A80640:344
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.
I will not here speak of the conversion of Weaquash, which (as I hear) is published in a little Script, entitled, New-Englands First-fruits. Nor would I have mentioned the endeavours of some of our fellow-Brethren here, to help forward the work of conversion in Virginia, were it not that the blessing of the Lord Jesus upon their labours doth call for acknowledgement. Some honest minded people in Virginia discerning their want of spiritual Ministry, sent earnest Letters, and one or more messengers, to the Elders of these Churches here for some of our Ministers to break the Bread of Life to them. The Elders here seeking Counsel of God, and one of another, we borrowed two of the Pastors of our Churches, (Mr. Knolls of Watertown, and Mr. Thomson of Braintree, the Churches being either of them supplied with two Ministers apiece) and sent them forth solemnly in the Name of the Lord to that work; who as they went along took with them one Mr. James, a Minister (though then out of employment) from New-Haven, to the fellowship of that work. And for their better encouragement, our Governor here wrote a Letter to the Governor of Virginia to acquaint him, and his Assistants, with the occasion and end of their coming, and expressed withal his desire of their Christian entertainment for a time, and peaceable return, if they found any inconvenience by their coming. What entertainment they found from the major part of the Government there, I forbear to speak. The bloody Massacre, which soon after their dismission, the Indians in those parts executed upon the English, cried aloud from heaven, that after a white Horse, God is wont to send forth a red, Rev. 6.2, 3, 4. But nevertheless, God so far forth followed their labours with his blessing in the work of conversion, that sundry of them were effectually ⟨p. 77⟩wrought upon by the power of the Lord Jesus; whereof some of them came along with our Ministers at their return, and are received into our Churches: others of them who could not so well dispose of their affairs there, joined with one Mr. Harrison a Minister there, (who was also mightily stirred up by our Ministers coming:) and they with him have since given up themselves to more holy communion and conversation before the Lord.
I will not here speak of the conversion of Weaquash, which (as I heare) is published in a little Script, intituled, New-Englands First-fruits. Nor would I have mentioned the endeavours of some of our fellow-Brethren here, to helpe forward the work of conversion in Virginia, were it not that the blessing of the Lord Jesus upon their labours doth call for acknowledgment. Some honest minded people in Virginia discerning their want of spirituall Ministery, sent earnest Letters, and one or more messengers, to the Elders of these Churches here for some of our Ministers to break the Bread of Life to them. The Elders here seeking Counsell of God, and one of another, wee borrowed two of the Pastors of our Churches, (Mr. Knolles of Watertowne, and Mr. Thomson of Braintree, the Churches being either of them supplyed with two Ministers apeece) and sent them forth solemnely in the Name of the Lord to that work; who as they went along took with them one Mr. James, a Minister (though then out of employment) from New-Haven, to the fellowship of that work. And for their better incouragement, our Governour here wrote a Letter to the Governour of Virginia to acquaint him, and his Assistants, with the occasion and end of their comming, and expressed withall his desire of their Christian entertainment for a time, and peaceable returne, if they found any inconvenience by their comming. What entertainement they found from the major part of the Government there, I forbeare to speak. The bloody Massacre, which soon after their dismission, the Indians in those parts executed upon the English, cried aloud from heaven, that after a white Horse, God is wont to send forth a red,