A80640:496
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.
Thus the minor is justly denied: and therefore Vindex chooseth rather to put his minor in other terms;
Thus the minor is justly denied: and therefore Vindex chuseth rather to put his minor in other termes;
The Church of Saints and Believers without Officers, was not such a Church, to whom Peter or any offended Brother did tell an offence.
But now there is Quatuor Termini in his Syllogism: Might tell an offence, and Did tell an offence, make two different Mediums. What if the Church of Corinth when they censured the Incestuous Person, were not such a Church without Officers? ⟨p. 10⟩Or, what if no Church wanted Presbyters in the Apostles times? If it were so, it was the greater bounty of Christ to them in those Primitive times, when the gifts of the Spirit were poured out in more abundance. But yet if a Church of Saints, or Believers without Officers, have power from Christ to elect Officers, then have they power also much more to admit Members. And if they have power to admit them without Officers, they have like power upon just offence to exclude them out of their holy Communion without Officers. For it is the same power to open and to shut, Instituere, & destituere.
But now there is Quatuor Termini in his Syllogisme: Might tell an offence, and Did tell an offence, make two different Mediums. VVhat if the Church of Corinth when they censured the Incestuous Person, were not such a Church without Officers? ⟨p. 10⟩Or, what if no Church wanted Presbyters in the Apostles times? If it were so, it was the greater bounty of Christ to them in those Primitive times, when the gifts of the Spirit were poured out in more abundance. But yet if a Church of Saints, or Believers without Officers, have power from Christ to elect Officers, then have they power also much more to admit Members. And if they have power to admit them without Officers, they have like power upon just offence to exclude them out of their holy Communion without Officers. For it is the same power to open and to shut, Instituere, & destituere.