A80640:500
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. This latter Proposition is left naked and unguarded without proof. And I confess, Ipse dixit may go for a warrant in Pythagorean Philosophy: and teste me ipso may go for a warrant in Royal Grants of Favour: but not in matters of Faith, nor of Justice between King and Subject, much less in matters of controversy amongst Brethren. The truth is, Though the Ordinances of Christ may not all of them be administered in a Church of Believers without Officers, and authoritative dispensing of the Word and Censures, and Ministration of Sacraments: yet some Ordinances of Christ may be found and administered in a Church of Believers without Officers. As it is an Ordinance of Christ, two or three of them (much more all of them) to meet and pray together, and admonish one another in Christs Name, Matth. 18.20. It is an Ordinance of Christ, to elect Officers, (Deacons and Elders:) for this is the power and privilege of the Church of Brethren. Though Titus was lest in Crete to ordain Elders in every City (Tit. 1.5.) yet not to elect them: As Cyprian argueth from sundry passages of the Acts of the Apostles, and other Scriptures; and thereupon inferreth, Plebs Dominicis Praeceptis obsequens, & Deum metuens—ipsa maxime potestatem habet, vel eligendi dignos Sacerdotes, vel indignos recusandi. Cyprian. Epistolarum. l. 1. Epistola. 4.
Answ. This latter Proposition is left naked and unguarded without proof. And I confess, Ipse dixit may go for a warrant in Pythagorean Philosophy: and teste me ipso may go for a warrant in Royal Grants of Favour: but not in matters of Faith, nor of Justice between King and Subject, much less in matters of controversie amongst Brethren. The truth is, Though the Ordinances of Christ may not all of them be administred in a Church of Believers without Officers, and authoritative dispensing of the VVord and Censures, and Ministration of Sacraments: yet some Ordinances of Christ may be found and administred in a Church of Believers without Officers. As it is an Ordinance of Christ, two or three of them (much more all of them) to meet and pray together, and admonish one another in Christs Name, Matth. 18.20. It is an Ordinance of Christ, to elect Officers, (Deacons and Elders:) for this is the power and priviledge of the Church of Brethren. Though Titus was lest in Crete to ordain Elders in every Citie (