A80640:415
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.
Give me therefore leave to profess freely without offence, what I truly believe without scruple, that though the Acts of Church-government (in the ordination of officers, and censure of offenders) by the Presbyters of neighbour Churches, be very ancient: yet not more ancient then Huma•us Episcopatus (as Beza calleth it:) nor so ancient, as the way of our Congregational government of each Church within it self, by the space of 300. years. I will not here speak of those Texts of Scripture (Matth. 18.15, 16, 17. 1 Cor. 5.) which convince us, that Congregational discipline was instituted by Christ, and his Apostles. I refer them to the sequel, wherein our particular Tenets are discussed by Mr. Baylie, which will come in due place (God willing) to be reviewed and examined. But,
Give me therefore leave to professe freely without offence, what I truely beleeve without scruple, that though the Acts of Church-government (in the ordination of officers, and censure of offenders) by the Presbyters of neighbour Churches, be very antient: yet not more antient then Huma•us Episcopatus (as Beza calleth it:) nor so antient, as the way of our Congregationall government of each Church within it self, by the space of 300. yeers. I will not here speak of those Texts of Scripture (Matth. 18.15, 16, 17. 1 Cor. 5.) which convince us, that Congregationall discipline was instituted by Christ, and his Apostles. I refer them to the sequele, wherein our particular Tenents are discussed by Mr. Baylie, which will come in due place (God willing) to be reviewed and examined. But,
In the first century, whilst the Apostles lived, we read of no act of Church-power put forth by the Elders of Churches over absent Congregations, but only in