A80640:376
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.
Ob. 1. Yea but Mr. Cotton would by no means put the censure in execution upon her, that burden must be laid upon the back of Mr. Wilson, &c.
Ob. 1. Yea but Mr. Cotton would by no means put the censure in execution upon her, that burden must be layed upon the back of Mr. Wilson, &c.
Answ. The censure of admonition, because it was for matter of Erroneous doctrine, it was thought meet to be dispensed and administered by Mr. Cotton, who was their Teacher: which also (by the the help of Christ) he did perform, setting before her both the corrupt causes of her errors, and the bitter fruits of them: and charging her solemnly before the Lord, and his Angels, and Churches then assembled, to return from the Error of her way.
Answ. The censure of admonition, because it was for matter of Erroneous doctrine, it was thought meet to bee dispensed and administred by Mr. Cotton, who was their Teacher: which also (by the the help of Christ) hee did performe, setting before her both the corrupt causes of her errors, and the bitter fruits of them: and charging her solemnly before the Lord, and his Angells, and Churches then assembled, to return from the Error of her way.
Afterwards, when upon further serious debate and conference with her by Mr. Davenport, and my self, she was convinced of all her errors in particular, she being called again before the Church, did openly recant every error and heresy, and professed her repentance for every miscarriage against Magistrates ⟨p. 86⟩and Elders: which far exceeded the expectation of the whole Congregation, which then consisted of many Churches, and strangers. But when she had done, she added withal, That she had never been of other judgement, howsoever her expressions might seem to vary. This sounded so harshly, and falsely in the ears of many witnesses, that many rose up to convince her of her falsehood and lying, in so saying. Which when she did not hearken to, she was esteemed, by the judgement of the Elders, and our whole Church, to be justly subject to excommunication. Which though I did not think meet to be dispensed by my self (because the offence was not in matter of Doctrine, but of practise, which more properly belonged to the Pastors Office, or ruling Elders:) yet I declared to the whole Congregation the righteousness of the censure, and satisfied the Scruples of some Brethren, who doubted of it. But yet if the Church, or other Elders had put that task upon me, I should no more have refused the dispensing of the censure of excommunication upon her, then I did before of admonition. Neither was her opposition against Mr. Wilson any just reason of exempting him from that duty. For she saw, we all with one accord, concurred in that sentence: it was no partial act of his, but the common vote both of the Presbytery, and Fraternity. And what if she had professed her opposition against us all? had that been a just excuse to exempt any of us from performing a service due to God, and the Church, yea and to herself also?