A80640:300
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. 2. We cannot but with thankfulness acknowledge the goodness of God in our gracious Magistrates, and their assistance to us in the work of the Lord: But when Mr. Baylie maketh them to be at our absolute dev••ion, his [Greek or Hebrew] is too too injurious in debasing them, and (in their eyes) advancing us. For neither are they devoted to us at all, nor much less absolutely. Though they sometimes consult with us in matters of conscience; yet they take our counsel no further then they see it cleared from the Word. And besides, it is too vast an advancement of us, to make them absolutely of our devotion. For devotion in matters of Religion, (or as Thomas speaketh, in iis quae ad Dei cultum, & famulatum pertinent) is a divine worship due to God only; in as much that Aquinas taketh it to be too high a worship to be terminated in Saints, 22ae. Quest. 82. Art. 2. And yet he alloweth more divine worship to Saints, then any orthodox protestant can excuse from Idolatry.
Answ. 2. Wee cannot but with thankfulnesse acknowledge the goodnesse of God in our gratious Magistrates, and their assistance to us in the work of the Lord: But when Mr. Baylie maketh them to be at our absolute dev••ion, his 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 is too too injurious in debasing them, and (in their eyes) advancing us. For neither are they devoted to us at all, nor much lesse absolutely. Though they sometimes consult with us in matters of conscience; yet they take our counsell no further then they see it cleared from the Word. And besides, it is too vast an advancement of us, to make them absolutely of our devotion. For devotion in matters of Religion, (or as Thomas speaketh, in iis quae ad Dei cultum, & famulatum pertinent) is a divine worship due to God onely; in as much that Aquinas taketh it to be too high a worship to be terminated in Saints, 22ae. Quest. 82. Art. 2. And yet he alloweth more divine worship to Saints, then any orthodox protestant can excuse from Idolatry.
Again secondly, It may seem to make the palpableness of our outflowings the more admirable, in that (as he saith) much of our way is yet in the dark.