A80640:480
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.
Answ. 3. The reasons which Vindex objecteth to the contrary, will not prevail against this Truth, no more then the gates of hell against the Church.
Object. 1. It is the Invisible Church only which is built upon the Rock, and against that, the gates of Hell shall never prevail: whereas Particular Churches may fail.
Object. 1. It is the Invisible Church onely which is built upon the Rock, and against that, the gates of Hell shall never prevail: whereas Particular Churches may fail.
Answ. It is not true, that the Invisible Church only is built ⟨p. 7⟩upon a Rock; for Particular Churches are built upon a Rock also. Built they are upon Divine Institution, and Christ is laid for the foundation of them; or else they are not Churches of Christ, which are described to be in God our Father, and in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thes. 1.1. The Apostle Paul laid Christ for the foundation of the Visible Church of Corinth; 1 Cor. 3.10, 11. Christ is not the head of that Church whereof he is not the foundation: and where he is the foundation, he is also the Rock, on which they are built; for he is not a sandy foundation.
Answ. It is not true, that the Invisible Church onely is built ⟨p. 7⟩upon a Rock; for Particular Churches are built upon a Rock also. Built they are upon Divine Institution, and Christ is laid for the foundation of them; or else they are not Churches of Christ, which are described to be in God our Father, and in our Lord Jesus Christ.