N02341:91
Ratio disciplinae fratrum Nov-Anglorum. A faithful account of the discipline professed and practised; in…
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]
Boston: printed for S. Gerrish, 1726
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.
A Body of Christians Associated for all the Ordinances of the Gospel, are a CHURCH of our Glorious LORD, which have among ⟨p. 17⟩other precious Privileges, a RIGHT from HIM, To choose their own Pastors. The Churches which have recovered the Exercise of this RIGHT from the Oppression of Man, under which many Churches of the Reformation are to this Day groaning, ought to keep the Precepts, and the Favours of the Lord, and not easily part with what He has given them. To introduce a Practice in the Choice of a Pastor which being followed, may soon bring a Pastor to be chosen for a Church, which few, yea, none of the Church have ever Voted for, would be to Betray and even Destroy a most Valuable RIGHT, that such a Society has a Claim unto, and many Evil Consequences are to be expected from it. Nevertheless a CHURCH in the Exercise of its RIGHT, ought in all possible Ways consistent therewithal, to consult the Edification and Satisfaction of their Neighbours; especially of those on whose Assistance, to carry on their Affairs, they may have much Dependence. The Church ought so to manage their Choice that if the Neighbours have any just Dissatisfaction, all the Respect required by Scripture, Reason, and Gratitude, may be paid unto it.
A Body of Christians Associated for all the Ordinances of the Gospel, are a CHURCH of our Glorious LORD, which have among ⟨p. 17⟩other precious Priviledges, a RIGHT from HIM, To chuse their own Pastors. The Churches which have recovered the Exercise of this RIGHT from the Oppression of Man, under which many Churches of the Reformation are to this Day groaning, ought to keep the Precepts, and the Favours of the Lord, and not easily part with what He has given them. To introduce a Practice in the Choice of a Pastor which being followed, may soon bring a Pastor to be chosen for a Church, which few, yea, none of the Church have ever Voted for, would be to Betray and even Destroy a most Valuable RIGHT, that such a Society has a Claim unto, and many Evil Consequences are to be expected from it. Nevertheless a CHURCH in the Exercise of its RIGHT, ought in all possible Ways consistent therewithal, to consult the Edification and Satisfaction of their Neighbours; especially of those on whose Assistance, to carry on their Affairs, they may have much Dependence. The Church ought so to manage their Choice that if the Neighbours have any just Dissatisfaction, all the Respect required by Scripture, Reason, and Gratitude, may be paid unto it.