A80640:298
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.
1. In that the Independency hath been brought to the utmost pitch of perfection, which the wit, and industry of its best Patrons were able to attain: and hath been fenced with the Laws of gracious Magistrates, who were at our absolute devotion, and yet hath flown out, &c.
1. In that the Independency hath been brought to the utmost pitch of perfection, which the wit, and industry of its best Patrons were able to attain: and hath been fenced with the Laws of gracious Magistrates, who were at our absolute devotion, and yet hath flowen out, &c.
Answ. 1. We that judge that way (which he calleth Independency) to be of God, should account it blasphemy in our selves to accept such a style put upon us, as to be the best Patrons of it. We do verily believe, that though our selves, all of us, should employ our best wits and industry to join with Mr. Baylie to subvert and deface it: yet the Lord Jesus would show himself a Patron to maintain his own Institutions, though with the confusion of the faces, and enterprises of us all. The Word which hath gone out of his mouth for the Government and ordering of his Church ⟨p. 67⟩till his second appearing, he himself as he hath spoken it, will also show it forth in his times, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, 1 Tim. 6.14, 15.
Answ. 1. We that judge that way (which he calleth Independency) to be of God, should account it blasphemy in our selves to accept such a style put upon us, as to be the best Patrons of it. We doe verily believe, that though our selves, all of us, should imploy our best wits and industry to joyn with Mr. Baylie to subvert and deface it: yet the Lord Jesus would show himself a Patron to maintain his own Institutions, though with the confusion of the faces, and enterprizes of us all. The Word which hath gone out of his mouth for the Government and ord•ring of his Church