A80640:363
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.
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 atr•citas, 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, Rev. 2.2.6. Nor is Thyatira blamed, that Jezebel was found amongst them, but that they suffered her, Rev. 2.20. What if so many, so hideous vile Errors were found in our Churches? What if the number of erring persons were (as he speaketh) incredible? Multitudes of men and women every where infected? almost no Society, nor Family in the Land free from the pest? Boston (which he is pleased to style, the best and most famous of our Churches) so far corrupted, that few were untainted? What if they accounted the late Governor their true friend, and thought no less of Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Whelewright whom they adored? What if they had drawn to their sides not only multitudes of the people, but the ablest men for parts, in all Trades, especially the Soldiers? What if all these evils were carried forth with presumptuous contumacy against godly Magistrates, and the Orthodox Ministers? yea, what if to all the rest, they added obstinacy against all wholesome means of redress and remedy?