A80640:307
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.
SECT. 16. Of the first absurdity said to be found in our way of Independency.
But what may be those shameful absurdities, which in less then one week of years, we have flown out into more then (those he calleth) Brownists in 50. years of their trial. The fruits of our Church way, (saith he) are first; the holding out of all our Churches and Christian Congregation many thousands of People, who in former time have been reputed in Old England very good Christians. And this (saith he) seemeth a grievous absurdity, a great dishonour to God, and cruelty against men to spoil so many thousand Christians, whom they dare not deny to be truly religious of all the privileges of the Church, either to themselves, or to their children, or put them into the condition of Pagans, &c.
But what may bee those shamefull absurdities, which in lesse then one week of yeares, wee have flowen out into more then (those hee calleth) Brownists in 50. yeares of their tryall. The fruits of our Church way, (saith he) are first; the holding out of all our Churches and Christian Congregation many thousands of People, who in former time have been reputed in Old England very good Christians. And this (saith hee) seemeth a grievous absurdity, a great dishonour to God, and cruelty against men to spoile so many thousand Christians, whom they dare not deny to be truely religious of all the priviledges of the Church, either to themselves, or to their children, or put them into the condition of Pagans, &c.
Answ. 1. If all this were true, yet it is no greater an absurdity then that wherein those whom he calleth Brownists, have not only stumbled upon, but professedly walked in: yea it may be, denying Church Communion to as many Churches as we do to persons in this Country. And this Mr. Baylie hath taxed them for, above in pag. 27. of his Book, though here he forget it.