A80640:109
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the…
The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A dissuasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book entitled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.The way of Congregational churches cleared in two treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baylie, in his book, called, A disswasive from the errors of the time. In the latter, from some contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium : and from, some mis-constructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book intituled The due right of presbyteries. / By Mr. John Cotton, sometime preacher at Boston in Lincoln-shire, and now teacher of the Church at Boston, in New-England.
London: printed by Matthew Simmons for John Bellamie, 1648
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.
The second was the limitation of Church-power, (even of the highest Apostolical Commission) to the observation of the Commandments of Christ, Matth. 28.20. which made it appear to me utterly unlawful, for any Church-power to enjoin the observation of indifferent Ceremonies which Christ had not commanded. And all the Ceremonies were alike destitute of the commandment of Christ, though they had been indifferent otherwise, which indeed others have justly pleaded they were not.
The second was the limitation of Church-power, (even of the highest Apostolicall Commission) to the observation of the Commandements of Christ, Matth. 28.20. which made it appear to me utterly unlawfull, for any Church-power to enjoyn the observation of indifferent Ceremonies which Christ had not commanded. And all the Ceremonies were alike destitute of the commandement of Christ, though they had been indifferent otherwise, which indeed others have justly pleaded they were not.
What favour I was offered not only for connivance, but for preferment, if I would have conformed to any one of the Ceremonies, I forbear to mention. Yea, when I was suspended upon special complaint made against me to the King that then was, and all hope of restitution denied to me, without yielding to some conformity, at least in one Ceremony at least once; yet the good hand of the Lord so kept me, that I durst not buy my Ministry so dear: And yet (I thank the Lord) my Ministry was dearer to me (to speak the least) then any preferment.
What favor I was offered not onely for connivence, but for preferment, if I would have conformed to any one of the Ceremonies, I forbear to mention. Yea, when I was suspended upon speciall complaint made against me to the King that then was, and all hope of restitution denyed to me, without yeelding to some conformity, at least in one Ceremony at least once; yet the good hand of the Lord so kept me, that I durst not buy my Ministery so dear: And yet (I thank the Lord) my Ministery was dearer to me (to speak the least) then any preferment.