A80640:353
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.
But Mr. Baylie acknowledgeth Mr. Williams his endeavours in this kind, but doth thereby the more aggravate our corrupt principles and practise, who have neglected so great an opportunity as to prosecute his course. Only Mr. Williams (saith he) did assay,
But Mr. Baylie acknowledgeth Mr. Williams his endeavours in this kind, but doth thereby the more aggravate our corrupt principles and practise, who have neglected so great an opportunity as to prosecute his course. Onely Mr. Williams (saith hee) did assay,
what could be done with those desolate souls, and by little experience quickly found a wonderful great facility to gain thousands of them to so much and more Christianity both in profession and practice, then in the most of our people doth appear. But the unhappiness of these principles whereof we speak, did keep him (as he professeth) from making use of that great opportunity, and large door, which the Lord there hath opened to all who will be zealous of propagating the Gospel.
what could be done with those desolate soules, and by little experience quickly found a wonderfull great facility to gain thousands of them to so much and more Christianity both in profession and practice, then in the most of our people doth appeare. But the unhappinesse of these principles whereof wee speak, did keep him (as hee professeth) from making use of that great opportunity, and large doore, which the Lord there hath opened to all who will bee zealous of propagating the Gospell.
Answ. 1. If Mr. Williams his speech of the wonderful great facility he had of gaining so far upon the Indians, be not too too prodigally hyperbolical (as I much fear it is) I think his sin is so much the greater before the Lord, that he did neglect to take the opportunity of preaching to them the Word of the Lord, that they might have been brought on, not only to an Antichristian conversion (such as he maketh the conversion of the common sort of Christians in Protestant Churches:) but to a sincere conversion unto Christ Jesus. But I confess with Mr.