A80640:466
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
Part 2 › Preface: The PREFACE.Part 2 › Preface: The PRAEFACE.
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.
Wherein as I expound mine own meaning in the words following (in that Treatise of the Keys) So the Publishers of the Keys, do fitly express the same in their Epistle [The Disposal (say they) "of this Power, may lie in a due allotment into divers hands according to their several concernments; rather then in an entire and sole Trust committed to any one man, or any sort or rank of Men, or Officers.] What saith the Avenger to this? Herein (saith he) Perhaps we might agree with them, but then not with the Author, who places all the power in one sort of men alone, that is, the Brethren without Officers, in the Way, pag. 45. But the Assertor taketh too much liberty, to affirm, I say that in that place, which in the same passage I do expressly deny; My words are express, They, (that is the Brethren) may not administer Sacraments in defect of all Officers, because by the appointment of Christ, that pertaineth only to such as are called by Office to preach the Gospel. Matth. 28.19.20.
Wherein as I expound mine owne meaning in the words following (in that Treatise of the Keys) So the Publishers of the Keys, do fitly express the same in their Epistle [The Disposal (say they) "of this Power, may lie in a due allotment into divers hands according to their several concernments; rather then in an entire and sole Trust committed to any one man, or any sort or rank of Men, or Officers.] What saith the Avenger to this? Herein (saith he) Perhaps we might agree with them, but then not with the Author, who places all the power in one sort of men alone, that is, the Brethren without Officers, in the Way, pag. 45. But the Assertor taketh too much liberty, to affirm, I say that in that place, which in the same passage I do expresly deny; My words are express, They, (that is the Brethren) may not administer Sacraments in defect of all Officers, because by the appointment of Christ, that pertaineth onely to such as are called by Office to preach the Gospel. Matth. 28.19.20.
But (saith the Avenger) in the Way (page 27.) He saith The Power of the Keys is given to the Church, to Peter, not as an Apostle, nor as an Elder, but as a profest Believer, in the name of Believers. Is not this a flat contradiction? No verily, the Solution is very easy and obvious, even to the Avenger himself, if he would but have cast his eye upon the very next words in the Keys, whence this [Greek or Hebrew] is fetched. The words run thus, The sense of the words will be most full, if all the several considerations be taken jointly together. Take Peter considered not only as an Apostle, but withal an Elder also, and a Believer too, professing his Faith, all may well stand together. For there is a different power given to all these, to an Apostle, to an Elder, to a Believer: and Peter was all these, and received all the Power which was given by Christ to any of these, or to all of these together.— So that Augustine did not mistake, when he said, Peter Received the Keys in the Name of the Church.