A80640:405
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.
SECT. 20. Tending to consider what better fruits might have been expected from Presbyterian discipline, for the removing of the like absurdities.
Having thus given account to Mr. Baylie of the inconsequence of all his discourse from the errors of this country, to argue the unsoundness of our Church-discipline, let me now entreat him to consider, what better fruits might have been expected in the like case from Presbyterial Government. I demand, if Presbyterian Government had been established amongst us, should we ⟨p. 92⟩not then have received all these Heretics, and erroneous persons, into our Church? Yes surely, for no member of the Commonwealth is excluded: well, therein our Congregational discipline bringeth forth no worse fruit, then their Presbyterian.
Having thus given account to Mr. Baylie of the inconsequence of all his discourse from the errors of this countrey, to argue the unsoundnesse of our Church-discipline, let me now intreat him to consider, what better fruits might have been expected in the like case from Presbyteriall Government. I demand, if Presbyterian Government had been estab•ished amongst us, should wee ⟨p. 92⟩not then have received all these Hereticks, and erroneous persons, into our Church? Yes surely, for no member of the Commonwealth is excluded: well, therein our Congregationall discipline bringeth forth no worse fruit, then their Presbyterian.