A80640:171
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
Treatise 1 › Chapter 3 › Section 12: Of Cottons pretended Montanism.
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.
Or if he say, (as he doth) that he hath heard of my old Montanism, by some gracious Ministers, let him be pleased to entreat them to declare to me those Points of Montanism, which they know by me, or suspect in me. Otherwise I shall conceive, though they may be gracious Ministers that so told him, yet it was no part of their graciousness so to speak; a speech that neither savoured of Truth, nor love, nor wisdom, nor faithfulness.
Or if he say, (as he doth) that he hath heard of my old Montanism, by some gracious Ministers, let him be pleased to intreat them to declare to me those Points of Montanism, which they know by me, or suspect in me. Otherwise I shall conceive, though they may be gracious Ministers that so told him, yet it was no part of their graciousnesse so to speak; a speech that neither savored of Truth, nor love, nor wisdom, nor faithfulnesse.
But in perusing the sequel of this Discourse, I find a passage, which maketh me suspect, what Tenet of Montanism it is which he aimeth at, in Page 61. speaking of the vileness of the errors of the members of our Churches; They did (saith he) avow openly, The personal inhabitation of the Spirit in all the godly; his immediate Revelations without the Word; and these as infallible as the Scripture it self. And this (saith he) is the vilest Montanism.
But in perusing the se•uel of this Discourse, I finde a passage, which maketh me suspect, what Tenent of Montanism it is which he aimeth at, in Page 61. speaking of the vilenesse of the errors of the members of our Churches; They did (saith he) avow openly, The personall inhabitation of the Spirit in all the godly; his immediate Revelations without the Word; and these as infallible as the Scripture it self. And this (saith he) is the vilest Montanism.