A80640:348
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.
It is true, there may be doubt that for a time there will be no great hope of any National conversion, till Antichrist be ruined, and the Jews converted; because the Church (or Temple) of God, is said to be filled with smoke, till the seven plagues (which are to be poured upon the Antichristian state) be fulfilled: And till then, no man (that is, no considerable number of men out of the Church, as Pagans be) shall be able to enter into the Church, Rev. 15.8. yet nevertheless, that hindereth not, but that some sprinklings, & gleanings of them may be brought home to Christ, as now and then some Proselytes were brought into the fellowship of the Church of Israel, when there was a greater partition wall set up between Jews and Gentiles, then now there is between Christians and Pagans. And the Lord shine upon them in mercy, in blessing the means of his Grace to them in the Lord Jesus.
It is true, there may be doubt that for a time there will bee no great hope of any Nationall conversion, till Antichrist be ruined, and the Jewes converted; because the Church (or Temple) of God, is said to bee filled with smoak, till the seven plagues (which are to be poured upon the Antichristian state) be fulfilled: And till then, no man (that is, no considerable number of men out of the Church, as Pagans be) shall be able to enter into the Church, Rev. 15.8. yet neverthelesse, that hindreth not, but that some sprinklings, & gleanings of them may be brought home to Christ, as now and then some Proselytes were brought into the fellowship of the Church of Israel, when there was a greater partition wall set up between Jewes and Gentiles, then now there is between Christians and Pagans. And the Lord shine upon them in mercy, in blessing the meanes of his Grace to them in the Lord Jesus.
The proof that none of us seem to have minded the work of conversion, Mr. Baylie allegeth out of the Book entitled Plain dealing, which saith, There hath not been sent forth any, by any Church, to learn the Natives-Language, or to instruct them in our Religion first, because they say they have not to do with them being without, except they come to hear and learn English.