A80640:141
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 next testimony which Mr. Baylie quoteth out of Mr. Edwards to the same purpose, speaketh not of Mr. Goodwin, but of some other whom Mr. Edwards nameth not. But such Apocrypha testimonies with judicious and equal minds, will never go for authentical evidences. For the matter of the testimony it self, I conceive, the form of Church-government wherein we walk doth not differ in substance from that which Mr. Cartwright pleaded for. For two things chiefly there be wherein such as are for a Congregational way, do seem to differ from Presbyterians: 1 In the matter of their Churches; they would have none allowed but visible Saints. 2 In the exercise of Church-censure, they leave that power to the Elders and Brethren of the same Church whereof the delinquent is a member. And in both these we find Mr. Cartwright's footsteps going plainly before us. For, 1. he taxeth in Bishop Whitgift, that speech of his; The Church is full of Drunkards and Whoremongers, &c. Whereas Mr. Cartwright would not have scandalous persons born withal in the Church. And for the 2. he speaketh fully, in 1 Cor. 5.4. Forasmuch (saith he) as the Apostle reproveth the Church of Corinth, for that they had no• (before his Letters) excommunicated the Incestuous; It is evident that the Ministers, and the rest of the Church there had power and authority thereunto.
The next testimony which Mr. Baylie quoteth out of Mr. Edwards to the same purpose, speaketh not of Mr. Goodwin, but of some other whom Mr. Edwards nameth not. But such Apocrypha testimonies with judicious and equall mindes, will never goe for authenticall evidences. For the matter of the testimony it self, I conceive, the form of Church-government wherein we walk doth not differ in substance from that which Mr. Cartwright pleaded for. For two things chiefly there be wherein such as are for a Congregationall way, do seem to differ from Presbyterians: 1 In the matter of their Churches; they would have none allowed but visible Saints. 2 In the exercise of Church-censure, they leave that power to the Elders and Brethren of the same Church whereof the delinquent is a member. And in both these we find Mr. Cartwright's footsteps going plainly before us. For, 1. he taxeth in Bishop Whitgift, that speech of his; The Church is full of Drunkards and Whoremongers, &c. Whereas Mr. Cartwright would not have scandalous persons born withall in the Church. And for the 2. he speaketh fully, in