Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…

Name: Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…
Author: Cotton Mather

Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in the churches of New-England. : With interspersed and instructive reflections on the discipline of the primitive churches. : [Seven lines from Ezekiel]

Cotton Mather 1663–1728Boston: printed for S. Gerrish, 1726

[2], iv, 10, 207, [5] p. ; 18 cm. (8vo) · 57k words · Evans 2775

Title page typeset from the transcription.

We Proceed unto the Methods and Customs, IN THE CHURCHES OF New-Eng… › Article 7: ARTICLE VII. The other Ecclesiastical OFFICERS for the Assistance of the PASTORS.We Proceed unto the Methods and Customs, IN THE CHURCHES OF New-Eng… › Article 7: ARTICLE VII. The other Ecclesiastical OFFICERS for the Assistence of the PASTORS.

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.

[ Earlier:335–350 of 557

:335p. 123

An Assembly of our Pastors, once published this as their Judgment; That Ruling Elders are appointed for the Assistance of their Pastors, in the Government of their Churches, and the Inspection of the Flocks. And though these Officers may not be furnished with all those Attainments which are necessary to a Pastor, yet if they are so accomplished, as that they may be Helps to their Pastor, in the Management of their Church Rule, they may be chosen thereunto with much Benefit and Advantage to the People of GOD. But, Whereas 'tis the Business of a Ruling Elder, to assist his Pastor, in Visiting the Distressed; Instructing the Ignorant; Reducing of the Erroneous; Comforting the Afflicted; Rebuking the Unruly; Discovering the State of the whole Flock; Exercising the Discipline of the Gospel upon Offenders; and promoting the Desirable Growth of the Church; 'tis necessary that he be a Person of a Wisdom, Courage, Leisure, & Exemplary Holiness & Gravity, agreeable to such Employments.

An Assembly of our Pastors, once published this as their Judgment; That Ruling Elders are appointed for the Assistence of their Pastors, in the Government of their Churches, and the Inspection of the Flocks. And though these Officers may not be furnished with all those Attainments which are necessary to a Pastor, yet if they are so accomplished, as that they may be Helps to their Pastor, in the Management of their Church Rule, they may be chosen thereunto with much Benefit and Advantage to the People of GOD. But, Whereas 'tis the Business of a Ruling Elder, to assist his Pastor, in Visiting the Distressed; Instructing the Ignorant; Reducing of the Erroneous; Comforting the Afflicted; Rebuking the Unruly; Discovering the State of the whole Flock; Exercising the Discipline of the Gospel upon Offenders; and promoting the Desireable Growth of the Church; 'tis necessa•y that he be a Person of a Wisdom, Courage, Leisure, & Exemplary Holiness & Gravity, agreeable to such Employments.

:336p. 123–124

One is at a Loss about certain Passages in Antiquity. If the Five or Six Brethren, whom Clemens with his Church, sent with his Excellent Letter unto the Church of Corinth, were not such Ruling Elders, yet Firmillian, Bishop of Caesarea, in the Third Century, seems to join the Seniors (or, Elders) with the Pastors, and says, That at certain times, they met for to settle and order

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Westminster Assembly24

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