A80640:305
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. It were much I confess, if we had all these advantages of concealment which he mentioneth, and yet nevertheless so many, and so shameful absurdities of ou•s should fall out in so short a time, and become to palpable as Mr. Baily proclaimeth them. But the truth is, neither have we had those advantages, (he speaketh of:) but the contrary disadvantages, nor yet do we fear, that he will be able to find such absurdities to have fallen out in our way, much less so shameful.
Answ. It were much I confesse, if wee had all these advantages of concealement which he mentioneth, and yet neverthelesse so many, and so shamefull absurdities of ou•s should fall out in so short a time, and become to palpable as Mr. Baily proclaimeth them. But the truth is, nei•her have we had those advantages, (he speaketh of:) but the contrary disadv•nta•es, nor yet do we feare, that he will be able to find such absurdi•ies to have fallen out in our way, much lesse so shamefull.
For first, the way of the New English Churches is not in the dark, but published to the view of the world, in the book so entitled (refuted by Mr. Rutherford:) as also in the Apology of these Churches, in the Covenant, in the Answer to 32. Questions; ⟨p. 68⟩in another answer to 9. Questions; in the answer to Mr. Herle, and to Mr. Rathbone. Some of our most populous Churches do no Church Act, no not of discipline, but in the presence of the whole Town, (non-members, as well as members) so many of them as are pleased to be present. Ways of truth seek no corners; if any Church admonish a brother privately, it is because his offence is not known to non-members.
For first, the way of the New English Churches is not in the dark, but published to the view of the world, in the book so entituled (refuted by Mr. Rutherford:) as also in the Apology of these Churches, in the Covenant, in the Answer to 32. Questions;