A80640:151
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.
SECT. IX. Of Cottons pretended known failings, and Mr. Bailies pretended just cause to discover them to the world.
SECT. IX. Of Cottons pretended known failings, and Mr. Baylies pretended just cause to discover them to the world.
Mr. Baylie proceedeth to discover my evident and known failings, (as he calleth them) and he conceiveth neither piety nor charity will hinder him to remark them. And why so? me thinks it should be some great and weighty cause, that himself, who is wont (as he saith) to speak liberally to the praises of men, who in his thoughts are much inferior to Mr. Cotton; should now give up himself to speak liberally to the dispraise and disgrace of him, whom yet in his entrance thereinto he seemeth to reckon amongst such as he calleth the dear children of God. Surely there is not the least child of God, but is ordained of God to be a vessel of honour; and to make any such a vessel of dishonour, what is it else but to endeavour to overthrow the eternal counsel of God? Nor is there the least child of God, but is a member of the Body of Christ; and the natural members of the Body are wont to cover the nakedness of such members as are most uncomely.
Mr. Baylie proceedeth to discover my evident and known failings, (as he calleth them) and he conceiveth neither piety nor charity will hinder him to remark them. And why so? me thinks it should be some great and weighty cause, that himself, who is wont (as he saith) to speak liberally to the praises of men, who in his thoughts are much inferior to Mr. Cotton; should now give up himself to speak liberally to the dispraise and disgrace of him, whom yet in his entrance thereinto he seemeth to reckon amongst such as he calleth the dear children of God. Surely there is not the least child of God, but is ordained of God to be a vessel of honor; and to make any such a vessel of dishonor, what is it else but to endevour to overthrow the eternall counsell of God? Nor is there the least child of God, but is a member of the Body of Christ; and the naturall members of the Body are wont to cover the nakednesse of such members as are most uncomely.