A80640:13
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
Letter: An Epistle PACIFICATORY, To the Brethren dissenting from this Way.
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.
Therefore my humble request to you my Reverend Brethren, is, that ye more study Peace, and stir up Love, among Brethren, and less controversy in these unparalleled times of universal contention, totally polemical, both Scholastically, and civilly. And to this end let us be warned (by that good account this Book renders unto us) of facile credulity, ⟨image 4⟩either to reports, or letters, or Books, unless they be handed to us from the Authors themselves, with whom ye have to do. Otherwise (as this book bears notable witness) our eyes and ears shall be abused, and our judgements warped from the simplicity and straitness of Truth. Suppose any real difference should be between us: if we agree in foundation doctrinals, yea, and in the main Principles of the constitution and jurisdiction, or power of a particular Congregational Church: as that it should consist of Saints in union, invested with Power to take in and cast out; I wonder it should amount to so high a contest, about degrees (which alter not the kind) of forming and reforming such a Church. You say SAINTS in outward profession is the Matter of such a Church; and an implicit uniting, viz. a walking and communicating with you is a sufficient evidencing of the form. We judge that real SAINTS uttering in discourse the breathings of the Holy Spirit, and experiences of conversion, witnessed in a stricter conversation, to be the Matter; and their solemn confession of their Faith, and express open covenanting with the Lord to walk with such a body of Saints in all the ways of Christ to their light and power for reciprocal edification, to be the Manifest Form. How is it now that only a going before one another in degrees of reformation, according to the National solemn League and Covenant, should breed in you as it were a specific opposition against us? If you have a mind to ascend up higher to fetch down differences from above, about Appeals: Nor here hence is their just cause to build up such Bulwarks of Hostility between Brethren. If in the reign of Episcopacy, those Parishes were quiet where could not be found work for the Hierarchy to intermeddle; surely then the Classes may conveniently permit particular Congregations, (prostrated below them as it were at their feet) to rest in peace, whiles they meetly manage their own Church affairs, within their own Sphere.
Therefore my humble request to you my Reverend Brethren, is, that yee more study Peace, and stir up Love, among Brethren, and lesse controversie in these unparelleld times of universal contention, totally polemical, both Scholastically, and civilly. And to this end let us be warned (by that good account this Book renders unto us) of facil credulity,