A80640:438
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
Treatise 1 › Chapter 5 › Section 1: Of the fruits of it in the primitive times.
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.
We have heard of the corrupt fruits, which Mr. Baylie chargeth (but corruptly, and causelessly) upon Congregational discipline: Let us now see, whether better fruits have not been found to grow upon it, even such fruits as do argue the discipline to be the plantation of the Lord Jesus.
VVEe have heard of the corrupt fruits, which Mr. Baylie chargeth (but corruptly, and causelesly) upon Congregationall discipline: Let us now see, whether better fruits have not been found to grow upon it, even such fruits as do argue the discipline to be the plantation of the Lord Jesus.
1 Presupposing that which hath been proved, that our Congregational discipline, is the same (for substance) wherein the Primitive Churches walked for the first 300. years, (to wit, during all the time of the Primitive Persecutions) I conceive (without arrogancy) we may acknowledge the fruits of their discipline to be the fruits of ours.
1 Presupposing that which hath been proved, that our Congregationall discipline, is the same (for substance) wherein the Primitive Churches walked for the first 300. yeers, (to wit, during all the time of the Primitive Persecutions) I conceive (without arrogancy) wee may acknowledge the fruits of their discipline to be the fruits of ours.
First, their exact strictness in examining and trying their Cate•humeni, before they received them into Ecclesiam Fidelium, brought forth this savoury and spiritual fruit, the purity of Churches. Pagans themselves could not charge them with any crime, but the name and profession of Christianity, see Pliny Epistolarum lib. 10. Epistolam 97. Tertullian Apologetic Chap. 3. That which he saith of Cajus Sejus, was a general Elogy of their Church-members, Bonus vir, malus tantum quòd Christianus. A like fruit to that of Daniel against whom his enemies could find no occasion of complaint of error or fault, except it were for the profession of the Law of his God, Chap. 6.4, 5.