A80640:148
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.
But what think ye, was that rash and precipitate act of mine, which hath impeached the happiness of England? It was, saith he, that change of my mind. What change was that? That which I mention in a Letter to some friends in Boston, That if I were with them again, I durst not take that liberty which sometimes I had done: I durst not join in Book-prayers: I durst not now partake in the Sacrament with you: to wit, in respect ⟨p. 29⟩of those scandalous persons who communicate with you, and will settle upon their Lees with the more security by your fellowship with them.
But what think ye, was that rash and precipitate act of mine, which hath impeached the happinesse of England? It was, saith he, that change of my minde. What change was that? That which I mention in a Letter to some friends in Boston, That if I were with them again, I durst not take that liberty which somtimes I had done: I durst not joyn in Book-prayers: I durst not now partake in the Sacrament with you: to wit, in respect ⟨p. 29⟩of those scandalous persons who communicate with you, and will settle upon their Lees with the more security by your fellowship with them.
I do remember such a Letter I wrote; whether to one or moe in Boston, I remember not: Some say it is printed, but I know not, nor have I seen it: But I take the contents as Mr. Baylie reporteth them. And concerning them, I durst appeal even to Mr. Baylie himself, (though a stranger to me, and professing opposition) yet let him speak in good earnest, whether if I had taken longer time of deliberation even to this •ay, I should not have found just cause to have changed my mind, as I then did? Did I change my mind then to any other judgment or practice, then what the Reverend Assembly of Divines, and the Honourable Houses of Parliament have found (by the grace given to them) to be the Truth, and by Public consent approved, and by Public authority established? And doth he think, that it had been happy for England, if the Parliament and Assembly had neither of them changed their minds, but still retained Book-service, and admitted scandalous persons to the Lords Table? How shall a poor Christian do to satisfy his Brethren, that are not satisfied with their own judgment and ways; if he be of the same judgment, or speak the same thing with them? verily, it is not good in Gods sight (but even an abomination to him) to keep a weight and a weight, a measure and a measure: to judge the same act in themselves to be weighty, which in others they judge to be light and rash. But the comfort is, the righteous God judgeth righteously, not according to acceptance of persons, but according to Truth; and accepteth the work of his own Spirit of Truth and Grace wheresoever he findeth it.