A80640:452
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. 3. Of the Fruits of Congregational discipline in England.
SECT. 3. Of the Fruits of Congregationall discipline in England.
3 For the fruits of Congregational discipline in England, they that walk in that way amongst you, might speak far more particularly, and largely, then I here can do at such a remote distance. But if Books, and Letters, and reports do not too much abuse us with false intelligence, the great, and gracious, and glorious victories, whereby the Lord hath wrought salvation for England in these late wars, have been as so many testimonies of the blessing of God upon our way. For the chiefest instruments, which God hath delighted to use herein, have been the Faith and fidelity, the courage, and constancy of Independents. And when I say Independents, I mean not those corrupt Sects and Heresies, which shroud themselves under the vast title of Independency, and in the mean time cast off all Church Government, and Churches too; but such as profess the Kingdom of Christ in the government of each holy Congregation of Saints within themselves.
3 For the fruits of Congregationall discipline in England, they that walke in that way amongst you, might speak far more particularly, and largely, then I here can doe at such a remote distance. But if Books, and Letters, and reports doe not too much abuse us with false intelligence, the great, and gratious, and glorious victories, wher•by the Lord hath wrought salvation for England in these late warres, have been as so many testimonies of the blessing of God upon our way. For the chiefest instruments, which God hath delighted to use herein, have been the Faith and fidelity, the courage, and constancy of Independents. And when I say Independents, I meane not those corrupt Sects and Heresies, which shroud themselves under the vast title of Independency, and in the meane time cast off all Church Government, and Churches too; but such as professe the Kingdome of Christ in the gouernment of each holy Congregation of Saints within themselves.