A80640:385
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 this will not make it good, that almost in every family some were infected with the pest of their errors. It is one thing to speak in the defence of erroneous persons, another to speak in defence of errors. Multitudes there were, that thought well of the persons, who knew nothing of their errors, but heard only of their unbottoming sandy foundations of a spiritual estate, which hath been mentioned above, Chap. 3.
But this will not make it good, that almost in every family some were infected with the pest of their errours. It is one thing to speak in the defence of erroneous persons, another to speak in defence of errours. Multitudes there were, that thought well of the persons, who knew nothing of their errours, but heard onely of their unbottoming sandy foundations of a spirituall estate, which hath been mentioned above, Chap. 3.
Which may also truly be said even of Boston likewise. The body of the Church, the greatest part of them were like those members of the Church in Thyatira, of whom it is said (Rev. 2.24.) They knew not the depths of Satan. The truth whereof may evidently appear by this, That when those errors of Mistress Hutchinson were publicly charged upon her before the Church, and proved by sufficient witnesses, the whole body of the Church, and all the Brethren with one accord (save only her son) consented ⟨p. 88⟩readily to her censure: which they would not have done,
Which may also truely be said even of Boston likewise. The body of the Church, the greatest part of them were like those members of the Church in Thyatira, of whom it is said (Rev. 2.24.) They knew not the depths of Satan. The truth whereof may evidently appeare by this, That when those errors of Mistris Hutchinson were publickly charged upon her before the Church, and proved by sufficient witnesses, the whole body of the Church, and all the Brethren with one accord (save onely her sonne) consented