A80640:469
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.
Let this serve for my first Answer to this Contradiction: let me also add another.
Answ. 2. If there had been some difference between the Way and the Keys in some expressions: yet (as the Prefacers related from a Letter of mine to a friend of theirs:) it lay rather in Logical Terms, then in Doctrine of Divinity, or Church-Practise: And such, amongst others, is this very point in hand. If there seem to be any difference in the expression of the one Treatise, or of the other, about this point, it is in the first Subject of the Power of the Keys (which is a Logical Notion:) but the point is the same, both in Doctrine of Divinity, and in Church-practise.
Answ. 2. If there had been some difference between the Way and the Keyes in some expressions: yet (as the Praefacers related from a Letter of mine to a friend of theirs:) it lay rather in Logical Termes, then in Doctrine of Divinity, or Church-Practise: And such, amongst others, is this very point in hand. If there seem to be any difference in the expression of the one Treatise, or of the other, about this point, it is in the first Subject of the Power of the Keys (which is a Logical Notion:) but the point is the same, both in Doctrine of Divinity, and in Church-practise.
As for the imputation of Inconstancy, which the Avenger is pleased to put upon me, He hath heard that I have often altered my Judgement since I went to New-England: I should thank him if he would tell me either wherein I have altered my Judgement, or from whom he so heard: Mean while, he may do well to remember, That a Citizen of Zion (a pure member of a pure Church) taketh not up a Reproach against his Neighbour. Psal. 15.3. John Baptist was surmised by some to be a Reed shaken with the wind; but it was a windy Fancy.