A80640:502
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.
Object. 6. When it is said (in the Way, pag. 1.) Christ committed the Keys to the Church, that is, to a Particular Congregation, it must be meant either Subjectivè, or Objectivè; If it be meant in this latter sense, That the Keys are committed to the Church, as the Object of the exercise of the Keys, that is, for the good and use of the Church, it is truly said, but nothing to the purpose. In this sense, the Keys are given first and more immediately to the Invisible Mystical Church (all are yours, whether Paul, &c.) then to the General Visible Church for their sakes; then to the Particular Congregation, as a part and Member of that General Visible Church. But if it be meant in the former sense (as it must be so meant, or else the Author of the Way doth equivocate with us from the beginning throughout the whole Book) then he falleth into the extreme of the Brownists, which he so laboureth to avoid. For to take the Church (in Matth. 16.) For a particular Congregation of Believers without Officers, is a new, strange, and false Gloss, maintained by none but Brownists, and such like Separatists.
Object. 6. When it is said (in the VVay, pag. 1.) Christ committed the Keyes to the Church, that is, to a Particular Congregation, it must be meant either Subjectivè, or Objectivè; If it be meant in this latter sense, That the Keyes are committed to the Church, as the Object of the exercise of the Keyes, that is, for the good and use of the Church, it is truly said, but nothing to the purpose. In this sense, the Keyes are given first and more immediately to the Invisible Mystical Church (all are yours, whether Paul, &c.) then to the General Visible Church for their sakes; then to the Particular Congregation, as a part and Member of that General Visible Church. But if it be meant in the former sense (as it must be so meant, or else the Author of the VVay doth equivocate with us from the beginning throughout the whole Book) then he falleth into the extreme of the Brownists, which he so laboureth to avoid. For to take the Church (in Matth. 16.) For a particular Congregation of Believers without Officers, is a new, strange, and false Gloss, maintained by none but Brownists, and such like Separatists.