Noteable quotes:
The Congregational church is…united into one body by an holy
Covenant for the public worship of God…and….mutual edification of each other.
Each church is a socity of itself, having officers of their
own which had not the charge of others, virtues of their own for which others
are not praised and corruptions of their own for which others are not blamed.
This is a document which defines church governance through
the lense of theologocial perspectives.
As in the Browne reading there is a separation between
pastors and teachers and a definite separation between the officers, elders,
flock and pastors.
You couldn’t just walk into one of these churches, you had
to be permitted. Maybe that’s the
source of the weirdness today when churches announce that “Everyone is
Welcome”.
Children of members are welcomed, but not considered members
until they have professed their own covenant when they come of age. This sounds like the system in place in
Catholic and Episcopalian churches.
There is a great section on communion of churches which recommends
that churches lend a hand to each other when their issues come up in groups
called Synods.
Strong statement on the separation of church governance from
state governance, although strong recommendation that they work well together.
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