A80640:355
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. 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. ⟨p. 80⟩Baylie, his own corrupt Principles, (his own I say, not ours) it seemeth have detained him from putting forth his hand to the Lords Plough in so large a Field. For if he look (as it seemeth) for new Apostles to be sent immediately from Christ for such a work: or if he think, no Church is, or will be extant upon the face of the earth, till Antichrist be abolished out of the world, these and such like principles are enough, not only to retard him from the planting of Churches amongst Indians, but also to further him in supplanting all the Churches of Christ in Christendom.
Answ. 1. If Mr. Williams his speech of the wonderfull great facility hee had of gaining so farre upon the Indians, be not too too prodigally hyperbolicall (as I much fear it is) I thinke his sinne is so much the greater before the Lord, that he did neglect to take the opportunitie of preaching to them the Word of the Lord, that they might have been brought on, not onely to an Antichristian conversion (such as hee maketh the conversion of the common sort of Christians in Protestant Churches:) but to a sincere conversion unto Christ Jesus. But I confesse with Mr. ⟨p. 80⟩Baylie, his own corrupt Principles, (his own I say, not ours) it seemeth have detained him from putting forth his hand to the Lords Plough in so large a Field. For if hee look (as it seemeth) for new Apostles to be sent immediately from Christ for such a work: or if hee think, no Church is, or will be extant upon the face of the earth, till Antichrist bee abolished out of the world, these and such like principles are enough, not onely to retard him from the planting of Churches amongst Indians, but also to further him in supplanting all the Churches of Christ in Christendome.