A80640:251
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.
Answ. 1. Mr. Baylie is mistaken, when he saith, Mr. Wilson was always exceeding zealous against them. For the whole Church will bear him witness, he was a long time full of much forbearance towards them, and thought well of them, and bare witness to the ways of free Grace in such manner, as testified his good will to them and the Truth. Afterwards in some private conference, which one or more of them had with him, and (our beloved Sister) his Wife, he discerned some more rottenness in them, and their way, then he suspected before: And after that time indeed, he grew more zealous against them, but the occasion of the offence was private, and (for a good space) unknown both to me and the Church.
Answ. 1. Mr. Baylie is mistaken, when he saith, Mr. Wilson was alwayes exceeding zealous against them. For the whole Church will bear him witnesse, hee was a long time full of much forbearance towards them, and thought well of them, and bare witnesse to the wayes of free Grace in such manner, as testified his good will to them and the Truth. Afterwards in some private conference, which one or more of them had with him, and (our beloved Sister) his Wife, he discerned some more rottennesse in them, and their way, then he suspected before: And after that time indeed, he grew more zealous against them, but the occasion of the offence was private, and (for a good space) unknown both to mee and the Church.
2. But why they were not called to account by the Presbytery of the Church, the reason was evident: because their gross errors were not confirmed into us, by two or three witnesses. And this I can truly profess, That when the Elders of other Churches acquainted me with some of their Errors, (even when the noise of them was spread far and near:) yet they acknowledged, the Erroneous persons were so cautious, that they would never vent any gross Errors before two witnesses. And this I can further truly avouch, that my self dealt sadly and seriously with some chief leaders of them, both by word, and writing to recover them from the Error of their way: which though they would argue ⟨p. 59⟩