A80640:197
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.
Whereupon sundry Elders and Brethren perceiving these Errors to spread, secretly and closely, they consulted among themselves, and with me what I thought of a Synod, whether it might be of use in such a case for the clearing of these Points, and the allaying of the jealousies and differences in the Country? I answered, yea. Thereupon, with consent of the Magistrates, a time, and place was appointed for a Synodical meeting, and sundry Elders were sent for, from other jurisdictions, and messengers from all the Churches in the Country to assist in this work.
Whereupon sundry Elders and Brethren perceiving these Errors to spread, secretly and closely, they consulted among themselves, and with me what I thought of a Synod, whether it might bee of use in such a case for the clearing of these Points, and the allaying of the jealousies and differences in the Countrey? I answered, yea. Thereupon, with consent of the Magistrates, a time, and place was appointed for a Synodicall meeting, and sundry Elders were sent for, from other jurisdictions, and messengers from all the Churches in the Country to assist in this worke.
Against which time three things principally were attended for preparation.
1. A Solemn Fast kept in all the Churches: in which it fell out, that Mr. Whelewright's Sermon was apprehended to give too much encouragement to the Opinionists. And himself hath since confessed, that being but new come into the Country, having but little acquaintance but with his kindred, and their friends, (who were many of them leavened this way) he spake some things, which if he had before discerned their Familism, he would not have expressed himself as he did.
1. A Solemne Fast kept in all the Churches: in which it fell out, that Mr. Whelewrights Sermon was apprehended to give too much encouragement to the Opinionists. And himself hath since confessed, that being but new come into the Countrey, having but little acquaintance but with his kindred, and their friends, (who were many of them levened this way) he spake some things, which if he had before discerned their Familisme, he would not have expressed himself as he did.