A80640:212
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.
Before Faith, ⟨p. 49⟩this Righteousness of Christ was ours, and in the intention of God the Father, and of Christ our Mediator, was wrought for us. And because it is wrought for us, therefore God in his own time will give it us, and Grace of every kind, even Faith it self amongst the rest. But Faith coming, (which the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts) then at length this love of God to us in Christ, is acknowledged & perceived. Whence it is, that the Righteousness of Christ is said to be imputed to us, by Faith, because it is not discerned to be imputed to us, but by Faith: and then we are said to be justified with that kind of Justification, & absolution from sin, which breedeth peace in our Consciences. And this (saith he) I confirm by two arguments. 1. Because by the Righteousness of Christ, we obtain not only Remission of sins, but Faith it self, and Repentance, as it is written, God hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Christ, Ephes. 1.3. Therefore even before Faith and Repentance, the Righteousness of Christ is applied to us, as for which we obtain Grace effectual to believe in Christ, and to repent. 2. Because Justification and absolution, as they signify an immanent act in God, are ab aeterno, &c. Whereto he subjoineth the Poets ingenuous verse to the reader. Si quid novisti rectius istis, Candidus imperti; si non, bis utere mecum.
Before Faith, ⟨p. 49⟩this Righteousnesse of Christ was ours, and in the intention of God the Father, and of Christ our Mediator, was wrought for us. And because it is wrought for us, therefore God in his own time will give it us, and Grace of every kind, even Faith it self amongst the rest. But Faith coming, (which the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts) then at length this love of God to us in Christ, is acknowledged & perceived. Whence it is, that the Righteousnesse of Christ is said to bee imputed to us, by Faith, because it is not descerned to be imputed to us, but by Faith: and then we are said to be justified with that kind of Justification, & absolution from sin, which breedeth peace in our Consciences. And this (saith he) I confirm by two arguments. 1. Because by the Righteousnesse of Christ, wee obtain not onely Remission of sinnes, but Faith it self, and Repentance, as it is writen, God hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in Christ,