A80640:262
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.
Mr. Whelewright's continuance in his preaching, was 8. or 9. miles distance from us. And having been put into that place before by the Church, whilst the Farmers there belonged to our Church, (which by reason of the distance, we soon after dismissed into a Church-estate amongst themselves) we that were Elders could not (if we would) discharge him from that work, without the consent of the Church. But though he gave some offence in some passages at the Assembly, (which he since upon further conference and consideration retracted:) yet neither the Church, nor my self (notwithstanding those unsafe expressions) did ever look at him, either as an Antinomian or Familist. Many of us knew that he had taken good pains against both, and in that very place, where he was wont to preach; insomuch that ⟨p. 61⟩one of his hearers (who since joined to Mr. Gortons society) openly contested against his doctrine as false and Antichristian. And when Mr. Whelewright was put out of this Country (though he be since restored) yet if he had cleaved to the Errors which Ms. Hutchinson's company fell into, he would never have refused their earnest invitation and call of him, to Minister unto them. They sent to him, and urged him much to come to them, to a far richer soil, and richer company then where he lived: yet he constantly refused, and upon that very ground, because of the corruption of their judgments: Professing often, whilst they pleaded for the Covenant of Grace, they took away the Grace of the Covenant.
Mr. Whelewrights continuance in his preaching, was 8. or 9. miles distance from us. And having been put into that place before by the Church, whilst the Farmers there belonged to our Church, (which by reason of the distance, wee soon after dismissed into a Church-estate amongst themselves) wee that were Elders could not (if wee would) discharge him from that worke, without the consent of the Church. But though hee gave some offence in some passages at the Assembly, (which hee since upon further conference and consideration retracted:) yet neither the Church, nor my self (notwithstanding those unsafe expressions) did ever look at him, either as an Antinomian or Familist. Many of us knew that hee had taken good paines against both, and in that very place, where hee was wont to preach; insomuch that ⟨p. 61⟩one of his hearers (who since joyned to Mr. Gortons society) openly contested against his doctrine as false and Antichristian. And when Mr. Whelewright was put out of this Countrey (though hee be since restored) yet if hee had cleaved to the Errors which Ms. Hutchinsons company fell into, he would never have refused their earnest invitation and call of him, to Minister unto them. They sent to him, and urged him much to come to them, to a far richer soyle, and richer company then where hee lived: yet hee constantly refused, and upon that very ground, because of the corruption of their judgments: Professing often, whilst they pleaded for the Covenant of Grace, they took away the Grace of the Covenant.