A80640:322
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.
2. His second testimony is from Mr. Lechford, who styleth his Book against the Country, Plain dealing. And what saith he? In his page 73. Here are (saith he) such confessions, and professions required both of men, and women, both in private and public, before they be admitted, that three parts of the people of the Country remain out of the Church, so that in short time, most of the people will remain unbaptized.
2. His second testimony is from Mr. Lechford, who styleth his Book against the Country, Plain dealing. And what saith he? In his page 73. Here are (saith he) such confessions, and professions required both of men, and women, both in private and publick, before they be admitted, that three parts of the people of the Countrey remain out of the Church, so that in short time, most of the people will remain unbaptized.
Answ. The Book is unfitly called plain dealing, which (in respect of many passages in it) might rather be called false and fraudulent. I forbear to speak of the man himself, because soon after the publishing of that Book, himself was called away out of the world to give account of his Book and whole life before the highest Judge. He was indeed himself not received into the Fellowship of the Church, for his professed Errors: as 1 That the Antichrist described in the Revelation was not yet come, nor any part of that Prophecy yet fulfilled from the 4. chapter to the end. 2. That the Apostolic function was not yet ceased: but that there still ought to be such, who should by their transcendent authority govern all Churches. To reclaim him from these Errors, he was seriously dealt withal both in conference, and (according to his desire) in writing. But when he saw, he could not defend the latter. Error, but by building again the Bishops, against whom he had witnessed (as he said) in soliciting the cause of Mr. Prynne, he rather then he would revoke his present tenet, acknowledged he was then in an Error, when he took part with Mr. Prynne, & Mr. Burton, & therefore he would now return to England again, to reduce those famous witnesses from the Error of their way. And accordingly, away he went: but see the wise hand of God disappointing his ends; When he came to England the Bishops were falling, so that he lost his friends, and hopes both in Old-England and New: yet put out his Book (such as it is) and soon after dyed. By the way, let no man think, he was kept out of our Churches, for maintaining the authority of Bishops. For we have in our Churches some well respected Brethren, who do indifferently allow either Episcopal, or Presbyterial, or Congregational