A80640:209
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.
To let Mr. Baylie know, and all them that shall read his Book, to consider, what slender ground he had to speak of my wandering into the horrible Errors of the Antinomians, and Familists, and siding therein with Mistress Hutchinson, and therein to tell the world of a more dangerous fall of mine, then that of Montanism: And withal to clear up to him, what little ground Mistress Hutchinson had, to pretend, that she was of Mr. Cottons judgement in all things: that so Mr. Baylie may likewise observe what ground himself had to take up such a report against me, upon her testimony. Which yet will the more fully appear, if I proceed to relate a principal passage or two in the Synod, after it was assembled. It was the first act of the Synod (after Prayer and choice of Moderators) to propound the several offensive opinions, which had been dispersed up and down in the Country, and briefly to argue them, and bear witness against them. The opinions were about fourscore (more or less) which being orderly propounded and argued against, I perceived that some of the Members & Messengers of our Church, were ready to rise up, and plead in defence of sundry corrupt Opinions, which I verily thought had been far from them; especially such as concerned union with Christ before Faith, Justification without Faith, inherent righteousness, and evidencing a good estate by it at all, first or last. Whereupon as soon as I could get liberty of speech with them, Brethren (said I) if you be of that judgment, which you plead for, all these Bastardly Opinions, which are justly offensive to the Churches, will be fathered upon Boston. They answered me again, Though they were not clear for those Opinions, ⟨p. 48⟩which they spake for, yet neither were they clear for condemning of them, considering the tenderness of some Consciences: I replied, if they were doubtful of the Erroneousness and danger of such Opinions, they should have dealt openly with the Church at home, when they were chosen Messengers, and should have declared their judgments before the Church: as knowing such points amongst others were likely to come into agitation in the Synod: whereas now look what they speak, it is conceived by the whole Country to be the judgment of our Church.
To let Mr. Baylie know, and all them that shall read his Book, to consider, what slender ground hee had to speak of my wandring into the horrible Errors of the Antinomians, and Familists, and siding therein with Mistris Hutchinson, and therein to tell the world of a more dangerous fall of mine, then that of Montanisme: And withall to clear up to him, what little ground Mistris Hutchinson had, to pretend, that shee was of Mr. Cottons judgement in all things: that so Mr. Baylie may likewise observe what ground himself had to take up such a report against me, upon her testimony. Which yet will the more fully appeare, if I proceed to relate a principall passage or two in the Synod, after it was assembled. It was the first act of the Synod (after Prayer and choice of Moderators) to propound the severall offensive opinions, which had been dispersed up and downe in the Countrey, and briefely to argue them, and bear witnesse against them. The opinions were about fourescore (more or lesse) which being orderly propounded and argued against, I perceived that some of the Members & Messengers of our Church, were ready to rise up, and plead in defence of sundry corrupt Opinions, which I verily thought had been far from them; especially such as concerned union with Christ before Faith, Iustification without Fiath, inherent righteousnes, and evidencing a good estate by it at all, first or last. Whereupon assoon as I could get liberty of speech with them, Brethren (said I) if you be of that judgment, which you plead for, all these Bastardly Opinions, which are justly offensive to the Churches, will be fathered upon Boston. They answered me again, Though they were not clear for those Opinions,