A80640:123
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.
Wherein then lieth the danger of this way?
Wherein then lyeth the danger of this way?
It seemeth the Dissuader conceiveth (as some others have done) that this way hath bin a double danger to those Churches: 1 In becoming a dangerous inlet to all kind of Sects, who shroud themselves under the name of Independents, and claim impunity under their shadow. 2 In retarding the establishment and free passage of the work of Reformation.
It seemeth the Disswader conceiveth (as some others have done) that this way hath bin a double danger to those Churches: 1 In becomming a dangerous inlet to all kinde of Sects, who shrowd themselves under the name of Independents, and claim impunity under their shadow. 2 In retarding the establishment and free passage of the work of Reformation.
But for the former, if the devil come and sow Tares, yea Briars and Thorns, where Christ hath sown Wheat, is therefore the wheat a dangerous grain? And if thereupon not only tares, but briers and thorns plead for freedom from eradication, must therefore the wheat be plucked up, to root out the rest? Surely the way which is practised in New-England cannot justly be taxed for too much connivance to all kind of Sects: we here do rather hear ill for too much rigour, which evidently argueth, our way is of it self no inlet at all to all kind of Sects, unless it be merely by accident: as Christianity hath been ⟨p. 23⟩an inlet to all kinds of heresy; for where there is no Christianity, there is no heresy.
But for the former, if the devill come and sow Tares, yea Bryars and Thornes, where Christ hath sowen Wheate, is therefore the wheate a dangerous graine? And if thereupon not onely tares, but bryers and thornes plead for freedome from eradication, must therefore the wheat be plucked up, to root out the rest? Surely the way which is practised in New-England cannot justly be taxed for too much connivence to all kinde of Sects: wee here doe rather heare ill for too much rigour, which evidently argueth, our way is of it selfe no inlet at all to all kinde of Sects, unlesse it be meerely by accident: as Christianity hath been