A80640:362
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.
Come we now to consider of the third shameful Absurdity, which Mr. Baylie maketh the fruit of our Independency, breaking forth in the practises and profession of the most, who have been admitted as very fit, if not the fittest Members of our Churches.
Come wee now to consider of the third shamefull Absurdity, which Mr. Baylie maketh the fruit of our Independency, breaking forth in the practises and profession of the most, who have been admitted as very fit, if not the fittest Members of our Churches.
And these evil fruits he brancheth out into five sorts: "1. (Saith he) in the vileness of their Errors. "2. In the multitude of the erring persons. "3. In the hypocrisy joined with their Errors. 4. In malice against their Neighbours, and contempt of their ⟨p. 83⟩superiors, Magistrates and Ministers for opposition to their evil way. "5. In their singular obstinacy, stiffly sticking unto their errors, &c.
And these evill fruits hee brancheth out into five sorts: "1. (Saith he) in the vilenesse of their Errors. "2. In the multitude of the erring persons. "3. In the hypocrisie joyned with their Errors. 4. In malice against their Neighbors, and contempt of their ⟨p. 83⟩superiors, Magistrates and Ministers for opposition to their evill way. "5. In their singular obstinacy, stiffly sticking unto their errors, &c.
Answ. 1. Suppose all this to be true: yet this is so far from discrediting the way of Independency, or arguing the Tree to be bad by these bad fruits, that it doth rather justify the way to be of God, which so easily hath either healed, or removed, so many, so vile, so general, so subtle, so headstrong corruptions, and them that maintained them. Non seclus, non scelerum varietas aut atrcitas, is dedecus Politiae, sed scelerum impunitas. The Church of Ephesus was not blamed by Christ, because false Apostles and Nicolaitans were found amongst them: but commended, because she could not bear them,