A80640:331
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. 1. It is not enough, that we dare not deny men to be truly Religions: but it were meet we should know them, at least, conceive good hope, they are truly Religiou•, (at least in the judgement of charity) before we receive them into the Church. ⟨p. 73⟩And of such there are not many thousands, no nor many scores, no nor any scores, whom we dare spoil of Church privileges, unless their own offence, or choice spoil them.
Answ. 1. It is not enough, that wee dare not deny men to bee truely Religions: but it were meet we should know them, at least, conceive good hope, they are truely Religiou•, (at least in the judgement of charity) before wee receive them into the Church. ⟨p. 73⟩And of such there are not many thousands, no nor many scores, no nor any scores, whom wee dare spoile of Church priviledges, unlesse their own offence, or choice spoyle them.
Secondly, if men be not Religious, no not so much as in profession, why should it be accounted a grievous absurdity, not to receive them into the Church? A thing is absurd, which is [Greek or Hebrew] out of place. Are men who are not spiritual, out of their place, when they are not placed in a spiritual society? If the Churches be (as Christ describeth them) golden Candlesticks (Revel. 1.20.) is Tin and Lead out of place, when it is not soldered into a Golden vessel? Sure God himself thought otherwise, Isay 1.25. But is it not rather a grievous absurdity, and far out of place, when such are admitted to the Lords Table, who either discern not the Lords Body, or if they be admitted to drink his Blood, will be ready when they are got into the Field to spill the innocent blood of those Roundheads, whom they lately partook withal at the Lords Table?