of natural reason, as well as Scripture, teaches Churches in Common with other Societies, to Associate and Combine for their Common Safety. This was practised among the Churches, in the Primitive Times of Christianity; and it is so in most of the Reformed Churches in Europe at this day. Some who are not Christians, have seen a necessity of Consociating, to uphold the false Religion professed by them. To say nothing of many Modern Instances, A late Learned (x)Writer informs us, that some Ages since, there happened a great Contention among the Jewish Synagogues then in France, carried on by three Rabbins of Note among them, who were on that account Cast out of their Synagogues, but others admitting them; what had been done proved insignificant, until they came to a Consociation, the Issue whereof was, that the Beginners of