A80640:238
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.
Notwithstanding all this confident charge of Mr. Baylie, there will be no need at all of any Art to clear Mr. Cotton, from seduction into any such horrible fall, the naked truth (by the help of Christ) will clear both it self, and him. The Testimonies of Mr. Winthrop, and Mr. Wells, are all delivered (as it seemeth) in the short Story. There
Notwithstanding al this confident charge of Mr. Baylie, there will be no need at al of any Art to clear Mr. Cotton, from seduction into any such horrible fall, the naked truth (by the helpe of Christ) will clear both it self, and him. The Testimonies of Mr. Winthrop, and Mr. Wells, are all delivered (as it seemeth) in the short Story. There
In the Preface, page 7. It is said, By this time, they had to patronise them, some of the Magistrates, and some men eminent for Religion, Parts and Wit.
Answ. 1. This were something, if there were no more men eminent for Religion, Parts and Wit, in the Country but my self, who profess no eminency in any of these in respect of many of my Brethren. But if I were eminent, the testimony concludeth not. Let not Art judge, whether the conclusion will follow from both the premises particular: but let common sense judge of such men, as then lived in the Country, whether there were not many eminent persons for Religion, Parts, and Wit, who did patronise them, though I had been out of the Country.
Answ. 1. This were something, if there were no more men eminent for Religion, Parts and Wit, in the Country but my self, who professe no eminency in any of these in respect of many of my Brethren. But if I were eminent, the testimony concludeth not. Let not Art judge, whether the conclusion will follow from both the premises particular: but let common sense judge of such men, as then lived in the Countrey, whether there were not many eminent persons for Religion, Parts, and Wit, who did patronise them, though I had been out of the Countrey.