A80640:508
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. 1. It is not material whether a Particular Congregation of Believers be ever expressly called the Kingdom of Heaven or no; It is enough it is called a Church, yea as it is distinguished from Church Officers. Those whom he calleth the whole Church distinguished from the Apostles and Elders (Acts 15.22.) the same he calleth the Brethren, vers. 23. And if the Brethren may be called the Church, they may justly also be called the Kingdom of Heaven, seeing the style of the Kingdom of Heaven is usually given to the Church. You may more truly observe, that the Presbytery is never called in Scripture the Kingdom of Heaven: no, nor are they called the Church, unless it be in that one place Matth. 18.17.) which yet may sooner be presumed, then proved to be understood of the Presbytery; I mean, a Consistory of Presbyters, distinct from the Congregation of Believers.
Answ. 1. It is not material whether a Particular Congregation of Believers be ever expresly called the Kingdom of Heaven or no; It is enough it is called a Church, yea as it is distinguished from Church Officers. Those whom he calleth the whole Church distinguished from the Apostles and Elders (Acts 15.22.) the same he calleth the Brethren, vers. 23. And if the Brethren may be called the Church, they may justly also be called the Kingdom of Heaven, seing the style of the Kingdom of Heaven is usually given to the Church. You may more truly observe, that the Presbyterie is never called in Scripture the Kingdom of Heaven: no, nor are they called the Church, unles it be in that one place Matth. 18.17.) which yet may sooner be presumed, then proved to be understood of the Presbyterie; I mean, a Consistory of Presbyters, distinct from the Congregation of Believers.
Answ. 2. I dare not say that the Particular Visible Church is never called the Kingdom of Heaven. For when Christ went out to hire labourers into his Vineyard, it was into this or that Particular Church, respectively. And this Vineyard thus destitute of Labourers or Officers, and distinguished from them, is called the Kingdom of Heaven,