A80640:215
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.
The Discrepance of all these Divines from the received expressions of the most, gave just occasion, why in such an Assembly, the judgment of sundry acute and judicious Elders, might be enquired. Accordingly, in one day of their dispute in the Synod (with Mr. Whelewright, if I forget not) I interposed such a word as this, God may be said to justify me before the habit, or act of Faith, and the habit is the effect of my Justification, intending the same sense, as hath been expressed out of those Divines: upon which, the next day was taken up in disputing and arguing that Point with me. And when I saw their apprehensions, that they were suitable to Scripture phrase, and the contrary difficulties might be removed sano sensu, I the next morning did of my self freely declare to them publicly, my consent with them in the point, which (as they professed) they gladly accepted.
The Discrepance of all these Divines from the received expressions of the most, gave just occasion, why in such an Assembly, the judgment of sundry acute and judicious Elders, might be enquired. Accordingly, in one day of their dispute in the Synod (with Mr. Whelewright, if I forget not) I interposed such a word as this, God may bee said to justifie me before the habit, or act of Faith, and the habit is the effect of my Justification, intending the same sense, as hath been expressed out of those Divines: upon which, the next day was taken up in disputing and arguing that Point with mee. And when I saw their apprehensions, that they were suitable to Scripture phrase, and the contrary difficulties might bee removed sano sensu, I the next morning did of my self freely declare to them publikely, my consent with them in the point, which (as they professed) they gladly accepted.
Now upon all this relation (which is the substance of the whole Truth in this cause) I desire Mr. Baylie might consider what ground he had, either to report me to the World as sometimes dangerously fallen into the horrible Errors of Antinomianism, and Familism: or to take Ms. Hutchinson's report in this cause, That she was of Mr. Cottons judgment in all things. Let him please to read the short story of the Errors and heresies, for which she was admonished publicly in Boston Church, and compare them with the Tenets of mine now mentioned, and let him judge of himself, whether she was of Mr. Cottons judgment in all things.