A80640:417
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.
1. That this Synod was not Status Conventus, a set monthly, or yearly Assembly, the ordinary standing Judicatory of the Church: nor assembled for administration of ordinary Church-power (as ordination of Officers, or censure of offenders) but called together upon urgent, and unwonted occasion, the dissension of the Church of Antioch, which both craved, and needed direction in such a case, Act. 15.1.2. And we easily grant (what we willingly practise in a Congregational way) that neither doctrine, nor discipline can well proceed unto public Edification, when the Church is rent with dissension. The promise of Christs presence with his Church, is given to them met in his name, and agreeing in his Name, Matth. 18.18, 19. But when a Congregation wanteth agreement and peace amongst themselves, it is then a way of God (according to the pattern, Act. 15.2.) to consult with some other Church, or Churches, either by themselves or their messengers met in a Synod. But then they send not to them for power to administer any ordinance amongst themselves, but for light to satisfy dissenters, and so to remove the stumbling block of ⟨p. 95⟩the suspicion of mal-administration of their power, out of the way.
1. That this Synod was not Status Conventus, a set monethly, or yeerly Assembly, the ordinary standing Judicatory of the Church: nor assembled for administration of ordinary Church-power (as ordination of Officers, or censure of offenders) but called together upon urgent, and unwonted occasion, the dissention of the Church of Antioch, which both craved, and needed direction in such a case, Act. 15.1.2. And wee easily grant (what we willingly practise in a Congregationall way) that neither doctrine, nor discipline can well proceed unto publick Edification, when the Church is rent with dissention. The promise of Christs presence with his Church, is given to them met in his name, and agreeing in his Name, Matth. 18.18, 19