A34675:70
A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of self contradiction, charged on…A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of selfe contradiction, charged on…
A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of self contradiction, charged on him by Mr. Dan. Cawdrey written by himself not long before his death ; whereunto is prefixed, an answer to a late treatise of the said Mr. Cawdrey about the nature of schism, by John Owen ...A defence of Mr. John Cotton from the imputation of selfe contradiction, charged on him by Mr. Dan. Cavvdrey written by himselfe not long before his death ; whereunto is prefixed, an answer to a late treatise of the said Mr. Cavvdrey about the nature of schisme, by John Owen ...
Oxford: printed by H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658
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.
Hinc mihi sola malilabes: This is that inexpiable crime that I labour under; an account of this whole business I have given in my Review; So that I shall not here trouble the Reader with a repetition of what he is so little concerned in. I shall only add that whereas I suppose Mr Cawdrey did subscribe unto the 39 Articles at his Ordination; were it of any concernement to the Church of God, or the interest of truth, or were it a Comely and a Christian part to engage in such a work, I could manifest Contradictions, between what he then solemnly subscribed to, and what he hath since written and Preached, manifold above what he is able to draw out of this alteration of my Judgment. Be it ⟨p. 62⟩here then declared, that whereas I sometimes apprehended the Presbyterial Synodical Government of Churches, to have been fit to be received and walked in, (then, when I knew not but that it answered those principles which, I had taken up, upon my best enquiry into the word of God) I now profess my self to be satisfied, that I was then under a mistake; and that I do now own, and have for many years lived in the way and practice of that called Congregational. And for this Alteration of Judgment, of all men, I fear least a Charge from them, or any of them, whom within a few years, we saw reading the service book in their surplices, &c: against which things, they do now inveigh and declaim. What influence the perusal of Mr Cotton's Book of the Keys, had on my thoughts in this business I have formerly declared. The answer to it (I suppose that written by himself) is now recommended to me by this Author, as that which would have perhaps prevented my, Change; ⟨p. 63⟩But I must needs tell him, that as I have perused that book, many years ago, without the Effect intimated, so they must be things written with an other frame of spirit, evidence of truth, and manner of reasoning, then any I can find in that book, that are likely for the future, to lay hold upon my Reason and understanding. Of my settlement in my present Persuasion I have not only given him an account formerly, but with all Christian Courtesy, tendered my self in a readiness Personally to meet him, to give him the proofs and reasons of my my persuasions; which he is pleased to decline & return in way of answer, That I Complemented him, after the mode of the times; when no such thing was intended.
Hinc mihi sola malilabes: This is that inexpiable crime that I labour under; an account of this whole businesse I have given in my Review; So that I shall not here trouble the Reader with a repetition of what he is so litle concerned in. I shall only adde that whereas I suppose Mr Cawdrey did subscribe unto the 39 Articles at his Ordination; were it of any concernement to the Church of God, or the interest of truth, or were it a Comely and a Christian part to engage in such a worke, I could manifest Contradictions, between what he then solemnly subscribed to, and what he hath since written and Preached, manyfold above what he is able to draw out of this alteration of my Judgment. Be it