Communion of churches, or, The divine management of gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils constituted in order according to the Scriptures as also the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular Reforming Congregationall Churches, humbly proposed as ... a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties the Presbyterians and the Congregationals ... / written by John Eliot.

Title: Communion of churches, or, The divine management of gospel-churches by the ordinance of councils constituted in order according to the Scriptures as also the way of bringing all Christian parishes to be particular Reforming Congregationall Churches, humbly proposed as ... a means of uniting those two holy and eminent parties the Presbyterians and the Congregationals ... / written by John Eliot.

Author: Eliot, John, 1604-1690.

Collection: Early English Books Online

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2. Because this multiplying of Order upon Order, seemeth to be typified in the Ascents and Degrees in Ezekiels Tem∣ple; and by the multiplication of the Number Twelve in the New Ierusalem, Rev. 21, &c.3. Because if there be not this multiplying of Council above Council (above, I say, not in any cal Power, but in Order and Extent) then it doth not yet appear that there is any way or expedient, whereby there should be a General and Equal Communion of all the Churches in a Nation, wherein every Church shall be, by their own act and con∣sent, interessed and concerned.Much less can there be aEqual Communion of Churches, of several Nations.For, if several Nations should need and desire to hold Communion of Councils, who shall chuse the Persons or In∣struments, by whom this Communion shall be held and acted?If Princes chuse them, it is not a regular Ecclesiastical Council. If Churches chuse▪ and send them▪ shall some Churches onely chuse them, or all the Churches? f some onely; who? and why they, and not others▪ and how can their act interest and oblige all?If all the Churches must chuse, then Immediately, or Delegates: Immediately, it is unfeizible, especially to act in knowledge and prudence; but mediately by their Confi∣dents and Representatives they may.The same may be said of the Communion of all the Chur∣ches in a Nation or Province, where Elections must e per∣formed by Representatives. In which way, a General and Equal Election is attainable; and without it, it doth not yet appear that it is attainable.Now that several Nations ought to hold Communion, and also all the Churches in a Nation, it doth appear in these Scriptures: Isa. 19. 23, 24, 25. Zeph. 3. 9. 1 Cor. 11. 1. & 14. 32, 36. Of which see more in Synod at Boston.This being commanded by God, and as yet no Way or Expedient appearing, whereby it may be duely acted, we are at a great loss. Therefore the Lord opening this way, which is so attainable▪ and not without Scripture Light, What i the Churches should set upon the Tryall of it, and see how the Lord may appear unto his Servants therein? As for the Episcopal Way of Government, Alas! that is most remote from this Ordinance of Communion of Chur∣ches.0